2023 Best Tools In The Minor Leagues

Image credit: Masyn Winn (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 2023 minor league season begins Thursday at Double-A, High-A and Low-A. That means it is Opening Day for 90 teams across the three levels after Triple-A opened on March 31.

After years of uncertainty, the 2023 minor league season brings a semblance of consistency. This will be just the second full minor league season since 2019 due to Covid-19. It also marks the first year in which minor league players are covered by a CBA, which guarantees them increased salaries and improved housing accommodations, among other significant benefits.

With the return of baseball across every level, here are the players with the best tools in the minors for the 2023 season.

Only players who are prospect-eligible and on minor league rosters or injured lists were considered.

BEST HITTER

Sal Frelick, OF, Brewers
Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates
Curtis Mead, 3B, Rays
Brooks Lee, SS, Twins
Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Rays

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Aranda, Rays; Jackson Merrill, Padres; Brett Baty, Mets; Edouard Julien, Twins; Jackson Holliday, Orioles; Endy Rodriguez, Pirates.

BEST POWER

Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets
Moises Gomez, OF, Cardinals
Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B, D-backs
Elijah Green, OF, Nationals
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds

Honorable Mention: Jhonkensy Noel, Guardians; James Wood, OF, Nationals; Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds; Diego Cartaya, C, Dodgers; Hunter Goodman, Rockies; Alexander Canario, Cubs; Matt Wallner, Twins; Matt Gorski, Pirates.

BEST SPEED

Jordyn Adams, OF, Angels
Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays
Anthony Baptist, OF, Mets
Samad Taylor, OF, Blue Jays
David Hamilton , 2B/SS, Red Sox

Honorable Mention: Elly De La Cruz, Reds; Johan Rojas, Phillies; Druw Jones, OF, D-backs; Greg Jones, Rays; Nasim Nuñez, Marlins; Wilderd Patiño, D-backs; Jonatan Clase, Mariners; Dasan Brown, Blue Jays; Braiden Ward, Rockies; Luis Valdez, Orioles.

BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER

Drew Romo, Rockies
Jeferson Quero, Brewers
Pablo Aliendo, Cubs
Patrick Bailey, Giants
Logan Tanner, Reds

Honorable Mention: Dillon Dingler, Tigers; Bo Naylor, Guardians; Drew Millas, Nationals; Josh Crouch, Tigers; Ethan Salas, Padres.

BEST DEFENSIVE INFIELDER

Edwin Arroyo , SS, Reds
Casey Schmitt, 3B, Giants
Maikel Garcia, SS, Royals
Armando Cruz , SS, Nationals
Kevin Made, SS, Cubs

Honorable Mention: Joey Ortiz, SS, Orioles; Julio Carreras, SS, Rockies; Jared Triolo, 3B, Pirates; Brayan Rocchio, SS, Guardians; Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox; Carson Williams, SS, Rays; Aeverson Arteaga, SS, Giants.

BEST INFIELD ARM

Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals
Roderick Arias , SS, Yankees
Casey Schmitt, 3B, Giants
Carson Williams, SS, Rays
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds

Honorable Mention: Blaze Alexander, SS, D-backs; Jesus Baez, SS, Mets; Kevin Made, SS, Cubs; Cam Collier, 3B, Reds; Noah Miller, SS, Twins; Addison Barger, SS, Blue Jays; Aeverson Arteaga, SS, Giants; Nasim Nuñez, SS, Marlins.

BEST DEFENSIVE OUTFIELDER

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
Druw Jones, D-backs
Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox
Denzel Clarke, Athletics
Dasan Brown, Blue Jays

Honorable Mention: Evan Carter, Rangers; Jackson Chourio, Brewers; Grant McCray, Giants; Johan Rojas, Phillies; Alex Ramirez, Mets; DaShawn Keirsey, Twins

BEST OUTFIELD ARM

Matt Gorski, Pirates
Mason Auer, Rays
Andy Pages, Dodgers
Joshua Baez, Cardinals
Jose Ramos, Dodgers

Honorable Mention: Rece Hinds, Reds; Matt Wallner, Twins; Gabriel Gonzalez, Mariners; Jerar Encarnacion, Marlins.

BEST FASTBALL

Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
Ben Joyce, RHP, Angels
Gavin Williams, RHP, Guardians
Bryce Miller, RHP, Mariners
Cole Waites, RHP, Giants

Honorable Mention: Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants; D.L. Hall, LHP, Orioles; Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies; Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins; Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates; Daniel Palencia, RHP, Cubs; Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals; Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays.

BEST BREAKING BALL

Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians (SL)
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles (SL)
Bobby Miller, RHP, Dodgers (SL)
D.L. Hall, LHP, Orioles (SL)
A.J. Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves (SL)

Honorable Mention: Luis Ortiz, RHP, Pirates (SL); Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (SL); Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (SL); Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Cardinals (CB); Ben Brown, RHP, Cubs (CB); Mike Burrows, RHP, Pirates (SL); Antoine Kelly, LHP, Rangers (SL); R.J. Dabovich, RHP, Giants (CB); Andrew Baker, RHP, Phillies (CB).

BEST CHANGEUP

Gavin Stone, RHP, Dodgers
Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays
Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants
Dylan Lesko, RHP, Padres
Matt Canterino, RHP, Twins

Honorable Mention: Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Marlins; Jackson Kowar, RHP, Royals; Drew Thorpe, RHP, Yankees; Darius Vines, RHP, Braves; Justin Martinez, RHP, D-backs; Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians.

BEST CONTROL