Minor Leaguers With Major League Tools
Image credit: Kyle Tucker (Photo by Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images)
Baseball America asked the men with the best seats in the house to break down the best players in all 10 full-season minor leagues in a variety of categories. Managers, often with input from their coaching staffs, completed our best tools surveys in July.
| TOOLS | INTERNATIONAL | PACIFIC COAST | EASTERN | SOUTHERN | TEXAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST BATTING PROSPECT |
Ronald Acuna Jr. Gwinnett (Braves) |
Kyle Tucker Fresno (Astros) |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Eloy Jimenez Birmingham (White Sox) |
Fernando Tatis Jr. San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST POWER PROSPECT |
Ronald Acuna Jr. Gwinnett (Braves) |
Tyler O’Neill Memphis (Cardinals) |
Peter Alonso Binghamton (Mets) |
Eloy Jimenez Birmingham (White Sox) |
Austin Allen San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST STRIKE- ZONE JUDGMENT |
Danny Jansen Buffalo (Blue Jays) |
Daniel Vogelbach Tacoma (Mariners) |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Zack Collins Birmingham (White Sox) |
Josh Naylor San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST BASERUNNER |
Kevin Newman Indianapolis (Pirates) |
Raimel Tapia Albuquerque (Rockies) |
Jonathan Davis New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Corey Ray Biloxi (Brewers) |
Myles Straw Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| FASTEST BASERUNNER |
Andrew Velazquez Durham (Rays) |
Terrance Gore Omaha (Royals) |
Jonathan Davis New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Ben DeLuzio Jackson (D-backs) |
Myles Straw Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| BEST PITCHING PROSPECT |
Justus Sheffield Scranton/W-B (Yankees) |
Dakota Hudson Memphis (Cardinals) |
Mitch Keller Altoona (Pirates) |
Griffin Canning Mobile (Angels) |
Forrest Whitley Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| BEST FASTBALL |
Michael Kopech Charlotte (White Sox) |
Sandy Alcantara New Orleans (Marlins) |
Mitch Keller Altoona (Pirates) |
Dylan Cease Birmingham (White Sox) |
C.D. Pelham Frisco (Rangers) |
| BEST BREAKING PITCH |
Jalen Beeks Pawtucket (Red Sox) |
Austin Gomber Memphis (Cardinals) |
Mitch Keller Altoona (Pirates) |
Kyle Wright Mississippi (Braves) |
Matt Festa Arkansas (Mariners) |
| BEST CHANGEUP |
Cole Irvin Lehigh Valley (Phillies) |
Rogelio Armenteros Fresno (Astros) |
Matt Pierpont Hartford (Rockies) |
Wei-Chieh Huang Jackson (D-backs) |
Forrest Whitley Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| BEST CONTROL |
Cole Irvin Lehigh Valley (Phillies) |
Trent Thornton Fresno (Astros) |
Peter Lambert Hartford (Rockies) |
Duncan Robinson Tennessee (Cubs) |
Logan Allen San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST RELIEVER |
Cody Carroll Scranton/W-B (Yankees) |
Jorge Lopez Colo. Springs (Brewers) |
Matt Pierpont Hartford (Rockies) |
Nate Griep Biloxi (Brewers) |
Matt Festa Arkansas (Mariners) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE C |
Eric Haase Columbus (Indians) |
Rocky Gale Okla. City (Dodgers) |
Jake Rogers Erie (Tigers) |
Brian Navarreto Chattanooga (Twins) |
Sean Murphy Midland (Athletics) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 1B |
Edwin Espinal Toledo (Tigers) |
Rangel Ravelo Memphis (Cardinals) |
Will Craig Altoona (Pirates) |
Jake Gatewood Biloxi (Brewers) |
Taylor Jones Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 2B |
Nick Senzel Louisville (Reds) |
Luis Urias El Paso (Padres) |
Stephen Alemais Altoona (Pirates) |
Isan Diaz Jacksonville (Marlins) |
Eli White Midland (Athletics) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 3B |
Ronny Rodriguez Toledo (Tigers) |
Josh Fuentes Albuquerque (Rockies) |
Ke’Bryan Hayes Altoona (Pirates) |
Taylor Sparks Pensacola (Reds) |
Evan Mendoza Springfield (Cardinals) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE SS |
Kevin Newman Indianapolis (Pirates) |
Adalberto Mondesi Omaha (Royals) |
Willi Castro Akron (Indians) |
Zack Short Tennessee (Cubs) |
Nicky Lopez NW Arkansas (Royals) |
| BEST INFIELD ARM |
Rio Ruiz Gwinnett (Braves) |
Jorge Mateo Nashville (Athletics) |
Brendan Rodgers Hartford (Rockies) |
Lucas Erceg Biloxi (Brewers) |
Fernando Tatis Jr. San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE OF |
Ronald Acuna Jr. Gwinnett (Braves) |
Magneuris Sierra New Orleans (Marlins) |
Jonathan Davis New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Monte Harrison Jacksonville (Marlins) |
Braden Bishop Arkansas (Mariners) |
| BEST OUTFIELD ARM |
Gabby Guerrero Louisville (Reds) |
Adolis Garcia Memphis (Cardinals) |
Daniel Johnson Harrisburg (Nationals) |
Aristides Aquino Pensacola (Reds) |
Myles Straw Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| MOST EXCITING PLAYER |
Ronald Acuna Jr. Gwinnett (Braves) |
Kyle Tucker Fresno (Astros) |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. New Hamp. (Blue Jays) |
Eloy Jimenez Birmingham (White Sox) |
Fernando Tatis Jr. San Antonio (Padres) |
| BEST MANAGER PROSPECT |
Kevin Boles Pawtucket (Red Sox) |
Rodney Linares Fresno (Astros) |
Tony Mansolino Akron (Indians) |
Shelley Duncan Jackson (D-backs) |
Omar Lopez Corpus Christi (Astros) |
| TOOLS | CALIFORNIA | CAROLINA | FLORIDA STATE |
MIDWEST | SOUTH ATLANTIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST BATTING PROSPECT |
Jo Adell Inland Empire (Angels) |
Carter Kieboom Potomac (Nationals) |
Jesus Sanchez Charlotte (Rays) |
Alex Kirilloff Cedar Rapids (Twins) |
Chad Spanberger Asheville (Rockies) |
| BEST POWER PROSPECT |
Roberto Ramos Lancaster (Rockies) |
Bobby Dalbec Salem (Red Sox) |
Ibandel Isabel Daytona (Reds) |
Ronaldo Hernandez Bowling Green (Rays) |
Seuly Matias Lexington (Royals) |
| BEST STRIKE- ZONE JUDGMENT |
Luis Rengifo Inland Empire (Angels) |
Carter Kieboom Potomac (Nationals) |
T.J. Friedl Daytona (Reds) |
Ryan Noda Lansing (Blue Jays) |
Jeremy Vasquez Columbia (Mets) |
| BEST BASERUNNER |
Luis Rengifo Inland Empire (Angels) |
D.J. Burt Wilmington (Royals) |
Andres Gimenez St. Lucie (Mets) |
Vidal Brujan Bowling Green (Rays) |
Kirvin Moesquit Delmarva (Orioles) |
| FASTEST BASERUNNER |
Buddy Reed Lake Elsinore (Padres) |
D.J. Burt Wilmington (Royals) |
Andres Gimenez St. Lucie (Mets) |
Brayan Morales Great Lakes (Dodgers) |
Drew Waters Rome (Braves) |
| BEST PITCHING PROSPECT |
Chris Paddack Lake Elsinore (Padres) |
Dylan Cease Winston-Salem (White Sox) |
Tony Santillan Daytona (Reds) |
Hunter Greene Dayton (Reds) |
Will Stewart Lakewood (Phillies) |
| BEST FASTBALL |
Melvin Adon San Jose (Giants) |
Dylan Cease Winston-Salem (White Sox) |
Jorge Guzman Jupiter (Marlins) |
Hunter Greene Dayton (Reds) |
Robert Tyler Asheville (Rockies) |
| BEST BREAKING PITCH |
Tony Gonsolin R. Cucamonga (Dodgers) |
Jonathan Hernandez Down East (Rangers) |
Ryan Hendrix Daytona (Reds) |
Jorge Tavarez Burlington (Angels) |
Kyle Dohy Lakewood (Phillies) |
| BEST CHANGEUP |
Chris Paddack Lake Elsinore (Padres) |
Jimmy Lambert Winston-Salem (White Sox) |
Joey Wentz Florida (Braves) |
Jovani Moran Cedar Rapids (Twins) |
Denyi Reyes Greenville (Red Sox) |
| BEST CONTROL |
Chris Paddack Lake Elsinore (Padres) |
Tanner Tully Lynchburg (Indians) |
Austin Warner Palm Beach (Cardinals) |
Nick Margevicius Fort Wayne (Padres) |
Denyi Reyes Greenville (Red Sox) |
| BEST RELIEVER |
Justin Lawrence Lancaster (Rockies) |
C.D. Pelham Down East (Rangers) |
Ryan Hendrix Daytona (Reds) |
John Ghyzel Dayton (Reds) |
Joe Barlow Hickory (Rangers) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE C |
Brian Serven Lancaster (Rockies) |
Tres Barrera Potomac (Nationals) |
Rene Pinto Charlotte (Rays) |
Miguel Amaya South Bend (Cubs) |
Sebastian Rivero Lexington (Royals) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 1B |
Evan White Modesto (Mariners) |
Gavin Sheets Winston-Salem (White Sox) |
Nate Lowe Charlotte (Rays) |
Jared Young South Bend (Cubs) |
Nick Pratto Lexington (Royals) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 2B |
Max George Lancaster (Rockies) |
Brett Netzer Salem (Red Sox) |
Diego Castillo Tampa (Yankees) |
Irving Lopez Peoria (Cardinals) |
Bret Boswell Asheville (Rockies) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE 3B |
Colton Welker Lancaster (Rockies) |
Abraham Toro Buies Creek (Astros) |
Evan Mendoza Palm Beach (Cardinals) |
Nolan Jones Lake County (Indians) |
Trevor Craport Delmarva (Orioles) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE SS |
Brandon Van Horn San Jose (Giants) |
Luis Aviles Carolina (Brewers) |
Andres Gimenez St. Lucie (Mets) |
Taylor Walls Bowling Green (Rays) |
Jose Devers Greensboro (Marlins) |
| BEST INFIELD ARM |
Cristian Santana R. Cucamonga (Dodgers) |
Anderson Tejeda Down East (Rangers) |
Andres Gimenez St. Lucie (Mets) |
Gabriel Arias Fort Wayne (Padres) |
Oneil Cruz West Virginia (Pirates) |
| BEST DEFENSIVE OF |
Buddy Reed Lake Elsinore (Padres) |
Leody Taveras Down East (Rangers) |
Cristian Pache Florida (Braves) |
Jeisson Rosario Fort Wayne (Padres) |
Drew Waters Rome (Braves) |
| BEST OUTFIELD ARM |
Brandon Marsh Inland Empire (Angels) |
Leody Taveras Down East (Rangers) |
Taylor Trammell Daytona (Reds) |
Eleardo Cabrera Bowling Green (Rays) |
Seuly Matias Lexington (Royals) |
| MOST EXCITING PLAYER |
Jo Adell Inland Empire (Angels) |
Carter Kieboom Potomac (Nationals) |
Cristian Pache Florida (Braves) |
Royce Lewis Cedar Rapids (Twins) |
Seuly Matias Lexington (Royals) |
| BEST MANAGER PROSPECT |
Joe Mather Visalia (D-backs) |
Morgan Ensberg Buies Creek (Astros) |
Mike Rabelo Lakeland (Tigers) |
Craig Albernaz Bowling Green (Rays) |
Marty Malloy Lakewood (Phillies) |
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