Top 100 Prospects Position Rankings: Righthanders
Now that we’ve wrapped up the Top 10 Prospects lists and The Top 100, we turn our attention to how the best of the best stack up against each other with our position rankings.
Quality Of The Class: Talent around the minors is down thanks to the impressive rookie classes of 2014 and 2015 but the depth of righthanders in the minors is still outstanding. There’s top end talent (Lucas Giolito, Alex Reyes and Tyler Glasnow) and a whole lot of depth. The 50th prospect on this list is a better prospect than the 20th best lefty or catcher.
Highest Ceiling: Lucas Giolito, Nationals. Giolito’s combination of a potentially 80 fastball with a potentially 80 curveball makes you expect to see a no-hitter when he’s locked in. He only flashes those 80-grade pitches, but if you’re talking ceiling you are projecting those flashes become more consistent. If you took a pitching machine and dialed it up to the max and watched what it produced, it would come pretty close to Giolito at his best.
Lowest Risk: Jose Berrios, Twins. Starting pitchers are risky by their very nature, but Berrios has demonstrated excellent durability, above-average control and very solid stuff in his four years in the minors. He’s athletic and has a compact delivery. No pitcher is ever a safe bet, but Berrios is safer than most.
Bursting On The Scene (Someone who could leap up this list in 2016): Albert Abreu, Astros. If you’re looking for who could be the next Francis Martes or David Paulino, Abreu is a pretty good candidate. The 6-foot-2, 20-year-old has a mid-90s fastball and above-average changeup already. If he can refine his breaking balls he could turn into another Astros’ front-line starter prospect.
| Righthanders | |
| 1. Lucas Giolito, Nationals | 51. Keury Mella, Reds |
| 2. Alex Reyes, Cardinals | 52. Edwin Diaz, Mariners |
| 3. Tyler Glasnow, Pirates | 53. Ashe Russell, Royals |
| 4. Anderson Espinoza, Red Sox | 54. Antonio Senzatela, Rockies |
| 5. Francis Martes, Astros | 55. Domingo Acevedo, Yankees |
| 6. Jose De Leon, Dodgers | 56. Sean Reid-Foley, Blue Jays |
| 7. Jose Berrios, Twins | 57. Nolan Watson, Royals |
| 8. Robert Stephenson, Reds | 58. Jon Harris, Blue Jays |
| 9. Jon Gray, Rockies | 59. Sam Coonrod, Giants |
| 10. Michael Fulmer, Tigers | 60. Yaisel Sierra, Dodgers |
| 11. Kenta Maeda, Dodgers | 61. Lucas Sims, Braves |
| 12. Jorge Lopez, Brewers | 62. Jharel Cotton, Dodgers |
| 13. Aaron Blair, Braves | 63. Junior Fernandez, Cardinals |
| 14. Dillon Tate, Rangers | 64. Jacob Faria, Rays |
| 15. Brent Honeywell, Rays | 65. Oscar de la Cruz, Cubs |
| 16. Carson Fulmer, White Sox | 66. A.J. Cole, Nationals |
| 17. Jeff Hoffman, Rockies | 67. Jake Woodford, Cardinals |
| 18. Jake Thompson, Phillies | 68. Sandy Alcantara, Cardinals |
| 19. Luis Ortiz, Rangers | 69. Marcos Molina, Mets |
| 20. Grant Holmes, Dodgers | 70. Ray Black, Giants |
| 21. Braden Shipley, D-backs | 71. Kohl Stewart, Twins |
| 22. Erick Fedde, Nationals | 72. Joe Jimenez, Tigers |
| 23. Joe Musgrove, Astros | 73. Yoan Lopez, Diamondbacks |
| 24. Kyle Zimmer, Royals | 74. Rookie Davis, Reds |
| 25. Michael Kopech, Red Sox | 75. Albert Abreu, Astros |
| 26. Touki Toussaint, Braves | 76. Michael Matuella, Rangers |
| 27. David Paulino, Astros | 77. Cody Ponce, Brewers |
| 28. Archie Bradley, D-backs | 78. Mike Soroka, Braves |
| 29. Reynaldo Lopez, Nationals | 79. Sam Tuivailala, Cardinals |
| 30. Jameson Taillon, Pirates | 80. Mychal Givens, Orioles |
| 31. Dylan Bundy, Orioles | 81. Scott Blewett, Royals |
| 32. Hunter Harvey, Orioles | 82. Tyler Mahle, Reds |
| 33. Phil Bickford, Giants | 83. Kendry Flores, Marlins |
| 34. Frankie Montas, Dodgers | 84. Justin Maese, Blue Jays |
| 35. James Kaprielian, Yankees | 85. Victor Alcantara, Angels |
| 36. Spencer Adams, White Sox | 86. Nick Burdi, Twins |
| 37. Duane Underwood, Cubs | 87. Alex Meyer, Twins |
| 38. Tyler Kolek, Marlins | 88. Sal Romano, Reds |
| 39. Mark Appel, Phillies | 89. Zach Lee, Dodgers |
| 40. Tyler Beede, Giants | 90. Gabriel Ynoa, Mets |
| 41. Conner Greene, Blue Jays | 91. Chase Johnson, Giants |
| 42. Dylan Cease, Cubs | 92. Mike Nikorak, Rockies |
| 43. Jack Flaherty, Cardinals | 93. Ricardo Pinto, Phillies |
| 44. Beau Burrows, Tigers | 94. Nick Neidert, Mariners |
| 45. Michael Feliz, Astros | 95. Joan Baez, Nationals |
| 46. Miguel Almonte, Royals | 96. Travis Lakins, Red Sox |
| 47. Taylor Guerrieri, Rays | 97. Jake Jewell, Angels |
| 48. Nick Travieso, Reds | 98. Josh Staumont, Royals |
| 49. Luke Weaver, Cardinals | 99. Jordan Johnson, Giants |
| 50. Franklyn Kilome, Phillies | 100. Jandel Gustave, Astros |
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