Top MLB Prospects Led D-backs, Rangers To 2023 World Series
Image credit: Ketel Marte (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Since 2001, Baseball America has published its annual Prospect Handbook in an attempt to identify the 30 best future major leaguers in every organization.
While hidden gems undoubtedly emerge, nearly every player in the major leagues was identified as a potential prospect at some point in their careers by scouts, front office officials or general observers. That is particularly true for the players who go on to form the backbone of championship teams.
A total of 49 of the 52 players on this year’s World Series rosters for the D-backs and Rangers ranked in a Baseball America Prospect Handbook at least once. That includes ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia, NLCS MVP Ketel Marte, top starters Zac Gallen, Nate Eovaldi, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Max Scherzer and Brandon Pfaadt, standout rookies Corbin Carroll, Josh Jung and Evan Carter and core players Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe, Lourdes Gurriel, Gabriel Moreno and Christian Walker.
In all, that 49 of 52 (94%) is on par with recent years.
2022 (Astros-Phillies): 49 of 52
2021 (Astros-Braves): 49 of 52
2020 (Dodgers-Rays): 48 of 56
2019 (Astros-Nationals): 47 of 50
2018 (Red Sox-Dodgers): 48 of 50
2017 (Astros-Dodgers): 47 of 50
The D-backs are particularly homegrown. In all, 12 of the 26 players on their World Series roster were originally drafted and signed by the organization. If they win the World Series, that would make them the sixth-most homegrown champion since 2000 on a percentage basis behind only the 2002 Angels, 2009 Yankees, 2014 Giants, 2020 Dodgers and 2022 Astros.
The Rangers, who primarily built their team through free agency, are less homegrown. Only six of the 26 players on their World Series roster were originally drafted or signed by the organization. One, lefthander Martin Perez, left the team and returned on a free-agent deal in 2022.
The only three players on this year’s World Series rosters who never ranked in a Prospect Handbook are D-backs relievers Andrew Saalfrank, Kyle Nelson and Paul Sewald.
Below are this year’s World Series rosters and when each player ranked in a Prospect Handbook.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
| Player | Pos | Handbook Apperances |
| Miguel Castro | RHP | Blue Jays 2014-15, Rockies 2016 |
| Luis Frias | RHP | D-backs 2019-22 |
| Zac Gallen | RHP | Marlins 2018-19 |
| Kevin Ginkel | RHP | D-backs 2019-20 |
| Merrill Kelly | RHP | D-backs 2019 |
| Joe Mantiply | LHP | Tigers 2015 |
| Kyle Nelson | LHP | N/A |
| Ryne Nelson | RHP | D-backs 2020-23 |
| Brandon Pfaadt | RHP | D-backs 2022-23 |
| Andrew Saalfrank | LHP | N/A |
| Paul Sewald | RHP | N/A |
| Ryan Thompson | RHP | Rays 2021 |
| Gabriel Moreno | C | Blue Jays 2019-22, D-backs 2023 |
| Jose Herrera | C | D-backs 2015-17 |
| Jordan Lawlar | SS | D-backs 2022-23 |
| Evan Longoria | 3B | Rays 2006-07 |
| Ketel Marte | 2B | Mariners 2014-15 |
| Geraldo Perdomo | SS | D-backs 2019-22 |
| Jace Peterson | 3B/2B | Padres 2012-15 |
| Emmanuel Rivera | 3B/2B | Royals 2018-19, 2022 |
| Pavin Smith | 1B/OF | D-backs 2018-21 |
| Christian Walker | 1B | Orioles 2013-17, D-backs 2018 |
| Corbin Carroll | OF | D-backs 2020-23 |
| Lourdes Gurriel | OF | Blue Jays 2017-18 |
| Tommy Pham | OF | Cardinals 2007, 2014-15 |
| Alek Thomas | OF | D-backs 2019-22 |
TEXAS RANGERS
| Player | Pos | Handbook Apperances |
| Cody Bradford | LHP | Rangers 2022-23 |
| Aroldis Chapman | LHP | Reds 2011 |
| Dane Dunning | RHP | White Sox 2017-20, Rangers 2021 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | RHP | Dodgers 2009-12 |
| Jon Gray | RHP | Rockies 2014-16 |
| Andrew Heaney | LHP | Marlins 2013-14, Angels 2015 |
| Jose Leclerc | LHP | Rangers 2014-17 |
| Jordan Montgomery | LHP | Yankees 2017 |
| Martin Perez | LHP | Rangers 2009-13 |
| Josh Sborz | RHP | Dodgers 2016-19 |
| Max Scherzer | RHP | D-backs 2008 |
| Will Smith | LHP | Angels 2009-10, Royals 2012 |
| Chris Stratton | RHP | Giants 2013-18 |
| Mitch Garver | C | Twins 2017-18 |
| Austin Hedges | C | Padres 2012-15 |
| Jonah Heim | C | Orioles 2014-16, Athletics 2019-20, Rangers 2021 |
| Josh Jung | 3B | Rangers 2020-23 |
| Nathaniel Lowe | 1B | Rays 2019 |
| Corey Seager | SS | Dodgers 2013-16 |
| Marcus Semien | 2B | White Sox 2013-14 |
| Josh Smith | UTIL | Yankees 2020-21, Rangers 2022 |
| Evan Carter | OF | Rangers 2021-23 |
| Adolis Garcia | OF | Cardinals 2018-19 |
| Robbie Grossman | OF | Pirates 2009-12, Astros 2013 |
| Travis Jankowski | OF | Padres 2013-16 |
| Leody Taveras | OF | Rangers 2017-21 |
