MLB Top 100 Prospects: 80-71
We are back with another 10 prospects. We are to the point of some very high upside guys that should provide value even if they don’t quite reach their potential. However, we have some guys with serious superstar potential here. Granted, we may never see it, but these guys have some loud tools to be sure.
80. Hunter Greene, RHP – Cincinnati Reds (MLB Comp – SP version of Aroldis Chapman)
A fire-baller in every sense of the word, Greene also had the surgery that every hard-throwing pitcher seems to have these days; Tommy John. The fact that he is having it early in his career should allow him to bounce back. A healthy 2020 season would go a long way to vaulting him to top-25 status. Able to reach 100 MPH with ease, Greene has true ace potential; he just needs to show he is fully healthy again.
79. Brett Baty, 3B – New York Mets (MLB Comp – Joey Votto, with more strikeouts)
Baty has huge power and walks a ton. He also strikes out a ton and is an average defender. The 12th overall pick hit six home runs in his pro debut out of high school. His skills play well in today’s game and you can always dream on the hit tool developing more with better coaching. If it does you have an elite hitter here at the hot corner for the Mets.
78. Brennen Davis, OF – Chicago Cubs (MLB Comp – Steven Souza Jr.)
A nice do-it-all prospect, Davis has shown more power than expected when he was first drafted. A hand injury set him back this year, but when he was on the field he looked great. He has above-average power and nice foot speed, although probably not enough to avoid the corner outfield. I could see him have a season or two with 20+ steals too. 2020 will be a huge clue as to his final potential.
77. Edward Cabrera, RHP – Miami Marlins (MLB Comp – Yordano Ventura)
Cabrera is one of the biggest risers from 2019, as he had a marvelous 2020 season. He has an eye-opening sinker that touches the high 90’s. The real difference, however, was his improvement with the secondary pitches. He has the stuff to stay in the rotation and shows good sequencing for a young pitcher. He’ll have to prove the jump was real, but if it is then you have a number two starter here.
76. Josh Lowe, OF – Tampa Bay Rays (MLB – Brandon Belt, but with speed)
How many Lowes do the Rays have? Well, this one may end up the most dynamic of all of them. A speed/power threat, Lowe is extremely gifted athletically and has all the tools you could want. His hit tool is the most lacking as of now and it might not ever be extremely good. But when he does make contact he is using all fields and generating loud contact. Add to that some nice defense with those wheels and you have a really bright future.
75. Austin Hays, OF – Baltimore Orioles (MLB Comp – Right-Handed Kyle Tucker)
Hays has been around forever it seems, but he will probably spend the entire 2020 season in the big leagues. A very nice right-handed swing produces encouraging advanced hitting statistics and he should be a good outfielder. Opportunity is also in play here, as he will be given tons of chances to produce in Baltimore this season. You like the tools and he has shown flashes in the past.
74. Bryson Stott, SS – Philadelphia Phillies (MLB Comp – Brandon Crawford)
A well-polished college shortstop out of UNLV, Stott will stick at the position and do a little bit of everything. He also probably won’t do any one thing exceptionally well, but if he stays at shortstop then it won’t matter. He has fluid motions in the field and some power in his left-handed stroke. While he probably won’t be a superstar you can see him playing in the bigs for a decade at above-average rates.
73. Taylor Trammell, OF – San Diego Padres (MLB Comp – Robinson Cano, with some speed)
Coming over in a surprising trade in 2019, Trammell had a very disappointing 2019 campaign. That is until he joined the Padres Double-A team for the stretch playoff run where Trammell absolutely dominated. Perhaps the change of scenery will do wonders and Trammell can unlock his true potential. That would include some power, speed, and excellent defense.
72. Orelvis Martinez, SS – Toronto Blue Jays (MLB Comp – Eloy Jimenez, minus a little pop)
Man, the Jays are stacked with young talent at all levels. Martinez is a fast-riser, following the Julio Rodriguez track. He got promoted early and proceeded to dominate his level despite being 17 years old. He has a wonderful projection and he probably will even grow a little more as well. His swing looks like it could be exploited with advanced pitching so adjustments will have to be made. However, aggressive assignments with huge success early on tend to produce elite prospects so keep an eye out.
71. Nick Lodolo, LHP – Cincinnati Reds (MLB Comp – Steve Avery. Remember him?)
An extremely polished left-hander, Lodolo enjoyed a very impressive debut. He is going to move quickly and offers three solid offerings in his repertoire. He has a very nice dip-and-drive delivery, which you don’t see a lot in lefties and shows a great presence on the mound. One of the safest pitching prospects (if there is such a thing) in my mind and that helps his ranking. He should be up soon in the big leagues as a #2/3 starter.
