Believe it or not, we’ve reached the final MLB Prospect Watch of the year. At this point next week, minors at all levels will be finishing his regular season. As is tradition, we dedicate this space to our version of the year-end awards.
Below we highlight the six different categories of players and teams in our creation. It goes without saying that there are many more individuals who deserve recognition than this format can highlight. After all, minor leagues are big organizations. Just in case your favorite prospect isn’t mentioned, keep that in mind.
Now to the gasbagley.
Carroll has had an eventful career in more than 160 professional games since being selected 16th overall in the 2019 draft. He missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury, and the COVID-19 pandemic robbed him of his normal development cycle the previous year. 307/.425/.611 and had 24 home runs and 31 stolen bases, earning him a major call-up. (Most of them came in double or triple A’s.) Don’t let Carroll’s small (5’10) frame fool you. He was a frontrunner for the #1 spot in the minors before being recently promoted to the majors. We selected him here due to a combination of his accomplishments, star upside, and his background.
Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Harrison, LHP, San Francisco Giants
The Giants did not do well at the big league level. They unsuccessfully attempted his NL West re-challenge, but at least they kept Harrison employed. He made his 25 starts between high and double-A, amassed a 2.71 ERA, and he hit a whopping 14.8 per nine at-bats. Harrison has a solid three-pitch mix, including a fastball that can be reached in the late ’90s. His pitch quality is aided by a lower arm slot that creates a flatter surface and an illusion that hitters seem unable to resolve. What’s holding Harrison back is his location. He has walked 4 of 9 at-bats this season. This was an improvement from his nearly five at-bats last year.
There are many ways to define this category. The purpose of the minor league system is to improve the big league roster. It can be meant through promotions. It can be meant through trading. Or some combination of them.With that in mind, we give the Orioles a nod. They graduated Adley Lutschman When Gunnar Henderson Both had first-place prospects in all minors when they were promoted to the majors this season. (If it weren’t for his injuries, of course Grayson Rodriguez rival scouts, Colton Kauser Colby Mayo, and other future arrivals. Consider adding the No. 1 pick Jackson Hollidayand O’s minor league system had a great year any way you slice it.
We weren’t fans of what the Reds did when they threw down their salaries last offseason Wade Miley When Tucker Barnhart Start rebuilding them. But their work this summer was more than to our liking. The Reds got an infielder in July Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Spencer StairWhen Christian Encarnacion-Strand (especially) in trading.they also caught Cam Collier, the dark horse candidate first heading into the draft, midway through the first round. This is what the “Talent Accumulation” phase of a full teardown looks like.
Biggest riser: Jackson Chourio, CF, Milwaukee Brewers
Really, who else? Tullio, who won’t hit his 19th birthday until next March, hit .288/.342/.538 this winter with 20 home runs and his 16 stolen bases (20 tries). Secured a spot near the top of the prospective list. A course of 99 games divided into Class A, High A and Double A. He did the most damage to Carolina in his league. At OPS, the Brewers’ A-Ball he headed the affiliate, and he’s done well, even though he’s nearly three years younger than the average competitor. that he simply holds himself. Chorio’s impressive physique and showing off his tools suggests he’s well on his way to stardom.
We like Martin going back in time to his college days at Vanderbilt. In fact, the 2020 draft ranked him as a top prospect due to his bat-to-ball strength of skill, approach and defensive versatility. It didn’t matter that the scout who spoke with CBS Sports believed he had more juice in his bat, based on his batting speed measurements.
Unfortunately, Martin has yet to prove them (or us) right. He batted .241/.367/.316 in 90 Double-A games this season with two homers and 18 slugging totals. His all-time home run tally is now seven in his 185 professional games. It’s possible for a hitter with a low batting average to make it in the majors, but it’s not easy. Martin’s .075 ISO is the fifth lowest among qualified hitters.
