A Collectors Guide to the 2023 MLB Futures Game
Welcome to Stealing Home’s complete guide to the 2023 MLB futures game. In this breakdown, we cover each prospect, their story, their rankings, their grades, and a look at the pricing for their Base 1st Bowman Chrome Auto. It’s worth noting, the market for a lot of these cards are pretty sparse at this point so not all cards are currently for sale on eBay and the prices vary widely.
The MLB All-Star Futures Game is teeing off Saturday July 8th at 7pm ET at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. 50 of the top prospects in baseball will compete and try to use the game as a launching pad into the big leagues. Players such as Alfonso Soriano, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Wander Franco and more have used the Futures game over the last 20 years to make a name for themselves on the world stage.
Hope you enjoy!
American League Catchers
Harry Ford
C, Everett Aquasox (Mariners A+), Age 20, ETA 2025
Who is Harry Ford?
Harry Ford was the Mariners #12 overall pick in the 2021 draft and has had a solid minor league career thus far and is slashing .248/.397/.402 in A+ ball with the Everett Aquasox. Ford flashed his potential on the global stage at the World Baseball Classic this year. He had 4 hits in 13 at bats with a double and two home runs for Great Britain, where both of his parents were born.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 27
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: 85
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $650
Edgar Quero
C, Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels AA), 5’11’’, Weight
Who is Edgar Quero?
Quero, the Angels #4 prospect, hails from Cuba where he stood out to prospects while playing on the U-15 team back in 2018. In 2022, Quero went on a tear, slashing .312/.435/.530 in his first year in A+ ball and earned the California League MVP award because of it.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 70
Baseball America: 82
FanGraphs: 87
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $169
Tyler Soderstrom
C, Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics AAA), 6’1’’, 200lbs
Who is Tyler Soderstrom?
Tyler was the Stealing Home Prospect of the Week 5/29/23, check out the post.
Tyler Soderstrom was Oakland’s top overall pick in 2020 and has ranked as Oaklands #1 prospect in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to Baseball America. The son of former MLB pitcher Steve Soderstrom has shown high hitting upside early in his career with 29 homeruns in 2022.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 35
Baseball America: 23
FanGraphs: 30
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $399 (/499)
American League Infielders
Junior Caminero
3B/2B, Montgomery Biscuits (Rays AA), Age 20, ETA 2025
Who is Junior Caminero?
Originally signed by the Cleveland Guardians in 2019, Junior Caminero possesses elite bat speed and power which has contributed to a scorching start to his 2023 campaign. Through 65 names in 2023, Caminero has slashed .335/.392/.685 and hit 16 home runs. Oh and he just turned 20 years old. While his ETA to the majors is 2025, Caminero has come in ahead of schedule at every juncture in his Minor League career so far.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 16
Baseball America: 16
FanGraphs: 40
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $750
Jackson Holliday
SS, Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles A+), Age 19, ETA 2024
Who is Jackson Holliday?
Jackson Holliday has been one of the most covered prospects in some time. He’s got the full package: MLB lineage as the son of 7-time all star Matt Holiday, major flow, and a #1 prospect ranking from MLB.com. The 19 year old Holliday, drafted 1st overall by the Orioles in 2022, has impressed in his young career. In 2023 so far, Holliday has an OPS of .960 plus 15 doubles, 6 triples, and 7 home runs through 69 games. Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Holliday’s game is his plate discipline as he walks 2x more often than he strikes out.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 1
Baseball America: 2
FanGraphs: 5
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 65
1st Bowman: $950
Colt Keith
3B/2B, Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers AAA), Age 21, ETA 2024
Who is Colt Keith?
Colt Keith was drafted 132nd in the 2020 draft by the Detroit Tigers and since then, he has done nothing but impress. In 2022, he slashed .301/.370/.544 with 26 extra-base hits in 48 games. He moved up to AA where his numbers increased to .325/.391/.585 and was called up again a few weeks ago to AAA where he is off to a .440/.500/.720 start through 7 games with 2 home runs.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 41
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: 83
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $250
Justyn-Henry Mallory
3B/OF, Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers AAA), Age 23, ETA 2023
Who is Justyn-Henry Mallory?
Drafted 187th overall by the Tigers in 2021, Justyn-Henry Mallory is often described with the word “patience.” Last year Mallory had 17 home runs and 28 doubles to go with 97 walks last year in the minors over 133 games. Mallory did not, however, need to exhibit any patience for his promotions as he progressed from A+ to AA to AAA all in 2022. This year has been solid thus far, slashing .269/.396/.456 in 2023.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 50
1st Bowman
None found
Kyle Manzardo
1B, Durham Bulls (Rays AAA), Age 22, ETA 2023
Who is Kyle Manzardo?
Kyle looks a bit like Rafael Palemaro at 1st base with the stash (before the juice). He’s not as big as many of the great 1st basemans at 6’0’’ but Manzardo’s 2022 campaign across High-A and AA showed he can hit with the best of them. Manzardo had a 1.043 OPS, more extra-base hits (31) than strikeouts, and a slash line of .327/.426/.617.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 40
Baseball America: 29
FanGraphs: 47
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 65 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $260
Marcelo Mayer
SS, Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox AA) Age 20, ETA 2024
Who is Marcelo Mayer?
The 4th pick overall in 2021, Marcelo Mayer is also the 4th ranked prospect by MLB.com. He was the highest draft selection by the Red Sox in 54 years and also became the highest paid prospect in the organization's history. Mayer’s 2022 campaign was solid, hitting .280/.399/.489 to go along with 32 extra-base hits, 13 home runs, and 17 steals. Mayer also uses his 6’3’’ frame well as a plus fielder.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 4
Baseball America: 6
FanGraphs: 15
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60
1st Bowman: $470
Kyren Paris
SS/2B, Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels AA), Age 21, ETA 2024
Who is Kyren Paris?
Kyren Paris was drafted 55th overall by the Angels in 2019 and was largely viewed as a project. He dealt with a number of injured and then a shortened season due to COVID. He struggled to open 2022, batting .184 through the first few months but turned it around in a big way leading to a late season promotion to AA where he hit .359/.510/.641 to close the season. Paris has exceptional athleticism giving him the ability to play either shortstop or second base and helping him net 29 stolen bases on 32 attempts so far in AA ball.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
1st Bowman: $3.25
Nick Yorke
2B, Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox AA), Age 21, ETA 2024
Who is Nick Yorke?
“Nick Yorke'' weirdly sounds like the most classic Red Sox name ever and and at the same time, feels way too close to their hated rivals down the road, “New York.” In either case, the Red Sox are excited about Yorke’s bat and he has hit for a solid .275/.361/.453 to open the 2023 season. There are some long term questions about Yorke’s athleticism and his ability to stay at second base. Fun story – Yorke’s mom was a four-time All-American softball player at Fresno State where she knew Red Sox scout Josh Labanderia. This is how Yorke first got on the Red Sox’s radar. So basically, York’s mom got him his job.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 89
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: 112
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $750
American League Outfielders
Lawrence Butler
1B/OF, Midland RockHounds (Athletics AA), Age 22, ETA 2024
Who is Lawrence Butler?
The A’s drafted Butler 173rd overall in 2018 and have been excited about a solid combination of speed and power. In a 2022 season that was limited to 84 games due to injuries, Butler hit for a .270 average with 11 home runs and 31 stolen bases. The biggest knock thus far on Butler has been his plate discipline which yielded a high 31.5% strikeout rate in 2022. It’s worth mentioning that Butler improved steadily over the 2022 season and hit .296 down the stretch with a slightly lower strikeout rate of 29.6%. His aforementioned speed makes him a formidable defender in either of the corner spots in the outfield.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
1st Bowman
None found
Jonatan Clase
OF, Arkansas Travelers (Mariners AA), Age 21, ETA 2024
Who is Jonatan Clase?
Clase was Stealing Home’s Prospect of the Week at the end of May. Here is an update on that writeup:
Clase is a 20 year-old switch-hitting center fielder with plus-plus running ability. This year through 74 games in High-A and AA, Clase has 16 home runs, 20 doubles and 50 RBI. In his minor league career, he’s slashing .270/.386/.469.
Clase has legitimate speed and may be the fastest player in the Futures Game. In 258 games in the minors, he has swiped 149 bags – stealing a base every 1.73 games. And he is accelerating (sorry, I had to) on that pace with 47 steals through 74 games in 2023 – stealing a base every 1.5 games.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
1st Bowman: $58.55
Drew Gilbert
OF, Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros AA), Age 22, ETA 2025
Who is Drew Gilbert?
After leading the Tennessee Volunteers – who ranked #1 in the nation for most of 2022 – in hitting with a slash line of .362/.455/.673, Gilbert was drafted 28th overall by the Houston Astros. Gilbert has moved swiftly through the ranks in the Minors moving from A to High-A to AA in under 50 games, though he has struggled so far in AA. It’s early. Gilbert’s swing, base running, and defensive approach are all often described as “aggressive” and “instinctual.” If you’re looking to watch 7+ minutes of two bros drooling over Gilbert’s swing... look no further.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 74
Baseball America: 86
FanGraphs: 72
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $170
Spencer Jones
OF, Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees A+), Age 22, ETA 2025
Who is Spencer Jones?
Jones was drafted in 2022 by the Yankees in the first round with the 25th pick after hitting .370 at Vanderbilt. He hit .325/.411/.494 in Low-A in 2022 and is off to a decent start in High-A in 2023, batting .263 through 63 games. He’s 6’6 with a 220lb+ frame… sound like another current Yankee you may have heard of?
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
1st Bowman
None found
Heston Kjerstad
OF, Norfolk Tides (Orioles AAA), Age 24, ETA 2024
Who is Heston Kjerstad?
Heston Kjerstad is a hitter. Everywhere he’s been, he hits. At Arkansas in 2020, he posted a 1.304 OPS over his opening 16 games. After getting drafted 2nd overall by the Orioles in 2020, Kjerstad had to take some time off as he was dealing with myocarditis. But when he jumped back in for the 2022 season he picked right up hitting .309 in Low-A and High-A. In 2023, Kjerstad hit .310 over 46 games in AA, which led to a promotion and subsequently improved on that average to hit .323 over his first 25 games in AAA.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 38
Baseball America: 77
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman $275 (/499)
National League Catchers
Jeferson Quero
C, Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers AA), Age 20, ETA: 2024
Who is Jeferson Quoro?
Quero, a talented player from Venezuela, signed a $200,000 contract in July 2019. Despite dealing with injuries in 2021 and 2022, he has displayed impressive skills. During his age-19 season, Quero showcased his abilities by hitting .286/.342/.439 with 10 home runs in 95 games between Single-A and High-A levels. Quero's offensive potential, including good pitch recognition and increased power, combined with his defensive prowess, positions him as a promising starting catcher in the major leagues.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 77
Baseball America: 59
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $70
Dalton Rushing
C, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers A+), Age 22, ETA: 2025
Who is Dalton Rushing?
Rushing showcased his offensive prowess in the Cape Cod League and hit an impressive 23 home runs during his junior year. The Dodgers selected him in the second round of the 2022 Draft, and he made a strong professional debut, batting .424 with eight homers in Single-A. Rushing's standout attribute is his power, generated by his strength and above-average bat speed. Despite being a power hitter, he maintains a disciplined approach at the plate and shows the ability to hit to all parts of the field. Rushing displays solid mobility and arm strength as a catcher. With further development, he has the potential to become an effective catcher while contributing offensively.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 4
Baseball America: 53
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $250
National League Infielders
Ryan Bliss
SS, Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks AA), 23, ETA 2024
Who is Ryan Bliss?
Bliss, selected in the 30th round by the Red Sox in 2018, decided to attend Auburn University where he became an immediate starter. He had a strong 2021 season, hitting .365/.428/.654 with 15 home runs. The Diamondbacks chose him in the second round of the draft, signing him for $1.25 million. Despite his small stature, Bliss has displayed more power than expected, although his raw power remains limited from the right side. His above-average speed makes him a constant threat on the base paths, and even without exceptional hitting, he has the potential to become a versatile utility infielder at the highest level.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 45 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40
1st Bowman: $80
Brady House
3B/SS, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals A+), 20, ETA 2025
Who is Brady House?
House was selected 11th overall by the Nationals and signed for an above-slot value of $5 million. He began his professional career strongly but experienced a decline in performance due to a back injury, which ultimately led to him sitting out until the 2023 season. This year,
the Nationals have announced that House will transition from shortstop to third base permanently. This move is not surprising given his size and average speed. His strongest defensive asset is his powerful throwing arm, which should aid in the transition. With restored health, House is slashing an impressive .307/.373/.524.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 73
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: 102
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $87
Jordan Lawlar
SS, Amarillo Sod Poodles (D-Backs AA), 20, ETA: 2024
Who is Jordan Lawler?
Lawlar, who was named Gatorade's 2021 Texas High School Player of the Year, was drafted sixth overall by the Diamondbacks and signed a substantial bonus of $6,713,300. After a shoulder injury cut short his initial stint in the minors, he had an impressive 2022 season, batting .351/.447/.603 with 22 extra-base hits in 44 games at Single-A Visalia. Lawlar showcased his compact right-handed swing, strong pitch recognition, and ability to produce solid average and walk rates. He displayed power to all fields, hitting 16 home runs in his first full season, and utilized his plus speed to steal 39 bases across multiple levels. While still developing defensively, Lawlar possesses good range, promising arm strength, and an impressive five-tool ceiling. The Diamondbacks face the challenge of balancing his offensive development with refining his defensive skills in future assignments.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 6
Baseball America: 12
FanGraphs: 21
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60
1st Bowman: $400
Noelvi Marte
SS/3B, Louisville Bats (Reds AAA), 21, ETA 2024
Who is Noelvi Marte?
Noelvi Marte, a highly regarded prospect from the 2018 international class, signed a $1.55 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. Despite a challenging transition, Marte showed improvement when he played in Low-A in 2021. In the first half of the 2022 season, he struggled and had a batting average below .240. However, he had a strong second half, coinciding with his trade to the Cincinnati Reds in the Luis Castillo deal. Marte participated in the Arizona Fall League to develop his skills at third base. Offensively, Marte has made adjustments to his stance and swing mechanics, displaying a more compact and powerful approach. He possesses a combination of raw power and the ability to make consistent contact. However, he can improve his pitch selection and struggles against breaking balls. Defensively, his move to third base in the Arizona Fall League suggests that it may be his future position. He has average arm strength but needs to work on accuracy.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 18
Baseball America: 54
FanGraphs: 104
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $200
Jackson Merrill
SS, Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres A+), 20, ETA 2024
Who is Jackson Merrill?
Merrill was selected 27th overall in the 2021 draft by the Padres. Merrill had a stellar 2022 slashing .339/.395/.511 which earned the 20 year old a promotion to High-A to start the 2023 season. He’s been off to a very solid start batting .280 through 68 games. Given Merrill’s height, there have been questions about his ability to remain at shortstop but he has shown defensive upside, backing up strong fielding and throwing grades.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 11
Baseball America: 17
FanGraphs: 8
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $120
BJ Murray Jr.
3B/1B, Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA), Age 23, ETA 2024
Who is BJ Murray Jr.?
BJ Murray Jr. has a fairly extensive baseball lineage with his two brothers who play in in the Giants farm system and in independent ball, respectively. BJ was drafted in the 15th round but has impressed since. In 2022, he slashed .286/.410/.429 across Low-A and High-A, earning him a promotion to AA to start the 2023 season. The switch-hitting Bahaman has a stellar combination of power and plate discipline, as evidenced by his relatively low 20% K-rate and solid 16.1% walk-rate.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40
1st Bowman: $65 (/499)
Nasim Nuñez
SS, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Marlins AA), Age Height, Weight
Who is Nasim Nunez?
Nasim Nunez has one of the wackiest prospect scouting grade lines I’ve seen. Run and Field grades of 70. Hit grade of 40. Power grade of 20 – I am pretty sure I’d have a Power rating higher than 20. But I am also sure that the Marlins would not have drafted me 46th overall in 2019 with an over-slot $2.2 million. The reason for the high pick is that Nuñez rated as the top defensive shortstop in his draft class and, unsurprisingly, a menace on the bases as well. Nuńez stole 70 bases in 123 games in 2022 and has continued that pace with 33 swipes in 76 games in 2023. He is still building his swing and hit for a decent .251 average in 2022 across High-A and AA but has regressed to .211 thus far in 2023.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 40 | Power: 20 | Run: 70 | Arm: 65 | Field: 70 | Overall: 40
1st Bowman
None found
Endy Rodriguez
C/2B/OF, Indianapolis Indians (Pirates AAA), 23, ETA 2023
Who is Endy Rodriguez?
The switch-hitting Rodriguez has had quite the ascension from signing for just $10,000 by the Mets in 2018. Rodriguez was sent to the Pirates in a 2021 trade and is shaping up to be a major coup. Rodriguez followed up a 2021 campaign in which he slashed .294/.380/.512 with a monster 2022 that yielded a .323 average, 25 home runs, and 43 extra base hits. That 2022 effort landed Rodriguez on the MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Year. Rodriguez has also shown his plus athleticism by playing second base and outfield at times but the Pirates like Endy behind the plate, long term.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 37
Baseball America: 19
FanGraphs: 17
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $100
National League Outfielders
Jackson Chourio
OF, Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers AA), Age 19, ETA 2024
Who is Jackson Chourio?
Chourio was featured as the first ever Stealing Home Prospect of the Week in mid-April. Here is an update on that post:
19-year-old Jackson Chourio hails from Maracaibo, Venezuela and the youngest player in the 2023 MLB Futures Game. After signing with the Brewers in January of 2021 for $1.8 million as their top international prospect, he unexpectedly dominated his way into AA, where he started the 2023 season. Chourio is hitting .276 in the minor leagues, with 28 home runs. He quickly rose through Milwaukee’s ranks and became their #1 prospect before becoming Baseball America’s #1 prospect in April.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 3
Baseball America: 3
FanGraphs: 7
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60
1st Bowman: $650
Justin Crawford
OF, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies A), 19, ETA 2026
Who is Justin Crawford?
Another 19-year-old, Justin Crawford is just a couple months older than Chourio and was taken 17th overall in 2022. Crawford’s speed is unmissable. He stole an insane 10 bases in 16 games in his debut 2022 season. He has shown no signs of slowing as he’s swiped 35 bases in 52 games all while slashing .344/.390/.464. Crawford’s speed is also a huge asset in the field, which led to his move from shortstop to centerfield, where he could use it to cover maximum ground. Crawford’s power is lacking at this point in his development but he shows a raw pop at the plate that could signal some improvement in that area as he develops.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 88
Baseball America: 98
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $350
Pete Crow-Armstrong
OF, Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA), Age 21, ETA 2024
Who is Pete Crow-Armstrong
The Cubs feel like they’ve found their centerfielder of the future in Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong ranked as the top-rated highschool prospect heading into 2019 and was drafted 19th overall in the 2020 draft by the Mets before being traded to the Cubs as part of the deal for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams. In 2022, across Low-A and High-A, he hit for a .312 average, with 30 extra-base hits, and 16 home runs, earning him a promotion to AA for the 2023 season. And while the offense has been encouraging, the most promising part of Crow-Armstrong is his defensive prowess as indicated by his 80 Field grade.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com
Baseball America
FanGraphs
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 80 | Overall: 60
1st Bowman: $170
Yanquiel Fernandez
OF, Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies AA), 20, ETA 2025
Who is Yanquiel Fernandez?
The Rockies signed Yanquiel Fernandez out of Cuba in 2019 and have been very excited about the international prospect since. Fernandez debuted in 2021 with a .937 OPS and has continued to excel posting a .847 OPS in Low-A in 2022. The 2023 season has been Yanquiel’s best yet, slashing .304/.355/.588 (.943 OPS), which earned him promotions to High-A and then to AA in June.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 95
Baseball America: 94
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
1st Bowman: $180
Victor Scott II
Position, System (Team), Height, Weight
Who is Victor Scott II?
Scott is the son of two collegiate track athletes and is an incredibly intriguing prospect primarily due to his speed, for which he received an insane 80 grade. Scott struggled to hit for much of his college career hitting .222 and .232 in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. But in his junior year he increased his average to .278 to go with 38 steals, which broke the single season record at West Virginia. While Scott is still finding his swing, there is potential as shown by his exit velocities of over 107 mph in summer league at Palm Beach. Showcasing his speed, Scott also recorded 11 of the 12 fastest sprint speeds in summer league as well.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: N/A
Baseball America: N/A
FanGraphs: N/A
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 80 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 40
1st Bowman: $5
James Wood
OF, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals AA), 20, ETA 2024
Who is James Wood?
James Wood was the Stealing Home Prospect of the Week, June 19th, 2023. Here is an update on that post:
Let’s start with the fact that Wood is huge. At 6’7 and 240lbs, he is the same height as Aaron Judge with plenty of time to fill out his frame. Wood was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft and received a $2.6M signing bonus. San Diego traded him to Washington as part of the prospect haul that the National’s got in exchange for Juan Soto.
Wood impressed in spring training 2022, hitting .337/.453/.601 with 10 homers and 15 steals in 50 games with Single A Lake Elsinore. Wood has continued to play well in 2023, slashing .262/.360/.520 with 14 home runs and 22 extra base hits in AA through 75 games.
The Juan Soto trade left big shoes to fill — enter 6-foot-6 center fielder James Wood
At 6 foot 7 inches tall, James Wood possess plus speed on the bases and in the field
Wood is considered a true five-tool prospect. Perhaps the most surprising plus tool in his toolbox, given his 6’7’’ frame, is his speed which gives him impressive coverage range in center field. Less surprising is his power which pairs nicely with his ability to hit for average.
Top Prospect Ranks
MLB.com: 5
Baseball America: 5
FanGraphs: 6
Prospect Scouting Grades
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60
1st Bowman: $500
