2017 top MLB prospects

The talented lefty will open the year at Triple-A Reno, but could quickly see himself moved up into the Diamondbacks rotation if he continues to make the strides forward he has over the past few years. His arsenal is polished and with a mid-90s fastball, Banda's stuff will have no issue carrying over either.

With Dansby Swanson moving along to everyday duties in Atlanta, Albies will once again become the top coming attraction for Atlanta. The 20-year-old middle infielder has established himself as an above-average bat, carrying a .310 average over three minor league seasons, in addition to being a plus base stealer (29+ steals in each season). Now, the converted shortstop will continue to refine his second base play and await for the inevitable call up.

With Matt Wieters moving on via free agency, the coast is clear for the team’s top prospect to make his way to the big leagues. A precocious presence at the plate, Sisco has hit .323 as minor leaguer, which has been underlined by great batter’s eye and discipline. The O’s will want to continue to allow him to hone his talents behind the plate, but the lure of putting his MLB-ready bat in play could be too alluring to ignore for long.

The presence of Devers made it much easier for Boston to part with 2015’s #1 overall prospect Yoan Moncada over the offseason, and that’s saying something. The 20-year-old third baseman’s presence will now put the pressure on Pablo Sandoval to perform, as he has Devers has continued to show that he has tremendous offensive upside, due to a powerful bat that could be set to fly through middle and upper minor league tiers.

After moving out Jorge Soler over the offseason, the Cubs’ top prospect looms as clone of his upside. Jimenez possess tremendous raw power and knows how to cut down on his swing to use it effectively already. There will be no rush to push the 20-year-old Dominican product into action, but he already has the talent to force his way into baseball’s best young lineup.

It is only a matter of time before the multi-skilled infielder makes his way to Chicago, as his demoted is more about getting him off to a confident start in his new home (as well as buying an extra year of service time control). Moncada will open the season as the prospect in the game at the minor league level, and the results should back that billing. An athletic second baseman who has the skill set of a center fielder, Moncada stands to be the centerpiece of the proposed White Sox revival in short order.

The #2 overall pick in last summer’s amateur draft, Senzel wasted no time in justifying why the Reds took him there. A polished college bat, Senzel blends skill along with patience and knowledge of the batter’s box. The Reds are likely to allow him to dominate minor league pitching this year, before giving him a serious chance at making the 2018 Opening Day roster. Expect Senzel to rise to upper tier of prospects by year’s end.

Zimmer checks many of the boxes that Indians have exact needs for on their Major League roster: top of the lineup bat, with a power/speed combination and a center field glove. Zimmer reached the Triple-A level last year and if he continues to find consistency at the plate, he could be elevated to contribute to another Indians pennant chase this summer in the same type of time shre arrangement that Tyler Naquin thrived in a year ago (although being a left-handed bat, could see him force Naquin over to right field completely).

Troy Tulowitkzi 2.0 could be on the way to Coors. The 20-year-old Rodgers completed what could be one of the best top-threes of any MLB Draft in years, as he was selected third behind fellow shortstops Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman in 2015. And Rodgers has justified his place among the trio thus far as well, hitting 19 home runs, 31 doubles and producing a .342 on-base % in his first full professional campaign.

A work in process, the athletic but raw Manning has star potential in a Tigers system that currently has few high ceiling prospects. The 20-year-old had a positive returns in his pro debut, striking out 46 in 29 innings, while managing his walks and contract rate impressively as well. He will not be on the fast track, but could be worth the wait.

Not the type of top 100 caliber prospect that the Royals became known for possessing during their rebuilding years, Dozier could be the right man to help replace some of those current Royals as they depart over the next year. The third baseman has rounded into a solid hitter (.296 between the Double and Triple-A levels last year), and can play some outfield as well.

A steady riser that has shown the ability to adjust on the run, Martes could have a clear path towards joining the Astros rotation this summer. He will first have to prove himself with Triple-A Fresno, but after showing that he could easily handle the competition at both the Double-A and Arizona Fall League levels, the top 20 prospect should not have to show much for long to secure a look in the Majors this year.

The first truly buzzworthy Angels prospect since Mike Trout rose through the ranks, the athletic Jones is providing a rarely seen type of excitement for the Angels organization of late. He brings a football background to the diamond, and the expected skill set follows. The 19-year-old is a ways off from the Majors, but looks the part of a very good top of the order, athletic outfield presence.

On the heels of Joc Pederson and Corey Seager, Bellinger looks ready to continue the string of promising young bats to come out of the Dodgers system. The 21-year-old first baseman possess tape measure level power, and has the athleticism to matinee in left field until Adrian Gonzalez ages out of his natural position at first base. Such is his skill set, Bellinger could force his way into the Dodger lineup the latter portion of 2017.

2017 will mark the professional debut for Garrett, the Marlins’ top pick in last summer’s draft. He is a highly projectable left-hander, that has a surprisingly complete arsenal for a teenager. He will spend 2017 easing his way into the professional ranks, likely between the low and high A levels. But expectations are sizable; Garrett posted a 0.53 ERA as an Alabama prep his senior year.

It has taken a while for Brinson’s tools to manifest as the type of top level production that has long been expected of him, but his time appears to be now. Brinson was the prize return from the Rangers in the Jonathan Lucroy trade a year ago, and responded by tearing through Triple-A Colorado Springs upon his arrival to the tone of a .382 average. Now Brinson sits on the verge of taking over the heart of the Brewers outfield, and providing a jolt to their rebuilding process.

The athletic shortstop has lived up to expectations since being the #5 overall player selected in the 2014 Draft. He is trending along the same path as his brother Dee (of Miami Marlins fame): being a speed-first, contact presence that adds a serious threat on the basepaths immediately. In many ways, he projects to be a greater threat at the plate than his brother, as Nick has already developed a extra base hit power. He is still a year or so away, but profiles to be a quick adaptor once he arrives in the Twin Cities.

Rosario has developed nicely as he has risen through the Mets system, and is firmly locked in the team’s plans for its immediate future. The Mets ‘win now’ intention has provided a glut of veterans on the Major League roster ahead of him, but make no mistake, Rosario has all of the talent to breakthrough stake his claim this summer. In 2016, he hit .324 across the top two levels of the minors and looks to have all of the talents to not only stick at shortstop defensively, but thrive there.

The Yankees asked for a ransom in return for Aroldis Chapman’s rental services a year ago, and acquired a new top prospect in the process. And since coming over to Yankee system, Torres has done nothing build on his already impressive reputation. This was highlighted by becoming the youngest Arizona Fall League batting champion ever, when he hit .403 over 76 at-bats. He projects as an extremely well-rounded talent, and one that could challenge for Opening Day shortstop honors as soon as next spring in the Bronx.

With all due respects to the A’s other top prospect, shortstop Franklin Barreto, it is Puk that offers the most tantalizing and unique upside. A potential front of the rotation, hard throwing lefty with the potential to issue three plus pitches, Puk could be on the verge of breakout in his first full pro season. The Athletics were lucky to be the beneficiaries of the slight fall he took in the 2016 Draft, as he profiles to be a future ace in their ever changing rotation.

To their credit, the Phillies have given their long-time top prospect Crawford the time to turn into a mature, complete product at the upper rungs of the minors. And while his numbers may not be as eye popping as others, it is important to both recognize the clear talent and skill, as well as the fact he has played well above his age group throughout the majority of his pro career. Crawford should arrive in Philly this summer, and be ready for the challenge.

As if the Pirates outfield was not already enough of an embarassment of riches, Meadows is now banging on the door of the Majors with his undeniable potential. A multi-skilled centerfielder, with that textbook pretty lefty swing, Meadows has made a beeline through the minors. His 2016 season finished with a stat line that featured 12 home runs, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 17 stolen bases and only 67 strikeouts in 87 games. He’s ready, Pittsburgh just has to find a way to get him regular looks.

Such as was the case in landing Manuel Margot in exchange for Craig Kimbrel a year ago, the Padres may struck gold in the Red Sox’ prospect stockpile again. Espinoza quickly shot towards the top of the Padres’ prospect list after coming over in exchange for Drew Pomeranz a year ago. The fireballing Dominican can easily touch triple digits, and shows the makings of a nice secondary pitch as well. And considering he won’t turn 20 until July, he will have plenty of time to refine his approach against mismatched peers in the minors.

A rapid riser through the Giants’ system, Beede is chief amongst a handful of young Giants hurlers looking for room within their crowded rotation. Working in his favor is a strong showing in Double-A a year ago, posting a 2.81 ERA over 24 starts, while striking out 135. He is a mature college arm that has shown the ability to adjust quickly, which bodes well for quick MLB success.

The powerful outfielder has boasted tremendous power over the past two seasons, following up his 32 homer 2015 breakout with a 24 homers at Double-A level Jackson. O’Neill is a textbook cleanup hitting, strong armed right fielder that could join Mitch Hanifer as huge power boost to the Mariners lineup.

Such is the confidence the Cardinals have in their 22-year-old backstop that they are being more cautious in extension conversations with future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina than many would expect. But that confidence is built in the overall success Kelly has had since transitioning behind the plate a few years ago, which has included a minor league Gold Glove in 2015 and a .289/.343/.395 combined split between the Double & Triple-A levels a year ago.

A natural line drive hitter that has a knack for getting on-base (.366 career minor league OBP), Adames has continued to round out as a hitter over the past year. There is clear power potential drumming up within him, as he raised his double and home run totals significantly each season as a pro. Add in that he profiles as a plus defender, and it is clear why Adames is so far ahead of the pack among Rays prospects.

Texas did not hesitate to pay the high, $2.1 million price tag for Tavaras ahead of his 2016 debut. In turn, he put on a buffet of talents that make him profile as a legitimate top of the lineup, all-around threat as a center fielder. And after having legitimate success as a 17 year old, he will get to continue to round into form over the next few years and become a legitimately special player.

Making good on the club record international deal the Jays ponied up for him, Guerrero proved to be a literal chip off the old block, showing a balanced stroke with power across the entire field. Furthering the accuracy in comparisons to his father is the bat control and plate discipline he showed as a 17 year old, striking out only two more times (35) than he walked (33).

There may not be a more exciting player in of the minors than Robles, the future mainstay in center field in the nation’s capital. He is both an exhilarating talent, that has an early maturity at both the plate and with the glove. Robles is prone to provide an unmatched level of athleticism with Trea Turner and Adam Eaton atop the Nats lineup in a few years. With a big season at Double-A, he could see a quick leap to the Majors at an early age.