Looking Back on 2016’s Top 100 Prospects

One of the newest trends on social media is looking back at 2016. With this in mind, here’s a look at Throwback Thursday at the best of the best prospects from MLB.com’s preseason top 100 list. The complete list consists of 70 All-Star appearances, 3 MVP trophies, 3 Rookie of the Year awards, and plenty of gold gloves and silver sluggers. Overall, only one player on the list never appeared in a Major League game.

​Looking Back on 2016’s Top 100 Prospects

#1 Overall Prospect

Corey Seager – (SS) Texas Rangers

Corey Seager headlined the top 100 list before the 2016 season. At that time, a Dodgers farmhand, Seager, had already debuted during the 2015 season. It was then no surprise the next season when Seager won the Rookie of the Year award. At this point in his career, Seager is the lone World Series MVP of the group, having done so twice. Additionally, Seager has won 3 Silver Slugger Awards and has been named an All-Star 5 times. ​

Best Hitter on the List

Aaron Judge – OF (New York Yankees)

Aaron Judge also has one accomplishment that no one else on the list does. Judge is the only MVP on the list back from 2016, and he has won the award three times. Like Seager, Judge also won Rookie of the Year. The most surprising fact about Aaron Judge was that he came in ranked 31st on the prospect list. This is especially surprising, as he leads all players on the prospect list with seven All-Star selections. However, at that time, while still hitting for power in the minors, Judge never hit much for average and struggled in his first taste of pro ball in 2016. ​

Best Starting Pitcher on the List

Blake Snell – LHP (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Blake Snell has seen the most success from the prospects on the top 100 list back in 2016. Snell has won two Cy Young Awards and has also been selected to one All-Star team. Four other pitchers ranked ahead of Snell as a prospect in 2016, including current teammate Tyler Glasnow. Before the 2016 season, Snell’s control was his biggest weakness, which has reared its head throughout his career. ​

Best Relief Pitcher

Josh Hader – LHP (Houston Astros)

Coming in with the second-most All-Star appearances on the 2016 Top 100 Prospects List is reliever Josh Hader. Even at that time, though, Hader was seen as a potential starter. Nonetheless, Hader has never made a start in his career and never will. He has won Reliever of the Year three times, however. Additionally, he’s struck out over 100 batters in four different seasons. Main Photo Credits: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images