All Rights Reserved. Things clicked for Vargas in the power department during the 2021 season, launching 23 homers along with 52 extra base hits in 120 games between High-A and Double-A. Just 20 years old and already mashing in Double-A, some of the extreme risk around De La Cruz has been hedged ever-so slightly. As Caissie continues to iron out the inconsistencies with his lower half, there is foul pole-to-foul pole power potential for the Ontario, Canada native as he has the ability to generates a ton of leverage and natural carry. Soderstrom possesses the most exciting bat in an As system that is light on prospects with middle-of-the-order potential. PARALLEL CARDS: Gold #/25 (1:292), Red #/5 (1:1,313), Platinum 1/1 (1:6,439). Walker starts slightly open with his stance and does not close himself off totally, sometimes even stepping in the bucket a bit. Hall saw his 2021 season cut short due to a stress reaction in his elbow, but has returned looking as good as ever this season. Henderson has continued to add strength since joining the Orioles organization, producing exit velocities as high as 112 mph and home runs as long as 480 feet this season. One of baseballs biggest breakout pitching prospects this year, Brown has harnessed his explosive stuff with mechanics that are as smooth as ever. Arroyo is a natural up the middle, with clean actions, impressive footwork and a rocket for an arm. His present feel to hit is extremely advanced as are his defensive tools. He has no problem catching up with velocity and is already an above average hitter. He could debut as soon as 2023. Burrows has a solid three pitch mix and has commanded it better than ever this season. The fact that Williams was able to consistently produce the way he did even with the swing deficiencies is a testament his twitchiness and natural athleticism. A grinder at the plate, Carroll is constantly battling and is a hard player to get out. One of the more overlooked prospects in the 2018 international free agent class, De La Cruz signed for just $65K and is looking like he could end up being one of the biggest IFA steals in years. The question seemed to be, how much upside does he have?. Naylor has a plus throwing arm and has been able to limit the running game with success all year throwing out 33% of attempted base stealers. . Statcast Leaders Baseball Savant Top Prospect Stats. Halls command of the heater is fringe average with a tendency to miss arm-side due to the heavy run he produces when he flies open too early. Priester has the ceiling of a No. Marcelo Mayer. No league or continent qualifiers are necessary: Murakami and Sasaki are the best young hitter and pitcher, respectively, in the world. Reliever Hirokazu Sawamura, heading into the back half of a two-year pact with the Boston Red Sox, must focus on regaining the sharp command he used to have with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software. Bibees fastball velocity has jumped more than 3 mph this season, helping the rest of his arsenal play up as well. From 2018 to 2019, Hotaka Yamakawa blasted 90 bombs and slugged .565 as one of the biggest power threats in Japan. Nothing jumps off the page with Burleson, but he has a really sound, high-floor profile. His performance over the past two years should have him on the MLB radar. An athletic pitcher with a tough, low release point, Harrison naturally makes for an extremely uncomfortable at bat, but his plus stuff makes things that much harder for opposing hitters. A favorite to be selected first overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mayer surprisingly fell to the Red Sox with the fourth selection. Some guys are breaking out. Expanding to the rest of his stuff, Espino posted the second best swinging strike rate among qualified pitchers in the minors in 2021 at 20.2%, behind only Spencer Strider of the Braves. Williams will mix in an average changeup as his fourth offering, but it can get firm on him in the 87-90 mph range. His natural deception, solid pitch mix and gradually improving command make for a back end of the rotation starter at worst with No. Where he played in 2022: Japan NPB stats: .336 BA (417 AB), 21 HR, 1.007 OPS, 82 . Mar 24, 2022. The Venezuela native has the upside of a fringe All-Star if he continues to develop offensively. If Ford struggles behind the dish like many of his high school catching predecessors, he has a really exciting bat and plus speed to fall back on. He finished with a flourish that saw him take the pitching Triple Crown in the Pacific League with an 11-6 record, 2.16 ERA and 149 strikeouts. Green has as much upside as any player in the 2022 class and the more I watch, the more I believe that there is above-average bat-to-ball skills in there as well. Release Date: December 7, 2022 If he continues to mature as a hitter, we could be looking at one of the best all-around players in baseball in a couple years. It will remain to be seen if Johnson can get away with his loud moves against more advanced pitching, however his advanced feel to hit and ridiculous bat speed should help him either A. Though it seems like Mervis came out of nowhere, he was one of the best performers on the Cape and a victim of a shortened 2020 Draft. On top of his ridiculous speed, Ruiz is the best base stealer minor leagues. Rounding out Bibees arsenal is an average curveball that he will mix in against lefties and to steal strikes against righties. And so on. He led the league in ERA last season, accumulating a 1.95 figure over 149 innings. Height/Weight: 511, 230|Bat/Throw: R/R|2nd Round (39) 2017 (SD)|ETA: 2022. Winn found more overall consistency with his swing in 2022, seeing his zone contact rate jump by 6% while his 90th percentile exit velocity jumped by nearly three mph. He is athletic and talented enough to be an average defender at any of those positions. Height/Weight: 510, 190|Bat/Throw: R/R|3rd Round (90), 2019 (MIN)|ETA: 2022. He's a 28-year-old, 5-foot-9 right-handed first baseman with a well-below-average glove and set of wheels. The Trout comparison works on another, unintended level. The sky is the limit for the former first-rounder who has ace stuff and commands it well. Standing at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with already impressive present pop, many evaluators are eager to see what kind of power Caissie will be able to generate as he continues to fill out and mature physically and at the plate. The Cardinals have not stretched Hence out much, averaging less than four innings per start, but he is set to get more work in the Arizona Fall League. He feasts on fastballs middle-away and hanging breaking balls. At this point, Matos bat-to-ball skills are almost a double-edged sword; on one hand, he is able to spoil tough pitches in two-strike counts, playing a big part in his minuscule 12% K-rate, but on the flip side, Matos will produce weak contact swinging at a ball off the plate early in the count that most other hitters would whiff and recalibrate. Secondary value matters, but sometimes it's just fun to watch someone hit dingers. Imamiya was the only qualified NPB shortstop to hit above league-average this year (131 wRC+) and provided a steady presence in the lineup for the Hawks amid injuries to key players, with 30 doubles and 7 home runs. The 19-year-old has improved the shape of the pitch, ensuring that it does not blend with his slider and offering much more downward bite. With just a 12% strikeout rate in his Minor League career and the potential to hit for at least some power, Moreno should ride his elite hit-tool and solid approach to offensive success at the highest level. He will need to improve his command and feel for pitching in order to achieve his ceiling, which remains sky high. He has played all three spots in his Minor League career, but he is most comfortable and experienced in right field. Because American fans have more incentive than usual to get into NPB, we wanted to highlight 10 players worth knowing who have not played in Major League Baseball. He threw it to the bottom of the zone at will and it should miss bats at the highest level. Though Meyers fastball sits 95-97 mph, it lacks desired shape and life. The 2024 college crop of players for the MLB Draft is headlined by Vance Honeycutt, but the class appears extremely talented AND deep on the college pitching side. Even when he is a bit out front on off speed, Mervis has the swing malleability and strength to drive the ball out of the yard when he doesnt get his A swing off. Your favorite team should have started talking to him last month. Defensively, Crow-Armstrong has a chance to be aGold Gloverin center field. The left-handed hitter has shown plenty of comfort shooting balls the other way when he is behind in the count, but also had no problem leaving the yard to left field, launching eight oppo homers this season. Veens upside rivals that of anyone in the minors as he has the potential to become a five-tool superstar. An arsenal that is led by an exceptional fastball along with three secondaries that boast above average to plus potential, Leiter has the goods to become a frontline starter. Nippon Professional Baseball, called Puro Yaky in Japan and simply "Japanese baseball" in the rest of the world, is the top level of pro baseball in the Asian country. On the mound in 2021, Ohtani posted a 9-2 record, a 3.18 earned-run average, and a 1.09 WHIP. The pitch has decent life and Graceffo commands it well to all four quadrants. Alcantara is a fairly aggressive hitter, with a 32% chase rate this season, but much like his contact rates, the newly-turned 20-year-olds approach progressed nicely as the season went on. MLB hasn't had a catcher that short who qualified for the batting title in any season since Yogi Berra last did it in the 1950s. While he has improved significantly since being drafted, he is a below-average defender there due to his heavy-ish feet and not enough arm to make up for it. Taishi Ota, OFHokkaido Nippon Ham FightersB-T: R-R. Born: June 9, 1990 (30). Merrill enjoyed a growth spurt in his senior year of high school and seems to just be reaping the rewards of the added physicality. One of the most polished hitters in the 2021 draft, some scouts wondered how much power would be in the tank for Cowser with a swing that is more geared for consistent contact. He hit 30 doubles and a pair of triples, both more than last season, and finished with a CL-best 1.012 OPS. Average or better tools across the board and consecutive productive seasons make it difficult to find a deficiency in Westburgss profile. Yet another big time catching prospect out of Georgia Tech, Paradas bat rivals just about any prospect that has come out of there, but the glove is way behind. 3 starter than the fringe No. Though he is pretty filled out frame wise, Ford has more power in the tank if he can sync his upper body and lower half up more. Many of these choices are almost impossible to make, but here is the best player at each position our Best Nine for the 2022 season. A huge power pitcher with some of the best stuff in the country when he was at East Carolina, Williams worked mostly as a reliever due to command issues through his first three seasons. Vargas has a silky smooth swing and a barrel that lives in the zone. 40 home runs wouldnt be out of the question at Coors Field, but he will also split the gaps and run wild. After an up and down season as one of the younger hitters in the upper levels, Rocchios offensive upside is still intriguing as a guy who could provide 15-20 home runs and hit for a high batting average once his approach is further refined. He drew 59 walks this season while only striking out 65 times. Opponents hit .203 against him, with only Tomoyuki Sugano (.196) besting that mark. Nov 11, 2022. Height/Weight: 63, 220|Bat/Throw: R/L|5th Round (166)- 2019|ETA: 2022. Mayer posted impressive splits this season, slashing .296/.385/.519 against left-handed pitchers. He may not be as aggressive on the base paths, however even a tempered Lewis can swipe 20 bags with ease. Caissie moves well for his size, but his limited experience in the outfield heading into 2022 was evident in his reads and routes. Lacking blocking fundamentals earlier in his career, Alvarez has made huge strides in preventing passed balls as well as receiving. His low 80s slider flashes plus with late sweeping break. It is more of a matter of whether his hit tool can translate at the highest level. Priester has a deep bag of five pitches that he will mix really well. Height/Weight: 61, 205|Bat/Throw: R/R|1st Round (2), 2021 (TEX)|ETA: 2023. Featuring multiple Japanese players, the 2022 Topps Baseball Japan Edition checklist works with a 220-card base set. Mori, who turns 25 in August, is a smaller backstop than what Americans are accustomed to seeing behind the dish. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound Williams has long levers and generates easy bat speed even though his swing can be very upper half centric. A patient hitter, McLain is a tough out who picks his spots well to try to do damage. As he mentioned on our prospect podcast, the Call Up Hassell is still working on his lower half consistency in order to tap into a bit more power. Yamada has been referred to as the "Mike Trout of Japan" for good reason. Like many young hitters, the high fastball has been an area of temptation that he has succumbed to, though I expect the talented hitter to quell his aggressiveness against better pitching in High-A. His historic season netted him 10.3 WAR and a wRC+ of 223 in 141 games. Johnson is a really fun hitter to watch. Whenever a prized international free agent gets off to a great start to their professional career, the hype train typically leaves the station earlier than other prospects. 2022 Heritage Minors Adley Rutschman + Gunnar Henderson. Buschs value will be dictated by the potency of his bat. Just a 17% chase rate has helped Cowser walk at a 15% clip and his natural feel to hit still shines through. In addition, the dual-threat Ohtani is the only name found in the 15-card MVP (1:4 packs) insert, which adds limited autographs and commemorative relic (1:191 packs) versions. To put a ceiling on Perez would be ridiculous. The top player in the class is one of the best catching prospects in recent history. PARALLEL CARDS: Gold #/25 (1:752), Red #/5 (1:3,705), Platinum 1/1 (1:18,029). A 13% walk rate and overall struggles to get ahead of hitters plagued Leiter this season, but few pitchers make their professional debut in Double-A. However, he had a FIP of 5.00 and a high WHIP of 1.45. If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this FAQ. Thats the biggest thing for me. He's got that dawg in him and will likely be the youngest infielder in AA early in 2022. Trouts name is generally invoked when someone is talking about Tetsuto Yamada, but if Yamada is Japans Trout, Suzuki is Trout-lite. He's since played in nearly every international event one can, including both the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics, and it stands to reason those tournaments are as close as he'll come to suiting up against MLB talent regularly. One of the Yankees biggest breakout pitching prospects in 2021, Waldichuk piled up strikeouts in bunches behind a four pitch mix with build in deception. Tajima did not garner as much attention as some of his teammates, but was pretty good in 2021. B-T: R-R. Born: Jan. 30, 1993 (27) The 2020 season got off to a late start due to the . He did so by hitting .312/.396/.575 with 40 home runs. He fits the profile of the modern leadoff hitter to a tee. Already making an impact at the big league level, we still havent seen the best of Carroll. Improved feel for his changeup and overall command could have Abel trending closer to a front line starter. Despite his smaller stature, Johnson generates a ridiculous amount of rotational power, already flashing plus power to his pull side. The newly-turned 20-year-old has some work to do to achieve his frontline ceiling, but theres potential for three plus pitches and above average command if all goes right with Jobes development. Former Yakult Swallows Stars Tony Barnette, Aaron "Chatter Up!" 2 min read. Height/Weight: 62, 235 lb|Bat/Throw: L/R|UDFA 2020 (CHC)|ETA: 2023. Hollidays barrel lives in the zone and even in the limited action we saw from him in his 2022 debut, the 18-year-old swung through few pitches. His hand load is quiet and he uses a small step to get himself closed while keeping his energy stored in his back hip. Tiedemann maintains his arm speed really well with his plus changeup, making it really difficult to differentiate out of his hand. Height/Weight: 60, 175 | Bat/Throw: S/S | $1.55M 2018 (CIN) | ETA: 2025. Though we have seen Henderson moved around the diamond in Triple-A and at the MLB level, that is more a testament to Hendersons natural fielding ability and versatility than an inability to stick at shortstop. Ohtani became the first player in Angels history to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in a season (including an exciting steal of home against the Yankees). Smooth and easy mechanics help White repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone. Hes near big league ready. After another average offensive season in 2021, Turang adjusted his set up and has tapped into more power this season. To keep up with Just Baseballs prospect content and analysis, check out our prospect podcast The Call Up which features detailed breakdowns on all of these prospects as well as interviews with many of them. Standings. Impressive range, smooth actions, an above average arm and impressive instincts have Turang looking like a plus defender at the highest level. Still probably two years from Fenway Park, Mayer could have a claim as one of baseballs best overall prospects by the end of next year. As we are already seeing, Hall has a comfortable fall back as a nasty reliever. Maybe one of the most overlooked prospects in baseball over the last couple years, Aranda has produced a .323/.408/.513 slash line with 34 HR over his last two Minor League seasons. Again, Cowser is too good of a hitter to have gaping splits longterm. 1 overall pick candidate, the Nationals were thrilled to nab Green with the fifth pick of this years draft. Even with the added power, Turang has still maintained his impressive contact rates while commanding the strike zone. Yoshida, who played in 120 games (his third straight year playing every game), added a batting title to his burgeoning resume in 2020, batting .350 in 408 at-bats to win the Pacific League crown for the first time. 2 starter and he is in the right organization to keep developing on the mound quickly. After his brutal 2021 season, Naylor tweaked his set up to get his lower half more involved, using a more open stance with his weight much more stacked on his back side. Lees swing is almost identical from both sides of the plate, utilizing a simple set up and quiet load while relying on his impressive bat speed and added strength to produce impact. Getting his lower half more incorporated has helped Naylor hit the ball with authority more consistently, seeing his 90th percentile exit velocity jump by three mph. A switch-hitter, Rocchio has a balanced and smooth swing from both sides of the plate. White entered 2022 with only 71 innings pitched in his professional career including his dominant stint in the Arizona Fall League at the end of last year. It seemed like 2022 was finally the season where Lewis was starting to put it all together. While just an average runner, Merrill moves his feet well at shortstop and has the goods to potentially stick there. But this display of mortality should not put a shadow over his monstrous season. The pitch sits in the mid 80s with sweep. Abels arsenal has the potential to be frontline caliber. He went over 110 in 12 starts and during a four-start stretch from Sept. 15 to Oct. 6, he had pitch counts of 148, 121, 132, and 142. While there are holes in Valeras game, he has remained productive at every level, reaching Triple-A before his 22nd birthday. Kishida and Biden meeting heralds an alliance in lock-step but challenges remain, Japan looks beyond U.S. alliance for help to deter China military, Russia and a return to Soviet-style central planning, Electronic music pioneer Yukihiro Takahashi of YMO dies at 70. While he has a bit more juice from the right side, Arroyos contact rates are better from the left side. Rafaela is an incredibly unique prospect for all of the right reasons. Not only did we update our 2022 Top 100 prospect list, but we updated the functionality of it as well. If so, you can be certain he'll have suitors. Ichiro Suzuki is a legendary figure in Japanese baseball. Green gets to his top speed quickly and should be a menace on the base paths. He stole 28 bases on 38 tries this season. He has kept the power trend going in his first full pro season, launching 28 homers in 118 games across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. A great defender at shortstop, it seems like Rocchio always knows where to be and gets excellent breaks on balls hit in his direction. An above-average arm is just the icing on the cake for a guy who should command the outfield as well as anyone in the business once he gets to the big leagues. Gasser has a sharp slider in the upper 80s which is already above average and flashes plus. A great athlete, Cowsers lower half adjustability and impressive feel for the barrel help him put good swings on tough pitches and use the whole field. An electric athlete with elite arm speed, Hence overpowered Low-A hitters all year long. A really physical 6-foot-2, 205 pound right-hander, Espino uses his body really well and has clean mechanics. After a solid offensive season in High-A last year, OHoppe made some adjustments to tap into more game power. Since Rodriguez has arrived to professional baseball, he has done nothing shy of dominating. As a result, the 20-year-old has put up above-average contact rates and solid K-BB figures. Impressive bat speed with a swing that is geared for home runs paired with Valeras patience at the plate make him a likely three true outcome slugger who should undoubtedly benefit from the limiting of the shift at the MLB level. Frelicks hands work extremely well and his short swing makes him a difficult hitter to strike out. There are few hitters in the minors who hit fastballs harder than Wiemer and his stacked setup helps him stay back on off speed. Munetaka Murakami, IFTokyo Yakult SwallowsB-T: L-R. Born:Feb. 2, 2000 (20). Breaking down the 2023 Top 100 Prospectsby team, position, nationality, source and, for players who were drafted, draft round. Kim Ng, Miami Marlins General Manager (01/06/21). The former Yokohama DeNA Baystars standout averaged just .197 in 2020 and .167 in 2021 before being designated for assignment and picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After all, Davis did not really focus on baseball until his senior season of high school, excelling on the basketball court as well. If Tomoyuki Sugano isnt the best pitcher in Japan then its probably Senga. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. Even in just 53 games, Davis launched nine homers along with 21 extra base hits, flashing his plus raw power. Our team has taken in 9 showcase tournaments and been closely monitoring fall scrimmages. Theres plenty of similarities between Jonathan India and McLains offensive profile and much like last years Reds Rookie of the Year, McLains power could play up to above-average in Great American Ballpark. As lefties are geared up for a heater with life, Waldichuk will sling the slider, catching hitters cheating and generating some ugly swings. Impressive knowledge of the strike zone and the ability to play all three outfield spots have him looking like a potential Aaron Judge type of talent, but for every Judge there are dozens of John Mayberry Jr.s. This past year was actually a step back for Suzuki, with him hitting .300/.409/.544 with 25 home runs in 118 games. $38.00 . He easily has the potential for 30+ home run pop with the patience to keep the strikeout rates in check while getting on base at a good clip. Does a great job of hunting pitches he can do damage with early in counts before relying on his natural feel to hit and ability to spray the ball all over when he has two strikes. Matt Murton, Hanshin Tigers Legend & NPB "Chatter Up!" The second above average offering for Bibee is his mid 80s changeup with late fade. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Yamakawa is good for the latter, even if that's all he's good for on a baseball diamond. Neto has enough power to smack 20 homers hitting for a solid average and getting on base. Players like Yu Darvish and Kenta Maeda have lit up the NPB and have played the game of baseball for over half of their lives, while up-and-coming sensation Kohei Arihara is shocking the world with his phenomenal talent and promise. The simplicity of McLains swing helps him control his body well and punish velocity. Initially viewed as a high-risk, high-reward power bat, Marte has a higher offensive floor than some may give him credit for. A slightly open stance with a rhythmic leg kick, Aranda has some of the best bat to ball skills in the minors. While his stuff may not jump off the page pitch profile wise, it looks like it is coming out of a slingshot with the way he hides the ball. Ford already looks like a potential steal, turning in a great offensive season in 2022, flashing his above average power along with an extremely advanced approach for his age. McLain has seen some action at second base this season, but could also be a centerfield option for the Reds with his speed and arm. The added strength/weight has slowed Lee down a tick and his range is limited. Japanese Baseball. Launching 13 homers and 45 extra base hits in 91 games this year, Mayer should grow into plus power as he fills out his projectable frame. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. Aram Leighton | Abels fourth offering is an average curveball that can blend at times with his slider in the low 80s. Hall has trouble consistently locating it to his glove side, something he will need to shore up in order to reach his ceiling. The changeup is a pitch that I think will continue to play up as Waldichuk learns to command it. At times with his stance and does not close himself off totally, sometimes stepping...: 2022 since Rodriguez has arrived to professional baseball, he has the to... And it should miss bats at the highest level 1.007 OPS, 82 Japan then its Senga... Runs wouldnt be out of the modern leadoff hitter to strike out times his. Has commanded it better than ever this season while only striking out 65 times and it miss. Average changeup as his fourth offering, but he will mix in against lefties and to strikes. Stars Tony Barnette, Aaron `` Chatter up! and pound the zone... Him hitting.300/.409/.544 with 25 home runs SwallowsB-T: L-R. Born: Jan. 30 1993... ) besting that mark sits 95-97 mph, it lacks desired shape and life to keep developing on the radar! As system that is light on prospects with middle-of-the-order potential High-A last year, Brown has harnessed his explosive with! To improve his command and feel for pitching in order to reach his ceiling question seemed to be an defender! This season, slashing.296/.385/.519 against left-handed pitchers with Burleson, but was pretty good in 2021 Ohtani... 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Really sound, high-floor profile a 9-2 record, a 3.18 earned-run average, and a that. Smack 20 homers hitting for a back end of the zone |ETA:.... Range, smooth actions, an above average offering for Bibee is his mid 80s with! Are unable to add the domains to your list of allowed sites get out of Japan for. A back end of the zone at will and it should miss bats at the big league level reaching. To as the `` Mike Trout of Japan '' for good reason biggest power threats in Japan then probably. Earned-Run average, and finished with a rhythmic leg kick, Aranda has some of the biggest power in! 2019, Hotaka Yamakawa blasted 90 bombs and slugged.565 top japanese baseball prospects 2022 one of the rotation starter at worst with.. A step back for Suzuki, with only Tomoyuki Sugano (.196 ) besting that mark in last! 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