Francisco Alvarez (finest energy) grew to become simply the sixth catcher to slam 25 homers as a rookie. Corbin Carroll (quickest runner) was the primary rookie ever to mix 25 homers and 50 steals, ending second within the Nationwide League with 54 swipes.
Masyn Winn (strongest arm) ranked second amongst massive league shortstops with not less than 100 performs by averaging 92.4 mph on his throws from the place. Pete Crow-Armstrong (finest defender) solely began three video games throughout a September callup however supplied net gems in two of them. Grayson Rodriguez’s (finest changeup) cambio ranked because the 14th-most efficient among the many 127 pitchers who labored 100 innings in 2023.
The gamers incomes superlatives on our new 2024 High 100 have the possibility to make a direct affect as properly. Many of the prospects highlighted beneath ought to play within the Majors this season. Their instruments are grades on the usual 20-80 scouting scale, with 50 representing massive league common.
Greatest hitter: Jackson Holliday, SS/2B, Orioles (70)
Holliday ranks atop our newest High 100 at the start due to his hitting capacity. He broke J.T. Realmuto’s nationwide prep file for hits in a season (89 in 41 video games) in 2022 earlier than going No. 1 total within the Draft that July, and he hasn’t stopped raking since. He has batted .320 since turning professional, zooming from Single-A to Triple-A in his first full season at age 19. With a fast, compact left-handed stroke and a complicated method, he hits the ball with authority to all fields.
Additionally within the working: Evan Carter, OF, Rangers; Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals; Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres.
Greatest energy: Junior Caminero, 3B/SS, Rays (70)
Although he is simply 20 years outdated, Caminero hits the ball more durable than virtually anybody in baseball — together with the large leagues. His mixture of bat velocity, energy and hitting capacity helped him lead all youngsters in homers (31, fifth total within the Minors) and slugging (.591, sixth total) a 12 months in the past. As soon as he makes the adjustment to launch balls within the air extra persistently, he may produce 40 homers on an annual foundation.
Additionally within the working: Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers; Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers; James Wooden, OF, Nationals
Quickest runner: Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies (75)
Carl Crawford received 4 American League stolen-base titles from 2003-07, and his son has the velocity to sit down atop the swipe leaderboards sooner or later. Justin recorded 60-yard sprint instances below 6.2 seconds on the highschool showcase circuit and used his quickness to steal 47 bases in 55 makes an attempt and to show sufficient grounders into singles to rank seventh within the Minors in batting (.332) throughout his first full professional season.
Additionally within the working: Evan Carter, OF, Rangers; Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers; Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks.
Strongest arm: Masyn Winn, SS/2B, Cardinals (80)
Winn not solely ranked second in common velocity amongst massive league shortstops final summer season, he additionally recorded three of the six hardest throws (98.4, 98.0 and 97.3 mph) on the place regardless of not arriving in St. Louis till mid-August. He was scouted closely as a pitcher in highschool, when he ran his fastball as much as 98 mph. He famously unleashed a 100.5 mph laser on the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Sport, and he additionally hit 102 mph on a relay in Triple-A final July.
Additionally within the working: Roderick Arias, SS, Yankees; Coby Mayo, 3B/1B Orioles; Blake Mitchell, C, Royals.
Greatest defender: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs (80)
Winn and Crow-Armstrong are the lone repeaters from the pre-2023 superlatives, and each had been straightforward selections. With plus-plus velocity, excellent instincts and complete fearlessness, Crow-Armstrong is the most effective defensive outfield prospect in years. He can flip almost not possible performs into outs and make troublesome performs look routine.
Additionally within the working: Druw Jones, OF, Diamondbacks; Jeferson Quero, C, Brewers; Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/SS, Purple Sox.
Greatest fastball: Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates (80)
Skenes rode his fastball to nice heights in 2023, profitable a nationwide championship, Faculty World Sequence most excellent participant and Southeastern Convention pitcher of the 12 months honors and main NCAA Division I in strikeouts (209), strikeouts per 9 innings (15.3) and WHIP (0.75) earlier than going No. 1 total within the Draft and signing for a file $9.3 million. He averaged 98 mph and touched 102 whereas starring at Louisiana State, and his fastball performs up because of his flat method angle, command and carry. Some analysts quibble with the form of his heater, however hitters aren’t capable of catch as much as it.
Additionally within the working: Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians; Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants; Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers.
Greatest curveball: Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals (60)
Although the Rangers haven’t any regrets about buying and selling for Jordan Montgomery final July, they did should half with the most effective curveball on the High 100 to get him. Roby’s finest pitch is a high-spin curve within the higher 70s that options true downer break. He is capable of each land it for strikes or use it as a chase pitch, and it performs properly off his 93-96 mph fastball with good carry up within the zone.
Additionally within the working: Mick Abel, RHP, Phillies; Chase Hampton, RHP, Yankees; Robby Snelling, LHP, Padres
Greatest slider: Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates (70)
Skenes’ slider improved tremendously at LSU below the tutelage of pitching coach Wes Johnson. His slide piece went from a decent breaker that sat at 83-85 mph to an 85-89 beast with big sweep that elicited a 62 p.c swing-and-miss price in opposition to faculty hitters in 2023. Regardless of its motion, he is capable of command it properly.
Additionally within the working: Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs; Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers; Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers.
Greatest changeup: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Padres (70)
Essentially the most superior highschool pitcher within the 2022 Draft, Lesko additionally featured the most effective changeup in all the class. His cambio parks within the low-80s with important fade and a few sink as a bonus. He sells it with the identical arm velocity with which he delivers 93-98 mph fastballs and has full religion in his changeup. It is a main purpose why he dominated left-handers in his 2023 professional debut, holding them to a .186 common with a 39 p.c strikeout price.
Additionally within the working: Brock Porter, RHP, Rangers; Drew Thorpe, RHP, Padres; Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants.
Greatest different pitch: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Braves (65 splitter)
Waldrep positioned third in Division I in strikeouts (156) and fourth in strikeout price (13.8 per 9 innings) whereas serving to Florida to the Faculty World Sequence finals final spring, relying closely on one of many extra unhittable pitches within the 2023 Draft. His upper-80s splitter climbs as excessive as 94 mph earlier than falling off the desk when it arrives at house plate, producing exceptionally excessive swing-and-miss (63 p.c) and chase (45 p.c) charges in faculty final 12 months. He loved related success with the pitch throughout his transient time in Double-A and Triple-A in his professional debut.
Additionally within the working: Chase Hampton, RHP, Yankees (cutter); Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (cutter); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (cutter).
Greatest management: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds (65)
4 faculty pitchers went within the first spherical of the 2023 Draft, and three of them (Skenes, Lowder, Waldrep) mixed to seize 4 of the six pitching superlatives. A two-time Atlantic Coast Convention pitcher of the 12 months who topped Division I with 15 wins whereas rating fourth in ERA (1.87) and strikeouts (a Wake Forest-record 143) final spring, he kilos the zone with three pitches whereas repeating his straightforward supply. He walked simply 24 in 120 1/3 innings whereas throwing 70 p.c of his pitches for strikes as a junior, and his polish may land him in Cincinnati’s rotation by midseason.
Additionally within the working: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers; Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies; Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates.
