Hot prospects top our annual 100 Names list
While we cut through the teeth of winter, let’s begin our march toward opening day with USA TODAY’s 100 Names You Need to Know, our annual look of emerging major league talent, topped by the son of a Hall of Famer by the same name. They’re not necessarily the top prospects but players you’ll get to know quite well this season.
Our list stipulates that players must have had more innings (for pitchers) or plate appearances (for hitters) in the minor leagues during 2018 than they have accumulated during all of their major league playing time. Players are ranked in order of their anticipated impact this season. 1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Blue Jays 2. Victor Robles, OF, Nationals 3. Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox 4. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Mariners 5. Francisco Mejia, C, Padres 6. Ramon Laureano, OF, Athletics 7. Austin Meadows, OF, Rays 8. Peter Alonso, 1B, Mets 9. Josh James, RHP, Astros 10. Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros 11. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, Padres 12. Garrett Hampson, 2B-SS, Rockies 13. Danny Jansen, C, Blue Jays 14. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals 15. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Astros 16. Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Royals 17. Luis Urias, SS-2B, Padres 18. Nick Senzel, 2B-3B, Reds 19. Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers 20. Christin Stewart, OF, Tigers 21. Willie Calhoun, OF, Rangers 22. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics 23. Jeff McNeil, 2B3B, Mets 24. Yandy Diaz, IF-OF, Rays 25. Alex Verdugo, OF, Dodgers 26. Billy McKinney, OF, Blue Jays 27. Willians Astudillo, C, Twins 28. Dakota Hudson, RHP, Cardinals 29. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers 30. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays 31. Mike Soroka, Braves 32. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Cardinals 33. Brendan Rodgers, 2B-SS, Rockies 34. Sixto Sanchez, Phillies 35. Framber Valdez, LHP, Astros 36. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates 37. Kyle Wright, RHP, Braves 38. Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP, Yankees 39. Jordan Luplow, OF, Indians 40. Nick Martini, OF, Athletics 41. Keibert Ruiz, C, Dodgers 42. Logan Allen, LHP, Padres 43. Touki Toussaint, Braves 44. Shed Long, 2B, Mariners 45. Kevin Newman, SS, Pirates 46. Austin Hays, OF, Orioles 47. Daniel Ponce de Leon, RHP, Cardinals 48. Brett Phillips, OF, Royals 49. Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays 50. Chris Shaw, OF, Giants 51. Brandon Lowe, 2B-OF, Rays 52. Austin Riley, Braves 53. Michael King, RHP, Yankees 54. Kolby Allard, LHP, Braves 55. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Blue Jays 56. Leody Taveras, OF, Rangers 57. Chris Paddack, RHP, Padres 58. Michael Chavis, 3B, Red Sox 59. Victor Victor Mesa, Marlins 60. Justus Sheffield, LHP, Mariners 61. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates
62. Yusniel Diaz, OF, Orioles 63. Nate Lowe, 1B, Rays 64. David Bote, 3B, Cubs 65. Chance Adams, RHP, Yankees 66. Cionel Perez, LHP, Astros 67. Aramis Garcia, C-1B, Giants 68. Griffin Canning, RHP, Angels 69. Pablo Reyes, OF, Pirates 70. Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins 71. Michael Perez, C, Rays 72. Dane Dunning, RHP, White Sox 73. Carson Kelly, C, Diamondbacks 74. Kyle Farmer, C-3B, Reds 75. Jo Adell, OF, Angels 76. Anthony Alford, OF, Blue Jays 77. Luiz Gohara, Braves 78. Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Orioles 79. Nick Neidert, RHP, Marlins 80. Elvis Luciano, RHP, Blue Jays 81. Trevor Oaks, RHP, Royals 82. Jon Duplantier, RHP, Diamondbacks 83. Nick Madrigal, 2B, White Sox 84. Mark Zagunis, OF, Cubs 85. Josh Naylor, 1B-OF, Padres 86. Jahmai Jones, 2B, Angels 87. Adam Hasele, OF, Phillies 88. Dennis Santana, RHP, Dodgers 89. Carter Kieboom, SS-2B, Nationals 90. Chandler Shepherd, RHP, Red Sox 91. Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians 92. Hunter Harvey, RHP, Orioles 93. Kevin Cron, 1B-3B, Diamondbacks 94. Sean Murphy, C, Athletics 95. Ariel Jurado, RHP, Rangers 96. Will D. Smith, C, Dodgers 97. Taylor Widener, Diamondbacks 98. Cam Gallagher, C, Royals 99. Justin Dunn, RHP, Mariners 100. Josh Ockimey, 1B, Red Sox