TOP 5 PROSPECTS

Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2020 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: https://www.baseballhq.com/mlba2020

Wander Franco, 3B: A switch-hitter, Franco beat up on lower-level pitching, hitting .327 across low and high A. He’s an exceptional hitter who pairs a rare double-plus hit tool with plus power to all fields. Franco, 18, will likely start at AA but could see the majors this year.

Brendan McKay, LHP: A two-way prospect, McKay made his debut on the strength of his pitching ability in 2019. All of his pitches are above-average offerings that he commands and sequences well. The 24-year-old had a 5.14 ERA over 49 big-league innings.

Vidal Brujan, 2B: Brujan stole 48 bases across two levels last year with exceptional foot speed and an elite run tool. He is a patient hitter who will spray low liners and ground balls across the diamond and still has some pull-power potential. The 24-year-old could eventually steal 50 bases in the majors.

Greg Jones, SS: Jones, 21, is an elite athlete who made strides with the hit tool (.335 batting average) in his shortseason debut. He can spray the ball around and has solid plate skills, and he stole bases in 40% of his pro games last year. Jones has plus range at shortstop but could end up in center field.

Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS: Edwards, who hit .322 with 34 steals across two levels in 2019, pairs elite contact skills with blinding speed. He’s a switch-hitter who peppers the gaps from both sides, though his ground-ball profile caps any home run upside. The 20-year-old should return to high A.