TOP 5 PROSPECTS
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2020 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: https://www.baseballhq.com/mlba2020
Carter Kieboom, 2B-SS-3B: Kieboom flourished at Class AAA (.303 batting average, 16 home runs in 412 at-bats) but had a rough major league debut. The 22-year-old has a patient approach, good pitch recognition and developing pop, though his long-term future might be at second base.
Luis Garcia, 2B-SS: Garcia held his own as a 19-year-old at Class AA (.257 batting average, four home runs, 11 steals). He makes good contact with a balanced swing and has more punch than his power numbers imply. Garcia’s body type likely limits his range at shortstop but he has the hands and instincts for second base. He’ll likely return to AA.
Jackson Rutledge, LHP: Rutledge pumps out mid-90s fastballs with ease, has a slider with plus potential and his curveball and change-up have flashed average. He controls the arsenal well with short arm action and deception. The 20-year-old laid waste to Class A hitting late in 2019 (2.30 ERA in six starts).
Wil Crowe, RHP: Crowe, 25, is more finesse than power but added a tick to his fastball in 2019 and now has average velocity. He mixes in three secondary pitches: a slider, curveball and changeup. Crowe posted a 6.17 ERA in 54 innings last year at Class AAA, where he’ll return to start 2020.
Tim Cate, LHP: A small-framed lefty, Cate, 22, used an above-average curveball and fastball command to conquer two levels of Class A last season (3.07 ERA in 1432⁄3 innings).