TOP FIVE PROSPECTS

Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2016 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: baseballhq.com/mlba16.

1. Jonathan Harris, RHP: Harris is a thin yet physical starter who can dominate with a deep, powerful pitch mix. He has an above-average fastball and can vary the speed and shape of two breaking balls. The 2015 first-rounder holds his velocity deep into games and struck out 32 batters in 36 innings in his first taste of the pros. Harris, 22, needs to improve his control, which he will work on at Class A in 2016.

2. Anthony Alford, OF: A former football player, Alford has a disciplined feel for the game and draws plenty of walks. His power should continue to blossom as he learns pitches and uses his good bat speed to his advantage. The 21-year-old had 27 stolen bases in 2015 and has true centerfield range. He will move to Class AA in 2016 and, though he could use some polish, has a very high ceiling.

3. Richard Urena, SS: The 19-year-old finished third in the low-Class A Midwest League in homers with 15. He has the defensive attributes to remain at shortstop, with quick, smooth actions, soft hands and good range. He is a bit of a free swinger and could use polish at the plate. But Urena has surprising pop from a lean frame and should improve his batting average.

4. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP: Reid-Foley is strong-framed with dazzling stuff but will need to work on mechanics and control. He has deceptive delivery, with a quick, strong arm that unleashes a good fastball on a downhill plane. The 20-year-old collects strikeouts (11.7 per nine innings last season) and induces ground balls. He’ll head to high-Class A ball.

5. Max Pentecost, C: Pentecost is a premium athlete who missed the 2015 season after shoulder surgery. The 22-yearold is mobile behind the plate and has exemplary receiving skills. When healthy, he swings a fast bat and sprays line drives to all fields. He should grow into at least an average power hitter, as his doubles evolve into homers. He’s likely to report to high-A.