TOP 5 PROSPECTS

Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2019 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: https://www.baseballhq.com/mlba2019

1. Bobby Dalbec, 3B: Dalbec has a top-notch arm with enough power to be capable of 40 home runs. Strikeouts and batting average are concerns, but he made strides with his approach in 2018, earning a promotion to Class AA. The 23year-old hit 32 home runs last year.

2. Michael Chavis, 3B: Chavis’ bat is his best tool, as he’s not a great athlete, but he has a natural feel for hitting. He started 2018 with a PED suspension but finished strong with a .298 batting average across three levels. The 23-year-old finished at AAA.

3. Jay Groome, LHP: A former firstround pick, Groome has had trouble staying healthy and missed all of 2018 after having Tommy John surgery. The 20year-old has ace potential with an easy delivery and plus fastball and curveball. He should return sometime in 2019 and needs to start logging innings.

4. Triston Casas, 3B: A first-round pick in the 2018 draft, Casas tore a thumb ligament after just four professional atbats. He should be fine going forward and has the size to be a top power threat but might not stick at third base. Just 19, Casas’ body is mature for his age and he has a simple, quiet swing.

5. Mike Shawaryn, RHP: Shawaryn relies on plus command of a mediocre pitch mix to get outs. He showed some improvement in 2018, posting a 3.28 ERA in 19 starts at Class AA before a promotion to AAA. The 24-year-old is a fly-ball pitcher, so home runs are a concern.