TOP 5 PROSPECTS
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2020 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: https://www.baseballhq.com/mlba2020
Cristian Pache, OF: Pache made tremendous strides in 2019, hitting .277 with 12 home runs across Classes AA and AAA. His plate patience improved without sacrificing contact or power, though his speed diminished and sits just above average at present. The 21-year-old is a plus defender in center field.
Drew Waters, OF: A switch-hitting center fielder, Waters has easy bat speed with line-drive skills. Just 21, the power will come. He’s a plus runner with 15 stolen base potential and above-average defense throughout the outfield. Waters hit .271 in 107 at-bats at Class AAA.
Ian Anderson, RHP: Anderson inched up to Class AAA with his 2.68 ERA in 111 innings at AA last year. His 12to-6 curveball plays up due to his arm slot. A late-fading changeup is a true out pitch. The 21-year-old with a deceptive delivery could be in the majors this year.
Kyle Wright, RHP: Wright, 24, struggled mightily in his short major league cameo, mostly due to an ineffective fastball. His best pitch is a tight, two-plane slider, and he has feel for a solid changeup that gets separation from his fastball. Wright will return to AAA, where he needs to work on fastball command.
Tucker Davidson, LHP: Davidson made strides in 2019, posting a 2.15 ERA in 1292⁄3 innings across Class AA and AAA. His heavy fastball and curveball are plus pitches. His changeup continues to come along. The 23-year-old pitches from the stretch, creating some reliever role concerns. He’ll return to AAA.