All 30 MLB teams have released their initial player lists for their pools of up to 60 players who’ll participate in team activities this summer and be available to play in major-league games. Some of those players will stay behind at an alternate or satellite location — often the parent club’s Triple-A or Double-A affiliate’s stadium — and participate in drills or intrasquad games there, staying ready or just continuing their development while away from scouts or media. While most teams still have open spots in their pools, here’s a rundown of my initial reactions to the prospects included in those pools and the biggest names omitted whom I expected to see.
American League
The Orioles’ initial player pool list had just 44 names on it and didn’t include their top three prospects, Adley Rutschman, D.L. Hall or Grayson Rodriguez. But GM Mike Elias indicated that the team would add prospects later (without committing to any names) once the Opening Day roster was settled. I would expect all three of those players to eventually end up on the list, and perhaps their first pick from this year, Heston Kjerstad, will as well. I was still surprised that outfielder Yusniel Díaz, No. 4 in their system, was excluded despite spending the last two seasons in Double A. Austin Hays (No. 6) is their highest-ranked prospect in the pool right now and should get a crack at one of their outfield spots.
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The Red Sox’s initial list of 47 names included just one of their top 10 prospects, third baseman Bobby Dalbec, who seems to be blocked anywhere he might play. Jeter Downs, acquired for Mookie Betts, is their No. 1 prospect and finished last year in Double A; I can’t imagine the Red Sox will leave him at home all summer. No. 4 prospect Jay Groome really could use innings of any sort after throwing 4 innings total in the last two seasons around Tommy John surgery.
This is how we do it — the White Sox put four of their top five prospects in their player pool, including No. 1 Luis Robert, who should be their Opening Day center fielder, and No. 2 Michael Kopech, who probably will be in their rotation now that he’s nearly two years off Tommy John. The presence of Andrew Vaughn, their first-round pick in 2019, is a welcome sign as well, although I doubt he sees major-league time in 2020. Dane Dunning and Nick Madrigal should also make their debuts this summer, and Zack Collins, who struggled very badly in his debut last year, could resurface. Dunning could be in line for significant innings given the team’s rotation depth issues last year and how many pitchers they have coming back from injuries (including Dunning himself).
Cleveland made one of the most interesting prospect inclusions of any team, adding George Valera, a 19-year-old outfielder with just 6 games played above short-season ball. Valera signed for $1.3 million in 2017 but hasn’t played enough since then due to injuries, so the need for Cleveland’s No. 11 prospect to get more reps is acute. Their top four prospects are all in the pool, including No. 2 Triston McKenzie, who really needs innings after missing all of 2019 with back and pectoral strains, and No. 3 Bo Naylor, a premium offensive catcher who spent last year in Low A and would appear to only be here to get work. It’s a bit telling that their 2016 first-rounder Will Benson isn’t on the list after two straight years with 150+ strikeouts.
The Tigers’ top six prospects from this offseason are all on the roster, as are their top two picks from this year’s draft, Spencer Torkelson and Dillon Dingler. This is exactly what rebuilding clubs should be doing with their player pools in the wake of the cancelation of the minor league season. It’s a mild surprise that Parker Meadows, their second-rounder from 2018 and No. 7 in the system, wasn’t included, but they have a reasonably full outfield in the pool.
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The Astros’ top three prospects, all pitchers, are here. Forrest Whitley should debut this year in some form, and José Urquidy returns to the rotation. Luis Garcia, their No. 3 prospect, finished last year in High A but made the cut, which makes me think they see him as a possible bullpen piece this year who would also benefit from getting work against better competition. The omission of Korey Lee, their first-round pick last year, was a surprise since he’s a college product and a catcher, a position where the Astros are quite thin.
The Royals have their top 7 prospects from this offseason in their pool, as well as No. 13 MJ Melendez and No. 14 Nick Pratto, although any of those top 7 guys could also help their major-league team other than last year’s No. 2 overall pick, Bobby Witt Jr. It’s a mild surprise that Asa Lacy, their first pick in this year’s draft, wasn’t included, but it’s possible that they didn’t foresee getting him many innings since their farm system is so strong in starting pitching.
The Angels have plenty of prospects in their player pool, but they’re guys who could help the big-league roster this year — even centerfielder Jordyn Adams could be a pinch-runner/defensive replacement. The one major exception to that statement is right-hander Chris Rodriguez, who missed last year with a back injury and desperately needs innings, but who would appear to have no shot to see the majors this year. Lefty Reid Detmers, their first-round pick this year, was the most advanced pitcher in the draft class and could fill one of the vacant spots in the pool. Other top prospects who are far away from the majors, like Jeremiah Jackson or D’Shawn Knowles, didn’t make the pool.
Their No. 3 prospect, Jordan Balazovic, isn’t in the pool, which is surprising because he hasn’t thrown a ton in pro ball, with a career-high 93 innings last year, and building him up was a goal for him if we’d had a regular 2020 season. The Twins didn’t add prospects without any realistic chance to help their major-league team this year, but did include Royce Lewis, their No. 2 prospect, who finished last year in Double A but didn’t hit there or in High A prior to his promotion. Seeing him in the majors would be a longshot between his bat and his need for a new position.
The Yankees loaded up on pitching prospects, several of whom could help the big-league club in some role, including potential starters Clarke Schmidt and Deivi Garcia as well as younger arms Miguel Yajure, Luis Medina and Luis Gil, all of whom could possibly come up as replacements in the bullpen depending on how they throw in the satellite camp. The omission of Anthony Seigler, their 2018 first-rounder who has missed most of the last year and a half with various injuries, was surprising, if only given that teams always like to carry extra catchers in spring training. Lefty T.J. Sikkema, their second pick in 2019 out of the University of Missouri, also seemed like he’d make the cut given his age and advanced feel for pitching. Jasson Dominguez wasn’t included, but he’s just 17 and I can see an argument that he’d be overmatched by facing much older pitching in intrasquads.
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The A’s included eleven of their top twelve prospects from my offseason rankings in their pool, trading No. 7 Jorge Mateo right before camps opened. Austin Beck, their first-round pick from 2017, isn’t in the pool, but he hasn’t produced in two full years in the minors, so that’s not that shocking. Outfielder Greg Deichmann is here, hoping to get some reps after two years of injuries, and Luis Barrera, who hit well in parts of two years in Double A before a shoulder injury last year, was added on Wednesday night. They also added 17-year-old shortstop Robert Puason, whom they signed in July of 2019 for $5.1 million, on Wednesday, making him one of the youngest players – if not the youngest – on any team’s 60-man list.
The Mariners’ pool includes 14 of their top 16 prospects from my offseason rankings, plus their first-rounder from this year, Emerson Hancock. Outfielder Julio Rodriguez isn’t going to see the majors this year, but belongs in the pool and will certainly benefit from whatever sort of games they’re playing at the satellite camp. It wouldn’t hurt advanced pitchers like Logan Gilbert or George Kirby, Seattle’s first-rounders from the last two years, to get some starts in the majors in September, too.
Wander Franco, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, made the Rays’ player pool, and while I would bet against him making his debut this year, I also wouldn’t rule it out if the Rays are contending and could see him helping them down the stretch. Joe Ryan, their No. 8 prospect coming into the year, is in the pool and seems like he’s on the shortlist to fill in if the Rays need a starter, although he’d at least be behind their No. 2 prospect, lefty Brendan McKay. Xavier Edwards, acquired in an offseason trade with the Padres, was a mild surprise just from a developmental standpoint, but there may be a playing time crunch in the middle infield even at their satellite camp.
Last year’s first-rounder Josh Jung is here, as is their top prospect Leody Taveras. Both are probably a year away from the majors, so getting them more development time here makes sense even though I doubt either will see big-league action this year. Right-hander Alex Speas was a surprising inclusion, especially over better prospects like Hans Crouse or Cole Winn; Speas had Tommy John in June of 2018, threw two innings in 2019, and has huge velocity with no history of throwing strikes.
Austin Martin, the best prospect in this year’s draft class and the No. 5 overall pick, hasn’t signed yet, so he’s not in the player pool, but I’d be flabbergasted if the Jays left him off — especially since they need to figure out his ideal defensive home. The Blue Jays did go prospect-heavy, as they should, with Jordan Groshans, who has just 23 games played in full-season ball under his belt; and Alek Manoah, their first-rounder last year, both in the pool. Right-hander Patrick Murphy, 14th in their system but a top 10 or better prospect if he could stay healthy, could end up in the majors this year given his stuff.
National League
I found it interesting that Corbin Carroll and Alek Thomas made the cut for the D-Backs’ player pool, but Kristian Robinson didn’t. Robinson’s 19, like Carroll, and played briefly in Low A, but he is behind those guys and Geraldo Perdomo in terms of approach and plate discipline. Their first-rounder from this year, Bryce Jarvis, is in the pool, as he should be since he’s already 22. I’ll especially be watching for the return of Corbin Martin, who was the best prospect coming back in the Zack Greinke trade and could be in the D-Backs’ rotation soon.
Atlanta included their top 13 prospects from my offseason rankings in their player pool – Freddy Tarnok, a raw 21-year-old starter who would have gone to Double A this year, is their top prospect not in the pool — and their first-rounder from this year, Jared Shuster. They have plenty of players who would have benefited from joining the pool, such as 22-year-old slugger Bryce Ball, but as a contender that also must consider the needs of the big-league club, they don’t have enough spots to go around.
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Their top prospect, outfielder Brennen Davis, is here, even though he’s just 20 and has 50 games above the complex league, a testament to how much the Cubs value him and believe his bat will develop quickly. Their top pitching prospect, lefty Brailyn Marquez, is here as well, and he could absolutely help the major-league team in a relief role this year with an 80 fastball and power slider. The big surprise omission was Ryan Jensen, their first-round pick last year, a college starter with a now fastball who also could have helped the big-league club in the bullpen.
The Reds plan to contend this year, so their player pool is less prospect-heavy than it might have been a year or two ago. I don’t think there’s a player under 21 this year. No. 1 prospect Hunter Greene is back from Tommy John surgery and ready to pitch but was left off the initial pool, even though he needs to pitch somewhere after missing all of 2019 as well. Lefty Nick Lodolo, their first-round pick last year out of TCU, isn’t far from major-league ready, although the Reds’ rotation is already set. He’ll be at the alternate site along with Jonathan India, their first-round pick in 2018, and right-hander Tony Santillan, a candidate for a bullpen role later this season given his big fastball.
The Rockies’ initial list had 52 names on it, and omitted a lot of prospects I fully expected to see in their player pool. Third baseman Colton Welker spent last year in Double A, and while he didn’t hit well, he belongs in their pool and wasn’t on the list. Michael Toglia, their first-round pick last year out of UCLA, also didn’t make the cut, even though his defense at first base is the best in the system. Infielder Ryan Vilade, No. 3 in their system coming into the year, isn’t in the Rockies’ player pool, nor is their first-rounder from this year, outfielder Zac Veen, although the Rockies could add either with eight spots left open on their initial list. Pitchers Ryan Rolison and Ryan Castellani did make the cut, and one or both could reach the majors if the Rockies are contending.
Eight of the Dodgers’ top 10 prospects are in their player pool, even though they only put 51 names on their initial list. That reflects a strong developmental philosophy — catcher Diego Cartaya is on the list despite playing in the Arizona Rookie League last year, and right-hander Andre Jackson, a converted player who was No. 13 on my preseason rankings, is also there even though he’s years away from the majors. But it also shows how much prospect depth the Dodgers have close to the majors, with at least six of those eight prospects from their top 10 having at least 50/50 odds to see the big leagues this summer. The omissions of Kody Hoese and Michael Busch, their two first-round picks in 2019, were both minor surprises.
The Marlins’ top 10 prospects from my offseason rankings are all in their player pool, and I expect them to add their first-round pick from this year, right-hander Max Meyer, once his contract is finalized. Sixto Sánchez could end up in the majors first out of their cornucopia of starting pitching prospects, while Meyer has the fastball/slider combination to pitch in a short relief role any time.
The Brewers only included 45 players on their initial list for their 60-man player pool, so some more prospects may still end up in their satellite camp. Zack Brown did make the cut and will get to try to recover from a lost year in Colorado Springs, but Ethan Small and Aaron Ashby aren’t, meaning just one Brewer starting pitching prospect is in their pool, along with relief prospects Drew Rasmussen and Devin Williams. Corey Ray, their first pick in 2016, also missed the cut, as did their top overall prospect, 20-year-old shortstop Brice Turang.
The Mets still have 10 spots left open in their player pool, so they could still add any of the teenaged prospects in their system they omitted from their initial list. None of their top five prospects coming into the season, the oldest of whom is 20-year-old Mark Vientos, is in their pool right now; they also omitted lefty Thomas Szapucki, a former top 100 prospect who came back successfully from Tommy John surgery last year. Instead, their 50-player list focused on players with the potential to help the major-league club immediately, led by lefty starter David Peterson.
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Spencer Howard and Alec Bohm are on the list; Bryson Stott and Francisco Morales are not. Morales could help the Phillies in a relief role, although they’ve said they want to develop him as a starter. JoJo Romero, a former top 100 prospect who imploded last year in Triple A, did make the player pool; even if it’s just to work at the alternate site, that’s good news for him, as the only way to right his ship will be through more innings. Stott, their first-round pick a year ago, seems like a strange omission since he was a college player and is already 22.
The Pirates’ top four prospects are here, and really, if Ke’Bryan Hayes doesn’t spend at least half of this season in the major leagues, what are we even doing? What’s notable is that they left off most of their best teenaged prospects, including 2019 first-rounder Quinn Priester and both prospects acquired from Arizona for Starling Marte, along with 21-year-old corner outfielder Calvin Mitchell, who definitely needs at-bats wherever he can find them since his bat is his only chance to end up a big leaguer. Ji-Hwan Bae, who was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend in late 2018, is in the pool, however.
Dylan Carlson, their No. 1 prospect, is here, and he’s clearly one of their top three outfield candidates, so whether he makes the team may be a function of service time manipulation rather than baseball merit. Catcher Ivan Herrera is here, a good move even if it’s just to spend the summer catching better arms at the satellite camp, but Matt Liberatore and Nolan Gorman are not. Lefty Zack Thompson, their first-round pick in 2019, is an even more surprising omission. Justin Williams did make the cut and is worth a long look for a corner outfield spot as well.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are not messing around with their player pool, with 12 of their top 14 prospects on the list, along with their first pick from this year’s draft, high school outfielder Robert Hassell, who is just 18 years old. (They just signed third-rounder Cole Wilcox, who, as a 21-year-old, would seem like a good bet to take one of the six open spots left in the pool.) There isn’t anyone missing whom I expected to see here, and the inclusion of MacKenzie Gore, the top pitching prospect in baseball, and Luis Patiño at least opens the door for either to debut later this summer if the Padres are competing for a playoff spot.
The Giants included 18-year-old shortstop Marco Luciano, their No. 3 prospect, in their player pool, along with the two guys ahead of him, catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Heliot Ramos. Hunter Bishop missed the original cut because he tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t be available until he completes a 14-day quarantine. They actually were conservative after the top four, however; even former college players like Sean Hjelle, Tristan Beck and Will Wilson (acquired in a salary dump this offseason from the Angels) aren’t on the team’s initial list.
Jackson Rutledge is in camp; he and shortstop Luis Garcia are the two notable prospects here who aren’t likely to help the world champs defend their title. Otherwise, it’s Carter Kieboom and pitchers who could surface this summer in relief or fifth starter roles like Wil Crowe or Tim Cate. I thought Mason Denaburg might make the cut to get in some work, but their 2018 first-rounder isn’t on the initial list.
(Top photo of MacKenzie Gore: John E. Moore III / Getty Images)
