Written by: Ray Butler (@CoachRayButler)

Follow prospects-365.com on Twitter: @Prospects365

It’s been a long time coming.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you spend too much time thinking/worrying about baseball prospects. Heck, it took a month of tinkering and adjusting before I finalized the rankings you’re about to read. As an industry, we really should form some sort of help group.

Before you dive in, allow me to inform you of a couple of things: No player taken in the 2017 MLB Draft is ranked below. They’ll probably be included in my end of the season update. Within these rankings, I attempted to think both in terms of what advanced stats/scouting reports say about an individual player and how an individual player projects from a fantasy baseball standpoint. That combination of thinking led me to rank these prospects in the fashion that I did.

If you keep that in mind, I don’t see how anyone in this entire world could possibly disagree with any part of these rankings (wink).

Without further ado…. here’s the latest edition of my top 100 MLB prospect rankings:

Rank Pos. Name, Team Age at End of 2017

1 SS/2B Brendan Rodgers, COL 21

2 2B/3B Yoan Moncada, CHW 22

3 SS Amed Rosario, NYM 22

4 3B/SS Gleyber Torres, NYY 21

5 OF Eloy Jimenez, CHC 21

Thoughts on 1-5: We’ll never be afraid to go against the grain here at Prospects 365, and I hope that’s evident by my pick as top prospect. Look, Moncada has the chance to be a special player, without question. He also as a chance to be a super frustrating player that never reaches his full potential because of his jaw-dropping strikeout rate. Rodgers being ranked first isn’t a knock on Moncada; it’s high-praise for Rodgers. He’ll always benefit from playing in hitter-friendly environments in the minor leagues, but Rodgers has all the makings of an absolute stud. I’m hopeful that Tommy John surgery doesn’t derail Torres’ projection. I had him ranked second before the injury news was publicized. There’s a chance that Rosario is a better real-life player than fantasy contributor, but a .300 AVG, 10 HR, 15 SB shortstop will still be lovely. Jimenez has some of the rawest power at any level of the minor leagues, but some scouts believe he’ll also develop into a .300 hitter too.

6 3B Rafael Devers, BOS 21

7 OF Ronald Acuna, ATL 20

8 OF Victor Robles, WAS 20

9 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr, TOR 18

10 OF Lewis Brinson, MIL 23

Thoughts on 6-10: These five are just as solid as the first five. What we’ve seen from Brinson in the big leagues so far is the rock-bottom floor. Don’t let a small sample derail your confidence in him. Devers’ power is developing just as scouts thought it would; he’s got .300, 30 HR potential. I’ve never been shy about my thoughts on Acuna. He’s scuffling a bit in AA at the moment, but he should be a 20 year old big leaguer next season. Robles is progressing nicely, and he has more speed than his 2017 stolen base numbers would suggest. Vlad Jr. has hall-of-fame potential, period. The power will develop with age, but the hit tool is about as advanced as it gets for his age.

11 OF Clint Frazier, NYY 23

12 3B Nick Senzel, CIN 22

13 OF Kyle Tucker, HOU 20

14 OF Austin Meadows, PIT 22

15 P Alex Reyes, STL 23

Thoughts on 11-15: I had Reyes ranked in the top five of my preseason rankings before news broke of him needing Tommy John surgery. His stuff will help him maintain top prospect status, and I think we’ll see him in the bullpen in 2018 before he returns to starting in 2019. This time next season, Tucker’s MLB floor could very well be 20 HR, 10 SB. There’s also a chance he’s traded at the deadline. Where exactly does Frazier fit in the Yankees’ current outfield? That’s really the only thing keeping him in AAA. Senzel should compete for an everyday spot in the Reds lineup next season, though I wish the power had played a little more so far in 2017. If the Pirates decide to sell at the deadline (McCutchen’s trade value is suddenly beginning to bounce back), Meadows will finish the year in Pittsburgh. I’m concerned with his ability to reach base enough for his 20 SB potential to play.

16 P Michael Kopech, CHW 21

17 C Francisco Mejia, CLE 22

18 P Brent Honeywell, TB 22

19 SS/2B Ozzie Albies, ATL 20

20 P Triston McKenzie, CLE 20

Thoughts on 16-20: McKenzie’s stuff is so pure, and he’s struck out 91 batters in 71.1 IP despite lacking premium velocity. I think he has 96-97 mph potential as he continues to fill out, so imagine what those strikeout numbers would look like. Kopech is learning how to pitch this season, and the development of his off-speed will be absolutely crucial in him reaching his ridiculous ceiling. Albies will be a .300 AVG, 25 SB guy that will hit just enough home runs to keep you happy. It’s only a matter of time before we see Honeywell, but Jacob Faria and Blake Snell make the timeline a little fuzzier than it should be. Mejia is one of my favorite prospects; he might also be the safest prospect on this list. Also, it may be nothing, but Mejia’s stolen a handful of bases in AA so far this season.

21 OF Corey Ray, MIL 23

22 OF Kyle Lewis, SEA 22

23 1B Dominic Smith, NYM 22

24 P A.J. Puk, OAK 22

25 P Mitch Keller, PIT 21

Thoughts on 21-25: I feel like Ray and Lewis will progress throughout the minor leagues together, even to the point where one name becomes synonymous with the other. Both got a late start to the season thanks to injuries. Ray’s ceiling may be higher, but the high K-Rate so far this season is something to keep an eye on. Puk is a big riser thanks to exhibiting better command than expected. I don’t think he gets a look this season, but he should compete for a rotation spot in 2018. Dom Smith is ripping Vegas a new one; he’s got .300 AVG, 20 HR potential. We haven’t seen enough of Keller this season thanks to a long stint on the DL, so a strong second half will be key in him maintaining top 25 prospect status.

26 C Carson Kelly, STL 23

27 OF Alex Verdugo, LAD 21

28 P Francis Martes, HOU 22

29 P Josh Hader, MIL 23

30 P Jay Groome, BOS 19

Thoughts on 26-30: Kelly has quietly put together a strong first half of the 2017 season. I think there’s a strong chance he gets moved in a deadline deal. Verdugo would probably be in the big leagues if he played for a lot of teams not named the Dodgers. Let’s hope he flashes more power at some point this season to go with the lovely OBP. Like Corey Ray and Kyle Lewis, I’ll always associate Francis Martes to Josh Hader in the world of prospects. I think both have a chance to eventually end up in the bullpen, but they’ll get plenty of chances to thrive as starting pitchers first. Groome has been on the shelf for most of the first half of the 2017 season, but he’ll have a chance to move up quite a bit before next year’s preseason rankings.

31 OF Blake Rutherford, NYY 20

32 P Kolby Allard, ATL 20

33 P Anderson Espinoza, SD 19

34 SS/2B Franklin Barreto, OAK 21

35 P Yadier Alvarez, LAD 21

Thoughts on 31-35: I worry that Allard’s frame could eventually hinder his workload over a full season with no reins, but it’s hard to question what he’s done this season in AA. He could potentially be a #2. I’m worried about Espinoza and his elbow. We’ll see him before too long, but there will be rightful caution from here on out when projecting his floor and ceiling. The K% and BB% are concerning for Barreto seeing as he’s so close to the big leagues, but he still projects as a solid middle infielder. Alvarez has an FIP and xFIP that’s nearly a run and a half lower than his ERA, and he’s striking out more than a batter per inning. Reports I’ve read seem to indicate that Alvarez has been completely unable to locate any pitch other than his fastball, so that’ll be the next step in his long progression. The ceiling remains incredibly high (a top end #2 for me). Rutherford has a ton of developing left to do, but I’m a strong believer that the plus-athlete will soon develop into an five-tool terror.

36 OF Luis Robert, CHW 20

37 1B Rhys Hoskins, PHI 24

38 P Reynaldo Lopez, CHW 23

39 OF Juan Soto, WAS 19

40 P David Paulino, HOU 23

Thoughts on 36-40: Soto would have probably been even higher on this list had he not been sidelined relatively early in the regular season. He’ll be back soon, and he’s freakin’ legit. The industry (myself included) was late on Hoskins, but the undeniable truth is that he’s raked at every level he’s been at. Only a matter of time before he dethrones Tommy Joseph in Philadelphia. After a long, long layoff, Robert is back to playing competitive baseball. He’ll have some rust, but the tools certainly seem to be there. The numbers aren’t overly amazing for Lopez so far this season in AAA, but he’s developing as a pitcher and I think he’ll be a fixture in the White Sox’ rotation as early as Opening Day next season. Like a couple of other guys on this list, Paulino may be moved if the Astros trade for an ace at the deadline. He’s struggled so far in the big leagues, but the ceiling is still that of a #3.

41 P Sean Newcomb, ATL 24

42 SS Kevin Maitan, ATL 17

43 P Luke Weaver, STL 24

44 OF Leody Taveras, TEX 19

45 P Lucas Giolito, CHW 23

Thoughts on 41-45: What we’ve seen from Newcomb in the big leagues so far is fairly close to his ceiling. He’ll likely regress a bit, but depending on how the command develops, he can be a legit #2. Personally, I thought Weaver was close to being called up before an injury. No timetable has been announced. Taveras hasn’t found his way on base as much as he’d like, but he’s shown a surprising amount of power and will always be a sure-bet to steal bases. Maitan is such a wild card at this point, but we’ll finally get a decent look during the second half of the regular season. Maitan’s ceiling is “a face of the game” at this point. Giolito shouldn’t be ranked as the top 10 prospect he was once universally considered, but he has shown some positive signs as of late. He’s a hold-and-wait guy for me.

46 2B/SS Nick Gordon, MIN 22

47 OF Raimel Tapia, COL 23

48 P Walker Buehler, LAD 23

49 P Cal Quantrill, SD 22

50 SS Fernando Tatis Jr., SD 18

Thoughts on 46-50: It’s nearly a consensus amongst the people I trust in the world of prospects: Quantrill has the stuff to someday be a #2. He should end the season in AA. Gordon isn’t the same player as his brother Dee, but he has potential to someday be a better overall player. Like Quantrill, Buehler has the ceiling of a #2. I think there’s an outside shot he ends the regular season as a key piece in the Dodgers’ bullpen (this would be a temporary move to help monitor his innings, he’s a starting pitcher in the long-term). Tapia may be more hit tool than power tool, but he should thrive in Denver once he sees everyday playing time. I’ve seen some scouts give Tatis Jr. a 65 or 70 grade future. The most popular comp amongst those guys? Manny Machado.

51 P Mike Soroka, ATL 20

52 SS Willy Adames, TB 22

53 OF Derek Fisher, HOU 24

54 SS J.P. Crawford, PHI 22

55 P Yohander Mendez, TEX 22

Thoughts on 51-55: Adames has made some adjustments at the plate, and I think he’ll have a huge second-half that could eventually lead to him being called up to Tampa Bay. How much longer can we be patient with Crawford? He’s another half-season of poor offensive performance away from being at the bottom or completely off of top 100 prospect lists. Fisher has benefited from the friendly hitter confines of the PCL, but his tools will still play just fine once he’s in Houston (or traded) for good. I’ve always been a big fan of Mendez, and I’ve heard some positive reports about the progression of his changeup. He should be promoted soon. What Soroka and teammate Kolby Allard have done in AA as teenagers has been nothing short of remarkable. I’m hoping Soroka gains some fastball velocity as he continues to mature.

56 OF Tyler O’Neill, SEA 23

57 OF Mickey Moniak, PHI 19

58 2B/SS Luis Urias, SD 20

59 1B/OF Jake Bauers, TB 22

60 P Dylan Cease, CHC 22

Thoughts on 56-60: There may be no larger contrast in all the minor leagues than how analysts and scouts view Urias. If the differing opinions meet in the middle, Urias will easily be an above-average middle infielder at the big league level. O’Neill showed some holes in his swing during the WBC, and it carried over to the first half of the regular season. The power potential is great enough to demand patience, though, so let’s hold our horses instead of jumping ship. Moniak struck out way too much early in the season, but he’s seemingly steadied the ship since then. There’s some risk that he’ll be in real life than the world of fantasy baseball, but he’ll be a valuable player regardless. Bauers is an athletic first baseman, and I think he’ll eventually be a 20 HR hitter. He’s also stolen nine bases so far in AAA. I’m thinking Cease will be promoted to High-A soon, and he should be a top 50 prospect before the start of the 2018 regular season.

61 OF Anthony Alford, TOR 23

62 P Jose De Leon, TB 25

63 2B/OF Willie Calhoun, LAD 23

64 2B/SS Isan Diaz, MIL 21

65 P Franklin Perez, HOU 20

Thoughts on 61-65: The great Willie Calhoun: Outfielder experiment has officially begun, which means he may make his MLB debut sooner than expected. Alford’s early-season promotion to Toronto shows how much confidence the organization has in his ability; I’m hopeful he’ll show no ill-effects once he returns from injury. Perez will be one of the main topics of discussion in any trade talks the Astros have before the deadline, and the talent is undeniable. I’m a big fan. Diaz’s batting average is rough (as is the strikeout rate), but the BABIP is due to positively regress, so I’ll evaluate in September before panicking. I’m not buying any stock in De Leon right now. The drop in velocity and overall performance are concerning (to say the least), but he has the pedigree to eventually rebound.

66 P Adrian Morejon, SD 18

67 C Zack Collins, CHW 22

68 P Chance Adams, NYY 23

69 P Thomas Szapucki, NYM 21

70 2B/SS Mauricio Dubon, MIL 23

Thoughts on 66-70: Remember the hype surrounding Jorge Mateo prior to the 2016 season? I think Dubon will be everything we hoped Mateo would be. He’ll steal 30 bases in the big leagues without breaking a sweat, and he’ll hit more than enough to be a top-of-the-lineup guy. A lot of scouts who have seen Morejon think he’ll be better than fellow Padres farmhands Anderson Espinoza or Cal Quantrill; we just need to see it on the field first before becoming too giddy. Collins has improved as a defensive catcher, and I think there’s now some genuine belief that he’ll stick at the position. He will be much more valuable in an OBP league than an AVG league. Adams should be sporting pinstripes before the end of the 2017 season, and he should eventually be a solid middle-of-the-rotation guy. Szapucki’s beautiful strikeout rate in 2016 hasn’t materialized since returning from injury this season, but I’m willing to be patient and evaluate more closely in September. He should get promoted to High-A relatively soon.

71 OF Harrison Bader, STL 23

72 P Jack Flaherty, STL 22

73 P Brandon Woodruff, MIL 24

74 2B/SS Bo Bichette. TOR 19

75 P Sean Reid-Foley, TOR 22

Thoughts on 71-75: Reid-Foley is an innings-eater that is currently striking out over a batter per inning in AA. The FIP and xFIP both suggest that his 5.33 ERA isn’t as bad as it seems. Woodruff’s numbers in 2017 aren’t worth writing home about until you consider he’s been pitching in Colorado Springs. He’s developed into a pitching prospect that has a chance to be a solid #3. Bichette has been absolutely ridiculous alongside VGJ in Low-A, but I’m extremely interested to see how his unorthodox swing holds up against better competition. The past few seasons, the Cardinals have had a farm-arm to breakthrough and become a mainstay on prospect lists. This year it’s been Flaherty, whose numbers haven’t suffered too much since being promoted to AAA. BAEder has put together a solid first half in AAA; I think he’s a sneaky bet to steal ten or more bases each season as a big leaguer.

76 P Ian Anderson, ATL 19

77 P Stephen Gonsalves, MIN 23

78 P Erick Fedde, WAS 24

79 SP Sixto Sanchez, PHI 19

80 P Justus Sheffield, NYY 21

Thoughts on 76-80: He doesn’t get the publicity because he’s only in Low-A, but out of all the quality arms the Braves have in their farm system, Anderson might be the best. Fedde will be promoted to D.C. as a reliever within the next month or two. Sadly, I think there’s a chance he stays there. Sanchez is a triple-digit flamethrower, and I think the odds are at least decent that he’s the Phillies top prospect this time next season. Gonsalves’ 2017 campaign got off to a late start, but early returns suggest he’s the same top-of-the-rotation prospect he was projected to be at the start of the season. Sheffield hasn’t been quite as good as the peripherals suggest (2.99 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 3.91 xFIP, 7.65 K/9), but I’m going to see how the second half shakes out before worrying too much.

81 P Matt Manning, DET 19

82 2B Shedric Long, CIN 22

83 P Luis Ortiz, MIL 22

84 1B/2B/3B Ryan McMahon, COL 23

85 OF Christin Stewart, DET 24

Thoughts on 81-85: I was skeptical of Long’s power coming into the 2017 season; I am skeptical no more. He could be a top 50 prospect heading into next season if everything breaks right. Ortiz has been fantastic so far, and he’ll be next in line once Josh Hader and Brandon Woodruff are up for good. Manning just got started in Short Season A ball, but he’s got potential to be a #2. If the Tigers sell at the deadline, Stewart’s path to the big leagues should become crystal clear. Despite the power profile, the mediocre batting average will always limit his ceiling a bit. After a disappointing 2016 campaign, McMahon has been everything we ever hoped he would be this season. He’s seen time at three different defensive positions, and that versatility will hope him get on the field once he’s in Denver.

86 P Luis Castillo, CIN 25

87 P Tyler Mahle, CIN 23

88 C Chance Sisco, BAL 22

89 P Riley Pint, COL 20

90 1B Ronald Guzman, TEX 23

Thoughts on 86-90: I’m a gigantic fan of Ronald Guzman; I think he’ll be a player that will hit for more power in the big leagues than he ever did while on the farm. That’s good news when you consider he should be a .300 hitter. Castillo just got called up to make his big league debut, and Mahle shouldn’t be too far behind him. Thanks to Castillo’s devastating changeup and Mahle’s velocity increase, both have front-end stuff. Sisco will always be a high-average hitter, but he’s never hit more than 6 homeruns in any professional season, which will always limit his ceiling if it continues to hold true. Pint’s been extremely confusing to me as a professional so far. A 70 grade fastball should be striking out more than 6.4 batters per nine innings regardless of how bad the command is. Hopefully that improves soon.

91 P Max Fried, ATL 23

92 1B Bobby Bradley, CLE 21

93 OF Dustin Fowler, NYY 23

94 OF Jesus Sanchez, TB 20

95 2B Scott Kingery, PHI 23

Thoughts on 91-95: I was all-in on Fried before the season, but he’s had a rough go of it in the first half. A couple of scouts I’ve talked to still prefer his arm to that of Soroka and Allard. Kingery has been a huge riser thanks to an incredible first half; I’m skeptical he’ll ever hit more than 20 HRs in the big leagues, but that number paired with a .300 AVG (which is realistic for him) makes him an extremely valuable asset at second base. Bradley’s contact rate has improved this season, but the power has gone down. I’m interested to see what he does in the second half of the season. Fowler’s fantastic first half has his stock on the rise, but where does he fit in a crowded Yankees outfield with Clint Frazier ready for a promotion as well? The reports on Sanchez this season have been gaudy; he’s got some loud tools with some projection still remaining.

96 OF Jesse Winker, CIN 24

97 C Jorge Alfaro, PHI 24

98 SS/OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., TOR 24

99 OF Taylor Trammell, CIN 20

100 P Domingo Acevedo, NYY 23

Thoughts on 96-100: Acevedo is currently playing in his third level of the season, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if he gets a shot in the Bronx before the end of the season. We keep waiting and waiting on Alfaro to get a shot and finally stick in the big leagues, but the truth is that his bat really hasn’t warranted a move being made by the Phillies. Winker will be a better real-life player than fantasy player, but I’m hopeful he eventually recaptures some of the power that you would think a 6’3, 215 lb. player would have. Trammell is a freak athlete that is still maturing physically. If his power continues to develop… oh boy. There are some incredibly savvy people that think Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will be an absolute star, but injury has kept him from flashing much of anything so far this season.

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