Feature Photo: Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays

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We just released our updated Top 125 Prospects entering 2019. Click here to view our user-friendly table, sortable by team, age, position, grade, MLB ETA, and more.

Our new 2019 pro-side video, scouting report, and spotlight libraries are now live! Check out the links below–and you can always refer to our 2018 libraries for even more player info:

Pro Video Library (2019, 2018)

Pro Scouting Report Library (2019, 2018)

Pro Spotlight Library (2019, 2018)

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FEATURED SPOTLIGHTS

Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets (Binghamton Rumble Ponies)

Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 160 lbs. B/T: L / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 6m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Video #3

The Mets have shown they’re never afraid to push a middle infielder if they think he’s ready, and Gimenez has been the latest young player in the organization to be on that track. He cemented himself as one of the better shortstop prospects in the game in 2018, handling the Florida State League with aplomb before aggressive assignments to Double-A and the Arizona Fall League at the end of the year. We ranked him #50 overall on our recent Top 125 Prospect List entering 2019 despite his offensive struggles against older, more physical Fall League competition for Scottsdale, likely in part due to natural physical fatigue after a long season. The 20-year-old has struggled a bit in the early goings this year back at Double-A, but he’s one of the youngest players at the level and is showing the same tools, making us think he’ll adjust back to the Eastern League with more seasoning. Gimenez doesn’t stand out physically at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, but he’s a live-bodied baseball athlete with twitch that shows on both sides of the ball. His best tools are on defense, where he’s a standout gloveman at shortstop with sure hands, easy actions, and a confident overall demeanor. He can finish throws on the run from different arm slots while also able to plant his feet and put a 60-grade arm to use when he has to. At the plate, Gimenez has a direct swing from the left-side that projects to at least hit for average with gap sting mixed in. There’s batspeed to dream a bit of over-the-fence power, but we’re probably squinting too hard to say he’s likely to be a 20+ home run shortstop. He barrels fastballs to all parts of the zone but shows less bat-to-ball on secondary stuff, especially against lefties. There are still a handful of adjustments he’ll need to make before reaching New York, but at his age—and with Amed Rosario already in the fold at shortstop—there’s no need to rush Gimenez past this point until he’s ready. The defensive profile and up-the-middle skill set give a high floor, with a nice mix of potential ceiling as well depending on how his bat develops. He’s a potential above-average contributor at a valuable position.

Adam Haseley, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (Reading Fightin Phils)

Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 195 lbs. B/T: L / L Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 11m

Video

A two-way player at the University of Virginia, Haseley rode a huge junior season into the top ten picks in 2017. He shows the ingredients of a future solid-average hitter with above-average on-base ability, making frequent contact while demonstrating an advanced feel for the zone. He takes a lot of pitches and works counts, able to make consistent hard contact from a rhythmic, level swing-path.

Haseley reached Double-A last year and finished strong in the Eastern League, the first few weeks of 2019 back at the level haven’t been as kind. While it has been his first extended exposure to the brutal Northeast weather—which does legitimately impact a fair amount of players early in the season in the Eastern and Midwest Leagues—he also falls into pull-happy ruts and struggles to stay through well-executed pitches down and away. Haseley posts strong exit velocities but lacks swing lift, with most of his contact coming for line drives and grounders with fringy power projection unless there’s an adjustment.

Defensively, he’s an adequate fit in CF who likely finishes as the type of outfielder that moves interchangeably between all three spots. He isn’t a true burner, but 55-grade wheels and direct routes get the most out of his speed on the bases and in the outfield. Haseley will reach his best-case ceiling if he can ultimately hit for more power and/or find a way to become a more impactful CF defender. The upside is a solid-regular, with the approach, instincts, and well-rounded toolset to still be a role player if no one tool carries the profile.

Mickey Moniak, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (Reading Fightin Phils)

Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 188 lbs. B/T: L / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 10m

Video

The first overall pick just two years ago, Moniak’s ups and downs in pro ball to date have been highly scrutinized. After a quiet first full season in Low-A, the industry was ready to press the panic button after he limped to a .254/.272/.321 line the first half of last season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Moniak quieted some doubters with a strong second half, making a few critical adjustments and rebounding to slash .286/.332/.442 the rest of the way.

The Phillies assigned him aggressively to Double-A to start 2019, where he’s currently one of the youngest regulars in the Eastern League. He has struggled against advanced pitching in the early goings, though his age versus the level has masked Moniak’s true talent a bit thus far. The raw ingredients for an everyday CF are still here, and his gains in both swing lift and power last season make it more realistic he could finish with enough offensive impact to play every day. Moniak is an instinctual outfield defender with an above-average arm, a potential solid-to-above-average glove in CF who would be plus on either corner.

While he wouldn’t go 1/1 if the 2016 Draft was done again, we’re cautiously optimistic there’s reason to stay the course on Moniak’s general upside. With continued offensive development–especially against both same-side arms and advanced off-speed in general–he’s a potential regular at a center-diamond spot. The makeup and feel for the game that drove his draft stock prevevnt the floor from being too low; even if Moniak winds up a tweener, his well-rounded toolset and general instincts project to make him a capable role player.

FEATURED SCOUTING REPORTS

Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (New Hampshire Fisher Cats)

Ht/Wt: 6’6” / 245 lbs. B/T: R / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 7m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Video #3 | Scouting Report

Improved control and off-speed consistency have led to a dominant start to 2019; frontline starter upside with the power stuff to close games if he needs a fallback.

Adonis Medina, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Reading Fightin Phils)

Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 185 lbs. B/T: R / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 3m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Scouting Report

Lean frame has lost a slight bit of velocity in the early goings; still shows the arsenal depth and advanced off-speed for at least a mid-rotation ceiling.

David Peterson, LHP, New York Mets (Binghamton Rumble Ponies)

Ht/Wt: 6’6” / 240 lbs. B/T: L / L Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 6m

Video | Scouting Report

High-floor lefty with durable frame to eat innings; advanced control over deep mix of average pitches gives #4 starter upside.

Kevin Smith, INF, Toronto Blue Jays (New Hampshire Fisher Cats)

Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 188 lbs. B/T: R / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 8m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Scouting Report

Pull-heavy, power-focused approach has struggled so far in first taste of Double-A; still shows the baseline offensive tools to be a bat-first everyday infielder with adjustments.

Mauricio Llovera, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Reading Fightin Phils)

Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 200 lbs. B/T: R / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 11m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Scouting Report

Ceiling of stuff-over-feel #5 starter if he stays in the rotation; power fastball and slider/splitter combo likely have more impact in a high-leverage ‘pen role.

Patrick Murphy, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (New Hampshire Fisher Cats)

Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 220 lbs. B/T: R / R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 9m

Video #1 | Video #2 | Scouting Report

Physical frame with high-90s fastball and flashes of above-average curveball; lack of third pitch and injury history likely point to setup relief role long-term.

Anthony Kay, LHP, New York Mets (Binghamton Rumble Ponies)

Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 218 lbs. B/T: L / L Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 0m

Video | Scouting Report

Has put past injury troubles behind him and started 2019 strong in Double-A; profiles as back-rotation starter or multi-inning swingman depending on durability and changeup development.

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