8/13/2063
Here is a link to last year’s first base prospect ranking. Most of last year’s list is still in the org but those players have been downgraded from prospect to org filler designation as we look to maximize the playing time for the younger dudes below. Some of them were included at another position when I ranked last year’s prospects, but I’ve since faced reality and am listing them at the position they can reasonably handle defensively. This will be a list of six players because while lacking top end talent, we’re deep with solid enough prospects who should hit for a high average at first base.
#1
Farooq bin Basil (C) | Age: 23 | A
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 30/50 | 5/7 | 4/6 | 5/8 | 4/5 | 3/6 | 4/4 |
Basil moves up from fourth on last year’s list to first thanks to some small bumps moving his overall POT to 50. Now possessing a solid if not high 7 contact tool and more gap power ceiling, he looks like he could hit enough to be an average first baseman despite the weak eye. Basil’s .263/.339/.415 batting line in A ball indicates the recently turned 23 year-old is only treading water and I worry he’ll be underdeveloped at AAA in his mid-20s like a few of the former IFA corner outfielders currently in our organization.
#2
Stephen Moorhouse (C) | Age: 22 | AA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/45 | 7/8 | 5/6 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/3 |
Aspirations of playing elsewhere on the infield or corner outfield are dashed and Moorhouse now plays first base everyday for AA Anderson where he’s excellent with the glove. The hit tool is nearing its elite potential, which it will need to be to carry modest power paired with few walks. The .308/.358/.483 batting line in AA is encouraging, but he probably needs to hit more like .320 to start in the BBA considering the isoD and isoP will shrink against better pitching.
#3
Abdul-Mujib bin Raghib (C-) | Age: 20 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 10/50 | 2/6 | 3/9 | 1/4 | 3/6 | 2/6 | 3/8 |
I’m still holding out hope for Raghib because at his full potential he’d be an on-base machine, but there’s no denying he’s first base or bust defensively and has a lot of development remaining for being past his 20th birthday. On the bright side, he’s hitting .281/.396/.494 in his return to the Rookie level after not playing much last season. But that’s only 16 percent better than league average and some of it could be due to changes to the game engine.
#4
Cristo Casillas (D+) | Age: 20 | SA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 30/45 | 5/7 | 4/8 | 5/6 | 4/5 | 4/4 | 4/5 |
Casillas is showing the kind of statistical progression you hope for when a guy repeats Short A for a second time, slashing .299/.389/.469. The scouts think he’s developed a tad but his ceiling hasn’t budged. I still like this sleeper switch-hitting prospect but next season will be an important one when Casillas graduates to full season ball.
#5
António Saucedo (D+) | Age: 17 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 10/45 | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/6 | 2/8 | 1/6 | 1/5 |
Saucedo was essentially purchased from the Robins over the offseason in exchange for
Eric Wagner’s $2.6M salary. He was in Cobble Hill’s international complex and the trade forced him onto the Rookie league roster before he was ready. Saucedo has well rounded tools with the potential to have plus gap power. He should excel on defense and in contrast to the other players on this list he runs well.
#6
Marzuq Sariyah (D+) | Age: 19 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 20/50 | 3/6 | 3/6 | 4/6 | 3/6 | 3/6 | 2/5 |
After primarily DHing in 2062, Sariyah is playing first base every day in 2063. His .900 OPS hints at the solid across the board offensive tools he possesses. Look for him to be promoted to Short A in 2064.
