9/30/2063
Here is a link to last year’s third base prospect ranking. One player got reclassified to first base and
Jesus Reyes got claimed off waivers by Sacramento not long after publishing because I needed the 40-man spot. We’ll keep this list to four players after our
shortstop list included an extra name.
Reminder on the scale:
A: star player just by developing to their potential
B: BBA regular just by developing to their potential or star potential but has some risk factors
C: potential is enough to make it to the BBA but beyond that uncertain
D: needs some bumps to have a BBA future or a lot of uncertainty around their potential
#1
Ajwad bin Fateen (A-) | Age: 20 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 20/55 | 4/9 | 4/9 | 3/7 | 4/6 | 3/7 | 3/6 |
Fateen improved his throwing arm and suddenly it clicked that he’s a third baseman long-term, not a second baseman. This is our organization’s top prospect and he ranked #16 overall in the BBA before the season. His .353/.458/.672 Rookie ball batting line may have benefitted from tweaks to the game’s engine but still cements him as one of the best young bats in the minor leagues. Fateen should compete for batting titles someday while blasting 25-30 homers and taking his walks.
#2
José Mendoza (B) | Age: 21 | AAA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 50/50 | 8/8 | 7/7 | 9/9 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Mendoza moves down a spot on this list despite the fact his grade improved from B- to B and he OPS’d .865 in AAA as a 21 year-old. His hit tool even improved by a point. He looks like a reliable everyday player who should bat .300 and do just enough in the other offensive categories but play mediocre defense. That’s especially valuable during his minimum salary days, but didn’t seem like an improvement over
Jose Reyes which explains why Mendoza didn’t debut in 2063.
#3
Justin Rainer (C+) | Age: 21 | A
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/45 | 4/6 | 4/6 | 5/6 | 5/5 | 7/7 | 5/5 |
Rainer was a prospect in need of life when I wrote about him a year ago, but after bumping a point in a couple tools and slashing .268/.350/.504 with 21 HRs in 381 ABs in A ball he is very much back on our radar. He’s got borderline offensive abilities for first base, which when you consider the depth in front of him is likely to be his ultimate home.
#4
Awdia Iman (C-) | Age: 24 | AAA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/45 | 5/6 | 5/6 | 5/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 4/4 |
Iman’s prospect status is now in doubt. 2064 will see him burn his final option year, and the switch hitter took a step back in 2063 both from a scouting ratings and on field production perspective. I tried trading him away the last couple of years but couldn’t find any takers. His best bet now is to be forced onto the major league roster thanks to injuries and his 40-man status and make some waves with that opportunity.
