11/10/2064
Here is a link to last year’s third base prospect ranking. After accumulating nearly 200 PAs with the Bears in 2064 we're dropping
José Mendoza off this year's list.
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
Justin Rainer (B-) | Age: 22 | AA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/50 | 5/6 | 5/6 | 5/7 | 5/5 | 7/7 | 5/5 |
We have a new player atop this position's prospect ranking and it's not just a product of the other guy lumping. Rainer bumped a point of AVK and Contact while slashing .317/.389/.593 with 38 home runs in AA. He's still a stretch to play third base defensively (come on dev lab!) and gets lost in a crowded depth chart of Bears right-handed hitting corner players, but the bat looks nearly ready to play at the big league level. For now, he'll graduate to AAA and look to replicate his 2064 production.
#2
Ajwad bin Fateen (B-) | Age: 21 | SA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 30/50 | 4/7 | 4/7 | 4/7 | 5/5 | 4/6 | 4/5 |
This former #17 overall prospect in the BBA lumped severely in 2064 and sees his prospect grade go from A- to B-. Fateen was challenged with an assignment at the A ball level for 9 games and it did not go well so he got reassigned to Short A where he slashed .239/.296/.406. No improvements yet to his defense which is needed for him to comfortably man the hot corner. After being added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Fateen will once again be challenged to compete at the A level in 2065.
#3
Kwan-uk Chong (C) | Age: 21 | A
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 30/45 | 5/8 | 4/7 | 6/7 | 4/5 | 3/3 | 4/4 |
Chong is a newcomer to our org after signing as a minor league free agent with a $150K bonus in June following his release from the Des Moines organization. His adequate arm is weak for third base and he lacks power or patience. However, fully developed he should routinely bat .300 and that is a sufficient carrying tool for a player to ride into the big leagues. Chong should see more regular playing time with A level Thunder Bay in 2065.
#4
Paco Vargas (D+) | Age: 18 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 30/35 | 5/7 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 4/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 |
Avoiding strikeouts isn't the most exciting elite tool for a hitter to possess but it's an elite tool for Vargas nonetheless. He should be capable of hitting an empty .300 and unlike his peers on this list, Vargas is a solid sacker defensively. The 2064 fourth round pick struggled mightily in Rookie ball and will repeat the level in 2065.
