9/30/2063
Here is a link to last year’s shortstop prospect ranking. Top ranked
Jason Steward graduated to become the everyday shortstop in San Fernando, playing 2.6 WAR baseball this season on his way to a Diamond Glove award.
Cyrille Ricciardi was recently traded to New Orleans. I still like my shortstop stable so I’ll list six players here. Don’t worry, I’ll likely have a list of four players at some point in my crummy outfield.
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
Guillermo León (B-) | Age: 22 | AA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 45/45 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 5/5 |
I categorized Leon as a second baseman last year because we had plenty of players for shortstop and his low error rating and average arm might still make that the eventual landing spot, although we’ll try an offseason dev lab program. His .271/.362/.461 batting line in A ball got him an in-season promotion. I’m still undecided whether Leon will return to AA or open at AAA in 2064—he’s a nearly finished product ready to push Montoya for playing time.
#2
José Barrón (C) | Age: 21 | AA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/40 | 5/5 | 4/4 | 6/6 | 5/5 | 2/2 | 5/5 |
Barron was promoted midseason despite a 59 wRC+ in A ball and responded by improving to a 93 wRC+ in AA. He’s fully developed, but with the emergence of Steward and Leon we’ll probably hold Barron in reserve. I don’t expect he’d bring a commensurate return via trade and is more valuable as depth and an excellent fielder for my minor league pitchers.
#3
Valentin Jalea (C) | Age: 17 | INT
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 20/45 | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/5 | 1/6 | 1/5 |
There’s no doubt Jalea has the tools to play second base (his 8 range and 6 arm are just under par for shortstop but he'll train there initially) everyday if he reaches his potential but he’s still sitting in the international complex after receiving a $550K bonus earlier this year.
#4
Yazid bin Rabi (C-) | Age: 18 | R
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 25/40 | 2/5 | 2/6 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Rabi’s grade improves a gradation thanks to his ratings surviving the transition stateside after being discovered by our international scouts. A 50 wRC+ in Rookie ball means he didn’t exactly excel and the development path ahead remains daunting, but there’s a lot to like about his left-handed swing and defensive tools to play anywhere on the infield.
#5
Tokichiro Yamamoto (C-) | Age: 19 | SA
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 35/40 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 4/4 |
Still at risk of sliding over to second base, Yamamoto continues to develop and looks ready for full season ball. I would love to see him pop 20 homers. I figure Yamamoto might have a high 5 BABIP rating to explain the 5 current contact.
#6
Luis Hernández (C-) | Age: 21 | A
| OVR/POT | CON | BABIP | AVK | GAP | POW | EYE |
|---|
| 40/40 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 3/4 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Hernandez produced a 115 wRC+ and 4.3 WAR thanks to excellent shortstop defense in A ball. However, with a lost point of potential in AVK I’m bearish about his hit tool and don’t think Groove Thing looks like somebody I want to plan around. I’d add him to a 40-man if I had too though—that glove will travel.
