Averaging nearly 2400 RPMs from a high three-quarters release, Harrison features a lot of life on his fastball with run as well from a spot that is difficult to pick up out of the hand. While I understand why scouts see that kind of upside with Johnson, I do think theres more susceptibility to whiff than some are accounting for with Johnson. Ishikawa's main weapon is a hard sinker he gets most of his swings and misses on. Despite being younger than the average player at every Minor League stop hes been at, Peraza has held his own with both the bat and his glove along the way. But he was even better this year, decreasing his strikeout rate from 29.2% to 21.5% and still maintaining the same power output. If he slows down a step, there is a chance that Merrill could move to second base or third, but for now he looks like he should get every shot at short. He also has seen his natural hitting ability that attracted the Padres in the first place translate into pro ball. He should be a 30/30 threat at any level. There are few catchers in Major League Baseball who can swing the bat as well as Moreno does while providing the athleticism that he brings to the table. Suzuki, 25, has a well-rounded game. Rafaela is not quite as elite at shortstop due to his average arm, but his quickness, great hands and range make him an above average infielder at the position. We'll end with Yamamoto, who seems primed to succeed Senga as the league's gold standard. Miller was seen as high-risk, high-reward pitching prospect out of Louisville with electric stuff, but a limited track record as a starter. The tall slugger has no problem with plate coverage, crushing pitches middle away. He was twice on the injured list and then had the elbow procedure. Even in his banged up 2022, Matos stole 11 bases on 14 tries. The 21-year-old has progressed with his command nicely and had only walked four batters in his first four starts in 2022 while striking out 35. Amador makes up for it with borderline elite bat-to-ball skills as a righty and low chase rates. Marte has the tendency to pull off a bit with his front side, resulting in some struggles with breaking balls and too many rollovers to the left side of the infield. Swing and miss crept into Lucianos game when he reached High-A last year, but he slashed his strikeout rate by more than 15% to a solid 22.2% rate thanks to the smoothing out of his load and lower half. He will likely never contribute much with his glove or his wheels. He is an above average athlete which provides hope that he can develop into at least an average defender. The swing produces more quickness than raw bat speed, but there is more bat speed to come as he adds strength. Walker has the upside of one of the most consistent power-hitters in baseball and the more games he plays, the more possible it seems that he can reach somewhere near his ceiling. He is able to repeat this move remarkably well, timing it up with a simple stride. Over 902 NPB games, he posted a .309/.402/.541 slash line with 189 home runs and 621 RBIs. Meet the top international prospects expected to sign when the period commences in January: 1. Lewis eliminated his dramatic leg kick, which often threw his timing off as well as his balance in favor of a toe tap to simplify things while letting his natural bat speed and athleticism produce the power. The Top 300 is here. He was also second in the Central League in Win Probability Added with 4.12. While the 2022 season was ultimately somewhat disappointing for Luciano due to injuries, he showed some really encouraging signs in the hit-tool department and still showed us that unteachable bat speed that has long had scouts drooling. A plus runner, Turangs speed is impactful both in the field and on the base paths. Tajima did not garner as much attention as some of his teammates, but was pretty good in 2021. Questions of leadership and maturity have cast a shadow on Campusanos ability to work with pitchers and call a game, but the Padres hope that side of things will come as he gets experience at the big league level. A great athlete for his size, Walker has held his own at third base, but with his rapid rise through the minors and Nolan Arenado manning third for the Cardinals for the foreseeable future, Walker has seen reps at all three outfield spots. Elite raw power that has produced homers as far as 480 feet paired with extremely positive trends in the hit-tool department leave me wondering just how high Wiemer can ascend. Major League Baseball fans should probably get used to hearing the name Roki Sasaki because with every outing, he's looking more and more like the next big-league star . Height/Weight: 62, 200|Bat/Throw: R/L|3rd Round (85)- 2020|ETA: 2023. Paradas catching and throwing improved last season, though his blocking needs work and his arm is average at best. Already built like a linebacker at 20 years old, Walker has hedged early swing and miss concerns by simply mashing as one of the youngest players at every stop. Sakamoto is unlikely to jump to the majors, but Yamada just might. For another, his build is the most prototypical of the pitchers included in this piece, at 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds. His long levers fortunately dont create too much extra length in his swing, but do generate a ton of bat speed and whip, aiding his double-plus raw power potential. Never having hit more than six homers in a season entering this year, Turang has already launched a dozen long balls through his first 110 games this season. A polished college bat, the Reds have been aggressive with their assignments of McLain since selecting him in the first round of the 2021 Draft. Though the jump in ground ball rate is not quite ideal, Campusano uses the whole field and hits the ball hard enough to get away with it. While power may not be the catalyst of Rocchios game, he has hit the ball with more authority and carry over the last two seasons. Between Center and Right Field, he accumulated a total of +27.2 Ultimate Zone Rating, by far the best of any player in NPB. He has a great chance to be an above average regular with All Star upside at a difficult position. An insanely twitchy athlete who was also a highly regarded prospect on the mound, Winn generates impressive bat speed and rotational power. Only throwing it around 6% of the time this year, Leiter will need to find more of a feel for the pitch, but it has a chance to be a viable fourth offering. Height/Weight: 63, 205|Bat/Throw: R/R|IFA: $300K, 2017 (LAD)|ETA: 2022. If Moreno is able to tap into just average game power, he could be a well-above average bat for any position, let alone catcher. The bat is the carrying piece here for Colas, but he has a chance to be an extremely productive hitter. @AramLeighton8, Aram Leighton is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor for Just Baseball. Elly De La Cruz is electric. After two seasons in which he underperformed and a spring training in which he batted just .182 with no extra-base hits or RBI, the Reds announced on April 3 that he would not make the opening-day roster. He threw it to the bottom of the zone at will and it should miss bats at the highest level. 55 and a dorm room that had been used by both Matsui and Hayato Sakamoto in the past. Ota was a hard-slugging high school player who was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants and promptly given Hideki Matsuis old No. White has gained more confidence in the pitch this season, landing it for a strike more frequently and using it as his go-to secondary pitch against lefties. 3. After a lights-out 2021 season, Espino was off to an even better start in 2022 before a knee issue cut his season to just four starts. Chourios load is simple, picking his heel up while focusing on shifting his weight onto his back side. When Davis was drafted in 2018, he was seen as a tall, lanky kid with quick-twitch ability, but scouts were unsure what to expect with the bat. That tidbit isn't meant to discount Mori or his accomplishments, by the way, since he can clearly handle business. Netos athleticism is evident at shortstop where he has solid range with a knack for the highlight reel play. As one of the youngest players at each stop, the 19-year-old has often looked like the most polished both with his ability to pitch and demeanor on the mound. Your favorite team should have started talking to him last month. All of the sudden, Dominguez looks like a really well-rounded hitter who still has the freakish strength capable of producing 30 home runs with ease as he continues to find consistency. The Marines ended up losing, 1-0, in the 12th inning, which had to be one of the tougher no decisions any pitcher could take. Like many young outfielders, Veen could clean up his routes, but with plus speed, a plus arm, theres a good chance he will be an above average defender up the middle. Impressive bat speed with a swing that is geared for home runs paired with Valeras patience at the plate make him a likely three true outcome slugger who should undoubtedly benefit from the limiting of the shift at the MLB level. Height/Weight: 62, 235 lb|Bat/Throw: L/R|UDFA 2020 (CHC)|ETA: 2023. The result is a barrel path that essentially lives in the zone and allows him to drive balls to all parts of the zone with relative ease. Brown will mix in a changeup that flashes average, however the effectiveness of his hammer curveball against lefties lessens the necessity for his changeup. His long legs move quickly, making it seem like he is taking three steps between bases. A 70-grade runner with a 70 arm and instincts you just dont see from a teenager in the outfield, Jones has a chance to win many Gold Gloves. Hollidays barrel lives in the zone and even in the limited action we saw from him in his 2022 debut, the 18-year-old swung through few pitches. In November, he signed a three-year extension to stay with the Chunichi Dragons. He has good hands and an average arm. He gets to his top speed quicker than most his size, but that could change if Veen adds a bunch of weight. Abel will almost exclusively go to the change against lefties, giving him another look aside from his slider. The Pacific League's reigning Most Valuable Player, Mori earned the hardware by hitting .329/.413/.547 with 23 home runs and catching for the best team in the league. The 22-year-old overcame some drifting issues with his swing earlier in the season, finding much more lower half consistency which has helped him make more consistent contact with more impact. The most intriguing of the eight Japanese imports are Ohtani and Suzuki, who left the Hiroshima Toyo Carp to sign a five-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in March. Caissie has not totally tapped into his big raw power in games due to his struggles to lower half inconsistencies. Lawlar is an elite athlete with quick-twitch actions on the defensive side of the ball. Tovar has Gold Glove potential at the position and is already showing it by being one of the best defenders in Double-A at 20 years old. Perhaps overlooked is his baserunning, as he became the first player since Makoto Kozuru in 1950 to steal 10+ bases while hitting 50+ home runs in a season. Age: 22|Height/Weight: 63, 210|Bat/Throw: L/R|1st Round (12) 2019 (NYM)|ETA: 2023. He starts upright and takes a short stride before just letting his bat speed and elite hand eye coordination kick in. The adjustments to Ruizs set up are minor, but they have allowed him to get into his pre launch position earlier and repeat his moves more consistently. While there are holes in Valeras game, he has remained productive at every level, reaching Triple-A before his 22nd birthday. Burleson is capable of playing in either corner and should develop into an average defender at either spot. It will likely take Davis some time to fully regain his explosiveness both at the plate and in the field and he will likely be one of the most closely watched prospects in the Arizona Fall League. An above average runner, Naylor has stolen 20 bases on 24 tries, bringing that JT Realmuto type of athleticism to the catching position. Here are four ways to spot greenwashing, Kishida to prioritize child-rearing support in policy address, Germany's new defense minister faces pressure on tanks, army upgrade, Alarmed by AI chatbots, universities start revamping how they teach, Pentagon sends U.S. arms stored in Israel to Ukraine, Clutter, trash and hoarding disorder in Japan. Perez presently has above-average command with a great chance to reach the plus territory in that regard. Ohno threw 10 complete games over his final 14 starts and was 11-3 with a 1.12 ERA in 113 innings during that span. A below-average runner, Luciano has fringy range and choppy actions that have marginally improved over the last year or so. Height/Weight: 60, 180|Bat/Throw: L/R|IFA: $1.3M (2017) CLE|ETA: 2023. Yet another breakout offensive prospect in the Rays system, Manzardo offers one of the safest offensive profiles youll see. Romos stroke from the left side is really impressive as he stays short, compact and quick. Another Japanese player is slated to mark his place in MLB in the upcoming season. If Carter had more buzz around him in the 2020 Draft, Carter would probably be one of baseballs most discussed prospects. Vientos ability to crush heaters and changeups has helped him remain productive in Triple-A, specifically mashing lefties to the tune of .314/.397/.686 this season. After three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Kikuchi signed a three-year, $36 million contract with Toronto in the off-season. Its a delicate balance for Frelick, who does hit the ball on the ground a lot (51% GB rate), but also racks up so many hits by slapping the ball on the ground and using his wheels. Look for Matos to bounce back in 2023. Arihara, 29, spent much of last season on the injured list following shoulder surgery, made three ineffective appearances in September, and was designated for assignment on September 21. There are knits to pick with Yamamoto -- he's on the shorter side and he has a busy delivery -- but should he continue to progress as expected, he'll be someone who American fans will become familiar with in due time. His plus arm strength allows him to make all the throws necessary and his hands are among the best in the Yankees system; the 22-year-old should be a plus at short at the highest level. Impressive range, smooth actions, an above average arm and impressive instincts have Turang looking like a plus defender at the highest level. HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME RUN Seiya SUZUKI #Premier12 @SamuraiJapan_pr # pic.twitter.com/IPAXzpbCPc. The fact that Painter commands his elite stuff with such precision for a 19-year-old giant truly is remarkable. He will need to improve his command and feel for pitching in order to achieve his ceiling, which remains sky high. A borderline plus hit tool and comfortably above average power paired with strong defense behind the dish has OHoppe looking like the Angels backstop of the future. In Meyers 178 professional innings, opponents have hit just .111/.169/.215 against Meyers slider even with him throwing it nearly 40% of the time. Chicago White Sox Top Prospects for Fantasy Baseball . Starting with his lead elbow pointed out towards the pitcher and his bat pointed directly towards the ground, Parada starts his load early, slowly pulling the nob downwards and further back into his stance while he gets into his leg kick. If Tomoyuki Sugano isnt the best pitcher in Japan then its probably Senga. Hes not coming off a great season. Stone sprinkles in a low 80s curveball to round out his arsenal. His fastball sits in the low-90s and he has a full cupboard of secondary offerings, including a splitter and changeup that he throws a combined 30 percent of the time, per DeltaGraphs. 16 the 2022 Draft and they were happy to sign the the talented teenager to a well-overslot $5 million bonus. Nippon Professional Baseball, the world's second most prominent league, launched its season on June 19, three months after its original Opening Day plans were delayed due to the spread of the . Unfortunately, things have not gone to plan for either Lewis or the Twins. New slugger of NPB, Hotaka Yamakawa. Though he struck out 61 batters in 53 innings, he allowed 45 hits and 32 bases on balls. Featuring multiple Japanese players, the 2022 Topps Baseball Japan Edition checklist works with a 220-card base set. Not only has Mervis been the biggest breakout prospect in 2022, but hes also flat out been one of the best hitters in the Minor Leagues. He finished with a 6-5 mark, 4.66 ERA, and 1.30 WHIP, walking 32 batters and giving up 16 home runs in 106 innings. Green gets to his top speed quickly and should be a menace on the base paths. What became abundantly clear rather quickly was the fact that PCA has a bit more to him than many were giving him credit for around the time he was traded straight up for Javier Bez. Parada has worked hard on his defense, but still has some ways to go. Height/Weight: 63, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (5) 2022 | ETA: 2025. Despite often being the youngest player on the field, Alvarez looks the part as a catcher and earns high marks for his desire to improve as a defender. NPB is the third league to get underway this year, joining Chinese Professional Baseball League (Taiwan) and Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). When everything is in sync for Caissie, you can see flashes of a potentially special power bat. While the barrel tip can potentially disrupt timing, Mayer gets slotted early which helps hedge that issue. Another college bat who made hitting look easy at Cal Poly, Lee was a candidate to go No. Of course, that has since changed and every time I watch Tovar play, I come away more confident that he will be a good big leaguer. The parallel lineup remains the same as last year, including Cherry Blossoms (#/99) and Jade Green (#/75). Moreno is a gamer who pitchers enjoy as a battery mate and he has steadily improved as he has compiled reps in the upper levels. The 21-year-olds footwork looks strong enough to accommodate a move to second, but his arm is decent enough to play an average third base. His command has improved as the season went on and his ability to locate three of his four offerings with plenty of confidence gives Miller the potential for comfortably above average command. It is difficult to project power for a prospect like Winn. Yamamoto adjusted his pitching form slightly and told reporters in June that its given him a little bit more on his fastball, which he throws in the low-to-mid 90s. Despite his top-of-the-line speed, Chourio is still getting his feet wet as a base stealer. Naylor impressively turned the page on a brutal season in 2021 and has been a consistent offensive force all year as one of the younger players at the Triple-A level. 5 outlook he had on draft day. Still probably two years from Fenway Park, Mayer could have a claim as one of baseballs best overall prospects by the end of next year. When Caissie is able to keep his weight back and stay in his back hip, the way he can impact the baseball to all fields is impressive and his pull side power can be jaw-dropping. Cartaya picked up where he left off in 2022 with another great offensive season while impressing with his polish behind the plate. 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