Top prospects taking part in 28th RCDP
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MIAMI -- Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have worked together to run the Rookie Career Development Program since 1992. The biggest change for the 28th edition of the RCDP is in location. After years of having the event outside Washington D.C., a group of the game's up-and-coming stars are gathering in Miami this week.
The event is designed to help future big leaguers avoid the kinds of pitfalls that have kept many players from being able to focus on their considerable playing skills. There are sessions on dealing with the media, how to handle situations in the clubhouse, drugs in baseball, inclusion and financial planning, just to name a handful of issues addressed. Players get to interact with each other around these topics and there are breakout sessions with former big leaguers to allow smaller groups of players to drill further down on specific issues.
Every year, the RCDP has participants go from these sessions to big league rosters in the upcoming season. Players who have gone on to become Rookies of the Year, Cy Young Award winners and MVPs have attended the program, and this year's event will include more future stars, with every organization sending some of their top prospects to Miami. There are 21 members on MLB Pipeline's current Top 100 prospects list expected to attend; and the entire list of attendees is as follows.
Angels: Luis Rengifo, SS (No. 10); Griffin Canning, RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 72); Taylor Ward, 3B; Matt Thaiss, 1B (No. 5)
Astros: Cionel Pérez, LHP (No. 5); Framber Valdez, LHP (No. 12); Josh James, RHP (No. 4; MLB No. 95)
Athletics: Sean Murphy, C (No. 3; MLB No. 57); Luis Barrera, OF (No. 18); Skye Bolt, OF (No. 30); Jesus Luzardo, LHP (No. 1; MLB No. 12)
Blue Jays: Justin Shafer, RHP; Jonathan Davis, OF (No. 21); Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 2B
Braves: Huascar Ynoa, RHP (No. 20); Kyle Wright, RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 29); Patrick Weigel, RHP (No. 21); Bryse Wilson, RHP (No. 9; MLB No. 96)
Brewers: Zack Brown, RHP (No. 8); Tyrone Taylor, RHP; Marcos Diplán, RHP (No. 12); Freddy Peralta, RHP
Cardinals: Giovanny Gallegos, RHP (No. 23); Genesis Cabrera, LHP (No. 23); Justin Williams, OF (No. 8); Austin Gomber, LHP
Cubs: Taylor Davis, C; James Norwood, RHP (No. 24); David Bote, 3B
D-backs: Jon Duplantier, RHP (No. 1; MLB No. 80; Taylor Widener, RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 97); Kevin Ginkel, RHP; Joel Payamps, RHP
Dodgers: Josh Sborz, RHP (No. 26); Keibert Ruiz, C (No. 2; MLB No. 39); Tony Gonsolin, RHP (No. 15); Mitchell White, RHP (No. 8)
Giants: Shaun Anderson, RHP (No. 3); Chris Shaw, OF (No. 4); Aramis Garcia, C/1B (No. 15); Abiatal Avelino, SS/2B (No. 17)
Indians: Eric Haase, C (No. 27); Bobby Bradley, 1B (No. 7); Oscar Mercado, OF (No. 16); Henry Martinez, RHP
Mariners: Tito Polo, OF; Braden Bishop, OF (No. 8); Justin Dunn, RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 89); Wyatt Mills, RHP (No. 13)
Marlins: Monte Harrison, OF (No. 2); Isan Díaz, 2B (No. 9); Jose Quijada, LHP
Mets: Peter Alonso, 1B (No. 2; MLB No. 58), Andres Gimenez, SS (No. 1; MLB No. 55); Eric Hanhold, RHP (No. 25)
Nationals: Jefry Rodriguez, RHP; Carter Kieboom, SS (No. 2; MLB No. 37)
Orioles: Yefry Ramirez, RHP; Cedric Mullins, OF; Jimmy Yacabonis, RHP; Branden Kline, RHP (No. 25)
Padres: Josh Naylor, OF/1B (No. 15); Chris Paddack, RHP (No. 5; MLB No. 35); Buddy Reed, OF (No. 13)
Phillies: Seranthony Domínguez, RHP; Austin Davis, LHP; Enyel De Los Santos, RHP (No. 9); Dylan Cozens, OF (No. 15)
Pirates: Mitch Keller, RHP (No. 1; MLB No. 16); Kevin Kramer, 2B/SS (No. 7); Nick Burdi, RHP (No. 20); Pablo Reyes, OF
Rangers: Taylor Hearn, LHP (No. 7); Joe Palumbo, LHP (No. 8); C.D. Pelham, LHP (No. 17); Jonathan Hernández, RHP (No. 5)
Rays: Nick Ciuffo, C (No. 25); Jalen Beeks, LHP; Jesus Sanchez, OF (No. 4; MLB No. 33)
Red Sox: Michael Chavis, 3B (No. 1; MLB No. 69); Travis Lakins, RHP (No. 15); Chandler Shepherd, RHP (No. 22); Darwinzon Hernandez, LHP (No. 7)
Reds: Shed Long Jr., 2B (No. 7); Jose Siri, OF (No. 15); Jackson Stephens, RHP; T.J. Friedl, OF (No. 14)
Rockies: Garrett Hampson, 2B/SS (No. 4); DJ Johnson, RHP; Jesus Tinoco, RHP (No. 20); Yonathan Daza, OF (No. 18)
Royals: Scott Blewett, RHP (No. 25); Meibrys Viloria, C; Josh Staumont, RHP (No. 11); Arnaldo Hernandez, RHP
Tigers: Spencer Turnbull, RHP (No. 30); Christin Stewart, OF (No. 6); Dustin Peterson, OF (No. 11); Willi Castro, SS (No. 10)
Twins: Nick Gordon, SS/2B (No. 4); Lewis Thorpe, LHP (No. 10); Luis Arraez, 2B/OF (No. 15); Kohl Stewart, RHP (No. 28)
White Sox: Dylan Cease, RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 25); Ryan Burr, RHP); Jordan Stephens, RHP (No. 20); Luis Robert, OF (No. 4; MLB No. 44)
Yankees: Jonathan Loáisiga, RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 66); Albert Abreu, RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 85); Stephen Tarpley, LHP; Michael King, RHP (No. 22)