Pipeline Inbox: Torkelson vs. Greene?

I hope everyone enjoyed Minor League Opening Day as much as I did. Let's tackle your prospect questions.

Who do you think will have the better career, Tork or Greene?
--@sadtigerfan

The Tigers have two of the game's best position prospects in corner infielder Spencer Torkelson, the first overall pick in 2020, and outfielder Riley Greene, the fifth choice a year earlier. Torkelson ranks No. 3 versus Greene at No. 17 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, but the gap is closer than that might suggest.

I'd go with Torkelson, because I heard so many scouts last year discuss how he was one of the best all-around offensive players to come out of the Draft in the last two decades, a potential plus-plus hitter with plus-plus power and tremendous plate discipline. But Greene is a similar hitter with just a grade less pop and more defensive value. He has a chance to stick in center field with a fallback option of right field, while Torkelson likely will be a first baseman.

Where do you think Jasson Dominguez finishes 2021? What’s the earliest you can see him arriving in the Bronx?
@asgriff1418

One of the most anticipated pro debuts ever for an international amateur signee will have to wait a little bit longer, because Dominguez is beginning the season in extended spring training. Signed by the Yankees for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, he's a switch-hitting outfielder with potentially well above-average tools across the board and -- you know I have to mention it -- he has drawn comparisons to the likes of Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout.

I think Dominguez will play at Low-A Tampa this season, either heading directly there after some time in extended spring or after debuting in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He just turned 18 in February, so I'll repeat my answer about his ETA in New York from a Pipeline Inbox from last October: the absolute earliest would be late 2022, but 2023 is more realistic and 2024 would be the safest bet.

What do you think is Pedro Leon's realistic MLB ETA? And bonus question: What position does he play?
--@JxSheppard

Outfielder Pedro Leon has created a lot of excitement among Astros club officials and fans since signing in January for $4 million, the largest bonus in the entire 2020-21 international class. The Cuban has well above-average raw power, not to mention the best speed (70 on the 20-80 scouting scale) and arm strength (80) in the organization. A legitimate center fielder, he looked so good working out at shortstop during Spring Training despite little experience there that Houston plans on giving hm most of his early playing time in Double-A this season at short.

Leon is 22 but is being challenged with an aggressive assignment and likely will need some time to adapt to far better pitching than he has faced previously. If he can make the necessary adjustments, he could help the Astros in the second half of 2022. The Astros have a greater need in center field than they do at shortstop, especially if Carlos Correa doesn't depart as a free agent, so I think we see Leon in center.

MLB Draft with most HOFers, @jimcallisMLB? I would guess '76 Tigers with Trammell, Morris, unsigned Ozzie Smith, should-be-in Lou Whitaker.
--@johnmanuelNC

This is a great question from my great friend and former Baseball America colleague John Manuel, now a pro scout with the Twins. And he's correct. The 1976 Tigers are the only team ever to sign two Hall of Famers in the same Draft, landing California high school shortstop Alan Trammell in the second round and Brigham Young right-hander Jack Morris in the fourth.

Detroit drafted a third Cooperstown immortal in the seventh round, but Cal Poly shortstop Ozzie Smith declined to sign over a few thousand dollars. Smith has recalled asking for $10,000 and being offered $8,500, while legendary area scout Dick Wiencek remembered offering $10,000 and Smith wanting $15,000. (Whitaker was a 1975 fifth-rounder from a Virginia high school.)

Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada combined for nine World Series rings, which might be enough to boost their on-the-fence candidacies for the Hall of Fame. They were both products of the Yankees' 1990 Draft, in which Texas high school lefty Pettitte went in the 22nd round and Calhoun (Ala.) CC shortstop Posada went in the 24th. The now-defunct draft-and-follow rule allowed teams to control the rights of players who attended junior college, and New York signed them both in 1991 after Pettitte spent a year at San Jacinto (Texas) JC and Posada returned to Calhoun CC.