12 changes to the Top 100 Prospects list
We're trying something new with MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list this year.
In the past, we've unveiled a new Top 100 in January and revamped it near the Trade Deadline in July. Otherwise, the only changes we made were to replace big league graduates and occasionally to reflect the impact of serious injuries.
:: Complete prospect coverage ::
Today, in mid-June and after the conclusion of the season, we'll make adjustments to the Top 100 without overhauling the entire list. We'll take a hard look at the first 15 prospects and also make significant adjustments to players whose stock has increased or decreased accordingly.
While avoiding the mistake of reading too much into just a month of Minor League play, we still made 12 changes to the Top 100:
The Top 15
Francisco Mejia, C, Indians (No. 11 to No. 14)
There shouldn't be any worries about his bat despite his slow start in Triple-A, but questions linger about his defense behind the plate. We tucked Mejia behind Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler, Blue Jays SS/2B Bo Bichette and Rockies SS/2B Brendan Rodgers.
Risers
Juan Soto, OF, Nationals (No. 28 to No. 16)
Injuries ruined his full-season debut in 2017, but he's making up for it this year, batting .384/.489/.821 between two Class A stops and leading the Minors in extra-base hits (23), total bases (92), RBIs (39), and OPS (1.310) while ranking second in homers (11), on-base percentage and slugging. Soto has a huge offensive ceiling and could continue to climb the Top 100.
Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics (No. 57 to No. 36)
He already has forced an in-season promotion to Double-A at age 20, showing one of the best changeups and some of the best pitchability in the Minors -- as well as a fastball that can reach 98 mph.
Dane Dunning, RHP, White Sox (No. 88 to No. 73)
Like Luzardo, Dunning is a former Nationals prospect who changed organizations via trade, pounds the strike zone and quickly earned a jump to Double-A this year. He has a solid arsenal and perhaps the highest floor among the White Sox deep group of pitching prospects.
Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (No. 92 to No. 80)
His power has always been obvious, and now that's he improving as a hitter and a defender, he might be ready for Atlanta by midseason.
Tyler O'Neill, OF, Cardinals (No. 90 to No. 81)
The Cardinals can't offer him regular at-bats yet, but he has homered 20 times in 57 Triple-A games since the Mariners traded him for Marco Gonzales last July.
Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B, Astros (No. 97 to No. 82)
Few hitters on the Top 100 can match his ability to hit for power and average, and his .299/.374/.542 line as a 20-year-old in Double-A -- with just 106 games of prior pro experience -- will attest to that.
Fallers
Austin Hays, OF, Orioles (No. 23 to No. 37)
The first player from the 2016 Draft to reach the big leagues, he's not making hard contact as consistently as he did during a 33-homer season in 2017.
Mickey Moniak, OF, Phillies (No. 84 to unranked)
The No. 1 overall pick in 2016 created concerns about how much impact he'll have after hitting .236/.284/.341 in Class A last year, and they're increasing now that he's batting .222/.233/.265 in Class A Advanced.
Riley Pint, RHP, Rockies (No. 95 to unranked)
He still has Justin Verlander-like stuff, but has to learn to harness it, and he lasted just one out and gave up three earned runs in his lone start of the season before getting sidelined with forearm tightness.
New Additions
Yusniel Diaz, OF, Dodgers (unranked to No. 98)
He possesses four solid tools and is showing more power and plate discipline than ever before.
Dustin Fowler, OF, Athletics (unranked to No. 99)
The center fielder with 20-20 potential looks fully healthy after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee during his first big league game last June.