After I finished my Top 100 Prospects post, I had a whole lot of leftovers of players who didn’t quite make the cut. The thing is many of these players were at one point in my Top 100, and therefore had a write up. Today’s post is those leftovers, it’s the turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving, or the album a band releases a year after a successful album of all the songs that didn’t make the cut. It’s me being lazy, but also kind of wanting you to have as much of my info as possible. I get a chance to go into detail on a few last minute subtractions, and get you familiar with some players that will be jumping into my top 100 by mid-season. These are the bubble players, those that are every bit a top 100 level player as those that just limboed under the line, some flameouts looking for redemption in 2017, and everything in between. There’s a little bit of everything! I hope you enjoy, it’s the Leftovers.
101. Sandy Alcantara, RHP | Age: 21 | Cardinals | 2016 Level: A+/A
Triple digit fastball, average change, fringe curve, and mechanics issues. If he can iron out the kinks, he could end up a front end starter, if not he’ll end up in the pen. ETA: 2019
102. Lucas Erceg, 3B | Age: 21 | Brewers | 2016 Level: A-/ RK
Slashed .400/.452/.552 with 9 homers in his pro debut, stand out for Cal his sophomore year but some academic issues forced him to little Menlo College. He’s drawn comps to Chase Utley and Matt Carpenter. Should move fast, could be this year’s Willie Calhoun, even the story is similar. ETA: 2018
103. Yusniel Diaz, OF | Age: 20 | Dodgers | 2016 Level: A+/Rk
Diaz’s quick righthanded swing, and remarkable hand eye coordination has scouts drooling over his offensive potential. Add in the plus speed, and mid teen power ceiling, and you have a five category contributor coming from one of the top player development organization’s of late. ETA: 2019
104. Brandon Nimmo, OF | Age: 23 | Mets | 2016 Level: MLB/AAA
If you squint hard enough you’ll see a guy who could win a batting title. The skills are all there, more of a floor player than a ceiling guy, but he’s better than you think. Slashed .352/.423/.541 with 11 homers and 7 steals for AAA Reno ETA: 2017
105. Justin Dunn, RHP | Age: 21 | Mets | 2016 Level: A-
His loose athletic delivery and live arm saw him rise up draft boards, but the questions remain if he’ll ultimately progress as a starter. His plus fastball and slider mix looks a lot like an elite pen 1-2 punch, Dunn’s future role will be determined by his fringe change or curve developing into an average major league offering. ETA: 2019
106. Matt Thaiss, 1B | Age: 21 | Angels | 2016 Level: A-/Rk
Advanced college hitter with great on base skills, and a keen eye at the plate. Power ceiling is up for the debate, moved off of catcher for first base in debut, but the talk is he’s not done with catching. Skillset really plays if he’s behind the dish. ETA: 2018
107. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP | Age: 22 | Twins | 2016 Level: AA/A
Breakout season in 2016, going 13-5 with a 2.06 ERA, a 10.0 K/9, and a .179 BAA. Thin athletic, 6’5 lefty with a smooth delivery, and clean mechanics. Induces weak contact in bunches, somehow he missed my Top 100. ETA: 2018
108. Will Craig, 3B | Age: 22 | Pirates | 2016 Level: A-
One of the top college hitters in last year’s draft, Craig is known for his bat speed and sweet righty swing. He’s had trouble hitting for power with wood bats though, and it’s the biggest question hanging over Craig. ETA: 2019
109. Trey Mancini, 1B | Age: 24 | Orioles | 2016 Level: MLB/AAA/AA
After a huge 2015, slashed .282/.357/.458 with 13 homers, in a notoriously pitching friendly home park. Saw promotion to the big league club toward the end of 2016, playing in 6 games, homering in three of them. The problem is where does he play? ETA: 2017
110. Alex Kirilloff, OF | Age: 19 | Twins | 2016 Level: Rk
Won the Appy League MVP slashing .306/.341/.454 with 7 homers, and more runs (33) and RBIs (33), than strikeouts (32). Shows the ability to hit to all fields, and should continue to develop power as he matures. Kid can hit, nuff said. ETA: 2020
111. Walker Buehler, RHP | Age: 22 | Dodgers | 2016 Level: A/Rk
TJ Survivor with 3 plus pitches, and a spike in velocity. Former ace of the Vanderbilt staff, and carried one-one buzz going into the 2015 season. Could be another in a long line of good Dodgers pitching prospects. ETA: 2019
112. Nick Williams, OF | Age: 23 | Phillies | 2016 Level: AAA
Once my prospect crush, now in the back of the shop covered in rust. If he could work a count or take a walk, it would make a difference. No joke, walked 19 times in 497 PA’s at AAA ETA: 2017
113. Franklin Perez, RHP | Age: 19 | Astros | 2016 Level: A
Solid pitcher’s build at 6’3, with a mid-90’s fastball, an above-average curve that flashes plus, and a developing change. Super young, with oodles of upside, inside a lot of Top 100 lists this off-season. ETA: 2019
114. Travis Demeritte, 2B | Age: 22 | Braves | 2016 Level: A+
Another three outcome hitter for my OPS leaguers, Demeritte walks and strikes out in bunches. Averaging a 30% K rate, and walk rates over 10%. Where he plays in the field long term is up for debate. ETA: 2018
115. Tyler Jay, LHP | Age: 22 | Twins | 2016 Level: AA/A+
Former college closer possesses two double plus pitches in his fastball and slider. The heater works in the mid-90’s, while the slider is an off the charts out pitch with Dracula bite. Generates groundballs at a plus 50% clip too. ETA: 2018
116. Sean Newcomb, LHP | Age: 23 | Braves | 2016 Level: AA
A high octane fastball in the upper 90’s, a plus curveball, and average change give Newcomb a great set of baseline skills. The issue is, and always has been, his lack of control. If he can learn to harness it a little this season, he could breakout in a big way. ETA: 2017
117. Touki Toussaint, RHP | Age: 20 | Braves | 2016 Level: A+
The sky is the limit for one of the best names in the minors. A devastating plus curveball, and a plus heater. Came on at the end the season, but there’s still pen risk and control issues. ETA: 2019
118. Brady Aiken, LHP | Age: 20 | Indians | 2016 Level: A-/RK
The once top pick in the 2014 draft, Aiken is still getting his footing after 2015 TJ. Has all the upside in the world, but his “small” UCL, will remain a concern forever. ETA: 2020
119. Roman Quinn, OF | Age: 23 | Phillies | 2016 Level: MLB/AA
SAGNOF!!! Will have value this year if he plays enough, and stays healthy. Those are big ifs though. ETA: 2017
120. Brett Phillips, OF | Age: 22 | Brewers | 2016 Level: AA
After a terrible 2016 Phillips looks to rebound, I’m not against grabbing him as a buy low candidate. After all he’s a player with speed, power, an the ability to draw a walk. ETA: 2018
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