Complete guide to the 2018 Futures Game

July 14th, 2018

Twenty-eight of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects will take the field Sunday in the SiriusXM Futures Game. The 20th annual prospect showcase will feature several future big leaguers, including some who should arrive in the near future.
Fourteen of the 50 players from last year's game currently are in the Majors, including Ronald Acuna, Brian Anderson, Rafael Devers, Jack Flaherty and Yoan Moncada. And if you go back even further, the likes of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant and Jose Altuve all suited up in the Futures Game, which tells you all you need to know about the type of talent on hand.
The game will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. ET on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com. Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and MLB.com's Jim Callis will call the action, with Lauren Shehadi reporting from the dugouts.
The game can also be heard on Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio (XM channel 89, Sirius channel 209).
Below is a snapshot of each of the 50 players, with links to scouting reports, tools and grades, stats and video on MLB Pipeline's Prospect Watch.

U.S. TEAM

Pitchers
Shaun Anderson, RHP, Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA)
No. 7 on Giants' Top 30

A third-round pick by the Red Sox in the 2016 Draft, Anderson was traded to San Francisco in a deal for Eduardo Nunez. The 23-year-old offers three solid pitches, including a fastball that tops out at 96 mph, a strong slider and a changeup with sinking and fading action. Anderson has posted a 3.56 ERA for the Flying Squirrels this season, fanning exactly a batter per inning across 16 starts. More »
, RHP, Birmingham Barons (AA)
No. 4 on White Sox Top 30/No. 40 on MLB Top 100
Cease started the season with Class A Advanced Winston-Salem, but he quickly showed he was ready to test his stuff at the Double-A level. The right-hander went 9-2 with a 2.89 ERA through 13 starts with the Dash before he was promoted in late June. Cease has a very good fastball/curveball combination, which he has used to amass 96 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings this season. More »
Hunter Greene, RHP, Dayton Dragons (A)
No. 2 on Reds' Top 30/No. 18 on MLB Top 100
The No. 2 overall pick from the 2017 Draft, Greene got off to a slow start in 2017 but has found his rhythm lately. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 14.63 ERA through four starts in April, but he has lowered that number each month this season. Greene threw seven scoreless frames in his last start and has allowed one or zero earned runs in six of his past eight starts. More »
:: 2018 Futures Game coverage ::
, RHP, Memphis Redbirds (AAA)
No. 3 on Cardinals' Top 30
Hudson has followed up a solid 2017 -- one in which he was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Year -- with a strong showing so far in 2018. Hudson has a mid-90s fastball that he throws with heavy sink, allowing him to generate a lot of ground-ball outs. He's pitched to a 2.33 ERA through 16 starts this season and has held the opposition to two earned runs or fewer in 12 of his 16 starts. More »
Mitch Keller, RHP, Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
No. 1 on Pirates' Top 30/No. 12 on MLB Top 100
Recently promoted to Triple-A, Keller has given Pirates fans plenty to be excited about since he was selected in the second round of the 2014 Draft. Keller's pro career got off to a slow start as he missed most of the 2015 season, but he reached Double-A at age 21 and was a standout last year in the Arizona Fall League. Keller used that momentum to springboard into 2018 when he began the season with six scoreless innings for Double-A Altoona. From there, Keller continued to post a 2.72 ERA through 14 starts before he was bumped up to Indianapolis. More »
Matt Manning, RHP, Lakeland Flying Tigers (A+)
No. 2 on Tigers' Top 30/No. 47 on MLB Top 100
Manning has a ton of potential, but he is still working to fine-tune his delivery. The Tigers have been cautious with Manning's development, and the 55 2/3 innings he's thrown this year are already a career high. After posting a 3.40 ERA through 11 starts for West Michigan, including back-to-back seven-inning outings, Manning was promoted to Lakeland on June 28. More »
Luis Ortiz, RHP, Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
No. 4 on Brewers' Top 30
Acquired along with outfielder Lewis Brinson (now with the Marlins) in the deal that sent Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress to the Rangers at the 2016 Trade Deadline, Ortiz is a big, physical right-hander who has a good feel for his above-average arsenal. Ortiz owns a 3.88 ERA in 206 1/3 career innings at the Double-A level. He replaced the Astros' Forrest Whitely, who left his most recent start with an injury. More »
C.D. Pelham, LHP, Frisco Roughriders (AA)
No. 19 on Rangers' Top 30
Pelham is a bit raw as he didn't start pitching until his senior season in high school, but he's made noticeable strides in his development. The 23-year-old lefty became a full-time reliever in 2017 and his results drastically improved. Pelham, who has an upper-90s fastball and a plus cutter, walked 8.9 batters per nine innings over his first two seasons, but he cut that to 3.8 in 2017 and is hovering right around 4.0 in 2018. More »
, LHP, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (AAA)
No. 2 on Yankees' Top 30/No. 39 on MLB Top 100
After starting the season in Double-A, Sheffield was bumped up to Triple-A and has fared well at the Minors' highest level. The left-hander has a 2.61 ERA and has gone at least six innings in four of his past five appearances. Sheffield has the potential to boast three plus pitches, creates downhill plane with his delivery and has been durable for the bulk of his professional career. More »
, RHP, Mississippi Braves (AA)
No. 2 on Braves' Top 30/No. 23 on MLB Top 100
One of several talented pitchers in the Braves' system, Wright pitched just 17 innings after being selected fifth overall in 2017 and is making his full-season debut this year at the Double-A level. The 22-year-old has struggled with command at times (3.89 walks per nine innings this year) but has four pitches -- a plus fastball, slider, curveball and changeup -- that all flash above average. More »
Catchers
, C, Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
No. 6 on Blue Jays' Top 30
After injuries slowed his development early in his career, Jansen put together a breakout season (.323/.400/.484) in 2017 and is following that up with another strong campaign in 2018. Through 59 games, Jansen is hitting .289/.403/.458. The Blue Jays added the young catcher to the 40-man roster over the offseason and thus far he's reward them. Defensively, Jansen has made strides as well, most notably in his blocking, receiving and framing. More »
Andrew Knizner, C, Springfield Cardinals (AA)
No. 5 on Cardinals' Top 30
Knizner was originally a third baseman for North Carolina State before moving behind the plate following his freshman season. He was selected by St. Louis in the seventh round in 2016 and moved quickly through the Cardinals' system, jumping from Class A to Double-A during his first full pro season. The 23-year-old backstop is a two-way talent: He threw out 45 percent of would-be basestealers in '17 and is batting .315/.382/.427 with three home runs and 28 RBIs in 49 Double-A games this season. Knizner replaced the Athletics' Sean Murphy, who went on the DL on July 9. More »
Infielders
, 1B, Las Vegas 51s (AAA)
No. 2 on Mets' Top 30/No. 69 on MLB Top 100
Alonso has done nothing but hit since entering pro ball. His bat allowed him to reach Double-A in his first full season, and after hitting .289 with 18 homers across 93 games in 2017, Alonso has continued to produce this season. The 23-year-old was slashing .314/.440/.573 through 65 games with Binghamton before he was bumped up to Las Vegas in mid-June. More »
Bo Bichette, SS/2B, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
No. 2 on Blue Jays' Top 30/No. 7 on MLB Top 100
Bichette's ability to produce at the plate was well-documented leading into the 2016 Draft, and he's done nothing but prove those scouting reports right so far. There's a reason he has a 70-grade hit tool and it's evidenced by the fact that he batted .427 in 2016 (22 games) and .362 in 2017 (110 games). Bichette began his age-20 season at Double-A and has fared well thus far, slashing .270/.331/.436 through 81 contests. More »
Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Altoona Curve (AA)
No. 3 on Pirates' Top 30
Hayes got off to a slow start, but he has picked up the pace in his first taste of Double-A. After hitting .234 in April, the 21-year-old has raised his average each month since. Hayes is an above-average runner and swiped 27 bags last season, but he has stolen just six bases this year. Defensively, Hayes also grades out as above average and has a chance to be a top third baseman. More »
, 2B, Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
No. 1 on Brewers' Top 30/No. 30 on MLB Top 100
Regarded as arguably the top hitter in the 2017 Draft, Hiura went out and proved he was worthy of the label as he batted .371 in his professional debut. To follow that up, he's continued to rake in his full-season debut, hitting .320 through 50 games with Class A Advanced Carolina before he was promoted to Biloxi, where he's batting .326 through 24 contests. Defensively, there are some questions about Hiura's ability to stick at second base, with left field a possibility in the future, but either way his bat will be his strength. More »
Carter Kieboom, SS, Harrisburg Senators (AA)
No. 2 on Nationals' Top 30/No. 62 on MLB Top 100
Kieboom began the season with Class A Advanced Potomac but was promoted to Double-A after 61 games, and he has quickly shown he's ready for advanced competition. It's been just 15 games with the Senators, but Kieboom is slashing .383/.431/.567 and has collected at least one hit in 14 of those 15 contests. More »
Nate Lowe, 1B, Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
A 13th-round pick from the 2016 Draft, Lowe, the brother of fellow Rays prospect Josh Lowe, is enjoying a bit of a breakout campaign in 2018. The 22-year-old reached Double-A in early June, but no matter where he's played this year, he's been able to hit. Across two levels, Lowe is batting .348 and has already set career highs in homers (15), RBIs (66) and total bases (162) through 74 games.
, 3B, Bowie Baysox (AA)
No. 1 on Orioles' Top 30/No. 80 on MLB Top 100
Mountcastle shifted from shortstop to third base in 2017, but it's his bat that will ultimately be his calling card. The 21-year-old got a late start to the season after dealing with a fractured hand, but he immediately showed off his offensive skillset, collecting three hits in his debut and batting .311 through 52 games. Mountcastle has an advanced approach at the plate and good pitch recognition, which help him project as an above-average hitter. More »
, SS, Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
No. 1 on Rockies' Top 30/No. 6 on MLB Top 100
Rodgers, with his ability to hit for both average and power, was MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect entering the 2015 Draft, where he was picked third overall by the Rockies. Rodgers reached Double-A last year in his full-season debut, but he is getting his first full look at the Eastern League in 2018. Defensively, the 21-year-old doesn't have the best range at short, but his 60-grade arm and strong instincts allow him to get the job done. Rodgers has also spent some time at second and third this season, but of course his path at third is blocked in Colorado with already entrenched at the hot corner. More »
Outfielders
Jo Adell, OF, Inland Empire 66ers (A+)
No. 1 on Angels' Top 30/No. 36 on MLB Top 100
While Adell, a tremendous athlete, has an impressive collection of tools, the only questions when he was entering the 2017 Draft were whether he'd be able to hit consistently enough to succeed. So far, so good, as the 19-year-old batted .325 across two levels of Rookie-ball in his debut and has hit well across two levels so far this season. Adell has struck out a lot (71 times over 258 at-bats), but he has also shown an ability to make adjustments at the plate. Defensively, Adell has plenty of speed to roam center field and has a plus arm as well. More »
Alex Kirilloff, OF, Fort Myers Miracle (A+)
No. 3 on Twins' Top 30/No. 67 on MLB Top 100
After missing the 2017 season because of Tommy John surgery, Kirilloff is back to showing off the tools that led to him being a first-round pick back in 2016, when he also won Appalachian Player of the Year honors in his professional debut. Kirilloff has played all three outfield positions in his career, though he profiles best in right. However, if his elbow hampers him in the future, he could move to first base as well. The 20-year-old is an advanced hitter that utilizes all fields and will be able to hit for more power as he matures. More »
Kyle Lewis, OF, Modesto Nuts (A+)
No. 1 on Mariners' Top 30/No. 58 on MLB Top 100
Lewis offers up an exciting combination of tools, but knee injuries have hampered him ever since he was selected in the first round of the 2016 Draft. Lewis, 22, had his knee scoped in February and began the season in extended spring training before joining Modesto. When he is healthy, Lewis is able to hit for both average and power and has the potential to be a solid defender as well. More »
Buddy Reed, OF, Lake Elsinore Storm (A+)
Reed, a second-round pick from the 2016 Draft, has enjoyed a breakout campaign thus far in his first go-around in the California League. The 23-year-old is slashing .323/.373/.535 through 76 games, and with 11, homers he's nearly doubled his total from a season ago (six in 88 games). Reed got off to a scorching-hot start by hitting .366 in April, and although he's cooled off from that pace, he has hit over .300 in each month of the year.
Taylor Trammell, OF, Daytona Tortugas (A+)
No. 3 on Reds' Top 30/No. 34 on MLB Top 100
A multi-sport athlete from Georgia, Trammell has impressed the Reds with his feel for the game. Trammell's tools have always been evident and he uses them in a variety of ways. The 20-year-old stole 41 bases in 2017 and also relies on that plus speed to patrol center field. Offensively, Trammell has had trouble with strikeouts, though he has cut his K rate from 21.5 percent in 2017 to 18.9 percent so far in 2018. Through 70 games with the Tortugas, Trammell is hitting .313 with 19 extra-base hits and 12 stolen bases. More »

WORLD TEAM

Pitchers
Jorge Guzman, RHP, Jupiter Hammerheads (A+)
No. 3 on Marlins' Top 30
Guzman's triple-digit fastball and high ceiling made him the key return for the Marlins in the offseason blockbuster that sent to New York. He was previously traded in November 2016, going from Houston to the Yankees in the trade. The 22-year-old Dominican pairs his heater with a hard slider, and together they've helped him generate 10.3 strikeouts-per-nine since the start of 2017. More »
Yoan Lopez, RHP, Jackson Generals (AA)
No. 25 on D-backs' Top 30
A highly touted international prospect when he inked a deal north of $8 million with Arizona in January 2015, Lopez struggled early in his career, both on and off the field, before righting the ship in 2017 following a full-time move to the bullpen. The 25-year-old Cuban has built on that success this season in Double-A and could provide the D-backs' bullpen with another power arm when he finally arrives. More »
Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, Akron Rubberducks (AA)
A third-round pick in 2012, the 23-year-old Lovegrove will represent South Africa in this year's event after an outstanding first half across two levels in the Indians system. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has a prototypical late-inning bullpen profile, as he's adept at missing bats with a mid-90s fastball and a hard slider in the mid-80s.
Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Midland RockHounds (AA)
No. 1 on A's Top 30/No. 20 on MLB Top 100
Perhaps no pitching prospect has improved his stock this season as much as Luzardo, whose Futures Game selection comes amidst a five-start stretch in Double-A during which he's allowed just one earned run in his past 25 innings. Born in Lima, Peru, the 20-year-old southpaw's stuff and feel both are highly advanced, as he demonstrates exceptional feel for throwing a plus-plus fastball-changeup combo as well as a sharp breaking ball that together have helped him carve up considerably older hitters early in his career. More »
Bryan Mata, RHP, Salem Red Sox (A+)
No. 4 on Red Sox's Top 30
The second-youngest player on the World roster, Mata, a Venezuela native, signed with Boston for $25,000 early in 2016. He opened eyes last season as an 18-year-old in the Class A South Atlantic League, even helping Greenville win an SAL title, and has continued to showcase a big-league future this year in the Carolina League despite regressing with his control and command. More »
Adonis Medina, RHP, Clearwater Threshers (A+)
No. 2 on Phillies' Top 30/No. 74 on MLB Top 100
Medina has steadily rised through the Phillies' Minor League ranks since signing in 2014, breaking out last year with a 3.01 ERA in 22 starts for Class A Lakewood in his first taste of full-season ball. The 21-year-old righty continues to improve his stuff, headlined by a strong fastball with good life that leads to plenty of ground balls. He replaced fellow Philadelphia prospect Enyel De Los Santos, who made his MLB debut with the Phillies on Tuesday. More »
, LHP, Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)
No. 11 on Twins' Top 30
Tommy John surgery followed by a bout of mono wiped out Thorpe's 2015-16 seasons, but the Australian left-hander returned fully healthy in '17, earned a spot on the Twins' 40-man roster after the season, and has continued to make strides in 2018 in Double-A. The 22-year-old's plus fastball-changeup pairing has long made him a strikeout artist and netted him a career-high 12 strikeouts in a June 21 start with Chattanooga. More »
, RHP, Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
No. 12 on Rockies' Top 30
Tinoco signed with Toronto for $400,000 out of Venezuela in 2011 and went to the Rockies in the deal four years later. The 23-year-old righty has scuffled in each of the past three seasons but does possess power stuff, including a mid-90s fastball and a pair of above-average breaking balls. More »
Touki Toussaint, RHP, Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)
No. 10 on Braves' Top 30
Toussaint, 22, tossed 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to earn the win in his Triple-A Gwinnett debut on July 5. The right-hander earned a promotion to Gwinnett after a dominant first half with Double-A Mississippi in which he logged a 2.93 ERA and racked up 107 strikeouts in 86 innings on the merits of his plus fastball-curveball pairing. Toussaint was a late addition to the World roster as a replacement for Indians top prospect Francisco Mejia, who was promoted to the Major Leagues on Saturday. More >
Alex Wells, LHP, Frederick Keys (A+)
No. 8 on Orioles' Top 30
Wells also hails from Australia, having signed with Baltimore for $300,000 in August 2015. A finesse left-hander with plus command of a mature three-pitch mix, Wells pitched to a 2.38 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP over 140 innings with Class A Delmarva to take home the organization's 2017 Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award. More »
Catchers
Miguel Amaya, C/1B, South Bend Cubs (A)
No. 10 on Cubs' Top 30
The Cubs signed Amaya for $1 million out of Panama in July 2015 based largely on his defensive prowess, but the 19-year-old backstop quickly has come into his own with the bat despite aggressive assignments early in his career. He earned Midwest League All-Star honors this year in his full-season debut after hitting .288/.356/.500 with nine homers in 59 first-half games. More »
Keibert Ruiz, Tulsa Drillers (AA)
No. 2 on Dodgers' Top 30/No. 44 on MLB Top 100
Known as an advanced defender when he signed for $140,000 out of Venezuela on his 16th birthday in 2014, Ruiz has exceeded offensive expectations and has the best all-around ability of all the Dodgers' young catchers. A switch-hitter with an advanced feel for the barrel and a line-drive approach, he ranked third in hitting (.316) among Minor League catchers and reached the California League in his first full season before opening 2018 as a 19-year-old in Double-A. More »
Infielders
Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B, Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
No. 3 on Astros' Top 30/No. 51 on MLB Top 100
The Astros landed Alvarez, who had yet to make his pro debut after signing for $2 million as a Cuban defector a month earlier, from the Dodgers at the July 2016 non-waiver Trade Deadline. A Futures Game selection last season when he batted .304/.379/.481 between two Class A stops, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Alvarez continued to boost his stock this season in Double-A, putting up big numbers despite missing time while on the DL, before being rewarded with his first career promotion to Triple-A. More »
, SS/2B, Potomac Nationals (A+)
No. 5 on Nationals' Top 30
The youngest player in this year's event, the 18-year-old Garcia -- born in 2000 -- was recently promoted to the Carolina League after hitting .297/.335/.402 for Class A Hagerstown to begin his first full season. A product of the Dominican Republic, Garcia ranked No. 9 on MLB Pipeline's list of the Top 30 international prospects for the 2016-17 period before signing with Washington for $1.3 million. More »
Andres Gimenez, SS, St. Lucie Mets (A+)
No. 1 on Mets' Top 30/No. 68 on MLB Top 100
Signed by the Mets in July 2015 for $1.2 million, Gimenez led the Dominican Summer League in on-base percentage and finished second in batting average and third in OPS during his pro debut. The 19-year-old Venezuelan shortstop more than held his own last year in full-season ball, and he's opening even more eyes this season as one of the youngest regulars in the Florida State League. More »
, 2B, Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
No. 12 on Tigers' Top 30
The recipient of a seven-figure bonus from Toronto back in July 2011, Lugo since has been traded twice, going from the Jays to the D-backs in August 2015, and Arizona to the Tigers in 2017 (in the deal for J.D. Martinez). The Dominican native makes a ton of loud contact, giving him a chance to be an above-average hitter with 12-to-15-homer power, and the Tigers have been pleased with his improvements defensively at the keystone. More »
, SS, San Antonio Missions (AA)
No. 1 on Padres' Top 30/No. 3 on MLB Top 100
Few prospects can match Tatis' upside of a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. Acquired by the Padres from the White Sox in June 2016 as part of the trade, Tatis became the first 18-year-old in Midwest League history to post at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 2017 before finishing the season in Double-A. Back in the Texas League, the now-19-year-old shortstop ranks among the circuit leaders in a host of offensive categories, furthering his reputation as one of baseball's elite prospects. More »
, 2B/SS, El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
No. 3 on Padres' Top 30/No. 29 on MLB Top 100
Signed out of the Mexican League in December 2013, Urias is one of the more accomplished hitters in the Minor Leagues. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter makes up for being undersized with elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline that have led to high batting averages and on-base rates at every stage in his career. He profiles best as a second baseman but has the defensive tools to play anywhere on the infield. More »
Outfielders
, OF, Memphis Redbirds (AAA)
No. 7 on Cardinals' Top 30
Arozarena was MLB Pipeline's No. 19 international prospect in July 2016 when the Cardinals inked the Cuban for $1.25 million. He earned a promotion to Double-A in his first full season, ultimately posting a .783 OPS with 47 extra-base hits and 18 steals across two levels, and he has spent much of 2018 in Triple-A. Though it's a hit-over-power profile, Arozarena does make consistent contact with excellent bat speed and has some extra-base thump from the right side of the plate. More »
, OF, Birmingham Barons (AA)
No. 13 on White Sox Top 30
Acquired from Boston with and in the Chris Sale blockbuster, Basabe, signed for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2012, has a high ceiling as a switch-hitting center fielder with five-tool potential. The White Sox believe that the 21-year-old will tap into his raw power with further refinements to his swing, giving Basabe a chance to develop into a 20-homer/20-steal threat in his prime. More »
Yusniel Diaz, OF, Tulsa Drillers (AA)
No. 4 on Dodgers' Top 30/No. 85 on MLB Top 100
The Dodgers spent $31 million ($15.5 million for his bonus and an equal amount in penalty tax) in November 2015 to sign Diaz, just 19 at the time, and the Cuban outfielder rewarded the club by reaching Double-A in his second pro season. The 21-year-old shows the potential for solid tools across the board save for his power, though he does show pop to the gaps and adds value with improving on-base skills. More »
Seuly Matias, OF, Lexington Legends (A)
No. 3 on Royals' Top 30
A Dominican native who signed for $2.25 million in July 2015, Matias has put himself on the map in his first full season by pacing the South Atlantic League with 24 home runs. The 19-year-old outfielder produces tape-measure blasts with his electric bat speed, strength and leveraged right-handed swing, though it does come with a concerning amount of swing-and-miss. More »
Heliot Ramos, OF, Augusta Green Jackets (A)
No. 1 on Giants' Top 30/No. 70 on MLB Top 100
Selected 19th overall in the 2017 Draft out of Puerto Rico, Ramos showcased his five-tool potential during his professional debut by leading the Rookie-level Arizona League in slugging (.645) and finishing second in batting (.348) and OPS (1.049). While success hasn't come as easily for the 18-year-old outfielder in his full-season debut, he did enjoy his best month of the season in June (.272/.336/.408) after scuffling through April and May (.224/.302/.365). More »
, OF, Charlotte Stone Crabs (A+)
No. 4 on Rays' Top 30/No. 35 on MLB Top 100
Sanchez's knack for getting the barrel to the ball has long impressed evaluators and fuels his profile as a plus hitter with plus raw power. Those traits have helped the 20-year-old Dominican make quick work of lower levels, as he's been among the more consistent hitters this season in the Florida State League after hitting 15 homers and finishing second in the Midwest League with a .305 average in 2017. More »
Leody Taveras, OF, Down East Wood Ducks (A+)
No. 1 on Rangers' Top 30/No. 28 on MLB Top 100
Taveras signed with Texas for $2.1 million out of the Dominican Republic as one of the top athletes on the 2015-16 international amateur market. One of the youngest regulars for his level in each of his first three seasons, Taveras has held his own at every stop despite posting solid-if-unspectacular numbers. The 19-year-old switch-hitter stands out for his plus hitting ability and speed that helps him impact the game on the basepaths as well as in center field. More »