Close but no cigar: Prospects who just missed the Top 100
Twenty players who didn't quite crack the recently released list
We released the MLBPipeline.com Top 100 Prospects list on Friday, and as always, there wasn't enough room to include everyone I like. With that in mind, I've listed below (alphabetically) 20 more prospects who have caught my eye, some of whom made my personal Top 100 but couldn't crack the official list once I combined my choices with Jonathan Mayo's and we got feedback from industry sources.
A year ago, I identified 15 prospects as the Cream Of The Not-Quite-Top-100 Crop. That group included Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford and Reds outfielder Jesse Winker, who have soared all the way to Nos. 21 and 26 on the current Top 100.
Ozhaino Albies, SS, Braves
A younger version of Jose Peraza -- with a stronger arm that would enhance his chances of staying at shortstop if Andrelton Simmons weren't in Atlanta -- who hit .364/.446/.444 when he made his U.S. debut at age 17 last year.
Garin Cecchini, 3B/OF, Red Sox
He's blocked in Boston and uncharacteristically struggled at times in 2014, but he's still one of the best pure hitters in the Minors.
Video: Top Prospects: Garin Cecchini, 3B, Red Sox
Michael Feliz, RHP, Astros
He's a work in progress but it's hard not to like his combination of a mid-90s fastball, power breaking ball, promising changeup and sturdy build.
Max Fried, LHP, Braves
Even though he's recovering from Tommy John surgery, Atlanta grabbed him in the Justin Upton trade with the Padres because he's the best high school left-hander to sign since Clayton Kershaw.
Marco Gonzales, LHP, Cardinals
While he's not overpowering, his changeup and command rank among the best in the Minors and he won two National League Division Series games a year after signing.
Video: MLB Rookie Prg: Marco Gonzales, STL, LHP
Luke Jackson, RHP, Rangers
Made this list a year ago and then hit the wall in Triple-A, but I'm still enamored with a fastball that can hit 97 mph and power breaking stuff.
Brian Johnson, LHP, Red Sox
The college two-way star turned full-time pro pitcher is better on the mound than I thought he'd be, with his fine command helping his solid-not-plus stuff play up.
Rob Kaminsky, LHP, Cardinals
The smallish southpaw has a big-time curveball and mound presence, not to mention a low-90s fastball that reaches 95 mph.
Rymer Liriano, OF, Padres
Lost in the shuffle a bit in San Diego after all the offseason trades, he still has solid tools across the board and deserves a chance to start somewhere.
Video: COL@SD: Liriano makes a nice diving catch in the 2nd
Billy McKinney, OF, Cubs
The other first-round pick acquired from the Athletics in the Jeff Samardzija deal, he's a pure hitter with at least average power.
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies
I wrote about him in detail for Pipeline Perspective.
Colin Moran, 3B, Astros
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 Draft saw his stock take a hit as scouts questioned his power and his defense, but Houston believes and traded Jarred Cosart to get him.
Max Pentecost, C, Blue Jays
A rare catcher with the chance to have at least average tools across the board, he went 11th overall in the 2014 Draft and will move fast if he polishes his receiving.
Brett Phillips, OF, Astros
He didn't homer in his first two pro seasons before leading the low Class A Midwest League in slugging (.521) last year, and he could have average power to go with a solid bat and three plus tools (speed, center-field range, arm).
Video: Top Prospects: Brett Phillips, OF, Astros
Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals
The best pitcher on this list, he has two legitimate swing-and-miss pitches in a fastball that can reach triple digits and an overpowering curveball.
Amed Rosario, SS, Mets
All of his tools grade as solid or better with the exception of his power, and he still might grow into 15-homer pop that would give him more than most shortstops.
Rio Ruiz, 3B, Braves
Traded by the Astros in a package for Evan Gattis after they acquired Moran, Ruiz could be the better third baseman because he has more raw power and a better chance to stay at the hot corner.
Video: Top Prospects: Rio Ruiz, 3B, Braves
Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees
Though he hasn't lived up to his $3 million bonus yet, he still has big raw power and a bazooka arm and is only 22.
Dominic Smith, 1B, Mets
Which is the real Dominic Smith -- the guy who got drafted 11th overall in 2013 because of his premium bat and power, or the one who hit just .271/.344/.338 with one homer in low Class A?
Video: Top Prospects: Dominic Smith, 1B, Mets
Bradley Zimmer, OF, Indians
The second Zimmer brother drafted in the first round, Bradley may have had the best all-around tools among college players in the 2014 Draft.