Top prospects taking part in 28th RCDP

Program prepares young players to become big leaguers

January 9th, 2019

MIAMI -- Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have worked together to run the Rookie Career Development Program since 1992. The biggest change for the 28th edition of the RCDP is in location. After years of having the event outside Washington D.C., a group of the game's up-and-coming stars are gathering in Miami this week.
The event is designed to help future big leaguers avoid the kinds of pitfalls that have kept many players from being able to focus on their considerable playing skills. There are sessions on dealing with the media, how to handle situations in the clubhouse, drugs in baseball, inclusion and financial planning, just to name a handful of issues addressed. Players get to interact with each other around these topics and there are breakout sessions with former big leaguers to allow smaller groups of players to drill further down on specific issues.
Every year, the RCDP has participants go from these sessions to big league rosters in the upcoming season. Players who have gone on to become Rookies of the Year, Cy Young Award winners and MVPs have attended the program, and this year's event will include more future stars, with every organization sending some of their top prospects to Miami. There are 21 members on MLB Pipeline's current Top 100 prospects list expected to attend; and the entire list of attendees is as follows.
Angels: Luis Rengifo, SS (No. 10); Griffin Canning, RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 72); , 3B; Matt Thaiss, 1B (No. 5)
Astros: , LHP (No. 5); , LHP (No. 12); Josh James, RHP (No. 4; MLB No. 95)
Athletics: Sean Murphy, C (No. 3; MLB No. 57); Luis Barrera, OF (No. 18); , OF (No. 30); Jesus Luzardo, LHP (No. 1; MLB No. 12)
Blue Jays: , RHP; , OF (No. 21); Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 2B
Braves: Huascar Ynoa, RHP (No. 20); , RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 29); Patrick Weigel, RHP (No. 21); Bryse Wilson, RHP (No. 9; MLB No. 96)
Brewers: Zack Brown, RHP (No. 8); , RHP; , RHP (No. 12); , RHP
Cardinals: , RHP (No. 23); Genesis Cabrera, LHP (No. 23); , OF (No. 8); , LHP
Cubs: , C; James Norwood, RHP (No. 24); , 3B
D-backs: Jon Duplantier, RHP (No. 1; MLB No. 80; , RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 97); Kevin Ginkel, RHP; Joel Payamps, RHP
Dodgers: Josh Sborz, RHP (No. 26); Keibert Ruiz, C (No. 2; MLB No. 39); Tony Gonsolin, RHP (No. 15); Mitchell White, RHP (No. 8)
Giants: Shaun Anderson, RHP (No. 3); Chris Shaw, OF (No. 4); , C/1B (No. 15); Abiatal Avelino, SS/2B (No. 17)
Indians: , C (No. 27); , 1B (No. 7); , OF (No. 16); Henry Martinez, RHP
Mariners: Tito Polo, OF; , OF (No. 8); Justin Dunn, RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 89); Wyatt Mills, RHP (No. 13)
Marlins: , OF (No. 2); , 2B (No. 9); Jose Quijada, LHP
Mets: Peter Alonso, 1B (No. 2; MLB No. 58), Andres Gimenez, SS (No. 1; MLB No. 55); , RHP (No. 25)
Nationals: , RHP; Carter Kieboom, SS (No. 2; MLB No. 37)
Orioles: Yefry Ramirez, RHP; , OF; , RHP; , RHP (No. 25)
Padres: , OF/1B (No. 15); Chris Paddack, RHP (No. 5; MLB No. 35); Buddy Reed, OF (No. 13) 
Phillies: , RHP; Austin Davis, LHP; , RHP (No. 9); , OF (No. 15)
Pirates: Mitch Keller, RHP (No. 1; MLB No. 16); , 2B/SS (No. 7); Nick Burdi, RHP (No. 20); , OF
Rangers: Taylor Hearn, LHP (No. 7); , LHP (No. 8); C.D. Pelham, LHP (No. 17); , RHP (No. 5)
Rays: , C (No. 25); , LHP; Jesus Sanchez, OF (No. 4; MLB No. 33)
Red Sox: , 3B (No. 1; MLB No. 69); Travis Lakins, RHP (No. 15); , RHP (No. 22); Darwinzon Hernandez, LHP (No. 7)
Reds: , 2B (No. 7); , OF (No. 15); , RHP; T.J. Friedl, OF (No. 14)
Rockies: , 2B/SS (No. 4); DJ Johnson, RHP; , RHP (No. 20); , OF (No. 18)
Royals: , RHP (No. 25); , C; , RHP (No. 11); Arnaldo Hernandez, RHP
Tigers: , RHP (No. 30); Christin Stewart, OF (No. 6); , OF (No. 11); , SS (No. 10)
Twins: , SS/2B (No. 4); , LHP (No. 10); Luis Arraez, 2B/OF (No. 15); Kohl Stewart, RHP (No. 28)
White Sox: , RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 25); Ryan Burr, RHP); , RHP (No. 20); Luis Robert, OF (No. 4; MLB No. 44)
Yankees: , RHP (No. 2; MLB No. 66); , RHP (No. 3; MLB No. 85); Stephen Tarpley, LHP; Michael King, RHP (No. 22)