The Major League schedule started last week. Now it's the Minor Leaguers' turn.
The 2018 Minor League season kicks off on Thursday, meaning top prospects will be taking the field. Some have already done so. There are eight from MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list on big league rosters currently, starting of course with two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, who has already picked up his first Major League win and home run in the season's Opening Week.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2018 season
The other Top 100 prospects who are in the big leagues are Marlins center fielder Lewis Brinson (No. 27), Phillies super-utility man Scott Kingery (No. 35) and shortstop J.P. Crawford (No. 37), Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon (No. 41), Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar (No. 65), Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle (No. 84), and Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (No. 96). That list doesn't include Reds outfielder Jesse Winker, who was No. 82 when the season started, but has graduated off of the list.
Of the other 91 on the Top 100, 72 will begin the year with full-season clubs. There are 17 who are hurt or suspended (more below), while three are hanging back in extended spring training and will make their 2018 debut later on this summer. A complete list of projected starting spots for the entire Top 100 is at the bottom of this story.
Teams to watch
Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A), Braves: Gwinnett has three Top 100 prospects on the Opening Day roster, led (for now) by No. 2 overall prospect Ronald Acuna, the dynamic outfielder most expect to see promoted at some point in the near future. The Stripers also have a pair of Top 100 arms in the rotation: right-hander Mike Soroka (No. 31) and lefty Kolby Allard (No. 58).
Clearwater Threshers (A Advanced), Phillies: In the Florida State League, Clearwater will start the season with a trio of Top 100 guys and is slated to add a fourth -- the most highly regarded of them -- within a couple weeks. Right-hander Sixto Sanchez (No. 26) will join the rotation a bit late as the Phillies manage his workload. Fellow right-hander Adonis Medina gives the Threshers an exciting 1-2 punch in the rotation, while 2016 No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak (No. 88) will roam the outfield with 2017 first-rounder Adam Haseley (No. 95).
Winston-Salem (A Advanced), White Sox: Chicago's Carolina League affiliate should have four Top 100 guys once Luis Robert (No. 28) comes back from a left thumb injury. He'll join Blake Rutherford (No. 99) in the outfield, playing behind right-handers Dylan Cease (No. 61) and Dane Dunning (No. 92).
Teams on MiLB.TV
Watching the Top 100 in action is easy, thanks to MiLB.TV. There will be more than 5,500 Minor League games streamed via the service in 2018. Home games for all 30 Triple-A teams will be available, as well as contests involving all 30 Double-A clubs and select games from other classifications (not to mention a host of All-Star Games).
It all starts with the first game of a Pacific Coast League doubleheader between Oklahoma City (No. 33 Alex Verdugo of the Dodgers) and Iowa at 4:08 p.m. ET, while Charlotte (No. 10 Michael Kopech of the White Sox) visits Durham (No. 22 Willy Adames, No. 64 Jake Bauers, No. 82 Christian Arroyo) at 6:05 p.m. ET in the two earliest Triple-A contests. But those are just two of the 35 total games available for your viewing pleasure on Thursday.
New faces
Outside of Ohtani, the newest face in baseball, there are five other Top 100 prospects set to play for a new organization or make their professional debuts in 2018. Tigers top prospect Franklin Perez (No. 39) came over in the Justin Verlander trade, but he didn't pitch after the deal. His Tigers debut with Double-A Erie will be delayed because of injury (more on that below). Marlins outfielder Monte Harrison (No. 72) is the only other traded prospect starting anew. He was acquired via the Christian Yelich trade and will head to Double-A Jacksonville.
Shortstop Kevin Maitan (No. 87) is a new face for the second year in a row. He made his pro debut last year with the Braves, but was one of a dozen prospects in that system declared a free agent by Major League Baseball in the wake of international signing violations by the organization. Signed by the Angels, he'll make his new debut at some point later this summer after spending time in extended spring training. Also on the international front, Cuban outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez (No. 70) just signed with the Rangers in March and will make his debut later on as well.
Finally, on the domestic front, Tigers 2017 first-round pick Alex Faedo didn't pitch after signing last summer following a long season at the University of Florida. He'll make his official debut in the system with Lakeland in the Class A Advanced Florida State League.
On the shelf
There are 17 prospects on the Top 100 list who would normally be on full-season clubs, but aren't ready to answer the bell. All but one, Forrest Whitley of the Astros, are hurt or are working their way back from injury. Whitley, the No. 9 overall prospect, will serve a 50-game suspension for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Here's the injury report on the remaining 14:
Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox (No. 4): Strained pectoral muscle
Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (No. 17): Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery
Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (No. 18): TJ surgery
Triston McKenzie, RHP, Indians (No. 24): Forearm soreness
Luis Robert, OF, White Sox (No. 28): Left thumb
A.J. Puk, LHP, A's (No. 32): Impending TJ surgery
Franklin Perez, RHP, Tigers (No. 39): Lat strain
Anthony Alford, OF, Blue Jays (No. 47): Right hamstring
Luiz Gohara, LHP, Braves (No. 49): Left ankle
Alec Hansen, RHP, White Sox (No. 54): Forearm soreness
Matt Manning, RHP, Tigers (No. 55): Oblique
Kyle Lewis, OF, Mariners (No. 71): Right knee
Michael Chavis, 3B, Red Sox (No. 80): Oblique
Jay Groome, LHP, Red Sox (No. 85): Flexor strain
Anderson Espinoza, RHP, Padres (No. 89): Rehabbing from TJ surgery
Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Orioles (No. 98): Right hand fracture
The complete list
1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/OF, Angels -- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
2. Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves -- Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Blue Jays -- New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
4. Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox -- Birmingham Barons (AA) -- DL
5. Gleyber Torres, INF, Yankees -- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
6. Victor Robles, OF, Nationals -- Syracuse Chiefs (AAA)
7. Nick Senzel, 3B, Reds -- Louisville Bats (AAA)
8. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, Padres -- San Antonio Missions (AA)
9. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Astros -- Suspended
10. Michael Kopech, RHP, White Sox -- Charlotte Knights (AAA)
11. Francisco Mejia, C, Indians -- Columbus Clippers (AAA)
12. Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers -- Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
13. Bo Bichette, SS/2B, Blue Jays -- New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)
14. Brendan Rodgers, SS/2B, Rockies -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
15. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pirates -- Altoona Curve (AA)
16. Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
17. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals -- St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) - DL
18. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays -- Out for season
19. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
20. Royce Lewis, SS, Twins -- Cedar Rapids Kernels (A)
21. Hunter Greene, RHP, Reds -- Dayton Dragons (A)
22. Willy Adames, SS/2B, Rays -- Durham Bulls (AAA)
23. Austin Hays, OF, Orioles -- Bowie Baysox (AA)
24. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Indians -- Lynchburg Hillcats (A Adv) -- DL
25. Brendan McKay, 1B/LHP, Rays -- Bowling Green Hot Rods (A)
26. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Phillies -- Extended spring training
27. Lewis Brinson, OF, Marlins -- Miami Marlins (MLB)
28. Luis Robert, OF, White Sox -- Winston-Salem Dash (A Adv) -- DL
29. Juan Soto, OF, Nationals -- Hagerstown Suns (A)
30. Kyle Wright, RHP, Braves -- Florida Fire Frogs (A Adv)
31. Mike Soroka, RHP, Braves -- Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)
32. A.J. Puk, LHP, A's -- Nashville Sounds (AAA) -- DL
33. Alex Verdugo, OF, Dodgers -- Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
34. Leody Taveras, OF, Rangers -- Down East Wood Ducks (A Adv)
35. Scott Kingery, UTIL, Phillies -- Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
36. Luis Urias, 2B/SS, Padres -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
37. J.P. Crawford, SS, Phillies -- Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
38. Jack Flaherty, RHP, Cardinals -- Memphis Redbirds (AAA)*
39. Franklin Perez, RHP, Tigers -- Erie SeaWolves (AA) - DL
40. Cal Quantrill, RHP, Padres -- San Antonio Missions (AA)
41. Ryan McMahon, 1B/2B/3B, Rockies -- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
42. Michel Baez, RHP, Padres -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
43. Taylor Trammell, OF, Reds -- Daytona Tortugas (A Adv)
44. Estevan Florial, OF, Yankees -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv)
45. Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
46. Carson Kelly, C, Cardinals -- Memphis Redbirds (AAA)
47. Anthony Alford, OF, Blue Jays -- Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) -- DL
48. Justus Sheffield, LHP, Yankees -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
49. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Braves -- Atlanta Braves (MLB) -- DL
50. Adrian Morejon, LHP, Padres -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
51. Ian Anderson, RHP, Braves -- Florida Fire Frogs (A Adv)
52. Keibert Ruiz, C, Dodgers -- Tulsa Drillers (AA)
53. Willie Calhoun, OF, Rangers -- Round Rock Express (AAA)
54. Alec Hansen, RHP, White Sox -- Birmingham Barons (AA) -- DL
55. Matt Manning, RHP, Tigers -- West Michigan Whitecaps (A) - DL
56. Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers -- Carolina Mudcats (A Adv)
57. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Rays -- Charlotte Stone Crabs (A Adv)
58. Kolby Allard, LHP, Braves -- Gwinnett Stripers (AAA)
59. Alex Faedo, RHP, Tigers -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
60. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, A's -- Stockton Ports (A Adv)
61. Dylan Cease, RHP, White Sox -- Winston-Salem Dash (A Adv)
62. Jo Adell, OF, Angels -- Burlington Bees (A)
63. Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants -- Augusta GreenJackets (A)
64. Jake Bauers, OF/1B, Rays -- Durham Bulls (AAA)
65. Miguel Andujar, 3B, Yankees -- New York Yankees (MLB)
66. Franklin Barreto, SS/2B, A's -- Nashville Sounds (AAA)
67. Shane Baz, RHP, Pirates -- Extended spring training
68. Fernando Romero, RHP, Twins -- Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
69. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers -- Colorado Sky Sox (AAA)
70. Julio Pablo Martinez, OF, Rangers -- Extended spring training -- Dominican Republic
71. Kyle Lewis, OF, Mariners -- Extended spring training
72. Monte Harrison, OF, Marlins -- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AA)
73. Jorge Mateo, SS/OF, A's -- Nashville Sounds (AAA)
74. Jon Duplantier, RHP, D-backs -- Extended spring training
75. Albert Abreu, RHP, Yankees -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv)
76. Chance Adams, RHP, Yankees -- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
77. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Astros -- Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
78. Beau Burrows, RHP, Tigers -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
79. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Twins -- Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)
80. Michael Chavis, 3B, Red Sox -- Portland Sea Dogs (AA) -- DL
81. Nick Gordon, SS/2B, Twins -- Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)
82. Christian Arroyo, 3B/SS, Rays -- Durham Bulls (AAA)
83. Max Fried, LHP, Braves -- Mississippi Braves (AA)
84. Tyler Mahle, RHP, Reds -- Cincinnati Reds (MLB)
85. Jay Groome, LHP, Red Sox -- Greenville Drive (A) -- DL
86. Adonis Medina, RHP, Phillies -- Clearwater Threshers (A Adv)
87. Kevin Maitan, SS, Angels -- Extended spring training
88. Mickey Moniak, OF, Phillies -- Clearwater Threshers (A Adv)
89. Anderson Espinoza, RHP, Padres -- Out for season
90. Carter Kieboom, SS, Nationals -- Potomac Nationals (A Adv)
91. Pavin Smith, 1B, D-backs -- Visalia Rawhide (A Adv)
92. Dane Dunning, RHP, White Sox -- Winston-Salem Dash (A Adv)
93. Jahmai Jones, 2B, Angels -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)
94. Tyler O'Neill, OF, Cardinals -- Memphis Redbirds (AAA)
95. Adam Haseley, OF, Phillies -- Clearwater Threshers (A Adv)
96. Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Brewers -- Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
97. Austin Riley, 3B, Braves -- Mississippi Braves (AA)
98. Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Orioles -- Bowie Baysox (AA) -- DL
99. Blake Rutherford, OF, White Sox -- Winston-Salem Dash (A Adv)
100. Riley Pint, RHP, Rockies -- Asheville Tourists (A)
*Flaherty started the season with the Cardinals but was optioned Wednesday to Triple-A Memphis.