Shortstops Corey Seager and Trea Turner were the top two rookies in the National League in 2016, but neither will be available for selection in the upcoming MMDA draft. That's because both were first-round picks last year following September callups in 2015.
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| Yoan Moncada might be the most dynamic power-speed prospect in baseball |
Despite the fact that this year's draft lacks Seager and Turner, two of the game's most promising young shortstops, it is not deficient in talent overall. For example, the only two American League players to receive first-place votes in rookie of the year balloting—Tigers righthander Michael Fulmer and Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez—are both draft eligible. So are the other five AL players to receive ROY votes.
The depth of the 2016 rookie crop is impressive, but of course not every rookie receives a card from Strat—and only carded players may be drafted in the MMDA. Still, just think how much better this year's draft class would look if some of the following rookies were eligible for selection.
To repeat: The following players made their big league debuts in 2016 but are not eligible for the MMDA draft in February. Keep tabs on them for the 2018 draft, because I can't be wrong about all of them.
Moncada went just 4-for-19 with 12 strikeouts during a September callup with the Red Sox, but he has few rivals in terms of physical ability, not to mention a long list of credentials. The 21-year-old Cuban claimed the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year award in 2016, for a season he spent at high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland. In 106 games overall Moncada hit .294/.407/.511 with 15 home runs, 37 doubles-plus-triples, 45 stolen bases and 72 walks. Just don't expect him to win any Gold Gloves.
The Red Sox traded Moncada and three other prospects to the White Sox for Chris Sale at the 2016 Winter Meetings.
2. Jose De Leon, rhp, Dodgers
Batters saw the ball well out of De Leon's hand during his first four big league starts. They lit him up for 19 hits, including five home runs, and a 6.35 ERA in 17 innings. However, De Leon is coming off an historic strikeout performance at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he fanned nearly 33 percent of batters while working as a starter. Only a handful of Triple-A starters have ever cleared 30 percent in a season of 80 or more innings.
3. Lucas Giolito, rhp, Nationals (now White Sox)
What happened to Giolioto's fastball? This is the question the Nationals no longer face after trading him and two other prospects to the White Sox for Adam Eaton at the 2016 Winter Meetings. Singled out for the velocity and quality of his fastball in the past, Giolito allowed a .350 average and near-1.200 OPS when throwing his heater in the big leagues in 2016. Caveat: He threw just 21 innings, and he does enough other things well to remain interesting.
4. David Paulino, rhp, Astros
Pilfered from the Tigers at the 2013 trade deadline, Paulino had Tommy John surgery soon after becoming Astros property. Houston knew that was the case but decided the wait was worth it. So far, so good. Paulino shows remarkable control for a 6-foot-7 pitcher and he can miss bats with three pitch types. The final hurdle for his development is durability, for he has not topped 100 innings in any pro season.
5. Jorge Alfaro, c, Phillies
Alfaro's value is tied to his strong arm behind the plate and projected ability to hit about .260 with 15-20 home runs and very few walks. This would make him more of a contributor than an outright Strat star, but that's obviously valuable. Alfaro is a fast runner for a catcher, so his big league managers will fight the urge to run him into the ground, a la Jason Kendall or the early portion of J.T. Realmuto's career.
6. Raimel Tapia, cf, Rockies
Rockies prospects play in nice hitters' parks on their trek to Denver, but even still Tapia stands out as a career .317 hitter who has always been young for his level. He also has plus wheels and good range in center field. Tapia has areas to improve, such as walk rate and stolen-base efficiency, but he might wind up being vaguely reminiscent of Juan Pierre.
7. Carson Kelly, c, Cardinals
The Cardinals drafted Kelly as a third baseman in 2012 and converted him to catcher after two pro seasons. He didn't hit—at all—in 2014 or 2015 in Class A ball, but an encouraging 2016 that included a September callup validates St. Louis' conversion plan. Kelly should be a well-balanced, but not great, Strat option at catcher.
8. Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Cubs
A switch-hitting third baseman who can defend the position and throw, Canedlario offers a varied skill set that includes a bit of everything except speed. He won't have any place to call home in the Cubs' crowded infield, so he would certainly welcome a trade—as would whichever MMDA manager drafts him in 2018!
9. German Marquez, rhp, Rockies
I might be underselling the 6-foot-1 Venezuelan righthander here, because he throws a lot of strikes and keeps the ball off the barrel very well for a young strikeout pitcher. His 4.35 ERA at Triple-A Albuquerque was actually about 20 percent better than the Pacific Coast League average after adjusting for ballpark.
10. Carson Fulmer, rhp, White Sox
Forget his big league debut. OK, go ahead and ignore his entire pro career up to this point. The White Sox attempted their trademark rush job on Fulmer, the second college righthander off the board in the 2015 draft, but he wasn't as ready as 2010 pick Chris Sale or 2014 pick Carlos Rodon to make an immediate impact. That's OK. Baseball men still rave about Fulmer's stuff and demeanor. Don't be surprised if he replaces David Robertson as Chicago's closer.
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