The Baseball Prospectus Prospect Staff, led by my bffl Craig Goldstein, released their Midseason Top 50 Prospects List update today. There are four Red Sox on it, which is a very good thing. You can probably guess the names, but odds are you’ll be heartened by just how high some of these guys rank.
Yoan Moncada weighs in at no. 2, with BP citing his “explosive power/speed combination.” That seems about right for a 21-year-old with a SLG of .500+ and 39 steals across High-A and Double-A this season.
Andrew Benintendi is next up at no. 11, and BP praises him as a player capable of “maintaining a high average, getting on base and slugging the ball.” He now checks in as the third-best OF prospect in baseball.
The Sox snuck one more player into the top 20 with Rafael Devers ending up at no. 19. BP says “his plus hit and plus power tools make for a special profile,” especially if he can stick at third base.
Finally, Anderson Espinoza is the lone Sox pitcher on the list (what a bummy organization), coming in at no. 24. BP says his stuff is “ridiculously advanced,” citing a double-plus fastball and two potential plus secondary offerings.
Let’s just not talk about the fact that Manny Margot ranks at no. 16 here, and instead let’s celebrate! You can read the full list with more in-depth commentary here. Enjoy!
Photo by Kelly O’Connor/USA Today Sports Images
I would have thought Moncada would be at #1. He’s fast and very talented. Maybe it’s just his position holding him from the top spot.