League Leaders:
Runs: Braves catcher prospect, Alex Jackson and A’s Sheldon Neuse are tied with five a piece.
- Jackson spent time in High-A before finishing 2017 with 110 at bats at Double-A. He batted .267 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI and 56 runs in 367 at bats across both levels
- Neuse hit .321 with 16 home runs, 14 stolen bases, 79 runs and 70 runs across three minor league levels but has yet to play above Double-A.
Home runs: David Bote leads the league with three home runs, five runs and six RBI’s and a .600 average over 18 at bats in five games. Bote also tops the leaderboard with 10 hits. He played in the low level minors last season and hit with 14 home runs, five steals, 65 runs and 59 RBI in 470 at bats
RBI: Yankees Billy McKinney leads the pack with nine RBI. He split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season and combined to hit .338 with 16 home runs, two stolen bases, 64 RBI and 66 runs in 441 at bats
Stolen Bases: White Sox Tito Polo has the most stolen bases with three, but has been caught twice. In 2017 Polo stole 34 bases and got caught 10 times across three minor league levels.
Lenny’s Take:
Orioles Yoan Lopez will be a good reliever for Baltimore.
- He continues to impress me with great mound presence and delivery after seeing him pitch for the second time.
Orioles Ryan Mountcastle is big, 6’3, and plays a good third base.
- His bat is growing on since I watched him last week.
Orioles Tanner Scott overthrew first base and looked out of sync trying to pick off a runner. He only pitched two mediocre innings, but he looks comfortable and throws hard.
St Louis Cardinals Sandy Alcantara didn’t look great when I saw him last week, but settled down to look impressive.
- Scouts I talked to love his stuff and ability to throw 95+ with ease
- I believe he will be a starter, not a closer
St Louis Cardinals Andrew Knizner is a solid first baseman with power.
- Appears very strong at 6’1 and 200 pounds.
- His swing stood out because of his ability to time pitches
Yankees Justus Sheffield reminds me of Johan Santana.
- He throws hard with a nice demeanor
- I watched his second dominating start and I am really high on Sheffield
I have seen Yankees Estevan Florial three times and on every occasion he has looked like a real player
- He stands out above most with his skill and field presence
- He has hit second, third and seventh in the order so far
Mets Kevin Kaczmarski has grown on me
- He got three hits the first time i saw him, and the next time i saw him I wasn’t impressed.
- After game three, I have come to really like him as a complementary spark plug who makes good contact and can run
Red Sox Henry Owens just doesn’t throw hard enough to be anything more than a lefty specialist
Padres Josh Naylor has a huge swing and makes decent contact.
- Potential to be a decent first baseman with power
Padres Luis Urias plays a very good shortstop and could force Fernando Tatis to move to third base.
- He makes contact and runs very well
- Looks like a winner
- Good SB potential
Blue Jays Lourdes Gurriell looks out of place as a 6’2 shortstop but still plays the position well
- He hit a tremendous home run and just looks like a good hitter
- Interesting potential here
Chicago Cubs David Bote reminded me of Brian Dozier playing second base back when I saw him playing in the Arizona Fall League.
- Very smart and alert player
- has power and makes good contact
- decent speed
Houston Astros Kyle Tucker has the size at 6’4, 190 pounds and already has the hype.
- Seems strange to see a player follow through on his swing and keep both hands gripping the bat
Charlie Lau, the great hitting coach, always preached the one handed release on the follow through. This little quirk has me troubled but Tucker has produced at each minor league level. Jury still out!
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