Another MLB season, another crop of impact rookies. Last year, we were introduced to several budding superstars in the American League, including Julio Rodríguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman, to name just a few. The 2022 rookie class also included Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider, the top two rookies in the National League, who will be staples in Atlanta for years to come.
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This year’s class has its own firepower, highlighted by outfielders Jordan Walker of the Cardinals and Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks, infielders Anthony Volpe of the Yankees and Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles, and two big-name offseason signings from Japan, outfielder Masataka Yoshida of the Red Sox and right-hander Kodai Senga of the Mets. It also includes a talented trio from the Brewers: outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Joey Wiemer and second baseman Brice Turang.
How do all of these top rookies, and their peers, stack up at the start of the season? Here’s my breakdown of the top 23 rookies who are in the big leagues right now, along with my scouting grades of their tools. I also reached out to each player’s organization and have included quotes on their abilities from their president of baseball operations, general manager and/or manager.
Jim Bowden’s scouting grades are based on the 20-80 scale, in which 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. PWR denotes Power; FLD: Fielding; FB: Fastball; CB: Curveball; CH: Changeup; SLI: Slider; CT: Cutter; CTL: Control; CMND: Command.
1. Jordan Walker, RF, Cardinals
Age: 20
B: R T: R
HT: 6-6 WT: 245
Draft: 2020, St. Louis, Round 1 (21st overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 70 RUN: 50 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
Jordan Walker impressed me so much I picked him to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award back in August of last year. The odds were against him to make the Cardinals’ big-league team out of spring training because he was changing positions (from third base to right field) and was “stuck behind” a number of talented outfielders, including Tyler O’Neill, Lars Nootbaar, Dylan Carlson, Alec Burleson, and Juan Yepez. However, Walker had a strong spring, offensively and defensively, going 18-for-65 with five doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs and two stolen bases while playing well in the outfield, and he eventually won the full-time job in right field. Walker has few holes at the plate, which is remarkable given his age and 6-foot-6 frame. He profiles as a future .300 hitter with a .400 on-base percentage and the power to hit 30-plus home runs in a season. In spring training, Nolan Arenado told me how impressed he was with Walker because of how hard he consistently hits the ball. He’s a superstar in the making.
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Cardinals GM Michael Girsch: “It’s obviously only been a few games, but Jordan does not look like a 20-year-old in the box. He’s not chasing out of the zone; he’s not missing in the zone and he’s hitting the ball hard. Small sample, but Jordan is off to an encouraging start.”
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak: “Jordan is showing plate discipline and making consistent hard contact, which produced impressive offensive numbers in the spring.”
2. Corbin Carroll, LF, Diamondbacks
Age: 22
B: L T: L
HT: 5-10 WT: 165
Draft: 2019, Arizona, Round 1 (16th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 50 RUN: 75 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
Corbin Carroll has been mostly batting fifth in the Diamondbacks’ lineup to start the season, but I see him eventually landing in either the 1 or 2 hole. He has special bat-to-ball skills and profiles as a player who could win future batting titles. He has surprising power for his size and is one of the fastest players in baseball (100th percentile in sprint speed). He’s 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts so far and should finish the season in the 40 range. Carrroll is playing left field for the Diamondbacks because they have Alek Thomas, a better defender, in center field, but Carroll is capable of playing center too. I love his short, compact swing, which reminds me some of Jose Altuve’s, but a left-handed version.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen: “We’ve seen his speed and defense play pretty quickly and it’s a big part of our offensive identity so that’s good to see.”
3. Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees
Age: 21
B: R T: R
HT: 5-9 WT: 182
Draft: 2019, New York Yankees, Round 1 (30th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 55 RUN: 60 ARM: 50 FLD: 50
Anthony Volpe was the surprise of spring training when he left no doubt in winning the Yankees’ shortstop job by outplaying everyone else. In his time at Double A and Triple A last year, Volpe hit 21 home runs, stole 50 bases in 57 attempts and reached base at a 34 percent clip. Those kinds of numbers should translate to the majors in time. His high baseball IQ, energy and enthusiasm are significant factors; he adds a spark that the Yankees lineup was missing last year. He also will provide important traffic on the bases when the lineup turns over, which should lead to more two- and three-run homers than the Yankees hit last year.
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Yankees GM Brian Cashman: “Volpe’s makeup would allow anyone to believe he will be an overachiever — and that says a lot because of his above-average tools on both sides of the ball. He simply will find a way by sheer determination and work ethic to maximize his talents and put himself in a position to be consistently successful.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone: “Smart player. Fearless. Great intangibles. Elite base runner. Athletic and really controls the strike zone.”
4. Gunnar Henderson, 3B, Orioles
Gunnar Henderson (Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today)
Age: 21
B: L T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 220
Draft: 2019, Baltimore, Round 2 (42nd overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 60 RUN: 50 ARM: 70 FLD: 50
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde turned heads on Opening Day when he started Gunnar Henderson at DH rather than in the infield. Yes, Ramón Urías won a Gold Glove Award at third base last year and Jorge Mateo is a much better defensive shortstop than Henderson, but to not play Henderson every day in the field is puzzling given the Orioles are trying to develop their young players into a championship-caliber team. Henderson will have growing pains, like a lot of young rookies, but his upside is so great. His focus stands out. He profiles as a 50-double, 25-home run type hitter. Third base will be his best position long-term, but he could also be an everyday shortstop if the Orioles decide to go down that path.
Orioles GM Mike Elias: “I think what is most noteworthy with Gunnar right now is how much better we still expect him to get. He’s still the youngest player in the American League. He’s already flashed five plus tools, but he’s also got a great eye, which is what gives him a chance to be special. Between the canceled 2020 (minor-league) season and his quick rise through the minors, he still does not have many plate appearances under his belt. It’s going to be fun watching him develop while also helping us win.”
5. Masataka Yoshida, LF, Red Sox
Age: 29
B: L T: R
HT: 5-8 WT: 179
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Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 50 RUN: 45 ARM: 45 FLD: 45
First of all, I don’t think Masataka Yoshida should be considered a rookie since he’s 29 years old and has seven years of experience in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. That issue needs to be addressed because it’s not fair to rookies who are actually playing their first full season in the big leagues. However, since he is eligible, I must include him on this list. The Red Sox gave Yoshida a five-year, $90 million deal, and my initial impression is it was money well spent. He has tremendous bat-to-ball skills, elite plate discipline, and surprising power for his frame. My early take is that he looks close to an average defender in left field. But his hit tool cannot be questioned, and with the infield shift ban, he should be a .300 hitter. He also has strong makeup. Yoshida went opposite field for his first home run as a Red Sox, over the Green Monster at 104.6 mph off a 96.2 mph fastball that was 3.46 feet high, according to Statcast; that made him the only left-handed hitter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008) to hit a ball over the left-field wall at Fenway Park off a pitch that hard and that high.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom: “I believe we shouldn’t judge anythingbased on four games, but he’s been exactly what we hoped. Just 20 plate appearances, but he has a 50 percent hard-hit rate, has only struck out once despite facing 40 percent left-handed pitching, and his defense has been solid.”
6. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles
Age: 23
B: L T: R
HT: 6-5 WT: 235
Draft: 2018, Baltimore, Round 1 (11th overall)
Scouting grades: FB: 70 CB: 50 SLI: 65 CH: 70 CTL: 55 CMND: 60
The Orioles gave Grayson Rodriguez a real shot to make the big-league team out of spring training, but he started the season in the minors because of a lack of control and command. However, he was quickly called up and made his major-league debut Wednesday, allowing two runs in five innings, with five strikeouts and one walk. Rodriguez is arguably the best pitching prospect in the game, with a triple-digit fastball, a wipeout slider, and an elite changeup with deceptive late “dead fish” dive. He has Cy Young Award caliber/ace upside.
Elias: “Grayson has all the ingredients to be a front-line starter: five quality pitches, command, size, minor-league performance, and most of all, he is Texas tough between the ears. Considering the canceled 2020 (minor-league) season and missing time for injury, he has moved quickly (through the farm system) and is positioned to be a positive contributor for us in 2023.”
7. Francisco Álvarez, C/DH, Mets
Age: 21
B: R T: R
HT: 5-10 WT: 233
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Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 70 RUN: 40 ARM: 55 FLD: 45
The Mets are calling up Francisco Álvarez (Omar Narváez is headed to the injured list with a left calf strain), so I added the 21-year-old to this list at the last minute. Álvarez is the Mets’ top prospect and he will develop into a middle-of-the-order masher. He has elite bat speed and tremendous strength from his forearm and wrists; that combination helps him generate consistent and loud sweet-spot contact. He still needs to improve in working the count and finding his pitch early in counts. But his bat alone will punch his ticket to All-Star games in the future. As a bat-first catcher, he must keep working on his defense, including his game-calling and pitch-framing.
8. Kodai Senga, RHP, Mets
Kodai Senga (Rhona Wise / USA Today)
Age: 30
B: L T: R
HT: 6-1 WT: 200
Scouting grades: FB: 60 Ghost Fork: 70 Sweeper Slider: 45 CT: 45 CTL: 50 CMND: 55
Like Yoshida, I don’t think Kodai Senga should be considered a rookie, but let’s move on. The Mets did a good job in landing Senga on a five-year, $75 million deal in the offseason. His best pitch is a “ghost forkball,” which is special — not just because of how much it drops at the last second, but also because he can throw it at so many different speeds and can locate it in and out of the strike zone. His fastball is mostly in the high-90s, and he also has a cutter and a sweeping slider. He has large hands and fingers. Senga pitched 11 years in NPB and went 87-44 with a 2.59 ERA in 1,089 innings. Last year, pitching for two teams, he went 11-6 with a 2.31 ERA in 148 innings (23 starts). In watching him so far, the only question I have is how consistent his control and command will be from start to start.
Mets GM Billy Eppler: “Kodai has continued to improve and acclimate (to MLB). He’s consistently been sitting in the mid- to upper-90s with his fastball, his forkball is a true swing-and-miss weapon, and he’s rounding out his mix with a sweeper and cutter that we believe will be effective. We’ve been impressed not only by his physical tools but also by what we continue to learn about his makeup; he’s already exhibited the toughness and resilience that allowed him to be an impact player throughout his career.”
9. Triston Casas, 1B, Red Sox
Age: 23
B: L T: R
HT: 6-4 WT: 250
Draft: 2018, Boston, Round 1 (26th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 40 ARM: 60 FLD: 55
Triston Casas had a strong spring training, going 19-for-57 with 12 runs scored, five doubles, four home runs, 10 RBIs and a slash line of .333/.381/.632. I’m impressed with his ability to take pitches and draw walks. He’s also displayed plus defense at first base with above-average range. He’s going to hit, and it looks like he’ll have power in the 20-home run range to start, with possibly more as he develops.
Red Sox GM Brian O’Halloran: “Triston continues to put up good at-bats, avoiding chasing pitches outside the zone and earning walks at a high clip. Over time this approach should serve him well. He has also played well at first base.”
10. Josh Jung, 3B, Rangers
Age: 25
B: R T: R
HT: 6-2 WT: 217
Draft: 2019, Texas, Round 1 (8th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 55 RUN: 40 ARM: 55 FLD: 50
There is no doubt Josh Jung is going to hit, and with power. Jung had a strong spring training, hitting .321 with five doubles, one triple, three home runs and six RBIs in 58 plate appearances. He hit his first home run of the season Sunday night, absolutely crushing a pitch from Phillies lefty Bailey Falter in a display of his opposite-field power. Defensively, Jung profiles as a slightly below-average defender at third base, but with a plus arm. Because of the desire and work ethic he’s shown, he should be able to become an average defensive third baseman in time. However, his bat will carry him; of note, his hard-hit rate to start the year is 46.7 percent.
Rangers GM Chris Young: “Josh continues to learn and grow with every game. We have seen improvement in his approach at the plate and very solid defense at third base. His confidence is growing in all areas of his game and we are excited about his progress.”
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy: “(He’s) intense and loves the game. Defensive-minded as much as offensive-minded. Dangerous at the plate.”
11. Esteury Ruiz, CF, A’s
Esteury Ruiz (Kyle Terada / USA Today)
Age: 24
B: R T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 171
Scouting grades: HIT: 45 PWR: 40 RUN: 80 ARM: 45 FLD: 55
Esteury Ruiz was the headliner in the three-team trade this past offseason that involved the A’s and Brewers and sent catcher Sean Murphy to the Braves. One of the fastest players in the game, Ruiz is capable of leading the league in stolen bases if he can get on base enough. He has tremendous range in center field but doesn’t always get the best jumps, though he makes up for it with his blazing speed, already making a catch in right-center field that one could argue is the best catch of the year so far. He made the A’s big-league team out of spring training after going 15-for-46 with two home runs, 17 RBIs and six stolen bases in seven attempts. How good can he be? Well, last year, between Double A and Triple A, he hit .332 with 16 home runs and 85 stolen bases; if that were to translate to the majors, he might become one of the sport’s premier leadoff hitters.
A’s GM David Forst: “Esteury won the job with his spring performance and has shown he’s not afraid of being thrown right into the mix in the big leagues. His at-bats have been an impressive mix of patience and aggression, and he obviously has the ability to impact the game with his legs and his glove.”
12. Brice Turang, 2B, Brewers
Age: 23
B: L T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 174
Draft: 2018, Milwaukee, Round 1 (21st overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 45 RUN: 60 ARM: 55 FLD: 60
Brice Turang looks like a future All-Star second baseman with an above-average hit tool, well-above-average speed, a strong arm, and good range on defense to his right and left. He and shortstop Willy Adames are fun to watch turning double plays. Like Adames, he plays with high energy and enthusiasm.
Brewers GM Matt Arnold: “Turang has such an advanced approach at the plate; he’s constantly pushing pitchers deep in counts and battles each at-bat like a veteran. We’ve already seen him making great plays defensively in all directions and is such a nice (double-play) partner with Willy Adames.”
13. Logan O’Hoppe, C, Angels
Age: 23
B: R T: R
HT: 6-2 WT: 188
Draft: 2018, Philadelphia, Round 23 (677th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 55 RUN: 40 ARM: 55 FLD: 55
The Angels acquired Logan O’Hoppe, their long-term solution at catcher, at last year’s trade deadline in a deal with the Phillies for center fielder Brandon Marsh. O’Hoppe is an above-average defensive catcher with well-above-average game-calling, pitch-blocking and pitch-framing. He has a solid, accurate arm that benefits from a quick release. He’s a leader. Offensively, O’Hoppe has a good approach with special plate discipline and the ability to work counts, draw walks and avoid strikeouts. He also has 20-plus-home run power.
Angels GM Perry Minasian: “Logan had a productive first series (against the A’s). Hopefully he continues to build off that.”
14. Ezequiel Tovar, SS, Rockies
Age: 21
B: R T: R
HT: 6-0 WT: 165
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 45 RUN: 55 ARM: 60 FLD: 70
Ezequiel Tovar is only 21 years old but he’s already an above-average defensive shortstop with the potential of someday winning a Gold Glove Award thanks to his quick feet, soft hands and a plus arm from every angle. His bat is solid and continues to develop, but he needs to keep improving his plate discipline and ability to draw walks. He has the potential todevelop into an All-Star caliber shortstop in time.
Rockies GM Bill Schmidt: “Defensively Ezequiel has the tools to develop into a well-above-average shortstop. (His) hands are soft and sure. (His) feet are quick with above-average range. His arm is above average. … Offensively, I believe with time he has the chance to be a solid major-league hitter with the ability to hit for some power. Speed-wise he is an average runner. … He is very mature for his age. Very calm, with good instincts. I believe in time he is going to be one of the better shortstops in our game.”
15. Garrett Mitchell, CF, Brewers
Garrett Mitchell (Benny Sieu / USA Today)
Age: 24
B: L T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 225
Draft: 2020, Milwaukee, Round 1 (20th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 45 RUN: 75 ARM: 60 FLD: 60
Garrett Mitchell is one of the fastest players in the majors, and he has the 99th percentile sprint speed ranking to prove it. He’s an above-average center fielder but doesn’t always get the best reads and jumps or take the best angles on balls, but he makes up for it with blazing speed that results in incredible range. He also has a strong arm. At the plate, he’ll hit for more power once he learns how to lift the ball. He exudes positivity.
Arnold: “Mitchell is someone who dominates the game physically on both sides of the ball. He has such good athleticism that he challenges opponents every time the ball is in play, both on offense and defense. His positive energy, on and off the field, is something that is palpable within our clubhouse.”
16. Miguel Vargas, 2B, Dodgers
Age: 23
B: R T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 208
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 55 RUN: 50 ARM: 55 FLD: 45
The Dodgers are committed to giving multiple rookie players the opportunity this year to break into their lineup. Exhibit A is Miguel Vargas, and they’ve planned all along for him to become their everyday second baseman. He has not disappointed, showing a strong work ethic to improve his defense. Vargas has an above-average hit tool. He sprays hits all around the field and has the ability to pull the ball out of the ballpark. He’s a hit-first second baseman, but because of his impressive makeup, should be an overachiever on defense.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes: “Miguel has had the hit gene from day one when we met him at Camelback Ranch. He’s always had the ability to use the opposite field, and we felt it was a really strong foundation for future success. As he added strength, he was able to develop pull-side power, which now allows him to cover multiple pitches and locations with the ability to play to the game situation and count within each at bat. He has also put in an incredible amount of work at second base, starting at the beginning of the offseason, and we are seeing real dividends from that diligence already.”
17. Oscar Colás, RF, White Sox
Age: 24
B: L T: L
HT: 5-11 WT: 210
Scouting grades: HIT: 55 PWR: 60 RUN: 45 ARM: 60 FLD: 50
In January 2022, the White Sox signed Oscar Colás out of Cuba for $2.7 million with the thought that he could be their long-term solution in right field and provide much-needed left-handed power for their lineup. Last year, he played at three levels in the minors (High A, Double A, Triple A) and slashed .314/.371/.524 with 23 doubles, 24 home runs and 79 RBIs. The White Sox gave him an opportunity to win the starting job in spring training, which he did by hitting .258 with three home runs in 68 plate appearances. However, it wasn’t a seamless spring; he made some fundamental mistakes on the basepaths and in the field (occasionally not hitting the cut-off man). Nonetheless, Colás is the starting right fielder for the White Sox, and he’s off to a solid start, going 6-for-22 (.273) with a stolen base and two multi-hit games.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn: “He’s a hard-working kid who spent a good portion of his offseason working with our coaches on his swing decisions, which (showed) in camp. He’s also been diligent in working daily on the fundamentals of his defensive game. To his credit, he’s eager to learn and is using any mistakes he’s made as opportunities to get better.”
18. Hunter Brown, RHP, Astros
Age: 24
HT: 6-2 WT: 215
Draft: 2019, Houston, Round 5 (166th overall)
Scouting grades: FB: 65 CT: 55 CB: 60 SLI: 55 CH: 45 CTL: 45 CMND: 45
Hunter Brown certainly has the raw stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse-type starter. His fastball sits in the high-90s and his cutter in the low-90s. His breaking stuff plays when he can control and command it. However, thus far in his career, he’s had a high walk rate — 4.4 per nine innings in the minors and 3.6 per nine in the majors. He must improve his control to reach his potential, which he should be able to do in time.
Dana Brown Astros GM: “Power arm, up to 97 (mph) with a power cutter up to 92. A quality changeup that is getting better. Good strong frame and average athlete with a good delivery. Good competitor. Talented enough to be a solid third starter who will eat up some innings. Overall, (the) total package of stuff (and) feel to pitch with good makeup and competitiveness. I’m all-in on Hunter Brown.”
19. James Outman, OF, Dodgers
James Outman (Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today)
Age: 25
B: L T: R
HT: 6-3 WT: 215
Draft: 2018, Los Angeles Dodgers, Round 7 (224th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 45 PWR: 55 RUN: 60 ARM: 60 FLD: 60
When the Dodgers drafted James Outman in 2018, I wasn’t sure he was going to hit enough to be an everyday player in the majors, but he has proven me wrong. Outman constantly wants to learn to improve his game in all areas, and he’s always had the tools to be an impact player if he could hit. He’s made adjustments to his swing, his approach at the plate and even his mental approach to the game. He had a strong spring training, slashing .283/.391/.566 with four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs. He’s a tremendous athlete with above-average raw power and speed. He plays with energy and can play all three outfield positions with a plus arm and range.
Gomes: “James has always been an elite athlete and over the years he has worked tirelessly to develop his swing and approach. Every time we would challenge him to work on an area of growth, he would tackle it head-on and attack it until it became a strength. We are seeing his athleticism and instincts in the outfield as well as on the bases. He’s a true student of the game. He’s also a great teammate and brings real energy to the team.”
20. Joey Wiemer, OF, Brewers
Age: 24
B: R T: R
HT: 6-4 WT: 220
Draft: 2020, Milwaukee, Round 4 (121st overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 45 PWR: 60 RUN: 60 ARM: 75 FLD: 55
We must start by admiring Joey Wiemer’s throwing arm, which brings back memories of Red Sox right fielder Dwight Evans in the 1970s. Wiemer has a gun and opposing base runners better not challenge him because it will not end well for them. A good overall defensive player, he is not afraid to dive for every ball that’s in reach. Wiemer does have some swing-and-miss in his game, but also well-above-average raw power when he connects. He’s a plus runner who can steal a base. Bottom line: His hitting will determine how good of a player he becomes.
Arnold: “Wiemer is another very athletically gifted player (on the Brewers), who also shows great instincts on the bases and on defense. We’ve already seen him make several great plays in the outfield, and he plays with an energy that our fans love.”
21. Kyle Muller, LHP, A’s
Age: 25
HT: 6-7 WT: 253
Draft: 2016, Atlanta, Round 2 (44th overall)
Scouting grades: FB: 60 CB: 55 SLI: 60 CH: 40 CTL: 45 CMND: 50
Kyle Muller was the other headliner, along with Ruiz, in the three-team trade that sent Murphy to Atlanta. He has three plus pitches, including an upper-90s fastball and an above-average slider, which is his best breaking pitch. Control and command have always been an issue because it’s difficult for him to repeat his release point with a 6-foot-7 frame. However, he looks like he’s making adjustments and pitching more to contact, throwing more strikes and trusting his defense behind him.
A’s GM David Forst: “Muller didn’t flinch at an opening-night assignment against (Shohei) Ohtani. He showed poise and character that will serve him well as he works to refine his command of three major-league-quality pitches.”
22. Dylan Dodd, LHP, Braves
Age: 24
HT: 6-2 WT: 210
Draft: 2021, Atlanta, Round 3 (96th overall)
Scouting grades: FB: 55 SLI: 55 CH: 55 CTL: 60 CMND: 55
Dylan Dodd was one of the many surprises in spring training, as he started behind Michael Soroka, Ian Anderson, Jared Shuster and Bryce Elder on the Braves’ rotation depth chart in the competition for the fourth and fifth starter spots. Well, he beat them all out with an impressive spring showing, going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances, and 20 strikeouts to just four walks in 18 innings. Dodd has tremendous control and command and seems to always be ahead in the count. He has a great rhythm on the mound with veteran poise and composure.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos: “Dylan is a strike-thrower with a three-pitch mix. Works fast and attacks the zone. He had a great spring training and opened a lot of eyes to eventually making the Opening Day rotation.”
23. Spencer Steer, 3B, Reds
Age: 25
B: R T: R
HT: 5-11 WT: 188
Draft: 2019, Minnesota, Round 3 (90th overall)
Scouting grades: HIT: 50 PWR: 50 RUN: 50 ARM: 50 FLD: 50
Spencer Steer was part of the trade package the Reds received for dealing starter Tyler Mahle to the Twins at least year’s trade deadline. He’s the definition of an average major-league player with average tools across the board. Last year, between Double A and Triple A, he hit .274 with 30 doubles, 23 home runs and 75 RBIs. He’s been solid defensively at third base so far this year.
Reds GM Nick Krall: “Excellent worker that takes good at-bats and can play all over the diamond. Playing mostly third base this year and steadily improved his defense throughout the spring.”
(Top image: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; Photos: Joe Puetz, John E. Moore III and New York Yankees / Getty Images)
