Top 20 Amateur and International MLB Prospects

Every year, there are 30+ new prospects who leap into the top 100. Often times, we can predict who these players will be because they come from amateur or international baseball. In fact, because we can anticipate them being top 100 prospects, or even top 30 in some cases, we ought to rank them as such. Today, I’ll introduce you to my top 20 who are likely to soon make the jump, that way you can add them before their stock is quite a bit higher. Their rankings in my Worldwide Top 500 Prospects are listed with the players.

Honorable Mention: Shintaro Fujinami (#127 overall), RHP, Japan

A year ago, he would have been in the top 10 on this list thanks to four strong seasons to kick off his career and a big 6’5″ frame, but last season he took a substantial step back. The 23-year-old dealt with an injury and struggled with his command as a result. He likely won’t come over for another three years, but there is a decent chance he realizes his potential before it comes to that point.

#20 Jackson Kowar (#125 overall), RHP, Florida

Florida has been churning out high-end pitchers yearly it seems, and this year, we get Kowar and someone even further down the list. The 6’5″ righty has a serious heater and his changeup is tremendous. This gives Kowar the floor of a lights-out closer, and if he can develop his breaking ball, we may be talking about a top 20 fantasy pitcher some day.

#19 Joe Gray (#123 overall), OF, HS (MS)

This time last year, there was talk that Gray might be the best overall player in the draft. He has slid down draft boards does not change the fact that he still possesses that kind of upside. He is full of tools, but is a little further from his potential than other 2018 draft candidates. He may be better served attending Ole Miss to rebuild his draft stock into a top 5 pick and eventually becoming a Mike Cameron like MLB player.

#18 Matthew Liberatore (#113 overall), LHP, HS (AZ)

When you see 6’5″ lefty it is easy to get excited, but Liberatore is much more than just a project with a big frame and big-time velocity. He is a polished pitcher with quality command of multiple pitches and a demeanor well suited to realizing his full potential. With that said, he may not ever be an ace like some of the other names on this list, but he is as good of a bet as any to become a useful fantasy baseball pitcher for years to come.

#17 Seong-Beom Na (#110 overall), OF, So. Korea

Korean baseball is known for it’s inflated hitting statistics, but what Sung-Beom Na has accomplished over the past four seasons is nothing to sneeze at. He just wrapped up a .347/.415/.584 season with 17 stolen bases in 125 games. His tape measure homers will translate well to any ballpark, but his pitch selection may make him more of a Khris Davis type than an all-around star.

#16 Nolan Gorman (#105 overall), 3B, HS (AZ)

While throwing out comps like Kris Bryant is generally frowned upon, that is exactly the type of upside scouts see in Gorman. He has the potential plus-plus power that could lead to multiple 40 homer seasons. With that said, he is not yet consistent and has some holes in his swing, as is true with most young mashers. There is a chance he further breaks out and becomes the top pick in the draft, but it is also possible he has a rough season and opts to attend the University of Arizona rather than signing a contract.

#15 Estanli Castillo (#99 overall), OF, Dominican Rep.

I can honestly say that I have never seen a better swing out of a 15-year-old than what Castillo has to offer. He has a man’s body and possesses tremendous athleticism and coordination. Eventually, his size may move him to first base, but for the time being, he is the July 2nd prospect in the 2018 class and should see a 5 million dollar signing bonus. If you want to imagine who he might become, think Andres Gallaraga.

#14 Shane McClanahan (#98 overall), LHP, So. Florida

The college lefty has flown up draft boards over the past six months and is expected to go within the top 5 at this point. He can reach 97 MPH with his fastball and is expected to fill in his body in the coming years, which might get him to 100 occasionally. He has a chance at three plus pitches, which would make him a bonafide ace, but there are concerns about his mechanics otherwise he might be the consensus #1 pick.

#13 Brice Turang (#95 overall), SS, HS (CA)

The class of 2018 is so loaded that if Turang had been able to come out last year, he would have been in contention to be the #1 overall pick. He has the defensive ability to stick at shortstop in the majors and unlike most high school prospects, his bat does not need much in the way of development. He is as polished as teenagers come and could soar through the minors on his way to becoming a big league star.

#12 Julio Pablo Martinez (#94 overall), OF, Cuba

For quite a while, Martinez has not only been among the top prospects in Cuba, but one of their best players too. He left the country two months ago to establish residency in Haiti, where he has been showcasing for MLB teams. He won’t quite see the 25 million dollars Luis Robert received last summer, but his demand will be significant enough that he may opt to wait until July to sign so that MLB teams are not limited by the 21 and under cap. With Martinez, we’ve got an outfielder in the mold of a Dexter Fowler if he pans out.

#11 Jarred Kelenic (#92 overall), OF, HS (WI)

There were whispers of Kelenic having 1.1 potential, but because he resides in the cold north, we haven’t seen enough of him to know whether he is the real deal. His perceived potential is that of a perennial all-star, however. He is an athletic specimen with top-notch intangibles and five plus tools. Players with this type of talent are rare, so don’t be shocked if he jumps back up the draft board into the top five this spring.

#10 Yusei Kikuchi (#89 overall), LHP, Japan

If Kikuchi performs well in 2018, the Saitama Seibu Lions are planning on posting the 26-year-old. Barring a health injury, a strong season looks like a lock, as he has turned into one of the best arms in Japan. The former top prospect pumps out a 98 MPH fastball and a filthy slider that could make him an ace in America. He has a career 2.76 ERA and broke out last year with 10.4 K/9 and just 5/9 H/9 allowed.

#9 Robert Puason (#85 overall), SS, Dominican Rep.

Some people, no matter how much they wish to win their league, will not stoop to the level of drafting someone who just turned 15. For those of you who just want the next Carlos Correa and don’t care how you got him, take a chance on Puason. Every five years, there is a Miguel Cabrera, Miguel Sano or Kevin Maitan. In 2019, that player will sign with a big league team and it is Puason. The Braves apparently had a handshake agreement with him as a 14-year-old, which is why the league came down so hard on them. He is that special, that an MLB GM risked his livelihood in order to sign him.

#8 Takahiro Norimoto (#81 overall), RHP, Japan

Shoehi Ohtani was dominant both at the plate and on the mound, but when he was on the shelf most of last season, it was Norimoto who was the island’s top pitcher. He tore up MLB all-stars when he had the chance, and has been a strikeout machine in Japan. In fact, his career trajectory is near-identical to what we saw from Yu Darvish. If Ohtani hadn’t hogged the spotlight, the industry might be talking about him as the next big thing. He should be coming over next winter.

#7 Kumar Rocker (#77 overall), RHP, HS (GA)

At this point, it seems as though Rocker will be drafted in the mid-first round if he does not hold out for a larger signing bonus or choose to attend college. It might make sense for him to do that, however, because he has more potential than any player in the draft. At 6’5″, 250 with an upper-90’s fastball, he has the makings of being a legitimate ace, but until MLB clubs see him put it all together, he is more of a project than a sure-fire big leaguer.

#6 Nander de Sedas (#75 overall), SS, HS (FL)

The kid is a quality defender, but as he fills out, Nander will likely be better suited for 3rd base. That is just fine, however, because the bat will play anywhere. He is a switch hitter with plus power, and assuming health, we could be talking about a special young player similar to what we have been seeing in Domingo Santana, but in the infield.

#5 Seth Beer (#69 overall), 1B, Clemson

If you have been paying close attention, you may have noticed that Beer’s draft stock has fallen off considerably. He went from being the best college hitter of all time and a near-lock to go 1.1 to, well, still being the best college hitter of all time and a late-end first round pick. So what changed? He moved from outfield to first base, and MLB teams never spend a high 1st round pick on first basemen. Plus, he struggled with wood bats in a small sample size so scouts have been panicking. I’d imagine his .506 on-base percentage and .651 slugging percentage will translate just fine, however.

#4 Yoelkis Cespedes (#66 overall), OF, Cuba

Yes, Cuba’s top prospect is the younger half-brother of Yoenis Cespedes. In fact, scouts believe he is further along as a 20-year-old than was Yoenis. That isn’t to say he has the same ceiling or will morph into the MLB all-star Yoenis did, but to even be in the conversation tells you everything you need to know. They are not the same type of player, however, Yoelkis is much smaller and a better comp for his ceiling would be what we saw in Melvin Upton’s younger years.

#3 Bobby Witt Jr. (#61 overall), SS, HS (TX)

While Witt isn’t quite in the Bryce Harper, Ken Griffey Jr. phenom category, he is the clear-cut top high school talent for next year’s 2019 MLB draft. Scouts have suggested that he is as close to a true five-tool talent as you can find. He’s got plus power, an impressive bat and will unquestionably be able to stick at shortstop in the big leagues. Most impressive, however, is his 80-grade speed which is why comps to Trea Turner make sense.

#2 Ethan Hankins (#59 overall), RHP, HS (GA)

This 6’6″ high school senior has exploded into the first round conversation and lept to within the top five. Barring any injuries, he has the stuff to be a top of the rotation talent. He’s got a blazing fastball and feel for spinning multiple off-speed pitches. There is a chance he goes #1 overall and would immediately become a top 25 prospect.

#1 Brady Singer (#37 overall), RHP, Florida

As it stands now, Singer is expected to go first overall by virtually every site or publication in the industry. That does not mean he is a lock, as injuries, busts, signing issues or another players breakout are all possible. With that said, he still has 1.1 type of stuff with command of three potential plus pitches and strong intangibles that have front offices drooling. His 6’5″ lanky frame could add some muscles and a few ticks to his 95 MPH fastball as well.

Thanks for reading, and remember that you can shoot me a prospects question any time on twitter.

Top Farm Systems and Top 10 Prospects by Team

.