We havn’t even returned the 60-day DL players back to the active roster, and Baseball America goes and drops its first pre-2024 analysis. They released their pre-2024 top 10, plus their list of “best tools” and their stab at a 2027 roster for the team.
Here’s the top 10 and some quick thoughts.
| BA pre-2024 top 10 | Last Name | First Name | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crews | Dylan | OF (CF) |
| 2 | Wood | James | OF (Corner) |
| 3 | House | Brady | SS/3B |
| 4 | Cavalli | Cade | RHP (Starter) |
| 5 | Morales | Yohandy | 3B |
| 6 | Rutledge | Jackson | RHP (Starter) |
| 7 | Hassell III | Robert | OF (CF) |
| 8 | Vaquero | Cristian | OF (CF) |
| 9 | Green | Elijah | OF (CF) |
| 10 | Susana | Jarlin | RHP (Starter) |
- No surprise on top 3. Wouldn’t surprise me to see all three start in AA in 2024, all three move up together, and all three debut in the majors by mid-season.
- Cavalli at #4 isn’t terribly surprising … if he shows that he’s got pre-TJ stuff upon his return, he could/should be back up to #2.
- Morales really had a solid debut, bumping him above some more familiar names. Its about time we had a 2nd round pick work out for us.
- Rutledge’s 2023 season, which shocked this observer, has him now just outside the top echelon of our prospect royalty. Talk about a turnaround from his 2022 season.
- Hassell’s season just seemed to drag him down, post hamate-bone surgery. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that he was the #2 prospect in the system. I’d really like to see him regain that luster.
- Vaquero remains more hype than production, but at least he’s stateside now.
- Green’s K numbers have officially taken the shine of his star. He’s dropped to #9 here, and that’s low enough that he’s no longer a sure thing.
- Susana somehow comes in at #10, despite ending the season injured and repeating a level.
Players outside the top 10 looking in. Only one real nit:
- I’d put Lile above Susana at this point.
- I guess Bennett is going to be in the mid teens for the next year and a half with TJ recovery.
- Sykora? Where do you put him?
- DJ Herz? Who would you rather have right now? Herz or Susana? Just saying.
FYI, the Big Board now has a 2024 tab, and i’ve caught it up to today’s moves, which were to return the 60-day DL guys to the 40-man roster, which required the DFA of Matt Cronin. More moves to follow, since we’re definitely looking at some rule-5 protections in a week or so.