Although we do our official Hangout prospect list at the end of the season, we thought it would be fun to do a Prospect power rankings that will updated throughout the season. This list is mainly gives you a quick glance of who’s moving up and down and who is moving on and off the prospect scene. Note, the end of season rankings may not match the final list that will be done after all scouting reports and analysis has been completed.
#1
Up from #5 Pre Season
Austin Hays
OF
Bowie (AA)
Hays was challenged with jumping to Frederick and not only handled the jump, but flourished, making the Carolina League All-Star team and getting promoted to Bowie (AA). He’s slashing .326/.360/.589/.949 with 16 HR in 300 PA between Frederick and Bowie.
#2
Up from #10 Pre Season
Ryan Mountcastle
SS
Frederick (A)
At 20-years old he ended up a Carolina League All-star and has slashed .315/.342/.550/.892 with 13 homers and 27 doubles in just 304 PAs. Although he still doesn’t walk much (10) and there’s still a question of his ultimate positions since he doesn’t have the arm strength to play major league SS effectively, there is little doubt he’s been a star the first half.
#3
Up from #4 Pre Season
Hunter Harvey
RHP
Rehab
Might say a lot more about the rest of the candidates that Harvey actually moved up to #3 on the power rankings without pitching. From all reports he’s on track to pitch possibly as early as July in a rehab game and could be pitching out of a rotation by August if all goes to plan.
#4
Down from #2 Pre Season
Keegan Akin
LHP
Frederick (A)
After a really slow start, has started to put it together in June and looks like the dominant pitcher he was last year in Aberdeen. In four June starts he has a 1.23 ERA with a 25 to 8 K to BB ratio in 22 IP while holding batters to a .156/.235/.221/.456 slash line. A few more starts like that and he can finish the year in Bowie.
#5
Up from #17 Pre Season
Cedric Mullins
CF
Bowie (AA)
No one has made a bigger jump than this 22-year old switch-hitting outfielder. The Orioles challenged him with a two-level jump from Delmarva and the only thing that has held him back was a hamstring injury that held him out for about 6 weeks. Has shown power, speed, and the ability to play center field. At worse he’s a solid 4th outfielder, but he’s making people believers.
#6
Up from #20 Pre Season
Tanner Scott
LHP
Bowie (AA)
The wild thing has been less wild this year as he’s holding Eastern League batters to a 1.70/.296/.199/.494 slash line while posting a 54 to 26 K to BB ratio in 42 IP. Could become a candidate for promotion to Baltimore if he can continue his new found control in the second half of the season.
#7
Down from #3 Pre Season
Chance Sisco
C
Norfolk (AAA)
It’s been a tough AAA season early on for the left-handed hitting catcher though he’s been getting hot of late slashing .333/.415/.449/.864 in June. His strikeout rate though is 27.4% (career 18.1%) and his struggles against lefties is getting worse as he goes up the ladder (.239/.286/.261/.547). Defensively he’s still struggling to throw out runners catching just 18%.
#8
Down from #1 Pre Season
Cody Sedlock
RHP
Frederick (A)
To say this has been a disaster of a 1st full season would be an understatement. Has been getting worse as the season goes in which is never a good sign. Batters are slashing .329/.402/.524/.927 in his last four starts and his ERA after 13 starts is 6.46. He’s not missing a ton of bats (7.6K/9) and batters are slashing .299/.363/.483/.846 on the season.
#9
Down from #8 Pre Season
Alex Wells
LHP
Delmarva (A-)
Started the season strong but his started to struggle with giving up the longball of late. Has allowed 10 home runs in his last eight starts over 46.2 IP while batters are slashing .271 .296 .479 .775 during this stretch. With an 86-90 MPH fastball he has to have perfect command.
#10
Unranked Pre Season (2nd round draftpick 2017)
Adam Hall
SS
Unassigned
A 2017 2nd round draft pick, the right-handed hitting shortstop has plus speed and average hit tool and defense. Signed but hasn’t made his professional debut yet.
11. Anthony Santander OF – (DL)
12. Ademar Rifaela OF – (FRE) – Breakout year for the 22-year old
13. Austin Wynns C – (BOW) – Could end up catching more MLB games than Sisco.
14. Jayson Aquino LHP – (NOR) – Pitching better of late.
15. Jesus Liranzo RHP – (BOW) – Command has been an issue all season
16. Jhon Peluffo RHP – (DEL) – Young hurler holding own in Delmarva
17. Zac Lowther LHP – (’17 draft) – 3rd round pick is a pitchability lefty
18. David Hess RHP – (BOW) – Up and down year but still flashes major league stuff
19. Gabriel Ynoa RHP – (NOR) – Was terrible starting in Norfolk but showed flashes out of relief in Baltimore.
20. Zach Muckenhirn LHP – (DEL) – Giving up way too many hits but still shows flashes
21. Matthias Dietz RHP – (DEL) – Has not been a very good first season
22. Ofelky Peralta RHP – (FRE) – Command continues to be his downfall
23. Aderlin Rodriguez 1B – (BOW) – 25-year old first baseman is having a solid season hitting for AVG and some power.
24. Jake Ring OF – (DEL) – At this point on the list, why not? At least he’s putting up numbers.
25. Jomar Reyes 3B – (FRE) – Was hitting a little bit when he punched a wall and broke his hand.
26. DJ Stewart LF – (BOW) – Up and down year hasn;t made too many believers but does just enough to not bury himself.
27. Seamus Curran 1B – (ABN) – 19-year old first baseman will get a chance at Aberdeen.
28. David Washington 1B – (NOR) – huge swing will come with huge K numbers but can hit some righties.
29. Chris Lee LHP – (NOR) – An awful season for the southpaw so far but maybe hope as a reliever?
30. Steve Wilkerson 3B/2B/RF (BOW) – Utility guy who can hit a bit, but nowhere to really play defensively.
