MLB Pipeline will release its 2023 Top 100 Prospects list tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. ET with an hour-long show on MLB Network and MLB.com. In advance of the release of the Top 100, we’ll be examining baseball’s top 10 prospects at each position.
We’ve saved our most exciting top 10 position list for last. Just look at these outfielders.
Corbin Carroll (D-Backs) offers the best mix of power and speed of any prospect, closely followed by Sal Frelick (Brewers). None can top Jordan Walker’s (Cardinals) breathtaking combination of raw power and arm strength.
Jackson Chourio (Brewers) was the breakthrough of the 2022 season and James Wood (Nationals) was right there with him. Druw Jones (D-backs), the No. 2 overall pick for July, has the best chance of all these guys – and maybe all prospects – having at least plus tools across the board. Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs) is the consensus best defenseman of all the minors.
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Corbin Carroll, D-back (2023)
2. Jordan Walker, Cardinals (2023)
3. Jackson Chourio, Brewer (2024)
4. Druw Jones, D-back (2026)
5. James Wood, Nationals (2025)
6. Zac Veen, Rockies (2024)
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (2024)
8. Sal Frelick, Brewer (2023)
9. Robert Hassell III, Nationals (2024)
10. Colton Cowser, Orioles (2023)
Complete list “
Hit: Freelick (70)
Frelick has as much batting power as any college player from the 2021 draft, and he’s batted just .331 in 154 games since turning pro — including .365 in 46 Triple-A contests last year. His compact left-handed swing hits all types of pitches repeatedly, and his plus-plus speed allows him to turn groundballs into hits.
Achievement: Walker (65)
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound walker not only has the racquet speed, power and leverage to generate tremendous raw power, but also the punching power and zone control to translate it into production. He went deep into Double-A 20 times last season, befitting his age, and he was able to double that total in his best league.
Run: Caroll (80)
Carroll showed his top speed after Arizona called him up in August, posting the highest average sprint speed (30.7 ft/sec) of any major league in 2022. He takes full advantage of his speed, beating grounders for hits, stealing bases (33 in 39 attempts between the majors and minors last season), and chasing flyballs from gap to gap.
Field: Crow Armstrong (80)
Scouts give Crow-Armstrong top marks for his midfield skills. With his combination of plus speed and accurate reads and routes, he covers a tremendous amount of ground, and his solid arm strength also outperforms most players in his position.
Highest ceiling: Jones
Jones, the MLB pipeline’s top-rated prospect in the 2022 draft, reminds scouts of his father Andruw, who made five All-Star games and won 10 Gold Gloves in 17 seasons in the major leagues. He’s a potential midfielder with five tools and an advanced feel, plus power potential and well above average speed, defense and arm strength.
Top Floor: Carroll
At the bare minimum, Carroll should average, wreak havoc on bases, and fight for Gold Gloves in midfield. How much power he produces will determine how big a star he becomes – and he hit four homers in his first 32 games in the majors.
Rookie of the Year Contestant: Carroll
Carroll is the frontrunner to win National League rookie honors, and Walker and Frelick could both be in contention for the honors. Cowser is a sleeper in the American League race.
Highest climber: Chourio
In early 2022, Chourio was yet to make his US debut. It wasn’t long before the scouting community went crazy over him when he did it. He became one of baseball’s top prospects after slashing .288/.342/.538 with 20 homers and 16 steals while going from Single-A to Double-A as an 18-year-old. He’s an electric athlete who could have more than four tools, with his fringe arm being the only exception.
Humblest beginning: Chourio
There are no truly humble beginnings on this list, which includes eight first-round picks, one second-round player who received first-round money and a seven-figure international signing. They average $4.08 million in bonus funds, with Chourio being the lowest-ranked man as a top prospect in the 2021 Brewers international class at $1.8 million.
Most to prove: Hassell
Hassell endured a troubled 2022 season, which saw the Padres send him to the Nationals in the Juan Soto trade. He hit .273/.357/.407 with 11 home runs and 24 steals between High-A and Double-A and then broke the Hamate right in the Arizona Fall League. Some reviewers are all in on his racquet and believe he’ll develop at least 20 homer power while staying in midfield, although others question if he’s more of a less popping tweener and better suited for a corner.
Keep an eye on: Elijah Green, Nationals
Green had the highest ceiling in the 2022 draft with a combination of twice the raw power and speed, plus midfield reach and arm strength. The son of former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green has swing-and-miss problems and had a 40.4 percent strikeout rate in his rookie ball debut.