10 MLB Prospects We’re Excited To See In The Arizona Complex League
Image credit: Jhonny Level (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
Next month, Baseball America will release its Top 20 Prospects lists for the Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues. To do so, we’ll talk to plenty of scouts and analyze plenty of data, but we also like to go see the players for ourselves.
We’ve got a leg up in the desert this year thanks to one of the newest Baseball Americans, Scottsdale resident Jesús Cano, who’s recently been checking in on under-the-radar ACL players. We also have the advantage of veteran backfields prowler Bill Mitchell, who’s been patrolling the Arizona complexes since the Phoenix cacti were no more than ankle high.
Although there are plenty of gorgeous parks and talented teams across the country, the backfields are the best fields. So, I’ll be taking a trip to Arizona this week to get my eyes on some of the prospects who’ll be dotting the Top 20s in six weeks or so.
Here are 10 prospects I’m particularly excited to get my eyes on.
Jhonny Level, SS, Giants
Level was San Francisco’s top prospect in the DSL last summer and holds that title once again after moving stateside. The infielder has a reputation for putting lumber on leather and has shown on-base skills, as well, in Scottsdale. He’s not the most physically-projectable player you’ll find, but he’s got enough potential with the bat to continue rising through the system. For now, he’ll continue working to produce in Scottsdale.
Brendan Tunink, OF, Dodgers
The Dodgers are rich with outfield prospects, including the fab four of Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Mike Sirota and Kendall George at High-A Great Lakes and Eduardo Quintero lurking in Low-A. On the complex, Tunink is working to raise his stock to the level of his higher-ranked peers. Tunink is as athletic as they come, and he’s hitting for both average and power in Glendale, though his strikeouts are a touch high.
Tyson Lewis, SS, Reds
Lewis was on my list of ACL players to watch before the season began, and he’s done a good job of living up to the billing. Cincinnati’s first-rounder from a year ago has been hitting the ball hard and often, showing fine on-base skills in the process. His exit velocity numbers have been eye-popping, too. If he keeps bashing the ball the way he has in the early going, it might not be long before Lewis makes the long flight from Arizona to Florida for his first taste of full-season ball.
Joswa Lugo, SS, Angels
I heard all I needed to hear from Lugo during spring training when he cracked a thunderous home run to the opposite field against the Rockies. Although he’s cooled off a bit lately, he’s been one of the better players in the ACL. There are plenty of questions about where Lugo plays defense, but there’s little doubt he’ll be right at home in the batter’s box as he moves through the minor leagues.
Yolfran Castillo, SS, Rangers
Castillo made a name for himself in his pro debut by making contact at an absurd rate in both the Dominican Summer League and ACL. He isn’t quite connecting at that rate in a return to the complex, but he’s still hitting for average and getting on base, though there’s still not much power in the bag at this point. Scouts also think he could play above-average defense at shortstop.
Ethan Dorchies, RHP, Brewers
The Brewers have proved extremely adept at finding hidden pitching gems in recent years, and Dorchies might be the next up. Milwaukee took the righthander in the 10th round last summer out of high school in Illinois and have watched him post excellent numbers in his pro debut. He fronts a four-pitch mix with a low-90s fastball that has tickled 95 mph this summer. So far, he’s racked up 22 strikeouts against just three walks in 17 innings.
Juneiker Caceres, OF, Guardians
Cleveland’s group in Goodyear is one of the most interesting and upside-laden in the desert, and Caceres is at the forefront. He ranked among the best in DSL last summer and, at 17 years old, is one of the youngest players in the ACL. So far, his age hasn’t been an issue. Through his first 17 games, Caceres racked up more walks (10) than strikeouts (8) and shown contact and on-base skills with hints of power. He’s one to watch in a group full interesting prospects.
Chih-Hsien Ko, OF, Dodgers
Ko is leading the ACL in just about everything. The list includes all three triple-slash categories, hits and doubles. The 18-year-old has shown outstanding zone control for his age and has surprised internal evaluators with the quality of his defense. More than a third of his 30 hits have gone for extra bases, including nine doubles, and he has nearly as many walks (13) as strikeouts (14).
Argenis Cayama, RHP, Giants
After overcoming a bout of pneumonia, Cayama rebounded and impressed evaluators in the Dominican Summer League last season. This year, after moving stateside, he’s turned it up a notch. The righty has overwhelmed hitters with a fastball up to 97 mph and a slicing slider at the front of a three-pitch mix. So far, the combo has helped him punch out 26 hitters while issuing just six walks in 20.1 innings.
Dauri Fernandez, SS, Guardians
Fernandez stuck out to evaluators during spring training, and he’s backing up those reviews with a strong start to his ACL season. The 18-year-old performed well in his pro debut last year in the DSL and has taken his game to another level after moving stateside. Entering the week, Fernandez was one of three players in the league hitting better than .400 and was also among the top three in the league for on-base and slugging percentages.
