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Prospects Quiz
As we do every year, we’re presenting some holiday amusement for you all to enjoy. We’ve pulled old Baseball America scouting reports from past years, and we want to see if you can guess the player after we’ve removed some identifying information. We’ll ramp up the difficulty in a number of steps.
You’ll find the answer key listed at the very bottom of this page. So, unless you want to be spoiled, don’t go scrolling too far until you’ve written down your answers!
Ready? Go!
Soft Toss
We’re going to let everyone get warmed up here with some soft toss to loosen up. These are all so easy that, if you fail to guess these players, you might as well abandon the rest of the quiz. We’re giving you full reports with plenty of hints.
Player A
Track Record: Player A dominated the high school showcase circuit the summer before his draft year, then performed well in his senior season, all the while showing an advanced approach, surprising power and a well-rounded skill set. He was seen as a surefire first-round selection when the _______ drafted him No. 16 overall and signed him away from a UCLA commitment with a $3.75 million bonus. The pandemic wiped out Player A’s 2020 season, other than time spent at the alternate training site, and he played in just seven games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery to repair labrum and capsule tears. The _________ kept their expectations for his 2022 season in check, unsure how his shoulder would respond or if he would need to knock off rust, but Player A got off to a red-hot start with Double-A ______ and never slowed down, mashing his way first to Triple-A ______ then to a major league callup in late August. He performed well in the majors over the final six weeks of the season despite arriving with just 142 career games of minor league experience under his belt.
Scouting Report: Player A has a powerful swing, excellent bat-to-ball skills and a discerning eye, a combination of traits often found in baseball’s premier hitters. Though small in size, Player A gets the most out of his elite, quick-twitch athletic ability at the plate. He loads into his back side before driving forward, efficiently transferring energy from his core and into his swing. His tendency to offer at the right pitches and square them up leads to a heavy dose of exit velocities at 100 mph and higher. He uses the whole field well, including going the other way with power; his first two career homers in the majors were hit to center and left field. Player A is an explosive runner with elite speed. His top sprint speed during his brief time in the majors was the second-fastest ever recorded in the eight-year history of Statcast data. He is aggressive on the bases with excellent instincts. Player A’s speed plays well in the outfield, where he can let loose his athleticism to make rangy catches. His fringe-average arm is his only subpar tool.
The Future: The ______ kept Player A’s at-bat total low in the majors in order to keep his rookie status intact and potentially make a push for Rookie of the Year honors–and the accompanying extra draft pick. As such, he received only semi-regular playing time and never seemed to get locked in at the plate. And yet he still managed to hit an impressive .260/.330/.500. Player A exhibited some areas that could use polish. He showed more chase and swing-and-miss than he had in the minors and struggled in limited looks against lefthanders. Still, evaluators are unanimous in their excitement about his future, with questions only about how many all-star appearances he is expected to make. He figures to be a mainstay in _______’s lineup for years, starting with Opening Day 2023.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45
Player B
Track Record: In 2008, the ______ signed outfielder Juan Duran as one of their top targets on the international market. Duran was 6-foot-3 when he signed, but he quickly grew to 6-foot-7 in the next year. His body struggled to handle the sudden growth spurt, and he became a hulking, strikeout-prone slugger rather than the well-rounded outfielder the ______ thought they were signing. Like Player H, Player B gained four inches soon after he signed. But unlike Player H, Player B transformed from a skinny, overlooked Dominican teenager into a potential star following his growth spurt. As Player B grew to 6-foot-5–or taller, as some officials suggest–he’s gotten stronger and faster, thanks to his growth spurt and plenty of training. He went from a $65,000 signee in 2018 to a player who needed just 11 games in the Arizona Complex League in 2021 to prove he was too advanced for the level. Sent to High-A _____ to start the 2022 season, Player B finished second in the league with 20 home runs despite being promoted to Double-A ________ in mid July.
Scouting Report: Player B has the best raw power in the Reds organization. He’s also one of the fastest players. And he has the strongest arm. Add it all up and he’s the best athlete the _______ have had since the days of Eric Davis and Deion Sanders. Player B has long levers and a big strike zone. His strikeout rate of nearly 31% in 2022 ranked in the bottom 15% of all minor league hitters with at least 300 plate appearances. He was the only batting title qualifier to strike out at least 30% of the time while also hitting .300. While Player B isn’t just a hacker at the plate, his strikeout rate is the major hurdle standing in the way of stardom. Player B’s lefthanded swing is smoother and more powerful than his more contact-oriented righthanded one. His intelligence, focus and determination draw nearly as many raves as his tools. He has quickly picked up English, which has helped him become a team leader despite always being one of the youngest players on his teams. Player B has made it clear that he wants to be the _______’ shortstop of the future. His length and arm strength allow him to make highlight-reel plays, and he’s comfortable making plays on the move. He could be an above-average shortstop, but evaluators see him as a potential plus-plus defender at third base with exceptional range to his left.
The Future: Player B is the highest-ceiling prospect the ______ have had in years. His combination of athleticism, power and speed gives him a chance to be a big league star, but his strikeout rate could keep him from reaching that ceiling. Up through Double-A, his chase rates and swing-and-miss issues haven’t slowed him down, but he will have to improve them to be a consistent hitter in the major leagues. He’ll head to Triple-A ______ to start the 2023 season. Player B is typically a slow starter when it’s cold, but by June or July he could be pushing for a callup to ______.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 70. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 70
Player C
Track Record: For two seasons at Air Force, Player C was a talented two-way prospect with upside on the mound and in the batter’s box. He also spent summers in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. He transferred to Louisiana State before the 2023 season, ditched the lumber and entered his draft year as one of the best pitchers in his class. Five months later, he had helped lead LSU to a College World Series championship while cementing himself as the best arm on the board and one of a handful of serious candidates–along with LSU teammate Dylan Crews–to go No. 1 overall. The ______ called Player C’s name first on draft day, then signed him for a draft-record $9.2 million. A pick later, the ______ chose Crews, marking the first time two teammates had gone off the board with the first two selections. Player C moved quickly in pro ball, reaching Double-A on Aug. 26. He was shut down just before a scheduled start with _____ against ______, which could have led to his first showdown with Crews as a professional.
Scouting Report: One of the biggest keys to Player C’s success in pro ball will revolve around the quality of his fastball. Questions arose about the pitch’s shape and whether–even if he can maintain its upper-90s velocity on a professional schedule–it would play against better hitters. If it becomes an issue, there are multiple avenues to explore, including changing the grip or the emphasis of a two-seamer as a way to continue the east-west profile created by his sweeping slider. In pro ball, Player C threw his two-seamer at a 44% clip, far more often than his four-seamer. His sweeper was an adjustment that came about through work at LSU, where pitching coach Wes Johnson helped him alter the pitch’s shape from its former, shorter-breaking iteration. As an amateur, scouts projected Player C’ changeup as a potentially plus pitch. To reach that upside, he’ll need to throw the pitch more often. At LSU, Player C threw the changeup just 7% of the time. In his brief pro experience, that jumped to 17%. At its best, the pitch is thrown in the upper 80s and features sharp fade and drop, but there’s work to do in order to get it consistently to that ceiling. The ______ have already worked with Player C to find a grip that works best. Player C also has size, athleticism and an outstanding work ethic that should allow him to get the most out of his ability, while also keeping himself open to attacking new challenges as he develops.
The Future: Between college and pro ball, Player C threw 129.1 innings in 2023, well beyond the 89.1 he threw in 2022 between Air Force and summer ball. After an offseason of rest, he will return poised to begin climbing toward his ceiling as a top-end starter who could make his MLB debut in 2024.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60
Batting Practice
OK, so if you got all three of those, we’re ready for batting practice in the cage. Don’t worry. This BP is all about putting the ball on your bat. We’re taking away the full scouting reports, but these will remain quite easy for the average BA reader.
Player D
A baseball, football and basketball star in high school, Player D focused on baseball at Fresno State. His raw power didn’t translate in games until his junior year, when he hit 12 home runs and slugged .655. The _______ gave him $1.8 million with the 32nd overall pick in the draft. A torn right quad delayed his pro debut until this season. Armed with 80 raw power on the 20-80 scale, Player D takes an impressive batting practice. But unlike most players his size, Player D’s in-game approach is geared to hit over power. He’s just as comfortable lining pitches to the opposite power alley as he is turning on a fastball on the inner-half. His swing is shorter than most players his size. As would be expected of someone with his build, there are holes in his swing as pitchers will force him to prove he can handle pitches in. Blessed with an advanced approach, he would have led either the Sally or Florida State League in walk rate if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. He moved off of center field immediately in pro ball and is an average defender in right field with an above-average throwing arm. He’s an average runner. Player D was getting extra polish in the Arizona Fall League, which should help him jump to Double-A ______ in 2015. His tools are what scouts look for in a right fielder.
Player E
The 78th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Player E has been among the youngest players in every league he has played. He was the second-youngest starter in the Triple-A International League in 2010, when he was tabbed the circuit’s rookie of the year. He led the IL in hits (147) and total bases (240), and managers rated him the loop’s best defensive first baseman. Player E has a smooth, aggressive swing from the left side. He possesses raw power that should generate 20-plus homers annually in the major leagues. He has good plate coverage with a patient approach that leads to consistent contact. He thrives in RBI situations and wants the bat in his hand with the game on the line. Defensively, Player E has quick feet and above-average range at first base. He does all the little things well around the bag and he even has a cannon for an arm. Though not a blazer, he runs well for his size and shows outstanding instincts on the basepaths. Though his success was limited during his September callup, Player E swatted his first big league homer against Roy Halladay. He may have an up-and-down 2011 season at the plate, but that roller-coaster ride should come as ______’s starting first baseman at age 21.
Player F
When Player F was in Cuba, his talented left arm was coveted by major league scouts, even if he was off limits and never exhibited much consistency. He first tried to defect in 2008 but got caught and was left off Cuba’s Olympic team as punishment. He rejoined the national team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where he sat in the mid-90s and touched 100 mph with his fastball. Player F bolted from the team at the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands that July and became a free agent after establishing residency in Andorra. He signed with the _____ last January, received a six-year, $30.25 million major league contract that included a $16.25 million bonus. Chapman’s adjustment to the United States wasn’t always easy. He had to get used to a new culture and deal with the daily grind of pro ball. He was surprised to learn that MLB organizations practiced every day, and he never had done any video work. After spending his first two months at Triple-A _____ as a starter, he took off after moving to the bullpen in mid-June. Cincinnati called him up in August, and he made history on Sept. 24 by throwing the fastest recorded fastball in big league history at 105.1 mph. He took the loss in Game Two of the Division Series when the Phillies roughed him up for three unearned runs. Any discussion about Player F begins with his fastball. It’s a freak of nature, arguably the hottest heater ever seen. The 20-80 scouting scale fails to fully encapsulate the pitch, because at its best it’s 7-8 mph harder than an 80 fastball. He sits at 99-100 mph and touches 103-105 as a reliever. Even as a starter, he can work at 95-96 mph and get to 101. Hitters can’t try to sit on his fastball because Player F has a plus-plus slider, a mid-80s dart with sharp break. He also throws a below-average changeup with too much velocity, though that pitch became less important when he moved out of the rotation. His fastball and slider are good enough to get both lefthanders and righthanders out. Player F is a premium athlete, but he struggled with his tempo and with repeating his delivery as a starter. He likely never will have plus command, partly because his fastball has so much life at times that it runs out of the strike zone, though more consistent mechanics would help. He didn’t have much of a grasp of the nuances of pitching–fielding his position, covering first base, holding runners–but improved over the course of the season. The big question is whether Player F will be a starter of reliever. ____ GM has already has stated publicly that Player F won’t return to the minor leagues, making it more likely that he’ll be a bullpen weapon. The needs of a contender often trump developmental concerns, and Player F could supplant Francisco Cordero as the _____’ closer before the all-star break.
Ramping Up The Velo
Ok, you’ve gotten loose and hit some line drives to boost your confidence. Now we’re going to ramp up the velocity by picking smaller snippets, often from earlier in players careers. While these should be a bit of a challenge for the average fan, these are all significant big leaguers, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to keep making contact.
Player G
The _____ were one of the teams intrigued by Player G after he emigrated with the Cuban government’s assent, but it’s hard to compete with the Dodgers’ checkbook. Los Angeles signed Player G for $2 million in June 2016 on a deal that included a $2 million penalty for exceeding its international bonus pool. The Dodgers then traded Player G to the ____ just a month and a half later. Player G never played a game in the Dodgers system. He first demonstrated his advanced understanding of hitting when he batted .351/.402/.387 as a 17-year-old in Cuba’s top league, Serie Nacional, in 2014. Player G’s calling card is his bat control and picturesque lefthanded swing. He has a discerning batting eye and a knack for contact. If the plus raw power he has demonstrated in workouts translates to games–he’s working on elevating the ball more–he checks the boxes teams look for in a first baseman. He is below-average defensively and played left field sporadically in Cuba. Player G is ready for full-season ball.
Player H
The ____ traded prospects Chase DeJong and Tim Locastro to pick up extra bonus pool room and signed Player H for $3.9 million, the second-largest bonus in franchise history. Where his father was wiry and an untamed athlete with premium power, Player H is thick-bodied, with a corner profile. He stands out for his bat control, bat speed, hand strength and hand-eye coordination that could make him a bad-ball hitter and power plan like his father. Ostensibly a left fielder when he signed, the _____ tried him at third base in instructional league after asking Player H what his favorite position was. His arm strength, fringy in the outfield, improved to average with the shorter arm stroke. He may outgrow third, but the club will send him out at that position in 2016, believing his hands are suited for the spot even if his range is short. One club official compared Player H’s overall package to a bigger version of 1989 National League MVP Kevin Mitchell, who played infield early in his career but was ultimately a bat-first left fielder. Player H fits a similar profile and may wind up at first base or DH.
Let’s See If You Can Handle Some Spin
OK, now we’ve reached the point where you better be locked in. We’re going to mix in some sliders and splits. These players can be significant big leaguers, but the reports are from early in their development. Or it could be prospects expected to be significant players who ended up flaming out.
Player I
Player I does two things. He gets on base, and he flies. A three-year starter at Long Beach State, Player I stole 47 bases in his career and drove opponents crazy beating out routine ground balls for infield singles. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthanded hitter explodes out of the batter’s box, posting 70-grade run times on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, and turns singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He lacks over-the-fence power and swings and misses a little much for his profile, but his patient approach gets him on base enough to utilize his speed. Player I never played shortstop at Long Beach State and is an average second baseman with a fringy arm. Some evaluators think he is a candidate to move to center field, but he’s very raw there due to lack of experience. Player I’s speed gives him a survivable skill he can ride to the big leagues, and evaluators see enough bat for him to be a bottom-of-the-order hitter. He projects to go early on the draft’s second day.
Player J
Player J made his case as one of the best pure hitters in the 2024 class as a ____ sophomore in 2023. That season, he led the nation in hitting and slashed .449/.517/.782 with 16 home runs and 35 stolen bases. Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury that summer, Player J was viewed as the top pure hitter on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Another hamstring injury early in 2024 cost him nearly two months of the season. A 5-foot-10, 190-pound shortstop, he has a clean and fluid lefthanded swing with a slight uphill bat path and plenty of hand speed through the zone. He’s able to manipulate his barrel to consistently get on plane with all pitch types and has the strength to homer to all fields with surprising pop for his size. In addition to his plus contact skills and above-average raw power, Player J has a keen eye and rarely expands the zone, making him one of the most well-rounded hitters in the class. Player J has played third base, second base and shortstop in college. He has the hands and actions for all three, but his arm could be best suited to second base, where he could be an above-average defender.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 65. Power: 55. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Player K
The _______ established a new franchise bonus record for an international teen when they signed Player K for $1.5 million in 2015, though it was shattered a year later in their international spending spree. He skipped the Dominican Summer League in 2016 to made his pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he won MVP honors after leading the circuit in batting (.361) and slugging (.550) and ranking second in on-base percentage (.410). He earned a late-season promotion to short-season _______ and continued to succeed against older competition. Player K ranked No. 13 in the 2015 international class largely because of his hitting ability, which translated well to pro ball. He is an advanced hitter for his age, showing a feel for the barrel and good pitch-recognition skills. He has a short, easy, lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. He makes good adjustments at the plate thanks to his impressive understanding of hitting. His power is still developing, and he could have above-average pop by the time he is done physically maturing. Player K has average speed and arm strength, and he profiles in right field. Player K earns praise for his makeup, maturity and confidence. He will play the entire 2017 season as an 18-year-old.
OK, Now We’re Talking
These are either early reports for stars, later reports for lesser-known big leaguers or solid prospects who flamed out after less-noticed careers. These are still doable but are meant to make you work for it.
Player L
Player L claims two important distinctions–he was the nation’s most dominant strikeout artist in 2006, and its most unusual pitcher. As a freshman, he became the first player ever to be named both the Pacific-10 Conference’s freshman of the year and pitcher of the year. Eligible for the draft as a sophomore, Player L didn’t live up to the expectations he set for himself, which included a seven-figure signing bonus demand. The ______ took a flier on him in the 41st round, and made a run during the summer, when Player L led the Cape Cod League with a 0.64 ERA as a reliever, but did not sign him. After walking more than 150 batters in his first two seasons, Player L has adjusted, adding a slider and changeup to his repertoire. His fastball, already a plus pitch, improved a grade as he added nearly 15 pounds of muscle and has reached 98 mph this season, often sitting between 91-96. His power curveball already was one of the best in the country and has become more effective now that he also shows a slider he can throw for strikes. His changeup also has improved. Player L has a resilient arm; he throws constantly, often long-tossing the day after his starts. His unorthodox delivery has been described as resembling a pinwheel as he rocks back, makes his body do most of the work and seemingly brings his lightning-quick arm along for the ride. It gives him deception and tremendous stuff, and he has never complained of soreness or pain, nor has he missed a start. His present stuff rivals any pitcher in the draft, and he should move quickly.
Player M
The _____ acquired Player M from the offense starved _____ in a straight-up trade for _______ on July 27. “We were looking for big upside,” said first-year general manager ______, who eschewed offers of two or three players from other clubs because he favored quality over quantity. Player M delivered on that front in 2011, ranking as the high Class A California League’s No. 4 prospect with ______ prior to the trade and then running up a 31-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio for high Class A _______ afterward. Player M turned in a fully healthy season in 2011 after a persistent cracked-fingernail issue limited him to just 59 innings during his 2010 pro debut. Player L hit 97 mph with his first pitch for St. Lucie and consistently pitched at 93-95 for the ____. He has a loose, easy arm action and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. He complements his plus fastball with a mid- to high-70s downer curveball that buckles knees and helps him neutralize righthanders. They hit a mere .199 and slugged .292 against him between his two high Class A stops. He has a decent mid-80s changeup that sinks and fades, but improved arm action would help him sell the pitch more effectively. He also unveiled a mid- to high-80s cutter/slider as a potential weapon to get inside against lefties, who batted .283 and slugged .452 against him. Player M did a better job locating the ball down in the zone in 2011, though like many young power pitchers his overall command needs sharpening, and it could stand in the way of him reaching frontline starter potential. On the other hand, his control improved dramatically after he reverted to his high school pitching mechanics in July, reinstituting a higher leg kick and bringing his hands to a higher position before breaking them.
Player N
Player N was largely overlooked in high school, taking a back seat to higher-profile New England draftees like Anthony Hewitt, Ryan Westmoreland and Chris Dwyer. The Twins took a 48th-round flier on him in 2008 but he went to Connecticut, and three years later he may have the best all-around tools of any college player in the last decade. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, _________ has a skill set rarely seen among college players. He generates plus raw power with explosive bat speed. He has a plus arm and is a plus runner, and he’s a smooth defender in center field. He struggled early in 2011, when his hands were tight to his body and his stance was narrow, and he collapsed on his back side. But he made adjustments and returned to form when Big East play started, showing scouts why he was the Cape Cod League’s No. 2 prospect last summer. His early-season struggles scared some scouts who question Player N’s swing mechanics, as he can be exposed with velocity on the inner half. He’s raw for a college first-round pick, but Player N may have the highest ceiling in the draft.
Player O
Player O has special bat speed and produces top-of-the-scale power with an exceptionally aggressive approach and swing. He has tremendous plate coverage and really has no true holes in his swing, which takes a direct and violent path to the ball. Player O has work to do with pitch recognition and can drift at times thanks to his leg kick, but he hits the ball so hard, he doesn’t have to square it up to hit it out of the park. His patience and pitch recognition improved against better competition, and some scouts see him as an above-average hitter despite his propensity to chase. Player O’s defensive tools suit him for shortstop, while his aggressiveness does not. He has average speed and solid range to go with solid actions and a 70-grade arm, but he needs to slow the game down and consistently make the routine play. He committed 44 errors on the season. His baseball instincts suit him well at the plate and on the basepaths, and his competitiveness, which at times comes across as over-the-top swagger, has helped him rise to big moments, such as a walk-off homer against Japan’s World Baseball Classic team during a spring training exhibition game. Player O hit 41 homers in 2013 between big league spring training and the regular season–plus 10 more in minor league camp–and his power should make _____ look small sooner than later.
This Is Diabolical
We won’t try to pretend that the following player clues are fair. These are intended to be challenging. This is stepping into the cage against a Trajekt machine and it’s dialed up to give you peak Pedro Martinez as the pitcher you’re facing. These are to separate those with special skills from the masses.
Player P
Signed out of Venezuela for $759,000 in 2011 when he turned 16, Player P has been pushed aggressively by the ______ since Day One. He jumped straight to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League as a 16-year-old and was just 17 at low Class A _______ in 2013, when he showcased raw skills but a severe lack of strength that showed up with a .249 slugging percentage in 421 at-bats. Player P repeated the South Atlantic League in 2014 and grew into a touch more strength, and it showed up in his performance. He was more patient and drove the ball more frequently, hitting his first two home runs and eight triples. He still needs more strength behind his swing, which could come if he continues to mature physically. Not all scouts are convinced Player P’s body projects to add weight, but he could make it to the majors based on his defense alone. He gracefully covers tons of ground in center field with fine first-step quickness and fluid actions, and he adds an average arm for the position. He’s an average runner as well. After two full seasons in ______, Player P will have to move to high Class A _______ in 2015. He might not be ready for the jump offensively, and at some point being young for the league won’t be an excuse. If he doesn’t hit more, his ceiling is that of a fourth outfielder with excellent defensive skills.
Player Q
An undersized, 5-foot-9, 185-pound second baseman for Creighton, Player Q has been a solid presence in the Bluejays’ lineup for three years, with a career .280/.378/.404 line with a 13 percent walk rate. Player Q’s plus speed is his best tool, and he’s more pedestrian across the board at every other tool, though he has no true holes in his game either. Player Q’s solid, all-around profile could get him drafted on day three, but undersized second baseman without much pop is a tough demographic to crack.
Player R
Player R signed for $750,000 in 2011, but with the _______’ third-base depth, he didn’t make his full-season debut until this season. Player R played the entire season at low Class A ______. After an unimpressive first half, Player R grinded his way through and had a big second half, showing his ability to adjust. He’s an aggressive hitter, especially on fastballs early in the count, and shows above-average bat speed that translates to at least average power. He showed an ability to adjust to offspeed pitches well for his age, though his inexperience showed in struggles with lefthanded pitchers (.461 OPS). Player R’s best tool is his 70 throwing arm, and he’s athletic enough to throw from various angles. He needs to sharpen his reads on grounders, but he has the tools to be a tick above-average defender at third if he continues to work at improvement. If everything clicks, Player R has a future of an everyday third baseman whose bat profiles for the position.
Player S
The younger brother of ________, Player S was not a prominent prospect as an amateur, but he’s shown a knack to hit that endears him to scouts. Even as a teenager, Player S has shown strength in his swing, but he’s a hitter first, serving up line drives to right field more than he yanks the ball. Eventually, he should hit for average power as well, because he already lofts the ball with some thump from time to time. Player S is undersized, but like his brother he has more athleticism than the average catcher. He has the building blocks to be a solid-average receiver with an above-average arm and a quick transfer, though he has further work to do on his game calling. In a system suddenly filled with catchers at the lower levels, Player S’s hitting ability and athleticism help him stand out as the most likely of the ______’s many young catchers to develop into a future big league regular. Player S is ready for low Class A ____, where he’ll catch a good staff that will challenge his ability to handle velocity.
Completely, Totally Unfair
This is dialing the pitching machine up to throw 105+ mph. Do not feel bad if you miss on these, as they are meant to be stumpers.
Player T
Player T starred in the Cape Cod League in 2008, but his play slipped last spring. He played his way off shortstop and hit just five homers for Louisiana State, though he led the Tigers in batting (.350) as they won the College World Series. The ____ took him in the second round. Player T may be the purest hitter in the system, staying inside the ball and drilling line drives to the opposite field. He could develop average power as he fills out and turns on more pitches. As a defender, he has a solid arm and good hands but doesn’t have the range to stay at shortstop. Some scouts wonder if he’ll have enough quickness for second base or provide enough offense to play regularly elsewhere. He’s a fringe-average runner. Player T has some similarities to Ryan Flaherty, and the two could shift around the infield together.
Player U
A two-way standout as a first baseman and lefthander at Virginia, Player U signed for $742,500 as a sandwich pick in 2007. After a strong first full pro season, he hit .329/.441/.724 with 11 RBIs in big league camp last spring, setting the stage for a big league callup later in the year. But tendinitis in both knees ruined his season, which ended in early May. His left knee eventually required surgery. Player U has bulked up and become more power-oriented since turning pro. He has a disciplined, all-fields approach and hangs in well against lefthanders. His swing is short to the ball and sound mechanically. A first baseman until last year, he moved to right field to take advantage of his above-average arm strength. The ____ think he’s athletic enough to handle the position, and always can move back to first, where he was an above-average defender with smooth actions. Though Player U has gotten stronger as a pro, scouts still don’t project him to have more than fringe to average power. He’s a below-average runner who isn’t a threat on the bases. If he loses a step after knee problems, he won’t be able to stay in right field. Following his surgery, Player U may not be ready for the start of spring training. Nevertheless, he looks like a safe bet to be a solid big league hitter, and he could develop more power. He’ll return to Triple-A once he’s healthy.
Ok, you’ve made it to the end. Once you’ve made all your picks for who these players are, click here to see the answers.
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Player A: Corbin Carroll
Player B: Elly De La Cruz
Player C: Paul Skenes
Player D: Aaron Judge
Player E: Freddie Freeman
Player F: Aroldis Chapman
Player G: Yordan Alvarez
Player H: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Player I: Jarren Duran
Player J: JJ Wetherholt
Player K: Juan Soto
Player L: Tim Lincecum
Player M: Zack Wheeler
Player N: George Springer
Player O: Javier Baez
Player P: Carlos Tocci
Player Q: Isaac Collins
Player R: Miguel Andujar
Player S: William Contreras
Player T: D.J. LeMahieu
Player U: Sean Doolittle