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Keith Law’s top prospects for the East Divisions were released today at ESPN.com ($) which included the Tampa Bay Rays:
1. Brent Honeywell, RHP (ranked No. 15)
2. Willy Adames, SS (ranked No. 20)
3. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B (ranked No. 28)
4. Jesus Sanchez, OF (ranked No. 34)
5. Lucius Fox, SS
6. Jake Bauers, 1B/OF
7. Christian Arroyo, SS/3B
8. Garrett Whitley, OF
9. Justin Williams, OF
10. Josh Lowe, OF
11. Joe McCarthy, OF
12. Jose De Leon, RHP
13. Tobias Myers, RHP
14. Wander Franco, SS
15. Michael Mercado, RHP
16. Yonny Chirinos, RHP & Chih-Wei Hu RHP
17. Vidal Brujan, 2B
18. Drew Strotman, RHP
19. Genesis Cabrera, LHP
20. Austin Franklin, RHP
One surprising drops on Law’s top prospect list is Chih-Wei Hu, who ranked as the No. 4 prospect on ESPN’s list last year, but (as it is with most prospect lists) relief pitchers rarely rank inside the Top-10 regardless of skill set.
Law spotlighted Hu as one of two relievers to watch for in his discussion of prospects who should graduate in 2018:
Chih-Wei Hu should make the team’s bullpen out of spring training. Willy Adames, Christian Arroyo and Jake Bauers are probably ready to at least play in the majors, even if they’re a few years from their peaks, with possible openings at short, second and maybe third. Hard-throwing reliever Diego Castillo should get time in the major league bullpen as well. Brent Honeywell isn’t one of their projected five starters at the moment but should be first in line for a call-up.
Lucius Fox is ranked more highly by Law than the rest of the industry, but Fox also fits the type of profile Law prefers in his rankings. Indeed, Fox’s floor is likely at least a major league bench player, given his speed and athleticism. Law slaps a 70 grade on Fox’s defense.
As noted above, Law sees Bauers and Arroyo as major league players in 2018, but suggests Arroyo’s arm will be best suited to second base. Law notes that Arroyo’s acquisition is the only reason Joe McCarthy is not in the Top-10.