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Previous winner
C Ronaldo Hernandez (R/R, 6’1 185, 22 in 2020)
2019 statistics with Class A-Advanced Charlotte: 427 PA, .265/.299/.397, 9 HR, 31 XBH, 4.0 BB% 15.2 K%
It’s crucial that Hernandez’s defense improved in 2019, but he didn’t hit as well after moving up a level. His aggressive plate approach may have caught up with him. He still excelled putting his bat on the ball, but he has to be more patient to make less weak contact. If he’s able to do that, he’ll be able to tap into his plus raw power, like he did with Bowling Green in 2018.
The Rays made some additions and one major subtraction. Matthew Liberatore is out, so everyone will just slide up a spot. The question then becomes whether any of the players added in that trade or the Austin Pruitt trade need to be added to the list immediately. If you believe so, answer yes to the poll. If a majority votes yes, there will be a special election next week. If not, then we’ll just continue with the list normally.
2020 Community prospect list
| Rank | Player | Votes | Total | Percentage | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Votes | Total | Percentage | Last season |
| 1 | SS Wander Franco | 57 | 57 | 100.0% | 1 |
| 2 | DH/LHP Brendan McKay | 136 | 251 | 54.2% | 3 |
| 3 | IF Vidal Brujan | 66 | 197 | 33.5% | 8 |
| 4 | RHP Shane Baz | 82 | 207 | 39.6% | 12 |
| 5 | OF Josh Lowe | 72 | 257 | 28.0% | 18 |
| 6 | LHP Shane McClanahan | 50 | 193 | 25.9% | 11 |
| 7 | IF/OF Yoshitomo Tsutsugo | 68 | 227 | 30.0% | N/A |
| 8 | IF Xavier Edwards | 78 | 178 | 43.8% | N/A |
| 9 | OF Randy Arozarena | Special | election | N/A | |
| 10 | C Ronaldo Hernandez | 71 | 185 | 38.4% | 7 |
| 11 | RHP Brent Honeywell | 81 | 147 | 55.1% | 2 |
| 12 | SS Greg Jones | 121 | 260 | 46.5% | N/A |
| 13 | RHP Joe Ryan | 106 | 214 | 49.5% | N/R |
| 14 | 3B Kevin Padlo | 79 | 179 | 44.1% | N/R |
| 15 | IF Taylor Walls | 65 | 156 | 41.7% | 20 |
| 16 | RHP JJ Goss | 49 | 129 | 38.0% | N/A |
| 17 | OF Nick Schnell | 38 | 109 | 34.9% | 22 |
| 18 | LHP Anthony Banda | 38 | 139 | 27.3% | 16 |
| 19 | RHP Riley O'Brien | 45 | 145 | 31.0% | N/R |
| 20 | SS Lucius Fox | 30 | 122 | 24.6% | 13 |
| 21 | OF Moises Gomez | 35 | 117 | 29.9% | 15 |
| 22 | RHP Taj Bradley | 88 | 169 | 52.1% | N/R |
| 23 | LHP John Doxakis | 32 | 107 | 29.9% | N/A |
| 24 | RHP Seth Johnson | 39 | 119 | 32.8% | N/A |
| 25 | C Michael Perez | 24 | 113 | 21.2% | 23 |
| 26 | LHP Josh Fleming | 36 | 146 | 24.7% | N/R |
| 27 | OF Garrett Whitley | 28 | 110 | 25.5% | 21 |
| 28 | OF Niko Hulsizer | ||||
| 29 | LHP Michael Plassmeyer | ||||
| 30 | RHP Peter Fairbanks | ||||
| 31 | SS Alejandro Pie | ||||
| 32 | RHP Drew Strotman | ||||
| 33 | OF Jhon Diaz | ||||
| 34 | C Chris Betts | ||||
| 35 | RHP Sandy Gaston | ||||
| 36 | LHP Resly Linares | ||||
| 37 | C Brett Sullivan | ||||
| 38 | RHP Joel Peguero | ||||
| 39 | RHP Tobias Myers | ||||
| 40 | IF Ford Proctor |
RHP Brent Honeywell (6’2 195, 25 in 2020)
Did not pitch in 2019
It was another lost season for Honeywell. After Tommy John surgery cost him 2018, a broken elbow cost him 2019. When he last pitched, he had great stuff and threw strikes with a hard fastball, and impressive secondary pitches — a screwball, changeup, and slider.
SS Greg Jones (S/R, 6’2 175, 22 in 2020)
2019 statistics with short-season Hudson Valley: 218 PA, .335/.413/.461, 19/27 SB, 18 XBH, 10.1 BB%, 25.7 K%
Jones may have been considered raw coming out of UNC Wilmington, but he got his pro career off to a great start. He was third in the New York-Penn League in average, second in on-base percentage, and seventh in slugging percentage. His best tool is his speed, which rivals Vidal Brujan’s. He may never hit for much power, but he should take good at-bats and get his bat on the ball to make use of his speed.
3B Kevin Padlo (R/R, 6’2 205, 23 in 2020)
2019 statistics with Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham: 432 PA, .265/.389/.538, 21 HR, 53 XBH, 12/16 SB, 15.7 BB%, 26.9 K%
Padlo broke a hamate bone in 2017, and it took him until the 2019 season to get back on track. He’s always had power potential, and now that he’s healthy, he’s showing it in games. His average wasn’t bad, and he posted a high walk rate. At third base, he’s a good defender and also spent a handful of games at both first base and second base, which he was able to do with his athleticism.
RHP Joe Ryan (6’1 185, 24 in 2020)
2019 statistics with Class-A Bowling Green, Class A-Advanced Charlotte, and Double-A Montgomery: 123 2⁄3 IP, 1.96 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 5.6 BB%, 38.0 K%
Ryan came out of nowhere in 2019 and was one of the best pitchers in minor league baseball. He leans heavily on a fastball that batters have a hard time picking up, and he finished second in the minors in strikeouts. His velocity may only be above average, but he commands his fastball well and throws a lot of strikes. His changeup can be above average, and he has to improve his breaking ball.
IF Taylor Walls (S/R, 5’10 180, 23 in 2020)
2019 statistics with Class A-Advanced Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery: 423 PA, .270/.343/.452, 10 HR, 40 XBH, 28/43 SB, 10.6 BB%, 18.7 K%
An injury kept Walls from really starting his season until May, but it didn’t affect him much, as he was able to finish the season in Double A. Known as one of the better defenders in the organization, he gained versatility last season, often sharing the field with other prospects who needed innings at shortstop. At the plate, he makes consistent contact, knows the strike zone, and showed a little more power in 2019.
OF Randy Arozarena (R/R, 5’11 170, 25 in 2020)
2019 statistics with St. Louis: 23 PA, .300/.391/.500, 1 HR, 2/3 SB, 8.7 BB%, 17.4 K%
2019 with Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis: 399 PA, .344/.431/.571, 15 HR, 44 XBH, 17/29 SB, 9.3 BB%, 17.8 K%
Like other players in his new organization, speed is the key to Arozarena’s game. He puts the ball in play, although he wasn’t an efficient basestealer once he got on the bases this season. That speed also makes him an effective defender in all three outfield positions. At the plate, he makes consistent contact with below-average power. Despite his limited experience, he was on St. Louis’ playoff roster.
RHP Peyton Battenfield (6’4 224, 22 in 2020)
2019 statistics with short-season Tri-City: 39 1⁄3 IP, 1.60 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.7 BB%, 29.7 K%
Acquired in the Austin Pruitt trade, Battenfield was almost exclusively a reliever in college, but the Astros had him make a few starts in his pro debut. With four pitches, the ninth-round pick should get a chance to start, although his stuff is only average. He didn’t allow a home run in his 39 1⁄3 innings.
OF Cal Stevenson (L/L, 5’10 175, 23 in 2020)
2019 statistics with Class A-Advanced Dunedin and Class A-Advanced Fayetteville: 490 PA, .288/.388/.384, 25 XBH, 13/22 SB, 14.1 BB%, 13.3 K%
Stevenson was acquired by Houston alongside Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini at the deadline. He was just a 10th-round pick by the Blue Jays, but he rose up the rankings quickly, playing well in 2019 despite skipping over Class A entirely. He has a great plate approach and always puts his bat on the ball, but he’s not going to hit for power. He’s a decent athlete and can play all three outfield positions.