Thursday, October 26
Seby Zavala, C, White Sox (AFL, Glendale): 2-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Old for his level the last two years, Zavala put together a strong showing in High-A during the second half of 2017. He has some ability to hit for average and fringy pop, giving him a chance to overcome a lackluster defensive profile and reach the majors as a backup catcher.
Edmundo Sosa, SS, Cardinals (AFL, Surprise): 2-4, R, 3B, RBI
Sosa is a glove-first shortstop who should stick at the position. He’s not without offensive ability, though his upside is limited. He has a chance to hit for average, though it will be relatively empty. Most scouts I’ve spoken to believe he profiles best in a backup or utility role.
Burch Smith, RHP, Rays (AFL, Surprise): 4 IP, H, 0 R/ER, BB, 6 K
After missing nearly three full seasons of action due to injury, Smith tossed a three levels in 2017, though he lacked the flashy raw stuff he had showed earlier in his minor-league career. Smith is a command-and-control righty, which doesn’t portend significant big-league success in today’s game.
Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves (AFL, Peoria): 3-4, 4 R, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB
It was the same in High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and now the AFL. Acuna is stupid good.
Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (AFL, Peoria): 4-6, 3 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, K
One of the hottest players in the AFL, Riley notched a nice feat, posting a cycle on Thursday. He may be a first baseman long term, but Riley has the plus-plus raw power and hitting ability to be a middle-of-the-order bat that clicks at first base.
Gerson Moreno, RHP, Tigers (AFL, Mesa): 2 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Moreno is one of the latest in a long line of Tigers prospects with triple-digit heat. He’s found improved command in 2017, and his slider has sharpened, leading to some dominating results. He should see Detroit in 2018, and with the state of that big-league roster, he will get plenty of opportunities to work out any kinks in advance of a long-term role in the Tigers’ bullpen.
Kevin Kaczmarski, OF, Mets (AFL, Scottsdale): 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, K
There’s nothing flashy here, but Kaczmarski can make contact, drive the ball to the gaps, and defend enough to avoid being a defensive liability. He is probably a fourth outfielder at the big-league level, but as a cheap senior sign in the ninth round, he could be a solid draft choice.
Friday, October 27
Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians (AFL, Glendale): 2-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI, K
Personally, I struggle projecting players with Bradley’s profile to significant success in the majors, but he has some attributes that give him a chance to contribute. There’s power and enough hitting ability that he could carve out a career as a reasonable first base option.
Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves (AFL, Peoria): 3-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI
I have nothing to say here. I simply enjoy typing out his lines.
Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox (DWL, Cibao): 1-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K
The centerpiece of the deal that sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs, Jimenez should be an impact player on the next contending White Sox team. He’s a gifted offensive player who may still have some development remaining, but he should be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
Saturday, October 28
Matt Beaty, 1B, Dodgers (AFL, Glendale): 2-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Beaty hit well in Double-A this year as a 24-year old, showing improved power and garnering some attention as a potential fringe big-league option. With Cody Bellinger already in LA, there will be limited opportunities for Beaty to contribute, but he could be a reasonable depth piece or secondary piece in a trade should the Dodgers look to add talent.
Cam Gibson, OF, Tigers (AFL, Mesa): 2-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, K
Gibson has impressive big-league bloodlines as Kirk Gibson‘s son and he’s a premium athlete, but I don’t really see the bat playing enough to compensate for his marginal defensive instincts and poor arm. Gibson may reach the big leagues as a reserve, but he profiles better as an org player who helps minor-league clubs sell some tickets because of his family ties.
Max Fried, LHP, Braves (AFL, Peoria): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, BB, 5 K
Fried has been one of the most dominating presences in the AFL so far. He ended 2017 in the big leagues and has a chance to break camp with the big club again next year. If the progress—most notably the strike throwing—continue, he could be a surprise contributor for Atlanta next summer.
Justus Sheffield, LHP, Yankees (AFL, Scottsdale): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K
The Yankees are going to need some pitching to supplement the bevy of young hitters they have at and close to the big-league level, and Sheffield could be a key component by late 2018. A lefty with a solid low- to mid-90s fastball and quality slider could be a nice piece in the Yankees’ rotation over the long term.
Thank you for reading
This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.
Subscribe now