Several years ago I made the bold executive decision to stop trading away all of our best farm players for immediate gain. I selected a core group of players (Rafael Devers, Andrew Benintendi, Trea Turner, and Shohei Ohtani) that I stubbornly refused to trade under any circumstances and no matter how tempting the trade offers would be. I then freely traded the "B Group" of prospects from those farm teams in exchange for immediate gain.
Unfortunately for the Cowtippers franchise, it appears that the "B Group" (Wander F'ing Franco, Aaron Judge, and Yordan Alvarez, among others) was better than that "A Group."
Since then, I have added a few more players to the "untouchables" list: Adley Rutschman, Asa Lacy, Austin Martin, and Spencer Howard. Hopefully, those four will be at least as productive as the three that we decided were disposable.
In years past, I have expended way too much effort to provide a comprehensive summary of each of our team's top ten prospects on this page. Thanks to an entire year lost to COVID, there is nothing new to report beyond what was written here a year ago. If you want the details, simply scroll through the posts until you come to last year's entry. For now, this will have to suffice:
Salem's Top Ten Prospects
1. Adley Rutschman, cBorn: February 6, 1998 (age 22). B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 208. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #3), 2018.
The Scoop: Rutschman has been called a "generational talent" by more than one pundit over the years. He is currently ranked as the #2 prospect in baseball (behind former 'Tipper prospect Franco) by Baseball America and MLB.com. He hits for both average and power, has an excellent glove and arm behind the plate, and hits from both sides of the plate. When he is finally given the chance to play in MLB, he will instantly become one of our best hitters in the heart of our lineup.
2. Austin Martin, 3b/ss/cf
Born: March 23, 1999 (age 21.) B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 170. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #1), 2019.
The Scoop: The #5 overall pick in last year's MLB draft, Martin's bat is already Major League-ready. The only question is where he lands defensively. He played most of his college career at third base, but also spent some time at second base, shortstop, and center field. He will hit for a high average, with at least average power, regardless of where he ends up. If anyone is ever allowed to play baseball again, he will likely start the 2021 season at the High-A level, but I would be surprised if he lasts more than a month before his first promotion.
3. Asa Lacy, p
Born: June 2, 1999 (age 22). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 214. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #2), 2019.
The Scoop: Lacy was the fourth overall pick in last year's MLB draft. He is a hard-throwing left-hander with 55-60 grades across the board. Given his stuff, his college track record, and the amount of money the Kansas City Royals spent on him, I would be shocked if he doesn't move quickly up the organizational ladder. A 2021 cup of coffee would not be surprising.
4. Nick Madrigal, 2b
Born: March 5, 1997 (age 23.) B-T: R-R. Ht: 5-7. Wt: 165. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #3), 2017.
The Scoop: He will never hit for power, but Madrigal brings so many other assets to the game that it's impossible to imagine a scenario where he isn't a major contributor for the next several years. He strikes out so rarely that few other players in baseball can match his K-rate. He plays exceptional defense. He hits for a high average. He gets on base. He steals bases. Unlike most of the other players on this list, he actually played baseball in 2020, and hit .340 with a .376 OBP in a 109-PA cup of coffee in the big leagues. In other words: he is already contributing. He should be fun to watch in 2021!
5. Spencer Howard, p
Born: July 28, 1996 (age 24). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 205. Acquired: 3rd round, 2019 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: With Stephen Strasburg and Sonny Gray leaving us for free agency at the end of this season, we desperately need fresh new arms to take their place. That makes Howard the most important player on this list from the Salem Cowtippers' perspective. If he does not succeed as well as we hope, our team could be in big trouble. He stumbled a bit in his MLB debut (24+ IP, 5.92 ERA), but also ran into some bad luck and nagging injuries. We need him to be healthy and productive in 2021. If he is, he could be our ace.
Born: June 2, 1999 (age 22). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 214. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #2), 2019.
The Scoop: Lacy was the fourth overall pick in last year's MLB draft. He is a hard-throwing left-hander with 55-60 grades across the board. Given his stuff, his college track record, and the amount of money the Kansas City Royals spent on him, I would be shocked if he doesn't move quickly up the organizational ladder. A 2021 cup of coffee would not be surprising.
4. Nick Madrigal, 2b
Born: March 5, 1997 (age 23.) B-T: R-R. Ht: 5-7. Wt: 165. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #3), 2017.
The Scoop: He will never hit for power, but Madrigal brings so many other assets to the game that it's impossible to imagine a scenario where he isn't a major contributor for the next several years. He strikes out so rarely that few other players in baseball can match his K-rate. He plays exceptional defense. He hits for a high average. He gets on base. He steals bases. Unlike most of the other players on this list, he actually played baseball in 2020, and hit .340 with a .376 OBP in a 109-PA cup of coffee in the big leagues. In other words: he is already contributing. He should be fun to watch in 2021!
5. Spencer Howard, p
Born: July 28, 1996 (age 24). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 205. Acquired: 3rd round, 2019 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: With Stephen Strasburg and Sonny Gray leaving us for free agency at the end of this season, we desperately need fresh new arms to take their place. That makes Howard the most important player on this list from the Salem Cowtippers' perspective. If he does not succeed as well as we hope, our team could be in big trouble. He stumbled a bit in his MLB debut (24+ IP, 5.92 ERA), but also ran into some bad luck and nagging injuries. We need him to be healthy and productive in 2021. If he is, he could be our ace.
6. Connor Prielipp, p
Born: January 10, 2001 (age 20). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 205. Acquired: 1st round, 2021 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: With most pundits in agreement that the MLB Class of 2021 is relatively weak compared to other classes, and 2022 looks to be a very strong class, we decided to go after Class of '22 prospect Prielipp with our #1 pick of this winter's draft. He won Freshman of the Year honors last year after a very abbreviated season in which he didn't allow a single run through four starts (21 innings), with six walks and 35 strikeouts. He is currently ranked among the top ten prospects in the '22 draft class by most pundits, and would be a high first-round pick if the draft were held today. Of course, a lot can (and does) happen in the 18+ months prior to a draft. For now, we're hoping that we caught lightning in a bottle.
Born: January 10, 2001 (age 20). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 205. Acquired: 1st round, 2021 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: With most pundits in agreement that the MLB Class of 2021 is relatively weak compared to other classes, and 2022 looks to be a very strong class, we decided to go after Class of '22 prospect Prielipp with our #1 pick of this winter's draft. He won Freshman of the Year honors last year after a very abbreviated season in which he didn't allow a single run through four starts (21 innings), with six walks and 35 strikeouts. He is currently ranked among the top ten prospects in the '22 draft class by most pundits, and would be a high first-round pick if the draft were held today. Of course, a lot can (and does) happen in the 18+ months prior to a draft. For now, we're hoping that we caught lightning in a bottle.
7. J.T. Ginn, p
Born: May 20, 1999 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 192. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #3), 2019.
The Scoop: Ginn lost all but three innings of his 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery. Assuming he makes a full recovery, we're looking at a pitcher who dominated as a college freshman, who throws a 99-mph sinker and vicious slider. If he can develop the change-up that he was working on prior to his injury, he could be a frontline starter. If he can't, he can be a dominant reliever. Either way, we look forward to watching his development over the coming year.
Born: May 20, 1999 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 192. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #3), 2019.
The Scoop: Ginn lost all but three innings of his 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery. Assuming he makes a full recovery, we're looking at a pitcher who dominated as a college freshman, who throws a 99-mph sinker and vicious slider. If he can develop the change-up that he was working on prior to his injury, he could be a frontline starter. If he can't, he can be a dominant reliever. Either way, we look forward to watching his development over the coming year.
8. Antoine Kelly, p
Born: December 5,1999 (age 21). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-6. Wt: 205. Acquired: 3rd round, 2021 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: Kelly posted some crazy Nintendo numbers (19.1 K/9!) in junior college, and was drafted in the second round by Milwaukee in 2019. He continued to rack up strikeouts (not nearly to the same extent!) in his first professional season, and was consistently named as the most exciting and electric prospect at the alternative training site this past summer. He could be poised for a huge breakout in 2021.
Born: December 5,1999 (age 21). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-6. Wt: 205. Acquired: 3rd round, 2021 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: Kelly posted some crazy Nintendo numbers (19.1 K/9!) in junior college, and was drafted in the second round by Milwaukee in 2019. He continued to rack up strikeouts (not nearly to the same extent!) in his first professional season, and was consistently named as the most exciting and electric prospect at the alternative training site this past summer. He could be poised for a huge breakout in 2021.
9. Carmen Mlodzinski, p
Born: February 19,1999 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 231. Acquired: 5th round, 2020 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: Mlodzinski has flown under the radar, thanks to a broken foot that limited him to just three starts in 2019, combined with the loss of nearly the entire 2020 season due to the pandemic. He landed on our radar thanks to his 2019 summer performance in the Cape League, where he ranked among the very top prospects. He could either break out in a big way in 2021 or he could become one of the first players we release. There is no in-between.
Born: February 19,1999 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 231. Acquired: 5th round, 2020 winter farm draft.
The Scoop: Mlodzinski has flown under the radar, thanks to a broken foot that limited him to just three starts in 2019, combined with the loss of nearly the entire 2020 season due to the pandemic. He landed on our radar thanks to his 2019 summer performance in the Cape League, where he ranked among the very top prospects. He could either break out in a big way in 2021 or he could become one of the first players we release. There is no in-between.
10. Jason Vosler, 1b/3b
Born: September 6, 1993 (age 27). B-T: L-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 205. Acquired: Trade, winter, 2021.
The Scoop: We are always late to the game when it comes to those "Quad-A" players who come out of nowhere to become major league impact players. By the time we notice guys like Luke Voit, Max Muncy, Mike Yastrzemski, and others like them, it's too late. We're hoping to catch this lightning in a bottle before it strikes. Vosler fits the same description as those others: 27 years old, career minor leaguer, terrific stats in Triple-A, big-time raw power, but no role in the major leagues. That last part changed when Vosler was signed by the San Francisco Giants. The opportunity for him to shine is now here. Let's see what he does with it.
Born: September 6, 1993 (age 27). B-T: L-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 205. Acquired: Trade, winter, 2021.
The Scoop: We are always late to the game when it comes to those "Quad-A" players who come out of nowhere to become major league impact players. By the time we notice guys like Luke Voit, Max Muncy, Mike Yastrzemski, and others like them, it's too late. We're hoping to catch this lightning in a bottle before it strikes. Vosler fits the same description as those others: 27 years old, career minor leaguer, terrific stats in Triple-A, big-time raw power, but no role in the major leagues. That last part changed when Vosler was signed by the San Francisco Giants. The opportunity for him to shine is now here. Let's see what he does with it.
