The Mulligans farm club hasn't ranked among the top ten in our annual BDBL Farm Report since 2021. The last time we ranked #1 was WAAAAY back in 2003. I believe this is the year we finally re-take that number one spot. The annual prospect rankings haven't been published yet, but as of mid-2023 we owned two top-ten prospects in Baseball America's ranking: Ethan Salas at #6 and Wyatt Langford at #8. Three others (Brooks Lee at #24, Ricky Tiedemann at #33, and Chase Dollander at #40) rank among the top-40.
The last time we owned two top-10 prospects was 2010, when Stephen Strasburg (#1) and Pedro Alvarez (#6) were our top two prospects. One of those two may be heading to the BDBL Hall of Fame. Say, what ever happened to Pedro Alvarez?
Florida's Top Ten Prospects
1. Wyatt Langford, ofBorn: November 15, 2001 (age 22.) B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 225. Acquired: mid-season draft (pick #4), 2022.
Background: Langford was drafted fourth overall in last year's MLB draft following two monster years with the Florida Gators. His bat is his calling card. He has hit for both average and power at every level he has played over the past several years. He has excellent plate discipline and hits the ball hard to all fields.
Stats: As a sophomore, Langford hit a whopping .356/.447/.719 with 26 homers. As if those numbers weren't gaudy enough, he then improved in his junior year, hitting .373/.498/.784 with 21 homers and more walks (56) than strikeouts (44). He raked his way through Single-A (.333/.453/.644), and continued raking through Double-A (.405/.519/.762) before enjoying a brief five-game appearance in Triple-A. In total, Langford hit a total of 31 homers in a little more than 500 PAs last year.
The Future: Wyatt Langford is ready for the big leagues. Everyone knows this. But because of MLB's asinine rules he will probably rot away in the bush leagues for most of 2024 just as Adley Rutschman did for so many years. Langford is the type of player we need on our roster immediately. I have zero patience for the unique way that young athletes are treated in baseball as opposed to football and basketball and nearly every other sport on the planet. End rant.
2. Ethan Salas, c
Born: June 1, 2006 (age 17). B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 175. Acquired: midseason draft (pick #2), 2022.
Born: June 1, 2006 (age 17). B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 175. Acquired: midseason draft (pick #2), 2022.
Background: After signing for a whopping $5.6 million in January of 2023, no one thought Ethan Salas would finish that year playing Double-A ball at the tender age of 17, yet that is exactly what happened. He began the year playing full-season Low-A ball at the age of 16, which is incredible in itself. He was promoted to High-A in early August. Then, on August 20th, he was promoted to Double-A, roughly two months after his 17th birthday.
Stats: Despite facing much older and more experienced competition, Salas tore up the Low-A level, posting an .837 OPS in 220 PAs with 9 homers and 22 extra base hits. He struggled in his brief nine-game High-A appearance, hitting just .200/.243/.229, but was nevertheless promoted. He continued to struggle (.179/.303/.214 in 9 games) at Double-A before he was shut down for the season with a knee problem.
The Future: It seems crazy to think that we'll see Salas on our 2025 roster, but the way the Padres are pushing him, that may actually happen. As opposed to Langford, who is Major League ready right now, I believe Salas could use at least a year or two of seasoning before he hits the big time. Unfortunately, no one from the San Diego front office has asked for my opinion.
3. Brooks Lee, ss
Born: February 14, 2001 (22.) B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 190. Acquired: winter farm draft, 2021 (2nd round).
Background: Lee was the 8th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft following a stellar career with Cal Poly University, where he was coached by his father, Larry. The switch-hitting Lee has well above-average plate discipline, excellent contact skills, and is excellent defensively. He also has above-average "makeup" and "instincts," and has been tagged with that golden label of "gamer."
Stats: Lee posted an .848 OPS in his professional debut at two different levels in 2022. He followed that up with a strong performance (.275/.347/.461 with 16 homers) at the Double- and Triple-A levels last year. He also racked up 39 doubles and 3 triples at those two levels.
The Future: Ideally, the Twins will name Lee as their Opening Day shortstop during spring training next month. He will then become our everyday starting shortstop in 2025, smoothly taking the place of Trea Turner, who will be a free agent after this season. Perfect timing! Unfortunately, things don't tend to work out that way for us. My hunch is that the Twins will let Lee rot away in the minors for a couple of months before finally calling him up.
Stats: Despite facing much older and more experienced competition, Salas tore up the Low-A level, posting an .837 OPS in 220 PAs with 9 homers and 22 extra base hits. He struggled in his brief nine-game High-A appearance, hitting just .200/.243/.229, but was nevertheless promoted. He continued to struggle (.179/.303/.214 in 9 games) at Double-A before he was shut down for the season with a knee problem.
The Future: It seems crazy to think that we'll see Salas on our 2025 roster, but the way the Padres are pushing him, that may actually happen. As opposed to Langford, who is Major League ready right now, I believe Salas could use at least a year or two of seasoning before he hits the big time. Unfortunately, no one from the San Diego front office has asked for my opinion.
3. Brooks Lee, ss
Born: February 14, 2001 (22.) B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 190. Acquired: winter farm draft, 2021 (2nd round).
Background: Lee was the 8th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft following a stellar career with Cal Poly University, where he was coached by his father, Larry. The switch-hitting Lee has well above-average plate discipline, excellent contact skills, and is excellent defensively. He also has above-average "makeup" and "instincts," and has been tagged with that golden label of "gamer."
Stats: Lee posted an .848 OPS in his professional debut at two different levels in 2022. He followed that up with a strong performance (.275/.347/.461 with 16 homers) at the Double- and Triple-A levels last year. He also racked up 39 doubles and 3 triples at those two levels.
The Future: Ideally, the Twins will name Lee as their Opening Day shortstop during spring training next month. He will then become our everyday starting shortstop in 2025, smoothly taking the place of Trea Turner, who will be a free agent after this season. Perfect timing! Unfortunately, things don't tend to work out that way for us. My hunch is that the Twins will let Lee rot away in the minors for a couple of months before finally calling him up.
4. Ricky Tiedemann, p
Born: August 18, 2002 (age 21). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 220. Acquired: trade, winter 2023.
Born: August 18, 2002 (age 21). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 220. Acquired: trade, winter 2023.
Background: Tiedemann had a breakout year during his first full season of pro ball in 2022. With help from the Toronto Blue Jays coaching staff, he added a few miles per hour to his fastall and developed his secondary pitches into major weapons. He suffered an injury-shortened 2023 season due to a biceps issue, but finished strong, including an impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League in which he was named Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: Pitching at three different levels in 2022, Tiedemann posted an impressive 29/117 BB/K ratio in 78+ innings. In 2023, he increased both his walk (4.7) and strikeout (16.8) rates at four different minor league levels. He then posted a 2.50 ERA and a 8/23 BB/K ratio in 18 AFL innings.
The Future: There is a non-zero chance that Tiedemann will stick with the big club after spring training this year. We could really use some pitching in 2025, so I sincerely hope that happens.
5. Mike Sirota, of
Born: June 16, 2003 (age 20). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 187. Acquired: winter farm draft (10th round), 2022.
Background: A rising junior at Northeastern, Sirota is currently ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the 2024 MLB draft according to MLB.com. He has hit at every level he has played, including two stints in the summer Cape League. He possesses excellent bat speed and raw power. He is also an excellent center fielder defensively, with Gold Glove potential.
Stats: Sirota hit .326/.411/.511 as a freshman, with only four homers in 164 PAs. He added power as a sophomore last year, hitting .346/.472/.678 with 18 homers. He also walked (44) nearly as often as he struck out (49).
The Future: Sirota is projected to be selected in the early part of the 2024 MLB draft. Baseball America has him ranked at #5 in the class. Like Langford, he could and should move quickly up the ladder once he signs. A future outfield that includes both Langford and Sirota sounds very, very, appealing.
6. Felnin Celesten, ss
Born: September 15, 2005 (age 17). B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 175. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (2nd round), 2020.
Background: Considered to be among the top international prospects on the market last January, Celesten signed for $4.7 million with the Seattle Mariners. He gave an impressive performance in the spring, but then suffered a hamstring strain in June and missed the entire Dominican Summer League. He is a slick shortstop projected to hit for power and average from both sides of the plate. He is also a plus runner.
Stats: He has yet to play a single professional game, so no stats available.
The Future: I made the mistake of trading Wander F'ing Franco because I grew impatient waiting for him to play pro ball and figured he was expendable. I won't be making that mistake again. Whether he goes bust or boom I'm sticking with him. Celesten should finally play full-time baseball in 2024. I can't wait to see what he does.
Stats: Miller managed to play just 20 games (80 PAs) in the pros, but impressed in those 20 games. He hit .303/.425/.379 at two different levels, finishing the year at the Low-A Florida State League.
The Future: I have made the comp of Miller to Austin Riley in the past, and I'm sticking with it. They're both right-handed third basemen drafted in the late first round out of high school. They both hit for power and average. They both got off to hot starts in their professional careers. Riley tore up the Rookie level and found himself in the big leagues by age 22. I expect a similar career path for Miller.
Stats: Wilken managed to increase his walk rate and decrease his strikeout rate in his last year of college ball. He carried that newfound plate discipline over to pro ball, posting a 33/47 BB/K rate in 165 PAs at three different levels. Overall, he hit .285/.414/.473 in 203 PAs with only 5 home runs, but 17 extra base hits.
The Future: Wilken finished out the year at Double-A, where he hit two of his five homers, but also struggled a bit with strikeouts (nine in only six games.) I expect he will return to Double-A level to start this year. He could easily be promoted to Triple-A and could possibly get a cup of coffee in September. While he isn't currently ranked among the top-100 by any publication, I expect him to be a top-40 by this time next year.
Stats: The hype surrounding Dollander coming into 2023 was based on the monster season he had as a sophomore at the University of Tennessee. That year, in 79 innings, he allowed just 50 hits (5.7 per nine), 13 walks (1.5/9), and whiffed 108 batters (12.3/9). Last year, as a junior, he allowed 83 hits (8.4) and 30 walks (3.0) in 89 innings, with 120 (12.1) strikeouts. He also served up a whopping 14 home runs (1.4 per nine).
The Future: Is Chase Dollander the guy we saw in 2022 or the one we saw in 2023? As a big fan of mulligans, I'm willing to give him a mulligan on 2023 and cross my fingers that he will return to the dominant version we saw in 2022. If that guy shows up this year, we could have a future ace in a short amount of time.
Stats: Lalane posted a sparkling 4/34 BB/K ratio in 21+ innings at the FCL. Those numbers were a great leap forward from the numbers he posted in two Dominican Summer League seasons.
The Future: Lalane has about as much upside as any pitcher in the game. He made a great leap forward last year and I expect him to keep improving in 2024. I was very happy that he dropped to us at #14 in this year's farm draft. I even earned the coveted "damn you" from the Sylvester family for that pick. Nothing beats that.
Born: June 16, 2003 (age 20). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 187. Acquired: winter farm draft (10th round), 2022.
Background: A rising junior at Northeastern, Sirota is currently ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the 2024 MLB draft according to MLB.com. He has hit at every level he has played, including two stints in the summer Cape League. He possesses excellent bat speed and raw power. He is also an excellent center fielder defensively, with Gold Glove potential.
Stats: Sirota hit .326/.411/.511 as a freshman, with only four homers in 164 PAs. He added power as a sophomore last year, hitting .346/.472/.678 with 18 homers. He also walked (44) nearly as often as he struck out (49).
The Future: Sirota is projected to be selected in the early part of the 2024 MLB draft. Baseball America has him ranked at #5 in the class. Like Langford, he could and should move quickly up the ladder once he signs. A future outfield that includes both Langford and Sirota sounds very, very, appealing.
6. Felnin Celesten, ss
Born: September 15, 2005 (age 17). B-T: B-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 175. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (2nd round), 2020.
Background: Considered to be among the top international prospects on the market last January, Celesten signed for $4.7 million with the Seattle Mariners. He gave an impressive performance in the spring, but then suffered a hamstring strain in June and missed the entire Dominican Summer League. He is a slick shortstop projected to hit for power and average from both sides of the plate. He is also a plus runner.
Stats: He has yet to play a single professional game, so no stats available.
The Future: I made the mistake of trading Wander F'ing Franco because I grew impatient waiting for him to play pro ball and figured he was expendable. I won't be making that mistake again. Whether he goes bust or boom I'm sticking with him. Celesten should finally play full-time baseball in 2024. I can't wait to see what he does.
7. Aidan Miller, 3b
Born: June 9, 2004 (age 19). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 210. Acquired: trade, winter 2023.
Background: The 27th overall pick in the 2023 draft is currently ranked by MLB.com as the 90th-best prospect in baseball. He was expected to be selected much higher, but a broken hamate forced him to miss most of his senior year of high school. He has plus raw power and good hands at third base.
Born: June 9, 2004 (age 19). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 210. Acquired: trade, winter 2023.
Background: The 27th overall pick in the 2023 draft is currently ranked by MLB.com as the 90th-best prospect in baseball. He was expected to be selected much higher, but a broken hamate forced him to miss most of his senior year of high school. He has plus raw power and good hands at third base.
Stats: Miller managed to play just 20 games (80 PAs) in the pros, but impressed in those 20 games. He hit .303/.425/.379 at two different levels, finishing the year at the Low-A Florida State League.
The Future: I have made the comp of Miller to Austin Riley in the past, and I'm sticking with it. They're both right-handed third basemen drafted in the late first round out of high school. They both hit for power and average. They both got off to hot starts in their professional careers. Riley tore up the Rookie level and found himself in the big leagues by age 22. I expect a similar career path for Miller.
8. Brock Wilken, 3b
Born: June 17, 2022 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 225. Acquired: winter draft (1st round), 2022.
Background: Wilken was the 18th overall pick of last summer's MLB draft. He set the Wake Forest record for home runs (31) and walks (69) in his junior year last year. He mashed a whopping 71 homers in his three-year career with Wake Forest. He also crushed the ball in two stints in the Cape Cod League.
Born: June 17, 2022 (age 21). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-4. Wt: 225. Acquired: winter draft (1st round), 2022.
Background: Wilken was the 18th overall pick of last summer's MLB draft. He set the Wake Forest record for home runs (31) and walks (69) in his junior year last year. He mashed a whopping 71 homers in his three-year career with Wake Forest. He also crushed the ball in two stints in the Cape Cod League.
Stats: Wilken managed to increase his walk rate and decrease his strikeout rate in his last year of college ball. He carried that newfound plate discipline over to pro ball, posting a 33/47 BB/K rate in 165 PAs at three different levels. Overall, he hit .285/.414/.473 in 203 PAs with only 5 home runs, but 17 extra base hits.
The Future: Wilken finished out the year at Double-A, where he hit two of his five homers, but also struggled a bit with strikeouts (nine in only six games.) I expect he will return to Double-A level to start this year. He could easily be promoted to Triple-A and could possibly get a cup of coffee in September. While he isn't currently ranked among the top-100 by any publication, I expect him to be a top-40 by this time next year.
9. Chase Dollander, p
Born: October 26, 2001 (age 22). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 200. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #1), 2022.
Background: A year ago at this time, Dollander was considered to be the best pitcher in college baseball, a possible #1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and a "generational" pitcher along the lines of Stephen Strasburg. I'm not quite sure what happened, but he didn't pitch like a #1 overall, and someone named Paul Skenes came along to take his titles away. Dollander was still chosen in the first round, ninth overall (with a bonus of $5.72 million!), but the Rockies chose to let him rest all summer and fall rather than push him into professional ball.
Born: October 26, 2001 (age 22). B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 200. Acquired: mid-season farm draft (pick #1), 2022.
Background: A year ago at this time, Dollander was considered to be the best pitcher in college baseball, a possible #1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and a "generational" pitcher along the lines of Stephen Strasburg. I'm not quite sure what happened, but he didn't pitch like a #1 overall, and someone named Paul Skenes came along to take his titles away. Dollander was still chosen in the first round, ninth overall (with a bonus of $5.72 million!), but the Rockies chose to let him rest all summer and fall rather than push him into professional ball.
Stats: The hype surrounding Dollander coming into 2023 was based on the monster season he had as a sophomore at the University of Tennessee. That year, in 79 innings, he allowed just 50 hits (5.7 per nine), 13 walks (1.5/9), and whiffed 108 batters (12.3/9). Last year, as a junior, he allowed 83 hits (8.4) and 30 walks (3.0) in 89 innings, with 120 (12.1) strikeouts. He also served up a whopping 14 home runs (1.4 per nine).
The Future: Is Chase Dollander the guy we saw in 2022 or the one we saw in 2023? As a big fan of mulligans, I'm willing to give him a mulligan on 2023 and cross my fingers that he will return to the dominant version we saw in 2022. If that guy shows up this year, we could have a future ace in a short amount of time.
10. Henry Lalane, p
Born: May 18, 2004 (age 19). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-7. Wt: 211. Acquired: 2024 winter farm draft, round 1.
Background: The ginormous lefty Lalane was signed in 2021 as an international free agent. Both of his parents were professional athletes who passed their athleticism down to their son. Lalane was named the fourth-best prospect in the Florida Complex League by Baseball America, and was the league's best pitching prospect. He possesses three plus pitches in his arsenal, including a high-90s fastball.
Born: May 18, 2004 (age 19). B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-7. Wt: 211. Acquired: 2024 winter farm draft, round 1.
Background: The ginormous lefty Lalane was signed in 2021 as an international free agent. Both of his parents were professional athletes who passed their athleticism down to their son. Lalane was named the fourth-best prospect in the Florida Complex League by Baseball America, and was the league's best pitching prospect. He possesses three plus pitches in his arsenal, including a high-90s fastball.
Stats: Lalane posted a sparkling 4/34 BB/K ratio in 21+ innings at the FCL. Those numbers were a great leap forward from the numbers he posted in two Dominican Summer League seasons.
The Future: Lalane has about as much upside as any pitcher in the game. He made a great leap forward last year and I expect him to keep improving in 2024. I was very happy that he dropped to us at #14 in this year's farm draft. I even earned the coveted "damn you" from the Sylvester family for that pick. Nothing beats that.
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