MLB prospects we could still see in 2018

Amid a system filled with tantalizing top prospect arms, Allen has emerged as the most consistent and MLB-ready of the current bunch. The southpaw was an All-Star at Double-A San Antonio and has posted a 10-6 record while holding opponents to a .205 average. He pitches with a confidence and has a well-round approach that could allow him to bypass Triple-A altogether.

A naturally gifted hitter, Alonso has a level of raw power that is easy to see. Between Double- and Triple-A, he has connected for 27 home runs in 2018 after hitting 18 in his first full pro season last summer. In addition, he has continued to mature at the plate, raising his on-base percentage north of .400. Alonso is putting the pressure on another top prospect at his position in Dominic Smith, whom he could be splitting at-bats with before season’s end in New York.

Cease is a prototype power pitcher, who has a dominant fastball that can ramp up as high as 100 mph. However, he is far from a one-trick pony, as his curveball is also a plus out pitch that is rapidly developing. Add in a maturing changeup, and it is clear why Cease could at the very least be bullpen-ready by the end of the summer on the South Side of Chicago.

Diaz was the top talent amid the Orioles roster purge at the deadline, coming over from the Dodgers as part of the Manny Machado package. In his new home, his profile immediately skyrockets to becoming the O’s top prospect, and he could see the opportunity to fit into their redeveloping roster before year’s end. One of the fastest rising prospects in the game this year, his natural power stroke stands to play well in the generous confines of Camden Yards.

The Cardinals brought Garcia into their system a year ago after he was named MVP of Cuba’s Serie Nacional contest. Over two minor league seasons, Garcia has hit 36 home runs with more than 795 at-bats while contributing at all three outfield spots. With the Cardinals giving many of their top prospects a chance to prove their worth in St. Louis for the rest of the year, Garcia’s rapid take to the American game could land him a long-term shot with the club.

Although the Minnesota rotation is fairly set, getting a look at Gonsalves before the end of the year would not be a bad idea. He has continued his steady rise through the minors this year, putting down Double- and Triple-A competition with the same relative approach. While he will never overwhelm opponents, a mixture of a deceptive approach and deep pitch assortment will allow him to get outs in the majors as well.

With the Twins completely overhauling their middle infield at the trade deadline, opportunity is imminent for Gordon. Ever since the team used the fifth-overall pick on the speedy middle infielder four years ago, the plan was to groom him for such a situation as is now here. Although he has struggled at the plate over 70-plus Triple-A games, his speed, defense and knack for making contact will get him a chance to get some reps in as a major leaguer before the year wraps.

While his name certainly hasn't hurt his notability, it is the bat of Vlad Jr. that is truly making the loudest noise. After decimating Double-A pitching in a Ted Williams-like fashion (.402/.449/.671 with 16 homers and 19 doubles in 61 games), Guerrero didn’t put his foot on the brakes when finally reaching Triple-A. The 21-year-old phenom homered in his first game and has hit nearly .500 over his first 10 games. He has been beyond ready to reach the majors all year, and the Blue Jays would be smart to give their fan base a glimpse of the team’s next great superstar to make turnstiles move over the last month of the year.

Irvin is everything one would expect from a polished college pitcher, quickly making strides as a professional due to his understanding of the game. While no one particular part of his arsenal jumps off the page, he can create outs with all four of his pitches. Although his future will be toward the middle of the Phillies’ starting staff, Irvin could be of immediate value as a left-handed depth arm in the bullpen this September.

No prospect brings a more exciting singular skill than Jimenez’ power, which will immediately be evident upon his arrival in Chicago. The top prospect within an insanely deep White Sox system, Jimenez has dominated minor league pitching all summer, hitting .336 with 19 home runs and a .987 OPS between the two highest rungs of the Chicago system. While the team will ultimately try him at a corner outfield slot, he has natural impact DH written all over him.

The only hurdle left in front of Kopech is getting a leash on the sheer power of his fastball, which is both his greatest weapon and biggest foe, often simultaneously. However, the velocity of his heater plays perfectly in the all-or-nothing nature of the game today, and he will immediately become one of the elite strikeout producers after he gets his first time around the block in the majors under his belt. No time better than the lost current season of the Sox to give him a chance to start that process.

Included in the package from the Yankees in exchange for Sonny Gray, Mateo could ultimately end up being the best part of the deal long term given Gray’s struggles. The A’s have put Mateo to work between his natural shortstop slot and center field, cashing in on his athletic gifts. His most unmistakable of those is his speed, which translates into impressive stolen base totals (254 in his pro career so far) and allows him to easily profile defensively at multiple positions.

Mejia switched scenes at the trade deadline, being the highest ranked prospect to be moved at that time. Although the 22-year-old had bounced around at a few positions in the Indians organization, he will remain behind the dish with the Padres. His bat is mature enough to begin to make waves in the majors as soon as the team deems it fit to do so.

The Orioles infield has undergone considerable changes in the last month, with both Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop leaving town. This opens up a chance for Mountcastle to potentially stake his claim to one of the new vacancies, as he has continued to hound minor league pitching. The 21-year-old has brought a mature approach to the plate that has showcased both his power (29 extra base hits) and patience (55 Ks in 300 at-bats).

The Orioles’ top goal amid their recent selloff was to get back as much projectable pitching as possible to correct the path of their horrid recent offerings on the mound. Ortiz, who went to Baltimore in exchange for Jonathan Schoop, could make the most immediate impact in the majors. Possessing a mid-90s fastball and the desire to regularly attack batters with it, he still needs some polish for his secondary arsenal to reach his full potential. But given the depleted status of the Orioles’ rotation, Ortiz could get a shot to audition for 2019 before the year is up.

2018 was supposed to be the full-fledged breakout year for Robles, but instead it has been a frustrating pause in his ascension for both player and team. An elbow injury sidelined him just four games into the year and kept him out of action until late July. But with the Nationals on the ropes after a disappointing 2018, if Robles begins to show the same all-around buffet of talents he has thus far in his career, a call-up to the majors in September could still be in the cards, as the club goes all in on salvaging its season.

Although the Yankees have taken their time in unleashing their system’s top arm, the time may be now. Their major league rotation is in bad shape, with CC Sabathia, Lance Lynn and Masahiro Tanaka being counted on far too much for a club with serious postseason aspirations. The hard-throwing Sheffield would instantly become the second most electric arm in the Yankee rotation aside from Luis Severino. Sheffield has toyed with Double- and Triple-A opponents this summer, striking out 114 in 107 innings and holding them to a .190 average over 19 outings.

The Astros first-round pick two years ago, Whitley has all the makings of bringing yet another ace-caliber arm to Houston. His fastball can live in the upper 90s, while all three of his secondary pitches can induce outs as well. Standing at 6-foot-7, he adds the intimidation factor of bearing down with his heat and cutting it away as well. In a similar fashion to how David Price and Adam Wainwright did as youngsters on a postseason roster, Whitley could immediately impact this October’s bullpen in Houston before joining the rotation next year.

The Cubs have already made the call to pull Underwood up to their staff once, and for good reason. He has the type of electric fastball that comes in handy late in the year, and developments with his breaking ball have allowed him to become even tougher to connect with. Yet the downside still exists in that he struggles with his command at times and becomes hittable while battling back. But with the Cubs staff in need of as much support as possible, having Underwood as an option is best served in the pros at this point.

A precocious presence at the plate, Urias owns a .398 career on-base percentage since joining the Padres’ system as a 17-year-old. Four years later, Urias is knocking on the door of the majors as a multitooled middle infielder. Due to the presence of top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr, he has shifted to second base and should get a chance this season to audition for full-time duty next summer.

After reaching the majors briefly with the Rays in July, Williams found himself shipped to St. Louis as a part of a trade that landed Tommy Pham in Tampa. He will now join an organization flush with outfield talent but trying to see which ones will separate themselves from the pack. Thus, as the top talent in the deal, Williams will likely get a shot to show what he has in September.