As we head into decade three of prospect rankings right here on MLB.com, we’ve taken a while to look again and see how we did, together with a deep dive into some rating knowledge.
Most of the gamers who’ve landed on our rankings on the best way to the massive leagues have clearly gone on to do superb issues on the highest stage. So we thought it could be enjoyable to place collectively an All-Time Prospect Crew.
There’s no super-scientific option to assemble a squad like this, particularly with so many former prospects within the primes of their careers more likely to maintain including to their spectacular Main League resumes. However I’ve determined to make use of WAR, based on baseball-reference, to provide you with starters and backups in any respect positions. Every participant under has his bWAR complete by the 2023 season listed after the best they ever appeared on both a preseason or midseason rankings checklist.
C: Joe Mauer (No. 1, 2004 preseason | 55.2 bWAR)
Our very first No. 1 prospect is headed to Cooperstown! Mauer, the highest decide within the 2001 Draft, spent his whole profession along with his hometown Twins and was a six-time All-Star, received three batting titles and three Gold Gloves whereas taking house 5 Silver Slugger Awards and an AL MVP. He completed his profession with a .306 batting common and 124 OPS+.
Backup: Buster Posey (No. 4, 2010 preseason | 44.8 bWAR)
Regulate: Adley Rutschman (No. 1, 2021 midseason | 9.6 bWAR)
1B: Joey Votto (No. 34, 2008 preseason | 64.4 bWAR)
The Reds stunned many within the trade once they took Votto from the Ontario highschool ranks within the second spherical of the 2002 Draft. Boy, have been they proper. Votto made his huge league debut in September 2007, then spent the following 16 years as an anchor within the lineup, successful MVP honors in 2010 (he completed within the prime 10 in voting 4 different occasions) and being named to 6 All-Star groups. Votto’s Reds profession ended with over 2,100 hits, greater than 350 homers and 1,100 RBIs (.294/409/.511, 144 OPS+).
Backup: Freddie Freeman (No. 17, 2011 preseason | 55.7 bWAR)
Regulate: Matt Olson (No. 73, 2015 preseason | 29.1 bWAR)
2B: Mookie Betts (No. 14, 2014 midseason | 64.5 bWAR)
The Purple Sox obtained Betts within the fifth spherical of the 2011 Draft — a spherical that resulted in 9 signed gamers reaching the massive leagues. Betts made his Main League debut at age 21 in June 2014 and earned the primary of seven All-Star nods two years later. Whereas he’s moved again to second base, he did win six Gold Gloves within the outfield and has half-dozen Silver Slugger Awards on his shelf. The 2018 AL MVP has completed within the prime two in Most Helpful Participant voting a complete of 4 occasions and he has two World Collection rings, with the Purple Sox in 2018 and with the Dodgers in ’20.
Backup: Howie Kendrick (No. 12, 2006 preseason | 35 bWAR)
Regulate: Ozzie Albies (No. 37, 2015 midseason | 20.2 bWAR)
3B: Evan Longoria (No. 2, 2008 preseason | 58.6 bWAR)
The Rays made Longoria the No. 3 total decide of the 2006 Draft and he was within the huge leagues by April 2008. He was named AL Rookie of the 12 months that season, together with making the primary of three All-Star groups. He additionally has a trio of Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award on his resume, bashing over 340 homers and driving in additional than 1,150 runs for a profession 119 OPS+.
Backup: Nolan Arenado (No. 22, 2012 preseason | 54.4 bWAR)
Regulate: Rafael Devers (No. 4, 2017 midseason | 18.8 bWAR)
SS: Manny Machado (No. 3, 2012 midseason | 54.9 bWAR)
Machado went third within the 2010 Draft to the Orioles, after the Nationals took Bryce Harper and the Pirates chosen Jameson Taillon. Machado performed brief within the Minors, however he wasn’t there for lengthy, making his huge league debut at third base in August 2012 at age 20. He’s been named to 6 All-Star groups, has two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award to go together with greater than 300 homers and a 125 OPS+.
Backup: Troy Tulowitzki (No. 9, 2007 preseason | 44.5 bWAR)
Regulate: Corey Seager (No. 1, 2016 preseason | 32 bWAR)
OF: Mike Trout (No. 1, 2011 preseason | 85.2 bWAR)
Trout has accrued extra bWAR than any prospect we’ve ranked during the last 20 years. The 2009 first-round decide was AL Rookie of the 12 months in ’12 and has been named an All-Star in 11 of his 13 seasons (his debut 12 months and the pandemic-shortened marketing campaign being the exceptions), and earned the sport’s MVP honors twice. He’s been the American League MVP 3 times and completed second on 4 different events, whereas accumulating 9 Silver Slugger Awards.
OF: Andrew McCutchen (No. 8, 2008 preseason | 48.6 bWAR)
McCutchen has turned out to be the perfect participant — a minimum of primarily based on bWAR — within the star-studded 2005 Draft class, outperforming Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki (who rank proper behind him). A five-time All-Star, McCutchen completed within the prime 5 in MVP voting for 4 straight seasons, successful the award in 2013. He additionally was the Silver Slugger at his place for all 4 of these years as nicely. He’ll end his profession with greater than 2,000 hits, 300 homers and 200 steals.
OF: Curtis Granderson (No. 50, 2005 preseason | 47.2 bWAR)
This one may be the most important shock, and his spot within the “beginning lineup” is probably going short-lived. However typically Granderson’s 16-year huge league profession will get missed, so I needed to provide him his due. A 3-time All-Star and winner of a Silver Slugger Award in 2011, Granderson completed his profession with 344 homers and 153 stolen bases for an OPS+ of 113.
Backups: Bryce Harper (No. 2, 2012 preseason | 46.2 bWAR); Giancarlo Stanton (No. 3, 2010 preseason | 44 bWAR); Aaron Decide (No. 21, 2015 midseason | 41.5 bWAR)
Regulate: Juan Soto (No. 29, 2018 preseason | 28.6 bWAR)
RHP: Justin Verlander (No. 5, 2006 preseason | 80.9 bWAR)
Verlander trails solely Trout on the all-time prospect bWAR checklist and will make his option to Cooperstown finally. The 2004 No. 2 total decide has received three Cy Younger Awards, an MVP and Rookie of the 12 months. He’s been named an All-Star 9 occasions, claimed a pair of ERA titles and a pitching triple crown. He’s received World Collection titles with the Astros in 2017 and ’22, and recorded greater than 3,300 strikeouts and over 250 wins.
LHP: Clayton Kershaw (No. 4, 2008 preseason | 79.9 bWAR)
The 2006 first-rounder received 20 video games for the primary time in ’11. That was additionally when he received his first of three Cy Younger Awards and was named an All-Star for the primary of 10 occasions. The southpaw additionally was the NL MVP in 2014 and he’s received 5 ERA titles within the Nationwide League heading into ’24.
RHP: Zack Greinke (No. 4, 2004 preseason | 77.5 bWAR)
One other member of our inaugural rankings, Greinke has had an incredible 20-year profession within the huge leagues. He obtained Rookie of the 12 months votes in that 2004 season, then picked up his Cy Younger Award together with the primary of six All-Star nods in 2009. An amazing athlete, Greinke has six Gold Gloves to his credit score and has additionally received two ERA titles.
RHP: Max Scherzer (No. 35, 2008 preseason | 75 bWAR)
The one energetic pitcher on the finish of the 2023 season with extra strikeouts than Verlander, Scherzer received his first Cy Younger Award in ’13 with the Tigers, then received two extra back-to-back in ’16 and ’17 with the Nationals. He’s an eight-time All-Star, now with two World Collection rings and has among the many highest strikeouts-per-nine and strikeouts-per-walk charges in Main League historical past.
LHP: Cole Hamels (No. 6, 2004 preseason | 59 bWAR)
Yet one more from our rankings debut, Hamels was taken by the Phillies in the midst of the primary spherical again in 2002 and made his debut in ’06. He made the primary of 4 All-Star appearances in his 15-year profession in 2007 and Phillies followers will all the time be indebted to him for successful each NLCS and World Collection MVP honors once they received all of it in ’08.
Backups: Félix Hernández (No. 3, 2005 preseason | 49.7 bWAR); Chris Sale (No. 25, 2011 preseason | 47.2 bWAR); Adam Wainwright (No. 32, 2004 preseason | 44.9 bWAR); Jon Lester (No. 18, 2006 preseason | 43.5 bWAR); Gerrit Cole (No. 8, 2012 midseason | 41.2 bWAR)
Regulate: Eury Pérez (No. 14, 2023 preseason | 2.5 bWAR)