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1. Edward Cabrera, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 70 | 60 | 70 | 60 | 55 | 60 |
Background: When I was working for Baseball Info Solutions many, many years ago, I scouted one of the first big league games of a young right-hander – Joakim Soria. I scribbled in my notebook, “special”. There was something about Soria that made me think he was destined to be a star at the big league level. During the 2018 season, as I was scouting minor league pitchers, I was struck by that same sense of potential future stardom. I was watching a wiry right-hander from Santiago, Dominican Republic, who was unfurling wipeout offering after wipeout offering. I was scouting Edward Cabrera for the first time. Since then, Cabrera has exploded up prospect charts and I’ve become his largest supporter. Signed by the organization for $100,000 as a 17-year-old on July 2nd, 2015, Cabrera wouldn’t start to blossom for three more years. The flame-throwing right-hander spent that year twirling games for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, posting a 93-to-42 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 100.1 innings of work. Cabrera’s dominance lurched forward the following season as he split time between Jupiter and Jacksonville, averaging 10.8 strikeouts and just 2.9 walks per nine innings to go along with a 2.23 ERA. After losing a season of further development due to the COVID-imposed shutdown, Cabrera did a two-game tune-up in early June with Jupiter before blitzing through Double-A and Triple-A and eventually making his big league debut with Miami at the end of August. The big righty finished the minor league season with 92 punch outs, 25 walks, and a 2.93 ERA 61.1 innings of work. Cabrera threw an additional 26.1 innings in The Show, averaging 9.6 strikeouts and 6.5 walks per nine innings.
Snippet from The 2020 Prospect Digest Handbook: I scouted a handful of Cabrera’s games in Class AA season. The main takeaway: he’s evolving from a thrower into a full-fledged pitcher. He’s always possessed a plus-plus fastball and that wipeout, hard-tilting slider, and a lot his early success was simply from overpowering low level hitters. Last season, though, his changeup progressed into an above-average weapon – one that (A) he showed a significant amount of trust in and (B) adds a third swing-and-miss option to his repertoire. It’s power changeup, sitting in the 91- to 92-mph range, with some dive to it. Cabrera has the look, build, and repertoire of a #2/#3-type arm. I really, really like him.
Scouting Report: Not only an elite arsenal, but – perhaps – the elite arsenal in all of the minor leagues. Cabrera’s owns four or better offerings that individually can befuddle and dominate hitters. Cabrera’s heater averages a smidgeon under 98 mph and will touch triple digits on occasion. His curveball, a low- to mid-80s offering, is a power breaking ball with late snapdragon bite. His slider is ever better, a genuine plus-plus pitch that can simply take the bat out of even the best of hitters’ hands. And his changeup, with low-90s velocity, shows hard, fading, riding life. When it comes to facing him, it’s pick your poison. Cabrera’s evolved as player, going from a thrower into a legitimate pitcher – and one who doesn’t shy away from mixing speeds in any count. He’s one of the rare prospects that could ascend to the top of a big league rotation.
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2021
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2. Max Meyer, RHP
| FB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 65 | 55/60 | 55 | 60 |
Background: The University of Minnesota has had a couple Hall of Famers walk the hallowed halls of their school in its history: Dave Winfield was the fourth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 1973 draft and Paul Molitor went #3 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers just four seasons later. Other Golden Gopher notable alums include: Terry Steinbach, a three-time All-Star during his 14-year career; Denny Neagle, a two-time All-Star with the Pirates and Braves; backstop Dan Wilson, a 1996 member of the midsummer classic; and Minnesota-born lefty Glen Perkins, who also made three All-Star appearances with the Twins between 2013 and 2015. When Miami selected hard-throwing right-hander Max Meyer in the 2020 draft, he tied Molitor as the highest drafted Golden Gopher in school history. A light’s out closer during his freshman season with the Big 10 Conference school, Meyer immediately transitioned into a dominant starting pitcher the following year as he averaged 10.2 strikeouts and just 2.3 walks per nine innings. And he got off to a remarkable start to the 2020 season before COVID shutdown collegiate baseball: 27.2 IP, 1.95 ERA, 46 strikeouts, and just eight walks. After signing with the Marlins for a massive $6.7 million, Meyer made his professional debut in 2021. And the organization didn’t hold back as they aggressively shoved the 6-foot, 196-pound right-hander straight into the minors’ toughest level – Double-A. Simply put, Meyer dominated for 20 stats and was nearly unhittable in two late-season starts in AAA. He finished the year with 130 punch outs, 42 free passes, and a 2.27 ERA in 111.0 innings of work.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only five 22-year-old hurlers posted a strikeout percentage between 26.5% and 28.5% with a walk percentage between 8.5% and 10.5% in Double-A with one organization (min. 75 IP): Justin Dunn, Jake Faria, Matt Magill, Ronald Bolanos, and – of course – Mr. Golden Gopher, Max Meyer.
Plus, mid-90s fastball, a power breaking ball (more on that in a minute), an above-average changeup, and a strong feel for the strike zone. A variety of reports, as well as commentators, refer to Meyer’s breaking ball as a slider. It certainly has the shape and velocity of a typical slider. However, his catcher signals it as a curveball. Either way it’s plus- to plus-plus. And according to TrackMan data at the ballpark, it was spinning at incredible 2,800 RPMs. Meyer was essentially a two-pitch hurler in his early college days, so his above-average changeup may see a slight bump up as he continues to throw it more frequently. The lone knock on Meyer: he’s a bit undersized at 6-foot and 196 pounds. There’s a strong #2 vibe to his potential with a non-zero chance he ascends to ace-dom.
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2022
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3. Eury Perez, RHP
| FB | CB | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60/70 | 55/60 | 50/55 | 55/60 | 60 |
Background: The Marlins likely didn’t know when they spotted the wiry right-hander on the open market, but they may have unearthed one of the better pitching prospects in the entire 2019 class. Signed for $200,000 in early July that year, Perez was standing a solid 6-foot-4, but weighed a wispy 155 pounds. Fast forward two seasons and he’s measuring an NBA shoot guard-size 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds. But that’s not even the best part. As a result of his signing and the ensuing COVID shutdown the following year, Perez made his professional debut as a baby-faced 18-year-old. In the Low-A Southeast League. And he would eventually make five final starts in High-A Central, as well. When the dust had finally settled, the previously little known hurler had completed the best teenage debut by a pitcher since in Low-A since Julio Urias in 2013. Perez tossed 78.0 innings across both levels, recording an impressive 108 strikeouts versus only 26 walks to go along with a dazzling 1.96 ERA and a 3.46 FIP. For those counting at home: he averaged 12.5 strikeouts and just 3.0 walks per nine innings.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only four 18-year-old hurlers struck out at least 30% of the hitters they faced in Low-A with one organization (min. 50 IP): Hunter Greene, the 2nd pick in the 2017 draft; Jason Knapp, Tim Collins, and – of course – the behemoth Eury Perez.
Not only did Perez’s strikeout percentage, 36.9%, lead the aforementioned group, but his walk percentage, 9.5%, was the second lowest. Perez’s fastball sits – comfortably – in the mid-90s. His 80-mph curveball is average but projects to be plus. It already shows impressive shape and tilt. He’ll also twirl a 90-mph changeup, which flashes above-average at times. Combine his age, frame size, and impressive repertoire with his ability to consistently throw quality strikes, and it’s not unreasonable to think that Perez has a puncher’s chance to develop into the minors’ top pitching prospect – as long as he can navigate through the injury nexus.
Ceiling: 5.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2023/2024
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4. Kahlil Watson, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40/55 | 40/55 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 60 |
Background: Part of the quartet of high school shortstops that would hear their names among the top 16 picks of the 2021 draft, Watson put together a dynamic prep career for Wake Forest High School. The 5-foot-9, 178-pound middle infielder batted .389 with a pair of homeruns and 22 RBI while swiping 17 bags during his freshman campaign. He followed that up with an incredible sophomore season in which he slugged .578 with six long balls, 23 RBI, 26 stolen bases. And after an abysmal five-game COVID-shortened 2020, the young dynamo exploded during his final season with the North Carolina prep school: through his first 13 games of the year, Watson hit .528 with six doubles, one triple, and five homeruns. He was also sporting a spectacular 14-to-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio as well. He was committed to North Carolina State University. Miami selected the pint-sized Mighty Mite with the 16th overall pick last July, signing him to a deal worth $4,540,790. Watson appeared in nine games with the Marlins’ Florida Complex League affiliate, hitting a scorching .394/.524/.606 with a pair of doubles and five stolen bases (in six attempts).
Scouting Report: Per the usual, here’s my pre-draft write-up of Watson:
“Love the swing. Does. Not. Get. Cheated. Watson unfurls some impressive power potential despite a modest frame size. He may have some swing-and-miss issues in the professional ranks – at least initially. Phenomenal bat speed combined with a patient approach at the plate. There’s some Brandon Phillips-type offensive potential here.”
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2025
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5. Sixto Sanchez, RHP
| FB | CU | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 60 |
Background: A consensus Top 100 prospect since 2018. The hard-throwing, budding ace was viewed as the key to the J.T. Realmuto deal with Philadelphia in early February 2019 – though Sanchez didn’t come without several important questions: #1. The Dominican right-hander was injured at the time of the trade; a worrisome elbow prematurely ended his previous season in early June. Would he have ill effects in 2019 or later on in his career? #2. Would his 6-foot, 180-pound frame withstand the general rigors of grabbing the baseball every fifth day? The answer to the first part of question #1is, no, there weren’t any ill effects from the previous elbow issue. The answer to question #2 appears – at least for the time being – to be no, as well. Sanchez, who made his big league debut with seven starts at the end of the 2020 season, missed the entirety of 2021. The cause: a new arm injury. A wonky shoulder eventually forced him under the knife to surgically repair “a capsular tear and clean out the back side of his right shoulder.” He’s currently on track for Spring Training 2022.
Snippet from The 2020 Prospect Digest Handbook: I have to be honest: I’m not sure I have the testicular fortitude to make the trade the Marlins did when they acquired Sixto Sanchez. He was limited to just 46.2 early season inning in 2018. And a setback with the elbow curtailed his Arizona Fall League debut before it even began. A few months later Miami’s front office pegged him as the centerpiece of a deal involving one of the best backstops in professional baseball. But here we are. And it’s proving to be a brilliant deal. Sanchez’s repertoire just screams top-of-the-rotation caliber pitcher. His fastball was sitting mid- to upper-90s with the effort of throwing a slow pitch softball. His changeup jumped from a potential plus pitch to a plus-plus weapon. And he showed a level of confidence in the offering that’s reminiscent of an in-his-prime Pedro Martinez. And his curveball falls in line with a 55-grade.
Scouting Report: Beyond the new injury, there’s something else that should be addressed: Heading into the 2020 season Sanchez’s weight was listed as a svelte 185 pounds. Now, he’s tipping the scales 234 pounds. That’s not a great sign.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2020
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6. J.J. Bleday, RF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Opening picks of the 2019 draft are saturated with not only high end talent, but some of the game’s most recognizable prospects, such as: Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt, Riley Greene, C.J. Abrams, and Nick Lodolo. And that doesn’t count Andrew Vaughn who’s already spent a full year in the big leagues. The lone pockmark on the first seven selections: former Vanderbilt star J.J. Bleday. The fourth overall pick three years ago, sandwiched between Andrew Vaughn and Riley Greene, Bleday was spectacular over his final two seasons with the Commodores, slugging .368/.494/.511 and .347/.465/.701. But he’s been underwhelming during his professional career as Miami – perhaps, incorrectly – shoved him aggressively through the minors. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound corner outfielder appeared in 38 games with the Jupiter Hammerheads in High-A during his debut, batting a mediocre, powerless .257/.311/.379. Last season, undeterred by the inauspicious start to his career, the organization sent Bleday to the minors’ toughest challenge: Double-A. He responded with a lowly .212/.323/.373 slash line, belting out 22 doubles, three triples, and 12 homeruns. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production was 3% below the league average mark. However, on the other hand, things seemed to click for the Vanderbilt star in the Arizona Fall League as he slugged a scorching .316/.435/.600 in 24 games with the Mesa Solar Sox.
Snippet from The 2020 Prospect Digest Handbook: Bleday shows easy nature loft in his swing which allows his plus-raw power to transition into plus-in-game power. [He] tends to be too pull happy, so he’s likely going to face a plethora of defensive shifts. He looks like a capable starting outfielder, though one not destined for stardom.
Scouting Report: Bleday was really, really bad the majority of the season with Pensacola, hitting a vomitous .195/.310/.348 over his 83 games. His bat, though, did show some signs of life over his remaining 27 contests: he batted .263/.362/.453. Bleday’s swing looked really good during the Fall League, showing plenty of bat speed, rotation, and natural loft. And it’s definitely not easy to jump from college ball into High-A, miss a season, and then be thrust in Double-A either. But the fact is: he’s entering his age-24 season and has been terrible for the large portion of his professional career. Assuming he can carry the late season momentum into 2022, he looks like a .250/.340/.440-type hitter.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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7. Joe Mack, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 35/45 | 40/55 | 50/40 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Background: Not know as a hotbed for premium baseball talent, western New York, though, featured one of the best catching prospects – or any prospect, for that matter –in 2021. Mack, not to be confused by the former big leaguer by the same name who earned a cup of coffee with the Boston Braves in 1945, has been making waves for a few years. A muscular, well-built backstop out of Williamsville East High School, Mack won a homerun derby in Cooperstown, belting out nine homeruns – surpassing the record previously set by a young Bryce Harper. Oh, and for good measure, the then-seventh grader batted cleanup for the Williamsville East High School squad. Miami selected the lefty-swinging backstop in the opening round, 31st overall, and signed him to a deal worth $2.5 million. He appeared in 19 Complex League games during his debut, hitting a paltry .132/.373/.208.
Scouting Report: Per the usual, here’s my pre-draft write-up of Watson:
“As expected for a projected first round pick, Mack showcases plus bat speed at the plate that combines with a natural loft to generate easy above-average power – though he looks to be a bit too pull happy. Mack starts his hands from a high position, above his ears, which causes for a lot of pre-pitch movement to get into position. Defensively, he shows an above-average arm, and he should have no problem sticking behind the plate.”
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2025
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8. Jose Salas, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40/50 | 30/50 | 50/40 | 50 | 45/50 | 50 |
Background: Under the new Derek Jeter-led regime, the Miami Marlins have been dogged in their pursuit of young talent, both nationally and internationally. And Salas is just another example. The headliner for the 2019 signing class, Miami handed the 6-foot-2, 191-pound middle infielder a hefty $2.8 million that summer. Salas made his organizational debut last summer: he ripped through the Florida Complex League and acquitted himself nicely as an 18-year-old in Low-A with the Jupiter Hammerheads. The Florida-born shortstop batted an aggregate .305/.391/.405 with 14 doubles, two homeruns, and 14 stolen bases (in 19 total attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his combined production topped the league average mark by a solid 21%.
Scouting Report: Salas did everything the organization expected during his debut last season: he was dominating in the Complex League and didn’t look too overmatched as an 18-year-old in Low-A. He ran and fielded well. And he flashed gap-to-gap pop. Above-average bat speed and showed some promise on turning on low-90s fastballs. Salas didn’t show a ton of homerun thump during his debut – he belted out just a pair of long balls – but there’s 50-grade power brewing in his stick. Natural loft to his swing.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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9. Braxton Garrett, LHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 50 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 45 | 45 |
Background: Pitchers were flying off the board at a fast and furious pace to start the 2017 draft. Six of the first nine selections were hurlers, and four of those were teenage high school arms. Garrett, the seventh overall pick that year, hit the operating table just four starts into his debut season in 2017. The cause: a wonky elbow that required Tommy John surgery. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound left-hander would made it back to full season action two years later, spending time between High-A and Double-A. Last season – despite only one start in Double-A on his resume – Garrett opened the year up with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in Triple-A East. The southpaw would spend the entirety of the year yo-yoing between the minor and major leagues. With the Shrimp, he tossed 85.2 innings while averaging 9.0 strikeouts and 3.4 walks per nine innings. With the Marlins: 34.0 IP, 32 K, 20 BB, and a 5.03 ERA.
Snippet from The 2020 Prospect Digest Handbook: Garrett looked like the prototypical crafty lefty in his return from injury. He looks like a nice, solid #4-type arm – a league average starting pitcher to help fill out a club’s rotation.
Scouting Report: Twenty years ago the term “crafty” was like a badge of honor. Nowadays with specified training and an emphasis on weighted ball throwing regimens and lifting heavy for pitchers, the term carries more of a negative connotation. Braxton Garrett is a crafty lefty that doesn’t quite own the level of command to make it work long term. In today’s game, 90 mph fastballs simply don’t work without Kyle Hendricks’ command. Garrett owns the former without the latter. He does sport a trio of above-average secondary weapons – including a new slider – but there’s not a lot of room for error. At best, he’s a #5-type arm.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Low toModerate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2021
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10. Zach McCambley, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 45 |
Background: The third pick in the third round two years ago. McCambley was a peripherally-friendly hurler during his first two seasons at Coastal Carolina University. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-hander, though, really came into his own during the 2019 summer in the Cape Cod League. Working in the Cotuit Kettleers’ rotation, McCambley struck out 24, walked just seven, and tallied a barely-there 1.74 ERA in 20.2 innings of work. And the New Jersey-born hurler carried that level of dominance into the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He averaged 11.5 punch outs and just 2.5 walks per nine innings through four starts. He signed with the club for $775,000. McCambley made a total of 20 starts last season, 11 in High-A and nine in Double-A, throwing 97.0 innings with 120 punch outs and just 26 free passes. He finished his debut showing with an aggregate 4.36 ERA and a 5.04 FIP.
Scouting Report: Definite reliever risk. McCambley attacks hitters with a mid-90s, plus fastball that will run upwards of 97 mph on occasion. In one of his earlier starts in Double-A the former Coastal Carolina hurler was primarily fastball / changeup with the latter showing heavy sink. A few weeks later, in early September, McCambley was showcasing a pair of breaking balls: a plus curveball and an above-average slider.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Low toModerate
MLB ETA: 2022
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All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, and ClayDavenport.com
