Top 10 right-hand launch prospects of 2021

MLB Pipeline will unveil its list of 100 best prospects of 2021 on Friday, January 29th. Prior to the publication of the Top 100, we will examine the top 10 baseball prospects in each position. In the shortened 2020 season, many young arms were asked to help the launch staff. Six of

MLB Pipeline will unveil the list of the top 100 prospects of 2021 on Friday, January 29th. Prior to the publication of the Top 100, we will examine the top 10 baseball prospects in each position.

In the shortened 2020 season, many young arms were asked to help launch staff. Six of last year’s top ten right-handers got tickets to the major leagues, though only one, Dustin May of the Dodgers, graduated from the prospect lists.

While a full 2021 season is expected, we expect more of the same. Seven of our top 10 should continue to establish themselves in major league rotations or debut this year, with several who will have the opportunity to compete for the Rookie of the Year honors.

This is a good division of high school seniors (Sixto Sanchez, Ian Anderson, Luis Patiño, Matt Manning, Grayson Rodriguez) and college enrollees (Nate Pearson, Casey Mize, Max Meyer, Emerson Hancock and Logan). Gilbert), with Meyer and Hancock representing the Draft 2020 class.

The 10 best perspectives (ETA)

1. Nate Pearson, Blue Jays (2021)
2. Casey Mize, Tigers (2021)
3. Sixto Sánchez, Marlins (2021)
4. Ian Anderson, Braves (2021)
5. Luis Patiño, Rays (2021)
6. Matt Manning, Tigers (2021)
7. Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles (2022)
8. Max Meyer, Marlins (2022)
9. Emerson Hancock, Mariners (2022)
10. Logan Gilbert, Mariners (2021)
Complete list »

Main tools

Fastball: Pearson (80)
Although he struggled a bit in the big leagues and wasted time with an elbow flexion, the fast ball remained as impressive as ever. He averaged 96.3 mph and surpassed 101.5 mph during his time with Toronto, averaging an impressive 2,300 rpm speed at four seams.

Curveball: Manning (60)
Manning has the lone, positive curve in the Top 10, and it’s his tone out. It is a true 12 to 6 hammer with a strong lowering action and high turning speeds.

Slider: Meyer (70)
Many believed that Meyer could get great league players with his slider immediately after signing. It was the best throw in all arms of the 2020 draft, a ball that was broken without touching at 91 mph and of which adds and subtracts depth.

Change: Sanchez, Rodriguez (65)
Sanchez launched the change of the 80s more than any other release during his time in the big leagues of 2020, an unattainable out-of-the-box release that sinks into the plate and misses a ton of bats. Rodriguez’s change has now become his best secondary offer, launched in the 1980s bass and scuba diving / running under the canyon constantly.

Other Releases: Mize (70)
Although his results in the big leagues were not optimal, Mize showed that his mid-1980s divider is still close to the top scale, with a much better speed than the league average on the field. diving.

Control: Mize, Sanchez (60)
We’re willing to give Mize a problem with his control issues in last year’s major leagues based on his pitching history (1.4 BB / 9 in college and 1.9 BB / 9 in the leagues minors). Sanchez’s athletic frame and repeatable cast helped him limit his walks to 2.5 per nine in last season’s major leagues, following the minor trend, where he has only walked 1.8 per nine in his career. .

Superlatives

Highest ceiling: Rodríguez
There are many candidates on this list to claim this category, but Rodriguez’s size, things, feel for the pitch and age (he’ll be 21 throughout 2021) make it easy to imagine the first round of 2018 leading this list in the future. .

Highest floor: Mize
With three more pitches, a mid-curve ball and a sinker, it’s hard to match Mize in terms of his repertoire and feel it to pitch him, again, despite his first major league fights. This combination of things and order is the reason why, after all, it was the number 1 general election of 2018.

Nominated for the Rookie of the Year: Anderson Award
Many on this list will see considerable time in the big leagues in 2021, but no one pitched as well as Anderson did during a big league debut in 2020. Especially considering his postseason, it’s hard not to put Anderson on. nowhere near any National League ROY award. list of candidates.

Highest: Anderson
Anderson wasn’t in the Top 10 a year ago at the time, but a combination of graduations from the 2020 roster and Anderson’s performance in Atlanta catapulted him to No. 4.

Humblest start: Sanchez
The Phillies found Sanchez almost accidentally, seeing him as they searched for a Cuban captor in the Dominican Republic in 2015. They were able to sign the right person for just $ 35,000; he debuted in the United States in 2016 and rose to the big leagues in 2020, at age 22, with the Marlins.

Most to prove: Mize
While we give it a mulligan, it’s still a bit of a concern that Mize has posted an ERA of 6.99 over his seven big league starts in 2020 and has been more affected than anyone expected. This year offers a fresh start, but you will have to prove that you can lose your barrels more consistently.

Watch out: Quinn Priester, Pirates
While it did not launch any official launch in 2020, like many Minor League weapons, few launch prospects are generating more resonance than the Pirates ’first-round pick election on the 19th. Illinois shot well when he joined the organization’s alternate training site in late summer and then shut down during instructional league games in Florida, with some believing he could be on top. from the list a year from now.