This series will highlight a handful of prospects, team-by-team, heading into the 2021 season. I will offer a handful of Top Prospects, as well as a few “In The Pipeline” prospects for dynasty owners to keep an eye on in the next couple of seasons. With that, let’s jump right in!
Top Prospects
Forrest Whitley, P
Fastball: 60/60 | Slider: 55/55 | Curveball: 60/60
Changeup: 60/60 | Cutter: 55/55 | Command: 30/40
If you grade Forrest Whitley on pure stuff, he’s a hands-down, no-doubt ace! However, his upper body mechanics have caused his command issues and an inability to take the rubber every 5 days. 2019 was a great example—his K%, BB%, batting average against, and WHIP were all over the place. If Whitley can make the necessary adjustments in his upper body, look for him to be a top of rotation ace; otherwise, he ends up being yet another failed prospect.
Freudis Nova, 2B/3B/SS
Hit: 30/50 | Power: 50/60 | Speed: 50/45 | Arm: 70/70 | Field: 40/50
Freudis Novas’ best tool is his arm—which has been clocked at 97MPH throwing across the diamond. I know, not the best pure tool from a fantasy perspective. Nova is also a decent baserunner and has the ability to swipe bags every season. His power has improved as he’s filled out his frame, but he needs to learn some patients at the plate. Should all the stars align for Nova, he’s a multi-position, everyday player with 20/20 upside.
Bryan Abreu, P
Fastball: 60/60 | Slider: 60/60 | Curveball: 70/70
Changeup: 40/45 | Command: 35/40
The Astros may continue to develop Abreu as a starter, but his lack of command may have him destined for the bullpen. Abreu relies heavily on his plus curveball, which breaks so much it doesn’t always fall inside the strike zone. If Abreu can gain a bit more command of his pitches, a potential high-leverage bullpen role maybe his ceiling in the MLB.
Jeremy Pena, 2B/SS
Hit: 40/50 | Power: 45/45 | Speed: 55/55 | Arm: 50/50 | Field: 55/60
Jeremy Pena is a plus defender with a top-of-the-lineup makeup. He doesn’t have a ton of power, but his aggressive mentality and quickstep could have him steal many bases. He’s also shown patients at the plate, and if he can continue that, he may become a high OBP/SB fantasy player. Be on the lookout for Pena in the next couple of seasons.
In The Pipeline
Dauri Lorenzo, SS
Hit: 40/50 | Power: 30/40 | Speed: 55/55 | Arm: 55/55 | Field: 40/50
Lorenzo is a plus defender with speed who may end up at 2B or 3B as he fills out his frame. He’s also a hit-over-power player but may gain power as he matures. Lorenzos’ current projection is as a 12 HR/18 SB multi-positional player, but he’s also only 19-years-old and has yet to play at a professional level.
Rainier Rivas, 1B/OF
Rainer Rivas came from the Angels in the 2019 Max Stassi trade. Simply put, Rivas is a masher. In two short-seasons of Rookie ball, he’s currently unprojectable and position-less, but he’s said to have plus raw power. Watch this 19-year-old over the next couple of seasons to see how he develops in the minors.
Alex Santos II, P
Fastball: 50/55 | Curveball: 50/55 | Changeup: 45/50 | Command: 40/50
Santos just turned 19-years-old in February and already has a fastball that operates in the 90-94MPH topping out at 96. He also throws a curveball which sits in the high-70’s. I’m looking forward to watching Santos gain strength and command in the minors. If the stars align for this youngster, the Astros may have found themselves a second-round steal in last year’s draft.
Julio Robaina, SP
Fastball: 40/45 | Curveball: 50/55 | Changeup: 45/50 | Command: 40/55
Robaina is a potential backend starter for the Astros, but he’s only 19-years-old. He will need to develop more command as he matures and fills out, but he’s also a groundball pitcher. Robaina should start 2021 in High-A but may become a sneaky, quiet prospect to climb the Astros farm system ranks over the next couple of seasons.
As always, feel free to reach out via Twitter @drunkenangelz.