Top 2017 minor league prospect for every MLB franchise

A natural athlete on the mound, Duplantier dominated two rungs of Single-A this year, working to a 1.39 ERA over 136 innings, striking out 165 and holding opponents to a .192 average against. While he is still a few years away from breaking through to the Majors, if he develops more consistency with his curveball next season, he could accelerate his climb substantially next summer.

In his third pro season, Acuna took flight and became the fastest-rising prospect in the game. His production level rose at each of the three levels he reached. After starting at the High-A level, Acuna finished with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he produced a .344/.393/.548 split line. In all, he hit for a .325/.374/.522 split with 44 stolen bases, 21 homers, 31 doubles and eight triples, while putting on an impressive defensive performance across the outfield as well. Acuna will be on the short list to be named the top prospect in the game next season.

Sisco has long been the best bat in Baltimore's system, possessing a natural ability to find his way on base. Although he had his worst offensive season at the Triple-A level in 2017, with his still-respectable .340 on-base percentage 70 points lower his career average entering the year, he made noticeable strides behind the plate and in his game calling before finally being promoted to the Orioles late in the year. Sisco stands to be in the mix to open 2018 as the everyday signal caller in the majors.

Hailed as the best pitching prospect to come through the Red Sox system since Roger Clemens is tremendous tag to carry, to say the least. Although his first full professional year was hampered by a lat strain, when on the mound Groome’s stuff was as advertised. Possessing an upper-90s fastball and an already developed breaking ball, some ugly stats this year should likely be corrected if he can take on the 2018 season fully healthy. He could be a fast riser through the Boston system once he gets settled in.

The Cubs' need of homegrown pitching remains, and they may have a future ace in Albertos, who at 18 years old has an already impressive toolbox of pitches to call upon. With an upper-90s fastball and a changeup that is already mature beyond its years, he has the ability to make an impact atop the Chicago rotation — if he can hang around long enough to reach it with the always-dealing Cubs.

The White Sox won again when they were able to land an upper-tier talent during their rapid deconstruction. The latest came in the form of Jimenez, who came to the South Siders in exchange for Jose Quintana from the Cubs. Possessing an abundance of natural power and a mature approach at the plate, Jimenez hit .353 at Double-A Birmingham after joining the Sox system and profiles to be a fixture in the middle of the lineup within the next two years.

The Reds have done very well for themselves with the No. 2 pick. Before taking a prodigy in Hunter Greene with the second pick this spring, they took Senzel from the slot a year ago, and he has paid back the investment in short order. In his first full pro season, he hit .321 along with a .391 on-base percentage, 40 doubles and 14 homers between the Single- and Double-A levels. His quick take to the pro game could see him legitimately push for a spot in the Cincy lineup by the middle of next summer, if not earlier.

There is nothing to dislike about Mejia's game, who does a bit of it all behind the plate and at the plate. A switch-hitter who hit .342 at two levels in 2016, Mejia showed his bat would continue to play as he moved along, hitting .297 at Double-A Akron this year while improving his power as well. But his arm strength behind the plate could make his quickest impact in the majors, as he gunned down 44 percent of would-be base stealers at Akron this year. He could be in the race to join Yan Gomes in a timeshare situation next year in Cleveland.

Rodgers has been a world beater in the Colorado system since arriving and showed no signs of letting up this year. While his future position could be either second or third base, his bat will play anywhere. He hit .387 with 12 homers at the Class-A level before moving up in the organization later in the year. Colorado will likely continue to take its time with Rodgers and find his fit, as the presence of Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, D.J. LeMahieu and fellow prospect Ryan McMahon allows the luxury of giving him time to become a complete product.

The Tigers landed a haul of much-needed young talent in exchange for Justin Verlander, and Perez is the most promising commodity of all that came over. The 19-year-old posted a 3.02 ERA over 86 innings and has a natural feel for the mound, as he has continued to perform with a maturity that belies his age. Along with fellow farmhand Matt Manning, Perez profiles to join Michael Fulmer and Matthew Boyd in what could be a promising rotation in two years.

As if they did not have enough powerful, athletic types among their ranks, the Astros have yet another to come in Tucker. The 20-year-old took major strides into growing into his potential in 2017, increasing his power yield from nine home runs in 2016 to 25 this summer. He did so without sacrificing the athleticism that allows him to play center field daily. As he continues to mature, he will likely become a plus athlete for a corner outfielder and could put his skills on display on a regular basis at Minute Maid Park by 2019.

Considering the Royals are facing a franchise overhaul with many of their establish veterans set to move on for greener financial pastures this winter, possessing a natural talent such as Pratto is a godsend. In his first professional year, Pratto showed a strong stroke that can hit to all fields and projects to add more power as he gets older. Also a strong athlete who stole 10 bases on the year, he could grow to remind some of Eric Hosmer defensively in time as well.

The Angels added exactly what they needed in a talent the caliber of Adell to a system that required as much help as any in the game. A fantastically athletic center fielder with all of the tools that could be asked for from the position, Adell immediately shot to the top of the team's system after his strong debut at two stops at the rookie level. After making easy work of the Arizona League, running up 16 extra-base hits in 31 games, he hit .376 over 18 games in the second stop of his abbreviated minor league season. Adell stands to be one of the most exciting players in the minors next year.

Possessing one of the most electric arms in all the minor leagues, Buehler made up for lost time from Tommy John surgery throughout 2016, working all the way from Single-A to reaching L.A. this summer. Buehler averaged 12.7 strikeouts-per-nine innings on the year, capable of creating outs with all four of his above-average pitches. His potential could mean joining the Dodgers' rotation next season and making a Rookie of the Year push in the process. 

Anderson stood out in a Marlins system that is largely devoid of impact bats among its top tier of prospects. The 24-year-old followed up a breakout effort in the Arizona Fall League last year by turning in a well-rounded season at plate between the Double- and Triple-A levels. He connected for 14 home runs at Double-A Jacksonville before hitting .339 after his promotion to New Orleans. It resulted in Anderson reaching the majors for the final month of the season and parlaying his best season as a pro into a shot at opening the year in Miami next spring.

The crown jewel of the deal that sent Jonathan Lucroy to the Rangers just over a year ago, Brinson looks to be a theft considering Lucroy’s underwhelming tenure in Arlington. Meanwhile, Brinson continues to mature into a tantalizing all-around performer who looks capable of becoming a perennial All-Star. He hit .331 at Triple-A Colorado Springs this year, adding in 11 stolen bases and 13 home runs. He added in another two long balls during a brief midseason promotion to Milwaukee as well, a location that he should frequent much more in 2018.

Since being taken with the No. 5 overall pick in 2014, Gordon has continued to evolve from being a speedy middle infield threat and "Dee’s brother and Tom’s son" to carving out his own identity as a multi-tier threat. In his first year at Double-A, he set personal highs in doubles (29), triples (8), home runs (9) and RBI (66). While his strikeout total rose significantly in the leap from Single-A, his maturing approach indicates that will be less of an issue by next spring as his ascent to the majors continues, likely around the time Brian Dozier vacates the second base slot in 2019.

Gimenez slides up to the top of the Mets system after the promotion of both Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith to Flushing this year. Gimenez is a few years away from being ready for a similar jump after playing exclusively at the Single-A level this year but shows signs of developing into a fine prospect in his own right. The 19-year-old possesses all of the natural skills of a player who projects at shortstop at the next level, while continuing to grow as a hitter over the next few years.

The top shortstop — and arguably overall — prospect in the game, Torres’s presence in the Yankee system shows the embarrassment of riches the Yanks currently own in the middle infield. Torres stands to be the best of them all, as he followed up an MVP performance in the Arizona Fall League by hitting .309 before having his season shortened by a left elbow injury in June. He is the type of smooth, well-rounded talent that could bring a Francisco Lindor-like impact to the Bronx by next summer.

The A's upgraded their system via the Sonny Gray trade, adding Dustin Fowler and James Kaprielian. However, Barreto remains at the top of the mountain in Oakland prospects after a solid Triple-A season that included a stint in the majors where he connected for a two-run homer in his MLB debut. A move to second base could be in the forecast, however, as Marcus Semien could be in line for an extension to continue manning shortstop for the foreseeable future.

A smart, two-way player who can excite at the plate and in the field, Moniak is making good on the promise that is usually associated with the top overall pick. The 19-year-old’s numbers do not quite match his skill set yet, but the flashes he showed during his first full pro season were exciting. His 22 doubles, six triples and 11 steals stand to all improve next year, while his five home runs will undoubtedly move north. Moniak will be knocking on the door to Philly by the end of next season with a 2019 role at the heart of the MLB outfield a very real possibility.

Austin Meadows has been a longtime fixture atop the Pittsburgh system but underwhelmed some in 2017, a year spent in a holding pattern behind the gridlocked Pittsburgh outfield. However, Keller made the type of strides this season that should rightfully move him atop the list. He rose through three levels of the system this year and averaged a strikeout per inning in total. Possessing a pair of MLB-ready pitches in his fastball and curveball, Keller could push for a place in the rotation by next summer.

The Padres lucked out in Gore still being on the board when they took the third pick in this June’s MLB Draft, because he is the exact type of elite, top-end prospect the organization desperately needed. The Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high schooler, Gore wasted little time getting acclimated to the minors, striking out 34 over his first 21.1 pro innings spread out over seven starts. It should not be a surprise to see him check in on the top 25 of all prospects list in the spring as a 19-year-old.

Arroyo spent the year decimating Triple-A pitching at Sacramento to the tune of a .396 average in 91 at-bats. He also spent the year making the transition to third base after spending his first handful of years in the system at shortstop. He stayed at the hot corner during an early-season promotion to join the Giants, and it is a position he will likely stay at moving into the spring, where he will compete for an everyday position in the majors next year after missing the second half of the season with a broken hand.

Lewis finally made his return to action from an unfortunate knee injury that limited his professional debut to only 30 games in June after missing 11 months of action. Upon his return, he flashed the skill set that has made him one of the most touted prospects in the game, splitting time between the rookie and Single-A levels. He could end up being an athletic left fielder who produces a solid power/speed split line in time and will remain the top talent in the Seattle system for the foreseeable future.

The loss of Reyes to Tommy John surgery was a blow for the Cardinals in 2017, who planned to deploy him as powerful component to pair with Carlos Martinez in the starting staff. Reyes entered 2017 as the best pitching prospect in the game and will essentially resume where he left off in 2018. His electric arm lets him live in the upper-90s, and as soon as he can harness that power with a better command of the strike zone, he could quickly become one of the dominant power pitchers in the game.

A "pitcher’s pitcher" who can reach the mid-90s but works best when deploying his full arsenal that includes a cutter, changeup and a very good (and rare) screwball, Honeywell has enjoyed a steady rise through the Tampa system since debuting in 2014. His ascent has seen him become a 12-game winner at the Triple-A level as a 22-year-old as well as starter for the U.S. Team in the All-Star Futures Game. Honeywell should compete for a spot on the opening day rotation for the Rays next spring.

After depleting their system in the past few years for deadline acquisitions in the form of Cole Hamels and Jonathan Lucroy, the Rangers finally went back on the take this year by moving Yu Darvish to the Dodgers. Calhoun represents the biggest part of the return in that deal, as he has matured into a dominant bat at the minor league level. He connected for 31 home runs at Triple-A in 2017 while driving in 93 and hitting an even .300. Calhoun will likely move to left field going forward, a position that will allow him to compete immediately at the MLB level in Arlington.

Maybe the most natural and MLB-ready hitter in all of the minor leagues, the younger Guerrero is doing his namesake proud thus far. Possessing equal parts natural ability to hit the ball to all fields as well as a patient approach at the plate that forces pitchers to come to him, Guerrero is the type of player whom a lineup can (and will) be built around. At only 19, his bat could carry him to the majors in a rapid fashion that belies his age.

With a buffet of physical tools despite only being 20 years old, Robles has played four full seasons professionally. That experience shows in an approach that does nothing but amplify his impact his plus athleticism allows him to make. He is a rangy center fielder with speed (27 stolen bases in 2017) that allows him to put pressure on an opposing defense coming out of the batter’s box. Robles his .324 at the Double-A level before being promoted late in the year to Washington, and he should be in position to at least compete for the everyday spot in center field next spring.