Ranking season is nearing an end, and this week MLB.com has been rolling out their Top Prospects by Position rankings. Aaron Nola missed out on the RHP rankings, but Maikel Franco comes in at #5 on the 3B rankings.
The full rankings and writeup are here, with the Top 10 being:
- Kris Bryant – Cubs
- Joey Gallo – Rangers
- Miguel Sano – Twins
- D.J. Peterson – Mariners
- Maikel Franco – Phillies
- Jake Lamb – Diamondbacks
- Rafael Devers – Red Sox
- Garin Cecchini – Red Sox
- Colin Moran – Astros
- Rio Ruiz – Braves
MLB.com gives Franco a 50 Hit, 65 Power, 30 Run, 65 Arm, and 45 Field.
On a personal note, I am less down on Franco’s stock (but I wasn’t part of the group that had him high up on Top 100s a year ago), and I would take him over Peterson who is likely headed to 1B and had a year in 2014 that was worse than Franco’s 2013. Franco is coming off a hot winter league season, and is probably major league ready. However, all signs push to him opening in AAA for service time and to work on some of his weaknesses.
This disappoints me a bit. I really do not get it.
I also believe Franco should be ranked above Peterson for the reasons you mention.
Plus Sano is coming off an injury and prior to the injury his Krate stood at 26%…….almost 10% points higher then Franco’s.
And Gallo……please……he swings from his heals and goes for the HR….his K rate is astronomical at close to 33%. He could be the biggest bust and I cannot see him staying at third base.
His K rate forebodes a complete letdown at the highest level…a Dave Kingman type.
MLB, I am sorry, lacks foresight in this ranking.
I agree on all points , I believe there are still some skeptics to Sano age, which is why the twins signed him for peanuts he could be like 27 for all we know , but he gets alot of love because his power and he walks some, Gallo power is immense but he is truly feast and famine type of guy and will be at first base before he knows it.
Now on the other hand Bryant I believe will be a star and MVP