Ohtani, Acuna Lead New MLB.com Top 100 Prospect List
The Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player and perhaps the only newcomer this century to draw comparisons to Babe Ruth, is the top overall prospect on MLB Pipeline’s new Top 100 Prospects list.
Ohtani signed with the Angels for $2.3 million in December. He is expected to break Spring Training with the big league club, so he will soon lose his prospect status. However, the Angels’ farm system as a whole is greatly improved after years of being among the worst in the league.
The No. 2 overall prospect Ronald Acuna is just one of the many players the Atlanta Braves have stockpiled over the last few years. This has given them the best farm system in baseball – despite losing some players to league penalties for inappropriate conduct with international signings.
Acuna who only turned 20 on Dec. 18. ranked directly behind Ohtani, is one of eight Braves prospects to make the Top 100.
MLB.com’s 2018 Top 10 Prospects for Opening Day
| Rank | Name | Pos. | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani | RHP/OF | Angels |
| 2 | Ronald Acuna | OF | Braves |
| 3 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Blue Jays |
| 4 | Eloy Jimenez | OF | White Sox |
| 5 | Gleyber Torres | INF | Yankees |
| 6 | Victor Robles | OF | Nationals |
| 7 | Nick Senzel | 3B | Reds |
| 8 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SS | Padres |
| 9 | Forrest Whitley | RHP | Astros |
| 10 | Michael Kopech | RHP | White Sox |
Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (No. 3), White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (No. 4) and Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres (No. 5) round out the top five slots. Of the three, only Torres placed in the top 10 spots – third behind current Major League players Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox) and Yoan Moncada (White Sox) – on the MLB Pipeline 2017 preseason Top 100 Prospect rankings.
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