2019 and '20 top picks make splash at camp
Kelsie Heneghan
@Kelsie_HeneghanDay 2 of Spring Training saw even more Top 100 prospects surging after several stood out in Sunday's openers, with the 2019 and 2020 Draft picks especially stepping up.
MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect Bobby Witt Jr., the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, got his first hit and RBI of the Cactus League for the Royals after going hitless on Sunday while fellow 2019 first-rounder Riley Greene reached base twice for the Tigers.
In their first professional action since being drafted in the first round last June, Austin Martin (Blue Jays), Robert Hassell III (Padres) and Nick Yorke (Red Sox) impacted their respective games in early tastes against big leaguers.
Here's a look at their performances and those of other top prospects on Monday:
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, KC (MLB No. 7 prospect)
After striking out in his only at-bat Sunday, Witt Jr. knocked an RBI infield single in his first appearance Monday. The Royals¡¯ top prospect, who got the start at short, has 60-grade tools across the board, which he got to showcase at the alternate training site last summer. Following the 2019 Draft, Witt has yet to play above rookie ball. Gameday ?
Nate Pearson, RHP, TOR (MLB No. 10 prospect)
Pearson returned to the mound after making his Major League debut last summer. In his Grapefruit League debut, the top Blue Jays prospect worked around an unearned run on a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in the third. Pearson¡¯s 80-grade fastball touched 99+ four times, but they were all balls. The righty threw 16 of his 28 pitches for strikes. More ?
Riley Greene, OF, DET (MLB No. 21 prospect)
Greene faced Gerrit Cole in his first plate appearance, but didn¡¯t seem to be affected, working a walk off the ace. His next time up, the Tigers¡¯ No. 3 prospect knocked a single up the middle, then stole second. Greene was pinch-hit for in the fifth after raising his Grapefruit League average to .333 through two games. The left-handed batter, who was selected fifth overall in the 2019 Draft, will look to show off his plus hit and fielding tools this spring for the Tigers. More ?
Austin Martin, SS/OF, TOR (MLB No. 22 prospect)
Martin stole his first professional base after working a walk. The 2020 fifth-overall pick then moved to third on a heads-up play when he saw catcher Michael Perez¡¯s throw sail into the outfield. After spending time at the Blue Jays¡¯ alternate training site last summer, this is Martin¡¯s first real game action. Gameday ?
Joey Bart, C, SF (MLB No. 23 prospect)
In his Cactus League debut, Bart collected a couple singles and spent three innings behind the plate. The Giants¡¯ No. 2 prospect is coming off a Major League debut in which he notched a .609 OPS while throwing out 18 percent of would-be basestealers (5-for-28) in 33 games. Gameday ?
Robert Hassell III, OF, SD (MLB No. 62 prospect)
Hassell III picked up his first Cactus League knock by ripping a double to center in his first at-bat. The Padres¡¯ No. 4 prospect grounded out to first in the fifth before being replaced in center in the sixth. After being selected eighth overall last June, Hassell III impressed at both the alternate training site and instructs last fall. Gameday ?
Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS, TB (MLB No. 85 prospect)
Coming in as a pinch-runner in the first after Joey Wendle was hit by a pitch, Edwards ripped a two-run single to left in the third before flying out -- also to left -- in the fourth. This is the switch-hitter¡¯s first spring as a non-roster invite, though he has three prior big league camp at-bats. Edwards spent last summer at Tampa Bay¡¯s alternate training site. Gameday ?
Rodolfo Duran, C, PHI
In his first big league camp game, Duran went 2-for-2 with a double as the Phillies¡¯ designated hitter. The club¡¯s No. 20 prospect returns to the field after a knee injury cut his 2019 season short in July and he was not invited to the alternate training site last year. Gameday ?
Brent Rooker, OF, MIN
After not hitting a homer last spring, Rooker showcased his plus power by going yard in his 2021 debut. The Twins¡¯ No. 12 prospect took Tyler Glasnow deep in the second, then hit a sac fly in the fifth. Rooker is coming off his Major League debut in which he hit .316/.381/.579 with one long ball and five RBIs in seven games. More ?
DJ Peters, OF, LAD
After walking twice on Sunday, Peters remains perfect at the plate. The Dodgers¡¯ No. 11 prospect went 2-for-2 with a two-run shot to left-center to get the scoring started in the second. Peters also laid out his 6-foot-6 frame for a diving catch in center as he caught all three outs in the third inning. In his fifth big league camp, Peters will look to make a good impression on the Dodgers with his plus power and arm. Gameday ?
William Contreras, C, ATL
Getting the start behind the plate, Contreras stepped up twice with the bases loaded. The Braves¡¯ No. 7 prospect walked in the first, then sliced a two-run single in the third for a three-RBI day before being defensively replaced in the fifth. Contreras got a taste of the Majors last July, going 4-for-10 with a double and an RBI in four games. Gameday ?
Josh Lowe, OF, TB
The Rays¡¯ No. 12 prospect got the start in right, going 1-for-1 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base from the nine-hole. Lowe¡¯s 60-grade speed, arm and fielding should lend itself to some highlight reel plays this spring. With his brother, Nate, traded to the Rangers, Lowe is the family¡¯s sole representative at Rays camp this year. Gameday ?
Nick Yorke, 2B, BOS
Making his Spring Training debut, Yorke went 1-for-1 with a walk. The 18-year-old impressed with his quick hands at the plate for the Red Sox. The No. 17 overall pick in the 2020 Draft spent last summer at the alternate training site. More ?
Bobby Bradley, 1B, CLE
In his seventh big league camp, Bradley did what he does best: homer. The Indians' No. 14 prospect, known for his prodigious power, swatted a solo shot in the fourth. Bradley made his Major League debut last summer, notching a .600 OPS in 15 games. More ?