For the past I don’t even know how many years, I’ve written this extra piece, going into some of the players whom I strongly considered for the top 100 but who didn’t make the ultimate list, and discussing why they ended up on the outside.
They’re not ranked within this article (other than the first guy), and this isn’t necessarily the next ten guys either. They’re all still prospects, just not as good as the hundred above them.
Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals
Age: 18 (10/25/98) | B/T: L/L
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Top level: Short-season A
Soto was the final cut, so if you want to tag a player as No. 101 on the list, he’s the one, and he’ll be No. 2 on the Nationals' organization ranking when I post that next week. Soto is a very physical kid already even though he just turned 18, with a mature approach at the plate, showing he understands the strike zone and that he’ll have to adjust that approach when there’s a lefty on the mound. He’s very balanced at the plate too, with strong hands and the ability to drive the ball the other way already.
He’s a corner outfielder with an average arm and is probably a 45 runner, so he may not add much value on defense, but the projections on the hit and power tools would still make him a star out there. I didn’t love leaving him off, but given his inexperience and the fact that he’s stuck in a corner, I thought the last few guys on the 100 had more present value, even if Soto might be in the top 50 after we see him face full-season pitching.
