Prospects for greatest athletic ability: NL

Our prospect rosters are littered with physically gifted players with tremendous power, speed and arm. But who stands out above the rest?

Below, we’ve identified the best athlete from each of the National League farms.

Braves: Drew Waters, OF (No. 3, MLB No. 79)

There are questions around him after an inconsistent 2021 at Triple-A, but the natural tools are there. He can run very well, reflecting that with 28 stolen bases last year. He also defends a solid center field and has a lot of power.

Marlins: Kahlil Watson, SS (No. 1, No. 27 in MLB)

It was perhaps the biggest steal of the 2021 Amateur Draft. Watson could have been the No. 1 pick, but he fell as low as 16th, where he was taken by the Marlins. He has a lot of raw power, but his best tool is well above average speed.

Mets: Jaylen Palmer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 16)

His above-average speed and raw power caught the attention of the Mets in 2018, when they selected him in the amateur draft. He is primarily a left infield defender, but saw most of his time in Class-A Low and Strong in center field, a position to which he is expected to make a definite transition and where he can best demonstrate his speed and shooting arm. an assessment grade of 55 degrees.

Nationals: Donovan Casey, OF (No. 18)

The Nationals acquired Casey from the Dodgers in the trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Three months later, he was named Defender of the Year. That shows what a good impression the 25-year-old patrolman left on Washington farms in such a short time. Casey has above-average speed and a 60-degree test arm.

Phillies: Johan Rojas, Of (No. 6)

Rojas took a big step in his first full season in 2021, beginning to show off his tools. The Dominican stole 34 bases and hit 11 home runs last year, reaching Class-A Strong. He has the arm to be able to defend the central meadow for a long time.

Brewers: Salt Frelick, OF (No. 2, MLB No. 88)

Frelick was also an excellent hockey and football player. It’s his well-above-average speed that has made him successful in three sports, along with excellent hand-eye coordination that has led to solid contact rates in baseball.

Cardinals: Masyn Winn, SS (No. 4)

So far he has been a full-time shortstop, a position where he has shown one of the best arms in the minors. He hit 99.8 mph per Statcast in Class-A Baja and regularly traverses the diamond shooting 92-96 mph. His bat will determine whether he takes advantage of that arm at short stops or over the mound.

Cubs: Brennen Davis, OF (No. 1, No. 14 MLB)

Davis was a basketball player before focusing on baseball in the summer of 2017. He was selected in the second round of the 2018 Amateur Draft, displaying considerable power, including a pair of home runs in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game last July. , which earned him the Most Valuable Player award of the event. Also, he is a solid defender with a powerful arm.

Pirates: Oneil Cruz, SS (No. 3, No. 52 in MLB)

The Dominican belongs to a unique species. He’s a lanky shortstop who hopes to hold onto the position. He has impressive power and can also steal bases. All while he shines defensively.

Reds: Jay Allen, OF (No. 5)

Allen played three sports in high school and could have continued in college football and baseball if he wanted. He is now focused on the ball full-time for the first time after being selected in the amateur draft last year. He has opportunities to hit for power and runs well enough to defend center field.

D-backs: Corbin Carroll, OF (No. 2, MLB No. 20)

Carroll was already valued enough for his solid speed and defense in center field, with a 60th batting grade heading into 2021. He quickly showed it, going 10-for-23 (.435) with five extra-base hits and three steals in seven games. at Class-A Fort Hillsboro, before injuring his shoulder in May. He continues to have an elite profile when he is healthy.

Dodgers: Jeren Kendall, OF

The Scouts viewed Kendall as the best athlete in the 2017 Draft, though questions about his blank swing rate caused him to drop as low as 23rd. above average, raw power, arm strength and solid center field defense, but he has hit just .219 with a 34% strikeout rate as a pro.

Giants: Hunter Bishop, OF (No. 6)

Bishop planned to be part of the Washington football team before choosing baseball. He has raw power, above-average speed and instincts to defend center field. However, injuries and COVID have limited him to just 48 pro games.

Parents: CJ Adams, SS (No. 1**MLB No. 6)**

Of all the prospects on the MLB Pipeline roster at the end of 2021, only three received an 80-degree evaluation on their tools: Dasan Brown, Jordyn Adams and Abrams. The Padres shortstop leads that pack and is the only one capable of defending shortstops. He’s a 30 stolen base threat.

Rockies: Brenton Doyle, OF (No. 7)

After generating a lot of attention with his debut in 2019, Doyle stalled a bit by making the jump to Class-A Strong in 2021. However, he showed his combination of power and speed, hitting 16 home runs and stealing 21 bases, also exhibiting a solid arm from center field.

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Prospects for greatest athletic ability: NL