Mayo on an MLB Pipeline poll of front office executives regarding prospects with best tools:
https://www.mlb.com/nationals/news/mlb-front-office-selections-best-prospect-tools?t=mlb-pipeline-coverageUsable (Game) Power:
43% -- Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals
11% -- Francisco Álvarez, C, Mets
9% -- James Wood, OF, Nationals
6% -- Elly De La Cruz, SS/3B, Reds
6% -- Gunnar Henderson, 3B/SS, Orioles
6% -- Tyler Soderstrom, 1B/C, A’s
Also received votes: Brett Baty, 3B, Mets; Triston Casas, 1B, Red Sox; Marco Luciano, SS, Giants; Matt Mervis, 1B, Cubs; George Valera, OF, Guardians; Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees; Matt Wallner, OF, Twins
This is another question that I would have thought might have gone differently, with Álvarez and his 51 Minor League homers over the last two seasons (not to mention his career .526 slugging percentage in the Minors) getting more support. Baked into the term “usable power” is the belief that a player will consistently tap into their raw pop to put up numbers in the big leagues, and it turns out more execs believe Walker’s feel to hit will mean more usable power.
Considering age and ETA in the majors, the Wood consensus is remarkable.
Poll
