PLAYERST WATCH

CARDINALS: Jordan Walker

A first-round draft pick in 2020, Walker excelled in Class AA and posted a .925 OPS and a .558 slugging percentage in the elite Arizona Fall League, making him not only the Cardinals’ top prospect but also a top prospect in all of the minors. Drafted as a third baseman, the 20-year-old has since played all three outfield positions.

MARLINS: Eury Pérez

Since being drafted out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 at the age of 16 for $200,000, the right-handed pitcher, now 19, has grown 4 inches and 45 pounds. Now 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, the young thrower is stronger than ever. His mid-80s fastballs when he was scouted have evolved to 93-96 last season, and he has averaged 12.86 strikeouts per nine innings—the most among all Marlins pitching prospects.

ASTROS: Drew Gilbert

One of the best hitters in college baseball, Tennessee Volunteers’ Drew Gilbert was selected by the Astros as their number-one pick last year. Unfortunately, after colliding with a wall during an attempted catch last August, the outfielder missed the remainder of the minor league season. Spring training 2023 will mark his return—and an opportunity for the 22-year-old to prove himself worthy of the major leagues.

NATIONALS: James Wood

One of five prospects the Nationals received in return for their trade of Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in 2022, Wood is a former two-sport standout (baseball and basketball) who attended IMG Academy to focus on baseball before being drafted by the Padres. In the 36 games he played before being traded, the 20-year-old batted .350 with a 1.066 OPS, logging 7 home runs, 15 doubles, 33 RBIs, and 43 runs scored.

METS: Francisco Álvarez

When Álvarez, now 21, signed with the Mets in 2018, the catcher was ranked MLB Pipeline’s number-13 international prospect. He displayed impressive hitting (24 home runs in 2021) before making his major league debut as a designated hitter in a September 2022 series against the Atlanta Braves. He went hitless his first eight at bats before blasting a homer off a Nationals’ reliever at Citi Field in early October.