​
​
Sign In
  • Support FanGraphs
    FanGraphs Membership
    FanGraphs Shirts
    FanGraphs Mugs
    Gift a Membership
    Donate to FanGraphs
  • Fantasy
    Fantasy Tools
    Fantasy Player Rater
    Auction Calculator
    Ottoneu Fantasy Baseball
    Signup, FAQ, Blog Posts
  • Blogs
    Blog Roll

    FanGraphs
    • Yankees Patch Their Third Baseman-Shaped Hole With Ryan McMahon
    • Mariners Bolster Lineup by Acquiring Josh Naylor From Diamondbacks
    • Nick Allen and the Meritocratic Tyranny of the Batting Order
    • José Soriano Can Get You to Whiff, but He Won’t Strike You Out
    Podcasts: Effectively Wild

    FanGraphs Prospects

    RotoGraphs
    • The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 1438 – 2-Start Pitchers for Week 19
    • Lineup Analysis (7/27/25)
    Podcasts: The Sleeper and The Bust | Field of Streams | Beat the Shift

    Community Research
    • Effectively Wild's Preseason Predictions Game Update: Ben Clemens

    Archived Blogs: The Hardball Times | NotGraphs | TechGraphs | FanGraphs+
    Archived THT: THT Live | Dispatch | Fantasy | ShysterBall
    Archived Podcasts: FanGraphs Audio | Chin Music | UMP: The Untitled McDongenhagen Project | Stealing Home | Doing It For Bartolo | OttoGraphs |
  • Projections
    2025 Pre-Season Projections
    ZiPS, ZiPS DC
    Steamer
    Depth Charts
    ATC
    THE BAT, THE BAT X
    OOPSY
    2025 600 PA / 200 IP Projections
    Steamer600, Steamer600 (Update)
    2025 Updated In-Season Projections
    ZiPS (RoS), ZiPS (Update), ZiPS DC (RoS)
    Steamer (RoS), Steamer (Update)
    Depth Charts (RoS)
    ATC DC (RoS)
    THE BAT (RoS), THE BAT X (RoS)
    OOPSY DC (RoS)
    3-Year Projections
    ZiPS 2026, ZiPS 2027
    On-Pace Leaders
    Every Game Played, Games Played %
    Cy Young Award Projections

    Auction Calculator
  • Scores
    Today
    Live Scoreboard, Probable Pitchers
    Live Daily Leaderboards
    Win Probability & Box Scores
    2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
    AL Games
    COL (6) @ BAL (5)Final
    PHI (12) @ NYY (5)Final
    TOR (6) @ DET (2)Final
    LAD (5) @ BOS (2)Final
    CHC (5) @ CHW (12)Final
    ATL (3) @ TEX (8)Final
    WSN (0) @ MIN (1)Final
    ATH (15) @ HOU (3)Final
    SEA (2) @ LAA (2)Top 10
    CLE @ KCR20:10
    NL Games
    MIA (5) @ MIL (1)Final
    ARI (1) @ PIT (0)Final/11
    TBR (2) @ CIN (7)Final
    SDP (0) @ STL (3)Final
    NYM (6) @ SFG (1)End 7
  • Standings
    2025 Projected Standings
    2025 Playoff Odds, Playoff Odds Graphs
    2024 ZiPS Postseason Game-By-Game Odds
    AL East
    Blue Jays62420.0
    Yankees56475.5
    Red Sox55507.5
    Rays53519.0
    Orioles455816.5
    AL Central
    Tigers60450.0
    Guardians51517.5
    Twins50539.0
    Royals50539.0
    White Sox386621.5
    AL West
    Astros60440.0
    Mariners55484.5
    Rangers54506.0
    Angels495410.5
    Athletics446217.0
    NL East
    Phillies59440.0
    Mets59440.0
    Marlins49539.5
    Braves445814.5
    Nationals416218.0
    NL Central
    Brewers61420.0
    Cubs60431.0
    Reds54507.5
    Cardinals54518.0
    Pirates426219.5
    NL West
    Dodgers61430.0
    Padres55496.0
    Giants54496.5
    D-backs515310.0
    Rockies277633.5
  • Leaders
    Major League Leaders
    Batting: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, Career
    Pitching: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, Career
    Fielding: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, Career
    Major League Leaders - Rank
    Batting: Ranking Grid, Compare Players, Compare Stats
    Pitching: Ranking Grid, Compare Players, Compare Stats
    Splits Leaderboards
    Pitch-Type Splits Leaderboards
    Season Stat Grid

    Postseason Leaders
    Batting: 2024, (WS), (LCS), (LDS), (WCS), Career
    Pitching: 2024, (WS), (LCS), (LDS), (WCS), Career

    Spring Training Leaders
    Batting: 2025, 2024, 2023
    Pitching: 2025, 2024, 2023

    KBO Leaders
    Batting, Pitching
    NPB Leaders
    Batting, Pitching

    Minor League Leaders
    AAA: International League, Pacific Coast League
    AA: Eastern League, Southern League, Texas League
    A+: Midwest League, South Atlantic League, Northwest League
    A: California League, Carolina League, Florida State League
    CPX: Arizona, Florida
    R: Dominican Summer League
    College Leaders
    Batting, Pitching

    WAR Tools
    Combined WAR Leaderboards
    WAR Graphs
    WPA Tools
    WPA Inquirer
    Rookie Leaders
    Batters 2025, Pitchers 2025
    Splits Leaders
    Batters: vs L, vs R, Home, Away
    Pitchers: vs L, vs R, Home, Away
  • Teams
    Team Batting Stats
    2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
    Team Pitching Stats
    2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
    Team WAR Totals (RoS)
    AL East
    Blue Jays  |  DC
    Orioles  |  DC
    Rays  |  DC
    Red Sox  |  DC
    Yankees  |  DC
    AL Central
    Guardians  |  DC
    Royals  |  DC
    Tigers  |  DC
    Twins  |  DC
    White Sox  |  DC
    AL West
    Angels  |  DC
    Astros  |  DC
    Athletics  |  DC
    Mariners  |  DC
    Rangers  |  DC
    NL East
    Braves  |  DC
    Marlins  |  DC
    Mets  |  DC
    Nationals  |  DC
    Phillies  |  DC
    NL Central
    Brewers  |  DC
    Cardinals  |  DC
    Cubs  |  DC
    Pirates  |  DC
    Reds  |  DC
    NL West
    D-backs  |  DC
    Dodgers  |  DC
    Giants  |  DC
    Padres  |  DC
    Rockies  |  DC
    Positional Depth Charts
    Batters: C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, RF, DH
    Pitchers: SP, RP
  • RosterResource
    Current Depth Charts
    AL East
    Blue Jays
    Orioles
    Rays
    Red Sox
    Yankees
    AL Central
    Guardians
    Royals
    Tigers
    Twins
    White Sox
    AL West
    Angels
    Astros
    Athletics
    Mariners
    Rangers
    NL East
    Braves
    Marlins
    Mets
    Nationals
    Phillies
    NL Central
    Brewers
    Cardinals
    Cubs
    Pirates
    Reds
    NL West
    D-backs
    Dodgers
    Giants
    Padres
    Rockies
    In-Season Tools
    2025 Closer Depth Chart
    2025 Injury Report
    2025 Payroll Pages
    2025 Transaction Tracker
    2025 Schedule Grid
    2025 Probables Grid
    2025 Lineup Tracker
    2025 Minor League Power Rankings
    Offseason Tools
    2025 Free Agent Tracker
    2025 Offseason Tracker
    2025 Opening Day Tracker
  • Prospects
    Prospects Home
    The Board
    The Board: Scouting + Stats!
    How To Use The Board: A Tutorial
    Farm System Rankings

    Top Prospects List
    20252024
    AL
    BALCHWATH
    BOSCLEHOU
    NYYDETLAA
    TBRKCRSEA
    TORMINTEX
    NL
    ATLCHCARI
    MIACINCOL
    NYMMILLAD
    PHIPITSDP
    WSNSTLSFG
    2025 Preseason Top 100
  • Glossary
    Library
    Batting Stats
    wOBA, wRC+, ISO, K% & BB%, more...
    Pitching Stats
    FIP, xFIP, BABIP, K/9 & BB/9, more...
    Defensive Stats
    UZR Primer, DRS, FSR, TZ & TZL, more...
    More
    WAR, UBR Primer, WPA, LI, Clutch
    Guts!
    Seasonal Constants
    Park Factors
    Park Factors by Handedness
  • Sign In

Updated Top-10 Prospects Lists: NL Central

by Eric Longenhagen
August 15, 2017
Updated Top-10 Prospect Lists
  • AL East
  • NL East
  • AL Central
  • NL Central
  • AL West
  • NL West
  • Top 100

Below are the updated summer top-10 prospect lists for the orgs in the National League Central. I have notes beneath the top 10s explaining why some of these prospects have moved up or down. For detailed scouting information on individual players, check out the player’s profile page which may include tool grades and/or links to Daily Prospect Notes posts in which they’ve appeared this season. For detailed info on players drafted or signed this year, check out our sortable boards.

Chicago Cubs (Preseason List)

1. Adbert Alzolay, RHP
2. Victor Caratini, C/1B
3. Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
4. Jose Albertos, RHP
5. Thomas Hatch, RHP
6. Aramis Ademan, SS
7. Alex Lange, RHP
8. Brendon Little, LHP
9. Mark Zagunis, 3B
10. D.J. Wilson, CF

Trades and graduations have sucked some of the talent from the top of this system as Alzolay has ascended. Caratini can hit and is a fine receiver with average raw arm strength, but he has issues blocking balls and is slow out of his crouch, something scouts think he’s trying to remedy by throwing from his knees at times. He’s likely to hit enough to at least be a valuable corner platoon bat and backup catcher, a la Robert Fick. Albertos and de la Cruz have had trouble staying healthy, the former also experiencing issues with throwing strikes. Ademan was one of the more advanced bats left back in Arizona when camp broke, and he’s very likely to stay on the middle infield.

Cincinnati Reds (Preseason List)

1. Hunter Greene, RHP
2. Nick Senzel, 3B
3. Taylor Trammell, OF
4. Tyler Mahle, RHP
5. Luis Castillo, RHP
6. Jesse Winker, LF
7. Shed Long, 2B
8. Tyler Stephenson, C
9. Aristides Aqunio, OF
10. Alfredo Rodriguez, SS

Castillo is missing big-league bats with his combination of elite velocity and diving changeup. He’s essentially a two-pitch guy right now, but they’re two good pitches and he’s a special athlete. I’ve come around on his chances of figuring it out as a starter based on that, but some scouts still want to see a better breaking ball and command. (Eno Sarris examined some of the pitch-type data on Castillo earlier today.) Mahle has solid stuff and plus command, vaulting him toward the top of the group beneath the elite talents at the head of the list. After initial struggles, Long has started to hit at Double-A. Aquino is trending down.

Milwaukee Brewers (Preseason List)

1. Lewis Brinson, CF
2. Corey Ray, OF
3. Brandon Woodruff, RHP
4. Luis Ortiz, RHP
5. Isan Diaz, 2B
6. Josh Hader, LHP
7. Keston Hiura, 2B
8. Corbin Burnes, RHP
9. Lucas Erceg, 3B
10. Mauricio Dubon, UTIL

Ray, Hader, and Erceg have all struggled at times this year but two of those players are enduring their first full pro season and Hader was feeling the effects of Colorado Springs. Tooled-up outfielder and personal cheeseball, Monte Harrison, has finally started to perform and just missed the list, as did RHP Freddy Peralta, who has been up to 95 and missing bats with his changeup and breaking ball.

Pittsburgh Pirates (Preseason List)

1. Austin Meadows, OF
2. Mitch Keller, RHP
3. Cole Tucker, SS
4. Kevin Newman, SS
5. Shane Baz, RHP
6. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
7. Steven Brault, LHP
8. Will Craig, 1B/3B
9. Taylor Hearn, LHP
10. Luis Escobar, RHP

There’s lots of room for varied opinion on the last couple spots of this 10, but each prospect north of Brault has a top-100 argument. Meadows had begun to right the ship after a month beneath the Mendoza line and then missed a month with a hamstring injury. He’s hitting his way back through the low minors right now. Newman has had a tough year but still projects as a solid defensive shortstop who puts the ball in play. Tucker has become more physical and retained above-average speed. Escobar’s velocity ticked up this year and his stuff is generally hellacious, but he still doesn’t know where it’s going.

St. Louis Cardinals (Preseason List)

1. Alex Reyes, RHP
2. Carson Kelly, C
3. Jack Flaherty, RHP
4. Delvin Perez, SS
5. Sandy Alcantara, RHP
6. Dakota Hudson, RHP
7. Magneuris Sierra, CF
8. Tyler O’Neill, OF
9. Harrison Bader, OF
10. Jordan Hicks, RHP

This system has depth, especially on the mound, and there was no room for gigantic teenager Johan Oviedo nor strike-throwing righty Zac Gallen, who is already at Triple-A in his first full pro season. Flaherty looks like an above-average starter after seeing a slight uptick in stuff across an already well-rounded repertoire. Perez has struggled early on but still has star-level tools.





What Do the Reds Have in Luis Castillo?
 
Did the Orioles Steal Tim Beckham?

Eric Longenhagen is from Catasauqua, PA and currently lives in Tempe, AZ. He spent four years working for the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, two with Baseball Info Solutions and two contributing to prospect coverage at ESPN.com. Previous work can also be found at Sports On Earth, CrashburnAlley and Prospect Insider.

12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
KayEmCee
7 years ago

What do you still see in Ke’Bryan Hayes to say he’s T100 worthy? Also, Will Craig seems like a huge bust and not a prospect for me. For the Reds, you have Nick Senzel listed as a C/1B.

0
Pirates HurdlesMember since 2024
7 years ago
Reply to  KayEmCee

The Craig assessment is a little harsh considering he has put up 142 and 130 wRC+ in his year and a half as a pro. The lack or power is concerning, but the bat to ball skills are playing.

5
Member since 2016
7 years ago
Reply to  Pirates Hurdles

Well, a 22 year old line drive hitting 1B prospect in High A ball is really not too exciting. If he was still at 3B maybe he’s still a prospect but right now he’s the next Matt Hague, more or less.

0
KayEmCee
7 years ago
Reply to  Pirates Hurdles

Craig does not have enough power to profile at 3B (where he’s already being moved off of) or 1B. Can’t play anywhere else.

-1
You are going to send email to

Move Comment

Updated: Thursday, July 24, 2025 6:00 AM ETUpdated: 7/24/2025 6:00 AM ET
@fangraphs - Contact Us - Advertise - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy
sis_logo
All major league baseball data including pitch type, velocity, batted ball location, and play-by-play data provided by Sports Info Solutions.
mlb logo
Major League and Minor League Baseball data provided by Major League Baseball.
Mitchel Lichtman
All UZR (ultimate zone rating) calculations are provided courtesy of Mitchel Lichtman.
TangoTiger.com
All Win Expectancy, Leverage Index, Run Expectancy, and Fans Scouting Report data licenced from TangoTiger.com
Retrosheet.org
Play-by-play data prior to 2002 was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet.

Support FanGraphs
Become a Member

Please consider becoming a FanGraphs Member. All the great work that you've come to rely on is made possible by Member support, including analysis, stats, projections, RosterResource, prospect coverage, and podcasts.

Membership starts at $.16 a day.

Already a Member: Log In

Sign Me Up