The shortstop pipeline at Triple-A looks loaded, and the names at the top are already pushing their way toward the majors.
George Lombard Jr. took home Best Defensive Shortstop in the International League, giving the Yankees another elite glove to dream on. The Brewers’ Cooper Pratt won Best Infield Arm, and both players were starting regularly at shortstop for contending teams.
Out in the Pacific Coast League, Dodgers prospect Noah Miller earned Best Defensive Shortstop. He’s the younger brother of MLB utilityman Owen, and if Noah brings any offense with him, the path could look a lot like his brother’s.
The pool runs deeper than the winners, too. Because the minor league Best Tools awards are winner-take-all, some players who received votes don’t show up as category champs.
Guardians prospect Angel Genao got IL votes for best shortstop defender, while Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper picked up votes for infield arm. Both were called up in August and stepped into regular roles for contenders.
The PCL had its own cluster of shortstop talent beyond Miller. Mariners prospect Colt Emerson drew votes in the best hitter category, while Angels prospect Denzer Guzman got votes for best shortstop defender and best infield arm. Guzman is getting an extended look for the rebuilding Angels, though not at shortstop; his arm is playing at third base.
Put it all together, and the major league shortstop landscape is about to get younger. Lombard, Pratt, Genao, Culpepper and Emerson are all positioned to take on regular roles and keep sharpening the tools that made them stand out in the first place.
Power, meanwhile, is hardly a scarce commodity in Triple-A.
Cardinals outfielder Joshua Báez set the pace at the level before his Aug. 15 callup, leading all Triple-A players with 34 home runs and a .317 isolated slugging. Across the league, Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, a 23-year-old right-handed hitter, won PCL Best Power honors. He had competition from Albuquerque teammate Zac Veen and Oklahoma City’s James Tibbs III.
Another Rockies prospect, Cole Carrigg, put together one of the most productive Triple-A seasons of any prospect. The 24-year-old switch-hitting center fielder - and occasional shortstop - hit .338/.414/.529 with six homers and 30 stolen bases in 57 games for Albuquerque. Colorado brought him up on June 9, and he quickly became one of the club’s most productive players in every phase of the game.
Carrigg also stood out in Best Tools voting, winning three PCL categories: Most Exciting Player, Best Baserunner and Best Outfield Arm. He even finished third in National League voting for Best Outfield Arm, which is a rare result for a rookie. His game translated cleanly to the majors, especially on defense, where those tools matter at Coors Field.
That arm is more than a plus. In Denver, it helps cut down the kind of “hustle” doubles that can pile up when opponents test outfielders who are forced to play deep in the thin air.
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