something I’ve thought a lot about entering this weird season is all the guys who are going to make their MLB debuts this season in front of no fans, friends, or family — just empty stadiums. it’s obviously necessary, but it’s an unfortunate circumstance for those players
players in MLB history: 19,683

you could fit every big leaguer ever into Madison Square Garden with room to spare! that’s not a lot of people! making the Majors is so difficult!!!

so cheers to those who make that dream a reality in 2020, even if no one is there to see it
this thread ⬇️ is gonna celebrate all those debuts as they happen this season because making the big leagues at all is incredible. you only have one MLB debut and it’s too bad these guys won’t have the traditional debut moment we’ve grown accustomed to seeing and celebrating
19,684th player in MLB history: Joe McCarthy

- College World Series champion with UVA in 2015
- injuries led to bad junior year which hurt his Draft stock considerably
- 5th round pick by Rays in 2015
- acquired by Giants at the 2019 Trade Deadline
- starting on Opening Day 2020
19,685th player in MLB history: Dany Jiménez

- didn't sign with the Blue Jays until he was 21 (relatively late for Dominican-born players)
- didn't reach Double-A until age-25
- 38.6% = 5th-best K% among all MiLB relievers (min. 50 IP) in '19
- Rule 5 pick by Giants in Dec. '19
19,686th player in MLB history: Andrés Giménez

- signed for $1.2M as one of the top SS in the 2015 international class
- 2018 Futures Game
- 3rd-youngest everyday player in the Eastern League in 2019
- won the batting title in the 2019 Arizona Fall League
- excellent defender
19,687th player in MLB history: William Contreras

- like Giménez ⬆️, he was also a part of the 2015 international class, but his signing bonus was just $10,000
- rocket arm + big power
- yes, Willson is his older brother
- 55th Venezuelan catcher in MLB history, 42nd since 2010
19,688th player in MLB history: Yoshitomo Tsutsugo

- 5x NPB All-Star
- 2x NPB Home Run Derby champion
- has averaged 25+ HR, 75+ RBI for the last decade with the Yokohama Bay Stars
- signed a 2-year, $12 million contract with the Rays this past winter
- hits absolute bombs
19,689th player in MLB history: Shogo Akiyama

- 9 seasons with the Seibu Lions
- holds NPB record for most hits in a single season (216 in 2015)
- signed a 3-year, $21 million deal with the Reds
- the Reds were the last MLB team to have never had a Japanese player...until now!
19,690th player in MLB history: Ryan Thompson

- funky side-armer
- 2013 D-I ERA champ at Campbell (0.88 ERA in 71.2 IP)
- 23rd round pick by the Astros in 2014
- Tommy John surgery on January 1, 2018
- claimed off waivers by Rays on December 13, 2018
- holy shit, here he is:
19,691st player in MLB history: Ramon Rosso

2015: signs with LAD
2016: released by LAD
June 2017: signs with PHI
rest of 2017: shreds 3 levels of rookie ball (1.31 ERA in 75.2 IP)
2018: shreds both levels of A-ball (2.04 ERA in 123.1 IP)
2019: fine in AA/AAA
2020: BIG LEAGUER
19,692nd player in MLB history: Luis Robert

- hit .401 in final season in Cuba
- AL executive called him "the best player on the planet" when he signed
- 32 HR, 36 SB, 1.001 OPS across 3 MiLB levels in 2019
- prolific TikToker
- tremendously good-looking
- gonna be a superstar
19,693rd player in MLB history: Evan White

- 1st round pick out of Kentucky in 2017
- he's a "backwards guy" = bats right, throws left (very rare)
- elite 1B defense
- signed a 6-year extension in November 2019
- one of the nicest people you will ever meet
19,694th player in MLB history: José Marmolejos

- 9 SEASONS in the Nationals organization
- 840 career MiLB games
- 40+ games at all 7 levels of MiLB
- signed an MiLB contract w/ Spring Training invite with the Mariners in November '19
- now debuting against JUSTIN VERLANDER
19,695th player in MLB history: J.P. Feyereisen

- 16th round pick in 2014 by CLE out of D-III (!!!) Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- traded to NYY in 2016 as part of the Andrew Miller deal
- 3.12 ERA in 164.2 IP w/ 195 Ks at AAA, but never called up
- traded to Brewers in Sept. 2019
19,696th player in MLB history: Tyler Zuber

- 6th round pick by the Royals in 2017 as a senior out of Arkansas State
- $2,500 signing bonus!!!!!!!!!!!
- 1.79 ERA in 55.1 IP w/ 21 saves across High-A & Double-A in 2019
- dominant for Licey in the 2019-2020 Dominican Winter League
19,697th player in MLB history: Jonathan Araúz

- signed with PHI in 2014
- traded to HOU in 2015 as part of the Ken Giles trade
- one of 3 17-year-olds in the 2016 Appalachian League (one of the others was Vlad Jr.)
- Rule 5 pick by BOS in 2019
- 64th Panamanian in MLB history
19,698th player in MLB history: Leody Taveras

- signed by the Rangers in 2015; $2.1 million signing bonus
- 4th overall pick by Aguilas in 2017 LIDOM Draft -- one pick before Juan Soto
- 2018 Futures Game participant
- switch-hitter
- one of the best defensive CF in the Minors
19,699th player in MLB history: Kwang-hyun Kim

- 12 seasons in #KBO, 4-time Korean Series champion
- MVP as a 19-year-old in 2008
- originally posted by SK in 2014, SD won bidding, but deal fell through
- Tommy John in 2017
- was always a starter, but now he's the closer? SURE
19,700th player in MLB history: Anthony Misiewicz

- 18th round pick in 2015 by SEA out of Michigan State
- traded to the Rays in August 2017
- made 5 starts in Double-A with the Rays
- re-acquired by the Mariners for cash considerations in December 2017 (LOL Dipoto)
19,701st player in MLB history: Codi Heuer

- 6th round pick, 3rd of 11 Wichita State players selected in 2018 Draft (Alec Bohm was the 1st)
- on this day in 2018 he had a 7.41 ERA in the Pioneer League
- dominated High-A/AA in 2019
- low arm slot but still throws extremely hard
19,702nd player in MLB history: Blake Taylor

- 2nd round pick by PIT in 2013
- 5th HS LHP taken in 2013 Draft (and 1st to make the big leagues)
- traded to NYM in 2014 as PTBNL for Ike Davis
- traded to HOU in Jake Marisnick deal in December 2019
- only LHP in the Astros bullpen
19,703rd player in MLB history: Yohan Ramirez

- didn't sign til he was 21
- insane stuff, minimal control
- among 436 MiLB pitchers with 100+ IP in 2019, he had the 8th-highest strikeout-rate (33.8%) ... and *the* highest walk-rate (15.8%)
- Rule 5 pick from HOU in December 2019
19,704th player in MLB history: Enoli Paredes

- small dude, excellent athlete, huge stuff (up to 99 MPH, nasty curveball)
- grew up in D.R. idolizing Yordano Ventura
- .158 career (!) BAA is the lowest of *any* MiLB pitcher (min. 150 IP) since his pro debut in 2016
19,705th player in MLB history: Santiago Espinal

- born & raised in D.R., moved to U.S. for high school
- 10th round pick in '16 by BOS
- traded to TOR in June '18 for Steve Pearce, who may or may not have gone on to win World Series MVP 4 months later
- can play SS, 2B, 3B, CF
19,706th player in MLB history: Nick Neidert

- 2015 2nd round pick out of HS by the Mariners
- traded to the Marlins in Dee Gordon trade in December 2017
- 2019 Arizona Fall League All-Star
- doesn't throw that hard but has a great change-up and great command
19,707th player in MLB history: Brady Singer

- 2nd round pick out of HS, didn't sign
- 2017 National Champion w/ Florida
- 2018 Dick Howser Trophy winner
- 1st round pick in 2018
- used part of signing bonus to pay off all of his parents' debt for Christmas
- works VERY quickly
19,708th player in MLB history: Jimmy Lambert

- 5th round pick in 2016 out of Fresno State
- velo & K-rate ticked up in 2018
- Tommy John in June 2019
- no MiLB this year means this is his first official pro outing since Tommy John!!!
- older brother of Rockies RHP Peter Lambert
19,709th player in MLB history: Daniel "Jet" Johnson

- teammates w/ Ramón Laureano at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before transferring to New Mexico State in '15
- 5th round pick by Nationals in '16
- traded to CLE in Yan Gomes deal in Nov. '18
- one of the best OF arms in baseball
19,710th player in MLB history: Alex Vesia

- 17th round pick in 2018 as a senior out of D-II Cal State East Bay
- $25,000 signing bonus!
- 1.62 career MiLB ERA in 100 IP
- dominant in 2019 Arizona Fall League
- best pitch is his change-up
19,711th player in MLB history: Aaron Whitefield

- made the roster as a pinch-runner (and made his debut today as one)
- 115 steals in 357 career MiLB games
- 2x Australian Baseball League MVP
- 32nd Australian in MLB history; 9th in Twins history (most of any MLB team)
19,712th player in MLB history: Caleb Baragar

- 2 years at a D-II junior college in Michigan, then transferred to Indiana
- 9th round pick as a senior by SFG in '16; $20,000 signing bonus
- 5 scoreless IP in 2019 Triple-A championship game
- 8th Caleb in MLB history, 1st Baragar
19,713th player in MLB history: Cristian Javier

- lowest BAA (.130) among all MiLB pitchers in '19 with 100+ IP; 2nd-best was MacKenzie Gore (.161)
- less explosive stuff than fellow rookie Enoli Paredes but Javier is considered a better prospect
- ugh, the Astros are so good
19,714th player in MLB history: Edward Olivares

- signed with the Blue Jays in 2014 out of Venezuela
- $1,000 signing bonus!!!
- traded to the Padres for Yangervis Solarte in January 2018
- 1 of 6 players in MiLB with 15+ HR and 30+ steals in 2019
19,715th player in MLB history: Kyle Finnegan

- teammates at Texas State with fellow Nationals reliever Austen Williams
- 6th round pick in 2013 Draft by OAK
- 7 seasons in A's organization, 232 MiLB games pitched
- signed MLB deal with the Nationals this past winter
19,716th player in MLB history: Taylor Widener

- 12th round pick in 2016 by NYY out of South Carolina
- traded to AZ as part of 3-way AZ/TB/NYY trade in Feb. '18
- dominated AA in 2018; 2nd-most K's in MiLB
- severe victim of juiced ball + insane hitter-friendly Reno in 2019 ⬇️
19,717th player in MLB history: Thomas Hatch

- same HS in OK as 2x All-Star Josh Johnson
- missed all of sophomore year due to elbow injury
- junior year: ace of Oklahoma State team that made it to Omaha
- 3rd round pick by CHC in 2016
- traded to TOR in 2019 for David Phelps
19,718th player in MLB history: Taylor Jones

- listed at 6'7", now tied with Aaron Judge for tallest position player in MLB
- 8 HR in 4 years at Gonzaga (also pitched for 2 years)
- 19th round pick in '16
- 55 HR in 4 years in MiLB (swing change, much?)
- .889 OPS in AAA in '19
19,719th player in MLB history: Jordan Holloway

- 20th round pick in 2014 out of HS in Colorado
- Tommy John surgery in June 2017
- came back from Tommy John throwing super hard
- command issues but the stuff is legit
- has never pitched above A-ball
19,720th player in MLB history: JT Brubaker

- 6th round pick in 2015 out of Akron in the last year before they cancelled their baseball program (the program was finally reinstated last year)
- has always been a starter; this is only his 3rd professional relief appearance
19,721st player in MLB history: Kodi Whitley

- got Tommy John before junior year (2016) at D-II Mount Olive
- only threw 5.1 IP in redshirt junior year in 2017, still got drafted by STL in the 27th round
- career 2.01 MiLB ERA in 156.2 IP
- very good in 2019 Arizona Fall League
19,722nd player in MLB history: Cam Hill

- 17th round pick in 2014
- moved to the bullpen in 2015
- 4th player ever drafted out of Redlands Community College in Oklahoma; 1st one to make the big leagues
19,723rd player in MLB history: Vimael Machín

- born and raised in Puerto Rico
- naturally left-handed, dad taught him as a kid how to throw righty so he could play more positions
- 10th round pick by CHC in 2015 out of VCU
- Rule 5 pick by PHI, then traded to OAK in Dec. '19
19,724th player in MLB history: Shun Yamaguchi

- 14 seasons in NPB
- 4x NPB All-Star
- father was a sumo wrestling champion
- led Central League in wins & Ks in '19
- first MLB pitcher to wear #1 since ???????
- MAKING HIS MLB DEBUT WITH A RUNNER ON 2ND TO START THE INNING!!!!!!
19,725th player in MLB history: Brandon Bailey

- 6th round pick by OAK in 2016 out of Gonzaga (where he was teammates with Taylor Jones ⬆️❗️)
- traded to HOU for Ramón Laureano in Nov. '17
- Rule 5 pick by BAL in Dec. 2019, but returned to HOU during 2020 Spring Training
19,726th player in MLB history: Jake Cronenworth

- INF & closer at Michigan; 211 hits, 27 saves in 3 years
- 7th round pick by TB in 2015; stopped pitching after signing
- started doing both again in 2019; 0.00 ERA in 7 appearances in AAA
- traded w/ Tommy Pham to SD in Dec. '19
19,727th player in MLB history: Kyle Funkhouser

- incredible SO year ➡️ huge hype heading into JR year ('15)
- slid to 35th overall; high asking price ➡️ turned down LAD ➡️ went back Louisville
- 4th round to DET in '16
- flashes great stuff but injured a lot during pro career
19,728th player in MLB history: Foster Griffin

- HS teammates with Adam Haseley
- 1st round pick by KC in '14
- really good for Licey in LIDOM this past winter; decided on his own to play to test himself despite having pitched a full season at AAA
- today is his 25th birthday!
19,729th player in MLB history: Brandon Bielak

- teammates at Notre Dame with Cavan Biggio
- dominance as a reliever in the Cape Cod League in '16 raised his Draft stock
- poor statistical junior year (5.55 ERA) in '17 dropped him to the 11th round
- 2.94 MiLB ERA in 272.1 IP
19,730th player in MLB history: Beau Burrows

- 1st round pick by DET in 2015 out of Weatherford High School in TX (same HS as Zack Britton)
- 2017 Futures Game participant (struck out Amed Rosario and Rafael Devers in his 1 IP)
- injuried on & off in 2019, limited to 17 starts
19,731st player in MLB history: Tejay Antone

- HS teammates w/ Noah Syndergaard
- 22nd round pick by NYM out of HS, didn't sign
- freshman year at TCU, then transferred to Weatherford College
- 5th round pick by CIN in '14
- Tommy John in '17
- great in AA, solid in AAA in '19
19,732nd player in MLB history: Anthony Castro

- signed with DET in 2011 out of Venezuela
- Tommy John surgery in May 2015
- finally made full-season debut in 2017 and was great in the Midwest League
- has always been a starter but command issues indicate a future in the bullpen
19,733rd player in MLB history: Tyler Stephenson

- huge senior spring (including a bat flip that went viral) catapulted him into the 1st round of '15 Draft
- lot of injuries early in career but has looked great when healthy
- big arm + raw power
- standout in Fall League in '19
19,734th player in MLB history: Rony García

- 1 of 2 21-year-olds to make 20+ starts in the Eastern League in '19 (the other: Matt Manning)
- youngest DET pitcher to start a game since Daniel Norris in 2015
- 1st overall pick in '19 Rule 5 Draft after 4 years in the Yankees org
19,735th player in MLB history: David Peterson

- 28th round pick out of HS by Red Sox (the team he's facing tonight!) in '14
- junior year at Oregon: 1st team All-American; struck out 20 vs. Arizona State
- 1st round pick by NYM in '17 (20th overall)
- gets A LOT of ground balls
19,736th player in MLB history: Joe Odom

- junior year at D-III (!) Huntingdon: led all of D-III in HR w/ 14; 2nd-team All-American
- 13th round pick in '13 by ATL
- MiLB Rule 5 pick by SEA in Dec. '17
- excellent pitch framer
- wasn't added to 60-man player pool until last week
19,737th player in MLB history: Andre Scrubb

- good in the Cape Cod League in 2015
- 8th round pick in 2016 by the Dodgers out of High Point University (now just the 4th big leaguer ever from High Point)
- moved to bullpen after signing
- traded to HOU for Tyler White in 2019
19,738th player in MLB history: Jordan Weems

- 3rd round pick out of HS in 2011 by BOS as a catcher
- .568 OPS in 5 seasons ➡️ converted to pitching in 2016
- 3.87 ERA in 200 IP in MiLB since converting
- up to 99 MPH
- signed with OAK this past winter
- tremendous flow
19,739th player in MLB history: Nivaldo Rodriguez

- signed w/ HOU for $10,000 out of Venezuela in 2015
- 2.40 ERA in 225.1 career IP in MiLB
- has never pitched above A-ball
- 54th Rodriguez, 1st Nivaldo in MLB history
19,740th player in MLB history: Nate Pearson

- freshman year at FIU, then transferred to Central Florida JC
- 1st round pick in '17
- only 123.1 MiLB IP -- missed most of '18 after comebacker hit elbow
- one of the best fastballs on Earth (up to 104)
- 6'6", 250 lb = Big Nate
19,741st player in MLB history: Chadwick Tromp

- 6th Aruban in MLB history
- 7 years in CIN org, signed with SF in Jan. '20
- plays for Netherlands internationally
- only 326 MiLB games in 7 seasons because he's mostly been a backup!
- brother Jiandido played 7 years in PHI org
19,742nd player in MLB history: Brooks Kriske

- 4 years at USC
- 6th round pick by NYY in 2016, had Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted
- came back from TJ with a bit more velocity and learned a splitter
- excellent in Trenton in '19
- first Yankee to ever wear #82
19,743rd player in MLB history: Nick Heath

- mom was a college track star & U.S. Olympic trials participant
- 16th round pick in '16 out of Northwestern State
- led MiLB w/ 60 SB in '19; 160 SB in 323 career games
- charisma off the charts, one of the best dudes you'll ever meet
19,744th player in MLB history: Daulton Varsho

- named after dad Gary's (8-year MLB career, current Pirates scout) 1995 Phillies teammate Darren Daulton
- 2nd round pick in '17 out of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- primarily a C, but started 4 games in CF in '19, can also play 2B, 3B
19,745th player in MLB history: Kris Bubic

- Croatian heritage (it's pronounced ić, not ick)
- 1st round pick in '18 out of Stanford (teammates w/ Nico Hoerner, Tommy Edman)
- 3rd best FIP (2.11) among all MiLB starters in '19
- never pitched above A-ball
- excellent change-up
19,746th player in MLB history: Nick Madrigal

- 1st round pick in '18 out of Oregon State
- amazing at everything besides hitting HRs
- 🤯 contact skills; 3% career K-rate; 3 (!) multi-K games in 314 games (pro + college)
- twin brother Ty (LHP) recently signed as an UDFA w/ CHW
19,747th player in MLB history: Victor González

- Dodgers first saw him on same scouting trip in Mexico in 2012 that led to signing Julio Urías & Yasiel Puig
- Tommy John surgery in Jan. '17
- breakout season last year, reached AAA after never even reaching High-A before 2019
19,748th player in MLB history: Nick Nelson

- 4th round pick in '16 out of Gulf Coast Community College, where he also hit .315 w/ 19 HR in 2 years (most recent MLBer from GCCC: Terrance Gore)
- first Yankee to ever wear #79
- 68th Nick, 27th Nelson in MLB history
19,749th player in MLB history: Matt Foster

- 29th round pick in '13 out of HS by AZ, didn't sign
- two years at Gulf Coast Community College (where he was teammates with Nick Nelson ⬆️ ❗️ what are the chances?!) before transferring to Alabama
- 20th round pick in '16 by CHW
19,750th player in MLB history: Franklyn Kilomé

- signed with PHI in 2013 out of D.R.
- traded to NYM for Asdrúbal Cabrera in July 2018
- Tommy John surgery in Oct. 2018; missed entire 2019 season, so this is his first official pro outing since surgery!
- very large
19,751st player in MLB history: Andy Young

- 19th North Dakota-born player in MLB history
- Jamestown (NAIA) ➡️Neosho (JuCo) ➡️Indiana State
- 37th (!!!!!!!) round pick in '16 by STL
- 1st in HBPs in MiLB since '17 (79)
- traded to AZ as part of the Goldschmidt trade in Dec. '18
19,752nd player in MLB history: Yermín Mercedes

- 2011-2013 w/ DSL Nationals, then released
- spent '14 in the Pecos League (basically the bottom of independent league baseball)
- signed w/ BAL in '15
- MiLB Rule 5 pick by CHW in '17
- crushed AA/AAA in '19
- HE'S HERE!!!!!!!!!
19,753rd player in MLB history: Cody Ponce

- 2nd round pick by MIL in '15 out of D-II Cal Poly Pomona
- traded to PIT in July '19 for Jordan Lyles
- moved to bullpen before trade, but was starting again in Fall League in '19
- coffee enthusiast; hosts "Coffee w/ Cody" on his IG
19,754th player in MLB history: Monte Harrison

- three-sport star at Lee's Summit HS in Missouri
- 2nd round pick by MIL in 2014
- traded to MIA as part of the Christian Yelich deal in Jan. '18
- elite exit velos
- older brother Shaq plays for the Chicago Bulls
19,755th player in MLB history: Jo Adell

- dad Scott drafted by Saints in 1992 NFL Draft
- hit .562 w/ 25 HR in 35 games as a senior in HS
- crushed AA, struggled in brief AAA stint in '19
- youngest hitter in MLB (1 month younger than Vlad Jr.)
- super duper star potential
19,756th player in MLB history: Mark Mathias

- 3rd round pick by CLE in 2015 out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (most recent MLBer from Cal Poly: Mitch Haniger)
- traded to MIL in Nov. 19
- mostly 2B, can play SS/3B
- .797 OPS in AAA in '19
19,757th player in MLB history: Joey Gerber

- very funky delivery, up to 96 w/ good slider
- has always been a reliever; 123 career appearances, 0 starts in college or pro ball
- 8th round pick in 2018 out of Illinois; 6th 2018 draftee to reach the big leagues
19,758th player in MLB history: Humberto Castellanos

- signed out of Mexico in 2015
- 2.92 career ERA in 216 MiLB IP
- only 12 IP above A-ball
- pitches for Jalisco in the Mexican Winter League
- 8th pitcher to debut for the Astros this year!!!!!!!!!
19,759th player in MLB history: Eddy Alvarez

- born & raised in Miami
- started skating at age 4, won national titles by age 11
- stopped skating in HS to focus on ⚾️
- had ⚾️ scholarship offers, but chose to pursue skating
- 🥇 in 3,000 m relay at '09 World Junior championships
19,759th player in MLB history: Eddy Alvarez (cont.)

- didn't make 2010 Olympic team, went back to baseball
- played at Salt Lake CC in '11, made all-conference
- went back to skating, but then needed surgery on both knees (!!!) in March '12
- rehabbed, made the '14 Olympic team
19,759th player in MLB history: Eddy Alvarez (cont.)

- 🥈 in 5,000 m relay at Sochi on 2/21/14
- signed with CHW on 6/10/14
- hit .296 w/ 53 SB in A-ball in '15
- struggled in AAA in '18, traded to hometown Marlins in March '19
- hit .323 in AAA in '19 in 66 G
- HE MADE IT OMG
19,760th player in MLB history: Sterling Sharp

- Eastern Michigan ➡️ Darton State (JuCo in GA) ➡️ D-II Drury
- 22nd round pick in '16 by WAS
- sinker-baller w/ elite groundball-rate
- Rule 5 pick by MIA in Dec. '19
- wants an all-MLB dunk contest to happen so he can win it
19,761st player in MLB history: Luis Patiño

- 10th Colombian pitcher in MLB history
- when he signed with SD in 2016, he was 150 lbs and threw 85 MPH
- now he's 190 lbs and throwing 99 w/ insane cut
- only 7.2 IP above A-ball
- new youngest player in MLB (not 21 til October)
19,762nd player in MLB history: Carlos Sanabria

- signed out of Venezuela in '13
- moved to the bullpen in '18, has mostly been in the closer role
- excellent in '19 regular season, spent most of the season at AA
- up to 99 MPH
- 9th pitcher to debut for the Astros this year!!!
19,763rd player in MLB history: Anderson Tejeda

- signed out of D.R. in '14; $100K signing bonus
- switch-hitter with legit power + big arm
- missed a lot of '19 with shoulder injury
- never played above A-ball
- 75% of MiLB games at SS, 25% at 2B (where he's debuting today)
19,764th player in MLB history: Jorge Guzman

- signed with HOU in '14
- traded to NYY in Brian McCann deal in Nov. '16
- traded to MIA in Giancarlo Stanton deal in Dec. '17
- one of the hardest-throwing starters in MiLB; up to 100 MPH but iffy command might = bullpen long-term
19,765th player in MLB history: Humberto Mejía

- signed w/ MIA in 2013; shoulder issues delayed pro debut until 2015
- 6th-lowest WHIP (0.897) among 545 MiLB pitchers w/ 90+ IP in 2019
- never pitched above A-ball (only 4 starts in High-A)
- 18th Panamanian to start an MLB game
19,766th player in MLB history: Zack Burdi

- grew up a White Sox fan in the Chicago suburbs
- 1st round pick in '16 out of Louisville
- Tommy John in July '17 (up to 102 MPH pre-surgery, still up to 99 MPH now)
- knee surgery in June '19
- younger brother of Pirates RHP Nick
19,767th player in MLB history: Nick Mears

- pitched thru torn UCL senior year of HS, then got TJ
- one season at Sacramento City JuCo, undrafted in '17 & '18
- strong Northwoods League in '18 got him pro offers
- signed w/ PIT in Aug. '18
- 93-95 when he signed, now up to 101!
19,768th player in MLB history: Daniel Castano

- high school baseball teammates with Baker Mayfield at Lake Travis HS (TX)
- 19th round pick in '16 by STL out of Baylor (first Baylor draftee to reach MLB since Max Muncy)
- traded to MIA in the Marcell Ozuna deal in Dec. 17
19,769th player in MLB history: Albert Abreu

- signed with HOU in 2014
- traded to NYY in Brian McCann deal in Nov. 16
- some of the best stuff in the entire Minors (up to 101, great secondary stuff), but a ton of injuries + below-average command probably means he's a reliever
19,770th player in MLB history: Ryan Castellani

- 2nd round pick out of HS in AZ in 2014
- mechanics eerily similar to Max Scherzer's (it's kinda freaky)
- was hurt a bunch in '19 and struggled in AAA but was solid in the Fall League
19,771st player in MLB history: Spencer Howard

- walk-on at Cal Poly
- moved to rotation during redshirt soph. season and took off
- 2nd round pick in '17
- lowest WHIP (0.831) in MiLB among all SP w/ 15+ starts in '19
- miss some of '19 w/ shoulder soreness but excelled in AFL
19,772nd player in MLB history: Ali Sánchez

- signed out of Venezuela in 2013
- light bat (.648 career OPS in 6 MiLB seasons) but an excellent defensive catcher
- has thrown out 46% of attempted base-stealers during his MiLB career
- played in 2018 & 2019 Arizona Fall League
19,773rd player in MLB history: Jeremy Beasley

- 2 years at Darton State (JuCo in GA) then transferred to Clemson where he was a reliever
- 30th round pick by LAA in 2017, was then moved back to being a starter
- traded to ARI for Matt Andriese in Jan. 2020
- throws a splitter
19,774th player in MLB history: Seth Romero

- off-field issues in college ➡️ kicked off team during JR year (led D-I in K's at time of dismissal)
- still a 1st round pick in '17 because he was so good
- only 47.1 career IP due to a team suspension + Tommy John surgery in 2018
19,775th player in MLB history: Kyle Hart

- teammates w/ Kyle Schwarber for 3 years at Indiana
- Tommy John surgery during junior year in '14
- 19th round pick by BOS in '16 as a 23-year-old redshirt senior
- not on any prospect lists but 3.13 career ERA in 423.1 MiLB innings
19,776th player in MLB history: Alec Bohm

- huge summer in the '17 Cape Cod League = Draft stock 📈
- 3rd overall pick in '18
- fantastic in '19 across 3 levels + crushed the AFL
- might stick at 3B but has played some 1B
- 2nd Wichita State Shocker to debut in 2020 (Codi Heuer)
19,777th player in MLB history: Connor Brogdon

- two years at Fresno City CC ➡️ Lewis-Clark State (NAIA powerhouse; won back-to-back national championships in '16 & '17)
- 10th round pick by PHI in 2017
- tremendous year in '19; 0.921 WHIP, 106 Ks in 76 IP across 3 levels
19,778th player in MLB history: Jorge Mateo

- signed with NYY in Jan. '12
- traded to OAK in Sonny Gray deal in July '17
- traded to SD in June '20
- elite speed (283 career SB)
- has never played a pro game in LF, where he's starting tonight (has been mostly SS, some 2B, CF)
19,779th player in MLB history: Dakota Bacus

- 9th round pick by OAK in '12 out of Indiana State
- in Low-A Beloit he would wear a white ski mask and blend into the white ads on the OF wall DURING GAMES; he was "The Whitewall Ninja"
- traded to WAS for Kurt Suzuki in August '13
19,780th player in MLB history: Luis García

- born in NYC, but grew up in D.R.
- dad Luis played 8 games for the 1999 Tigers
- signed with WAS in July '16
- now the youngest player in MLB; born May 16, 2000
- similar batting stance to fellow Gen Z National Juan Soto
19,781st player in MLB history: Brandon Waddell

- "Big Game Brandon"; Virginia was 5-0 in College World Series games that he started, including the championship game in '15 when he out-dueled Walker Buehler to help clinch the first title in school history
- 5th round pick in '15
19,782nd player in MLB history: Keegan Akin

- 2nd round pick in '16 out of Western Michigan (first Major Leaguer from WMU since Adam Rosales)
- led International League in strikeouts in '19
- iffy command but great stuff from the left side
19,783rd player in MLB history: Dylan Carlson

- HS teammates w/ Nick Madrigal
- was not highly-ranked during his senior spring but still went 33rd overall in '16 Draft
- huge season in '19; 26 HR, 20 SB, reached AAA at age-20
- switch-hitter, good defender in CF
19,784th player in MLB history: Jake Woodford

- 1st round pick in '15 out of H.B. Plant HS in Tampa, FL (was teammates with fellow '15 1st rounder Kyle Tucker; other Plant alumni: Wade Boggs, Pete Alonso)
- spent entire '19 season in AAA; 3rd lowest ERA, 3rd-most K's in PCL
19,785th player in MLB history: Max Schrock

- 28th round pick by AZ in '12, didn't sign
- 13th round pick by WAS in '15 out of South Carolina
- traded to OAK for Marc Rzepczynski in Aug. '16
- traded to STL for Stephen Piscotty in Dec. '17
- 199 games in AAA over last 2 years
19,786th player in MLB history: Lewin Díaz

- signed with MIN in '13; $1.4 million signing bonus
- big '17 season, then bad in '18, but a huge bounce-back in '19 (27 HR, reached AA)
- traded to MIA for Sergio Romo in July '19
- really good this past winter for Estrellas in LIDOM
19,787th player in MLB history: John Nogowski

- 34th round pick by OAK in '14 from Florida State
- released in March '17
- crushed Indy Ball to start '17 (hit .402 for Sioux City Explorers)
- signed w/ STL in June '17
- .889 OPS in AAA in '19
- .887 OPS in LIDOM this past winter
19,788th player in MLB history: Roel Ramirez

- 8th round pick out of HS in '13 by the Rays
- moved to bullpen in '17
- traded to STL in Tommy Pham deal in July '18
- solid in 2019 Arizona Fall League
19,789th player in MLB history: Seth Elledge

- 4th round pick by SEA in '17 out of Dallas Baptist
- traded to STL for Sam Tuivailala in July '18
- been a reliever since freshman year at DBU (where he was the closer 2 out of 3 years)
- career 11.6 K/9 in MiLB
- reached AAA in '19
19,790th player in MLB history: Keibert Ruiz

- signed w/ LAD out of Venezuela in '14; $140K signing bonus
- hit .316 across both levels of A-ball as an 18-year-old in '17
- now the youngest catcher in MLB (just turned 22 in July)
- JUST WENT YARD IN HIS FIRST CAREER AT-BAT OMG
19,791st player in MLB history: Wes Benjamin

- 48th round pick out of HS by NYY in '11; didn't sign
- 5th round pick by TEX in '14 out of Kansas (29th Jayhawk in MLB history)
- has always been a starter until now
- spent all of '19 in AAA
19,792nd player in MLB history: Rob Kaminsky

- 1st round pick out of HS by STL in '13
- traded to CLE for Brandon Moss in July '15
- missed most of '17 w/ elbow injury
- moved to bullpen in '18
- elected free agency in Nov. '19
- signed back with STL in Dec. '19
19,793rd player in MLB history: James Kaprielian

- 1st round pick by NYY in '15 out of UCLA
- traded to OAK in Sonny Gray deal in July '17
- Tommy John surgery + various other injuries have limited him to just 97.1 pro IP (68 of which came in '19); he missed all of '17 and '18
19,794th player in MLB history: Tyson Miller

- great summer in the Cape Cod League in '15 = Draft stock 📈
- 4th round pick in '16 out of D-II Cal Baptist
- led Carolina League in K's in '18
- hit a HR in AAA last year and won't let you forget it
19,795th player in MLB history: Isaac Paredes

- signed with CHC out of Mexico in July '15
- traded to DET in Alex Avila/Justin Wilson deal in July '17
- strong season last year as the 2nd-youngest hitter in AA
- has played mostly SS but probably a 3B or 2B long-term
19,796th player in MLB history: Ricardo Sánchez

- signed w/ LAA in July '13; $580K signing bonus
- traded to ATL in Jan. '15 for Kyle Kubitza
- DFA'd by ATL, traded to SEA in Nov. '18
- solid last year in full season in Double-A
- claimed off waivers by STL in Feb. '20
19,797th player in MLB history: Nabil Crismatt

- 11th Colombian-born pitcher in MLB history
- signed w/ NYM in '12
- elected FA in Nov. '18
- signed w/ SEA in Jan. '19
- elected FA again, signed w/ STL in Nov. '19
- 2.82 ERA in 195 IP in AA
- 8.96 ERA in 85.1 IP in AAA
19,798th player in MLB history: Tarik Skubal

- TJ during soph. year ('16) at Seattle U.; still a 29th round pick by ARI in '17
- went back for redshirt year and was fine, not great; 9th round pick by DET in '18
- immediately amazing in pro ball; remarkable breakout since signing
19,799th player in MLB history: Luis González

- born in Mexico, went to HS in AZ
- 3rd round pick in '17 out of New Mexico (where he was a two-way player all 3 years)
- hit .307 across both levels of A-ball in '18
- struggled in AA in '19
- 3rd Luis González in MLB history
19,800th player in MLB history: Angel Perdomo

- signed with TOR in Nov. '11
- 7 years in Blue Jays org but never reached AA
- signed with MIL in Nov. '18
- big dude, big stuff (career 10.8 K/9)
- moved to bullpen after signing with the Brewers
19,801st player in MLB history: Jesus Cruz

- signed with STL in July '17 out of the Mexican League when he was 22
- strong '18 season across both levels of A-ball
- moved to bullpen full time in '19
- 12th Cardinal to make big league debut this year (most in MLB)
19,802nd player in MLB history: Johan Oviedo

- signed with STL in July '16; $1.9 million signing bonus
- command issues but legit stuff; led all Cardinals MiLB pitchers in K's (163) & walks (76) in '19
- first Cuban-born pitcher to start a game for STL since René Arocha in 1994
19,803rd player in MLB history: Dane Dunning

- 5th member of '16 Florida Gators to reach MLB
- CHW almost picked him at #26, instead went 29th overall to WAS in '16 Draft
- traded to CHW in Adam Eaton deal in Dec. '16
- dominated A-ball in '17
- Tommy John surgery in March '19
19,804th player in MLB history: Casey Mize

- wasn't drafted out of HS, then went 1st overall in '18 to DET out of Auburn
- unique repertoire headlined by an elite splitter
- threw a no-hitter in first AA start
- 2nd MLB Mize ever (Johnny)
- extremely good at pitching baseballs
19,805th player in MLB history: Drew Rasmussen

- 39th round pick in '14 by AZ; didn't sign
- got TJ during soph. year at Oregon State
- 1st round pick by TB in '17; failed physical, didn't sign
- 2nd TJ in Aug. '17
- 6th round pick by MIL in '18
- still up to 99 after 2x TJ!!!!!
19,806th player in MLB history: Ashton Goudeau

- 27th round pick in '12 by KC out of Maple Woods CC (same junior college as Albert Pujols)
- before 2019: 5.25 ERA in 485.1 IP in MiLB
- signed with COL in Nov. '18, started throwing curveball way more, dominated in AA in '19
19,807th player in MLB history: Julian Merryweather

- same HS as Barry Bonds, Tom Brady (Junípero Serra in CA)
- 1st team All-American at Oklahoma Baptist (NAIA)
- 5th round pick by CLE in '14
- Tommy John in March '18
- traded to TOR as PTBNL in Josh Donaldson deal in Oct. '18
19,808th player in MLB history: Ryan Jeffers

- didn't play much as a freshman, big breakout as a sophomore at UNC-Wilmington
- 2nd round pick in '18; 2nd college catcher taken after Joey Bart
- big dude, big power, especially for a catcher
19,809th player in MLB history: Ljay Newsome

- 26th round pick in '15 out of Chopticon HS in MD
- super elite strike-thrower; 3% (!!!) career walk-rate is the lowest among all MiLB pitchers with 300+ IP since '15
- stuff and strikeouts ticked up in '19
- yes, it's pronounced LJ
19,810th player in MLB history: Joey Bart

- 27th round pick by Rays in '15, didn't sign
- 1st round pick by SF in '18 out of Georgia Tech (4th top-5 pick ever from GT: Kevin Brown, Teixeira, Wieters)
- huge power, great defender w/ big arm
- missed a lot of '19 w/ broken hand
19,811th player in MLB history: Ramón Urías

- older brother of Brewers INF Luis
- signed w/ TEX in Dec. '10
- rights loaned to Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League in May '13
- spent 5 years raking in Mexico
- signed w/ STL in March '18
- claimed off waivers by BAL in Feb. '20
19,812th player in MLB history: Jesús Sánchez

- signed w/ Rays in July '15; $400K signing bonus
- traded to MIA in Nick Anderson/Trevor Richards deal in July '19
- hit .305 w/ 15 HR at age-19 in Low-A in '17 (only teenager w/ more HR in Midwest League in '17: Tatís Jr.)
19,813th player in MLB history: Ryan Mountcastle

- 1st round pick in '15 out of Hagerty HS in FL (which also produced '19 1st rounder Riley Greene)
- drafted as a SS, moved to 3B, but spent most of last year at 1B/LF
- International League MVP in AAA in '19
- beautiful swing
19,814th player in MLB history: Cristian Pache

- signed w/ ATL in July '15; $1.4M signing bonus
- one of the best defensive CF on Earth
- somewhat limited offensive upside but solid in '19; .802 OPS across AA/AAA
- 4th-youngest hitter in AAA last year (Adell, Waters, Carlson)
19,815th player in MLB history: JoJo Romero

- freshman year at Nevada, then transferred to Yavapai JC
- JuCo World Series champion in '16; threw CG with 15 K's in championship game
- 4th round pick in '16
- always been a starter but moved to bullpen in '19 Fall League & excelled
19,816th player in MLB history: Kyle Cody

- 33rd round pick by PHI in '12, didn't sign, went to Kentucky (teammates w/ Evan White)
- 2nd round pick by MIN in '15, but went back for senior year
- 6th round pick by TEX in '16
- only 5 MiLB IP since '17; needed TJ in July '18
19,817th player in MLB history: Triston McKenzie

- born in Brooklyn, NY, but grew up in Royal Palm Beach, FL
- 1st round pick in '15
- 2nd in all of MiLB in K's with 186 in '17 as a 19-year-old in High-A
- myriad injuries = last MiLB outing was 8/30/18
- nickname: Dr. Sticks
19,818th player in MLB history: Sixto Sánchez

- signed w/ PHI in '15
- 0.50 ERA in 54 IP in GCL in '16 = prospect stock 📈
- traded to MIA in J.T. Realmuto deal in Feb. '19
- huge stuff (up to 101, great CH) but not always huge K numbers
- 2nd Sixto, 31st Sánchez in MLB history
19,819th player in MLB history: Wil Crowe

- 31st round pick by CLE in '13 out of Pigeon Forge HS in TN; didn't sign, went to South Carolina
- Tommy John surgery during soph. year
- 21st round pick by CLE in '16; didn't sign
- 2nd round pick by WAS in '17 as a redshirt junior
19,820th player in MLB history: Aaron Fletcher

- relieved & started at U. of Houston, moved to bullpen full-time in pro ball
- 14th round pick by WAS in '18
- traded to SEA in Hunter Strickland/Roenis Elías deal in July '19
- great in '19 AFL
- has only allowed 1 HR in pro ball
19,820th* player in MLB history: Mark Payton

- 7th round pick by NYY in ‘14
- reached base in 101 straight games at Texas (believed to be D-I record)
- MiLB Rule 5 pick by OAK in ‘18
- 30 HR in AAA in ‘19 after 32 HR in first 5 MiLB seasons combined
- Rule 5 pick by CIN in ‘19
19,822nd player in MLB history: Josh Fleming

- 5-8, 140 lbs as HS senior; D-III Webster University was his only college offer
- D-III National Pitcher of the Year in '17 (0.67 ERA, 0.705 WHIP in 93.2 IP)
- 5th round pick in '17 (5th-highest drafted D-III player in last 15 years)
19,823rd player in MLB history: Brian Navarreto

- born & raised in Puerto Rico, went to HS at Arlington Country Day School in FL (same HS as Javier Báez)
- 6th round pick by MIN in '13
- traded to NYY in July '19
- elected FA, signed w/ MIA in Dec. '19
19,824th player in MLB history: Brandon Leibrandt

- son of Charlie (1985 World Series champion with KC)
- 6th round pick by PHI in '14
- 2.88 ERA in 400 IP in PHI org, released in May '20
- pitched for the indy ball New Jersey Blasters LAST MONTH
- signed w/ MIA TWO WEEKS AGO!!!
19,825th player in MLB history: Jonah Heim

- 4th round pick by BAL in '13
- traded to TB for Steve Pearce in Aug. '16
- traded to OAK as PTBNL in Joey Wendle deal in Dec. '17
- .863 OPS across AA/AAA last year
- hit .301 in 20 games for Toros in LIDOM this past winter
19,826th player in MLB history: Trevor Rogers

- 1st round pick in '17 out of Carlsbad HS in NM (same HS as Cody Ross, who is his cousin)
- threw 3 no-hitters senior year
- 15th MLB pitcher from New Mexico
- strong year in High-A in '19, promoted to AA towards the end of the year
19,827th player in MLB history: Ian Anderson

- HS baseball teammates w/ Kevin Huerter
- 3rd overall pick in '16
- excellent at every level until struggling in 5 AAA starts in '19
- started 2019 Futures Game for NL, K'd Wander Franco
- twin brother Ben is a RHP in TEX org
19,828th player in MLB history: Riley Smith

- 2nd MLBer ever from Hudson HS in Lufkin, TX (Brandon Belt)
- NJCAA All-American at San Jacinto-North junior college in '15
- 31st round pick by PIT in '15; didn't sign, transferred to LSU
- 24th round pick by ARI in '16
19,829th player in MLB history: Will Craig

- 37th round pick by KC in '13; didn't sign
- two-time All-American at Wake Forest; also pitched all 3 years, was the closer as a junior
- 1st round pick in '16
- drafted as a 3B, now mostly 1B, some OF (won Gold Glove at 1B in '19)
19,830th player in MLB history: José García

- 216th Cuban-born player in MLB history
- teammates w/ Luis Robert at 18U World Cup in Japan in '15
- signed w/ CIN in June '17; $5.2M signing bonus
- excellent defender, great arm
- 5th-highest wRC+ in Florida State League in '19
19,831st player in MLB history: Luis Alexander Basabe

- identical twin Luis Alejandro is OF in ARI org
- signed w/ BOS in Aug. '12
- traded to CHW in Chris Sale deal in Dec. '16
- hit HR in '18 Futures Game off 102 MPH Hunter Greene fastball
- traded to SFG in Aug. '20
19,832nd player in MLB history: Estevan Florial

- tried to sign in '14 under false identity; banned for signing for a year then signed w/ NYY in March '15
- big summer in '15 DSL
- played in '17 Futures Game
- injured a lot the last 2 years
- elite tools, iffy bat-to-ball skills
19,833rd player in MLB history: Ben Braymer

- 2 years at LSU-Eunice (D-II JuCo national champions in '15, 12 Ks in 8 IP in championship game; led all of D-II in K's with 138) then transferred to Auburn
- 18th round pick in '16 by WAS
- excellent in AA, struggled in AAA in '19
19,834th player in MLB history: Mitch White

- Tommy John surgery during senior year of HS in '13
- breakout redshirt sophomore year ➡️ 2nd round pick in '16 out of Santa Clara (highest-drafted Bronco since Randy Winn in '95)
- lots of injuries but has always flashed great stuff
19,835th player in MLB history: Bobby Dalbec

- amazing two-way player for 3 years at Arizona (2.65 ERA in 200.1 IP, 24 HR, 123 RBI)
- carried UofA to Omaha in '16 as a pitcher but still drafted as 3B because he's got elite raw power
- 4th round pick in '16
- 79 HR in 383 MiLB G
19,836th player in MLB history: Deivi García

- signed w/ NYY in July '15
- 4th-highest K/9 (13.34) among all MiLB pitchers w/ 100 IP in '19
- FB up to 97, tremendous CB
- 5'9" = shortest non-Stroman pitcher in MLB
- youngest Yankee to start a game since Phil Hughes in '07
19,837th player in MLB history: Jahmai Jones

- 2nd round pick in '15
- played 2B in HS, drafted as an OF, moved to back to 2B in '18
- excellent in A-ball in '17
- older brothers T.J. (5 years in NFL) & Malachi (starred in AFL, currently in CFL) both play(ed) pro football
19,838th player in MLB history: Miguel Yajure

- signed w/ NYY in '15; $30K signing bonus
- Tommy John surgery in Nov. '16
- velo went 🆙 when he returned
- dominated Florida State League in '19
- 1st player in MLB history to wear #89; 89 was last # 00-99 to have never been worn!
19,839th player in MLB history: Robinson Leyer

- signed w/ CHW in Nov. '11
- traded to CIN in March '18
- elected FA, signed w/ SEA in Jan. '19
- released in June '19; signed with BOS
- older brother Euclides pitched 7 years in CHW org (they were teammates in High-A in '15)
19,840th player in MLB history: Ke'Bryan Hayes

- son of Charlie (14 MLB seasons; 1996 World Series champion w/ Yankees after being traded mid-season from...Pittsburgh!)
- 1st round pick in '15
- elite defensive 3B
- spent all of '19 in AAA, only 10 HR but hits the ball very hard
19,841st player in MLB history: Carlos Hernández

- signed w/ KC in July '16; $15K signing bonus
- stuff was very good in-season, then even better in fall instructs (up to 100, great CB)
- only 199.1 MiLB innings
- has never pitched above Low-A
- first #71 in Royals history
19,842nd player in MLB history: Jazz Chisholm

- 7th Bahamian in MLB history; 1st since Antoan Richardson 🇧🇸
- signed w/ ARI in '15
- led all MiLB SS w/ 25 HR in '18
- awesome in '18 Arizona Fall League
- traded to MIA for Zac Gallen in July '19
- your new favorite player
19,843rd player in MLB history: Justin Topa

- Tommy John surgery in '11 while at LIU Brooklyn
- 33rd round pick by CIN in '12; didn't sign
- 17th round pick by PIT in '13
- 2nd Tommy John surgery in '15
- released in April '17
- BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE ⬇️
19,843rd player in MLB history: Justin Topa (cont.)

- 131 IP w/ Rockland Boulders of the independent Can-Am League over '17/'18
- signed w/ TEX in June '18; released after season
- @PitchingNinja tweeted clip of him throwing 99 in a bullpen on 3/22/19
- signed w/ MIL on 3/28/19
19,844th player in MLB history: Antonio Santos

- signed w/ COL in July '15
- has always been a starter but showed well out of the bullpen in the '19 Arizona Fall League (and was throwing harder)
- average overall stuff but doesn't walk a lot of guys (1.7 career BB/9)
19,845th player in MLB history: Phil Bickford

- 1st round pick by TOR in '13; didn't sign
- Fullerton ➡️ College of Southern Nevada
- 1st round pick by SFG in '15
- traded to MIL for Will Smith in July '16
- 50 game suspension in '17
- has been good since moving to relief in '18
19,846th* player in MLB history: Eli White

- 11th round pick by OAK in '16 out of Clemson
- traded to TEX in Jurickson Profar deal in Dec. '18
- .755 OPS in AAA in '19
- has played mostly SS, also 2B/3B/CF in MiLB career, but never LF where he started tonight!
19,847th player in MLB history: Bernardo Flores Jr.

- 7th round pick in '16 out of USC (134th Trojan in MLB history; was teammates w/ Brooks Kriske who also debuted this season)
- mostly a reliever in college, mostly a starter in MiLB
- average stuff but throws a lot of strikes
19,848th player in MLB history: Brent Rooker

- 38th round pick by MIN in '16 out of Mississippi State; didn't sign
- historically ridiculous redshirt junior season in '17; 2nd Triple Crown in SEC history (Rafael Palmeiro)
- 1st round pick in '17
- above-average Twitter account
19,849th player in MLB history: Derek Hill

- 1st round pick in '14 out of Elk Grove HS near Sacramento (7th player from Elk Grove to reach MLB in last 4 years! that's insane!)
- 11th-most steals in MiLB since '15 (145)
- very good defensive CF
- solid in '19 Arizona Fall League
19,850th player in MLB history: Luis Garcia

- signed w/ HOU in July '17 out of VZ
- highest strikeout-rate (38.1%) among all MiLB pitchers w/ 100 IP in '19
- was throwing upper-80's when he signed, now up to 98
- 11th Astro to make MLB debut this year (3rd-most behind STL/MIA)
19,851st player in MLB history: Patrick Weigel

- 22nd round pick in '14 by MIL out of Oxnard (JuCo in CA); didn't sign, transferred to Houston
- 7th round pick in '15 by ATL
- Tommy John surgery in June '17
- RP at Houston, started in MiLB until moving back to bullpen in '19
19,852nd player in MLB history: Luis Campusano

- 2nd round pick in '17 (first catcher taken)
- spent all of '19 in High-A, won batting title, 2nd-highest wRC+ as one of the youngest players in the Cal League
- hasn't played above A-ball
- defense needs some work but dude rakes
19,853rd player in MLB history: John King

- 2 years at Angelina College (JuCo in TX); 2 years at Houston
- tore UCL during SR year, pitched through it despite barely throwing 80 mph
- 10th round pick in '17; got TJ after signing
- only 102 MiLB IP
- hasn't pitched above A-ball
19,854th player in MLB history: Clarke Schmidt

- ace at South Carolina
- Tommy John surgery at end of junior year
- 1st round pick by NYY in '17 (highest-drafted Gamecock since Justin Smoak in '08)
- reached AA in '19, helped Trenton win Eastern League title
- normally a starter
19,855th player in MLB history: Dean Kremer

- born in CA to Israeli parents
- 14th round pick by LAD in '16 out of UNLV
- has pitched for Team Israel since '14, most recently in '17 WBC
- led all MiLB pitchers in K's in '18
- traded to BAL in Manny Machado deal in July '18
19,856th player in MLB history: Sergio Alcántara

- signed w/ ARI in July '12
- traded to DET in J.D. Martinez deal in July '17
- spent last 2 years in AA
- .658 career MiLB OPS but fantastic defender at SS + incredible arm
- JUST WENT YARD IN HIS FIRST AT-BAT ❗️❗️❗️
19,857th player in MLB history: Mauricio Llovera

- signed w/ PHI in Feb. '15 out of Venezuela; $7,500 signing bonus
- moved to starting full-time in '18; led Florida State League in K's
- solid in AA last year but also missed time w/ forearm injury
- still maybe a RP long-term
19,858th player in MLB history: Wyatt Mathisen

- 2nd round pick by PIT in '12 out of Calallen HS in TX
- drafted as a catcher, moved to 3B in '14
- elected FA, signed w/ ARI in Nov. '18
- offensive breakout in '19; 1.004 OPS in 87 games in AAA
- mostly a 3B but has played 1B/2B
19,859th player in MLB history: Jorge Oña

- signed w/ SD in July '16 out of Cuba; $7M signing bonus
- spent '17 & '18 in A-ball
- crushed AA for 25 G in '19 before season-ending shoulder surgery
- huge raw power
- added to 40-man roster in Nov. '19 to protect from Rule 5 Draft
19,860th player in MLB history: José Mujica

- trained w/ former MLBer Carlos Guillén as an amateur in Venezuela
- signed w/ Rays in July '12; $1M bonus
- Tommy John surgery in Sept. '18
- elected FA; signed w/ COL in Nov. '19
- taken to Slam Diego on the 2nd pitch of his career
19,861st player in MLB history: Daz Cameron

- son of 17-year big leaguer Mike Cameron
- 1st round pick by HOU in '15
- traded to DET in Justin Verlander deal in Aug. '17
- very good in '18 Fall League
- great in CF (what a surprise), bat still developing (.707 OPS in AAA in '19)
19,862nd player in MLB history: Kyle Nelson

- 15th round pick in '17 out of UC-Santa Barbara (teammates for 2 years w/ Shane Bieber; roomed w/ Bieber in CA during shutdown)
- started as a junior, moved to bullpen in pro ball and has been great
- reached AAA in '19
- fantastic SL
19,863rd player in MLB history: Yadiel Hernández

- hit .324 in 6 years in Cuban National Series
- defected in '15 while in N.C. playing Team USA
- signed w/ WAS in Oct. '16
- 1.009 OPS in AAA in '19
- turns 33 next month; 2nd-oldest player to make debut in 2020 (Shun Yamaguchi)
19,864th player in MLB history: Sam Huff

- 7th round pick by TEX in '16 out of Arcadia HS in Phoenix, AZ
- 28 HR in '19 (2nd most among MiLB catchers); had stretch w/ 9 HR in 11 G
- 2019 Futures Game MVP
- big dude for a catcher (6' 5", 240 lb), but good arm, improving defense
19,865th player in MLB history: Domingo Tapia

- signed w/ NYM in May '10
- Tommy John surgery in May '15
- moved to bullpen in '16
- elected FA in Nov. '16, signed w/ CIN
- elected FA in Nov. '18, signed w/ BOS
- spent last two years in AAA
- throws absolute 🔥🔥🔥
19,866th player in MLB history: Daulton Jefferies

- 1st round pick in '16 out of UC-Berkeley
- Tommy John surgery in April '17
- 79 IP across High-A/AA last year
- very good CH, great command (93/9 K/BB; 2.8% walk-rate in '19)
- 3rd active Cal Golden Bear on OAK (Canha, Semien)
19,867th player in MLB history: Alejandro Kirk

- signed w/ TOR in '16 out of Mexico; $30K bonus
- only 151 MiLB G (0 above A-ball) but has hit .315/.418/.500
- exceptional approach, contact skills
- 5'8", 265 lb
- youngest Blue Jay to debut at catcher since Carlos Delgado in '93
19,868th player in MLB history: Sherten Apostel

- signed w/ PIT in July '15; $200K bonus
- traded to TEX as PTBNL in Keone Kela deal in Aug. '18
- big arm, big power (19 HR in '19)
- younger brother Shendrik is 1B in PIT org
- 16th Curaçao-born player in MLB history (6th active)
19,869th player in MLB history: Pavin Smith

- good in '16 Cape Cod League
- 1st round pick in '17 out of UVA (10th '17 1st rounder to debut in '20)
- limited power but great strike-zone judgment
- 5th-highest wRC+ in Southern League in '19
- drafted as 1B, now plays some LF/RF
19,870th player in MLB history: Johan Quezada

- signed w/ MIN in Sept. '12
- myriad injuries have limited him to 180 IP in 7 years
- never pitched above A-ball
- elected FA, signed w/ MIA in Dec. '19
- throws 100
- absolutely gigantic
- 17th Marlin to debut in '20 (most in MLB)
19,871st player in MLB history: Jonathan Stiever

- all-state football & baseball player at Cedarburg HS in WI
- 5th round pick in '18 out of Indiana
- velo 📈 in '19; now up to 97, great CB; 6th-most K's (154) in A-ball
- 11th White Sox player to debut in '20; T-3rd most w/ HOU
19,872nd player in MLB history: Braxton Garrett

- 1st round pick (7th overall) in '16 out of Florence HS in AL (highest-drafted AL high schooler since 1971)
- slow entry into pro ball + Tommy John surgery in June '17 = only 122 IP in MiLB
- great CB, very good in High-A in '19
19,873rd player in MLB history: Rafael Marchan

- signed w/ PHI in July '15; converted to C from SS right before signing
- already a great defensive C
- limited power (0 pro HR) but switch-hitter w/ good contact skills (career .285 hitter)
- youngest C to start for PHI since 1934
19,874th player in MLB history: Tanner Houck

- 12th round pick by TOR in '14, didn't sign
- 2 great years w/ Team USA
- 1st round pick by BOS in '17 out of Mizzou
- low arm slot for a SP but nasty stuff
- moved to bullpen 2nd half of '19 but was starting again in Fall League
19,875th player in MLB history: Travis Blankenhorn

- 3rd round pick in '15 out of Pottsville HS in PA (where he also played football & basketball)
- drafted as a 3B, now mostly 2B/LF
- strong year in AA in '19
- 5 Blankenships in MLB history, but he is the 1st Blankenhorn
19,876th player in MLB history: Blake Cederlind

- 22nd round pick by MIN in '15 as a freshman at Merced College (JuCo in CA); didn't sign
- 5th round pick by PIT in '16
- moved to bullpen in '18
- power sinker up to 100
- 1.77 ERA in AA in '19
- good in '19 Arizona Fall League
19,877th player in MLB history: Zach McKinstry

- 33rd (!!!) round pick in '16 as a Draft-eligible sophomore out of Central Michigan
- 19 HR across AA/AAA in '19 after 11 total HR in first 2.5 pro seasons and 0 HR in college
- can basically play every position but is mostly 2B/3B
19,878th player in MLB history: Mickey Moniak

- 1st overall pick in '16 (second 1st overall pick in PHI history; Pat Burrell)
- solid in CF, good contact skills
- 2nd-most triples in MiLB in '19 (13)
- 115 wRC+ as a 21-year-old in AA in '19
- 22nd '16 1st rounder to reach MLB
19,879th player in MLB history: Héctor Pérez

- signed w/ HOU in July '14
- great in rookie/A-ball in '16/17' = prospect stock 📈
- traded to TOR in Roberto Osuna deal in July '18
- up to 97 w/ good SL
- doesn't allow a lot of HR (except apparently when Kyle Higashioka is 🔥🔥🔥)
19,880th player in MLB history: Bruce Zimmermann

- grew up, went to HS in Baltimore
- 2 years at Towson then transferred to D-II Mount Olive
- 5th round pick by ATL in '17 as a senior
- traded to BAL in Kevin Gausman deal in July '18
- very good in AA, reached AAA in '19
19,881st player in MLB history: Garrett Cleavinger

- 3rd round pick in '15 by BAL out of Oregon
- traded to PHI in July '17 for Jeremy Hellickson
- reliever all the way since freshman year of college
- 36.4% strikeout-rate in AA last year but also walks a lot of guys
19,882nd player in MLB history: Patrick Murphy

- teammates w/ Cody Bellinger at Hamilton HS in AZ
- Tommy John surgery before senior year of HS in '12
- 3rd round pick in '13
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery in '14
- very good in A-ball in '17/18
- up to 97 w/ good CB
19,883rd player in MLB history: Garrett Crochet

- 34th round pick by MIL in '17 out of Ocean Springs HS (MS)
- 1st round pick THREE MONTHS AGO out of Tennessee (highest-drafted Volunteers pitcher since R.A. Dickey in '96)
- up to 101 w/ nasty SL
- oh yeah, also this ⬇️⬇️⬇️
19,884th player in MLB history: Scott Blewett

- 2nd round pick in '14 out of Baker HS in NY; 2nd MLBer from Baker HS (Jason Grilli)
- 2nd Blewett in MLB history; first since Bob Blewett of the 1902 New York Giants
- 6th-most starts in MiLB since '16 (98)
- 0 career blown saves
19,885th player in MLB history: Demarcus Evans

- 25th round pick in '15 out of Petal HS in MS (same HS as Anthony Alford, who is his cousin)
- '18/'19: 2nd-highest strikeout-rate (44.6%) among all MiLB relievers (behind only James Karinchak)
- hellacious FB/CB combo
19,886th player in MLB history: Adonis Medina

- signed w/ PHI in May '14; $70K bonus
- strong '17 in Low-A ➡️ prospect stock 📈
- pitched in '18 Futures Game
- great first half of '19 in AA but struggled after All-Star break
- very good change-up
- first #77 in Phillies history
19,887th player in MLB history: Jared Oliva

- teammates at Valencia HS in CA w/ Keston Hiura
- 7th round pick in '17 out of Arizona (was teammates w/ Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, Bobby Dalbec)
- solid in AA, great in Arizona Fall League in '19
- plus speed; 30+ SB in '18 & '19
19,888th player in MLB history: Tommy Doyle

- 35th round pick in '14 by WAS out of HS; didn't sign
- 2nd round pick in '17 by COL out of Virginia
- 7th member of '15 UVA national championship team to reach MLB
- big dude, big FB/SL combo
19,889th player in MLB history: Edwar Colina

- signed w/ MIN in Sept. '15 out of Venezuela; didn't sign until he was 18; just an $8,000 signing bonus
- great in A-ball in '18
- moved to bullpen late '19
- up to 100 MPH as a starter w/ good SL
- first #86 in Twins history
19,890th player in MLB history: Elliot Soto

- 15th round pick by CHC in '10 out of Creighton (was teammates w/ Darin Ruf & Pat Venditte)
- traded to MIA in '15
- spent '16 w/ MIA, '17 w/ CHC, '18/'19 w/ COL; all in AAA!
- 867 MiLB games, mostly at SS
- holy shit, he made it!!!
19,891st player in MLB history: Tucker Davidson

- 19th round pick in '16 out of Midland College (JuCo in TX)
- started in '16 at Midland, mostly relieved in '16/'17 in MiLB, moved back to starting in '18
- dominant in AA, reached AAA in '19
- upper 90's FB w/ good SL + CB
19,892nd player in MLB history: Brailyn Marquez

- signed w/ CHC in Aug. '15; $600K bonus
- was throwing low-90's at age-16, now he regularly touches 100 as a starter!!!
- good in Low-A, great in 5 High-A starts in '19
- 2nd Cub to debut in 2020 (fewest debuts of any MLB team)
19,893rd player in MLB history: Alex Kirilloff

- 1st round pick in '16 out of Plum HS (PA)
- Tommy John surgery in March '17
- .970 OPS across both levels of A-ball in '18
- wrist injury = limited to 94 G in '19
- 1st player in MLB history to debut by starting a postseason game
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