In his latest ESPN Insider post, prospect analyst Keith Law ranked RHP Zack Wheeler at No. 15 in his recently updated Top 25 Prospects.
Law has the following righthanded pitchers ranked ahead of Wheeler who dropped from the No. 13 spot in February; Taijuan Walker, Archie Bradley, Gerrit Cole, Aaron Sanchez and Jameson Taillon.
“Wheeler has top of the rotation stuff,” Law writes, “and has walked just five batters in his last four outings.”
At catcher, D’Arnaud dropped out of the Top 25 altogether after coming in at No. 14 in the Preseason Rankings. The Yankees’ Gary Sanchez (No. 16) in now the top ranked catcher followed by the Mariners’ Mike Zunino (No. 18).
Law gives no explanation for the drop in D’Arnaud’s ranking, but it’s no doubt related to the amount of time the now 24-year old catcher has missed due to injuries.
D’Arnaud is expected to be in a walking boot for another week and is not expected to play in games until mid to late July. In the past year he has played in just twelve minor league games and GM Sandy Alderson the biggest issue will be getting him back to playing in games everyday once he completes his rehab.
Subscribers can view Law’s Top 25 Prospect list here.
