NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt products JJ Bleday and Kyle Wright have been recognized among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects List, checking in at No. 30 and No. 36 respectively, MLB.com announced this week.
Bleday, who was selected fourth overall by the Miami Marlins in June’s MLB Draft, closes his first professional season as the organization’s No. 2 prospect. Over his last month of the season, the outfielder batted .295 with the Class-A Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads.
Wright is currently listed as the Atlanta Braves’ No. 4 overall prospect. Since being recalled by the Braves on Sept. 13, the former fifth-overall MLB Draft selection has been perfect through two scoreless appearances, coming against division foes Washington and Philadelphia.
That movement. 😬#ChopOn | #VandyBoys
pic.twitter.com/woFpJd1rbE— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) September 19, 2019
Six Commodores are ranked as top-30 prospects within their organizations, including southpaw Ben Bowden who limited opponents to a .096 average alongside a 1.05 ERA in 26 relief appearances for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats before earning the call-up to Triple-A Albuquerque (Colorado Rockies).
Right-hander Reid Schaller is tabbed the Washington Nationals’ No. 14 prospect. The 2018 third-round draft pick went 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns this season, limiting opponents to a .205 average across 12 starts.
Third baseman Will Toffey comes in as the New York Mets’ No. 23 prospect. The former fourth-round selection battled through injuries with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, accounting for 94 total bases and 42 runs across 91 contests.
Right-hander Jordan Sheffield was called up to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in mid-May after an impressive start with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Sheffield, who ranks as the organization’s No. 26 prospect, limited opponents to a .168 average between the two clubs.
Fifteen Commodores have made a Major League appearance this season, including three who were named all-stars (Walker Buehler, Sonny Gray and Mike Minor). Buehler (Dodgers), Ryan Flaherty (Indians), Tony Kemp (Cubs), Dansby Swanson (Braves) and Wright (Braves) are with organizations that have solidified a spot in the playoffs or continue to be in the mix.
