As we approach the 2023 MLB season, we also have the MiLB season on the horizon. With the immense amount of talent in today’s game, it’s easy for many players to fly under the radar, and not get the credit they deserve. In today’s age, baseball is arguably the best it’s ever been, and it’s time to show some respect for players who wouldn’t normally get it. Today, we will be taking a look at 5 of these talented Minor Leaguers, who aren’t shown their full respect. It’s also important to note that Rockies outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez will not be included on this list, since I have already covered him in a full article, and that these players are in no specific order.

Prospect #5: Catcher, Edgar Quero

Edgar Quero, a switch hitting catcher, has only been in pro baseball for a very short, 2 seasons. In this time, Quero has done nothing but shine. The Angels signed Quero as a free agent in February of 2021, after a long process to get Quero to the United States from Cuba. In 2022, Quero finally started to get some attention as he played his best season yet at single A for the Angels. At single A, Quero posted an amazing 17 homers, 14.2% BB%, 17.7% K%, .360 BABIP, .439 wOBA, 150 wRC+, and a .965 OPS. This absolutely incredible season got Quero some eyes on his play, but he remains unranked on many top 100 lists, including MLB Pipeline’s top 100. Quero also shows strong defensive ability, as he threw out 29 base runners. Fangraphs’ scouting report on Quero praised him for his abilities, saying “His patient approach and bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate inspire confidence in his ability to eventually become a reliable starter.” In addition to this, Quero was given strong grades from Fangraphs, with a 50/55 raw power grade, 30/20 speed grade, and a 30/50 fielding grade. Overall, Quero projects to be a great contact and power bat, and it’s time he’s given the respect he deserves. Only time will tell how Quero continues to play, but 2023 should be a great year for Quero.

Prospect #4: LHP, Anthony Solometo

Anthony Solometo, a LHP played his first pro season in 2022, after being an early second round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. During his 2022 season at single A Bradenton, Solometo showed exactly why some scouts called him a first round talent. In 13 games, Solometo posted a 9.63 K/9, 3.56 BB/9, 27.1% K%, opponent average of .188, no home runs allowed, 51 strikeouts in 47.2 innings, 1.05 WHIP, and a 2.64 ERA. These numbers are all really strong, and helped get Solometo ranked number 10 in the Pirates system according to MLB Pipeline. Although unranked in the top 100 prospects in baseball, Solometo continues to show scouts why he should get more recognition. Though, some scouts use his high walk numbers as reason to keep him lower in the rankings, Solometo only pitched 13 games in 2022 as I previously mentioned. With the Pirates taking under slot to draft catcher Henry Davis at number 1 overall, Solometo got a signing bonus of over $2.8 million. Solometo also touched 93 on his fastball at Bradenton. Solometo has significantly impressed scouts getting a 30/35 fastball grade, 45/50 slider grade, 30/50 changeup, and a 35/70 command grade from Fangraphs, and has drawn many comparisons to lefty Madison Bumgarner. Solometo should continute to develop in 2023, and should definitely be on your radar in 2023.

Prospect #3: Outfielder, Jud Fabian

Jud Fabian, a competitive balance round selection after the second round by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022, raked in his short, 22 game stint between three levels. Fabian, similarly to Solometo, was considered to be first round talent in both 2021 and 2022, but fell outside of the first round. In his short 22 games, Fabian hit very well posting 3 homers, 16 RBI, 1.070 OPS, BB% at or above 15.4% at every level he played at, wRC+ better than 240 at two levels, and wOBAs of .550 or better at two levels. As you can see, it’s easy to see how scouts loved Fabian last season. But, with Fabian being apart of a loaded Orioles MiLB system, it’s easy to see how he flies under the radar. What makes it even harder for Fabian to get noticed is the fact he’s an outfielder, which is a position Baltimore has a lot of depth in. Because of these hardships Fabian has faced, he is ranked just 17th in the Orioles system according to MLB Pipeline. Good news for Fabian though is that most of the Orioles system is about to break into the MLB, which could help him rise even further. Fangraphs have given Fabian some excellent grades, including a 30/35 hit tool grade, 30/55 game power grade, 50/60 raw power grade, 60/60 speed grade, and a 45/60 fielding grade. As Fabian continues to develop in 2023, he should be a pleasure to watch this year, and someone you should keep your eye on.

Prospect #2: Outfielder, Brock Jones

Brock Jones, a former late second round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, has showed a tremendous amount of talent so far in his MiLB career. Due to just being drafted last season though, Jones also has very limited time in pro baseball. Through this time though, Jones has shined posting 4 homers, 14 RBI, .936 OPS, 11 stolen bases, BB% of over 19.4% at both levels he played at, .400 BABIP at single A, .470 wOBA at single A, and a 182 wRC+ at single A also. As you can see, Jones has done nothing but hit in his MiLB career thus far. Unfortunately, similarly to Fabian, Jones is in a fairly crowded organization with young talent, leading to him being ranked just number 12 overall in the Tampa Bay system. Some good news for Jones is that the Rays do not hold a lot of outfield talent above Jones, which should help him get more eyes on his play this upcoming season. Jones also has caught a lot of positive attention from Fangraphs, as they’ve given him excellent scouting grades. These grades include a 30/35 hit tool grade, 35/50 game power grade, 60/60 raw power grade, 60/60 speed grade, and a 40/50 fielding grade. These grades are all really strong, and are even more reason why Brock Jones is a player to watch this upcoming season.

Prospect #1: Outfielder, Drew Gilbert

Drew Gilbert, a former late first round pick by the Houston Astros in 2022, has showed incredible skill through his start to his career. Somehow though, Gilbert has flown incredibly under the radar. Gilbert, in just 10 games hit 2 homers, 6 RBI, 6 stolen bases, .936 OPS, and wOBAs above .300 at both levels he played at in 2022. As you can tell, Gilbert is a very talented outfielder, and projects to be an amazing add to the Houston Astros organization. Gilbert is currently ranked as the Astros number 3 prospect and is unranked in the MLB Pipeline top 100. Unlike the other prospects on this list, Gilbert remains in a relatively shallow Astros farm system, which should give him a lot of opportunity to rise up the rankings this upcoming season. Gilbert also has gotten amazing grades from Fangraphs, including a 35/60 hit tool, 30/40 game power, 45/45 raw power, 60/60 speed, and 45/60 fielding. Gilbert’s grades are some of the best on this list, and he should definitely be on your radar for the 2023 season.