2018 Bowman Chrome Baseball releases this week and I wanted to provide my thoughts before the release. Please review the breakdown below. I will write a follow up after prices settle. The recommendations below are all based off performance and not card prices. If you have any questions please email me at prospectsforprofit@gmail.com or on Twitter @prospectsforcash. Overall I think the checklist is a C+ due to a number of older prospects being included.
Brett Cumberland - Atlanta Braves C - A little older prospect but the K rate is 25%. I want to see an improvement before purchasing.
Brayan Hernandez - Miami Marlins OF - Pass. I don't see huge power potential here.
Chris DeVito - Kansas City Royals 1B - Pass. No pop.
Carlos Rincon - Los Angeles Dodgers OF - Buy. Love the power numbers and I am making the bet that the K rate drops. He need to keep it under 25%.
Daniel Gonzalez - Boston Red Sox P - Decent numbers but not enough for me to purchase.
Estevan Florial - New York Yankees OF - Love his talent but he will be overpriced due to being a Yankee prospect. Too high of a price to pay and too many strikeouts for me to recommend. I wonder what his auto cost would be if he was not a Yankee.
Gavin LaValley - Cincinnati Reds 1B - Another decent prospect but nothing really blows me away here.
Heath Fillmyer - Oakland Athletics P - Too old and the K/9 rate is not the best.
Jaime Barria - Los Angeles Angels P - Pass. Stats look very average to me.
Jose Gomez - Philadelphia Phillies 2B - Pass. No pop.
James Nelson - Miami Marlins 3B - Nelson is a buy for me. He had injuries during the 2018 season but I like the power numbers and I think he can improve on the strikeouts. I will take a small position.
Jake Ring - Baltimore Orioles OF - Pass. 24 and has not touched AA.
Jake Rogers - Detroit Tigers C - I like the profile but I think he has too much swing and miss.
Kyle Cody - Texas Rangers P - Pass. 24 and has not played in AA.
Kyle Young - Philadelphia Phillies P - Decent numbers but nothing blows me away. Pass.
Michel Baez - San Diego Padres P - A buy for me. The numbers jump out. Potential #2 starter.
Matthias Dietz - Baltimore Orioles P - Pass. Nothing really moves the needle to me.
Matt Hall - Detroit Tigers P - Pass. 25 years of age.
Nick Fanti - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass. Not enough innings in 2018 for me.
Brett Cumberland - Atlanta Braves C - A little older prospect but the K rate is 25%. I want to see an improvement before purchasing.
Brayan Hernandez - Miami Marlins OF - Pass. I don't see huge power potential here.
Chris DeVito - Kansas City Royals 1B - Pass. No pop.
Carlos Rincon - Los Angeles Dodgers OF - Buy. Love the power numbers and I am making the bet that the K rate drops. He need to keep it under 25%.
Daniel Gonzalez - Boston Red Sox P - Decent numbers but not enough for me to purchase.
Estevan Florial - New York Yankees OF - Love his talent but he will be overpriced due to being a Yankee prospect. Too high of a price to pay and too many strikeouts for me to recommend. I wonder what his auto cost would be if he was not a Yankee.
Gavin LaValley - Cincinnati Reds 1B - Another decent prospect but nothing really blows me away here.
Heath Fillmyer - Oakland Athletics P - Too old and the K/9 rate is not the best.
Jaime Barria - Los Angeles Angels P - Pass. Stats look very average to me.
Jose Gomez - Philadelphia Phillies 2B - Pass. No pop.
James Nelson - Miami Marlins 3B - Nelson is a buy for me. He had injuries during the 2018 season but I like the power numbers and I think he can improve on the strikeouts. I will take a small position.
Jake Ring - Baltimore Orioles OF - Pass. 24 and has not touched AA.
Jake Rogers - Detroit Tigers C - I like the profile but I think he has too much swing and miss.
Kyle Cody - Texas Rangers P - Pass. 24 and has not played in AA.
Kyle Young - Philadelphia Phillies P - Decent numbers but nothing blows me away. Pass.
Michel Baez - San Diego Padres P - A buy for me. The numbers jump out. Potential #2 starter.
Matthias Dietz - Baltimore Orioles P - Pass. Nothing really moves the needle to me.
Matt Hall - Detroit Tigers P - Pass. 25 years of age.
Nick Fanti - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass. Not enough innings in 2018 for me.
Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals P - I love the numbers but the reports say he may be a bullpen guy. Pass.
Ranger Suarez - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass. K/9 rate is too low.
Shao-Ching Chiang - Cleveland Indians P - Pass. K/9 rate is too low.
Seth Romero - Washington Nationals P - Romero is a buy for me . Not a lot of innings but this guy can pitch and will be a starter. I will take a small position depending on price.
Travis Lakins - Boston Red Sox P - Numbers are not bad at all but he is not a top end starter. Pass.
Willie Abreu - Colorado Rockies OF - I really like the numbers but he is a Rockies prospect. If he gets traded I would buy.
Yordan Alvarez - Houston Astros OF - Very impressive prospect. I would buy but the price has to be right. He may be on the high end out of the gate.
Aramis Ademan - Chicago Cubs SS - Ademan will most likely be the Cubs top prospect going into 2019. He won't hit for a lot of power but I am curious to see what his auto will go for. I will watch for now.
Austin Allen - San Diego Padres C - 24 years of age but had good numbers in AA. Due to the age I would have to pass. Buying one auto would not hurt though for the right price.
Akil Baddoo - Minnesota Twins OF - I am recommending a buy here. Please be aware that he is a project and if you buy the hope is that the Twins and Akil will work on cutting down the K's. If he improves a 20-20 player is the ceiling. I need to see where prices settle at before writing more.
Antoni Flores - Boston Red Sox SS - Not a lot of data on this player. But that is not a bad thing. If you buy you are relying 100% on the scouting reports.
Alex Wells - Baltimore Orioles P - K/9 too low. Pass.
Brusdar Graterol - Minnesota Twins P - Love the numbers but he has already had injury issues. Pass.
Ranger Suarez - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass. K/9 rate is too low.
Shao-Ching Chiang - Cleveland Indians P - Pass. K/9 rate is too low.
Seth Romero - Washington Nationals P - Romero is a buy for me . Not a lot of innings but this guy can pitch and will be a starter. I will take a small position depending on price.
Travis Lakins - Boston Red Sox P - Numbers are not bad at all but he is not a top end starter. Pass.
Willie Abreu - Colorado Rockies OF - I really like the numbers but he is a Rockies prospect. If he gets traded I would buy.
Yordan Alvarez - Houston Astros OF - Very impressive prospect. I would buy but the price has to be right. He may be on the high end out of the gate.
Aramis Ademan - Chicago Cubs SS - Ademan will most likely be the Cubs top prospect going into 2019. He won't hit for a lot of power but I am curious to see what his auto will go for. I will watch for now.
Austin Allen - San Diego Padres C - 24 years of age but had good numbers in AA. Due to the age I would have to pass. Buying one auto would not hurt though for the right price.
Akil Baddoo - Minnesota Twins OF - I am recommending a buy here. Please be aware that he is a project and if you buy the hope is that the Twins and Akil will work on cutting down the K's. If he improves a 20-20 player is the ceiling. I need to see where prices settle at before writing more.
Antoni Flores - Boston Red Sox SS - Not a lot of data on this player. But that is not a bad thing. If you buy you are relying 100% on the scouting reports.
Alex Wells - Baltimore Orioles P - K/9 too low. Pass.
Brusdar Graterol - Minnesota Twins P - Love the numbers but he has already had injury issues. Pass.
Brendon Little - Chicago Cubs - Pass. K/9 not high enough for me.
Brandon Marsh - Los Angeles Angels - Marsh is a strong buy for me but is a gamble. I am aware of the high K rate but love his 5 tool potential. The bet I am making is that he will improve and hit for more power. He will be 21 during the 2019 season. For other prospectors, I 100% understand why you would pass.
Charcer Burks - Chicago Cubs OF - Pass. No pop.
Conner Capel - Cleveland Indians OF - Capel is a watch for me. He just was traded to the Cardinals. I am interested in how he develops with them. Right now he is hitting for a little power.
Cole Freeman - Washington Nationals 2B - Pass. 23 years old in A ball. College bat who was just drafted in 2017. His extra base hits are not bad though.
Carter Kieboom - Washington Nationals SS - A high end prospect. Prices will be insane.
Chase Pinder - St. Louis Cardinals OF - Pass. Decent numbers but I don't see a lot of upside here.
Connor Seabold - Philadelphia Phillies P - Numbers are not bad. Worth a watch. I want to see more data before buying.
Brandon Marsh - Los Angeles Angels - Marsh is a strong buy for me but is a gamble. I am aware of the high K rate but love his 5 tool potential. The bet I am making is that he will improve and hit for more power. He will be 21 during the 2019 season. For other prospectors, I 100% understand why you would pass.
Charcer Burks - Chicago Cubs OF - Pass. No pop.
Conner Capel - Cleveland Indians OF - Capel is a watch for me. He just was traded to the Cardinals. I am interested in how he develops with them. Right now he is hitting for a little power.
Cole Freeman - Washington Nationals 2B - Pass. 23 years old in A ball. College bat who was just drafted in 2017. His extra base hits are not bad though.
Carter Kieboom - Washington Nationals SS - A high end prospect. Prices will be insane.
Chase Pinder - St. Louis Cardinals OF - Pass. Decent numbers but I don't see a lot of upside here.
Connor Seabold - Philadelphia Phillies P - Numbers are not bad. Worth a watch. I want to see more data before buying.
Chris Torres - Miami Marlins - Pass. Good player but the K's are too much of an issue. Not sure if he can improve those issues.
Darwinzon Hernandez - Boston Red Sox P - Watch. Very solid numbers but needs the BB/9 rate to drop 50%.
Dustin May - Los Angeles Dodgers P - Another good Dodgers pitching prospect. Does not walk a lot of batters. Not a front line starter so I will have to pass.
Daulton Varsho - Arizona Diamondbacks - Strong buy for me. Will be 22 most of the 2019 season. He had a few injuries but the K rate is 20% and the walk rate is solid. He can also hit for power. Varsho is one of the few catching prospects that I would recommend. My hope is that prices are reasonable. In addition, he also stole 19 bases in 2018.
Eduardo Diaz - Arizona Diamondbacks OF - Watch. Played decent in A ball but struck out 31% of the time. Seems to be a project.
Enyel De Los Santos - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass.
Edwin Rios - Los Angeles Dodgers 1B - 24 years of age. Seems to be stuck in AAA. Pass.
Darwinzon Hernandez - Boston Red Sox P - Watch. Very solid numbers but needs the BB/9 rate to drop 50%.
Dustin May - Los Angeles Dodgers P - Another good Dodgers pitching prospect. Does not walk a lot of batters. Not a front line starter so I will have to pass.
Daulton Varsho - Arizona Diamondbacks - Strong buy for me. Will be 22 most of the 2019 season. He had a few injuries but the K rate is 20% and the walk rate is solid. He can also hit for power. Varsho is one of the few catching prospects that I would recommend. My hope is that prices are reasonable. In addition, he also stole 19 bases in 2018.
Eduardo Diaz - Arizona Diamondbacks OF - Watch. Played decent in A ball but struck out 31% of the time. Seems to be a project.
Enyel De Los Santos - Philadelphia Phillies P - Pass.
Edwin Rios - Los Angeles Dodgers 1B - 24 years of age. Seems to be stuck in AAA. Pass.
Evan Steele - Kansas City Royals P - Pass. Not much out there. I think he may have gotten injured.
Franklin Perez - Detroit Tigers P - Young but I need to see more data. Pass but I am watching.
Gregory Soto - Detroit Tigers P - Pass. Too many walks.
Franklin Perez - Detroit Tigers P - Young but I need to see more data. Pass but I am watching.
Gregory Soto - Detroit Tigers P - Pass. Too many walks.
Jose Albertos - Chicago Cubs P - Watch. Stats are all over the place. I want to see if he can get back on track. Only 19 years old.
Joe Dunand - Miami Marlins SS - Worth a watch but I want to see how he does in a full season at AA. Decent pop. Seems like a 15hr guy.
Jorge Guzman - Miami Marlins P - Pass. Walk rate needs to improve.
Joey Lucchesi - San Diego Padres P - Pass. 25 years of age.
Jonathan Loaisiga - New York Yankees P - Yankees are the best at developing pitchers. Not sure if I would buy though. He may go to the bullpen.
Joe Dunand - Miami Marlins SS - Worth a watch but I want to see how he does in a full season at AA. Decent pop. Seems like a 15hr guy.
Jorge Guzman - Miami Marlins P - Pass. Walk rate needs to improve.
Joey Lucchesi - San Diego Padres P - Pass. 25 years of age.
Jonathan Loaisiga - New York Yankees P - Yankees are the best at developing pitchers. Not sure if I would buy though. He may go to the bullpen.
Jairo Solis - Houston Astros P - Only 18 years of age. Walks are up there. A buy but you need to be aware that he is a project.
Kevin Maitan - Los Angeles Angels - Pass. Second auto.
Kristian Robinson - Arizona Diamondbacks - Buy. Please be warned this is a long term project buy. Robinson is only 17 years of age but is a 5 tool prospect. The swing and miss is there but he continues to make adjustments. I think he has the chance to be a really good power/speed prospect.
Luis Guillorme - New York Mets 2B - Not a bad talent but the power numbers are not there.
Luis Garcia - Washington Nationals -Only 18 and is a strong buy. I think there is power potential here. A lot of upside and will take time but is worth the risk.
Luis Medina - New York Yankees P - Only 19 but is a project. If you buy now you are trusting the Yankees to develop him.
Leonardo Rivas - Los Angeles Angels 2B - Pass. Low extra base hits numbers.
Logan Shore - Oakland Athletics P - Pass. Not a front end starter.
LoLo Sanchez - Pittsburgh Pirates - 19 years of age. 16.3% K rate 10% walk rate but I need more power. It is a chance it could happen. The price has to be right for me to buy.
Luis Urias - San Diego Padres 2B - I expect him to be on the high end. Good hitter that hit for power in AAA.
LaMonte Wade - Minnesota Twins OF - Pass. 24 years of age. Decent numbers but I see no upside.
Micker Adolfo - Chicago White Sox OF - Pass. Love the talent but has some elbow issues.
Mike Baumann - Baltimore Orioles P - Pass.
Nick Allen - Oakland Athletics - Only 19 years old but I see no power potential at all. Pass.
Nicky Lopez - Kansas City Royals SS - Nice hitter but wont hit for much power. Pass for me but I would love to debate.
Riley Adams - Toronto Blue Jays C - Nice catching prospect but rather spend money on Varsho. I would not be mad at a prospector who bought a few.
Rogelio Armenteros - Houston Astros - 24 years of age. Pass but the numbers are insane. Too old for me but I understand if you would buy.
Russell Wilson - New York Yankees - No comment.
Shane Bieber - Cleveland Indians P - Nice bullpen arm but not a player I would buy.
Sheldon Neuse - Oakland Athletics 3B - Pass. K rate over 30%.
Tyler Freeman - Cleveland Indians - STRONG BUY - Line drive hitter.Scouts say he will not hit for game power. I am making the bet that he does. He is only 19 and is already an advanced hitter. 29 doubles, 4 triples and 2 home runs.
Trevor Oaks - Kansas City Royals P - Pass.
Trevor Stephan - New York Yankees P - Decent number but walks need to be cut down. Possibly a reliever. Pass.
William Contreras - Atlanta Braves C - Wow. Another catcher that I like. Brother of Wilson Contreras of the Cubs. Worth a buy but I am focused on Varsho.
Yasel Antuna - Washington Nationals 2B - 18 years of age. 14 doubles, 2 triples, and six home runs in 2018. The gamble will be the power potential. I think it is there and I will buy.
Kevin Maitan - Los Angeles Angels - Pass. Second auto.
Kristian Robinson - Arizona Diamondbacks - Buy. Please be warned this is a long term project buy. Robinson is only 17 years of age but is a 5 tool prospect. The swing and miss is there but he continues to make adjustments. I think he has the chance to be a really good power/speed prospect.
Luis Guillorme - New York Mets 2B - Not a bad talent but the power numbers are not there.
Luis Garcia - Washington Nationals -Only 18 and is a strong buy. I think there is power potential here. A lot of upside and will take time but is worth the risk.
Luis Medina - New York Yankees P - Only 19 but is a project. If you buy now you are trusting the Yankees to develop him.
Leonardo Rivas - Los Angeles Angels 2B - Pass. Low extra base hits numbers.
Logan Shore - Oakland Athletics P - Pass. Not a front end starter.
LoLo Sanchez - Pittsburgh Pirates - 19 years of age. 16.3% K rate 10% walk rate but I need more power. It is a chance it could happen. The price has to be right for me to buy.
Luis Urias - San Diego Padres 2B - I expect him to be on the high end. Good hitter that hit for power in AAA.
LaMonte Wade - Minnesota Twins OF - Pass. 24 years of age. Decent numbers but I see no upside.
Micker Adolfo - Chicago White Sox OF - Pass. Love the talent but has some elbow issues.
Mike Baumann - Baltimore Orioles P - Pass.
Nick Allen - Oakland Athletics - Only 19 years old but I see no power potential at all. Pass.
Nicky Lopez - Kansas City Royals SS - Nice hitter but wont hit for much power. Pass for me but I would love to debate.
Riley Adams - Toronto Blue Jays C - Nice catching prospect but rather spend money on Varsho. I would not be mad at a prospector who bought a few.
Rogelio Armenteros - Houston Astros - 24 years of age. Pass but the numbers are insane. Too old for me but I understand if you would buy.
Russell Wilson - New York Yankees - No comment.
Shane Bieber - Cleveland Indians P - Nice bullpen arm but not a player I would buy.
Sheldon Neuse - Oakland Athletics 3B - Pass. K rate over 30%.
Tyler Freeman - Cleveland Indians - STRONG BUY - Line drive hitter.Scouts say he will not hit for game power. I am making the bet that he does. He is only 19 and is already an advanced hitter. 29 doubles, 4 triples and 2 home runs.
Trevor Oaks - Kansas City Royals P - Pass.
Trevor Stephan - New York Yankees P - Decent number but walks need to be cut down. Possibly a reliever. Pass.
William Contreras - Atlanta Braves C - Wow. Another catcher that I like. Brother of Wilson Contreras of the Cubs. Worth a buy but I am focused on Varsho.
Yasel Antuna - Washington Nationals 2B - 18 years of age. 14 doubles, 2 triples, and six home runs in 2018. The gamble will be the power potential. I think it is there and I will buy.