Numbers 6 through 8:
#5. DAMIANO PALMEGIANI (Blue Jays)
Born in Venezuela, raised in British Columbia, and drafted to the Blue Jays by way of Cal State Northridge and College of Southern Nevada, Damiano is a familiar name to the SB&S Village. A bat-first corner infielder, Palmegiani has above-average power with excellent knowledge of the strike zone. He has currently been graded a below-average fielder with his likely defensive home being 1B long-term. He finished the year with a huge Arizona Fall League slashing .263/.366/.575 with 6 HR & 21 RBI.
BEST TOOL: Power
MLB ETA: 2025
#4. MITCH BRATT (Rangers)
Only 20 years old the 6 ft 1in/190 lbs LHP brings a four-pitch mix to his outings:
mid-90s FB, mid-70s CB, along with a low-80s SL and CU
In 2023 Bratt boasted an excellent K/9 rate (10.77) while leaving 76% of runners on base. The season was capped off by being named as an Organizational All-Star for the Rangers. Mitch’s fastball is his best offering with all four pitches being at least a 50 grade. There is back-end starter potential with Bratt and his profile.
MLB ETA: 2026
#3. DENZEL CLARKE (A’s)
Denzel has a “football frame” standing in at 6 ft 5 in & 220 lbs with impressive bloodlines. Let’s review for those new to Denzel’s name & profile:
Donna, his mom, was an Olympian for Canada (1984, heptathlon)
Kevin Smellie, his uncle, played professional foot in the CFL winning the 1991 Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts
cousin Gavin Smellie was an Olympian as well (2012, 4x100)
The Naylors are his cousins
The former Cal State Northridge Matador brings a Power > Hit profile to the plate with elite athleticism to the base paths and defensively to centerfield. There is swing-and-miss in the batting portion of the profile and how this improves will determine how high the ceiling for Denzel will be. There’s an everyday CF with tremendous upside especially with improvements to the hit tool.
BEST TOOL(S): Speed & Field
MLB ETA: 2025
Thank you for checking in today. The Top Two coming soon! Until the next time, you know what it is…KEEP IT 80 GRADE!