LIAM HICKS (C, Texas Rangers, Double-A Frisco RoughRiders)
5ft 9in/185 lbs
dob: 06/02/1999, Toronto ON
Drafted: 2021 - Round 9, 254th selection overall from Arkansas State University
Rule 5 Eligible: Dec. 2024
Former JUCO Bandit (Mineral State JC) & Arkansas State Red Wolf, Hicks brings elite bat-to-ball skills with his contact>power left-handed hitting profile. Excellent contact, WHIFF, and K-rates with above-average walk & on-base percentages are present. While there is an above-average hit tool, there isnât much power currently. Liam has played some 1B providing some defensive versatility to his skillset. His upside will be determined by how much improvement they show defensively behind the plate and if some power can be added.
TOOLBOX
HIT - 55
POWER - 40
RUN - 40
FIELD - 40
ARM - 40
Potential OFP - 45
MLB ETA - 2025
2024 Season To Date (as of 04/28):
20 G, 79 AB, .253/.322/.342, 12 K, 8 BB, 1 HR
Upcoming series: vs Corpus Christi (April 30 - May 5)
CANUCK GETTING SOME PUB
JONAH TONG (Markham ON, RHP, NY Mets, Single-A St. Lucie)
Check out Baseball America where the 2022 seventh-round selection (209th pick overall from Georgia Premier Academy) got an early-season salute on their improving Stuff.
10 MLB Pitching Prospects Showing Better Stuff In 2024
ERIC CERANTOLA (RHP, KC ROYALS, DOUBLE-A NW ARKANSAS NATURALS)
6ft 5in/225 lbs
dob: 05/02/2000, Montreal QC
Drafted: 2021 - Round 5, 139th selection overall from Mississippi State University
Rule 5 Eligible: Dec. 2024
Ericâs name may ring a bell to old-school SB&S folks as heâs been on the radar since pitching for Mississippi State. The former Bulldog has always had great stuff with two plus-or-better pitches (FB & CB) but with a history of struggling to find the strike zone consistently. Cerantola posts both elite K-rates and extremely high BB%. The large-framed RHP is a good athlete with a late-inning reliever written all over him but needs to display improved and consistent control.
TOOLBOX
Fastball - 60
Curveball - 60
Change Up - 50
Control - 40
Potential OFP - 45
MLB ETA - 2025
2024 Season To Date (as of 04/28):
14.1 IP, 5 G, 1 GS, 1-1, 2.51 ERA, 25 K, 13 BB, 1.53 WHIP
Upcoming series: vs Wichita (April 30 - May 5)
SMURFING AROUND THE STACK
Thank you all for checking in to the SB&S universe today. As always, until the next timeâŠKEEP IT 80 GRADE!