SLIMMER LEAGUE STILL HAS STARS
The Triple-A West got a significant makeover as part of MLB’s restructuring of the minor leagues. Formerly known as the Pacific Coast League, the league dropped from 16 teams to 10.
Iowa, Memphis, Nashville and Omaha—all members of the PCL since 1998—moved to the more geographically convenient Triple-A East. San Antonio dropped down to Double-A, as did New Orleans when it relocated to Wichita. Fresno, which had been in the PCL since 1998, dropped to Low-A and was replaced by Sugar Land, a former independent league team that moved to the ranks of the affiliated.
The reduction in teams meant a reduction in players, and thus a reduction of talent relative to previous seasons. Standouts such as Jarred Kelenic and Keibert Ruiz ensured the league still had headliners, but the talent dropped off considerably beyond the top tier of prospects. Salt Lake outfielder Brandon Marsh and Tacoma righthander Logan Gilbert headline the players who weren’t in the league long enough to qualify for our ranking.
1. Jarred Kelenic, OF
Tacoma (Mariners)
22. L-R. 6-1. 190. HS—Waukesha, Wis., 2018 (1st round, Mets).
