Generation Next: Vlad Jr., Tatís Jr. and Eloy ready for prime time

By Armando Soldevemla and Tastrong Bamford

In 2018 the baseball world was treated to historic rookie seasons. Ronald Acuña, Jr., Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andújar and Juan Soto exploded onto the scene with offensive performances that have rarely been seen in the big leagues by rookies their ages.

This could be the year the Dominican Republic takes over Rookie of the Year ballots.

For the first time, a Dominican begins the year atop Baseball America’s rankings. Indeed, as the top four prospects on Baseball America’s Top 100 rankings share something in common.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Fernando Tatís, Jr., and Eloy Jiménez have been on the radar for a few years. They are ready to headline the next generation of stars to come out of the island and make an impact in the major leagues – presumably beginning early this season.

Their arrivals will come with big expectations.

Guerrero is ready

Guerrero Jr., the son of the former outfielder and Hall of Famer, was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He has virtually owned every minor league circuit in which he’s played.

Guerrero, just 19 years old, had an impressive stat line everywhere he played last year. He jumped from Class-A to Triple-A last year and hit .381 with a 1.073 OPS across four different levels. He struck out 38 times and walked 37, showing an eye that’s mature beyond his age.

“He was at the same level as other guys who were coming from Class AAA and the big leagues,” said José Gómez, who is the general manager of Leones del Escogido, Guerrero’s team in the Dominican in 2017. “What’s amazing about him is that, even at his young age, he always gives you competitive at-bats, goes deep into at-bats. He is really mature at home plate.”

Gómez noted that Guerrero is much more athletic than what he shows. He predicts that Guerrero could play at first base or in the outfield if the Blue Jays asked. Thus far, however, Guerrero has been playing strictly third base.

“His bat is major league level,” Gomez said. “He’s been playing in a pitchers’ league (Double-A, Eastern League), and his numbers are exaggerated. He’s done it in every league that he plays.”

A game changer for the Padres

The San Diego Padres have been suffering as a franchise with eight consecutive losing seasons and 12 without a postseason berth. However, the long rebuild appears to finally be paying off with plenty of talent matriculating to the big league roster while some players are continue developing in the minors.

Tatís, whose father hit 113 home runs over an 11-year career, is a shortstop equipped with all the tools to succeed and become the face of the Padres organization.

He finished with 22 home runs, 27 doubles, 32 stolen bases, and a .278/.379/.498 line between Class A and Class AA in 2017. His 21 home runs in Class-A Fort Wayne set a club record. He followed that strong performance with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in Double-A San Antonio last season.

Fernando Tatís Sr, said he’s sure his son is ready for a call up to the majors.

“He has to work and prepare even more, but if that kid keeps up the type of development he’s been showing, there is no doubt that he ends up in the big leagues this year,” the elder Tatís said. “He is an aggressive player, totally aggressive on the bases. He is a player, even at his young age that knows how to hurt his opponents on the field”.

Now 20, the younger Tatís could become the star the Padres need to lead the team into a new era of success on the field.

Eloy Jiménez is the real deal

Eloy Jiménez is a top prospect in every way you can think about. The 6-4, 205-pound outfielder has been considered one of the best prospects in baseball since he was signed as a 16-year-old by the Chicago Cubs with a staggering bonus of $2.8 million after an aggressive bidding war among more than 10 organizations.

The righthanded slugger was traded by the Cubs to the White Sox for starter José Quintana after the team tried to defend its World Series title in 2017. It could be a move that haunts the National League organization.

As a 21-year-old last season Jiménez split his season between Class AA and Class AAA. He performed exceptionally well at both levels. In 55 games with the White Sox’s Class AAA affiliate in Charlotte he slashed .355/.399/.597 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI.

“Everything we had heard about Jiménez was true,” Class-A Winston-Salem hitting coach Charlie Poe said in a story published in Dominican newspaper Diario Libre last year. “His potential is so high, and his feel for the game is amazing. He won’t get beat by fastballs, and he attacks breaking balls. He doesn’t swing at low pitches. He has great focus.”

There is no denying that Major League Baseball has many young stars who could appeal to a new generation of followers. Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez aren’t “old” by any means, and the next generation of Shohei Otani, Ozzie Albies, Torres, Soto and Acuña emerged as lineup-changing talents last year.

Fans in the Dominican Republic and throughout the United States and Toronto will probably get good looks at Guerrero, Tatís and Jimenez in the majors at some point this season.

Featured Image: Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport