FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Baseball America|September 2023
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
JOSH NORRIS
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10

ROOKIE

Players require 50 at-bats or 15 innings to qualify for this ranking.

1. WALKER JENKINS, OF, TWINS

The fifth-overall pick lived up to his reputation in his short stint in the FCL. Jenkins reached base in all but one of the 14 games and put up a .927 OPS before moving to Low-A. The sweet-swinging lefthanded hitter has the potential to be a true five-tool talent with plus or better hitting ability, power and arm strength. Jenkins stands as one of the best prospects not only in the Twins' system but in the entire sport.

2. RODERICK ARIAS, SS, YANKEES

Arias signed with the Yankees in 2022 but had his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League muted by a wrist injury. The 18-year-old blew away scouts in the FCL with a five-tool package before his season ended a month early with a broken pinkie. Scouts were universal in their assessment of Arias as a player who could stick at shortstop and produce impact power to all sectors. He has an innate feel for the barrel, a throwing arm that grades as at least double-plus and the athleticism for at least above-average speed.

3. LUIS BAEZ, OF, ASTROS

This story is from the September 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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This story is from the September 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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