While the number of top 100 lists in baseball is growing, Baseball America’s collection remains the one with the highest reputation. European Baseball however nearly got shut out in this year’s listing of baseball’s top prospects. Only Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox keeps Europe from shutting out. The 21-year-old Dutch shortstop who is hoping to secure a starting job with the Red Sox this Spring made his Major League debut last summer, won the World Series and got ranked second behind Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton.
Looking on Baseball America’s Top 100 with an international perspective you’ll find some more familiar faces. Masahiro Tanaka, the 25-year-old Japanese hurler who joined the New York Yankees, comes in fourth. Cuban defectors Jose Abreu (Chicago White Sox, 29th) and Jorge Soler (Chicago Cubs, 41st) as well as 18U Baseball World Cup winners Austin Meadows (Pittsburgh Pirates, 49th) and (Pittsburgh Pirates, 81st) are also listed.