The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN baseball players continue to progress in their respective organisations as Major League Baseball Pipeline began its annual practice of revealing its top 30 prospects for each franchise.

Ian Lewis made the biggest surge in the rankings among the group, and is now listed as the Miami Marlins no.12 ranked prospect after concluding last season at no.23.

The 19-year-old middle infielder is also currently slotted as a second baseman.

After the pandemic delayed his debut on the diamond by a year, Lewis had an immediate impact this season and was recognised by the Marlins’ organisation as one of the top performers in its farm system.

Lewis was named the Florida Complex League MVP when the Marlins named their Minor League Award winners for the 2021 season.

In his first season of professional baseball, he played 43 games, predominantly at second base in the FCL. He hit .302, with a .354 OBP, slugging .497 and an .851 OBP.

He had an FCL leading five triples, three home runs, 10 doubles, nine stolen bases, 45 hits, 27 RBI and 24 runs scored. He began his season with a brief assignment in the Dominican Summer League before the team eventually reassigned him to the Florida Complex League six days later on June 28. I hit a two-run home run homer his pro debut on June 29 against the FCL Mets.

“A switch-hitter with a quick swing from both sides of the plate, he has gotten stronger since signing and opened eyes by displaying at least average power in his debut. His hand-eye coordination and patient approach allow him to make consistent contact, though he’ll have to prove he can handle quality breaking balls at higher levels,” Lewis’ MLB Pipeline analysis said.

“With his well above-average speed, Lewis is a base-stealing threat and covers ground in the middle infield. The Marlins believe he has the actions and solid arm strength to handle shortstop, though he probably won’t get much of a chance as he rises through the Minors alongside Kahlil Watson and Jose Salas.

Lewis spent most of last summer at second base, where his quick hands help him turn double plays, and can become an average or better defender as he develops more consistency.”

Lucius Fox has risen several spots in his brief time with the Washington Nationals and is now ranked no.23 in the organisation. He was ranked no.25 when he was claimed off waivers by the Nationals in December and joined the fifth franchise of his MLB career.

Fox, 24, hit the Nationals’ first home run of Spring Training with his solo shot in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the New York Mets at The Ballpark of Palm Beaches.

He followed with a game-tying double in the eighth inning of Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

The versatile Fox is listed as a shortstop, second baseman and outfielder.

“Fox’s best offensive assets remain his willingness to take a walk (13.1 percent in 2021) and his plus-plus speed that allows him to earn infield hits and be a 20-plus stolen-base threat,” Fox’s MLB Pipeline analysis said.

“An impressive defender at shortstop, Fox saw more time at second base in deference to Bobby Witt Jr in Omaha and even played centre field for the first time over the season’s final month.

“His athleticism will allow him to play up the middle, and that’s what so many teams have bet on in the last seven years. Without a significant offensive adjustment, Fox, who was called up by the Royals briefly but was never given his official MLB debut, remains a bench piece at best, albeit one that is ready now.”

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Tahnaj Thomas, fell from no.13 to no.29 in the organisation.

Thomas, a 22-year-old 6’4” right hander, spent last season at the High A level for the first time with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

In 16 appearances, all starts, he finished with a 3-3 record in 60.2 innings, with 62 strikeouts, an ERA of 5.19 and a 1.58 WHIP.

“He’ll easily sit in the mid-90s and regularly touch the upper-90s and has hit triple digits in the past, with his four-seamer showing very good life up in the zone. He has not made much progress with his secondary stuff. He does show a solid slider that can miss bats, but it can lose its shape, and while he has a changeup, it hasn’t developed much,” MLB Pipeline said, “His best track at this point is probably as a reliever, though the Pirates might let him keep going out as a starter so he can work on his complete repertoire.”