You want upside and ceiling, look no further than Joshua Liranzo who played all of 2023 at 16 years old in the Dominican Summer League showing a mix of plate discipline, power, and solid defense at 3B to come in as the #15 prospect.
Joshua Liranzo
Pos: 3B
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 16
2023 Level: DSL
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 25/60
Game Power: 35/60
Raw Power: 40/60
Run: 50/50
Defense: 40/55
Most Likely Future Role: Too early
Ceiling: 1st Division Starting 3rd Baseman, All-star
What we know: Signed for just 500k in the 2023 signing period, this hard hitting third baseman looks like the standout of the class so far. Despite being one of the youngest players in the league and never facing a pitcher younger than him and after a slow start when he may have been pressing, the 6-foot-3 really took off and by the end of the year was one of the team’s best hitters.
He already hits the ball as hard as anyone on the team and after a slow start, he slashed .304/.463./511/.974 with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, and a fantastic 21 BB to 23 K ratio over 121 PAs. His 116 wRC+, .397 WOBA and 21.1% line drive percentage all speak to his potential. While he has pull power now, as he fills out it’s expected that he will have power to all fields.
One scout believes he’s better than Fernando Tatis Jr. was at the same age. He works out with major leaguers and and that same scout believes he could very well be the next Samuel Basallo when it comes to blowing up on the prospects scene.
Defensively Liranzo moves well and has a plus arm at third base and should be a solid defender there with a chance to become very, very good. He’s an average runner but stealing bases won’t be part of his game at upper levels.
What we don’t know: Obviously we don’t know a lot because he’s so young and so far away. Will he continue to grow? How will he adjust to full season ball?
What we think: The way Liranzo finished off his first professional season along with the tools he brings to the field at such a young age gives him a tremendous ceiling. His ability to make adjustments mid-season suggests good aptitude to learn, and combined with his above average strike zone judgement, suggests he’s got a chance to be pretty special. He’ll most likely play in the FCL next year as a 17-year old.