(Photo Source: Forrest Mulheron Photography)
Portland Sea Dogs’ outfielder Manuel Margot has been list as a top-25 MLB prospect by both Baseball Prospectus (14th) and Baseball America (24th), each of whom released their midseason rankings this week.
After beginning the year with the Salem Red Sox and hitting .282/.321/.420 with three homers, 17 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases over 46 games, Margot was promoted to the Sea Dogs on June 22. The 20-year old has continued to impress in Portland, slashing .293/.349/.448 with a home run, 9 RBIs and five steals in just 15 games. In 61 games between both clubs, Margot has struck out only 25 times in 239 at-bats.
“He has very wiry kind of strength,” Greenville Drive manager Darren Fenster told Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald back in May. “Right now he’s a line drive guy but I can see him hitting a ton of doubles and triples.
“He’s still a young kid so he still has some growing to do. I see him developing some power, see him as a productive 1-2 hitter.”
(Photo Source: Forrest Mulheron Photography)
Not only is Margot an above average hitter and base runner, but his speed has made him one of the better defensive center fielders in the minor league ranks as well.
“He can really run,” Fenster told the Herald. “I never had Jackie Bradley Jr., but everyone talks about the jumps Jackie gets (in the field) off the bat – almost as if he’s moving before contact.
“Manny has that kind of instinct. The ball is hit and he’s there. He can really track the ball down.”
In addition to Margot the Red Sox have two additional infield prospects ranked in the top-25 in Yoan Moncada (11th by Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America) and Rafael Devers (15th by Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America). Both are currently playing for the Single-A Greenville Drive and could be making their appearances at Hadlock Field sooner than later.
