Pipeline prospect predictions for 2023

In the first Pipeline Podcast of 2023, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo take a look at the year ahead with a wide range of predictions about prospects and farm systems to keep an eye on, from Rookies of the Year in both leagues and the No. 1 overall Draft pick to which organization will finish with the top-ranked farm system at season’s end and more. Since bragging rights come down to predictions, we’ll focus on those.

“[Carroll] made it up to the Majors last year and showed that he could hold his own. He doesn’t have a lot of Minor League time because he missed most of 2021 with the shoulder injury, but he showed this year that he’s the kind of advanced hitter who’s going to figure things out. Even if he’s not swinging the bat that great, the speed and the defense are going to play in center field. I’d put him in the Diamondbacks’ leadoff spot and let him go.”

Jim Callis: Carroll (NL); Henderson (AL)

“I think the American League pick is a little clearer cut for me. In the National League you’ve got guys like Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez and Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker. But I too would pick Corbin Carroll. I think he’s got both the clearest opportunity at playing time, especially now that the Diamondbacks traded [Daulton] Varsho, and I also think his bat is the most ready for the big leagues.”

“With Gunnar Henderson, I guess we could question if he’s going to play shortstop, is he going to play third? [‘Who cares?’ — Mayo] He’s just everything he was cracked up to be. Like Carroll, he got to play the final month of the season and stepped right in, didn’t look overmatched, and he played three different positions. In my mind, I know Álvarez is No. 1 on our Top 100 Prospects list right now … I think I’d vote for Gunnar Henderson as we begin a new one.”

“We knew he was advanced at the plate — you obviously aren’t going No. 1 in the Draft if you don’t have a lot of physical ability and skills. But he just controlled the strike zone so well, even after jumping up to Single-A at age 18. I think he’s going to hit for average, hit for power, [play] really good shortstop. It’ll be fun to figure out who’s playing where in that Orioles infield when he’s ready in a couple of years.”

“[Mayer] was of course the No. 4 overall pick in the Draft to the Red Sox in 2021 but was at the top of our board. He performed very well across two levels of A-ball, even though the jump to High-A was a little more challenging, but he showed off a really good approach. I think the power is going to keep coming and I think he’s going to completely explode this year.”

“I’m going to say that the Phillies are going to go back-to-back. I think that Abel spends most of [next] year between Double-A and Triple-A, maybe touches the Majors at the end of the year … He missed a ton of bats, I think he’s going to really figure things out and he’s…