Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Tiedemann ranks 31st among all MLB prospects, according to Baseball America's recently released list of the game's top 100 prospects for 2023.
The 20-year-old made waves with his outstanding 2022 season, which saw him post a 2.17 ERA in 78.2 innings across three levels. He also struck out 117 batters while only walking 29.
"Armed with a mid-90s fastball, a plus-plus changeup, a plus slider and above-average command, Tiedemann has a starter’s tool kit with the body of a workhorse starter," Baseball America's report said of the top-ranked southpaw.
Tiedemann ranked 28th on Baseball America's final report in 2022 but dropped a few spots with the addition of players like New York Mets starter Kodai Senga — who was ranked 16th — and the rise of players like Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood — who jumped from 36th to 11th.
Meanwhile, former Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno dropped on the list. The 22-year-old fell from 3rd on the 2022 list to 12th heading into 2023.
Moreno, of course, was traded by the Blue Jays to the Arizona Diamondbacks alongside Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for Daulton Varsho. In 25 games with Toronto, the promising backstop hit .319 with one home run while throwing out 42 per cent of would-be base stealers.
The Baltimore Orioles have the top-ranked prospect for the second straight year. Third baseman Gunnar Henderson is atop the list after catcher Adley Rutschman graduated last season.
Henderson made his MLB debut last season, playing in 34 games, hitting .259 with a .348 on-base percentage. He also added four home runs in his first 132 plate appearances.
Rounding out the top five are Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, Milwaukee Brewers outfield Jackson Chourio, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman/outfielder Jordan Walker and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter.
The Orioles led all teams with eight players named to the list, with the Cleveland Guardians finishing second with seven.
One of those seven is catcher Bo Naylor, the lone Canadian in the top 100, who ranks 68th. Naylor was called up to Cleveland at the end of last season and was a member of the postseason roster.
Tiedemann was the lone Blue Jay on the list, but in Baseball America's team rankings, pitchers Yosver Zulueta and Brandon Barriera are ranked second and third, with infielders Addison Barger and Orelvis Martinez coming in at number four and five, respectively.
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