Kowar impresses, but is among Royals sent down; India continues to mash for Reds
Former Florida Gators and touted prospects Jackson Kowar and Jonathan India are among the players Man On Second Baseball is tracking. Kowar has been sent to Minor League camp, while India is a candidate to start for Cincinnati. Plus, other prospect updates
By Joe Frisaro @ManOn2nd
Man On Second Baseball has been tracking some of the top prospects, whether they are competing in the Grapefruit League in Florida or the Cactus League in Arizona.
We’ve already checked in on a few former Florida Gators standouts. Two of them are profiled again today, as well as some other players we’ve been following.
RHP Jackson Kowar, Kansas City Royals: Kowar’s hopes of making the Opening Day roster came to an end, as the Royals announced the right-hander has been sent down to the Minors.
A first-round pick in 2018, Kowar on Sunday threw three shutout innings, striking out two with no walks, and three hits allowed. Kowar induced five ground-ball outs.
Kowar’s changeup is an elite pitch, to go with his fastball, which was 94-97 mph on Sunday. The changeup is 85 mph. Key for him is the development of his curveball, which is about 78 mph.
Kowar was part of the Gators 2017 National Championship team, and he was one of three players from that squad who was taken in the first round.
INF Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds: Another former Gators standout, India has been one of the talks of Spring Training with the Reds. Mostly a third baseman in college, India is considered the frontrunner to start at second base for Cincinnati.
India possesses plenty of power. He was 1-for-2 on Sunday, and is hitting .344 with a 1.100 OPS in Spring Training. For the entire spring, India is 11-for-32 with two homers and five RBIs.
India has the makings of being an impactful middle of the order hitter.
1B Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox: Taken in the first round in 2018, Casas is a 21-year-old first base prospect with the Red Sox. He is the organization’s top-ranked prospect, and 44th on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, and projects to be an impactful middle of the lineup threat. Casas has already been reassigned to Minor League camp, but has also received some Grapefruit League game experience.
Casas missed about a week of camp due to a non-baseball related medical issue.
RF Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals: Pipeline’s No. 13 overall prospect, Carlson is a switch-hitter with big power and potential. He’s already secured the Cardinals starting right field spot. On Monday, in his first at-bat, he reinforced why he is an elite prospect, homering off Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. In his second AB, Carlson lofted an RBI single to left.
INF Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: The 20-year-old has the makings to be one of the faces of the sport for years to come. His Spring Training was so impressive, the Royals gave serious consideration of carrying him on their Opening Day roster. Ultimately, the decision was made to send him down.
Still, Witt may find himself as a big league regular at either second base or the outfield, where he is expected to see action in the Minor Leagues.
MO2 was tracking Witt from the very beginning of Spring Training, putting him on our spotlight.