The best outfield prospect in rookie ball not named Braylin Tavera, the 18-year old Thomas Sosa fulfilled some of his immense promise with a solid 2023 campaign in the Florida Complex League and comes in as the #17 prospect.
Thomas Sosa
Pos: RF/CF
Bats: L
Throws: L
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 18
2023 Level: FCL
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 25/50
Game Power: 35/50
Raw Power: 45/65
Run: 55/55
Defense: 45/55
Most Likely Future Role: Too early
Ceiling: 1st Division starting RF
What we know: After an uninspiring professional debut in 2022 in the Dominican Summer League, Sosa showed up a different player in 2023 and put together a very solid FCL season. He upped his walk rate, cut his K rate, doubled is ISO (.101 to .202) all while putting up an impressive .877 OPS.
Listed at 6-1, 160 pounds by most publications, Sosa showed up this season at 6-4, 190 and hasn’t even completely filled out yet and he’s already putting up some of the best exit velocities in the entire Florida Complex League. He came in at 90th percentile for hitting the ball with 102+ exit Velocity and has top end EV of 110 MPH despite being just 18-years old.
He barrels the ball well and although there was still a bit of swing and miss in his game (21.7%), it wasn’t extreme and he did increase his walk percentage to a respectable 11.9%. His 25.3% line drive rate was the second best in the entire complex league for 18-year olds or younger and his 16.7 HR/FB rate was 7th best.
Sosa mashed righthanders (.323/.425/.542/.967 in 113 PAs) but struggled in his small sample size against lefties (.179/.233/.321/.555 in 30 PAs). He did collect two triples though so its too early to consider it anything more than something to watch as he moves up the chain.
Defensively Sosa a good right fielder with a plus arm that fits there, but runs well enough and played an effective CF when given a chance. He most likely profiles to a corner outfield overall.
What we don’t know: Like previous rookie league players on this list, we don’t know how he will handle full season ball. Will he improve against lefties? Can hit hit upper level offspeed and velocity?
What we think: Sosa was highlighted as a prospect by several scouts and publications as a player who could really take off and he could end up much higher on the list with a good 2024 campaign in Delmarva. He made quite the improvement jump from his DSL to FCL that it’s unknown how quickly things could come. He’s got 1st round tools and looks like a great value for his $400k signing bonus.
