Paredes signed from Mexico in 2015, agreeing to a $500K bonus with the Cubs. He was in the midst of a strong A-Ball debut in the Midwest League in 2017 when Chicago shipped him and two more prospects to the Tigers for big leaguers Alex Avila and Justin Wilson. His first full year in Detroit’s system was excellent, showing big power as a 19-year-old in the Florida State League before moving to Double-A and slashing .321/.406/.458. Still just 20, Paredes headed back to the Eastern League this year and got an all-star nod for Erie. He also was one of the Tigers’ representatives in the Futures Game.

It’s all about the bat for Paredes, who has the ingredients of a future plus hit/on-base producer. He has a track record of making contact, posting minuscule strikeout rates at each minor league stop. It’s impressive that he has even cut down on his strikeouts even more in Double-A considering he’s so much younger than the average player at the level. Paredes has a fast, loose swing with uncanny hand-eye coordination. Though he certainly isn’t without power, there’s reason to project on more coming given his batspeed and frequent line drive contact. A stocky 5-foot-11, he’s plenty strong but quite thick through the lower half. Though that helps his offensive projection but will cause him to move from shortstop, likely to 3B where his strong arm profiles well.

Paredes has enough potential at the plate to still get everyday at-bats on a corner. His mature feel for hitting is impressive, and the numbers he’s putting up in Double-A at this age have pushed him into the mix for our Top 125 Prospects. The ceiling is likely a solid everyday corner infielder (FV 50), with some chance to be a bit more if the power really explodes or his hit tool ultimately exceeds 55/60-grade outputs consistently.