Pipeline poll: Execs tab MLB’s best prospects

A year ago, MLBPipeline.com introduced the Pipeline Poll, where general managers and scouting executives were asked to choose the game’s top prospects. In that edition, Corey Seager was the clear-cut winner as the overwhelming choice for top overall prospect, and that seemed to work out pretty well.

The 22-year-old was an All-Star, won National League Rookie of the Year honors, finished third in the NL Most Valuable Player voting and set a slew of franchise records, including most homers, hits, doubles and total bases by a Dodgers rookie shortstop.

The best rookies in the class of 2017 might be hard-pressed to match Seager’s production from last year, but there are plenty of talented prospects who are expected to become future big league stars.

Like last year, we asked those in the know two simple questions:

1. Who do you think is the No. 1 prospect heading into 2017? 2. Who do you think is the top pitching prospect heading into 2017?

This year’s vote was a bit closer than last year’s, with a Red Sox prospect leading the way and a former one coming in second.

Who’s No. 1?Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox — 10Yoan Moncada, White Sox — 5Dansby Swanson, Braves — 3Gleyber Torres, Yankees — 2

While Benintendi was not quite the clear-cut winner Seager was, it’s clear he was the preferred choice, getting exactly half of the 20 votes cast for top hitting prospect. The 2015 first-round pick’s former teammate, Moncada, recently traded to the White Sox in December’s blockbuster Chris Sale deal, finished with half of Benintendi’s total. Swanson and Torres, themselves parts of big trades over the last year, brought up the rear.

It seems apparent that closeness to the big leagues, and perhaps effectiveness there, played a part in the voting. Three of the four have already played in the big leagues, with Benintendi and Swanson barely holding on to prospect status. Moncada didn’t fare well in Boston, but also only had 19 at-bats, while Torres is still a little ways away from the highest level. That might make it seem like Benintendi, who fast tracked it to Fenway Park in his first full season of pro ball, is a safe pick. But many …

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