These are the top minor league free agents heading into 2021:
1. Stryker Trahan
Other than having a cool name, the 26-year-old Louisiana native has been a free agent since 2017. However, that hasn't stopped him. Trahan is an outfielder/catcher who was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, he should consider signing with the Boston Red Sox, because if Christian Vazquez gets hurt, Kevin Plawecki is a D-Tier level player and Connor Wong isn't ready.
2. Courtney Hawkins
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox, outfielder Courtney Hawkins is a Texas native who was released by the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2020, before they were Houston's Triple A affiliate. Hawkins should consider signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he could get some time in the MLB, as the Pirates are struggling.
3. Rock Shoulders
Now, when you think of someone nicknamed "The Rock", you probably think of Dwayne Johnson. You wouldn't be wrong for that. But say hello to Rock Shoulders, a Florida native who is an infielder/outfielder who ended up getting drafted by the Boston Red Sox but never spending time in the organization. Most recently playing with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League in 2017, Shoulders may be considered rusty, but if he signs with the Cleveland Baseball Team (yes, they changed their name), he might be able to have some time in the Majors, as Cleveland just traded Francisco Lindor for Minor League prospects.
4. Rafael De Paula
Seeing as Brandon Martin was recently convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a triple homicide, Dominican pitcher Rafael De Paula moves up on the list. De Paula spent time with Atlanta's Double A affiliate, the Mississippi Braves, in 2019. However, due to COVID-19, he was released. Although re-signing with Atlanta wouldn't be a bad move, I think signing with Oakland would be a smarter move. Oakland just lost a lot of players to free agency, so signing De Paula would give them a better pitching staff.
5. Iolana Akau
Most recently playing for the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Low A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, in 2018, the native of Hawai'i is very talented. Right now, Hawai'i has many very good players in the MLB, including Kolten Wong, Kean Wong, and Jordan Yamamoto. Akau should sign with Cleveland, because he'd probably get some time in the Majors.
6. Braxton Davidson
Most recently playing for Team Texas of the Constellation Energy League in 2020, North Carolinian outfielder Braxton Davidson is a free agent and he shouldn't be. I could see him signing with either Cleveland or Oakland.
7. Ruddy Giron
Dominican infielder Ruddy Giron most recently played for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2019. The Storm are the California Rookie League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Giron has talent and he should sign with Boston, because the Red Sox need a backup at shortstop in case Xander Bogaerts gets injured.
8. Trey Michalczewski
Trey Michalczewski's last name is hard to pronounce. But he's a great player. The Oklahoma native is an infielder/outfielder who should sign with Cleveland.
