With the Minor League Season set to begin today, here’s my list of top 100 prospect (broken into 4 sections) with a nifty little comment for all 100 of ’em…
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Say Hello to the Future
1. Jurickson Profar – SS – Rangers – Age: 20 – Level: AAA – He’s a flat out stud. A blue chip talent and prototypical 5 tool player. Has Hanley Ramirez (the 07-10 version) upside and could be the front runner for the AL ROY if the Rangers call him up early.
2. Oscar Taveras – CF – Cardinals – Age: 20 – Level: AAA – Tantalizing player with power, speed, and outstanding hitting ability. His free swinging ways remind many of Vladimir Guerrero.
3. Dylan Bundy – RHP – Orioles – Age: 20 – Level: AA – BundyMANIA!!!!!!!!!!!! Coming to a ballpark near you post all star break. Has Roger Clemens ceiling with his blazing fastball and tremendous work ethic.
4. Christian Yelich – CF – Marlins – Age: 21 – Level: AA – Big Yelich fan. He’s higher on this list than most others because I’m a huge fan of his plus hit tool. He could hit .300 in the majors right now. I think the power and stolen base numbers will be above average too giving him Carlos Beltran upside.
5. Wil Myers – RF – Rays – Age: 23 – Level: AAA – The next Jay Bruce. Big power and OBP numbers. May disappoint with the batting average but capable of making an impact for the Rays as early as this season. Like Profar, could be a factor in the AL ROY race.
6. Gerrit Cole – RHP – Pirates – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Still have question whether he will put it together and become an Ace. His stuff is so good though, that he seems a safe bet to become a workhorse #3 at the minimum. Should be up with Pirates as early as June/July.
7. Jose Fernandez – RHP – Marlins – Age: 20 – Level: AA – Fernandez utterly dominated A ball last year and could be fast tracked to the majors this year. Ace upside. (Update: MADE MLB ROSTER!) Wow, bold move by the Marlins. Apparently, he has the makeup to handle such a transition. Should be interesting.
8. Zack Wheeler – RHP – Mets – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Should’ve been an Oriole. This is who I wanted and expected the O’s to take with the 5th overall pick in ’09. Instead they chose (gasp) Hobgood. Wheeler, a potential #1/#2 with a mid 90’s fastball and swing and miss curve went #6 to the Giants. Needless to say, I was right.
9. Francisco Lindor – SS – Indians – Age: 19 – Level: A+ Lindor brings an impressive bundle of elite tools which if he puts them all together could a Jurickson Profar caliber prospect next year.
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Not gonna be pitching in Memphis no more
10. Shelby Miller – RHP – Cardinals – Age: 22 – MADE MLB ROSTER – Mid 90’s fastball and R-rated power curve give him #1/#2 upside down the road but may struggle initially as the Cards #5 starter this year. Is he better short term than resigning Kyle Lohse? We’ll see.
11. Miguel Sano – 3B – Twins – Age: 20 – Level: A+ Should’ve been an Oriole part 2. The O’s were finalists to sign him, losing out to the Twins, who were willing to offer Sano 3 million to sign as an international FA from the D.R in 2009. Sano has ginormous power potential. Reminds me of Giancarlo Stanton as a hitter but may struggle with the K’s.
12. Mike Zunino – C – Mariners – Age: 22 – Level: AA – Love Zunino. I think he will have a long career as a Jason Varitek type player. Could be up later this year once the M’s grow tired of Jesus Montero’s defense.
13. Xander Bogaerts – SS – Red Sox – Age: 20 – Level: AA – Plate discipline needs work and could hold him back from reaching his all star caliber upside. However, he’s just 20 and has great feel for driving the ball and should develop into an impact regular.
14. Kevin Gausman – RHP – Orioles – Age: 22 – Level: AA – Huge Gausman fan. If the slider becomes an out pitch, he has ace potential. Should be in O’s pen later this year.
15. Javier Baez – 3B – Cubs – Age: 20 – Level: A+ The next Gary Sheffield? Baez is an aggressive hitter with big power upside and a stance that highly resembles Sheffield. He can run and steal bases too which gives him a chance to be an all star 3B.
16. Addison Russell – SS – Athletics – Age: 19 – Level: A – Really big on him. Hit the crap out of the ball in short season ball last summer with glowing reports from scouts, some even suggesting he would go no. 1 overall if we did a 2012 redraft. Reminds me of Miguel Tejada (circa 2003 MVP season).
17. Taijuan Walker – RHP – Mariners – Age: 20 – Level: AA – Highly athletic with a power fastball that touches upper 90’s. Has ace upside but is only 20 and needs a good amount of refinement to reach it.
18. Byron Buxton – CF – Twins – Age: 19 – Level: A – Very far away and unrefined but I’m a believer. Absolutely tremendous tools. A freak of an athlete with plus-plus arm strength and speed and potential for good power too as he matures. Andrew McCutchen upside.
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Power shot of Bill Hamilton bunting for a hit
19. Billy Hamilton – CF – Reds – Age: 22 – Level: AA – Freakshow speed and baserunning ability. Could very well be the next Rickey Henderson if he can develop into above average hitter at the major league level.
20. Alen Hanson – SS – Pirates – Age: 20 – Level: A+ I’m buying the breakout success he had at Low-A last year. Hanson’s power, speed, and hiting ability reminds me a lot of fellow D.R. native, Jose Reyes.
21. Jameson Taillon – RHP – Pirates – Age: 21 – Level: AA – Has always struck me as slightly overrated. He has the size and stuff you look for in a prototypical #1/#2. The results so far haven’t backed it up but I think he’s still a solid bet to at least become a workhorse #3.
22. Carlos Correa – SS – Astros – Age: 18 – Level: A – #1 pick of the 2012 draft. Big, strong kid who projects as a great defender at shorstop with a chance to hit for above average power. Far from majors, though.
23. Kyle Zimmer – RHP – Royals – Age: 21 – Level: A+ Very athletic, clean delivery, big time fastball and slider. Needs work on command and fastball also flattens out at times. Should develop into a solid #2.
24. Travis d’Arnaud – C – Mets – Age: 24 – Level: AAA – d’Arnuad (stupid last name) is not that far away from Zunino as a prospect. Has a chance to be an all star caliber catcher. He’s prone to injuries though which gives me some concern. Could be up as soon as June once the Mets grow tired of John Buck.
25. Trevor Bauer – RHP – Indians – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – The D’backs may regret giving up on him so soon. The ace caliber arsenal is there. He just needs a ton work on commanding the lower half of the strike zone. Decent bust potential if unorthodox mechanics and training regimen leads to serious injury.