Why have an honorable mention list? Because this is my one and only chance to save face when the inevitable happens and a few big time stars develop from the ranks of the unranked players who missed the cut for my Top 100. These are all the guys who have very intriguing profiles and just missed making my list. I only have 100 spots after all. There’s always going to be additional 25-50 names you can make a compelling case for. I have 25 listed here and fully expect several of them to outshine some of the bums I believed in but ultimately let me down on the Top 100.
HM/
Nick Tropeano – RHP – Astros – Age: 22 – Level: AA – Former Stony Brook ace just missed my Top 100. Had a tremendous year between A and A+. Needs to prove the velocity gains are for real with a strong season at AA. Great command of 4 average pitches. #3/#4 upside. Similar to Dan Straily.
Sean Nolin – LHP – Blue Jays – Age: 23 – Level: AA – Big sleeper lefty with a nice sinker. Potential #4 starter.
Adams was a 23rd Round pick out of Slippery Rock. I root for guys like this
Matt Adams – 1B – Cardinals – Age: 24 – Level: AAA – Might regret leaving him off Top 100. Big guy with 25-30 HR potential that has hit .300 at every level. Problem is he’s a bad athlete that’s limited to 1B and may struggle catching up to advanced velocities and breaking balls with his average bat speed.
Dan Vogelbach – 1B – Cubs – Age: 20 – Level: A – Everything I said about Adams, except much younger and has yet to play full season ball. Fat dude can flat out hit though.
Stryker Trahan – C – Diamondbacks – Level: A – Top high school catcher in last year’s draft. Hit well in SS ball. Could be in for big breakthrough this year.
Chris Stratton – RHP – Giants – Age: 22 – Level: A – Has a good, not great fastball/ slider combo. Not sure he’ll stick as starter yet.
Dorsyss Paulino – SS – Indians – Age: 18 – Level: A – Young, very athletic, great toolset. Need to see how full season debut goes before a jumping on bandwagon but has high potental.
Some think Heaney was a reach at #9 overall in the 2012 draft. Time will tell.
Andrew Heaney – LHP – Marlins – Age: 21 – Level: A – Strikethrowing lefty with good sinking fastball. Has limited upside but is polished and should develop into a solid #4 starter.
Nate Karns – RHP – Nationals – Age: 25 – Level: AA – Needs to prove he can stay healthy enough to handle a starter’s workload but Karns has premium stuff. Likely ends up in bullpen as a setup reliever.
Eduardo Rodriguez – LHP – Orioles – Age: 20 – Level: A+ Big sleeper prospect for the O’s. Has mid rotation upside. Detailed report on him here.
Robbie Erlin – LHP – Padres – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Small lefty with middling stuff but throws strikes and knows how to pitch effectively. Might make a nice back of the rotation starter.
Matt Wisler – RHP – Padres – Age: 20 – Level: A+ Underrated sleeper that could jump onto more radars this year. Potential #4 control artist type starter. Young enough to improve that outlook.
Morgan is an alumnus of Roll Tide Nation
Adam Morgan – LHP – Phillies – Age: 23 – Level: AAA – Polished lefhander that nearly made the Top 100. Should make a nice back of the rotation starter.
Barrett Barnes – OF – Pirates – Age: 21 – Level: A – Not an elite talent and lacks ideal power but knows how to freakin hit and could be a nice find in the 2nd round for the Pirates.
Cody Buckel – RHP – Rangers – Age: 20 – Level: AA – Might regret leaving him off list. Doesn’t throw hard but pounds the strike zone and has the makings of a decent changeup. #4 starter upside. If he passes the dreaded AA test – not sold he will – he’ll definitely be on the Top 100 next year.
My pick for this year’s Minor League HR leader
Joey Gallo – 3B – Rangers – Age: 19 – Level: A – Mammoth power potential. I’m talking Chris Davis raw power. Will he hit enough for it to matter?
Hak Ju Lee – SS – Rays – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Outstanding glove and can steal a base. Will the hit enough for it to matter?
Jesse Winker – OF – Reds – Age: 19 – Level: A – One of my favorite sleeper prospects from the 2012 draft. If he hits like he did in short season ball last year, he’ll jump onto everyone’s radar. Reminds me of Nick Markakis.
Bryce Brentz – OF – Red Sox – Age: 24 – Level: AAA – Another guy with big power but questionable plate discipline. May end up a late bloomer, Ryan Ludwick type. Could see time with the Bosux later this year.
Garin Cecchini – 3B – Red Sox – Age: 22 – Level: A+ Kid has a great hit tool and can hit for AVG. IF the power develops, he could become a quality everyday starter down the road.
As a Red Sox hater, I hope he doesn’t have a breakout year
Henry Owens – LHP – Red Sox – Age: 20 – Level: A+ Big sleeper prospect. Tall, lanky, projectable, and lefthanded – a scout’s wet dream – that already throws hard but needs to develop more movement on pitches.
Kyle Parker – OF – Rockies – Age: 23 – Level: AA – Great athlete, former Clemson QB. Shows good patience at the plate and has good pop. Not sure he’ll hit for AVG yet. Another guy I’d like to see pass the ‘AA Test’ before including in the Top 100.
Bruce Rondon – RHP – Tigers – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Potential closer. Can bring triple digits consistently. Needs serious work on control though.
DAS BOOT!!!
Max Kepler – CF – Twins – Age: 20 – Level: A – Premium 5 tool athlete from…GERMANY. Yep. Looking forward to seeing how his full season debut goes. Showed a lot of promise in short season ball last summer.
Carlos Sanchez – 2B – White Sox – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – Doesn’t hit for power but is a tremendous contact hitter who can hit .300 in the bigs and can steal 25 bases. Could end up a poor man’s Jose Altuve.
Slade's Top Orioles Prospects 