Updating the Biggest MLB Prospect Bust of 2012 at Every Position

Yesterday morning, I wrote about each organization’s most surprising and disappointing prospect of the 2012 season. Well, today, I thought I’d expand on some of those players by looking at the most disappointing players at each position throughout the minor leagues.

Now, not all of these players are top prospects who failed to meet preseason expectations. Although that may be the case for some, most of the players that appear in this article are simply having a terrible season.

Here’s a look at some at a host of prospects in the midst of an all-around disappointing campaign.

SP: Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves

2012 Stats (Triple-A): 7-7, 116.2 IP, 5.48 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 18 HR, 6.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 (24 GS)

One of the top minor league pitchers in 2011—not to mention one of baseball’s top pitching prospects headed into the 2012 season—Teheran has regressed considerably this season at Triple-A.

His aggressive fastball command has led to him being overly-hittable, as his strikeout totals have quickly deteriorated. Without a quality breaking ball, the right-hander has struggled to make the improvements necessary for a spot in the team’s big-league rotation.

After his best start of the year on August 14 (8 IP, 5 H, ER, 9 K, 0 BB), he followed it with one of his worst: 2.2 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 2 K, 1 BB.

SP: Mike Montgomery, LHP, Kansas City Royals

2012 Stats (Triple- and Double-A): 5-10, 137.2 IP, 5.75 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 4.1 BB/9 (25 GS)

In his second straight season at Triple-A Omaha, Mike Montgomery—who many thought would be an active member of the Royals rotation at this point—has endured an even greater regression in 2012.

Unable to put away opposing hitters and demonstrating subpar command, the left-hander received a midseason demotion to Double-A, where he’s still yet to right his ship.

 Since 2010, the southpaw’s peripheral stats have continued to deteriorate.

SP: Dellin Betances, RHP, New York Yankees

2012 Stats (Triple- and Double-A): 6-8, 127.1 IP, 6.29 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 6.8 BB/9 (26 G)

After seemingly putting things together last season, a season in which he made his major league debut, Betances has fallen apart this season and even received a demotion to Double-A.

He simply cannot find and replicate his mechanics, something I have to imagine is pretty difficult at 6’8”.

RP: Yonata Ortega, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

2012 Stats (Double-A): 2-2, 1 SV, 48 IP, 7.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 9.00 K/9, 6.56 BB/9

Signed out of the Dominican Republic as a 17-year-old, the hard-throwing righty didn’t graduate to a full-season league until he was 20. After pitching well at Double-A following a midseason promotion in 2011, Ortega has struggled mightily this season repeating the level.

He has a power arm and arsenal to match, but harnessing it remains a problem. And as a fly-ball pitcher, he’s not exactly getting bailed out through double plays.

C: Tony Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates

2012 Stats (Double- and Triple-A): .241/.326/.386, 31 XBH (23 2B), 75 K/35 BB (93 G)

Since the Pirates drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2009, Sanchez has struggled to move through the Pirates system as expected.

There have been off-field issues to go along with a lack of adjustments at the plate and on defense, even though he reached Triple-A this season.

http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_779165.html

1B: Sean Buckley, Cincinnati Reds

2012 Stats (A-): .239/.302/.391, 34 XBH (11 HR), 58 RBI, 127 K/29 BB (103 G)

After posting a .923 OPS in the Pioneer League in his professional debut in 2011, Buckley hasn’t come close to posting similar power numbers this season at Low-A.

A lot of swing-and-miss has emerged in his game, which has led to poor contact rates and a lack of consistency in driving the ball.

2B: Noah Perio, Miami Marlins

2012 Stats (A+): .234/.281/.298, 23 XBH (20 2B), 6 SB, 61 K/25 BB (108 G)

After posting a .729 OPS last season as a 19-year-old at Low-A Greensboro, the left-handed hitting Perio's power has been non-existent since.

He’s posted similar strikeout-to-walk rates compared to previous seasons, but his knack for hard, consistent contact has faded. Given his struggles this season, don’t be surprised if he repeats the level in 2013.

3B: Brandon Drury, Atlanta Braves

2012 Stats (A-): .227/.270/.323, 27 XBH (5 HR), 46 RBI, 66 K/19 BB (113 G)

After raking in the Appalachian League last season and winning the batting title, the 19-year-old is in the midst of a shockingly bad follow-up campaign. He’s consistently made weak contact all season at Low-A Rome, flashing only gap power on occasion.

Headed into the season, it seemed as though he may emerge as one of the Braves’ top position prospects. Instead, he’s become another young player in search of offensive consistency.

SS: Levi Michael, Minnesota Twins

2012 Stats (High-A): .238/.331/.303, 17 XBH (2 HR), 5 SB, 77 K/49 BB (106 G)

Drafted in the first round (No. 30 overall) of the 2011 draft, Levi Michael's professional career was hindered and delayed by a combination of ankle and hip injuries. Therefore, it’s not entirely surprising that he’s struggled this season at High-A in his professional debut.

Still, for a switch-hitter who was considered relatively polished coming out of North Carolina, his overall season has been a disappointment. 

OF: Tim Wheeler, Colorado Rockies

2012 Stats (Triple-A): .294/.352/.399, 28 XBH (2 HR), 5 SB, 61 K/27 BB (78 G)

Wheeler batted .287/.365/.535 with 33 home runs and 21 stolen bases at Double-A in 2011. So, where’s his power gone?

He missed a little over a month after suffering a broken hamate bone in his right hand, so that may be part of the explanation. Still, that doesn’t explain five stolen bases in 11 attempts spanning 78 games.

OF: Destin Hood, Washington Nationals

2012 Stats (RK, AA): .231/.295/.324, 24 XBH (20 2B), 5 SB, 84 K/24 BB (86 G)

A second-round selection out of high school in 2008, Hood is an impressive athlete with a football-like build. However, the right-handed hitter’s baseball skills have been slow to develop.

Now 22 years old, he’s struggled with the jump to Double-A and has had multiple stints on the disabled list with wrist and groin injuries. The upside is still there, but Destin Hood is progressing slower than expected.

OF: Brandon Jacobs, Boston Red Sox

2012 Stats (A+): .251/.324/.397, 36 XBH (11 HR), 54 RBI, 15 SB, 117 K/36 BB (103)

Brandon Jacobs batted .303/.376/.505 with 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases at Low-A in 2011, but the 21-year-old’s offensive production has tapered off across the board.

He’s on pace to easily eclipse his 123-strikeout high-water mark, and his lack of power is the result of a 10.4 percent line-drive rate.

UTIL: Tim Beckham, Tampa Bay Rays

2012 Stats (AAA): .254/.329/.361, 15 XBH (5 HR), 58 K/27 BB (61 G)

After a strong finish to the 2011 season, it seemed as though Beckham—the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2008—may finally be figuring everything out.

And then he received a 50-game suspension in May for his second drug-policy violation, another detour on his unimpressive rise to the major leagues. He may ultimately reach Tampa and the majors, but definitely not under the circumstances everyone anticipated at the time he was drafted.