MLB Prospects: Hottest Hitting Prospects at Every Minor League Level

Phillies' Double-A 1B: Darin Ruf
Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

As the month winds down, the complex leagues have come to an end as the upper levels begin postseason play. More importantly, we edge closer to roster expansions on September 1, when countless prospects receive a promotion to the major leagues as a reward for their impressive seasons.

At the same time, a considerable number of lower-level prospects are flying under the radar and enjoying breakout seasons. Many of these prospects have made a case for a spot on Prospect Pipeline’s final 2012 rankings.

So, as the week winds down, it's time to once again highlight some of the hottest hitters from each minor league level.

Triple-A

Matt Ryerson-US PRESSWIRE

Eric Farris, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers: .286/.327/.371, 27 XBH (20 2B), 32 SB, 56 K/26 BB (127 G)

Enjoying his best month of the season: .316/.345/.465, 12 XBH, 6 SB, 19 K/3 BB (25 G)

 

Caleb Gindl, OF, Milwaukee Brewers: .263/.319/.429, 44 XBH (12 HR), 50 RBI, 92 K/37 BB (123 G)

Last 10 games: .463/.500/.902, 19 H, 10 XBH, 12 RBI

 

Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals: .308/.385/.593, 66 XBH (35 HR), 104 RBI, 137 K/61 BB (128 G)

Big league call-up may not happen just yet, as Triple-A Omaha is playoff-bound.

 

Adam Eaton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: .373/.452/.519, 193 H, 128 R, 57 XBH (45 2B), 43 SB, 76 K/57 BB (127 G)

Was just named the 2012 Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year.

Double-A

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Wilmer Flores, 3B, New York Mets: .305/.353/.481, 47 XBH (17 HR), 72 RBI, 56 K/37 BB (123 G)

Breakout season with more consistent power.

 

Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox: .303/.372/.524, 57 XBH (20 HR), 76 RBI, 99 K/44 BB (121 G)

Batting .309/.338/.632 since promotion to Double-A.

 

Bryce Brentz, OF, Boston Red Sox: .300/.360/.485, 48 XBH (17 HR), 73 RBI, 128 K/40 BB (120 G)

Last 10 games: .415/.429/.659, 6 XBH, 11 RBI, 14 K/1 BB. 

 

Cody Asche, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies: .326/.366/.483, 47 XBH (12 HR), 11 SB, 86 K/30 BB (123 G)

Last 10 games: .447/.488/.921, 9 XBH (4 HR), 9 RBI

 

Darin Ruf, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies: .317/.408/.622, 31 2B, 36 HR, 96 RBI, 94 K/62 BB (132 G)

Turning in a ridiculous finish to a monster season: .378/.465/1.000, 7 HR, 12 RBI in his last 10 games.

High-A

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Delino DeShields, 2B, Houston Astros: .296/.399/.434, 100 R, 42 XBH (10 HR), 97 SB, 127 K/81 BB (128 G)

About to reach 100 stolen bases after swiping 12 in his last 10 games.

 

Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: .321/.402/.526, 46 XBH (18 HR), 68 RBI, 25 SB, 75 K/49 BB (105 G)

Continues to swing a red-hot bat: .381/.422/.571, 6 XBH, 10 RBI, 3 SB in last 10 games.

 

Taylor Lindsey, 2B, Los Angeles Angels: .297/.338/.419, 153 H, 39 XBH (24 2B), 62 K/29 BB (127 G)

August: .315/.356/.463, 34 H and 11 XBH.

 

Steve Proscia, 3B, Seattle Mariners: .315/.351/.539, 54 XBH (26 HR), 99 RBI, 12 SB, 108 K/26 BB (120 G)

Last 10 games: .463/.465/.854, 19 H, 9 XBH, 14 RBI.

Low-A

Courtesy of MiLB.com

Eddie Rosario, 2B, Minnesota Twins: .304/.356/.511, 58 XBH (13 HR), 72 RBI, 10 SB, 65 K/32 BB (93 G)

Power continues to develop while his stock rises.

 

Alen Hanson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: .312/.383/.532, 148 H, 60 XBH (16 HR), 61 RBI, 32 SB, 101 K/52 BB (119 G)

Arguably the best breakout season in the minor leagues.

 

Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs: .279/.344/.450, 11 XBH, 23 RBI, 11 SB, 19 K/9 BB (28 G)

Since promotion to Low-A: .316/.361/.509, 7 XBH, 13 RBI, 6 K/3 BB (14 G)

 

Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres: .275/.331/.453, 37 XBH (10 HR), 50 RBI, 14 SB, 61 K/23 BB (91 G)

Great season at the plate for the best defensive catcher in the low minors, possibly even in all the minors.

Class-A Short Season

Preston Tucker at University of Florida
Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE

Roman Quinn, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: .287/.374/.396, 46 R, 16 XBH (9 3B), 28 SB, 51 K/24 BB (57 G)

One of the fastest prospects in the minors whose baseball skills are more advanced than everyone thought.

 

Mac Williamson, OF, San Francisco Giants: .303/357/.588, 16 XBH (9 HR), 28 RBI, 22 K/7 BB (29 G)

Last 10 games: .310/.326/.643, 6 XBH (4 HR), 9 RBI, 10 K/1 BB (42 G)

 

Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs: .322/.404/.648, 39 XBH (16 HR), 58 RBI, 45 K/30 BB (56 G)

Since promotion to Double-A: .320/.414/.616, 18 XBH (9 HR), 27 RBI, 31 K/18 BB (32 G)

 

Preston Tucker, OF, Houston Astros: .348/.404/.570, 14 XBH (8 HR), 38 RBI, 8 K/12 BB (34 G)

Last 10 games: .357/.404/.643, 15 H, 6 XBH, 15 RBI, 4 BB

 

Richie Shaffer, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays: .300/.385/.422, 5 XBH (3 HR), 20 RBI, 25 K/11 BB (25 G)

Not hitting for a ton of power, but driving in runs with consistency.

Rookie

Courtesy of ESPN.com

Cory Embree, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: .320/.409/.493, 9 XBH (4 3B), 18 RBI, 15 K/10 BB (24 G)

Last 10 games: .333/.378/.606, 4 3B, 11 RBI

 

David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies: .373/.417/.606, 93 H, 36 XBH (20 2B), 52 RBI, 11 SB, 37 K/19 BB (59 G)

Recently earned Pioneer League top prospect honors. 

 

Kolby Copeland, OF, Miami Marlins: .281/.325/.398, 20 XBH (14 2B), 34 RBI, 27 K/16 BB (57 G)

He’s been impressive at the plate and has collected a solid amount of extra-base hits, but the real power is yet to come.

 

Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers: .319/.386/.524, 18 XBH (7 HR), 32 RBI, 8 SB, 31 K/18 BB (43 G)

Has turned in a strong professional debut after posting a .627 OPS in July.