MLB Prospects: 5 Prospects Who Could Impact the Japan Series

In about 13 hours, the 2012 Major League Baseball season will be underway as the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners open the season with a two-game series in Japan.

Even though Wednesday’s 6:15 AM ET start time won’t have the same feeling as the first afternoon game on Opening Day, it’s still a very special and unique day.

MLB.tv subscribers will have the opportunity to watch the contest live—I’ve already begun brewing an endless supply of coffee—while the MLB Network will air the game on a tape delay beginning 9:00 AM ET.

To help prepare everyone for the early morning experience, I have compiled a list of five prospects from both teams who could make an impact during the series.

Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners

Montero flashed his offensive potential in his late-season call-up with the Yankees in 2011.  Now, after an offseason trade to Seattle, Montero’s path to consistent at-bats is clear as he embarks on his first big league campaign.

He possesses a middle-of-the-order bat with exceptional power to all fields, and his ability to hit for average should make him the Mariners’ top hitter in 2011. His swing is compact and he takes a direct path to the ball, so expect plenty of opposite-field extra-base hits, too. 

His future as a catcher has been heavily scrutinized due to his poor receiving skills and slow release, but it appears that the Mariners will at least give him a chance this season. On Wednesday, however, I expect Montero to serve as the Mariners DH.

Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics

After defecting from Cuba to the Dominican Republic in January, Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a four-year, $36 million in February and signed the contract nearly a month later.

His blinding bat speed and sheer physical strength produces 70-grade power to all fields.  Although he occasionally gets too pull-happy, Cespedes’ swing is consistently balanced with a powerful weight transfer; it allows him to drive pitches throughout the strike zone.

Cespedes will probably struggle against advanced big league pitching to begin the season, especially offspeed pitches. But once he finally establishes the necessary rhythm at the plate, he will be a lot of fun to watch on a nightly basis.

Considering his speed—6.5 second 60-yard dash—he should be able to patrol center field this season.  If that doesn’t go well, his above-average arm is still enough to play right field.

Playing in eight games with the A’s this spring, Cespedes is batting .200/.286/.360 with one double, one home run, two RBI and a 7/3 K/BB rate.

During a 90-game season in 2010-2011, Cespedes batted .333/.424/.667 with 33 home runs, 99 RBI and a 40/49 K/BB rate.

Alex Liddi, Seattle Mariners

As I wrote several times last week, Liddi has had one hell of a spring. Not even considered a top 10 prospect in the Mariners’ system, the Italian-born third baseman is currently batting .429/.500/.714 with seven doubles, one home run and 10 RBI. 

Trapped behind Chone Figgins and battling with Kyle Seager for a corner infield bench spot, Liddi’s plate discipline leaves a lot to be desired, regardless of what his spring training stats may indicate. His power, however, is legitimate, as he tallied 65 extra-base hits in 559 at-bats last season at Triple-A Tacoma.

Given Chone Figgins’ obscene contract, Liddi has also been working at first base this spring with the hope that increased versatility will help him secure one of the remaining spots on the roster.

In the Japan series, expect to see Liddi primarily play third base.

Munenori Kawasaki, Seattle Mariners

There have been a lot of hot bats and strong performances in the Mariners’ camp this spring, but Munenori Kawasaki has arguably been the most impressive. A 30-year-old, non-roster invitee, Kawasaki is a slick-fielding shortstop with good instincts and soft hands.

At the plate, the Japanese infielder makes consistent contact using the whole field,  but never hits for any power. A left-handed hitter, he understands the strike zone as well as his limitations with the bat, and therefore has a sound approach.

Despite not possessing above-average speed, he is an adept base stealer with a knack for getting good jumps.

Kawasaki is currently batting for the reserve middle infield spot with Luis Rodriguez (who’s injured) and Kyle Seager.  As of now, it appears as though Kawasaki is the favorite thanks to an all-around eye-opening spring training. 

Kawasaki is batting .387/.441/.387 with 12 hits, 10 RBI, two stolen bases and a 5/3 K/B rate in 31 at-bats.

Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics

Despite entering camp as a potential backup to catcher Kurt Suzuki, Josh Donaldson is in contention to be the Mariners’ Opening Day third baseman. With Scott Sizemore out for the entire 2012 season following reconstructive knee surgery, Donaldson is in the midst of a roster battle with Adam Rosales and Eric Sogard for the vacant position.

Donaldson, 26, is nowhere near an elite prospect as he’s slashed .268/.360/.455 over 1,789 minor league at-bats. He ropes enough doubles and drives in enough runs to be serviceable (more so as a catcher), but don’t expect anything more. He’s given up on his Pacific Coast League-inspired dream of being a power hitter, which in turn has led to more consistent contact and better bat control.

Donaldson received a cup of coffee in 2010, but responded by collecting only five hits in 32 big league at-bats. One of those hits did leave the yard, however.

Due to his surprising athleticism and plus arm, Donaldson has emerged as a viable option at third base this spring.