Mike Trout, Dylan Bundy and Every Other MLB Team's Prospect of the Month

With the first month of the minor league season now in the books, it’s time to look at each team’s top performer thus far.  For some teams, it’s been their top-ranked prospect who has been either tearing the cover off the ball or dominating on the bump. For others, it has been a lower-level prospect who is hoping to begin climbing the organizational hierarchy.

Regardless of how well known they may be, here is every MLB team’s prospect who has turned in the most impressive performance in the first month of the season.

Boston Red Sox: Matt Barnes (RHP)

Low-A: 5 GS, 26.2 IP, 0.34 ERA, 12 H, ER, 42 K/4 BB, 2.17 GB/FB, .130 BAA

There was a lot of doubt regarding Barnes as he headed into his first full minor league season, mainly because he seemed to have lost the feel for his plus curveball late in the 2011 college season. However, the right-hander has been dominant thus far in Low-A, even posting a longer scoreless innings streak than fellow first-rounder Dylan Bundy.

New York Yankees: Tyler Austin (OF)

Low-A: 84 AB, .357/.389/.857, 7 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 72 TB, 19 K/5 BB

The Yankees’ 2010 13th-rounder has been raking to open the season, as he either leads or places near the top of every offensive category in the Sally (South Atlantic League). However, despite his ability to square up the ball, he’ll need to continually improve his plate discipline as the season progresses.

Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Bundy (RHP)

Low-A: 5 GS, 17 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.40 FB/GB, 25 K/2 BB, 0.020 BAA 

Bundy has been the top story of the 2012 minor league season thus far, as he’s evolved into something of a legend.  He’s now made five starts this season and only allowed his first hit on Monday night.  That’s right, in the 17 innings that he’s logged for Delmarva, Bundy has only allowed three baserunners. Not bad for a 19-year-old, right?

Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez (RHP)

Class-A: 5 G, 2 GS, 15 IP, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 20 K/8 BB, 2.14 FB/GB, .106 BAA

In a system that’s loaded with pitching prospects, Sanchez has by far been the best to open the season.  Though he’s only started two games, he’s still made five appearances and has been dominant every time he’s taken the mound.

Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Vettleson (OF)

Class-A: 89 AB, .303/.361/.427, 5 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 5 SB, 12 K/8 BB

After a slow start, Vettleson has found his groove at Class-A, as he’s hit safely in eight of his last 10 games while cutting down on strikeouts.  He’s also begun to show more power, which was one of the major concerns headed into the current season.

Chicago White Sox: Jared Mitchell (OF)

Double-A: 82 AB, .341/.471/.561, 5 2B, 5 3B, HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB, 21 K/19 BB

One of the best stories throughout Minor League Baseball, Mitchell is finally performing like the player the White Sox drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft.

Not only is he making contact and not striking out, but he’s drawing walks and hitting for power. He ranks near the top of every offensive category in the Southern League and might have put himself back on the fast track to the major leagues later this season.

Minnesota Twins: Eddie Rosario (2B)

Double-A: 89 AB, .326/.429/.472, 8 2B, 3B, HR, 16 RBI, 7 SB, 13 K/16 BB

While Miguel Sano is definitely doing great things as an 18-year-old at Class-A, Rosario is posting eye-popping numbers at Double-A while playing a new position.  The left-handed hitter has shown excellent plate discipline by walking more times than he’s struck out.

Detroit Tigers: Nick Castellanos (3B)

High-A: 88 AB, .398/.433/.545, 8 2B, 3B, HR, 14 RBI, 18 K/6 BB

After a painfully slow start to his first minor league season in 2011, Castellanos has come out of the gates swinging in 2012.  He’s been one of the more consistent hitters in the Florida State League and could receive a promotion to Double-A at some point later this season.

Kansas City Royals: Wil Myers (OF)

Double-A: 83 AB, .349/.402/.663, 8 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 55 TB, 25 K/7 BB

After a knee injury zapped his power in 2011, Myers has played like he has something to prove so far this season.  One of baseball’s top outfield prospects, Myers is crushing Double-A pitching, as evidenced by his 1.065 OPS through his first 21 games.  The Royals have nowhere in their outfield to put him, but he may force their hand as the season progresses.

Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor (SS)

Class-A: 102 AB, .314/.369/.451, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 46 TB, 8 SB, 14 K/9 BB

One of the youngest players in the Midwest League, the switch-hitting shortstop has been playing well above his age.  He has the ability to stick at shortstop in the major leagues and has flashed a surprising amount of power so far.

Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout (OF)

Triple-A: 77 AB, .403/.467/.623, 21 R, 4 2B, 5 3B, HR, 13 RBI, 6 SB, 16 K/11 BB

Trout had a phenomenal month at Triple-A Salt Lake, so good that he forced the Angels to call him up and subsequently release veteran Bobby Abreu.  Trout is a future superstar, although it took a month at Triple-A to remind the organization.

Oakland Athletics: A.J. Griffin (RHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, 30.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 34 K/5 BB, .187 BAA

Despite not being a flame-thrower given his 6’5” frame, the right-hander has been dominant in each of his five starts this season.  Considering the organization has a slew of promising young arms in Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock, and A.J. Cole, it says a lot that Griffin was the top pitcher in their organization this past month.

Seattle Mariners: Taijuan Walker (RHP)

Double-A: 4 GS, 22 IP, 1.64 ERA, 26 K/6 BB, .203 BAA

The Mariners' top prospect has more than lived up the hype in his first season at Double-A.  The organization views him as their future ace, and he’s sure pitched like one to begin the season.

Texas Rangers: Cody Buckel (RHP)

Class-A: 5 GS, 27.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 1.81 FB/GB, 33 K/9 BB

In an organization that features two top prospects in Martin Perez and Jurickson Profar, it’s been right-hander Cody Buckel who has turned the most heads. Employing the Trevor Bauer method of training—excessive long toss—Buckel has made tremendous strides this season and could be pitching at Double-A by the All-Star break.

Atlanta Braves: Evan Gattis (C/1B/DH)

High-A: 78 AB, .385/.468/.821, 7 2B, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 64 TB, 12 K/10 BB

One of the more impressive hitters in all of the minor leagues over the first month of the season, the 25-year-old received a well deserved promotion to Double-A following Sunday's game.

Miami Marlins: Jose Fernandez (RHP)

Class-A: 5 GS, 28.1 IP, 1.59 ERA, 37 K/9 BB, .163 BAA

The 14^th overall selection in the 2011 draft is off to a great start this season, as his performances have rivaled those of Dylan Bundy and Matt Barnes.  He’s already proving to be a genuine strikeout artist who has an advanced feel for both pitching and the strike zone.

New York Mets: Zack Wheeler (RHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, 25.2 IP, 1.75 ERA, 30 K/14 BB

Although the Mets’ No. 1 prospect has had minor command issues in each of his starts, he’s still been highly impressive in his first season at Double-A.  No matter how well he pitches at Double-A, however, it’s doubtful that the Mets will rush him to the Show this season.

Philadelphia Phillies: Trevor May (RHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, 5-0, 30 IP, 2.40 ERA, 33 K/8 BB, .196 BAA

In each of his five starts at Double-A this season, May has fanned at least six batters while lasting no fewer than five innings.  He’s still probably a year away from being big-league ready, but given the Phillies’ struggling back end of the rotation, May could potentially serve as a viable in-house option.

Washington Nationals: Danny Rosenbaum (LHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, CG, 35.2 IP, 0.76 ERA, 23 H, 23 K/2 BB, 2.54 GB/FB

In his first full season at Double-A, the left-hander has already begun ascending the organization’s depth chart. Not only is he striking out opposing hitters, but he’s also been able to induce key double plays that have allowed him to toss seven innings in each of his last two starts.

Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo (1B)

Triple-A: 86 AB, .384/.430/.663, 3 2B, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 57 TB, 18 K/6 BB

Outside of Rizzo, there haven’t been many bright spots in the Cubs system.  Rizzo, on the other hand, has been crushing Pacific Coast League pitching, though he continues to struggle against left-handed pitching. Now, if only Bryan LaHair weren’t hitting so well…

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon (RHP)

High-A: 5 GS, 24.2 IP, 1.46 ERA, 15 H, 28 K/4 BB

Taillon has only improved his chances of becoming a top 10 prospect in my next set of rankings, as he’s shown excellent command and swing-and-miss stuff thus far at High-A. It’s also good to see that the Pirates are now letting the right-hander work deeper into games and log more innings.

St. Louis Cardinals: Oscar Taveras (OF)

Double-A: 94 AB, .340/.374/.670, 9 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 13 K/4 BB

The Cardinals' top position prospect has enjoyed a great start to the 2012 season at Double-A, as he continues to hit everything in sight while drawing few walks.  The left-handed hitter’s power is finally emerging, too, which may get him into the Cardinals outfield earlier than anticipated. This kid can really hit, folks.

Cincinnati Reds: Billy Hamilton (SS)

High-A: 88 AB, .398/.481/.591, 24 R, 6 2B, 4 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 29 SB, 18 K/14 BB

One of the most exciting prospects in all of baseball, no one expected Hamilton to make such astounding strides at the plate this quickly.  His raw athleticism is evolving into elite baseball skills, and he’s stealing bases at on obscene rate—he’s currently on pace to steal over 170 bases. Is Hamilton worthy of a Top 10 overall ranking? We’ll see.

Houston Astros: Jonathan Singleton (1B/LF)

Double-A: 80 AB, .350/.435/.600, 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 16 K/12 BB

Singleton is enjoying a much needed rebound season, as he seems to have once again found his power stroke—at Double-A, nonetheless.  If he continues to produce, look for Singleton to begin moving up the organizational ladder fairly quickly. 

Milwaukee Brewers: Tyler Thornburg (RHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, 28 IP, 1.93 ERA, 33 K/7 BB, .172 BAA

The biggest question headed into this season was whether Thornburg could demonstrate enough control to remain a starter.  The right-hander has addressed the Brewers’ concerns by dominating at Double-A, as he’s given up one earned run or less in four of his five starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Alex Castellanos (3B)

Triple-A: 71 AB, .366/.477/.746, 7 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 53 TB, 7 SB, 17 K/12 BB

Although he’s currently playing third base at Triple-A, Castellanos is capable of playing multiple positions on the field.  And at the rate he’s currently producing, including a Pacific Coast League leading 1.224 OPS, they may need to make room for him at either third base or in left field.

San Diego Padres: Nate Freiman (1B)

Double-A: 91 AB, .308/.364/.692, 5 2B, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 63 TB, 15 K/ 4 BB

The 6’7” slugger is leading the Texas League in home runs (10), total bases (63) and slugging percentage (.692).

San Francisco Giants: Heath Hembree (RHP)

Triple-A: 9 G, 9 IP, 5 SV, 2.00 ERA, 6 K/2 BB

The right-hander is being groomed to be the Giants’ future closer and could be ready very soon. However, is there a need to promote him to the major leagues with Santiago Casilla pitching so well?

Arizona Diamondbacks: Trevor Bauer (RHP)

Double-A: 5 GS, 28.2 IP, 1.26 ERA, 37 K/17 BB, .184 BAA

The Diamondbacks’ top prospect has been piling up the strikeouts at Double-A this season, as he’s 5-0 through his first five starts.  However, it’s apparent that the Diamondbacks will not rush Bauer to the major leagues, as he still could use some extra time to refine his command.

Colorado Rockies: Christian Friedrich (LHP)

Triple-A: 4 GS, CG, 24.1 IP, 21 K/4 BB, 1.55 GB/FB, .190 BAA

After struggling in both 2010 and 2011 to repeat the success of his first professional season, the southpaw seems back on track this season at Triple-A and could be making his major league debut in the near future.