MLB Prospects: Prospect Pipeline's Quarter-Season Minor League All-Stars

It’s hard to believe that we’re already 40-plus games into both the minor and Major League Baseball season. Earlier today, MiLB.com opened their online voting for the Triple-A All-Star Game, which will take place on July 11, in Buffalo, New York.

The voting got me thinking: With all of the great performances across the minor leagues this season, which players would I select at each position for a minor league All-Star team?

It was extremely difficult to narrow down the selections at some positions, but here are the players whom I believe have been the most outstanding prospects at each position.

(Note: I tried to stay within the realm of organization’s top prospects. Therefore, you won’t see any Brad Eldreds or Scott Elartons occupying precious roster space on this team.)

Catcher: Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves

Level(s): High-A, Double-A

2012 Stats: .336/.417/.714, 26 XBH (13 HR), 43 RBI, 20 K/16 BB (37 G)

Bursting onto the scene as a 24-year-old in 2011, Gattis has been one of the more impressive hitters so far this season. He’s a pure hitter who drives every pitch all over the field but still knows how to coax a walk.

He posted outrageous numbers to open the season at High-A and earned a quick promotion to Double-A where he’s posted a .928 OPS through 16 games.

The Braves will likely keep pushing him along as long as he’s successful. He’s a really impressive hitter with loads of power and is raking his way into the Braves’ big picture.

First Base: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Level(s): Triple-A Iowa

2012 Stats: .353/.417/.705, 28 XBH (16 HR), 43 RBI, 36 K/17 BB (45 G)

Rizzo has taken a liking to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League environment and has even improved against left-handers, batting .314/.364/.569 through 51 at-bats.

Being held against his will at Triple-A, Rizzo is waiting for LaHair to scuffle to get his second crack at the major leagues. Regardless, his bat may still force the Cubs to use an unimaginable platoon of LaHair and Soriano in left field. 

Second Base: Kolten Wong, St. Louis Cardinals

Level(s): Double-A Springfield

2012 Stats: .325/.392/.471, 12 XBH, 21 RBI, 7 SB, 19 K/16 BB (41 G)

Drafted out of the University of Hawaii in the first round of the 2011 draft, Wong was considered one of the more advanced hitters—and likely one of the first position players to reach the Majors—in the entire draft class.

Playing in 47 games for Low-A Quad Cities after signing last season, Wong, a left-handed hitter, batted .335/.401/.510 and was named the best defensive second baseman in the league. He’s put up almost identical numbers this season in a more advanced league (Double-A) and could receive a call-up come September.

Shortstop: Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds

Level(s): High-A Bakersfield

2012 Stats: .316/.393/.469, 40 R, 18 XBH, 44 SB, 33 K/21 BB (43 G)

The most exciting player in the minors, Hamilton’s bat has cooled off a bit as of late, collecting only nine hits in his last 10 games. However, that shouldn’t devalue what the switch-hitting shortstop has done this season at High-A.

Baseball’s fastest player has both scored a run and stolen a base in nearly every game and is on pace to shatter his 103 stolen-base mark set last season at Low-A. His baseball skills still have a long way to go, but nobody expected him to make such strides in his second full season. 

Third Base: Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers

Level(s): High-A Lakeland

2012 Stats: 172 AB, .411/.472/.549, 18 XBH, 28 RBI, 31 K/19 BB (45 G)

Who would have expected Castellanos to be the top hitter in the minor leagues after nearly two months of the season? Sure, he’s a Top-50 prospect with a high ceiling, but to make such strides at the plate is pretty impressive. His plate discipline has noticeably improved, which, in turn, has allowed him to hit for a much higher average.

His power still has room to develop, but as he did in 2011, Castellanos has been consistently shooting the gaps and piling up doubles. There’s little point in letting him plateau at High-A, so I think he could receive a promotion much sooner than some expect. 

Corner Infield: Colin Walsh, St. Louis Cardinals

Level(s): Low-A Quad Cities

2012 Stats: .329/.448/.644, 24 XBH (10 HR), 28 RBI, 25 K/30 BB (41 G)

Playing in his third consecutive season at Low-A Quad Cities, Walsh seems to finally be putting things together. Although his production may attributed to the fact that he’s 22-year-old playing in Low-A, the switch-hitter has been raking while showing excellent plate discipline.

His defense isn’t spectacular, but his monster season at the plate has allowed for regular at-bats as the team’s designated hitter.

Middle Infield: Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers

Level(s): Double-A Frisco

2012 Stats: .296/.355/.508, 23 XBH, 22 RBI, 7 SB, 33 K/17 BB (44 G)

A 19-year-old playing in Double-A, Profar had his 29-game hit streak snapped on May 20 and has been outstanding overall. Prospect Pipeline’s No. 3 prospect, Profar is the top position player in the minors and is proving it an advanced level.

A switch-hitter, Profar is batting .283/.359/.480 against right-handers and .306/.333/.510 against lefties. 

Outfield: Wil Myers, Kansas City Royals

Level(s): Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Triple-A Omaha

2012 Stats: .346/.418/.722, 29 XBH (15 HR), 35 RBI, 4 SB, 45 K/20 BB (43 G)

After hitting .343/.414/.731 with 13 bombs at Double-A Northwest Arkansas to open the season, Myers was promoted to Triple-A Omaha last week along with right-hander Jake Odorizzi.

And he’s off to a hot start at the higher level, batting .357/.438/.679 through his first six games. I expected Myers to reach Triple-A later in the season but definitely not this soon.

And if the Royals were willing to promote him this soon, there’s reason to believe he could hit his way to the majors before the end of the 2012 season.

Outfield: Tyler Austin, New York Yankees

Level(s): Low-A Charleston

2012 Stats: .299/.361/.649, 31 XBH (13 HR), 39 RBI, 10 SB, 48 K/15 BB (44 G)

Austin—the Yankees 13th-round draft pick in 2010—has put up monster numbers so far this season, as he either leads the league or towards the top in every offensive category.

After batting .354/.418/.542 last season between 47 games in the Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues, his batting average is a little down so far, but that’s simply a product of his aggressive plate discipline.

He drives the ball out of the park to all fields, and his above-average speed makes him a constant extra-base threat. If he continues his current rate of production, Austin has the potential to turn in a 20/20 season in his first full minor league system.

Outfield: Jackie Bradley, Boston Red Sox

Level(s): High-A Salem

2012 Stats: .366/.495/.563, 20 XBH, 24 RBI, 11 SB, 25 K/34 BB (40 G)

With every game, Jackie Bradley Jr., the No. 40 overall selection in the 2011 draft, is looking more and more like a steal for the Red Sox.

The former South Carolina outfielder has demonstrated highly impressive plate discipline and speed on the basepaths and has proven to be an extra-base threat.

Currently dominating at High-A, Bradley has the talent and makeup to handle a midseason promotion to Double-A.

Outfield: Oscar Taveras, St. Louis Cardinals

Level(s): Double-A Springfield

2012 Stats: .314/.369/.599, 26 XBH (10 HR), 35 RBI, 5 SB, 22 K/14 BB (44 G)

Like Profar, Taveras is a 19-year-old who’s thriving in Double-A and proving to be one of the best hitters in the Texas League. His power has emerged in a hurry, as his 10 home runs so far this season have already eclipsed his previous high-water mark of eight.

He has excellent bat speed as well as the ability to square up the ball with consistency, and has a chance to be a star. 

Utility: Matt Skole, Washington Nationals

Level(s): Low-A Hagerstown

2012 Stats: 143 AB, .287/.437/.538, 18 XBH, 43 RBI, 46 K/41 BB (42 G)

Skole has quietly been one of the top run producers in the minors so far this season, posting 41 hits, 43 RBI and 41 walks in only 42 games. Furthermore, the 6’4” left-handed hitter doesn’t rely on the long ball to do it.

Against left-handed pitching, Skole is batting .333/.457/.630 with 10 extra-base hits in 54 at-bats, while hitting only .258/.425/.483 against righties.

Given his experience at Georgia Tech, Skole seems in line for a promotion to High-A (or possibly even Double-A) in the near future, as the Nationals begin to challenge his bat at higher levels.

Starting Pitcher: Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles

Level(s): Low-A Delmarva, High-A Frederick

2012 Stats: 30 IP, 5 H, 0.00 ERA, 0/93 FIP, 0.53 BAA, 40 K/2 BB (8 GS)

The biggest story in the minor leagues this year has been Prospect Pipeline's No. 5 prospect Dylan Bundy. The right-hander has been unhittable in nearly every appearance. He’s overpowering opposing hitters using mainly his fastball, which has sat 94-98 mph and reportedly topped out at 99 mph.

His curveball has also been exceptional, though he has rarely had the need to throw it. He will have the opportunity to do so at High-A, to where he was promoted on Wednesday afternoon.

Starting Pitcher: Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox

Level(s): Low-A Greenville, High-A Salem

2012 Stats: 4-1, 50.2 IP, 0.71 ERA, 1.75 GB/FB, 70 K/6 BB (9 GS)

If it weren’t for Dylan Bundy, Barnes would be considered the most impressive pitcher in the minor leagues so far this season. Over his first five starts spanning 26.2 innings at Low-A, the 6’4” right-hander posted a 0.34 ERA with 42 strikeouts and only four walks.

And since his promotion to High-A, Barnes has somehow been even better, registering a 1.00 ERA with 25 strikeouts and two walks over 18 innings (three starts).

Considering his experience at the University of Connecticut, Barnes should see a midseason promotion to Double-A, and perhaps, a September call-up if there’s a need. Otherwise, I feel confident in saying he’ll be part of the team’s 2013 starting rotation.

Starting Pitcher: Cody Buckel, RHP, Texas Rangers

Level(s): High-A Myrtle Beach

2012 Stats: 3-2, 54.1 IP, 1.33 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .169 BAA, 64 K/19 BB (9 GS)

One of the top pitchers in the minors who has continued to fly under the radar, Buckel, a 6’1” right-hander, leads the Carolina League with 64 strikeouts, and his 0.92 WHIP is a close second.

His stuff has been excellent, and at times, even unhittable. Therefore, I think promoting Buckel to Double-A before the All-Star break would be a healthy challenge for the 19-year-old.

Starting Pitcher: Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

Level(s): High-A Bakersfield

2012 Stats: 4-1, 51.1 IP, 1.05 ERA, .188 BAA, 69 K/12 BB (9 GS)

The Reds’ third round draft pick in 2011, Cingrani made a lasting impression in 13 starts in the Pioneer League last season, as he posted a 1.75 ERA with 80 strikeouts and six walks over 51.1 innings.

The left-hander has been even better this season, striking out at least eight batters in six of his nine starts. The Reds likely won’t rush him, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Cingrani receives a promotion to Double-A after the All-Star break.

Cingrani leads the Cal League in ERA (1.05), strikeouts (69), WHIP (0.92) and opponent average (.188).

Starting Pitcher: Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Level(s): Double-A Mobile, Triple-A Reno

2012 Stats: 8-1, 61.1 IP, 1.61 ERA, .178 BAA, 76 K/32 BB (10 GS)

After he was cut from spring training to refine his fastball command in the minors, Bauer posted eye-popping numbers at Double-A: 7-1, 48.1 IP, 1.68 ERA, 60 K/26 BB in eight starts.

In his first start at Triple-A Reno on May 18, the right-hander allowed one run on four hits and a walk over eight innings, while fanning 11 batters. Bauer made his second start on Wednesday, and allowed one earned run on one hit over five innings. He struck out five but also issued five walks.  

His command is far from flawless, but he’s a smart enough pitcher to make adjustments on the fly at Triple-A and in the major leagues. His pure stuff appears big-league ready.

Relief Pitcher: Mark Montgomery, RHP, New York Yankees

Level(s): High-A Tampa

2012 Stats: 3-1, 8 SV, 22 IP, 35 K/7 BB (16 G)

Montgomery appears to be on the fast track to the major leagues, similar to his future teammate David Robertson. The right-hander tallied 15 saves last season between short-season and Low-A and struck out 51 batters in 28.1 innings.

This season, he’s picked up right where he left off, having already notched eight saves and fanned 35 in 22 innings at High-A.

Relief Pitcher: Donnie Joseph, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

Level(s): Double-A Pensacola

2012 Stats: 4-0, 11 SV, 25 IP, 0.36 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 37 K/5 BB (21 G)

In his second full season at Double-A, Joseph has finally returned to form he displayed in 2010. He’s piling up the saves while allowing few baserunners, not to mention striking out 13.32 batters per nine innings.

His command has been excellent this season, as he’s only surrendered five walks. In his previous career 155.2 innings pitched in the minor leagues, Joseph walked 69 batters.

His slider has vastly improved over the last two years, as well, and he’s using it to dominate right-handed hitters: .111/.188/.111, 24 K, 17 GO in 63 plate appearances.

Relief Pitcher: Clay Schrader, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

2012 Stats: High-A Frederick

2012 Stats: 24.2 IP, 0.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 39 K/20 BB (13 G)

Selected by the Orioles in the 10th-round of the 2010 draft, Schrader has always possessed swing-and-miss stuff but lacked the ability to locate it.

Despite owning a career 6.31 BB/9 rate over 82.2 career innings, the right-hander has only given up 38 hits while striking out 128 batters.

Schrader has been especially lethal against right-handed hitters this season, as they’re batting a paltry .065 with 25 strikeouts in 62 plate appearances.