10 2012 First-Round Position Prospects off to a Hot Start

One of the major benefits of Major League Baseball’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement is that due to an earlier signing deadline, players are encouraged to begin their career much sooner. Not only does it give them an advantage in that, if they perform well, there will be an opportunity to reach the major leagues faster, but it also gives scouts an opportunity to take an advanced look.

While many of the 2012 first-round pitching prospects are yet to begin their professional careers, a majority of the hitters are already nearly 10-games deep at their organization’s respective Rookie and Short Season affiliates.

Here are 10 2012 first-round position prospects who are off to a hot start in the lower minors.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers

Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers

Rookie: .300/.533/.833, 7 XBH (4 HR), 10 K/15 BB (10 G)

What Gallo has done to begin his professional career is astounding, as seven of his first 12 hits have been for extra bases while walking 15 times in 10 games. His defense at third base has been rough, making seven errors in 27 changes. However, the questions about his defense were there prior to the draft.

Addison Russell, SS, Oakland Athletics

Rookie: .400/.583/.720, 4 XBH, 4 SB, 5 K/10 BB (8 G)

Russell has been firing on all cylinders to begin the season, collecting 10 hits and 10 walks in his first eight games. His defense has been impressive thus far, registering a 4.71 RF/G to begin the season.

Matt Olson, 1B, Oakland Athletics

Rookie: .333/.333/.667, 5 XBH (3 HR), 11 RBI, 9 K/0 BB (8 G)

Like Gallo, Olson has been raking to begin his professional career, with five of his first 11 hits going for extra bases. However, he’s proving to be a free swinger, tallying nine strikeouts and zero walks in eight games.

Tyler Naquin, OF, Cleveland Indians

Class-A Short Season: .387/.513/.484, 3 2B, 7 K/6 BB (8 G)

Although Naquin has been swinging a hot bat thus far, he’s been primarily a singles hitter with a few two-baggers mixed in. His plate discipline has been solid, though, as the left-handed hitter has six walks in his first eight games.

David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies

Rookie: .333/.418/.604, 8 XBH, 10 RBI, 3 SB, 4 K/6 BB (12 G)

After going hitless in his first game, Dahl has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and collected 14 hits. Of his 16 hits, half have gone for extra-bases—an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

Stryker Trahan, C, Arizona Diamondbacks

Rookie: .273/.432/.485, 3 XBH (2 HR), 6 RBI, 7 K/10 BB (10 G)

While Trahan has looked good at the plate thus far, the same can’t be said for his defense. The inexperienced backstop has already amassed five errors and four passed balls while failing to throw out a base stealer in 22 attempts.

Keon Barnum, 1B, Chicago White Sox

Rookie: .421/.421/.895, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 3 K/0 BB (5 G)

Granted, the 6’5” left-handed hitter has only played in five games, but has made the most of his chances. Barnum has collected eight hits, including three home runs—each coming in his first three games.

Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Rookie: .413/.533/.500, 19 H (4 2B), 8 RBI, 13 K/12 BB (13 G)

The left-handed hitter has hit safely in 10 of his first 13 games, five of which have been multi-hit efforts. He’s proving to be strikeout-prone, too, with four multi-strikeout games under his belt.

Jesmuel Valentin, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Rookie: .313/.395/.469, 4 XBH, 6 RBI, 3 K/5 BB (8 G)

Valentin has been on fire to begin his professional career, logging 10 hits in his first eight games. He’s also demonstrating advanced plate discipline for such a young hitter, collecting five walks compared to three strikeouts thus far.

Wyatt Mathisen, C, Pittsburgh Pirates

Rookie: .367/.472/.400, 5 RBI, 4 SB, 5 K/4 BB (9 G)

Serving primarily as his team’s designated hitter (and starting only two games behind the plate), Mathisen has notched 11 hits—only one extra-base hit—and swiped four bags. In his limited time behind the plate, he’s managed to throw out one of three base stealers.