MLB Prospects: 10 Prospects Who Could Be the Next Chipper Jones

With Chipper Jones poised to play in his eighth and final All-Star game of his career on Tuesday night, what better time to reflect on his 19-year Hall of Fame career.

Having played in 2,436 games and batted .304/.402/.532, the third baseman will enter Cooperstown as one of the greatest switch hitters in baseball history.

According to Baseball Reference, Jones’ career 81 WAR is 49th-highest of all-time, with his best season coming in 1998 when he registered a 6.8 WAR after batting .313/.404/.547 with 29 doubles, 34 home runs, 16 stolen bases and 107 RBI. However, his only MVP award came the following year when he batted .319/.441/.633 with 41 doubles, 45 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 110 RBI and posted a 6.7 WAR.

But with Chipper set to retire following the 2012 season, are there any minor league prospects with a similar potential? Doubtful. In fact, it’s very doubtful.

However, there is a promising core of high-upside, third base prospects scattered throughout the minor leagues. I started by focusing on switch-hitters beginning a promising professional career, but after that, primarily looked at prospects with advanced on-base skills, above-average power and a knack for barreling up the baseball.

Here are 10 prospects who could be the next Chipper Jones.

10. Daniel Robertson, 3B, Oakland Athletics

Position: 3B

Height/Weight: 6’1”/190 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

DOB: 3/22/1994

Drafted/Signed: 2012, first round (HS—Upland, Calif.)

2012 Stats

Rookie: .238/.419/.476, 3 XBH, 5 K/7 BB (8 G) 

A right-handed hitter, Robertson is a naturally projectable hitter whose abilities at the plate play up due to an approach that’s well beyond his years. He has a polished, short swing that allows him to lace the ball to all fields. Although he’s currently more of a doubles hitter, the the first-rounder has all the ingredients to one day hit for above-average power at the hot corner.

Barely an average runner, he’s extremely agile at third base and takes a great first step. However, it’s his plus arm that steals the show, as Robertson throws absolute darts across the diamond that register in the low-90s.

Given his highly advanced approach at the plate, compact, line-drive swing and quiet athleticism, Robertson has the potential to have a Kevin Youkilis-like impact on offense. One of the primary reasons young hitters spend considerable time in the minors is to develop a big-league-ready approach. Robertson, on the other hand, is already ahead of the curve.

9. Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Position: 3B 

Height/Weight: 6’2”/200 pounds

DOB: 4/20/1991           

Bats/Throws: L/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, fourth round (HS—Lake Charles, LA)

2012 Stats

Low-A: .310/.391/.443, 29 XBH (22 2B), 45 RBI, 30 SB, 63 K/35 BB (76 G)

As a 19-year-old, Cecchini was impressive in his first professional season in the New York-Penn League.  However, a hit by a pitch broke his wrist and subsequently ended his promising season after only 32 games.

A left-handed hitter, Cecchini has excellent bat control and an advanced feel for the strike zone.  He already has plenty of gap power, which leads scouts to envision a 20-30 home run season. His hand-eye coordination and fluid swing—along with an inside-out approach—will allow for Cecchini to hit for average.

A shortstop in high school, 2011 was Cecchini’s first season playing third base, so expect growing pains. He has the arm and instincts to handle the position, but will have to clean up his actions and improve his footwork.

His bat was advanced enough to begin the season at Low-A despite missing most the previous season, and has been racking up doubles and stolen bases. The Red Sox could have a good problem on their hands, as Cecchini, Bogaerts and Middlebrooks continue to rake their way into the organization’s long-term picture.

8. Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 195

DOB: 5/11/1993           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, Dominican Republic

2012 Stats

Low-A: .241/.357/.500, 37 XBH (18 HR), 59 RBI, 97 K/48 BB (82 G)

Now that Bryce Harper is raking in the major leagues, Miguel Sano is the best power-hitting prospect in baseball. He has the ideal combination of quick wrists and explosive weight transfer that allows him to effortlessly jump the yard to all fields. If his plate discipline continues to improve, Sano, who turned 20 in May, could hit for a decent average down the road.

He can be a wreck on defense at times, mostly in his actions to and through the baseball, which suggests an eventual transition to first base. For now, the Twins will move forward with Sano as their third baseman of the future.

Sano currently leads the Midwest League with 18 home runs places towards the top in every offensive category.

7. Corey Seager, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Position: 3B

Height/Weight: 6’4”/190 lbs

Bats/Throws: L/R

DOB: 4/27/1994

Drafted/Signed: 2012, first round (HS—Northwest Cabarrus, N.C.)

2012 Stats

Rookie: .385/.429/.385 (5-for-13), 1 K/1 BB (3 G)

The younger brother of Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, Corey is a tall and projectable left-handed hitter who plays top-notch defense at the hot corner. He exhibits natural instincts in the field and possesses surprising speed. He has soft hands and a smooth transfer, and has popped 90 mph across the infield.

At the plate, Seager has impressive raw bat speed from the left side and the ball jumps off his bat to all fields. However, he has a small hitch in his swing that makes him vulnerable to quality velocity, but should be ironed out after working with a big-league hitter coach.

Now that he's signed, Seager will likely spend the remainder of the 2012 season in the Pioneer League.

6. Mike Olt, 3B, Texas Rangers

Position: 3B

Height/Weight: 6’2”/210

DOB: 8/27/1988

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round-supp (University of Connecticut)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .294/.404/.578, 37 XBH (22 HR), 63 RBI, 85 K/51 BB (77 G) 

Olt immediately flashed his potential in 2011, but had his first full professional season cut short after breaking his collarbone in an ugly collision at the plate.

A physically strong right-handed hitter, he has plus power and may hit for a higher average than many expected after displaying an ability to make adjustments—most notably in his recognition of off-speed pitches. Olt has plus bat speed and a mighty swing, so high strikeout totals may always be an aspect of his game.

At the hot corner, Olt’s experience as a shortstop at Connecticut is obvious, as he has slightly above-average actions and giving hands, and his plus arm is more than enough to handle the position at the big-league level. Although he has above-average range and an instinctual first step, he’s a below-average runner overall.

Enjoying a monster season at the plate, Olt currently leads the Texas League with 22 home runs and 63 RBI.

5. Xander Bogaerts, SS/3B, Boston Red Sox

Position: SS/3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'3", 175

DOB: 10/1/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, Aruba

2012 Stats

High-A: .286/.364/.478, 31 XBH (12 HR), 48 RBI, 70 K/32 BB (81 G)

Bogaerts put his name on the map with a .314/.396/.423 professional debut in 2010 and followed it by blasting 16 home runs in 72 games in 2011. Only 19 years old, his smooth swing and plus power allow him to drive the ball to all fields with backspin carry.

As he faces more advanced pitching, however, he’ll be forced to become more selective, especially with quality off-speed pitches.

While he has soft hands and a plus arm at shortstop, Bogaerts lacks the quickness needed to remain there. Considering his other tools, he could either end up in right field or at third base—likely the latter.

The youngster is on pace to post career highs in nearly every offensive category and has seen his power re-emerge after a slow start. Last month, Bogaerts was named the starting shortstop for the Carolina League All-Star team.

4. Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

Position: 3B

Height/Weight: 6’3”/190

DOB: 6/2/1992

Bats/Throws: S/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS—Adel, GA)

2012 Stats

Low-A: .293/.348/.479, 28 XBH (9 HR), 54 RBI, 9 SB, 44 K/22 BB (66 G)

High-A: .262/.418/.443, 8 XBH, 13 RBI, 14 K/16 BB (18 G)

A switch-hitting third baseman, Cowart handles the bat significantly better from his natural right side, though he’s made significant strides these season as a left-handed hitter. His bat speed and fluid stroke from both sides suggests plus power. Given his progress this season, it seems as though he may even have a chance to hit for a respectable average.

Left-handed, his swing can be a bit choppy and lacks the fluidity showcased from the right side, although he flashes plus power from that side as well.

At third base, Cowart’s athleticism and instincts foster above-average range and smooth defensive actions. His arm—which was mid-to-upper-90s off the bump in high school—is ideal for the position, although he has a tendency to get out of sync with his footwork and miss his target. 

This season, Cowart has gone from a prospect with questions about his bat to a hitter with constantly improving plate discipline. There’s still not a ton of power there, but as his hit tool improves, his power may follow.

3. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'1", 205

DOB: 4/16/1991           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, second round (HS: El Toro, Calif.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .282/.334/.405, 24 XBH (7 HR), 38 RBI, 40 K/23 BB (82 G)

Arenado has a flat bat path that can look awkward at first sight. However, he’s strong enough that the swing allows him to hit through the ball and generate backspin. He has average plate discipline that should improve with further seasoning in either Double- or Triple-A.

After shedding nearly 20 pounds prior to the 2011 season, Arenado showed significant improvement at third base and shows potential to be a decent defender. He has always had the arm strength and instincts to handle the position, but now, his athleticism is finally catching up.

In his prime, Arenado should be capable of 40 doubles and 20 home runs as either a No. 3 or No. 5 hitter, and still hit for a respectable average. His power numbers are down this season at Double-A, but the plate discipline and consistent, hard contact to all fields is still there.

2. Anthony Rendon, 3B/2B, Washington Nationals

Position: 3B/2B           

Height/Weight: 6'0", 195

DOB: 6/6/1990           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (Rice)

2012 Stats

High-A: .500/.667/1.250, 2 XBH, 0 K/2 BB (2 G)

Even though he was the best available bat in the 2011 draft class, Rendon slid to the Washington Nationals at No. 6 overall due to a shoulder injury that plagued him throughout the season.

Even though his size pales in comparison to other hitters on this list, the Rice alumnus has a plus bat with plus power. But what I find most impressive about Rendon is his pitch recognition and ability to manipulate counts in his favor.

Even before his first professional at-bat, the right-handed hitter profiled as one of the most advanced hitters in all the minors. Rendon manages to make consistent, hard contact and drives the ball to all fields with authority. As a third baseman, he's an above-average defender with solid instincts and a plus arm.

Unfortunately, in just his second game of the season, Rendon suffered a fractured ankle while rounding third base. The best case scenario is a return for the last month of the season, although it's doubtful the Nationals would rush his recovery. The ankle injury is his third in as many years, and only time will determine how much it impedes his ascent to the major leagues.

1. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'4", 210

DOB: 3/4/1992                        

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: Archbishop McCarthy, Fla.)

2012 Stats

High-A: .405/.461/.553, 23 XBH (17 2B), 32 RBI, 42 K/22 BB (55 G)

Double-A: .307/.311/.793, 11 XBH (4 HR), 15 RBI, 26 K/2 BB (27 G)

A first-round selection in 2010, Castellanos is hands down the Tigers’ top hitting prospect. After an anemic start to the 2011 season at Low-A, he went on to slash .312/.367/.436 while playing in 135 games.

Even though he swatted only seven home runs, the right-handed hitter did tally 36 doubles. Considering his ability to barrel up the baseball, adding a little loft to his swing should yield more home runs. He struck out 130 times compared to 45 walks, so he’ll need to improve that differential this season.

Castellanos is still learning how to play third base, but his range, instincts and above-average arm work well there. He’s tall (6'4") with wiry strength and lots of room to fill out, and the fact having such a phenomenal season only raises his ceiling.

The 20-year-old is fresh off his coming out party at the XM Futures Game, where he was 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.