MLB Prospects: 10 Prospects Who Could Be the Next Jose Bautista

Prior to Jose Bautista’s breakout 2010 campaign, the right-handed slugger had never hit more than 16 home runs in a season, as he bounced between various organizations with the hope of landing an everyday role.

After two years of mediocrity with Pittsburgh in 2004 and 2005, Bautista seemingly began to turn the corner in 2006 when he played in 117 games and batted .254/.339/.414. However, there was little improvement in 2008 as he batted .238/.313/.405 with 15 home runs, and he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays late in the season.

In his first full season with the Blue Jays, Bautista appeared in 107 games, batting .235/.349/.408 with 13 home runs and 85 strikeouts in 336 at-bats. After making an adjustment to both his swing and overall approach, the slugger has blasted 97 home runs between 2010 and 2011, leading the American League in both seasons.

Prior to injuring his wrist on Monday night while swinging out of his shoes, Bautista had already hit 27 home runs and was on pace to match his gaudy power numbers of previous years. But as we look towards the minor leagues, are there any prospects who have the potential—ridiculous bat speed with exceptional pull-side power—to be the next Joey Bats?

Here are 10 players who I believe may have a chance to produce Bautista-like power once they reach the major leagues.

10. Avisail Garcia, OF, Detroit Tigers

Position: OF                       

Height/Weight: 6'4", 240

DOB: 6/12/1991            

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2007, Venezuela

2012 Stats

High-A: .289/.324/.4407, 21 XBH (8 HR), 14 SB, 57 K/11 BB (67 G)

Double-A: .245/.288/.429, 4 XBH, 12 K/1 BB (13 G)

At 6'4", 240 pounds, Garcia projects to be a corner player with at least above-average power from the right side of the plate. His hit tool remains suspect, however, as he struggles with pitch recognition and often chases off-speed offerings out of the strike zone.

9. Jason Martinson, SS, Washington Nationals

Position: SS

Height/Weight: 6'1", 190

DOB: 10/15/1988

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, fifth round (Texas St.)

2012 Stats

Low-A: .272/.391/.449, 24 XBH (10 HR), 63 RBI, 23 SB, 88 K/47 BB (69 G)

High-A: .250/.310/.477, 8 XBH (5 HR), 20 RBI, 25 K/8 BB (24 G)

A two-sport standout coming out of high school, Martinson starred both as a baseball and football player until he tore his hamstring playing wide receiver at Texas State. At the dish, Martinson flashes plus raw power to all fields, though his plate discipline leaves something to be desired.

Once he refines his approach and becomes more selective, he may have the chance to have an average hit tool.

8. Matt Davidson, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'2", 225

DOB: 3/26/1991 (Age: 21)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, first-round supplemental (HS—Yucaipa, Calif.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .261/.367/.486, 40 XBH (18 HR), 51 RBI, 90 K/49 BB (95 G)

A right-handed hitter with strong arms and quick wrists, Davidson has the ability to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. Despite his high strikeout totals of previous years, he actually possesses fairly advanced plate discipline that should help him retain a decent batting average at higher levels. His pitch recognition still needs to improve, but the fact that he’s handled the jump to Double-A this season is highly encouraging.

7. Xander Bogaerts, SS, 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: .282/.359/.466, 31 XBH (12 HR), 48 RBI, 73 K/33 BB (85 G)

Only 19 years old, Bogaerts put his name on every scout’s radar with a .314/.396/.423 professional debut in 2010 and followed it by blasting 16 home runs in 72 games in 2011 at Low-A.

His quick bat 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.

Additionally, Bogaerts will have to make an alteration in his swing to hit for a respectable average at higher levels.

Despite his impressive numbers at High-A this season, the right-handed hitter has only a 9.1 percent line-drive rate, which is well below the 13.6 percent league average. There’s currently too much uppercut in his swing, resulting in more fly-ball outs and swing-and-misses than desired in a young hitter.

6. Domingo Santana, OF, Houston Astros

Position: OF

Height/Weight: 6'5", 228

DOB: 8/5/1992

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, Dominican Republic

2012 Stats

High-A: .308/.381/.546, 37 XBH (14 HR), 71 RBI, 93 K/34 BB (75 G)

At 6’5”, 228 pounds, the right-handed hitting Santana is a physical presence in the batter’s box. Given his height, he’s able to attack the ball from the top of the zone which results in serious backspin carry to all fields. Additionally, he possesses exceptional bat speed and raw power, belting tape-measure home runs with ease.

The scary thing is that Santana’s power and power frequency still have considerable room to develop. As his pitch recognition and feel for the strike zone improves, he’ll have the potential to be a special type of ballplayer. 

5. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs

Position: SS

Height/Weight: 6'1", 205

DOB: 12/1/1992

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (HS: Arlington Country Day School, Fla.)

2012 Stats

Low-A: .331/.394/.581, 17 XBH (8 HR), 21 RBI, 16 SB, 33 K/7 BB (41 G)

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft, Baez has insane raw bat speed with present plus power and a chance to add more as he develops. A right-handed hitter, he swings as hard as humanly possible every time. Yes, that inevitably leads to a high strikeout total. But that’s also what makes him such a uniquely promising hitter.

4. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros

Position: 1B                       

Height/Weight: 6'2", 235

DOB: 9/18/1991       

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2009, eighth round (HS—Long Beach, Calif.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .276/.398/.493, 37 XBH (13 HR), 54 RBI, 86 K/61 BB (87 G)

Acquired along in the deal that sent Hunter Pence to Philadelphia, Singleton has explosive bat speed to go along with advanced plate discipline. Although his power isn’t overly apparent at the moment, it should continue to develop as he gains experience. By the time he reaches the major leagues, Singleton’s power should be at least above average.

One knock against the left-handed hitter is that he struggles against southpaws, as he strikes out too often and lacks his typical power. Over the last two seasons, Singleton is batting only .248/.342/.357 with two home runs (both this season) against left-handers. He’ll still track the ball well and draw walks, but he rarely squares up the baseball.

3. 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: .247/.367/.500, 39 XBH (18 HR), 63 RBI, 102 K/54 BB (88 G)

Now that Bryce Harper has graduated to the major leagues, Miguel Sano is the best power-hitting prospect in the game. He has the ideal combination of quick wrists and explosive weight transfer that allows him to effortlessly jump the yard to all fields. 

If the right-handed hitter can improve his plate discipline in the next several years, he could hit for a decent average in his prime.

2. 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 supplemental (University of Connecticut)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .292/.403/.577, 38 XBH (23 HR), 64 RBI, 86 K/52 BB (80 G) 

A physically strong right-handed hitter, Olt 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. He has plus bat speed and a mighty swing, so high strikeout totals may always be an aspect of his game.

1. Michael Choice, OF, Oakland Athletics

Position: OF

Height/Weight: 6'0", 200

DOB: 11/10/1989

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (HS: Arlington Country Day School, Fla.)

2012 Stats

Double-A: .280/.351/.411, 215 XBH (9 HR), 57 RBI, 87 K/33 BB (86 G)

With a swing designed to generate light-tower power, Choice’s double-plus power was on full display last season at High-A Stockton, when he led the California League with 30 home runs.

With blinding bat speed and considerable lift to his swing, the right-handed hitter generates too much movement with his lower half at times, which, in turn, impedes his power. Additionally, such a swing inhibits his ability to time breaking balls and has led to excessive strikeouts this season, his first at Double-A.

However, once he gets those aspects of his swing ironed out, he has the chance to reach the majors quickly.