10 White-Hot MLB Prospects Deserving of a Promotion to a Higher Level
With prospects like Manny Machado and Mike Olt receiving major league promotions directly from Double-A, all eyes are drawn to the minor leagues with the hope of identifying the next impact prospect to reach the major leagues.
However, this steals the spotlight from the prospects enjoying spectacular seasons and nearing a promotion to a higher level—and believe me, there’s plenty of them.
Here’s a look at 10 highly-touted prospects who deserve a promotion, as well as my take on where they belong.
Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals
1 of 10Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6'3", 205
DOB: 12/10/1990 (Age: 21)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, third round (HS: Wesleyan Academy, N.C.)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .343/.414/.731, 25 XBH (13 HR), 30 RBI, 42 K/16 BB (35 G)
Triple-A: .304/.382/.579, 39 XBH (21 HR), 67 RBI, 85 K/37 BB (79 G)
Recommendation: MLB
Since entering the Royals' system in 2009, Wil Myers has absolutely raked at every stop—excluding his injury-plagued 2011 campaign. Exploding from an upright, balanced stance, the right-handed hitter has quick wrists with outstanding bat control as well as plate coverage that allows him to effortlessly drive the ball to all fields. He has considerably more power to the pull side but keeps his weight back long enough to still jump the yard to the opposite field.
Myers' plate discipline is advanced beyond his years, and he’s comfortable hitting any pitch in any count. Although he’s capable of drawing walks, Myers has focused on driving the ball this season, and the results speak for themselves. He’ll be nothing more than an average defensive outfielder, although the plus arm that made him a highly-touted catching prospect is still there.
Myers is close—extremely close—to a big league call-up. He’s been knocking on the door all season and, despite Jeff Francoeur's struggles and Lorenzo Cain’s clean bill of health, may force the Royals’ hand very soon. He's such a pure hitter that his adaptation to major league pitching should be smooth.
Yes, he’ll probably strike out too often during his first few years in the major leagues, but he has the bat speed and aggressive approach to be a middle-of-the-order run-producer for the Royals for a long time.
Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros
2 of 10Position: 1B
Height/Weight: 6'2", 235
DOB: 9/18/1991 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2009, eighth round (HS—Long Beach, Calif.)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .279/.389/.488, 46 XBH (17 HR), 72 RBI, 111 K/75 BB (114 G)
Recommended Promotion: Triple-A
Acquired along with Jarred Cosart 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 and should be at least above-average by the time he reaches the major leagues.
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 his last two seasons, Singleton is batting only .249/.338/.355 with two home runs (both this season) against left-handers. He’ll still track the ball well and draw walks, but he’s consistently demonstrated an inability to square up the ball.
While he’s received playing time in left field, Singleton’s future is at first base. His below-average speed is a non-factor at the position, while he’s slick with the glove and surprisingly athletic.
Singleton has a chance to be the Astros' first baseman in 2013 and, in his prime, could hit .275 with 20-plus home runs in the middle of the order. Legitimate first base prospects are rare, especially ones who will likely hit for average. Once he figures out how to hit left-handed pitching, there shouldn’t be anything holding him back from the major leagues.
With only Brett Wallace’s humongous thighs in his way, Singleton should be ready for a big league audition next year after finishing the 2012 season at Triple-A.
Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
3 of 10Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6'2", 180
DOB: 6/19/1992 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2008, Dominican Republic
2012 Stats
Double-A: .321/.382/.574, 59 XBH (21 HR), 82 RBI, 53 K/39 BB (111 G)
Recommendation: MLB
The left-handed hitter takes forceful hacks but retains the ability to generate hard contact thanks to his ridiculous hand-eye coordination and knowledge of the strike zone. Albeit a violent one, his swing is balanced and smooth, as he generates exceptional torque and, in turn, the ability to unload on inner-half offerings.
There’s nothing more encouraging than a 20-year-old developing his power at Double-A while retaining a high batting average. It’s hard to predict which tool will ultimately be his best: hit or power. Although there’s a chance that neither ever grades out as a plus, both will at least be above-average.
His above-average speed has allowed him to play all three outfield positions so far, but his highest ceiling comes as a corner outfielder. Given his strong arm, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up in right field. His speed is slightly below average, especially on the basepaths, but it plays up a grade in the outfield due to his instincts.
Although the Cardinals have been notoriously conservative in their development of prospects, Taveras is a special breed of hitter who makes enough solid contact to warrant a jump to the major leagues.
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Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
4 of 10Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6'3", 195
DOB: 7/13/1991 (Age: 21)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2009, first round (HS: Santa Monica, Calif.)
2012 Stats
Double-A: 5-4, 69.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, .241 BAA, 71 K/21 BB (13 GS)
Triple-A: 4-1, 47.2 IP, 1.70 ERA, .228 BAA, 41 K/14 BB (8 GS)
Recommendation: MLB
Over the last two seasons, Tyler Skaggs has emerged as one of the game’s premier left-handed pitching prospects. He’s tall and lanky with a smooth yet deceptive arm action, as well as repeatable mechanics that allow him to pound the knees with his 88-93 mph fastball.
Skaggs may have the best left-handed curveball in the minor leagues, a double-plus offering that keeps right-handed hitters off balance as much as it does lefties. He’ll occasionally rush his delivery and lose the pitch to his arm side, but even when he’s not throwing it well, it still has enough shape and downward action to generate swing-and-misses.
Skaggs also has a decent changeup that will get better with time, but it honestly doesn’t even matter when you have that good of a breaking ball.
I’d be surprised if Skaggs doesn’t make his big league debut in September, as he already has very little left to prove at Triple-A.
Christian Yelich, OF, Miami Marlins
5 of 10Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6'4", 189
DOB: 12/5/1991 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: Westlake, Calif.)
2012 Stats
High-A: .322/.397/.530, 41 XBH (12 HR), 45 RBI, 18 SB, 72 K/41 BB (89 G)
Recommendation: Double-A
Still just 20 years old, Yelich’s hit tool already grades out as a plus and still has room to grow with improvement in his plate discipline. A left-handed hitter, his swing is incredibly smooth and fluid, as he keeps his bat in the zone for an extended period of time and attacks pitches throughout the entire strike zone.
Due to the level plane of his swing, Yelich will only hit for slightly above-average power, but if he's able to add some lift, he has the upside to produce 20 to 25 home runs annually.
As of now, most of his power is to the pull side, but he’s started to drive the ball out the other way—something that will only improve with experience.
Yelich's easy speed and good instincts on the bases suggest that he will have 20-20, perhaps even 30-30, potential in his prime. He’s a special hitter with All-Star potential and could start moving quickly through the Marlins’ system.
Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins
6 of 10Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 215
DOB: 7/31/1992 (Age: 19)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (HS: Tampa, Fla.)
2012 Stats
Low-A: 7-0, 79 IP, 1.59 ERA, .189 BAA, 99 K/18 BB (14 GS)
High-A: 5-1, 40 IP, 2.48 ERA, .199 BAA, 43 K/13 BB (8 GS)
Recommended Promotion: Double-A
Fernandez, who grew up in Cuba and ultimately fled to the United States in 2008, is yet another 2011 first-rounder with No. 1 starter upside. The right-hander has a crisp fastball that sits at 92-96 mph and scrapes 97-98. Working from a high arm angle, he consistently throws the pitch on a downward plane and generates late, heavy sink.
What’s impressive about Fernandez is that he already has three off-speed pitches in his arsenal, the best being a hard, late-breaking slider that generates swing-and-misses. His curveball is a solid average pitch that can get too loopy and lose its pace at times, so don’t be surprised if the pitch is scrapped as he develops.
The right-hander also has a unique feel for his changeup, which only furthers the thought that he could be a frontline starter.
Fernandez has been one of the best pitchers in all of the minor leagues this season, as he absolutely dominated Low-A hitters, piling up strikeouts while exhibiting advanced command of all pitches and working deep into games.
After a shaky High-A debut, the right-hander is once again carving up opposing hitters. His stuff, command and maturity are all well beyond his years, and if his development continues as planned, Fernandez may reach the major leagues before his 22nd birthday.
Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington Nationals
7 of 10Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’9”, 220
DOB: 1/3/1990 (Age: 22)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (University of Kentucky)
2012 Stats
Low-A: 7-4, 90 IP, 3.10 ERA, .210 BAA, 107 K/34 BB (18 GS)
High-A: 2-1, 29 IP, 0.93 ERA, .175 BAA, 26 K/6 BB (5 GS)
Recommendation: Double-A
At 6’9”, Meyer features a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and occasionally flirts with triple digits. His two-seam fastball, which registers in the low 90s with significant arm-side run, will need to become more prevalent in his arsenal as he ascends the Nationals system.
When it’s on, Meyer’s power slider serves as a legitimate out pitch and generates plenty of swing-and-misses. Rounding out his arsenal is a steadily improving changeup, though it still needs extensive development to be a usable pitch at the big league level.
Considering that he’s a lanky 6'9" and 220 pounds, Meyer has done a significantly better job repeating his mechanics this season—something that’s difficult with all length of his arms and legs.
In the past, he’s had a tendency to lose a feel for his mechanics, as his arms and legs get out of sync with his torso, causing balance issues throughout his delivery as well as an inconsistent arm slot.
The Nationals already promoted Meyer to High-A, where he’s only furthered his dominance. At his current rate, he may reach Double-A before the end of the month.
Alen Hanson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
8 of 10Position: SS
Height/Weight: 5’11"/152 lbs
Bats/Throws: S/R
DOB: 10/22/1992 (Age: 19)
Drafted/Signed: 2009, Dominican Republic
2012 Stats
Low-A: .310/.374/.541, 57 XBH (16 HR), 57 RBI, 30 SB, 90 K/44 BB (109 G)
Recommendation: High-A
Despite being undersized at 5’11”, 152 pounds, Hanson is an exceptional athlete with projectable baseball skills. He has insanely quick feet and plus speed that, in turn, give him exceptional range at both shortstop and second base.
His slightly below-average arm is his weakest tool, so while he’s currently manning shortstop in Low-A, he may be second-base-bound once he reaches a more advanced level.
An aggressive switch-hitter with a short and direct bat path from both sides of the plate, Hanson has some serious little-man pop, as he projects to tally plenty of doubles and triples as well as a surprising number of home runs. He’s absolutely raking at Low-A this season and has been one of the more impressive position prospects in the lower minors.
David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies
9 of 10Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’2”/190 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
DOB: 4/1/1994
Drafted/Signed: 2012, first round (HS—Oak Mountain, Ala.)
2012 Stats
Rookie: .376/.418/.599, 76 H, 27 XBH (8 3B), 40 RBI, 10 SB, 27 K/15 BB (48 G)
Recommendation: Low-A
One of the more athletic and toolsy players in the 2012 draft class, David Dahl is a prospect who’s incredibly skilled but still involves a considerable amount of projection.
A left-handed hitter, Dahl has a level, smooth swing and plate discipline that allows him to handle quality pitching and drive the ball across the whole field. He does project to have some power, though it’s never really reared its head, as Dahl appears more focused on roping base hits rather than jumping the yard.
He has the speed to stick in center, though it’s uncertain whether he has the instincts or on-field demeanor to handle the position at the next level. He has all the tools that project well at the next level, though his power remains suspect.
After signing quickly, Dahl received a head start on his professional career, and the results have exceeded all expectations. The left-handed hitter continues to rake with 76 hits in 48 games and is currently enjoying a 24-game hit streak.
Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
10 of 10Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'3", 195
DOB: 10/10/1990 (Age: 21)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, first round (HS: Brownwood, Texas)
2012 Stats
Triple-A: 8-9, 112 IP, 5.22 ERA, .274 BAA, 21 HR, 125 K/46 BB (23 GS)
Recommendation: MLB
After only nine starts for High-A Palm Beach in 2011, Miller upped his ETA by dominating at Double-A Springfield. He has an excellent pitcher’s frame at 6'3" and 195 pounds; however, concern grew after he showed up to spring training out of shape.
Miller typically throws a heavy 93-97 mph fastball with arm-side run that generates a healthy mixture of swing-and-misses and weak contact. To complement his heater, Miller throws two above-average off-speed pitches: a sharp downer curve and a fading changeup. He has already shown the ability to work deep into games while sustaining his velocity and has a frame built for innings.
One of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball headed into 2012 season, Miller is in the midst of a rough season at Triple-A Memphis. The right-hander has allowed 121 hits and 21 home runs in 112 innings and is learning that he can’t get away with working up in the zone and relying on velocity.
However, Miller has seemingly turned the corner over the last month, winning four out of his last five starts while posting a spectacular 35 K/0 BB ratio in his last 34.2 innings. It’s an encouraging sign headed into September, and I believe he’s back in the discussion for a big league call-up.
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