15 Top MLB Prospects Who Won't Be Called Up on Sept. 1
Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'3"/190
DOB: 5/20/1989 (Age: 23)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2007, Dominican Republic
2012 Stats (AA): 6-8, 141.2 IP, 3.88 ERA, .243 BAA, 137 K/62 BB (25 GS)
Signed by the Angels as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in early 2007, Pena is a hard-throwing right-hander who has overcome extreme control problems.
Pena has been dominant at Double-A this season, enjoying what is easily his best minor league season to date.
Not only has he learned to control his fastball, he’s been able to command it with consistency. Even though his four-seam fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90s, Pena relies equally on his sinker in the low 90s.
He has a repeatable, quick arm that produces the ball seemingly out of nowhere to opposing hitters, which only adds more deception to his fastball variations.
Pena’s best secondary pitch is easily his slider, which can even be a plus offering at times—when he’s locating his fastball to both sides of the plate, it plays up a grade.
He’ll work in the occasional changeup, but it’s nothing special. He’ll have to refine the pitch to be at least a solid, average offering before reaching the major leagues.
He’s struggled since entering the Brewers’ system, however, posting a 7.57 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 20 walks over six starts.
Matt Davidson, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 15Position: 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 (AA): .258/.366/.462, 50 XBH (22 HR), 71 RBI, 121 K/67 BB (130 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.
At third base, Davidson has only average range and exhibits sloppy footwork at times. However, he does have soft hands and a plus arm. Realistically, if he can continue to mash and cut down on his strikeouts (to an extent), his defense should be more than tolerable at the major league level.
The trade for Chris Johnson with the Astros at the trade deadline indicated that Davidson wouldn’t debut in 2012. However, expect him to be a September call-up at this time next season.
Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
2 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'6", 225
DOB: 11/18/1991 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: The Woodlands, Texas)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): 8-8, 136 IP, 3.51 ERA, .224 BAA, 111 K/37 BB (25 GS)
Taillon made impressive strides in 2011, his first full season, as he demonstrated improved command of all pitches and showed his electric stuff. His quick arm generates fastballs that sit in the 93-97 mph range, and he occasionally flirts with triple digits. This year, however, he’s struggled at times to work down in the zone, resulting in flat, hittable fastballs that catch too much plate.
With a 6’6” power pitcher’s frame, the right-hander complements his heater with two breaking balls: a power slider and 12-to-6 curve. Taillon also has a changeup that grades as solid average and will be crucial in his development over the next couple seasons.
The Pirates have been cautious with his development, limiting him to only 92.2 innings pitched at Low-A West Virginia in 2011. Having nearly eclipsed that total this season, some ongoing struggles should be expected, as his workload is venturing into uncharted territory. While his 2012 campaign has been confusing, there’s still plenty of reason to be optimistic.
The right-hander has been dominant since a recent promotion to Double-A, as he’s 2-0 with five hits allowed and 13 strikeouts over 11 scoreless frames.
Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners
3 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'4", 210
DOB: 8/13/1992 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: Yucaipa, Calif.)
2012 Stats (AA): 7-9, 123.1 IP, 4.31 ERA, .256 BAA, 111 K/49 BB (24 GS)
As an 18-year-old, Walker was lights out last season at Low-A Clinton until he reached the 100-inning limit imposed by the Mariners. The right-hander has a big-time fastball with late life that touches the upper 90s, and he showed improved command of it in 2011.
He’s struggled with it at times this season, especially as of late; however, it’s nothing to worry about. The fact he’s continued to make adjustments as a 19-year-old at an advanced level speaks volumes about his potential.
Coming out of high school, Walker’s breaking ball was a slider. Since turning pro, the Mariners have eliminated it from his arsenal, replacing it with a sharp downer curveball instead. He also throws a circle change with convincing arm speed and fading action and should be effective against both right- and left-handed hitters.
Walker’s raw athleticism distinguishes him from the other pitching prospects and only makes his potential that much greater. He's the Mariners' future ace with one of the highest ceilings of any pitching prospect in the game.
Expect him to begin next season at Double-A as well.
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Jackie Bradley, OF, Boston Red Sox
4 of 15Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5'10", 180
DOB: 4/19/1990 (Age: 22)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011 (South Carolina)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): .319/.427/.486, 145 H, 54 XBH (41 2B), 24 SB, 84 K/82 BB (124 G)
After an injury-plagued 2011 season playing for South Carolina, it appears the Red Sox landed a steal when they drafted Bradley in the supplemental first round of the 2011 draft.
A natural centerfielder, Bradley gets phenomenal reads in center field and possesses above-average range. While his arm is strong enough to play right field, his defense is such an asset that he should have no problem sticking in center field in the major leagues.
Plus, while his plate discipline is among the best in the minor leagues, he doesn’t necessary have the power to play a corner position.
Bradley possesses an above-average to plus hit tool from the left side and is adept at working counts and getting on base. Furthermore, his speed plays up on the basepaths, where he gets excellent jumps and repeatedly demonstrates a knack for swiping bags.
His plate discipline and ability to drive the ball from pole to pole has made him one of the more impressive position players in the minors this season, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he reaches the big leagues at some point in 2013. For now, it looks as though he’ll finish his first full professional season at Double-A, where he’s currently batting .276/.363/.443 in 57 games.
Anthony Rendon, 3B/2B, Washington Nationals
5 of 15Position: 3B/2B
Height/Weight: 6'0", 195
DOB: 6/6/1990 (Age: 22)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (Rice)
2012 Stats (RK, A-, AA): .246/.368/.491, 16 XBH (4 HR), 24 K/20 BB (36 G)
Even though he’s not a physically-imposing hitter, the Rice alumnus has a plus bat with power. But what I find most impressive about Rendon is his pitch recognition and ability to manipulate counts in his favor.
Despite his lack of professional experience, the right-handed hitter still profiles as one of the more advanced hitters in the minor leagues—much like how he was considered the most advanced bat in the 2011 draft class. 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. Prior to the season, there was even speculation that the Nationals may move him to second base to expedite his big league arrival.
Unfortunately, in his second game of the season with High-A Potomac, Rendon suffered a fractured ankle while rounding third base. The ankle injury is his third in as many years.
He recently returned ahead of schedule from the injury, and after stops in the New York-Penn (SS) and Carolina (High-A), he’s already reached Double-A. Despite the injury, the Nationals are firm believers in his potential with the bat, and he’ll likely reach the major leagues at some point in 2013.
Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
6 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'4", 220
DOB: 9/8/1990 (Age: 21)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (UCLA)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): 8-7, 126 IP, 2.71 ERA, .228 BAA, 129 K/44 BB (25 G)
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Gerrit Cole is your classic power pitcher with an electric arsenal.
His fastball can flash triple-digits on the radar gun, though he typically sits in the upper 90s. When he’s efficient enough to work his slider off his fastball, it’s a legitimate strikeout pitch. Given his double-plus velocity, Cole also has a decent changeup when he’s able to mix it in.
There’s no denying that Cole has ace potential, but I just don’t think he will breeze through the minors as others do.
Although he doesn’t walk a lot of hitters, the right-hander still falls behind too many hitters and leaves hittable pitches up in the zone. Furthermore, when pitching from the stack, he struggles to repeat his mechanics, ripping open with his glove side and throwing from a slightly lower arm slot.
Still, his arsenal is exceptional, as we all witnessed firsthand in the XM Futures Game, and he has the potential to be a frontline starter for years to come.
Having made 11 starts for Double-A this season, it’s highly doubtful that Cole will be a September call-up, as the Pirates seem unwilling to alter the course of his development regardless of his potential impact in a late-season playoff surge.
Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets
7 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'4", 185
DOB: 5/30/1990 (Age: 22)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, first round (HS: East Paulding, Ga.)
2012 Stats
Minors (AA, AAA): 11-8, 144 IP, 3.31 ERA, .223 BAA, 143 K/55 BB (24 GS)
Wheeler has a lean 6'4" frame, a quick arm and clean mechanics. His fastball runs as high as 97-98 MPH; however, he usually works in the low to mid 90s with explosive sidearm action on his two-seamer. His curveball has sharp downward break that buckles right-handed hitters, and he also throws a solid-average changeup that should be at least his third above-average offering by the time he reaches the major leagues.
While his command still needs some refinement, he’s excelled this season at Double-A and worked deep into games. Consistently working down in the zone while proving to be difficult to barrel up, Wheeler’s allowed only one home run while registering a favorable ground-ball rate.
In a corresponding move when Matt Harvey was called up to the major leagues, Wheeler was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, where he finally recorded his first win in his fifth start.
Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
8 of 15Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6'2", 180
DOB: 6/19/1992 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2008, Dominican Republic
2012 Stats (AA): .319/.379/.571, 64 XBH (22 HR), 89 RBI, 10 SB, 56 K/40 BB (119 G)
Taveras, a left-handed hitter, takes forceful hacks, but retains the ability to generate consistent, hard contact thanks to his ridiculous hand-eye coordination and knowledge of the strike zone. Albeit a violent one, the swing is balanced and simple, as he uses exceptional torque 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 of Taveras’ offensive tools will ultimately be the best: hit or power. In my opinion, his power is a byproduct of his natural ability as a hitter.
His above-average speed has allowed him to play all three outfield positions in the minors, but his highest ceiling comes as a corner outfielder. Given his strong arm, he’ll likely stick in right field.
Taveras is arguably the best pure hitting prospect in baseball, and the fact that he still has so much time to mature gives him superstar upside. Don’t expect the Cardinals to rush his development, as they have a history of conservatively promoting their top position prospects.
Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
9 of 15Position: 2B
Height/Weight: 5’9”, 190
DOB: 10/10/1990
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (Hawaii)
2012 Stats (AA): .287/.346/.403, 37 XBH (23 2B), 21 SB, 71 K/42 BB (121 G)
A polished left-handed hitter with mature plate discipline, Wong’s hit tool is nearly big-league-ready, and he’s drawn rave reviews for his defense at second base. As a team, the Cardinals’ second basemen have underperformed this season, so when Wong is ready, his offensive upside will clearly be an upgrade.
Given his advanced game when they drafted him out of Hawaii last season, Wong was expected to have a short stay in the minor leagues. However, he hasn’t performed as well as hoped this season, so a 2013 debut is more realistic at this point.
Xander Bogaerts, SS/3B, Boston Red Sox
10 of 15Position: SS/3B
Height/Weight: 6'3", 175
DOB: 10/1/1992 (Age: 19)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, Aruba
2012 Stats (A+, AA): .300/.368/.519, 57 XBH (20 HR), 77 RBI, 102 K/44 BB (122 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 at Low-A. Only 19 years old, 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 and Double-A this season, the right-handed hitter has only a 9.1 percent line-drive rate. 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.
Since his promotion to Double-A, Bogaerts has posted a .901 OPS in 18 games.
Ethan Martin, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
11 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'2", 195
DOB: 6/6/1989 (Age: 23)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2008, first round
2012 Stats (AA): 12-6, 150.2 IP, 3.64 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 139 K/79 BB (26 GS)
Selected by the Dodgers with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Martin’s status as a prospect has been on steady decline due to wavering command and struggles to make adjustments.
After registering a 3.87 ERA and 10.8 K/9 in his full-season debut in 2009, the 23-year-old right-hander has struggled to repeat such success. His pure stuff is still there, including a low-90s fastball, above-average breaking ball and decent changeup.
Although he amassed plenty of strikeouts (9.3 K/9 in four minor league seasons), Martin’s overall development has been impeded by his lack of control, which has resulted in a consistently high walk rate (5.7 BB/9 career mark). He struggles to keep his weight back and rushes forward which, in turn, causes his glove side to fly open and create a varying arm slot.
Repeating Double-A this season, the right-hander has made some adjustments but still leaves plenty to be desired.
Even though his strikeout rate has dipped to 8.3 K/9, he’s also posted the lowest walk rate of his career at 4.7 BB/9. If he can’t get a grip on his control problems, Martin definitely has the stuff to be an effective late-inning reliever.
Since his acquisition by the Phillies, the right-hander has thrown the ball well for Double-A Reading with a 4-0 record and 3.86 ERA over six starts.
Nick Castellanos, 3B/RF, Detroit Tigers
12 of 15Position: 3B/RF
Height/Weight: 6'4", 210
DOB: 3/4/1992 (Age: 20)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, first round (HS: Archbishop McCarthy, Fla.)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): .331/.376/.468, 46 XBH (10 HR), 110 K/36 BB (128 G)
A supplemental-first round selection in 2010, Castellanos is one of the top offensive prospects in the game. After an anemic start to the 2011 season at Low-A, he went on to ultimately 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. And considering his ability to barrel the baseball, adding a little loft to his swing and being more selective at the plate should yield more home runs.
He struck out 130 times last season compared to 45 walks and has posted a similar rate through 128 games this season of 110 K/36 BB. His plate discipline has been especially challenged in his 73 games at Double-A, where he’s fanned 68 times and coaxing only 14 walks.
Castellanos is still learning how to play at third, 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 having such a phenomenal season only raises his ceiling. Blocked at third base in Detroit by Miguel Cabrera for the foreseeable future, Castellanos has been playing right field almost exclusively since the bump to Double-A.
The 20-year-old was the star of the XM Futures Game, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI as he was named the contest’s Most Valuable Player.
Although there’s a chance that Castellanos may be a September call-up, I don’t expect the Tigers to give him such an aggressive promotion.
Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
13 of 15Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 2000
DOB: 7/5/1989 (Age: 23)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2011, third round (Rice)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): 10-4, 142.1 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 166 K/47 BB (25 GS)
Flying under the radar headed into the 2012 season, Cingrani has dominated hitters at both High-A and Double-A this season without possessing a true third pitch.
With a plus fastball-changeup combination, the 6’4” left-hander has pitched extremely well this season. He throws on a downward plane and gets late, arm-side action on both offerings.
Adding a breaking ball should aid his success against both right- and left-handed hitters as he continues to ascend the Reds' system.
Even though the Reds would benefit from adding a left-hander to their all-righty starting rotation, it’d be a stretch to think Cingrani debuts this season.
George Springer, OF, Houston Astros
14 of 15Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6'3"/205
DOB: 9/19/1989
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, first round (Connecticut)
2012 Stats (A+, AA): .302/.384/.523, 53 XBH (22 HR), 82 RBI, 31 SB, 148 K/61 BB (122 G)
The Astros’ first-round draft pick in 2011, Springer is a toolsy outfielder with an impressive blend of speed and power. A right-handed hitter, Springer has plus bat speed that generates explosive pop to all fields.
At the same time, his overall approach is still somewhat unrefined, as he is prone to striking out and often chases sub-par off-speed pitches. He’s capable of drawing walks but is still learning how to maintain a consistent approach.
There’s still uncertainty as to whether Springer profiles best in center or right field—his plus speed and arm will likely keep both in play and help him reach the big leagues by 2013. He has enough speed to comfortably play either position, as he gets great jumps and demonstrates plus range.
At the beginning of the month, Springer received a promotion to Double-A, where he’s yet to get on track. Playing in 16 games for the Corpus Christi Hooks, he’s batting .176/.263/.235 with three doubles, three stolen bases and 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats.
Ariel Pena, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
15 of 15Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6'3"/190
DOB: 5/20/1989 (Age: 23)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2007, Dominican Republic
2012 Stats (AA): 6-8, 141.2 IP, 3.88 ERA, .243 BAA, 137 K/62 BB (25 GS)
Signed by the Angels as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in early 2007, Pena is a hard-throwing right-hander who has overcome extreme control problems.
Pena has been dominant at Double-A this season, enjoying what is easily his best minor league season to date.
Not only has he learned to control his fastball, he’s been able to command it with consistency. Even though his four-seam fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90s, Pena relies equally on his sinker in the low 90s.
He has a repeatable, quick arm that produces the ball seemingly out of nowhere to opposing hitters, which only adds more deception to his fastball variations.
Pena’s best secondary pitch is easily his slider, which can even be a plus offering at times—when he’s locating his fastball to both sides of the plate, it plays up a grade.
He’ll work in the occasional changeup, but it’s nothing special. He’ll have to refine the pitch to be at least a solid, average offering before reaching the major leagues.
He’s struggled since entering the Brewers’ system, however, posting a 7.57 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 20 walks over six starts.
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