Tomorrow's All-Stars: Predicting the 10 Best Left Fielders in 5 Years
There's one box that every All-Star left fielder must check. That box is the ability to hit for power, and the more the better. From Yasmani Tomas to Kyle Schwarber, all of the future stars who make this top 10 offer plenty of pop.
The third installment of this five-part series known as "Tomorrow's All-Stars" digs through the minor leagues and beyond to find the players who will be the best big league left fielders in five years' time.
Schwarber, whom the Chicago Cubs landed with the No. 4 pick in June, is the highest-ranked player from that draft on the following top 10. However, he's not the only member of that class who cracked the list.
A Quick Look Back
1 of 13
Back in the spring, Part I of this series combed through the minor leagues to find the most promising catchers and infielders of the future:
Part II of the series has kicked off by taking a look at some of the future stars on the mound:
A Word on the Criteria
2 of 13You won't find Michael Brantley or Starling Marte on this list. In fact, you won't find any left fielders who have already made the major leagues on the top 10 because the purpose of this series is to focus on the prospects.
Of course, players like Brantley and Marte will still be playing at an All-Star level in five years' time. So, here's a rundown of some of the left fielders who would have made the cut had they been eligible.
- Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
- Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins
- Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
- Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
- Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
Honorable Mentions
3 of 13Before getting started with the top 10, let's take a look at a few of the left fielders who almost made the grade:
- Victor Roache, Milwaukee Brewers
- Phil Ervin, Cincinnati Reds
- Justin Williams, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Brandon Jacobs, Arizona Diamondbacks
.png?w=256)
10. Jabari Henry, Seattle Mariners
4 of 13Age: 23
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .291 average, .398 OBP, .584 SLG, .982 OPS, 26 2B, 5 3B, 30 HR, 95 RBI, 6 SB, 69 BB, 109 K
The Track Record
Jabari Henry had a monster year in 2014.
The 23-year-old crushed 30 home runs and added 26 doubles, while playing for the Seattle Mariners' High-A affiliate. Now, the big test for the 18th-round pick from the 2012 MLB draft will be to prove that 2014 was a breakout season and not a Cal League mirage. In 2013, his first full season in the minor leagues, Henry totaled just 11 home runs.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After dismantling the Cal League, Henry's first stop in 2015 should be Double-A. If the left fielder can succeed following the leap to the upper minors, a September call-up to Safeco Field is in his future.
9. Derek Fisher, Houston Astros
5 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: Class A Short Season
2014 Stats: .310 average, .386 OBP, .419 SLG, .806 OPS, 5 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 17 SB, 17 BB, 35 K
The Track Record
Derek Fisher is one of the fastest players to make this list. The 21-year-old wasted no time adjusting to the minor leagues. After the Houston Astros picked Fisher with the No. 37 selection in the 2014 draft, the left-handed batter hit .310 and stole 17 bases in 42 games.
Despite his speed, Fisher is not known as being the best defensive outfielder. While he has the potential, it's also yet to be determined just how much power Fisher will hit for. In his first 152 minor league at-bats, he went yard two times.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After excelling at the University of Virginia, Fisher could advance rapidly through the Astros' minor league system. Fisher will likely spend 2015 and 2016 navigating his way through the minors before arriving at Minute Made Park at the start of the 2017 season.
8. Scott Schebler, Los Angeles Dodgers
6 of 13Age: 24
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .280 average, .365 OBP, .556 SLG, .921 OPS, 23 2B, 14 3B, 28 HR, 73 RBI, 10 SB, 45 BB, 110 K
The Track Record
Scott Schebler was an extra-base hitting machine last season.
While playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers' Double-A club, Schebler collected 65 extra-base hits in 135 contests, including 28 home runs. In the past two minor league seasons, the left-handed hitter has now gone yard 55 times.
The most glaring red flag for Schebler is his tendency to swing and miss. In 2014, the left fielder punched out 110 times in 560 plate appearances. That's a ton of strikeouts, but it's actually a drop-off from the 140 K's he piled up back in 2013.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
The primary roadblock standing between Schebler and the major leagues is the Dodgers' crowded outfield contingent. Unless the team gets hit with an array of injuries, Schebler will spend the 2015 season in Triple-A before potentially earning a September promotion.
7. Braxton Davidson, Atlanta Braves
7 of 13Age: 18
Highest Minor League Level: Rookie League
2014 Stats: .224 average, .387 OBP, .299 SLG, .686 OPS, 9 2B, 3B, 11 RBI, 31 BB, 42 K
The Track Record
A first-round pick back in June, Braxton Davidson is already the Atlanta Braves' fourth-best prospect, according to MLB.com.
The 18-year-old split his first summer in the minor leagues playing for a couple of the Braves' Rookie League affiliates, hitting .224 in 50 games. While the left-handed hitter didn't do much in his first professional go-around, his future is extremely bright.
Back in 2103 even before Davidson was drafted, Matt Garrioch of MinorLeagueBall.com suggested that Davidson has the look of a "middle of the order bat" and could hit .300 in the big leagues.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Davidson has only just begun his climb through the Braves' farm system. Since he was drafted directly out of high school, Davidson will likely require at least three full seasons in the minor leagues.
6. Courtney Hawkins, Chicago White Sox
8 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .249 average, .331 OBP, .450 SLG, .781 OPS, 25 2B, 4 3B, 19 HR, 84 RBI, 11 SB, 53 BB, 143 K
The Track Record
Courtney Hawkins has plenty of pop. The right-handed hitter, whom the Chicago White Sox landed with the No. 13 overall pick in 2012, has connected on 19 home runs in each of his fist two full seasons in the minor leagues. The concern with the former top selection is whether he can make consistent enough contact. Hawkins struck out 143 times in 122 games last season.
One of the most encouraging signs for why the right-handed hitter will get better is that he's always been young for his minor league level. Last year, the 20-year-old was 2.9 years younger than the average player in High-A, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Due to his age, the White Sox can afford to take a deliberate approach with Hawkins. The left fielder should spend full seasons in Double-A and Triple-A before joining the White Sox in 2017 when he'll be just 23 years old.
5. Nick Williams, Texas Rangers
9 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .283 average, .331 OBP, .462 SLG, .794 OPS, 30 2B, 6 3B, 13 HR, 74 RBI, 6 SB, 22 BB, 140 K
The Track Record
Nick Williams is cruising through the minor leagues.
The 21-year-old, who Baseball America ranked as the No. 97 prospect in all the minors before the start of the 2014 season, ended the year in Double-A. The left-handed hitter earned that late-season promotion thanks to an impressive run in High-A. In 94 Carolina League contests, Williams racked up 45 extra-base hits while swinging at a clip of .292.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
In 2015, Williams could go from the Texas League to the Texas Rangers. The left fielder will begin the season back in Double-A but could end it playing in the outfield at Globe Life park in Arlington.
4. Michael Conforto, New York Mets
10 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: Low-A
2014 Stats: .331 average, .403 OBP, .448 SLG, .851 SLG, 10 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB, 16 BB, 29 K
The Track Record
Michael Conforto is on the fast track to Queens.
The left fielder, who the New York Mets selected with the No. 10 pick in June, took apart the New York-Penn League over the summer. In 42 games, Conforto clubbed 10 doubles and three home runs, while hitting .331. Paul DePodesta, the team's vice president of player development and amateur scouting, has been most impressed by Conforto's approach at the plate, as he explained via John DeMarzo of the New York Post.
"He’s a very advanced offensive player. He has a tremendously mature approach at the plate, where it really fits with our organizational philosophy. He looks to do damage and has the discipline to wait for those pitches. It’s rare to find in an amateur player, somebody who not only does it, but has a real understanding of it.
"
That sophisticated approach earned Conforto a promotion to Low-A at the end of the season where he appeared in two playoff games for the Mets' South Atlantic League Affiliate.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Conforto is on track to begin the 2015 season in Low-A. However, the way he's hit so far, the left-handed batter will end the year in High-A or possibly even Double-A. Conforto could join the Mets by the end of the 2016 season.
3. Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds
11 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .287 average, .399 OBP,
The Track Record
Jesse Winker isn't just one of the top left fielders in the minor leagues, but is also one of the most promising position players overall. Baseball America, which ranked him the No. 29 prospect on its Midseason Top 50, described Winker as "one of the better pure hitters in the minors."
After battering the Cal League to the tune of a .317 average and a 1.006 OPS in the first half of the 2014 season, Winker earned a trip to Double-A. Adjusting to the Southern League proved to be quite the challenge for the left-handed hitter. While appearing in 21 games for the Cincinnati Reds' affiliate, he hit just .208.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After struggling with the jump to Double-A, that's exactly where Winker will return for the start of the 2015 season. If Winker can make the necessary adjustments in the upper minors, the top prospect could enter into Cincinnati's outfield mix before the end of the season.
2. Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
12 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .344 average, .428 OBP, .634 SLG, 1.061 OPS, 18 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 53 RBI, 39 BB, 57 K
The Track Record
Kyle Schwarber torched the minor leagues after the Chicago Cubs selected him with the No. 4 pick in the 2014 draft. Schwarber climbed three levels during his abbreviated campaign and ended the season with a .344 average and 18 home runs in 72 games.
There's no question that the 21-year-old has the ability to hit for both high average and power. However, Schwarber's future home on defense has yet to be decided. Cubs president Theo Epstein told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that the team will "give him every chance" to catch, but Schwarber then went on to see the majority of his action either in left field or as the designated hitter.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Based on his incredible rise through Chicago's system over the summer, Schwarber should begin 2015 in Double-A. If the Cubs decide to have him play left field full time, Schwarber could be in the big league lineup on Opening Day 2016.
1. Yasmani Tomas, TBD
13 of 13Age: 23
Highest Level: Serie Nacional in Cuba
2014 Stats: N/A
The Track Record
Yasmani Tomas has an uppercut swing that supplies a ton of power, as you can see in the video above. The international free agent, who turns 24 in November, is about to cash in.
Fellow Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, and Tomas' new contract could be worth even more. According to Peter Gammons, big league clubs "see more ceiling, more power" in Tomas than Castillo.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
As Ben Badler of Baseball America explains, the first stop for Tomas in 2015 could be Triple-A. Even if he does begin the year in the minors, Tomas will end it in the middle of a major league lineup. Now, the only question is just for which team that will be.
Note: All stats courtesy of MLB.com. All videos courtesy of YouTube.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
.png?w=480)
