Tomorrow's All-Stars: Predicting the 10 Best Right Fielders in 5 Years
A lot is expected of right fielders.
They're not only asked to have light-tower power, but also to have unreal arm strength. The final installment of this series known as "Tomorrow's All-Stars" combs through all 30 farm systems to find the players who fit that criteria: the players who will be the most dynamic right fielders in five years' time.
From the St. Louis Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty to the Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell, there are a myriad of outfielders competing for the No. 1 spot in the top 10. There's even room on the list for one player who looks exactly like Vladimir Guerrero.
A Quick Look Back
1 of 13Back in the spring, Part I of this series dug through the minor leagues to find the most promising catchers and infielders of the future:
Part II of the series has continued that search by taking a look at some of the future stars on the mound and in the outfield:
A Word on the Criteria
2 of 13You won't find Giancarlo Stanton or Jason Heyward on this list. You won't any right fielders who have already made it to the big leagues because the purpose of this series is to focus on the prospects.
Of course, major leaguers like Stanton and Heyward will still be playing at an All-Star level in five years' time. So here's a rundown of a few of the players who would have made the cut had they been eligible for the top 10.
- Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
- Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
- Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
- George Springer, Houston Astros
Honorable Mentions
3 of 13Before we get started with the top 10, here are some of the right fielders who just missed out on making the list.
- Jorge Soler, Chicago Cubs*
- Steven Moya, Detroit Tigers*
- Jonathan Amundaray, New York Yankees
- Alex Glenn, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jorge Bonifacio, Kansa City Royals
*Note: Soler and Moya have been included as honorable mentions because both players lost their eligibility for this list when they they made their major league debuts late in the 2014 season.
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10. Adam Brett Walker II, Minnesota Twins
4 of 13Age: 23
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .246 average, .307 OBP, .436 SLG, .743 OPS, 19 2B, 3B, 25 HR, 94 RBI, 9 SB, 44 BB, 156 K
The Track Record
With super prospects Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano headlining the Minnesota Twins' farm system, it's easy for other players to get lost in the shuffle.
Adam Brett Walker II is putting up numbers that can't be ignored. The right fielder clubbed 25 home runs while playing for Minnesota's High-A affiliate in 2014. That power surge came after the right-handed hitter went yard 27 times the season before in his first full campaign as a professional.
While there are no questions about Walker's pop, there are concerns about the 23-year-old's ability to consistently make contact. Walker hit just .246 in 2014 and racked up 156 punchouts in 505 at-bats.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Walker will face a big test in 2014 when he opens up the season in Double-A. If the 2012 third-round pick can handle the jump to the upper minors, Walker will be on track to factor into the Twins' outfield equation by the second half of the 2016 season.
9. Juan De Leon, New York Yankees
5 of 13Age: 17
Highest Minor League Level: Instructional League
2014 Stats: N/A
The Track Record
In July, the New York Yankees dished out a $2 million signing bonus to land Juan De Leon, per Ben Badler of Baseball America.
The Dominican outfielder has electric bat speed and has "one of the best tool sets in Latin America," according to Badler. De Leon, who stand 6'1", has an excellent arm and is expected to develop power as he advances through the Yankees' farm system.
De Leon's first assignment after signing with the club was to take part in the Instructional League at the Yankees' training complex in Tampa, Florida, according to Michael Axisa of RiverAveBlues.com.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Considering that De Leon has never played an official game in New York's minor league system, it's nearly impossible to put a time line on when he'll make it to the Bronx. However, based on his impressive skill set, De Leon has the potential to rise rapidly through the ranks.
8. Billy McKinney, Chicago Cubs
6 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .264 average, .354 OBP, .412 SLG, .766 OPS, 24 2B, 6 3B, 11 HR, 69 RBI, 6 SB, 61 BB, 100 K
The Track Record
Drafted with the No. 24 pick in the 2013 draft, Billy McKinney is already playing for his second organization. In July, the left-handed hitter was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs to the Oakland Athletics.
After a slow start in 2014, McKinney took off once he joined Chicago's High-A club in the Florida State League. In 51 games, the right fielder hit .301 and posted an .822 OPS. McKinney, who didn't turn 20 until the end of August, was 3.6 years younger than the average player in the circuit, per Baseball-Reference.com.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Set to open up the 2015 season in Double-A, McKinney is moving quickly through the minor leagues. Whether his big league future is with the Cubs is yet to be determined. Chicago already has Jorge Soler stationed in right field, which could lead to yet another trade for the former top pick.
7. Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
7 of 13Age: 21
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .278 average, .394 OBP, .426 SLG, .820 OPS, 21 2B, 9 3B, 10 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB, 86 BB, 105 K
The Track Record
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Brandon Nimmo is climbing steadily through the New York Mets' minor league system.
The 21-year-old torched the Florida State League to open up the 2014 season. In 62 High-A games, Nimmo hit .322 with a .906 OPS. The left-handed hitter ran into some trouble after a midseason promotion to Double-A. Nimmo checked in with .238 average in 65 contests, but he continued to demonstrate a patient approach at the plate. On the season, the outfielder collected 86 walks, as he put up a .394 OBP.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After scuffling in the Eastern League, Nimmo will start the 2015 season back in Double-A. The goal for Nimmo should be to end the year in Triple-A, which would put him on pace to reach Citi Field by the middle of 2016. Nimmo is playing center field right now, but with Juan Lagares patrolling that spot in Queens, a move to right field could be in his future.
6. Gabriel Guerrero, Seattle Mariners
8 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .307 average, .347 OBP, .467 SLG, .814 OBP, 28 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 96 RBI, 18 SB, 34 BB, 131 K
The Track Record
From the way he walks to the way he swings the bat, Gabriel Guerrero looks just like his uncle, the nine-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero.
The 20-year-old also has some of Vlad's talents. While playing for the Seattle Mariners' High-A affiliate in 2014, Guerrero piled up 48 extra-base hits including 18 home runs. Also like his uncle, Guerrero has a cannon of a right arm and is extremely aggressive at the plate.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
The first stop for Guerrero in 2015 will be Double-A. If the right-handed hitter can continue his success in the Southern League, he could reach Safeco Field by the middle of 2016. Just where exactly he fits into the Seattle Mariners' outfield plans remains to be seen, as he's not the only M's right fielder to crack this list.
5. Raimel Tapia, Colorado Rockies
9 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: Low-A
2014 Stats: .326 average, .382 OBP, .453 OBP, .836 OPS, 32 2B, 3B, 9 HR, 72 RBI, 33 SB, 35 BB, 90 K
The Track Record
Raimel Tapia had a monster season in Low-A.
In 2014, the 20-year-old swung at a clip of .326, as he connected on 32 doubles and stole 33 bases. That follows up a 2013 campaign when he strung together a 29-game hitting streak and led the Pioneer league with a .357 average, per MLB.com. In four minor league seasons, the Dominican is a .318 hitter.
One concern regarding Tapia is whether the left-handed hitter is patient enough at the plate, In 2014, he totaled just 35 walks in 481 at-bats.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Next up for Tapia is an assignment to High-A to start the 2014 season. If he posts similar numbers to the ones he put up in 2014, the outfielder could end the year in Double-A. Tapia is on track to spend the 2016 season in the upper minors and could make an impact at Coors Field in 2017.
4. Hunter Renfroe, San Diego Padres
10 of 13Age: 22
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .267 average, .342 OBP, .470 SLG, .812 OPS, 33 2B, 3 3B, 21 HR, 75 RBI, 11 SB, 53 BB, 134 K
The Track Record
Hunter Renfroe has all sorts of power. The No. 13 pick in the 2013 draft is cruising through the San Diego Padres' minor league system, as he ended his first full season in Double-A.
Renfroe opened up 2014 by dismantling the Cal League. In 69 games, the right-handed hitter clubbed 21 doubles and 16 home runs while posting a .935 OPS. That stat line earned Renfroe a trip to the Texas League where the results weren't nearly as impressive. In 60 games with the San Antonio Missions, the right fielder hit .232 with just five home runs.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Just how quickly Renfroe makes it the major leagues depends on how successfully he adapts to the advanced pitching he'll face in his return to Double-A. If the top prospect can make the necessary adjustments in his second go-around, Renfroe could join the Padres' lineup early in 2016.
3. Stephen Piscotty, St. Louis Cardinals
11 of 13Age: 23
Highest Minor League Level: Triple-A
2014 Stats: .288 average, .355 OBP, .406 SLB, .761 OPS, 32 2B, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB, 43 BB, 61 K
The Track Record
Stephen Piscotty has been a remarkably consistent hitter during his rise through the St. Louis Cardinals' system. In four stops, Piscotty has never posted an average lower than .288 or higher than .299.
Even though the 2013 compensation-round draft pick doesn't have the power typically associated with a right fielder, MLB.com ranks Piscotty as the No. 1 prospect in the Cardinals' organization. The line-drive hitter explained his approach at the plate, via Chris Jackson of MiLB.com: "I have a style of game that I like to play. I like to put the ball in play."
Piscotty believes that eventually he'll start to go yard more frequently. "I'm hoping that as I get a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger the home runs will come. But I think it's a dangerous thing to try to start hitting home runs and getting away from my style of game."
If Piscotty continues to hit right around .300 when he arrives in the major leagues, it will be difficult for the Cardinals to complain too much about the lack of power
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Piscotty could crack the Cardinals' Opening Day roster next spring. However, if there aren't everyday at-bats to be had, he'll have to go back to Triple-A to get regular playing time.
2. Alex Jackson, Seattle Mariners
12 of 13Age: 18
Highest Minor League Level: Rookie League
2014 Stats: .280 average, .344 OBP, .476 SLG, .820 OPS, 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 9 BB, 24 K
The Track Record
The No. 6 selection in June, Alex Jackson is already one of the best position-player prospects in baseball.
MLB.com ranks the right-handed hitter No. 34 on its Top 100. The 18-year-old didn't waste any time adjusting to the professional ranks. In his first summer in the minor leagues, Jackson hit .280 with 10 extra-base hits in 23 games for the Seattle Mariners' affiliate in the Arizona Rookie League. His tendency to swing and miss is one area of concern for the outfielder. Jackson struck out 24 times in 82 at-bats in Arizona.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Even though he was drafted out of high school, Jackson has the potential to fly through the M's farm system. It's not out of the question to think that he'll reach the major leagues by 2017 when he'll be 21 years old.
1. Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates
13 of 13Age: 22
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .325 average, .375 OBP, .459 SLG, .834 OPS, 22 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 60 RBI, 9 SB, 33 BB, 55 K
The Track Record
In 2014, Josh Bell cemented his spot as one of the elite prospects in baseball.
The switch-hitter spent the majority of the season in High-A where he hit .335 for the Pittsburgh Pirates' Florida State League team. That performance earned the 2011 second-round pick a trip to the All-Star Futures Game where he played for the U.S. team.
It also resulted in a call-up to Double-A. In 24 games in the Eastern League, Bell impressed with a .287 average, as he successfully navigated one of the most challenging jumps in the minor leagues.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After totaling just 94 at-bats in Double-A over the summer, that's likely where Bell will begin the 2014 season. A promotion to Triple-A could arrive early in the year, and Bell could even make it to Pittsburgh before the end of the season. Of course, Bell will run into a crowd at PNC Park, as Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco make up an exceptionally talented big league outfield.
Note: All stats courtesy of MiLB.com. All videos courtesy of YouTube.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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