Here's the Next Wave of Minor League Prospects You Need to Know

The offseason is always a great time to dive into the talented pool of minor league prospects and analyze which ones are headed to "The Show" sooner rather than later. 

There are obviously different tiers of future talent, with guys like Kris Bryant, Byron Buxton, Addison Russell and Noah Syndergaard maintaining their consensus spots as top prospects at most publications. These youngsters will be coming to a television near you as early as the beginning of 2015. 

But the cycle doesn't stop once the elite prospects make it to the majors.

Another crop of young talent will rise up the ranks to take the place of the departed at the top of the minor league rankings. Many of the guys on this list are a year or two away from making a major league roster, but that shouldn't take away from their potential and future importance to their respective clubs. 

On this list you'll find flamethrowers like Luis Severino and Kyle Crick and speedsters such as Jose Peraza and Raimel Tapia. We'll take a trip around the minor leagues and try to identify the next big things in MLB.

This "next wave of minor league prospects" reflects the rankings used by MLB.com's 2014 Prospect Watch. To make things interesting, I decided not to choose a player inside the top 25. I then chose one prospect in groups of 10 (ex: 91-100, 81-90, etc.), hoping to cover a wider variety of players who seem destined to make an impact in MLB.

Here we go!

91-100: Rob Kaminsky, LHP, STL

The St. Louis Cardinals have a pretty decent reputation for developing young pitching and southpaw Rob Kaminsky seems to fit the mold.

But due to his 5"11" stature, MLB.com only has the 20-year-old ranked 94th in its top 100 prospects. 

Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, the lefty will always battle concerns over his size. But as we've seen throughout MLB history, left-handed pitchers with nasty stuff will continue to have a place in the big leagues. 

Kaminsky has done nothing to prove that he can't one day pitch in the majors. In 2014, he went 8-2 in 18 starts with a minuscule 1.88 ERA and over seven strikeouts per nine innings. Even more impressive, Kaminsky allowed just two home runs in 100 innings while holding opposing hitters to a lowly .188 average. 

Coming out of high school, Kaminsky's most important weapon was a devastating curveball. But according to David Laurila of FanGraphs, the Cardinals wanted their young left-hander to focus primarily on upgrading the rest of his arsenal. 

The results were overwhelmingly positive, as Kaminsky's fastball command improved and his newly acquired changeup provided him with another alternative pitch. With his fastball clocking in the mid-90s, two off-speed options only make Kaminsky that much more nasty. 

He's only in A-ball, so an MLB debut is more likely in 2016/2017. Even though he projects as a starter in MLB, hard-throwing lefties have a history of popping up in September to fortify the bullpens of contending teams. 

Make sure to keep an eye on Rob Kaminsky. 

81-90: Raimel Tapia, Outfielder, COL

Dominican outfielder Raimel Tapia continued an impressive start to his professional career in 2014. 

The speedy outfielder, ranked 89th by MLB.com, hit .326 with an .836 OPS this past season. He also provided glimpses of improved run production to go with his base-stealing acumen (33 steals), going deep nine times and driving in 72 runs. 

The Colorado Rockies brass will be pleased to see a surge in Tapia's power to go along with his consistent contact. Although he struck out more times in 2014 than the rest of his career, he has yet to post a strikeout percentage higher than 16.7 percent.

Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs wrote an interesting article in August ranking the prospects in the Rockies organization. Here's a quote from McDaniel regarding his analysis of Tapia:

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Another scout gave a low-end comparison of Jon Jay, as a non-traditonal outfielder that can play all three positions, doesn't have much power but hits enough that you find a spot for him. The consensus is that the kid can hit despite funky mechanics and he has enough tools to be useful in some kind of everyday role. 

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Drew Creasman of Purple Row, an SB Nation affiliate, reasons that the improvement of Tapia and fellow prospect David Dahl could convince the Rockies to part ways with Carlos Gonzalez this offseason. 

A 2016/2017 debut seems more plausible for Tapia, but by continuing his elite production in the hitter-friendly California League next season he may be able to expedite his journey to the bigs. 

71-80: Hunter Renfroe, Outfielder, SD

After playing his college ball at Mississippi State, Hunter Renfroe was taken 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2013 draft. 

Rated 71st by MLB.com, Renfroe has displayed impressive power in the minors.

Between High-A and Double-A ball in 2014, he crushed 21 homers to go along with 75 RBI. Normally power and strikeouts go hand-in-hand, and Renfroe is no exception. However a 4 percent decrease in strikeout percentage after being promoted to Double-A is a step in the right direction. 

But the slugger is more than just a potent stick. As MLB.com puts it, "Renfroe has a strong arm, and he profiles well in right field. He earns praise for his athleticism and baseball instincts."

Former scout and MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff discussed Renfroe's skill set too in a recent piece:

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Renfroe packs a great deal of strength and raw power into his deceiving 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame. He looks bigger, but he plays with agility and fluidity that highlight his outstanding athletic coordination.

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Renfroe has continued his good work in the Arizona Fall League, averaging .271 with five bombs and 19 RBI in 22 games. These numbers warranted a spot in the league's All-Star Game.

Pleskoff anticipates Renfroe's home run potential to only improve as he develops: 

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Renfroe has good bat speed, and he can loft the ball or hit line drives to the gaps. Without question, his power is his best tool. Renfroe has the type of game-changing potential that offers middle-of-the-batting-order long-ball upside. Once he drives more balls on the line as opposed to hitting them high in the air, his home run numbers will increase markedly.

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The Padres are a team in desperate need of a fresh, talented face. Hunter Renfroe may be that player, although a 2016 debut is probably on the cards. 

61-70: Luis Severino, RHP, NYY

Luis Severino is inching closer and closer to a debut in pinstripes. 

After little publicity early in his pro career, the right-hander has skyrocketed to the top prospect in the Yankees organization, according to Baseball America. 

The 20-year-old used 2014 to rise from Low-A to Double-A, using a 2.46 ERA and gaudy strikeout numbers to do so. 

A promotion to Double-A did little to hinder the development of the young fireballer. In six starts he posted a 2.52 ERA, 2.27 FIP and allowed just one home run. He struck out over 10 per nine innings and 29 percent of the batters he faced. His control continued to improve, walking only six hitters in 25 innings. 

Severino has a big arm and dynamic stuff. Here's MLB.com's description of the hurler's repertoire:

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Though he isn't especially big, Severino is strong, and he can run his fastball up to 98 MPH. His heater usually sits at 94-95 MPH and features some sink at the lower end of its velocity range. Both Severino's hard slider and his changeup have the potential to be solid or better offerings. 

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If Severino can replicate his 2014 production to start the season at Double-A Trenton, there's plenty of reason to believe the Yankees will continue to promote him through the ranks. Whether he's best suited to be a starter or a bullpen piece remains to be seen, but Luis Severino appears to be an impact arm who will pitch in the Bronx for years to come. 

51-60: Jose Peraza, 2B/SS, ATL

After years of suffering through multiple Dan Uggla slumps, Atlanta Braves fans have become desperate for a competent replacement. 

According to David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the plan is for top prospect Jose Peraza to take over the second base position maybe as soon as 2015. The Braves are so confident in the Venezuelan's abilities they plan on staying away from short-term options in free agency. 

And who could blame them? Peraza hasn't hit below .270 in his pro career, raking up a mark of .339 between High-A and Double-A in 2014. His contact-oriented swing (47 K in 469 at-bats in 2014) is a key strength for Peraza, second only to the threat he poses on the bases (60 steals in 2014). 

John Sickels of Minor League Ball, an SB Nation affiliate, ranked Peraza as the top prospect in the Braves' organization. Here's what he had to say about the infielder: 

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Age 20, slick defender took step forward offensively with .339/.364/.441 campaign in High-A/Double-A, with 60 steals. There are still questions about his power and his walk rate is quite low, but the complete package is worth buying into given youth, athleticism, and consistent improvement. 

"

The Braves are a team in limbo with a plethora of high-strikeout players and no true leadoff hitter. Atlanta may want to wait a tad longer to promote Peraza, but his high-contact, base-stealing style of play makes him a perfect fit for the club. 

It may not happen until the second half of 2015, but don't be surprised to see Jose Peraza making his mark for the Atlanta Braves. 

41-50: Kyle Crick, RHP, SF

Similar to the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Francisco Giants are no strangers to developing elite starting-pitching talent. 

Kyle Crick's blazing fastball has helped him turn plenty of heads.

The 6'2" right-hander first gained attention with an outstanding 2013. At High-A San Jose, Crick started 14 games, striking out over 12 per nine innings. His minute 1.57 ERA was matched by an equally impressive .199 average against him. 

Crick wasn't as dominant in 2014, but a healthy campaign striking out over 11 per nine was still a positive sign for the young pitcher. His biggest detriment has been inconsistent command, something that can be attributed to his desire to replicate his delivery on every pitch. 

To quote MLB.com's 2014 Prospect Watch, "Crick earns comparisons to Matt Cain, and he has an excellent chance to join the Giants' ace in the succession of homegrown pitchers to reach San Francisco."

At 21, Crick is likely on the verge of promotion to the big leagues some time in 2015. If he can cut down his walks, his stuff is ready for the big leagues today. 

31-40: J.P. Crawford, SS, PHI

As Jimmy Rollins winds down his incredible career, the Philadelphia Phillies have been busy grooming his replacement.

Selected 16th overall in the 2013 draft, J.P. Crawford performed at a high level at Class-A last season. The shortstop slashed .285/.375/.406 with 11 homers and 24 steals. 

Cousin of MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, J.P. has begun to receive national attention for his good work to start his pro career. He was the cover boy of a recent edition of Baseball America, as mentioned by Somers Price of Section 215. 

Baseball Prospectus named Crawford the No. 1 prospect in the Phillies' organization, discussed in detail by Philly.com's David Murphy. Murphy discusses Crawford's anticipated career path in the article:

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Crawford, meanwhile, is on track for promotion to Double-A Reading at some point in the upcoming season. If his development continues on its current linear track, he will take over the reins at short stop in 2016 or 2017. 

"

While his production at the plate continues to improve, Crawford is considered an elite defensive shortstop.

MLB.com mentioned his glove work in its 2014 Prospect Watch, where Crawford is ranked 32nd: "Crawford has an outstanding arm and excellent range, and his feel for the game makes his already-sharp defensive tools play up even more."

With Rollins departing in the near future, Crawford's development is a key component to the resurgence of the Phillies. Expect to hear J.P. Crawford's name as soon as 2016. 

21-30: Josh Bell, Outfielder, PIT

The highest-ranked player on this list, according to MLB.com, is the Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell. 

The switch-hitting outfielder is one of the more complete hitters in minor league baseball. Bell hit .325 with an .834 OPS in combined stints at High-A and Double-A this season. He also added nine dingers and 60 RBI. While at High-A, he accounted for a whopping 153 wRC+. 

Bleacher Report's own Karl Buscheck wrote a recent piece predicting the 10-best right fielders in five years. Guess where he ranked Josh Bell? You guessed it: No. 1.

However Buscheck anticipated problems for Bell in terms of cracking into the Pirates' loaded outfield, stating, "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."

The Pirates are preparing for this inevitable fact by experimenting with Bell at first base on occasion this past season, as reported by Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

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But the Pirates have a young trio of talented outfielders who aren't going anywhere. Bell finished 2014 at Class AA Altoona, where he will likely begin the 2015 season, meaning he might be ready for the major leagues sooner than later. So the Pirates have made him their "priority player" in the Arizona Fall League, meaning he must start the majority of the games at first, to see if he can contribute in the infield. 

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If Bell can turn into even an average-fielding first baseman, you have to imagine the Pirates will find a way to slip his bat into the lineup.

Pittsburgh figures to compete again in 2015, and it'll be extremely interesting to see if Bell figures into those immediate plans. Regardless, Josh Bell will be wearing the yellow and gold of the Pittsburgh Pirates before you know it.  

Advanced statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.