
Each MLB Team's Prospect That Will Become Household Name in 2015
A prospect usually becomes a household name either by making an impact in the major leagues or exceeding expectations and thriving at multiple minor league levels.
This past season, prospects such as Mookie Betts and George Springer were summoned from the minors in the middle of the year and made an immediate impact in the major leagues. Now, they're arguably two of the better second-year players in baseball heading into 2015.
On the other side of the spectrum, Joey Gallo is an example of a prospect who became a household name last season without reaching the major leagues.
Gallo began 2014 by posting an 1.119 OPS with 21 home runs at High-A Myrtle Beach, and the 21-year-old added another 21 bombs following a midseason promotion to Double-A Frisco. And after hitting at least 40 home runs in back-to-back seasons, Gallo is firmly on the major league radar heading into the 2015 season.
Here’s a look at each MLB team’s top prospect that will follow in the footsteps of Betts, Springer and Gallo and emerge as a household name next year.
Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Bundy, RHP
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Bundy flew through the Orioles’ system in 2012, his first professional season, pitching at three full-season levels before making two appearances out of the big league bullpen as a September call-up. However, his career was put on hold the following spring when he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Bundy, 22, finally returned this summer to make six starts at High-A Frederick after a series of dominant outings with short-season Class A Aberdeen.
The right-hander’s velocity was down compared to his pre-surgery form, as Pat Stoetzer of the Carroll County Times (via The Baltimore Sun) reported Bundy topped out at only 89 mph while at Frederick. Meanwhile, his 15-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 26.1 innings was to be expected as he regained a feel for pitching.
There was a slight chance Bundy would be ready to rejoin the Orioles last September and pick up where he left off in 2012, but his recovery was unfortunately derailed by a lat strain suffered in early August, per MASN Sports. The Orioles will proceed cautiously with Bundy, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he spent most of 2015 in the high minors, with a late-season call-up to the major leagues.
Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, 3B
2 of 30The Red Sox signed Devers out of the Dominican Republic last summer for $1.5 million, though the 18-year-old third baseman didn’t make his professional debut until this year.
Devers made an immediate impact in the Dominican Summer League, batting .337/.445/.538 with 12 extra-base hits in 28 games, and he was rewarded with an ahead-of-schedule promotion to the Gulf Coast League.
The left-handed hitter continued to open eyes in his stateside debut, as he batted a cool .312/.374/.484 with 17 extra-base hits and 36 RBI over 42 games.
He’s still young and has a long road ahead of him toward the major leagues, but a strong case can be made that Devers already possesses the highest ceiling in Boston’s system.
New York Yankees: Aaron Judge, OF
3 of 30Aaron Judge, the No. 32 overall selection in the 2013 draft, was unable to make his professional debut last summer due to a quad injury, which in turn cast doubt about how he'd fare when thrust into full-season ball in 2014.
Well, the 22-year-old outfielder answered those questions by batting .333/.428/.530 with nine home runs, 15 doubles and 45 RBI in 65 games for Low-A Charleston before moving up to High-A Tampa.
Judge’s production carried over in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, where he posted a .283/.411/.442 batting line to go along with eight home runs, nine doubles and 33 RBI in 66 games.
At 6’7”, 230 pounds (debatable), Aaron Judge is not the poorly coordinated ogre you’d expect him to be. In fact, he’s the exact opposite. With a physical presence comparable to Giancarlo Stanton’s, Aaron Judge is an impressive athlete with very promising baseball skills on both sides of the ball.
As long as he stays healthy, Judge has the potential for 20-plus home runs with a high on-base percentage while playing a solid right field in the major leagues. He’ll likely begin 2015 at Double-A Trenton, putting him on pace to debut with the Yankees the following year with Carlos Beltran on his way out.
Tampa Bay Rays: Steven Souza Jr., OF
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Steven Souza turned in a breakout performance in 2013 and followed it up with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, but his age (25) and lack of prospect hype (third-round draft pick in 2007) still had him flying under the radar heading into 2014.
However, that changed in a big way this past season at Triple-A Syracuse: The 6’4”, 225-pound outfielder was named International League MVP after pacing the league in batting average (.345), on-base percentage (.427) and slugging (.577), in addition to tallying 18 home runs, 25 doubles, 77 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 100 games.
Souza also received his first taste of the major leagues in 2014 but went just 3-for-23 in 21 games, a majority of which he entered as a defensive replacement. That’s exactly what he did in Game 162 of the regular season, and we all know how that turned out…
Yet Souza's lack of a clear path to playing time in Washington made him expendable, which led to the Nats deciding to trade him Wednesday to Tampa Bay as part of a three-team, 11-player blockbuster, according to The Associated Press (h/t FoxSports.com).
Souza is the type of player who will surprise people once given consistent playing time, as his combination of size, athleticism, tools and secondary skills profile favorably in a big league outfield. The 25-year-old’s ability to play all three positions could make him a near-everyday player for the Rays, though a platoon scenario is also possible given his ability to mash left-handed pitching.
Toronto Blue Jays: Dalton Pompey, OF
5 of 30Pompey, a 22-year-old switch-hitter, emerged as one the game’s more intriguing power-speed prospects this year, excelling at four different levels and finishing with an impressive showing in the major leagues as a September call-up.
Pompey began his season with High-A Dunedin in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League before moving up to Double-A New Hampshire in late June. He played in only 31 Eastern League games before he received another promotion, this time moving up to Triple-A Buffalo.
After batting .358/.393/.453 with 15 runs scored and six stolen bases in 12 Triple-A games, Pompey was officially called up to the major leagues, where he posted a .738 OPS with four extra-base hits in 43 plate appearances.
He finished his second full professional season in the minors with a .313/.388/.462 batting line, nine home runs, nine triples, 20 doubles, 43 stolen bases and an 84-to-52 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 494 plate appearances (112 games) across three levels.
Pompey has a high-end combination of hit/speed potential while also playing a solid center field—all attributes he showcased during his time in the major leagues. Though he’s still young and relatively raw, the fact that Pompey’s secondary skills developed so rapidly last season bodes well for his future.
Speaking of his future, the Blue Jays decision to trade Anthony Gose last month cleared a path for Pompey to take over as the team's starting center fielder in 2015.
Chicago White Sox: Carlos Rodon, LHP
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The White Sox promoted Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, to Triple-A Charlotte in mid-August less than a month after he made his professional debut in the rookie-level Arizona League.
The 22-year-old impressed at the minor leagues' highest level, posting a 3.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 12 innings (three starts). Over his final two starts, the southpaw fanned 15 batters in nine innings.
Rodon has everything one looks for in a potential front-end starter with a durable frame, three offerings with plus-or-better potential and the type of competitive mound presence that can’t be taught. He should compete during spring training for a spot in the South Siders’ Opening Day rotation and, as long as he stays healthy, it shouldn’t take him long to emerge as one of baseball’s premier left-handed pitchers.
Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor, SS
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Francisco Lindor returned to Double-A Akron to begin the season and held his own as one of the Eastern League’s youngest players, batting .278/.352/.389 with 22 extra-base hits and 25 steals in 88 games.
The Indians moved him up to Triple-A Columbus in July, suggesting that the 21-year-old defensive wizard might get his first taste of the major leagues in September. However, even after dealing Asdrubal Cabrera at the trade deadline, the organization decided not to call up Lindor for the season’s final month.
After swiping 25 bags in 32 attempts in 2013 (78.1 percent), Lindor took a step back on the basepaths this season with a 63.6 percent success rate (28 of 44) between the two levels.
Defense will always be Lindor’s greatest strength, but he should also offer enough with the bat to be a fantasy-relevant shortstop. Specifically, Lindor’s advanced approach should lead to a respectable batting average at the highest level, and it makes him even more valuable in OBP leagues. Beyond that, he’s also a safe bet to swipe upwards of 20 bags annually and could pile up runs if stationed in the top third of the Indians’ lineup.
Lindor is expected to open the 2015 season back at Triple-A Columbus, according to Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer (Cleveland). That could change with a strong spring, he writes, though the Twins are more likely to use Jose Ramirez at shortstop until the Super Two deadline passes in late May/early June.
Detroit Tigers: Steven Moya, OF/DH
8 of 30Steven Moya's near-elite raw power has long ranked among the best in the minor leagues, but a rash of injuries―including Tommy John surgery―caused him to fall behind the developmental curve, which is why he reached Double-A Erie for the first time this year in his sixth professional campaign.
Moya made up for the lost time in a big way last season, as he was named MVP of the Double-A Eastern League after leading the circuit in home runs (35), RBI (105), extra-base hits (71) and slugging percentage (.555)―all career highs. On top of that, his 35 bombs, 286 total bases, 71 extra-base hits and 105 RBI were single-season franchise records for Erie.
Moya also improved against same-side pitching, with a .262/.289/.529 batting line and 13 home runs, but his 56-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio during that span suggests there’s still considerable room for improvement. Meanwhile, Moya continued to mash against righties to the tune of .885 OPS, 22 home runs and 24 doubles.
The Tigers rewarded Moya for his breakout performance with a September call-up, a decision that was made easier by the 23-year-old outfielder’s spot on the team’s 40-man roster. After picking up his first big league hit in his first at-bat, Moya finished the regular season with three hits in eight at-bats for the Tigers.
Moya’s power and run-producing potential both are very real, but unfortunately, so is his penchant for whiffing and limited hit-tool utility against left-handed pitching. But if he can continue to improve on those fronts, Moya should have an opportunity to carve out a role as corner outfielder or designated hitter for the Tigers in the upcoming season.
Kansas City Royals: Sean Manaea, LHP
9 of 30There was an argument that Manaea was the top college pitcher in the 2013 draft, but a hip issue caused him to drop to the 34th overall pick.
Suffice it to say, Manaea was everything the Royals hoped he’d be in his professional debut last season, posting a 3.11 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 121.2 innings (25 starts) at High-A Wilmington.
The left-hander was especially dominant over his final eight outings, with a 1.23 ERA, .180 BAA (.462 OPS) and 55-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 51.1 innings. The left-hander didn’t allow more than five hits in a game during that span, and he capped his impressive professional debut with 12 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in his last start.
Manaea should begin 2015 at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and if all goes according to plan, he might be ready to join the Royals’ starting rotation late in the season.
Minnesota Twins: Nick Burdi, RHP
10 of 30Nick Burdi was utterly dominant as Louisville’s closer during 2013 and '14, as the hard-throwing right-hander saved a total of 34 games while posting a 0.62 ERA and a ridiculous 127-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 72.2 innings (61 appearances).
Following his selection by the Twins in the second round, Burdi saved four games and fanned 26 batters in only 13 innings (18.0 strikeouts per nine innings) at Low-A Cedar Rapids. The flame-throwing right-hander was even more dominant after moving up to High-A Fort Myers, recording one more save while striking out 12 batters over 7.1 scoreless frames.
With two present MLB-worthy pitches in an upper 90s fastball that has exceeded triple digits in the past and a devastating swing-and-miss slider that registers in the upper 80s, Burdi should find himself in the Twins bullpen by mid-2015.
Houston Astros: Carlos Correa, SS
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One of the younger everyday players at the High-A level, Correa, in his age-19 campaign, continued to blow past all reasonable expectations in 2014—albeit in the hitter-friendly California League—with a .325/.416/.510 batting line, 32 extra-base hits, 20 stolen bases and a 45-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 62 games.
Correa seemed bound for a promotion to Double-A before suffering a season-ending fibula injury in late June while sliding into third base. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter and has already progressed to running and taking ground balls, and general manager Jeff Luhnow believes Correa will be ready by February for spring training.
Correa is a physically blessed player with plus makeup and the potential for five average-or-better tools at maturity, and he’s still on the fast track to the major leagues despite the ankle injury. In general, the 20-year-old has one of the highest ceilings in the minors, with the potential to be a perennial All-Star and possibly even an MVP candidate in his prime.
Los Angeles Angels: Andrew Heaney, LHP
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Andrew Heaney began 2014 with a dominant showing between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, which resulted in a promotion to the major leagues in early June. However, the 23-year-old left-handed pitcher couldn’t replicate his minor league success against the game’s top hitters, going 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA and five home runs allowed in 20.2 innings over four starts.
Heaney continued to scuffle after returning to Triple-A, registering a 4.30 ERA and yielding eight more home runs over his final 60.2 innings spanning 11 starts, but he still returned to the major leagues as a September call-up. The southpaw looked sharper after rejoining the Marlins, notching four strikeouts and allowing just two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The Marlins dealt Heaney to the Dodgers in the Dee Gordon trade, who then traded him to the Angels in return for Howie Kendrick. Heaney should have the opportunity to crack the Angels’ Opening Day rotation, though that might depend on Garrett Richards’ recovery.
Oakland Athletics: Matt Olson, 1B
13 of 30Matt Olson, the No. 47 overall pick in the 2012 draft, ranked second in the Low-A Midwest League last year (his full-season debut) with 23 home runs. This year, the 20-year-old slugger led the California League and ranked third in all of the minors with 37 home runs. He also paced the league with 111 runs scored, 278 total bases and 117 walks.
The California League is hitter-friendly, but Stockton is slightly slanted toward pitchers, which makes Olson's higher output at home (.262/.402/.591 with 21 homers) as opposed to on the road (.262/.406/.496 with 16 homers) all the more impressive.
Olson is the definition of a Three True Outcome hitter, as he hit a home run (5.8 percent), walked (18.3 percent) or struck out (21.5 percent) in 45.6 percent of his 638 plate appearances.
The A’s are always looking to improve from within at first base and designated hitter, so it’s conceivable that Olson, who’s likely to open next season at the Double-A level, could be in the major leagues by the end of the 2015.
Seattle Mariners: Gabby Guerrero, OF
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The nephew of Vladimir Guerrero, Gabby showcased more consistent power as well as better plate discipline this past season at High-A High Desert, albeit in the hitter-friendly environments in the California League.
Still, Guerrero’s improved power frequency put him on the big league radar this season, as the 21-year-old established career highs in most offensive categories, including home runs (18), doubles (28), RBI (96) and stolen bases (18). Overall, he batted .307/.347/.467 in 131 games.
Guerrero has the potential to hit .300 while hitting 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases but will likely need a full season in Double-A in 2015 before making his major league debut in mid-2016.
Texas Rangers: Nomar Mazara, OF
15 of 30Nomar Mazara made the jump directly to Double-A Frisco last season after posting an .828 OPS with 19 home runs while repeating the Low-A level. The 19-year-old outfielder impressed during his 24 games in the Texas League, batting .306/.381/.518 with 11 extra-base hits and 16 RBI.
On the season, the 6'4", 195-pound, left-handed hitter batted .271/.362/.478 with 22 home runs, 28 doubles, 89 RBI and a 121-66 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 130 games.
The fact that Mazara was promoted directly from Low-A to Double-A speaks volumes about his potential, not to mention his overall maturity and makeup. At maturity, he has the potential to hit 25-plus home runs at the major league level.
Atlanta Braves: Jose Peraza, 2B
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After opening eyes last year with a .288 batting average and 64 steals in his full-season debut at Low-A Rome, Peraza, 20, jumped on the fast track to the major leagues by batting .342/.365/.454 with 97 hits and 35 stolen bases in his first 66 games at High-A Lynchburg.
At the time of his promotion to Double-A, Peraza was riding a 14-game hitting streak, during which he was batting .426/.444/.656, and he also was leading the Carolina League in batting average, stolen bases and hits (97).
Peraza continued to rake in the Southern League despite serving as one of its younger everyday players, as he batted .335/.363/.422 with 11 extra-base hits and 25 steals in 44 contests.
Between both levels, the right-handed hitter batted .339 with 159 hits and 60 stolen bases in 110 games.
The Braves shifted Peraza from shortstop to second base last season in deference to Andrelton Simmons, which could give the team one of the best double-play combinations in baseball for years to come. As of now, the Braves seem prepared to begin next season with a combination of Phil Gosselin and the recently signed Alberto Callaspo at the keystone. However, they’ll only be keeping the seat warm for Peraza, who should arrive at some point during the second half.
Miami Marlins: J.T. Realmuto, C
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J.T. Realmuto always has held a spot in my heart, and not just because he batted .595 with 28 home runs in 42 games as a high school senior while also setting national records with 88 hits and 119 RBI.
The 23-year-old struggled in 2013 at Double-A Jacksonville, but he improved across the board last year in his second tour of the Southern League, raising his OPS by .167 points while setting career highs in doubles (25), total bases (173), RBI (62), walks (41) and stolen bases (18).
Realmuto also received his first taste of the major leagues in 2014, batting .241 with nine RBI in 11 games, which puts him in a strong position to land a spot on Miami’s 2015 Opening Day roster.
New York Mets: Steven Matz, LHP
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The New York Mets selected Steven Matz in the second round of the 2009 draft, but the left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery after signing and didn’t make his professional debut until 2012. Since then, however, the 23-year-old has made up for the lost time with a dominating ascent through the Mets system.
Matz began his first season at the High-A level by posting a 2.21 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 69.1 innings in the Florida State League, earning a midseason promotion to Double-A Binghamton. The southpaw was even more impressive in the Eastern League, registering a 2.27 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 71.1 innings.
Matz also pitched to 1.28 ERA with 48 strikeouts and nine walks over his final 42.1 innings (seven starts), and he struck out a season-high 11 batters over 7.1 innings Sept. 12 and helped the B-Mets capture the Eastern League crown.
The 6’2”, 200-pound left-hander primarily relies on a low- to mid-90s fastball with heavy sink and still needs to refine his secondaries, but his performance at a pair of advanced levels this season was very encouraging and has him poised to make an impact in 2015.
Philadelphia Phillies: Aaron Nola, RHP
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Aaron Nola, 21, was assigned to High-A Clearwater of the Florida State League following his selection by the Phillies with the No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft. There, he registered a 3.16 ERA and 30-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 31.1 innings.
The right-hander fared even better after moving up to Double-A Reading in early August, pitching to a 2.63 ERA over 24 innings, but he had his strikeout rate halved against more advanced hitters in the Eastern League.
Between both levels, Nola walked just 10 batters in 55.1 innings (1.7 walks per nine innings) and held opposing hitters to a .240 batting average.
The Phillies have Nola on the fast track to the major leagues, and if all goes as planned with the right-hander’s development, he should spend most of 2015 in the team’s starting rotation. There may be some bumps in the road along the way, but Nola has a high probability of reaching his potential—and soon.
Washington Nationals: Reynaldo Lopez, RHP
20 of 30Reynaldo Lopez was one of the biggest breakout prospects of the season, as the 20-year-old right-hander posted a minuscule 1.08 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while allowing just 42 hits in 83.1 innings (.149 BAA) between the Short Season and Low-A levels.
Lopez was especially dominant over his final seven starts in the South Atlantic League, with a 0.23 ERA, .303 opponents’ OPS and 34-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 39.2 innings.
Featuring a four-pitch mix that includes a mid- to upper-90s fastball and plus curveball, Lopez could be a fast riser in an organization that might be in the market for pitching next offseason, with Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister set to become free agents.
Chicago Cubs: Addison Russell, SS
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Addison Russell, 20, missed most of the first half with a hamstring injury prior to being dealt to the Cubs in early July. However, the shortstop seemingly benefited from the change of scenery, batting .294/.332/.536 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 36 RBI in 50 games at Double-A Tennessee. The only thing Russell didn’t do this season was steal bases, though that should have been expected after he missed most of the first half with a hamstring injury.
Russell makes lots of hard contact thanks to his plus bat speed and innate bat-to-ball skills, and he’s really started driving the ball to all fields over the last year. His swing will get long at times, but Russell gets through the zone so quickly that his average won't suffer due to strikeout totals. Lastly, his mature approach and pitch recognition will lead to plenty of walks and high on-base percentages during his career.
The right-handed hitter’s combination of plus bat speed and a deep point of contact should generate upwards of 20 home runs at the highest level, possibly more depending on his physical development in the coming years. And given his ability to use the entire field, Russell should always tally a high number of doubles and triples.
Overall, Russell has the makings of an All-Star-caliber shortstop, but there’s still a sizable gap between his present ability and overall potential. He should be ready to make an impact in major leagues at some point next season, though the Cubs first will have to determine where he’ll play given their impressive depth up the middle.
Cincinnati Reds: Jesse Winker, LF
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Jesse Winker posted a 1.006 OPS in 53 games at High-A Bakersfield to open the season, but his production fell off after moving up to Double-A Pensacola (.677 OPS in 21 games), likely due to the partially torn tendon in his right wrist that ultimately ended his season in late July (but didn’t require surgery).
Fully healthy for the AFL, the sweet-swinging Winker was once again locked in at the plate, as he wound up leading all qualified hitters with a .338 batting average. Meanwhile, the power to all fields he showed in the fall (4 2B, 3B, 3 HR) proved the wrist injury was behind him.
Winker is likely to begin the 2015 season back at Double-A, while his estimated time of arrival in the major leagues will depend on how the Reds choose to replace free agent Ryan Ludwick this offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers: Orlando Arcia, SS
23 of 30Orlando Arcia, the younger brother of Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, enjoyed a breakout performance last season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, batting .289 with a .738 OPS, 38 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases in 127 games.
The 20-year-old shortstop has always stood out for his impressive defense at shortstop, leaving little doubt about whether he’ll be able to stick at the position long term. However, the development of Arcia’s bat over the last year has boosted his overall stock, and he’s still just getting a feel for tapping into his emerging power.
At his current pace of development, we might be discussing Arcia as one of baseball’s top shortstop prospects at this time next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Elias Diaz, C
24 of 30Elias Diaz turned in a breakout performance at the plate this past season, batting .312/.366/.421 with 21 doubles and a career-high six home runs in 404 plate appearances between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. The 24-year-old has always shown solid contact skills, but 2014 was the first year he noticeably started to drive the ball.
Diaz will be a guy to follow closely next season, even more so now after the Pittsburgh Pirates opted to not re-sign Russell Martin. His agility and quickness behind the plate makes him a strong blocker, and it really stood in the context of the AFL, where he was forced to catch a variety of pitchers in a given game.
His catch-and-throw skills, meanwhile, are tremendous; I had him at a 1.86-second pop time to second base on a steal attempt in the AFL...from his knees. Basically, he's a baller behind the plate.
Diaz was added to the Pirates’ 40-man roster in November, as the team wisely protected him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Though he’ll be given a long look during spring training, Diaz is more likely to open the season back in Triple-A. However, his defensive prowess and emerging bat make him a candidate for an early-season promotion.
St. Louis Cardinals: Rob Kaminsky, LHP
25 of 30Left-hander Rob Kaminsky, the No. 28 overall pick in the 2013 draft, turned in an impressive full-season debut at Low-A Peoria, pacing all Midwest League pitchers (with at least 100 innings) with a 1.88 ERA while holding opposing hitters to an overall batting line of .194/.266/.251 over 407 plate appearances.
The 20-year-old southpaw didn’t miss as many bats as expected, but his pure stuff and ability to attack hitters suggests that will come with experience. Kaminsky is likely to begin 2015 in the Florida State League, but his handedness and present feel for pitching should have him in Double-A by season's end.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Drury, 3B/2B
26 of 30Brandon Drury hit .300/.366/.519 with 35 doubles and 19 home runs over 107 games with High-A Visalia before a promotion to Double-A Mobile. The 22-year-old continued to rake in the Southern League, posting an .821 OPS with 11 extra-base hits (four home runs) in 29 games.
Drury’s batting practice at this year's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game was downright impressive, as the 22-year-old laced sharp line drives to the deepest parts of Salt River Fields—the kind of line drives that make it easy to envision many of his doubles clearing more fences as he develops.
Overall, Drury profiles as a solid defensive third baseman who hits .300 with 15-20 homers and 30-plus doubles. The Arizona Diamondbacks will want to see what they have in Jake Lamb next season, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Drury in the major leagues by the end of 2015.
Colorado Rockies: Forrest Wall, 2B
27 of 30Forrest Wall fell to the Rockies with the No. 35 overall pick due to his limited defensive profile as a second base-only prospect and the fact he underwent shoulder surgery prior to his senior year.
But Wall quickly proved to be one of the biggest steals from Day 1 of the draft with an impressive professional debut, posting an .907 OPS with 15 extra-base hits and 18 steals over 41 games in the rookie-level Pioneer League. The left-handed batter was particularly impressive against same-side pitching, batting .478/.613/.783 with three extra-base hits in 23 at-bats.
The 19-year-old second baseman has the potential to hit .300 and the raw power to hit 15-20 home runs in the majors, and he could be moved to center field in the long term, which would take advantage of his speed. He’ll likely open 2015 at Low-A Asheville, where he could conceivably put up monster numbers at a home field that favors left-handed batters.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Julio Urias, LHP
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Julio Urias emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball last season, as the immensely talented left-handed pitcher dominated older hitters in the offense-heavy California League.
After celebrating his 18th birthday on Aug. 12, Urias capped his outstanding campaign by posting a 0.44 ERA with 31 strikeouts over his final 20.1 innings (five starts). On the season, the southpaw pitched to a 2.36 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 109 strikeouts in 87.2 innings while also holding opposing hitters to a dismal .194/.292/.290 batting line.
Urias isn’t your average pitching prospect, so don’t expect the Dodgers to treat him as such. The 18-year-old is a safe bet to reach the major leagues as a teenager, with the only question being whether it happens when he’s 18 (2015) or 19 (2016).
San Diego Padres: Hunter Renfroe, OF
29 of 30Selected with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Hunter Renfroe, 22, posted an impressive .295/.370/.565 line with 40 extra-base hits in the California League, which included a .343/.415/.636 line over his last 34 games.
However, Renfroe’s aggressive approach at the plate and swing-and-miss tendencies hurt his power frequency after moving up to Double-A San Antonio, as he hit just five home runs in 60 games after totaling 16 in 69 High-A contests.
Renfroe stands out for his enormous raw power, which produced six home runs in this year's Arizona Fall League, as well as his ability to punish mistakes. However, he also likes to swing (a lot), and he’s always going to strike out more than desired. But while his approach needs refinement, the 22-year-old’s ability to get the barrel to the ball is impressive, and he’s just missing a lot of pitches at this point in his career that he won’t in the future.
While San Diego's recent acquisitions of Wil Myers and possibly Matt Kemp (this trade is still up in the air, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports) seemingly hurt Renfroe's chances of reaching the major leagues anytime soon, you can bet there will be plenty of teams checking in on his availability moving forward.
San Francisco Giants: Ty Blach, LHP
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A fifth-round draft pick in 2012, Blach jumped up the prospect radar in 2013 during his professional debut, as he led the hitter-friendly California League in both ERA (2.90) and walks per nine innings (1.2 BB/9).
Moved up to Double-A Richmond for 2014, the 24-year-old left-hander continued his under-the-radar climb to the major leagues by posting a 3.13 ERA over 141 innings (25 starts). Blach pitched especially well over his final five starts, with a 1.10 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 32.2 innings.
Blach lacks a dominant pitch, but his fastball, slider and changeup each project to be average or better at maturity and should play up thanks to his plus command. The southpaw will presumably begin 2015 in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, which would set him up for a second-half debut with the Giants.

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