Bleacher Report's Top 25 Prospects Who Could Make MLB Teams This Spring
At long last, the offseason has finally come to an end. On Wednesday, pitchers and catchers will begin reporting to spring training, with the full squad scheduled to arrive within the following week.
Besides providing an opportunity for veteran players to fine-tune their skills in anticipation of the season, spring training also offers prospects the chance to make a strong impression in front of the entire organization, perhaps even win a role on the Opening Day roster.
Teams are usually reluctant to break camp with young, inexperienced prospects on the big league roster—especially if they’re not already on the 40-man roster. Instead, they prefer to send them to Double- or Triple-A for a few more months of seasoning and to avoid an extra year of arbitration down the road.
That being said, Joc Pederson, Christian Bethancourt and Jorge Soler seemingly have inside tracks to starting jobs with their respective clubs in 2015. However, they represent a small sample of the prospect pool that will compete for roster spots during spring training.
Using the latest team projections from Roster Resource, we’ve put together a ranking of the top prospects who could realistically make an Opening Day roster. Please note that this list does not include international signees such as Yasmany Tomas and Jung-ho Kang, players yet to make their professional debuts.
Here are the top 25 prospects who could make MLB teams this spring.
All stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
Roster projections courtesy of Roster Resource unless otherwise noted.
25. J.R. Graham, RHP, Minnesota Twins
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J.R. Graham simply hasn't been the same since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-May of 2013, as it cost him velocity and sinking action on his fastball.
However, the right-hander, who was officially moved to the bullpen late in the 2014 season at Double-A Mississippi, still has the potential to carve out a bullpen role if he's able to return to his 2012 form.
The Twins selected Graham, 25, with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's Rule 5 draft, and pro scouting director Vern Followell confirmed shortly thereafter that the club views him as a potential bullpen arm, provided he’s healthy.
It’s also worth noting that the Twins might be able to keep Graham on the major league roster even if his shoulder turns out to be an ongoing issue. A Rule 5 pick must spend 90 days on the active roster, meaning Minnesota, provided it has the necessary roster space, could potentially stash him on the disabled list for an extended period of time.
24. Mark Canha, IF/OF, Oakland Athletics
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A seventh-round draft pick of the Marlins in 2010, Mark Canha has shown an intriguing combination of hit-tool and power potential during his steady climb through the minor leagues.
In 2014, the 26-year-old enjoyed arguably the best offensive campaign of his professional career, batting .303/.384/.505 with 20 home runs, 28 doubles and 82 RBI in 127 games for Triple-A New Orleans.
Canha also proved to be a versatile defender, too, as he saw significant playing time at first base (40 games), third base (18 games) and left field (61 games).
The Rockies traded Canha to the A’s after selecting him in the Rule 5 draft (from the Marlins’ system), and he’ll now have to stick on Oakland’s active roster for all of 2015 if it wants to keep him. The A’s have had previous success in the Rule 4 draft—most recently with Nate Freiman—and they may have found a cheap source of power in Canha.
However, Canha is still going to face competition for a corner infield/outfield role with the A’s, as he’ll go up against Freiman and possibly Rangel Ravelo in spring training, while Ike Davis is projected as the team’s Opening Day first baseman.
It’s hard to imagine the A’s targeted the 26-year-old Canha without a specific role in mind. Therefore, that notion, along with his defensive versatility, should ultimately give him an edge over Freiman.
23. Jace Peterson, IF, Atlanta Braves
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The Padres selected Jace Peterson, a former two-sport standout at McNeese State University, with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2011 draft.
The 24-year-old left-handed batter received his first taste of the major leagues in 2014 but hit just .113 with 18 strikeouts in 58 plate appearances. However, Peterson did showcase his defensive versatility during his time in The Show, playing both second and third base after logging 330 games at shortstop in the minor leagues.
Peterson was traded to the Braves this offseason as part of the Justin Upton deal, and he's expected to compete for a reserve spot on the team's bench during spring training.
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22. Cam Bedrosian, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
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No reliever was more dominant than Cam Bedrosian during the first two months of the minor league season. The right-hander registered a 1.13 ERA, saved eight games and struck out 45 batters in 24 innings (16.9 strikeouts per nine) between High-A Inland Empire and Double-A Arkansas, with opposing hitters combining for a .079/.167/.118 batting line against him during that time frame.
The 23-year-old also made five separate trips to the major leagues between June and September but struggled to make an impact out of the Angels bullpen, posting a 6.52 ERA and 20-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 19.1 innings over 17 appearances.
A stocky and undersized right-hander at 6’0”, 205 pounds, Bedrosian attacks hitters with his 93-95 mph fastball, at times reaching back for more, while the pitch’s late life allows him to work effectively toward the top of the hitting zone.
His slider is an average offering, thrown with good velocity in the mid-80s with late biting action, and he also works in a changeup against left-handed batters.
Bedrosian will compete during spring training for a spot in the team’s big league bullpen.
21. Kendall Graveman, RHP, Oakland Athletics
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Selected by the Blue Jays in the eighth round of the 2013 draft out of Mississippi State, Kendall Graveman raced through the minor leagues last season, making stops at each of the four full-season levels before appearing in five games with Toronto as a September call-up.
After the season, the A’s acquired Graveman from Toronto in the Josh Donaldson trade.
Prior to working out of the Blue Jays bullpen, the 24-year-old made 27 starts across the Low-, High-, Double- and Triple-A levels, posting a 1.83 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 115-31 K/BB ratio in 167.1 innings. He allowed only two home runs during that span and held opposing hitters to a .231 batting average.
A 6’2”, 195-pound right-hander, Graveman's—who enters the season ranked as the A’s fifth-best prospect—strong command profile and ability to keep the ball on the ground make him a clean fit in the A’s rotation, and general manager Billy Beane has already stated that the 24-year-old has an “inside track” to making the Opening Day roster, per Jeremy F. Koo of Athletics Nation.
The right-hander will compete for the final spot in the rotation with Jesse Chavez, who started 21 games for the A’s in 2014, and Sean Nolin, a 25-year-old left-hander who came over with Graveman from Toronto.
20. Odubel Herrera, IF/OF, Philadelphia Phillies
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Selected by the Phillies (from the Rangers) in this year's Rule 5 draft, Odubel Herrera batted .315/.383/.388 with 21 steals in 125 games last season between High-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco, and his .321 average in 96 games at the latter stop paced all hitters with at least 300 at-bats in the Texas League.
The 23-year-old continued to rake this offseason, as he was named MVP of the Venezuelan Winter League after batting .372 with six homers and 27 RBI in 58 games.
Herrera has played 135 of his 574 pro games at shortstop, which is significant after the Phillies' offseason trade of Jimmy Rollins, but he's also comfortable at second base as well as in the outfield.
His overall versatility should help him stick with the Phillies as a reserve to begin the season, though it might not take the Rule 5 pick long to hit his way into an everyday role.
19. Nick Tropeano, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
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Nick Tropeano spent most of the 2014 season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, where the right-hander posted a 3.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 120-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 124.2 innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 24-year-old had his contract purchased by the Astros in early September and went on to make four starts in the final month of the regular season. Tropeano’s time in Houston was short-lived, however, as he was traded to the Angels in November along with catcher Carlos Perez as part of the deal for Hank Conger.
A 6’4”, 200-pound right-hander, Tropeano lacks dominant stuff but boasts a pair of solid-average offerings in his low-90s fastball and changeup. He’s adept at mixing in his slider to keep opposing hitters off-balance, though it doesn’t project as a swing-and-miss offering at the highest level.
Tropeano’s two better-than-average pitches and good control give him the floor of a No. 5 starter in the major leagues, and he's likely to compete with Andrew Heaney during spring training for the final spot in the team's Opening Day rotation.
18. James McCann, C, Detroit Tigers
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A second-round draft pick back in 2011, James McCann took a big step forward last year in Double-A Erie and continued to improve last season at Triple-A Toledo, posting a career-best .295/.343/.427 batting line in 109 games before receiving a call-up in September.
Defensively, McCann has a good blend of strength and athleticism at 6’2", 210 pounds, and he’s a good receiver who understands game-calling and sequencing. His arm strength is slightly above average but plays up thanks to his quick release, and it helped him throw out base stealers at a 42 percent clip last season.
A right-handed batter, McCann’s overall hit tool could become average with refinement, and it’s likely to play at least a half-grade higher against left-handed pitching, which he mashes, making him at least a potential platoon option behind the plate.
However, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski recently stated he views McCann as a future everyday catcher in the major leagues, per Anthony French of the Detroit Free Press. So, expect the 24-year-old to receive a long look this spring.
17. Alex Colome, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
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Alex Colome was expected to get his first extended audition in the major leagues in 2014, but a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs delayed the start of his season until late May and surely cost the 26-year-old many opportunities to land a role in the Rays rotation or bullpen.
He did return to the major leagues and ultimately pitched 23.2 innings, but three of his five appearances on the year came after rosters expanded in September.
When healthy, Colome boasts a low- to mid-90s fastball that has late life and digs on the hands of righties, and he also throws a good cutter in the low 90s with late slicing action.
The right-hander’s second arsenal includes a curveball with above-average potential and a changeup that’s effective when sequenced off his fastball or cutter, but his command of both pitches is inconsistent and limits his overall potential as a starter.
With Colome, it all comes down to whether he can stay on the field. The right-hander missed significant time with injuries in both 2012 and 2013, and he’s logged more than 120 innings in a season just twice in his eight-year career.
Still, Colome appears to be the leading candidate to take over as the Rays’ No. 5 starter in 2015, as he possesses more upside and stuff than Nate Karns or Burch Smith.
16. Randal Grichuk, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
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Randal Grichuk went from odd man out with the Angels in 2013 to a big leaguer with the Cardinals the following year, as he batted .245/.278/.400 in 47 games—not including the postseason—while playing all three outfield positions.
The 23-year-old’s top tool is his plus raw power, and his ability to apply it in games has seen increased utility in the last two years in the form of back-to-back 20-plus homer campaigns.
However, Grichuk’s bat likely will continue to be exploited by quality secondary stuff from right-handers, as his aggressive approach and pitch recognition create too much swing-and-miss.
On the other side of the ball, Grichuk is a clean fit in either right or left field. He’s a solid-average defender with good arm strength, but his problems with hitting right-handed pitching likely will keep him from an everyday role.
15. Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta Braves
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Bethancourt will open the season as the Braves' everyday catcher, this coming after he batted .248 in 117 plate appearances and played in 31 games in 2014.
The 23-year-old is one of the top defensive backstops in the game, as his combination of 80-grade arm strength, sound footwork and catch-and-throw skills generates consistent pop times around 1.8 seconds.
With a physically strong 6’2”, 205-pound frame, Bethancourt looks like he should hit for regular power. However, he only shows it in games on inner-half offerings, when he’s able to clear his hips and turn on the ball.
Meanwhile, his bat is easily his weakest tool, as he still employs an overaggressive approach and tends to swing at anything around the zone. And while his solid bat-to-ball skills aid his ability to make consistent contact, Bethancourt frequently gets himself out by either pulling off the ball or putting a weak swing on something away.
Bethancourt’s approach and hit tool might always leave something to be desired, but he’s a game-changing defender behind the plate and ready for an everyday role.
14. Anthony DeSclafani, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
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Anthony DeSclafani reached the major leagues last season with the Marlins, but the club’s win-now approach saw the 24-year-old traded to the Reds in the Mat Latos deal.
DeSclafani posted a 6.27 ERA in a short sample of 33 innings during his time with Miami. However, his strikeout and walk rates were consistent with those he posted between Double-A and Triple-A, and his 3.77 FIP suggested that his ugly ERA was mostly a result of bad luck.
The right-hander also boosted his stock with an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 2.67 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 27 innings.
Ranked as the Reds’ No. 6 prospect for the 2015 season, DeSclafani has an arsenal of three average-or-better pitches, including a 93-94 mph running fastball that he uses to pound the bottom of the zone, generating both whiffs and weak contact.
The 6’1” right-hander’s go-to secondary offering is a hard, low- to mid-80s slider with good tilt, and he has a good feel for sequencing it in relation to his heater.
DeSclafani will contend for the final spot in the Reds’ Opening Day rotation, with David Holmberg, Jason Marquis, Dylan Axelrod and possibly Raisel Iglesias representing his competition.
13. Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
13 of 25Raisel Iglesias inked a seven-year, $27 million contract with the Reds last July, and the Cuban right-hander promptly showed what he was about by allowing four baserunners in seven innings during his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League.
Working out of the bullpen, the 25-year-old Iglesias sat in the low 90s with his fastball, occasionally hitting 95-plus, and he showed a good feel for inducing whiffs with his slider. He also throws a curveball and changeup, which gives him potential as a starter, should the Reds take that route.
Based on his strong showing in the fall, there's growing belief that Iglesias has a real chance to make the Reds' Opening Day rotation. More importantly, his new manager, Bryan Price, has made it very clear that he views Iglesias as a starter.
12. Andrew Susac, C, San Francisco Giants
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Andrew Susac proved to be a valuable asset over the final two months of the regular season, batting .273/.326/.466 with eight doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI in 95 plate appearances (35 games).
Meanwhile, his consistent production allowed the Giants to rest Buster Posey down the stretch, as Susac ultimately made 20 starts behind the plate.
As a 6’1”, 215-pound right-handed hitter, Susac’s loudest tool is his above-average power—plus raw power, however—as he’s now hit at least 12 home runs with a .450 slugging percentage in back-to-back seasons across the sport’s three highest levels.
Susac always has shown strong on-base skills as well as an advanced approach throughout his career; however, his game will always feature some swing-and-miss, which in turn should keep his batting average in the .250-.260 range.
On the other side of the ball, Susac is an advanced receiver with underrated athleticism and above-average arm strength. While his overall defensive profile should be strong enough to hold down an everyday gig, Susac is likely to serve as Buster Posey’s backup in 2015 just as he did toward the end of the regular season—and that formula worked pretty darn well for everyone involved.
11. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Atlanta Braves
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Mike Foltynewicz reached the major leagues last season with the Astros, where he showcased his outstanding arm strength and pure stuff while appearing in 16 games out of the bullpen. During the offseason, the 23-year-old was dealt to the Braves as part of the Evan Gattis deal.
The 6’4”, 220-pound right-hander consistently works in the high 90s with his fastball and flirts with triple digits almost every time he takes the mound. His breaking ball has the potential to be a weapon, flashing plus potential with hard, downer break—but it's still inconsistent overall.
Meanwhile, Foltynewicz’s changeup has improved in the last year, as he’s learned to better replicate his fastball arm speed and avoid pushing it toward the plate.
As a member of the Braves, Foltynewicz is penciled in to open the season as the team's fifth starter, though he'll face competition from Manny Banuelos and non-roster invitees such as Eric Stults, Wandy Rodriguez and Chien-Ming Wang.
10. Steven Souza, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
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Steven Souza was named MVP of the International League last season after pacing the league in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging.
He also received his first taste of the major leagues in 2014, but he went just 3-for-23 (with two home runs) 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...
However, the lack of turnover in Washington’s outfield meant Souza was unlikely to see significant time in 2015, which is why the club decided to trade him to Tampa Bay in December as part of a three-team deal with the Padres.
At 6’4”, 225 pounds, Souza is a standout athlete with the potential for four average-or-better tools at maturity, possibly five depending on how he adjusts to major league pitching. The 25-year-old’s carrying tool is his plus raw power, and he’s shown more consistent in-game thump over the last two seasons after tightening his approach.
Souza’s hit tool is still a bit of a question mark, but he should make enough contact to allow his power to translate at the highest level. His slightly above-average speed and strong instincts make him a threat on the basepaths, and it wouldn't be surprising if he continued swiping 15 to 20 bags over a full season.
Souza is expected to open the 2015 season as the Rays' everyday left fielder.
9. Eddie Butler, RHP, Colorado Rockies
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Eddie Butler had a forgettable debut in early June, giving up six runs in 5.1 innings in a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and to make matters worse, the Rockies placed the 23-year-old on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation following the game.
Butler was able to return to the major leagues for two more starts in late September and looked better, but his shoulder and back discomfort popped up again the following month and ended his Arizona Fall League campaign.
Butler posted impressive strikeout numbers in 2012 and 2013, but he suffered a significant regression in that department this year between the Double- and Triple-A levels. His three plus pitches (fastball/slider/changeup) suggest that he will return to his bat-missing ways in the future.
The right-hander’s fastball sits in the mid-90s with exceptional sink and run to the arm side, and he complements it with a swing-and-miss, wipeout slider in the upper 80s. Butler also possesses a filthy changeup in the same velocity range that falls off the table and evades barrels.
He appeared poised to spend a majority of 2014 in the Rockies' starting rotation before suffering the shoulder injury. He still has the ceiling of a No. 3 starter at maturity, but he’ll now have to answer questions about his durability and ability to miss bats next season.
Tyler Matzek is the early favorite to claim the final spot in the Rockies' Opening Day rotation, but Butler could make things interesting with a strong spring.
8. Michael Taylor, OF, Washington Nationals
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After years of flashing potential, Michael Taylor finally put things together last season in the high minors, batting .304/.390/.526 with 23 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 110 games between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, while offering his usual plus defense in center field.
The 23-year-old's breakthrough performance resulted in a trip to the major leagues, where he continued to showcase loud tools on both sides of the ball.
Taylor is a physical specimen with an athletic 6’3”, 210-pound frame that's loaded with quick-twitch muscles. Speed and defense are carrying tools, as he’s a plus runner with outstanding range in center field.
Specifically, Taylor gets terrific reads and routes and goes back on the ball better than many big league center fielders, while his plus arm strength is an underrated weapon at the position.
At the dish, Taylor’s game still features too much swing-and-miss, as evidenced by his 29.6 percent strikeout rate last season in the minor leagues, but his contact rate is still trending up and helped him established career highs in both batting average and home runs.
His bat has been slow to develop due to inconsistent swing mechanics and an aggressive approach; he has a tendency to overstride and drag the bat through the zone, and the timing of his swing is geared toward hitting fastballs.
And while Taylor has grown into his frame over the last two years and learned to tap into his plus raw power, his power frequency in the major leagues likely will be determined by the development and progress of his hit tool.
Taylor has all the tools to be an impact everyday center fielder in the major leagues. However, at 23, he’s still a very unrefined player who has more natural ability than usable baseball skills.
That said, Taylor might have an inside track to playing time early in the season with Jayson Werth's status for Opening Day up in the air, and I wouldn't be surprised if he serves as the team's fourth or fifth outfielder for all of 2015.
7. Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
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Dalton Pompey emerged as one of the game’s more intriguing power-speed prospects in 2014, as his promotion to the major leagues in September marked his fourth level of the season. The 22-year-old held his own at the highest level, too, batting .231/.302/.436 in 43 plate appearances.
Pompey is an exceptional athlete with a wiry-strong 6’2”, 195-pound frame that’s ideal for adding more strength moving forward. The switch-hitter’s strong hands and quick wrists translate to plus bat speed from both sides of the plate, resulting in hard contract across the whole field.
His swing is geared primarily toward stroking line drives, but he’s added some lift from both sides over the past year and begun to tap into his average raw power.
Though he’s young and relatively inexperienced, Pompey already has a good feel for the strike zone and demonstrates pitch recognition, tracking pitches deep into the zone and working deep counts. His on-base skills also allow his plus speed to translate on the base paths, where he should swipe upward of 30 bags annually.
Defensively, Pompey profiles as a long-term center fielder thanks to his consistently strong jumps, plus range and closing speed, and his solid-average arm strength is likely to play up at the position.
Toronto’s decision to trade Anthony Gose during the offseason suggests that it believes Pompey is ready to take over in center field in 2015. The 22-year-old certainly didn’t look overmatched during his monthlong audition in the major leagues, but that’s not to say he won’t endure growing pains over the course of a full season.
However, Pompey’s speed and defense give him the opportunity to still contribute on both sides of the ball as his promising bat continues to develop.
6. Rusney Castillo, OF, Boston Red Sox
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The Red Sox made Rusney Castillo the highest-paid Cuban player in baseball history last summer, signing the 27-year-old outfielder to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract through the 2020 season.
Despite the fact that Castillo hadn’t played organized baseball in over a year at the time of his signing, the Red Sox decided to call him up in mid-September to offer him as much professional experience as possible before the season’s end. Castillo made the most of the opportunity, batting .333 with two home runs and three steals in 10 games.
Normally, it might be wise to temper expectations with Cuban players thrust into the spotlight in the major leagues. But after the recent successes of Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu, it’s probably safe to expect big things from Castillo in 2015.
5. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
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In Aaron Sanchez’s first taste of Double- and Triple-A levels last season, the 22-year-old right-hander saw his strikeout and walk rates trend in opposite directions, but he still proved to be difficult to barrel for opposing hitters.
The Blue Jays decided to promote Sanchez to the major leagues in late July and put him in the bullpen, where the right-hander emerged as a late-inning force behind three saves and a .128 opponent batting average in 33 innings.
Sanchez is one of the more projectable right-handed pitching prospects, with a ridiculously athletic frame and effortless, drool-worthy arm action. His fastball is a plus-plus offering in the mid- to upper 90s that seemingly jumps on opposing hitters with exceptional late life.
His curveball is flat-out nasty, with tight spin and knee-buckling bite, while his changeup will flash plus and features fastball-like arm speed. However, he still has problems retiring left-handed batters, which is a product of his varying fastball command and inconsistent changeup.
The Blue Jays still view Sanchez as a starter long term despite his lights-out performance out of the bullpen, and right now he's penciled in to begin the season in the team's big league rotation.
However, Casey Janssen’s departure and the fact that Toronto didn’t target one of the few available closers on the market make Sanchez a legitimate candidate to take over ninth-inning duties next year.
Sanchez, meanwhile, is down for whatever the team asks of him.
4. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Los Angeles Angels
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Andrew Heaney opened 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 (11 starts), but he still returned to the major leagues in September and looked sharp, notching four strikeouts and allowing just two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
During the offseason, Heaney was dealt to the Dodgers in December as part of the Dee Gordon trade, only to be traded to the Angels in return for Howie Kendrick.
At 6’2”, Heaney’s frame is both wiry and athletic with room to add strength. As for his stuff, the left-hander features an above-average fastball that sits in the low 90s and touches 95 with late life. His go-to secondary pitch is an above-average slider that he can throw for a strike early in the count, and then use it to put away hitters out of the zone when ahead.
The left-hander made significant progress developing his changeup last season, partially in response to facing more advanced right-handed hitters, and it should at least be a solid-to-average offering at maturity.
Heaney should have the opportunity to crack the Angels’ Opening Day rotation, though that might depend on Garrett Richards’ recovery.
3. Carlos Rodon, LHP, Chicago White Sox
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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 minors' highest level, posting a 3.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 12 innings (three starts), including 15 over his final two starts.
Rodon has everything one looks for in a potential front-end starter with a durable frame, three offerings with plus-or-better potential—highlighted by a low to mid-90s heater and a 70-grade slider—and the type of competitive mound presence that can’t be taught.
His overall command is in need of refinement, naturally, and his changeup requires further development, but the White Sox seem confident that their promising left-hander can make adjustments on the go against the game’s top hitters.
Rodon will compete during spring training for a spot in the South Siders’ Opening Day rotation, although there’s also a possibility that the team chooses to break him in with a bullpen role.
The White Sox also stand to save a year of team control over Rodon by having him begin the season in the minor leagues, a move that would make sense if the team believes in John Danks and Hector Noesi’s respective abilities to hold down the back end of the rotation. But depending on how Rodon's spring goes, the White Sox may have no choice but to break camp with their top prospect.
2. Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs
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Jorge Soler was sidelined with a hamstring injury for a majority of the first half, but the 22-year-old Cuban outfielder quickly made up for the lost time after returning, and he finished the season in the major leagues, where he posted a .903 OPS with five home runs in 97 plate appearances.
At 6’4”, 215 pounds, Soler is a physically strong right-handed hitter with a mature frame that requires little projection. With blinding bat speed and an explosive swing, the ball absolutely jumps off Soler’s bat, and his extension and lift after contact generate exceptional backspin carry and suggest the potential for 25-plus home runs in his prime.
Soler claimed the Cubs’ right field gig following his call-up last summer, as the 22-year-old showcased all five tools and an impressive overall feel for the game. If he comes close to reaching his offensive ceiling, Soler should offer All-Star-caliber production in his prime seasons, batting .270-plus with roughly 25 home runs and double-digit stolen bases from the heart of the Cubs lineup.
1. Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Joc Pederson enjoyed one of the better seasons in minor league history in 2014, as the 22-year-old was named MVP of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after leading the league in home runs (33), OPS (1.017), on-base percentage (.435), runs scored (106), walks (100) and total bases (259).
He also became the first PCL player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since 1934. Unfortunately, Pederson didn’t fare as well in his first taste of the major leagues, as the September call-up was just 4-for-28 (.143) with 11 strikeouts and nine walks in 38 plate appearances with the Dodgers.
At 6'1", 185 pounds, Pederson is an impressive athlete with quiet strength, showcasing five average-or-better tools and good secondary skills. He projects to be a slightly above-average hitter at the highest level, with a mature approach and line-drive-oriented swing. He already demonstrates a feel for working counts and getting on base.
The left-handed hitter has shown at least above-average power at every minor league stop, as he set a career high in 2014 with 33 bombs. His power will play even if the average doesn’t translate, and he's patient enough to wait out specific pitches each trip to the plate.
Pederson's consistency on the basepaths rivals his power frequency, as the 22-year-old has now swiped at least 26 bases in each of the last four seasons. Beyond that, his knack for getting on base and using his speed to put pressure on opposing defenses should always make him a consistent source of runs.
Pederson is a natural in center field, with plus range, excellent instincts and above-average arm strength. And after the Dodgers' offseason trade of Matt Kemp to San Diego, the position should be his to lose in spring training.
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