Every MLB Team's Top Prospect off to the Worst Start in 2015
Everyone wants to make a good first impression.
Unfortunately for the likes of Miguel Sano and a slew of other blue-chip prospects, that hasn't happened. Looking around the minor leagues, Sano is just one of many premier farmhands who have fallen on their face in the opening month of the 2015 season.
Every team has at least one guy who endured a forgettable April, and plenty of teams have more than one big-name slow starter.
The small sample-size refrain certainly applies. It's only been one month, and there's still plenty of time to right the ship. Either way, there's no avoiding the reality that Sano and the other 29 prospects who crack this list will be more than happy that the calendar has flipped to May.
Houston Astros
1 of 30In the Mix: Max Stassi, C; Ronald Torreyes, INF/OF
The Pick: Teoscar Hernandez, OF
Teoscar Hernandez just can't stop striking out.
The Dominican, who's playing for the Houston Astros Double-A setup, has punched out 21 times in 17 contests. That figure more than doubles his hit total (eight).
Big strikeout numbers are nothing new for the outfielder, who has also demonstrated impressive pop during his rise through the ranks. Last year, the right-handed hitter whiffed 153 times in 486 at-bats.
Los Angeles Angels
2 of 30In the Mix: Roberto Baldoquin, SS; Christopher Ellis, SP
The Pick: Kaleb Cowart, 3B
After floundering in back-to-back seasons in Double-A, the Los Angeles Angels sent Kaleb Cowart to High-A to open up the 2015 season. As general manager Jerry Dipoto explained via Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, the club thought the demotion to an easier level would help the third baseman regain his form.
"We moved him back to A ball to get him started again. Our hope is he gets it going quick and we’ll move him on to Double A and maybe Triple A.”
So far, the plan isn't working. In 20 games, the 22-year-old has put up a .169 average. If Cowart is going to hit his way out of the Cal League, he has a lot of work to do.
Oakland Athletics
3 of 30In the Mix: Daniel Gossett, SP; Heath Fillmyer, SP
The Pick: Franklin Barreto, SS
The centerpiece of the Josh Donaldson deal, Franklin Barreto is awfully young for the Cal League at just 19. Per Baseball Reference.com, the shortstop is 3.7 years the junior of the average player in that circuit.
His youth is definitely showing.
The Venezuelan is the owner of a .171 average while playing for the Stockton Ports, the High-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The numbers suggest that there is still plenty of reason for optimism. After starting the season 1-for-17, the right-handed hitter is gradually rounding into form.
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Seattle Mariners
4 of 30
In the Mix: Alex Jackson, OF; Austin Wilson, OF; John Hicks, C
The Pick: D.J. Peterson, 1B/3B
D.J. Peterson's pop has been MIA in 2015.
Last year, the Seattle Mariners' first-round pick clocked 31 home runs while splitting the season between High-A and Double-A. This year, the right-handed hitter has yet to connect on his first shot in Double-A. With just three extra-base hits, Peterson has put up an underwhelming .262 slugging percentage.
Texas Rangers
5 of 30In the Mix: Jake Thompson, SP; Alec Asher, SP
The Pick: Luke Jackson, SP
The big issue for Double-A starter Luke Jackson in 2015 has been a lack of command.
The righty, who's working out of the Round Rock Express' rotation, has served up 12 free passes in 17.1 frames of work. Throughout his time in the Texas Rangers system, walks have always been a problem spot for the 23-year-old who owns a career rate of 4.5 walks per nine innings.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30In the Mix: Spencer Adams, SP; Chris Beck, SP
The Pick: Cleuluis Rondon, SS
With a .213 average in 19 games, there's no debating the reality that the 2015 season has been a serious slog for Cleuluis Rondon. The most alarming issue for the switch-hitting Venezuelan has been his utter inability to produce against righties. In 46 at-bats against right-handed pitching, the 21-year-old is swinging at a clip of .152.
Cleveland Indians
7 of 30In the Mix: James Ramsey, OF; Bobby Bradley, 1B; Mike Papi, 1B/OF
The Pick: Francisco Mejia, C
Francisco Mejia is still searching for his swing.
The 19-year-old backstop, who plays for the Cleveland Indians' Low-A affiliate the Lake County Captains, is hitting just .155 in 17 games. The sample size is small, but it's a discouraging start for the Dominican after he posted a .282 average a season ago.
Detroit Tigers
8 of 30In the Mix: Derek Hill, OF; Grayson Greiner, C
The Pick: Chad Green, SP
Chad Green has endured a forgettable start to the 2015 season.
The 24-year-old starter has racked up an 0-3 record and a 9.19 ERA in four Double-A outings for the Erie SeaWolves. The opposition is hitting a remarkable .377 against the Detroit Tigers' farmhand. That's a recipe for trouble.
Kansas City Royals
9 of 30
In the Mix: Miguel Almonte, SP; Wander Franco, 3B
The Pick: Hunter Dozier, 3B
Hunter Dozier has been piling up the punchouts.
In his first 19 games with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Dozier has already struck out 26 times. Thanks to all those swings-and-misses, the 23-year-old third baseman is hitting just .215. Strikeouts were also an issue for the 2013 first rounder a season ago, as he checked in with 126 in 130 games.
Minnesota Twins
10 of 30
In the Mix: Byron Buxton, CF; Nick Burdi, RP
The Pick: Miguel Sano, 3B
It's been a wobbly start for Miguel Sano after the super prospect missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. The third baseman, whom MLB.com dubs the No. 12 player in the minors, has rattled off a .159 average in 18 Double-A contests for the Chattanooga Lookouts.
The first month of the season has been far from ideal for Sano, but it's much too soon to hit the panic button when it comes to the ridiculously powerful 21-year-old. The Dominican, who smashed 35 bombs in 2013, has connected on three yard shots during the current campaign.
Byron Buxton is also worth a dishonorable mention. The center fielder, whom MLB.com ranks the No. 1 overall prospect in the game, owns a .236 average in Double-A.
Baltimore Orioles
11 of 30
In the Mix: Christian Walker, 1B; Chance Sisco, C
The Pick: Tim Berry, SP
Tim Berry has been fooling no one this season.
In his first four starts, the lefty has recorded a 9.50 ERA and has been battered to the tune of a .364 opposition's batting average. Those are some troubling numbers considering that 2015 marks Berry's second go-around in Double-A. Last year, the starter logged a 3.51 ERA for the Bowie Baysox.
Boston Red Sox
12 of 30
In the Mix: Garin Cecchini, 3B; Michael Chavis, SS
The Pick: Travis Shaw, 1B
Travis Shaw's second season in Triple-A has been a major bummer.
The 25-year-old first baseman has gone yard just once and owns a .185 average in 18 tilts for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The power outage for the lefty is highly unexpected considering that he clubbed 21 home runs a season ago.
New York Yankees
13 of 30
In the Mix: Tyler Austin, 1B/OF
The Pick: Gosuke Katoh, 2B
Few New York Yankees' minor leaguers who have stumbled out of the gates.
Gosuke Katoh, a 20-year-old second baseman, breaks that trend. The left-handed hitter, whom the Yankees snagged in the second round of the 2013 MLB draft, has dealt with all sorts of problems at the plate. Katoh is swinging at a clip of .179 and has one extra-base hit in 19 games.
Tampa Bay Rays
14 of 30
In the Mix: Nick Ciuffo, C; Hak-Ju Lee, SS; Justin Williams, OF
The Pick: Justin O'Conner, C
Per MLB.com, Justin O'Conner is the Tampa Bay Rays' No. 1 prospect.
Right now, he's not living up to the billing.
The 23-year-old backstop has been getting crushed by Double-A pitching. In 16 games for the Montgomery Biscuits, O'Conner owns a .156 average and has been highly susceptible to swinging and missing, as he has struck out 26 times.
Toronto Blue Jays
15 of 30
In the Mix: Jairo Labourt, SP; Mitch Nay, 3B
The Pick: A.J. Jimenez, C
The hits have not been falling for A.J. Jimenez.
The catcher, whom the Toronto Blue Jays drafted way back in the ninth round of the 2008 draft, has collected just four hits in 43 at-bats while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.
With Russell Martin locked in behind the dish at Rogers Centre, it's difficult to see where Jimenez fits into the Blue Jays' future. His underwhelming start to 2015 only makes the picture murkier.
Arizona Diamondbacks
16 of 30In the Mix: Stryker Trahan, C/OF; Mitch Haniger, OF
The Pick: Sergio Alcantara, SS
Sergio Alcantara can't buy a hit.
The Low-A Midwest League has proved to be a tricky assignment for the 18-year-old shortstop. In his first 19 games with the Kane County Cougars, Alcantara has compiled a .103 average, as he's connected on a single extra-base hit (a double).
Alcantara's age has been a significant factor in his early-season struggles. According to Baseball-Reference.com, the average opponent he faces is 3.4 years older than him.
Colorado Rockies
17 of 30
In the Mix: Dom Nunez, C; Kyle Parker, 1B/OF
The Pick: Jon Gray, SP
Jon Gray has stumbled through a nightmare start to the 2015 season.
The righty, who was in the mix for a big league rotation spot during the spring, has been torched while pitching for the Albuquerque Isotopes. In four Triple-A starts, Gray has allowed 21 earned runs in 17.2 frames. That works out to a 10.70 ERA. He has also been tagged for 32 hits, which has resulted in the opposition hitting .400 against him.
Clearly, Gray has a lot of work to do before he lands at Coors Field.
Los Angeles Dodgers
18 of 30In the Mix: Victor Araujo, RP; Zack Bird, SP
The Pick: Justin Chigbogu, 1B
Simply put, Justin Chigbogu hasn't been making enough contact.
The 20-year-old first baseman has struck out nearly half of the time that he has stepped to the plate for the Low-A Great Lake Loons, tallying 24 whiffs in 49 at-bats. Even though it's been a frustrating opening month, the 2012 fourth-rounder still offers plenty of upside. Last season, Chigbogu connected on 23 jacks while splitting his time between Low-A and Rookie League.
San Diego Padres
19 of 30In the Mix: Hunter Renfroe, OF; Fernando Perez, 2B/3B; Franmil Reyes, OF
The Pick: Franchy Cordero, SS
Franchy Cordero has been off both with the bat and the glove.
The Dominican, who's playing for the San Diego Padres Low-A squad, has a .452 OPS. The 20-year-old has also been a mess in the field. While spending his time as the shortstop for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Cordero has already racked up 14 errors in 17 contests.
San Francisco Giants
20 of 30
In the Mix: Luis Ysla, RP/SP; Skyler Ewing, 1B
The Pick: Aramis Garcia, C
A second-round selection by the San Francisco Giants last June, Aramis Garcia is still adjusting to the challenges presented by professional pitchers.
This season, the 22-year-old has hit .170 for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets. Fortunately for the San Francisco Giants, the presence of Buster Posey allows the organization to be as patient as needed with Garcia.
Chicago Cubs
21 of 30
In the Mix: C.J. Edwards, RP; Eric Jokisch, SP
The Pick: Jake Stinnett, SP
Jake Stinnett hasn't been throwing nearly enough strikes in 2015.
The right-hander has issued 16 free passes in 15 frames on his way to sporting a 6.60 ERA for the Chicago Cubs' Low-A team. The starter's lack of command is worrisome, but it's worth remembering that time is on Stinnett's side. Drafted in the second round last June, the 23-year-old has only made eight professional starts.
Cincinnati Reds
22 of 30
In the Mix: Aristides Aquino, OF; Kyle Waldrop, OF
The Pick: Yorman Rodriguez, CF
Last fall, Yorman Rodriguez earned a September call-up to the Cincinnati Reds. This spring, the center fielder doesn't look like a player who's remotely ready to be playing at Great American Ballpark.
2015 marks the first time that the Venezuelan has played in Triple-A, and it hasn't been a smooth introduction. In 20 games for the Louisville Bats, Rodriguez has more strikeouts (14) than hits (13).
Milwaukee Brewers
23 of 30In the Mix: Jorge Lopez, SP; Monte Harrison, OF
The Pick: Jake Gatewood, SS
The 41st-overall player selected in the 2014 draft, Jake Gatewood's professional career has only just begun. Unfortunately for the 19-year-old and the Milwaukee Brewers, the 2015 campaign hasn't begun in the fashion that either was envisioning.
The shortstop has a .179 average after 18 contests for the Low-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. At 6'5", Gatewood has all sorts of power potential, but so far he's only connected on one home run.
Pittsburgh Pirates
24 of 30
In the Mix: JaCoby Jones, SS; Taylor Gushue, C
The Pick: Elias Diaz, C
With both Tony Sanchez and Elias Diaz on the roster for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Triple-A team has two starting catchers for one starting spot.
"I don't think it's the optimum situation," said manager Dean Treanor, via John Wagner of MiLB.com. "But it's the situation that's here. They're both here, so we have to make the best of it."
So far, it's been a challenge for Diaz to make the best of his part-time role. The right-handed hitter, who stood out with a .312 in 2014, is batting .203 this time around.
St. Louis Cardinals
25 of 30In the Mix: Carson Kelly, C; Breyvic Valera, INF/OF
The Pick: Magneuris Sierra, OF
Magneuris Sierra can hit.
The Dominican made that abundantly apparent last year, as he posted an incredible .368 average for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals. However, this season has so far been a major struggle for the outfielder. In 20 games for the Low-A Peoria Chiefs, the 19-year-old has put up a .179 average to go along with 25 punchouts.
Atlanta Braves
26 of 30In the Mix: Rio Ruiz, 3B; Braxton Davidson, OF
The Pick: Lucas Sims, SP
A lack of command has been the downfall for Lucas Sims early on in 2015.
The righty, whom the Atlanta Braves selected in the first round in 2012, has been flat-out wild for the Carolina Mudcats. In his four starts, the 20-year-old has given out 13 walks while pitching just 14.2 innings. Unsurprisingly, all those free bags have resulted in Sims chalking up an 8.59 ERA.
Miami Marlins
27 of 30In the Mix: Justin Twine, SS; Michael Mader, SP
The Pick: Isael Soto, CF
The good news for Isael Soto is that at 18 years old, he's young for the South Atlantic League. The bad news for the center fielder is that Low-A arms have overmatched him.
Last year, the Dominican held his own, posting a .251 average and a .751 OPS in the Gulf Coast League. This time around, he's hitting .136 for the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
New York Mets
28 of 30
In the Mix: Dominic Smith, 1B; Amed Rosario, SS
The Pick: Matt Bowman, SP
While Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz have been rolling along for the Las Vegas 51s, it's been a completely different story for fellow starter Matt Bowman. In four Triple-A outings, the 23-year-old has been rocked to the tune of an 8.69 ERA and a .352 opponents' average.
Philadelphia Phillies
29 of 30
In the Mix: Tom Windle, SP; Cord Sandberg, OF
The Pick: Joely Rodriguez, SP
Joely Rodriguez has endured a less-than-impressive introduction to the International League.
In five starts for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the right-hander has compiled a 7.43 ERA. Like so many other starters who have slumped early on, an inability to throw strikes has derailed Rodriguez. In 23 frames, he's already walked 17 batters.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30In the Mix: Rafael Bautista, OF; Raudy Reed, C
The Pick: Matt Skole, 1B
As a 25-year-old playing in Double-A, the clock is ticking for Matt Skole.
The first baseman, whom the Washington Nationals drafted in the fifth round in 2011, has a ton of work to do if he's going to earn a trip to Triple-A—let alone the nation's capital. In 20 games, the lefty hitter has two home runs and is saddled with a .194 batting average.
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com. All videos courtesy of MLB.com and YouTube.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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