MLB Prospects Update: Hottest, Coldest Players at Each Minor League Level
Now that we have a month of play behind us, let's take a look at some of the hottest and coldest players in the minor leagues.
Plenty of tomorrow's stars have been impressive over the course of the 2015 season. Players like Lance McCullers, Jose Peraza and Aaron Nola have made positive impressions on their organizations.
Meanwhile, a handful of youngsters has struggled so far this year. Francisco Lindor, Alex Jackson and Jesse Winker are just a few prospects who have disappointed to open 2015.
Over the next few slides, we'll break down the hottest and coldest youngsters in the minors.
Who's Hot: Single-A
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Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
The Skinny
Tampa Bay's 20-year-old Brent Honeywell has been fantastic at Single-A this season.
The right-hander has a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings, and he's struck out over 30 percent of the batters he's faced. Honeywell's biggest strength is his command, as he's only walked six out of 122 hitters.
From April 15 to May 4, Honeywell threw at least six innings and allowed less than three runs in four straight starts.
They Said It
Jake Seiner of MiLB.com wrote about Honeywell's personality:
"The Rays are high on Honeywell for a number of reasons, but his personality is probably high on the list. Favorable traits include being very coachable, taking bits and pieces from anybody willing to bend his ear. Though he's five rungs down the ladder from the Major Leagues, he's actively sought wisdom from big leaguers Chris Archer, Nate Karns, Alex Cobb and especially Matt Moore.
"
Carlos Tocci, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
The Skinny
After struggling in Single-A over the last few seasons, Carlos Tocci is beginning to figure it out in 2015.
Tocci is slashing .350/.420/.453 with a wRC+ of 154 through 29 games. A big factor in his success is an improvement in plate discipline. Tocci's walk-to-strikeout percentage has increased from 0.26 to 0.85 this season.
They Said It
"Ever since Tocci found out he was coming here, he's been on a mission to get off to a good start and see what happens," first-year BlueClaws manager Shawn Williams told Chris Rotolo of the Asbury Park Press. "He's trying to be the best player he can be at this level and keep on going forward."
Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Minnesota Twins
The Skinny
Another Single-A hurler turning heads is Minnesota's Stephen Gonsalves.
The southpaw boasts a 1.41 ERA in 32 innings of work. Gonsalves has struck out over 35 percent of the batters he's faced, while allowing just seven walks. The 20-year-old has logged at least five innings in all five of his starts, allowing no more than five hits in those outings.
They Said It
"Gonsalves' game-by-game strikeout totals looks like something The Count from Sesame Street would appreciate: nine strikeouts, 10 strikeouts, 11 strikeouts," wrote Robert Emrich of MiLB.com. "His 11-strikeout total at Wisconsin on April 23 represented his highest in 25 games as a professional."
Who's Not: Single-A
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Tyler Kolek, RHP, Miami Marlins
The Skinny
Tyler Kolek was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, but the right-hander hasn't lived up to that billing so far in 2015.
Kolek is striking out less than six hitters per nine innings and has a plus-4.00 ERA. The 19-year-old has yet to make it out of the fifth inning in any start this season.
They Said It
"In conclusion, Tyler Kolek is a walking package of potential, but we knew that," said Jarrett Cowgill of SB Nation. "He needs to develop and refine his off-speed pitches, particularly his breaking ball. He also must work on his control and command, especially in more high-pressure situations throughout a game."
Michael De Leon, SS, Texas Rangers
The Skinny
Michael De Leon got a taste of Double-A to end 2014, but he has struggled at the plate back in Single-A.
De Leon is slashing .259/.312/.302 on the season. His strikeout percentage has actually increased from the total he posted in Single-A last year. The 18-year-old is 7-for-39 in May.
They Said It
"His swing needs some work, as his hands are in a bad position behind his back shoulder in his load, but he manages to get the bat to the ball most of the time," Nathaniel Stoltz of FanGraphs wrote.
Alex Jackson, OF, Seattle Mariners
The Skinny
Alex Jackson was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 draft.
2015 has been rough for Jackson, as the 19-year-old is slashing .163/.248/.221 in 27 games. Jackson has struck out over 29 percent of the time and has only six extra-base hits.
They Said It
"Jackson, 19, was aggressively assigned to Single-A Clinton, where he is one of the youngest players in the Midwest League," said Mike Curto of the Olympian. "He’s driven in some runs in the early going, but the hits have been hard to come by."
Who's Hot: High-A
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Billy McKinney, OF, Chicago Cubs
The Skinny
After being selected in the first round of the 2013 draft, Billy McKinney has done nothing but mash in his minor league career.
In 2015, McKinney is hitting .340 with a slugging percentage over .540 and has driven in 25 runs. Even more impressive, the 20-year-old has walked more than he has struck out this season.
They Said It
"McKinney's a pure hitter with a sound lefty swing and a tremendous approach—he knows the strike zone and isn't afraid to hit in two-strike counts," wrote Mike Axisa of CBS Sports. "It's unclear where he'll wind up long-term, probably lack [sic] left field for lack of a better option, but McKinney's offensive profile will play just about anywhere."
Jose De Leon, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Skinny
Despite being a 24th-round pick in the 2013 draft, Jose De Leon continues to dominate minor league hitters.
De Leon has a 1.69 ERA in 32 innings of work. The right-hander has fanned over 40 percent of the batters he's faced, all while allowing just six walks. De Leon has allowed two earned runs and struck out 31 hitters in his last three starts.
They Said It
"De Leon's stock has improved tremendously because he took baseball more seriously -- he lost weight and improved his conditioning, which allowing him to refine his mechanics. The result is an extra few miles and hour -- he now sits 93-96 mph -- and an improved breaking ball that misses bats. De Leon still needs to work on his changeup, but he's gone from afterthought to bonafide top prospect since being drafted.
"
Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies
The Skinny
Speedy outfielder Raimel Tapia has continued to develop into an offensive force in 2015.
Tapia is slashing .341/.374/.540 with three homers, 23 RBI and seven steals. Tapia already has six multihit games in May.
They Said It
"What stays consistent, however, is a remarkable ability to manipulate the barrel with this hands and wrists and attack the point of contact with precision. He’s a smart hitter in addition to his impressive physical gifts. You can see discernable differences in how he delivers the bat head into the zone depending on what he’s trying to do with the pitch; sometimes he’ll load up on a firm front side and look to drive the ball with extended separation. Other times he’ll stay shorter and steeper into the zone looking to work the other way.
"
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Who's Not: High-A
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Manuel Margot, OF, Boston Red Sox
The Skinny
Manuel Margot got off to a fast start for the Boston Red Sox, but the outfielder has stumbled in the second month of the season.
Margot is 4-for-33 in May. His average has fallen to a mediocre .257 after hitting .324 through April. Margot has also fanned six of his seven times this month.
They Said It
"Star center fielder Manuel Margot, mired in an 0-for-12 skid, took a second straight day off," said Aaron McFarling of the Roanoke Times.
Trey Ball, LHP, Boston Red Sox
The Skinny
Margot isn't the only Red Sox prospect struggling at Single-A, as Trey Ball has been roughed up in six starts.
The left-hander has a 6.03 ERA in 31.1 innings this season. Ball has reached the sixth inning just once and has allowed seven or more hits in four starts.
They Said It
"To date, the 20-year-old has allowed four or more earned runs in four of his six starts in Salem, with a resulting 6.03 ERA that ranks as the worst in the Carolina League among pitchers with qualifying innings loads. Ball has a modest 6.0 strikeouts per nine innings, but he hasn’t been able to work down with his fastball in a fashion to elicit consistent groundballs.
"
Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland A's
The Skinny
Franklin Barreto was considered an underrated acquisition in the Josh Donaldson trade, but the shortstop hasn't settled in with his new team in 2015.
Barreto is hitting just .222 with an on-base percentage under .300 through 28 games. The 19-year-old has struck out over 17 percent of the time and has just two steals after swiping 29 bags a year ago.
They Said It
"Barreto, ranked at No. 86 on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, has one of the worst qualified batting averages in the league (.170), and his OPS of .448 ranks fifth-to-last in the league," said Andrew Bettencourt of the Visalia Times-Delta.
Who's Hot: Double-A
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Lance McCullers, RHP, Houston Astros
The Skinny
In 25 innings at Double-A this season, Lance McCullers has shown why he's one of Houston's most coveted prospects.
McCullers has a 0.72 ERA and has struck out over 35 percent of the batters he's faced. The right-hander has struck out at least seven hitters in four of his five starts and has given up no more than four hits in an outing this season.
They Said It
"[It's big] just relying on my stuff when the going gets tough there for a couple innings or just continuing to try to work ahead and trust my teammates," McCullers told Tyler Maun of MiLB.com. "You just go out there and pitch the way that you can, and the results take care of themselves."
Aaron Nola, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
The Skinny
The Phillies drafted Aaron Nola in the first round of the 2014 draft, and the right-hander has lived up to that selection so far in his minor league career.
Nola has a 2.04 ERA in 39.2 innings in 2015. The 21-year-old isn't a strikeout machine, but his command is impeccable. Nola has walked just four of 148 hitters faced this year.
They Said It
Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. elaborated on Nola's standing in the organization, per Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com:
"We want him to continue to have success where he is. We've had a lot of discussions on a lot of things over the last few weeks with our development people. We're trying to make sure we develop these guys for the future, not today. We try to maximize their development time so when they're ready to be in the big leagues they'll be in the big leagues. So he's not coming any time soon.
"
Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
The Skinny
What Blake Snell is doing to begin 2015 is starting to get ridiculous.
The Tampa Bay left-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in 33 innings between High-A and Double-A. Snell has struck out 43 hitters and walked just 14.
They Said It
"It's hard to pitch any better than Snell has in 2015. Through his first six starts this year (four in High-A, two in Double-A), the 22-year-old has allowed no runs. Literally zero. Not even an unearned run. Snell has a 0.00 ERA in 33 innings to go with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks. He's only allowed 14 hits too. Total dominance so far.
"
Who's Not: Double-A
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Jason Hursh, RHP, Atlanta Braves
The Skinny
Jason Hursh was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, but the right-hander has yet to develop into the caliber of arm the Atlanta Braves are used to.
Hursh has a 8.56 ERA this season and has walked more hitters than he has struck out. The 23-year-old has failed to make it out of the fifth inning in five of his seven starts in 2015.
They Said It
"On April 15, he only went two innings and gave up three runs on three hits," said Mitchell Miegel of SB Nation on Hursh's struggles. "Some talks are for him to transition to the bullpen. Maybe this is a wake-up call?"
Tyrone Taylor, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
The Skinny
Tyrone Taylor was a second-round pick in the 2012 draft, but the dynamic outfielder has been stymied by Double-A hustlers in 2015.
Taylor is hitting just .228 with an on-base percentage under .300. After swiping 20 bags a season ago, Taylor has only stolen two bases in his first 28 games.
They Said It
"The Brewers’ best minor league asset is Tyrone Taylor, a center fielder whose current talent level is Double-A at best," said Robert Villarreal of Baseball Essential. "The jury is still out on if he could ever compete at the major league level."
Jake Thompson, RHP, Texas Rangers
The Skinny
Jake Thompson is considered one of the top prospects in the Texas organization, but his 6.00 ERA so far this season is cause for concern.
Thompson is coming off the heels of a horrific start. The right-hander only recorded two outs and allowed five hits and seven earned runs.
They Said It
"He struggles with fastball command at times and is learning when to use his changeup most effectively against batters," said Stefan Stevenson of the Star-Telegram.
Who's Hot: Triple-A
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Kyle Kubitza, 3B, Los Angeles Angels
The Skinny
Kyle Kubitza was acquired from the Atlanta Braves this winter and has produced at a high level at Triple-A.
The third baseman is slashing .323/.384/.489 on the year. The 24-year-old has posted a wRC+ of 130 or higher in each of the last two seasons. Kubitza already has five multihit games in May.
They Said It
Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Registry:
"Besides the players currently on the major league roster, they could get a boost from someone like Kyle Kubitza coming up from Triple-A. Kubitza, who has an .890 OPS at Triple-A, is a third baseman, but he could come up and move Freese to DH. The Angels might also try Kubitza in left field if his bat warrants him being in the big leagues this year.
"
Jose Peraza, 2B, Atlanta Braves
The Skinny
After a slow start, Jose Peraza is beginning to heat up and show why he's one of the game's brightest young infield prospects.
Peraza has pushed his average up close to .300 with 16 hits in May. The 21-year-old has also swiped 13 bags in 14 attempts.
They Said It
"Another hot hitter for the Braves is Gwinnett second baseman Jose Peraza," said Bill Shanks of Braves.Scout.com. "He had two more hits Monday night, and his season average is at .306. In his last 10 games (all in the month of May), Peraza has hit .386 (17-44) with eight stolen bases. Peraza now has 13 stolen bases on the season in 31 games."
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Boston Red Sox
The Skinny
Could Eduardo Rodriguez be first in line to help a scuffling Boston rotation?
The left-hander has posted a 2.73 ERA in 29.2 innings in 2015. The 22-year-old also boasts a strikeout-to-walk percentage of 22.1 percent and is holding opposing hitters to a .220 average. Rodriguez has logged five or more innings in all of his starts.
They Said It
"At 22 years old, Rodriguez appears to have overtaken Henry Owens as the top pitching prospect in the Red Sox organization," said Conor Duffy of FanSided. "His absolute dominance coupled with the recent command troubles of Owens and Brian Johnson position Rodriguez as the most likely prospect to join Boston’s rotation."
Who's Not: Triple-A
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Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
The Skinny
The Cleveland Indians have a giant hole at shortstop, but top prospect Francisco Lindor hasn't done enough at Triple-A to warrant a promotion to The Show.
Lindor is hitting just .259 through 30 games in 2015. The 21-year-old has 12 hitless games on the season and is whiffing 16 percent of the time.
They Said It
"There have been some discussions about promoting Lindor, but how would that work with him struggling in the minors?" asked Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Alex Meyer, RHP, Minnesota Twins
The Skinny
At 25, Alex Meyer figured to be fully considered for a rotation spot in Minnesota this season.
But the right-hander hasn't taken advantage of that opportunity, posting a 7.62 ERA in Triple-A. Meyer's biggest problem has been an increase in walks. The 6'7" hurler has walked over 14 percent of the batters he's faced.
Meyer gave up nine hits and eight earned runs in just 2.2 innings in his last start.
They Said It
"It's been a battle of different things," Meyer told Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star. "Mechanics a little bit. The mental side here and there. It's something I've got to figure out."
Jon Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies
The Skinny
Who has the second-worst ERA in Triple-A?
That would be Colorado's Jon Gray. The right-hander remains one of the Rockies' top young prospects, but he'll need to figure out the last frontier of minor league ball before he's promoted to the big leagues. Gray has reached the sixth inning only one time this season.
They Said It
"The stuff is there," Colorado senior director of player development Zach Wilson told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "It's major league stuff, absolutely. But it's the consistency that is the next major step for him."
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
Stats accurate as of May 12.
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