10 Hidden Gem MLB Prospects Fans May Not Know About
From Dan Vogelbach to Darnell Sweeney, the minor leagues are flooded with high-upside MLB prospects who don't get the recognition they deserve.
Some of the farmhands who fit that bill are stuck in loaded organizations where blue-chip prospects are grabbing all the headlines. Others have yet to hit the map because the current campaign is the first time they've broken out.
In order to make sure that the 10 players who hit this list of hidden gems are truly hidden, they had to meet two criteria:
- No players from MLB.com's top 100 prospects list
- No former first-round draft picks
Even with those restrictions in place, the list is still crowded with prospects who have the potential to make their mark at the big league level. Some might even get the chance to do that later this summer.
Rookie Davis, RP/SP, New York Yankees
1 of 10The Hidden Gem: Rookie Davis, RHP
Age: 22
Current Minor League Level: High-A
Rookie Davis has one of the best names in the minors and a bright future in the Bronx.
The New York Yankees tabbed the right-hander with the club's 14th-round pick in 2011, and Davis has steadily climbed the ranks ever since. Currently, Davis is starting for the Yankees' High-A affiliate, the Tampa Yankees. He has posted a 3.22 ERA while piling up 77 punch-outs in 64.1 frames with the team.
Davis is in the rotation for now. But considering his knack for producing swing-and-misses and his ability to hit 96 mph on the radar gun, a switch to the bullpen could be in his future.
Gabriel Guerrero, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks
2 of 10The Hidden Gem: Gabriel Guerrero, RF
Age: 21
Current Minor League Level: Double-A
From his bat waggle to his gangly frame, it's uncanny just how much Gabriel Guerrero looks like his uncle, Vladimir Guerrero.
Like the 2004 American League MVP, the 21-year-old prospect also has a cannon of a right arm. But so far in 2015, Guerrero has yet to live up to his uncle's high standards at the plate.
After getting shipped to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Mark Trumbo trade June 3, Guerrero has posted a .221 average and connected on four home runs in 65 games while splitting the season between the D-backs' (Mobile BayBears) and Seattle Mariners' (Jackson Generals) Double-A affiliates.
Those numbers don't jump off the page, but it's worth noting that Guerrero is 3.1 years younger than the average player in the Southern League, per Baseball-Reference.com. His recent track record also provides plenty of reason for optimism. In 2014, the right-handed hitter cracked 28 doubles, two triples and 18 home runs while playing in the High-A Cal League with the High Desert Mavericks.
Nick Pivetta, SP, Washington Nationals
3 of 10The Hidden Gem: Nick Pivetta, SP
Age: 22
Current Minor League Level: High-A
Nick Pivetta still has plenty of climbing to do before he arrives in the nation's capital, but the 6'5" starter already looks the part of a big league pitcher.
The Washington Nationals' 2013 fourth-round pick has caused problems for High-A hitters in 2015. While pitching for the Potomac Nationals, the right-hander has reeled off a 2.45 ERA in 13 outings on his way to earning a selection to the Carolina League All-Star team. The way he's been pitching in the opening months of 2015, it's only a matter of time before Pivetta earns a trip to Double-A.
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Trayce Thompson, OF, Chicago White Sox
4 of 10The Hidden Gem: Trayce Thompson, OF
Age: 24
Current Minor League Level: Triple-A
Trayce Thompson, who is the brother of Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson, is on the doorstep of the big leagues.
The 24-year-old is capable of patrolling all three outfield spots thanks to his strong speed, and he also possesses the kind of power that allows him to do major damage at the plate. This season, Thompson has connected for 17 doubles, four triples and nine home runs while playing for the Chicago White Sox's Triple-A squad, the Charlotte Knights.
His older brother has set the bar high, but the young Thompson has the potential to make a name for himself once he arrives at U.S. Cellular Field.
Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs
5 of 10The Hidden Gem: Dan Vogelbach, 1B
Age: 22
Current Minor League Level: Double-A
With Anthony Rizzo locked in at first base for the Chicago Cubs, it's difficult to figure out where Dan Vogelbach fits into the organization's plans. As he rises through the system, Vogelbach isn't worried about where his ultimate defensive home will be.
"I don't know what the future is," Vogelbach told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune at the end of May. "I can control what I do on the field."
So far in 2015, the left-handed hitter has been taking care of business on the field. While playing for the Cubs' Double-A squad, the Tennessee Smokies, Vogelbach owns an .825 OPS and a .400 OBP. The 22-year-old has always demonstrated an advanced approach at the plate, which has resulted in a career OBP of .378.
Casey Meisner, SP, New York Mets
6 of 10The Hidden Gem: Casey Meisner, SP
Age: 20
Current Minor League Level: Low-A
Casey Meisner has been cruising in 2015. In 12 starts for the Savannah Sand Gnats, the Low-A affiliate of the New York Mets, the righty has posted a 7-2 record and a 2.13 ERA.
Those are some impressive numbers for a 20-year-old, who is pitching in his first year of full-season ball. As a result of that strong start to the season, Meisner has already earned a promotion to High-A, per Michael Mayer of Metsmerizedonline.com. Considering the starter stands 6'7" and can throw 94 mph, the future looks promising for this Mets' prospect.
Javier Guerra, SS, Boston Red Sox
7 of 10The Hidden Gem: Javier Guerra, SS
Age: 19
Current Minor League Level: Low-A
Javier Guerra can do it all.
The Panamanian shortstop is an above-average fielder at one of the most demanding positions on the diamond and is already demonstrating serious power at the plate.
Guerra has spent the 2015 season playing for the Boston Red Sox's Low-A club, the Greenville Drive. He has tallied 14 doubles, two triples and eight home runs in 56 contests. What makes those numbers really stand out is that at just 19 years old, Guerra is 2.5 years younger than the average player in the South Atlantic League, per Baseball-Reference.com.
Wynton Bernard, OF, Detroit Tigers
8 of 10The Hidden Gem: Wynton Bernard, OF
Age: 24
Current Minor League Level: Double-A
Originally selected by the San Diego Padres in the 35th round back in 2012, Wynton Bernard has taken advantage of his second chance with the Detroit Tigers.
After the Pads released the outfielder following the conclusion of the 2013 season, Bernard has done nothing but hit since joining Detroit's organization. In the opening months of 2014, the 24-year-old has posted a .303 average and connected on 17 doubles for Detroit's Double-A team, the Erie SeaWolves. Bernard has also been a disruptive force on the basepaths, totaling 20 steals.
Harold Ramirez, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
9 of 10The Hidden Gem: Harold Ramirez, OF
Age: 20
Current Minor League Level: High-A
With Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco already in place at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't lacking talent in the outfield.
Remarkably, there's even more on the way.
Harold Ramirez has been battering the High-A Florida State League, checking in with a .402 average and a.984 OPS in 26 games for the Bradenton Marauders. Just 20, the Colombian is 2.6 years younger than the average player in the league, per Baseball-Reference.com.
The Pirates have the luxury of being patient with Ramirez thanks to the organization's stable of outfielders. Still, the way he's been hitting this season, Ramirez could make the jump to Double-A later this summer and land in the bigs by September of 2016.
Darnell Sweeney, 2B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
10 of 10The Hidden Gem: Darnell Sweeney, 2B/OF
Age: 24
Current Minor League Level: Triple-A
Darnell Sweeney has the skill set to help the Los Angeles Dodgers in the not too distant future.
The 24-year-old, who has been shuttling between second base and the outfield in Triple-A, has the kind of wheels that could prove to be a weapon on the major league stage. In 68 games, the 2012 13th-round pick has totaled 24 steals.
Aside from his defensive versatility and speed on the bases, Sweeney has also stood out with his production at the plate. For the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Sweeney has collected 18 doubles while posting a .280 average.
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MiLB.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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