Every MLB Team's Most Disappointing Top Prospect of 2015
With the minor league playoffs set to begin on Wednesday, now is the perfect time to take a look back at the performance of each team's top prospects.
As always, there has been no shortage of top prospects breaking through at the big league level, unknown names establishing themselves as top prospects and low-level minor leagues proving they're for real while making the leap to a higher level of competition.
However, at the other end of the spectrum, there are always at least a few top prospects on each team who wind up falling short of expectations and turning in a disappointing season.
A number of factors can contribute to a disappointing season, whether it's simply a drop-off in production, a season cut short by injury or a young player struggling to take the next step on the road to the big leagues.
It's important to note, one disappointing season does not mean a prospect is a bust, and the following is not meant to be an indictment on anything beyond each player's performance here in 2015.
Any and all of these players could turn around and put together a terrific season next year and leave their disappointing 2015 as a distant memory.
So with that said, let's take a look at each team's most disappointing top prospect in 2015.
Arizona Diamondbacks: RP Jake Barrett
1 of 30
Acquired: 2012 draft, third round (120th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 12 in ARI system
Stats
| 2014 | AA/AAA | 55 | 55.1 | 2-2 | 28 | 3.09 | 1.337 | 4.4 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | AA/AAA | 47 | 53.0 | 4-3 | 15 | 4.58 | 1.585 | 3.9 | 8.7 |
Player Outlook
A dominant 2013 season had Jake Barrett looking like the closer of the future for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he saved 29 games while posting a 1.21 ERA, 0.981 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings between the High-A and Double-A levels.
Expected to be on the fast track to the big league bullpen after that performance, he's instead taken a step back in the higher levels of the minors, and as of this writing, he's yet to make his MLB debut.
The 24-year-old has closer stuff with a high-90s fastball and a biting slider, but his command still needs work, and his 3.9 BB/9 mark this year is evidence of that.
He should get a crack at the majors one way or another in 2016, but his 2015 performance has nonetheless been a disappointment.
Atlanta Braves: SP Lucas Sims
2 of 30Acquired: 2012 draft, first round (21st overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 2 in ATL system
Stats
| 2014 | A+ | 28 | 156.1 | 8-11 | 4.20 | 1.299 | 3.3 | 6.2 |
| 2015 | RK/A+/AA | 20 | 92.2 | 7-6 | 4.37 | 1.392 | 5.2 | 9.7 |
Player Outlook
As they have been known to do over the years, the Atlanta Braves grabbed a Georgia high school standout with their first pick in the 2012 draft when they selected Lucas Sims out of Brookwood High School in Snellville.
Sims certainly looked the part of a future front-line starter in 2013, when he went 12-4 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.106 WHIP and 134 strikeouts in 116.2 innings of work.
That was enough for him to open the 2014 season as the No. 57 prospect in the league, but he has been unable to duplicate that level of success in the past two seasons.
The 21-year-old is no longer the top pitching prospect in a system that features the likes of Tyrell Jenkins, Touki Toussaint, Max Fried and 2015 first-round pick Kolby Allard, but he still has plenty of time to figure things out and reach his high ceiling.
Baltimore Orioles: SP Dylan Bundy
3 of 30
Acquired: 2011 draft, first round (fourth overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 1 in BAL system, No. 48 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | A-/A+ | 9 | 41.1 | 1-3 | 3.27 | 1.306 | 3.5 | 8.1 |
| 2015 | AA | 8 | 22.0 | 0-3 | 4.09 | 1.182 | 2.0 | 10.2 |
Player Outlook
Given a $4 million signing bonus after being selected out of Owasso High School in Oklahoma, right-hander Dylan Bundy had all the physical tools to a be a star in the league, and he moved incredibly quickly after signing.
He made his pro debut in 2012 and went 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.916 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 over three minor league levels before receiving a September call-up and debuting at the age of 19.
Since then, he's rarely seen the mound.
Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2013 season and all but nine starts of the 2014 season, and elbow inflammation has kept him on the sidelines since May 21 this year.
The 22-year-old is still the prized arm of the Baltimore system, and its other top pitching prospect, Hunter Harvey, has also had a disappointing season as arm issues have relegated him to the role of spectator as well.
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Boston Red Sox: 2B Sean Coyle
4 of 30
Acquired: 2010 draft, third round (110th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 17 in BOS system
Stats
| 2014 | AA | .295/.371/.512 | 99 | 23 | 16 | 61 | 60 | 13 |
| 2015 | Rk/A-/AAA | .193/.294/.341 | 34 | 8 | 6 | 25 | 33 | 5 |
Player Outlook
A Futures Game participant in 2014 and seemingly the heir apparent to Dustin Pedroia at second base, Sean Coyle has not handled the jump to Triple-A Pawtucket well this season.
His OPS is down by nearly 250 points (.883 to .634), and he has just 14 extra-base hits in 203 plate appearances.
Nagging injuries are at least partially to blame, but it has made for a disappointing season nonetheless, and in the process, his future with the team has become clouded to say the least.
Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada was signed in February, and to this point, he's played exclusively second base other than the 10 games he's been used as a designated hitter.
Coyle could reach the majors first, but he's not going to hold off Moncada once he's ready if the team does decide that second base will be his long-term home defensively.
There is certainly the possibility that Moncada shifts over to third base and Pablo Sandoval gets moved either to first base, designated hitter or another team, but Coyle will need to play his way into a role regardless.
Chicago Cubs: SP Rob Zastryzny
5 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, second round (41st overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 14 in CHC system
Stats
| 2014 | A+ | 23 | 110.0 | 4-6 | 4.66 | 1.400 | 2.7 | 9.0 |
| 2015 | Rk/AA | 15 | 64.2 | 2-5 | 5.98 | 1.701 | 4.2 | 7.2 |
Player Outlook
Signed to a $1.1 million bonus after a standout career at the University of Missouri, left-hander Rob Zastryzny was the first of a number of high-floor college arms the Chicago Cubs selected in the 2013 draft.
He's shown flashes of being a future middle-of-the-rotation starter at times, but he's had a hard time missing bats with 10.2 hits per nine innings and a 1.490 WHIP over parts of three minor league seasons.
A lot has gone right for the Cubs when it comes to drafting and developing players under Theo Epstein, and the fact that a player ranked No. 14 in their system heading into the year has been their biggest disappointment speaks to how well the system has performed this year.
As for Zastryzny in particular, the 23-year-old will need to figure it out soon as a starter, or he could be headed to the bullpen, where his stuff has a chance to play up, and he could be a useful lefty option.
Chicago White Sox: SP Tyler Danish
6 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, second round (55th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 7 in CWS system
Stats
| 2014 | A/A+ | 25 | 129.2 | 8-3 | 2.08 | 1.141 | 2.3 | 7.1 |
| 2015 | AA | 26 | 142.0 | 8-12 | 4.50 | 1.655 | 3.8 | 5.7 |
Player Outlook
Despite an unconventional delivery and a somewhat undersized frame, Tyler Danish has the potential to be a solid big league starter if he can rein in his command.
The 20-year-old throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and generates good sink on his low-90s fastball as a result. He pairs that with a solid slider-changeup combination that has the potential to be a very good three-pitch repertoire down the line.
He didn't allow an earned run in 94 innings as a high school senior and followed that up by posting a 1.20 ERA and 0.733 WHIP in 30 innings of work after signing in 2013.
That success carried over as he made the jump to full-season ball last year, but he's struggled with the move to Double-A Birmingham this season.
An increased walk rate (2.3 to 3.8 BB/9), drop in his strikeout rate (7.1 to 5.7 K/9) and just generally being more hittable (8.0 to 11.1 H/9) have all contributed to his less-than-stellar numbers this year.
He's still young, and at the very least he should be a useful reliever given his deception against right-handed hitters.
Cincinnati Reds: SP/RP Nick Howard
7 of 30
Acquired: 2014 draft, first round (19th Overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 5 in CIN system
Stats
| 2014 | A | 11/5 | 33.2 | 2-1 | 3.74 | 1.158 | 2.9 | 6.1 |
| 2015 | A+ | 24/5 | 38.0 | 3-2 | 6.63 | 2.211 | 11.8 | 7.3 |
Player Outlook
A standout closer at the University of Virginia, where he converted 20 of 22 saves with a 1.91 ERA and 14.3 K/9 during his junior season, Nick Howard made the move to starting after being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.
After making the jump right to Single-A Dayton after being signed and holding his own, he held his own in six starts in the Arizona Fall League with a 4.43 ERA and 1.377 WHIP over 20.1 innings of work.
MLB.com's Prospect Watch had the following to say about Howard's stuff:
"His fastball and slider alone are enough to get hitters out, with both having plus potential, especially in shorter stints. Howard has some feel for a changeup, but obviously didn't throw it much as a closer. ... He still has the ability to start, though a permanent move to the pen could allow him to move more quickly.
"
After posting a 4.82 ERA in five starts to open the year, he has an 8.38 ERA in 19 appearances out of the bullpen, so he's struggled in both roles here in 2015.
Cleveland Indians: 2B/SS Yu-Cheng Chang
8 of 30Acquired: 2013 international free agent
Prospect Ranking: No. 13 in CLE system
Stats
| 2014 | Rk | .346/.420/.566 | 55 | 9 | 6 | 25 | 39 | 6 |
| 2015 | A | .232/.293/.361 | 91 | 16 | 9 | 52 | 52 | 5 |
Player Outlook
Signed to a $500,000 bonus out of Taiwan in 2013, Wei-Cheng Chang did not make his pro debut until the following season.
Playing in the Arizona rookie league, he ranked fourth in batting average (.346) and hits (55) among players with at least 100 at-bats while playing alongside slugging first base prospect Bobby Bradley to give the Cleveland Indians two of the top prospects in the league.
Making the jump from rookie ball to Single-A is often a tough transition, so it's not overly surprising to see Chang struggle some this year.
The 20-year-old will likely repeat Single-A next year, and there will be plenty of time for him to turn things around and emerge as a future everyday player.
At the same time, plenty of players have owned the rookie league and never made the jump to better competition. Time will tell which category Chang will fall in as his pro career progresses.
Colorado Rockies: CF Rosell Herrera
9 of 30
Acquired: 2009 international free agent
Prospect Ranking: No. 9 in COL system
Stats
| 2014 | A+ | .244/.302/.335 | 67 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 31 | 9 |
| 2015 | A+ | .260/.314/.354 | 121 | 20 | 4 | 36 | 55 | 9 |
Player Outlook
One of the breakout prospects of 2013, Rosell Herrera hit .343/.419/.515 with 33 doubles, 16 home runs, 76 RBI and 21 stolen bases in a full season at Single-A Asheville at the age of 20.
That was enough for him to go from not even being ranked among the Colorado Rockies' top 30 prospects heading into 2013 to being ranked as the No. 86 prospect in all of baseball at the start of 2014.
However, he's been unable to duplicate that level of success—or come anywhere close to it for that matter—over the past two seasons.
He's made the full-time move to the outfield this season but has seen only a slight uptick in his offensive numbers in his second go-around at High-A Modesto.
The 22-year-old still has a high ceiling and plenty of offensive ability to tap into, and the Rockies will be patient with him in hopes he can return to his impressive 2013 form.
Detroit Tigers: RF Steven Moya
10 of 30
Acquired: 2008 international free agent
Prospect Rankings: No. 1 in DET system
Stats
| 2014 | AA | .276/.306/.555 | 142 | 33 | 35 | 105 | 81 | 16 |
| 2015 | A+/AAA | .243/.283/.431 | 131 | 33 | 23 | 82 | 56 | 5 |
Player Outlook
Steven Moya won Eastern League MVP honors last year when he led the league in home runs (36), RBI (105) and total bases (286).
He followed that up with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League where he hit .289/.327/.544 with six doubles, five home runs and 19 RBI in 23 games, and that was enough to make him the No. 1 prospect in a relatively weak Detroit Tigers system heading into the year.
While the raw power packed into his 6'7" frame has always made Moya an intriguing prospect, his lack of plate discipline has held him back to this point.
He's striking out at a 30.3 percent clip on the year, compared to just a 4.9 percent walk rate, as he's showed little progress in that department compared to last year (29.3 percent strikeout rate, 4.2 percent walk rate).
That lack of progression, and an overall step back in his production, has made for a disappointing season from the 24-year-old.
Houston Astros: CF Teoscar Hernandez
11 of 30Acquired: 2011 international free agent
Prospect Ranking: No. 9 in HOU system
Stats
| 2014 | A+/AA | .292/.362/.535 | 142 | 37 | 21 | 85 | 84 | 33 |
| 2015 | AA | .219/.275/.362 | 103 | 12 | 17 | 48 | 92 | 33 |
Player Outlook
Signed for just $20,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in 2011, Teoscar Hernandez has been a pleasant surprise in an Houston Astros organization already loaded with high-end talent.
"Hernandez stands out for his athleticism and power-speed combination. If he can develop more feel at the plate, he has the potential to become a five-tool player," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
There's no question his approach needs work, as he struck out at a 24.5 percent clip this year compared to just a 6.4 percent walk rate. Not awful numbers, but there's plenty of room for improvement with his .219 average and .275 on-base percentage.
Given the investment they made to sign him, really anything the Astros can get out of Hernandez is gravy, and at 22 years old, he still has time to figure out better pitching in the years to come.
MLB.com also lauded his makeup and work ethic, which should serve him well in dealing with a poor season.
Kansas City Royals: 3B Hunter Dozier
12 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, first round (eighth overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 5 in KC system
Stats
| 2014 | A+/AA | .251/.350/.369 | 115 | 30 | 8 | 60 | 69 | 10 |
| 2015 | AA | .213/.281/.349 | 101 | 27 | 12 | 53 | 65 | 6 |
Player Outlook
The Kansas City Royals surprised more than a few people when they grabbed Stephen F. Austin shortstop Hunter Dozier with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 draft.
He was certainly on a lot of teams draft boards, but not nearly that high, as Baseball America had him ranked as the No. 39 prospect in the draft class, and the general consensus was that he would wind up somewhere outside of the first round.
The pick saved the Royals some money, and with it they were able to sign Sean Manaea to an above-slot deal for $3.55 million after injury concerns caused him to slip to No. 34 overall.
Dozier quickly silenced the critics in his pro debut as well, hitting .308/.397/.495 with 30 doubles and seven home runs in 273 at-bats and reaching Single-A after signing in 2013.
So what happened? MLB.com's Prospect Watch attempted to explain:
"The problem is that Dozier's right-handed stroke got out of whack when he started swinging for the fences when he reached Double-A in 2014. Making matters worse, he tinkered with his stance and stride and struggled to find a comfortable approach. If he can fix his swing, he still has the natural strength and leverage to hit 20 homers per season while hitting for a decent average.
"
The necessary adjustments haven't been made to this point, but the tools are still there for him to turn a corner if he figures things out.
Los Angeles Angels: 2B Alex Yarbrough
13 of 30
Acquired: 2012 draft, fourth round (147th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 8 in LAA system
Stats
| 2014 | AA | .285/.321/.397 | 155 | 38 | 5 | 77 | 66 | 6 |
| 2015 | AAA | .236/.274/.324 | 118 | 29 | 3 | 48 | 56 | 1 |
Player Outlook
Alex Yarbrough looked like the second baseman of the future for the Los Angeles Angels when he hit .313/.341/.459 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs and 80 RBI at the High-A level in 2013.
While his numbers weren't quite as impressive last season, he still began the season as a top-10 prospect in the Angels system and looked to be on the cusp of reaching the majors where the second base position was very much in flux following the trade of Howie Kendrick.
Instead of establishing himself as the guy and breaking through in the majors, the 24-year-old has seen his offensive production fall off across the board with his OPS dropping from .800 to .718 to .598 over the past three years.
Johnny Giavotella has been solid this year and is under team control through 2019, but Yarbrough remains the top long-term option at the position.
As an average defender with middling power and speed, it will be up to his contract tool to carry him to the majors. A repeat of Triple-A next season could be a make-or-break season for Yarbrough.
Los Angeles Dodgers: C Julian Leon
14 of 30Acquired: 2012 international free agent
Prospect Ranking: No. 11 in LAD system
Stats
| 2014 | Rk | .332/.420/.565 | 74 | 14 | 12 | 57 | 39 | 1 |
| 2015 | A | .201/.269/.298 | 62 | 15 | 5 | 26 | 30 | 0 |
Player Outlook
A teammate of uber-prospect Julio Urias on the Mexico City Red Devils and part of the same 2012 international signing crop, catcher Julian Leon has a chance to be a standout offensive catcher.
He was one of just three players in the Pioneer League last year to hit over .300 with double-digit doubles and home runs, and the Dodgers prospect jumped straight to Single-A Great Lakes as a result.
The transition has not been a smooth one, but catchers tend to develop slower than other positions anyway, and Leon is still only 19 years old.
Making consistent contact will be the big hurdle, as he's seen his strikeout rate go from 20.1 percent last season to 31.6 percent this season.
He has a decent arm, but his receiving skills still need a lot of work. At the end of the day, though, it's his bat that will likely be his ticket to the majors, and he'll need to improve in what will no doubt be a second go-around at the Single-A level next year.
Miami Marlins: SP Tyler Kolek
15 of 30Acquired: 2014 draft, first found (second overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 1 in MIA system, No. 52 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | Rk | 9/8 | 22.0 | 0-3 | 4.50 | 1.591 | 5.3 | 7.4 |
| 2015 | A | 25/25 | 108.2 | 4-10 | 4.56 | 1.555 | 5.1 | 6.7 |
Player Outlook
With a rock-solid 6'5", 260-pound frame and a fastball that regularly touched triple digits, Tyler Kolek was the prototypical flame-throwing Texas high schooler, and the Miami Marlins wasted little time in snatching him up with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft.
An overpowering fastball at the high school level can be a double-edged sword, though, as it makes it easy to rely on that one pitch and can leave a pitcher's secondary offerings lagging behind.
MLB.com's Prospect Watch offered up the following scouting report:
"There's more to Kolek than pure velocity. He gets heavy sinking life on his fastball, creating lots of groundball outs. He's refined his breaking ball since being drafted, giving it 12-to-6 break. He still needs to work on his secondary offerings, as he's largely been able to rely on his fastball to this point.
"
Command will be the big issue for Kolek, as his 5.1 BB/9 will have to improve in the years to come, but the Marlins will no doubt be patient with the highest-ceiling arm in the system.
Milwaukee Brewers: CF Monte Harrison
16 of 30Acquired: 2014 draft, second round (50th Overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 5 in MIL system
Stats
| 2014 | Rk | .261/.402/.339 | 47 | 7 | 1 | 20 | 37 | 32 |
| 2015 | Rk/A | .205/.310/.332 | 53 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 38 | 20 |
Player Outlook
The best athlete in the 2014 draft, Monte Harrison turned down a chance to be a two-sport star at the University of Nebraska to sign for an above-slot bonus of $1.8 million after being selected in the second round.
A wide receiver on the gridiron, his supreme speed was on full display after signing, as he led the Arizona rookie league in stolen bases with 32 thefts in 34 attempts.
He was sent to Single-A Wisconsin to start the 2015 season where he hit .148/.246/.247 with 77 strikeouts in 184 plate appearances before returning to rookie ball and putting up respectable numbers the rest of the way.
"Sometimes you have to experience the bad to appreciate the good that comes next. It’s happening now to me. That’s good, I feel like," Harrison told Jon Nyatawa of the Omaha World-Herald. "If you want to be great, it takes time. Sometimes it happens quicker. Sometimes it takes eight years. Who knows what’ll happen?"
When multisport stars finally turn their attention to one specific sport, the adjustment can often take some time. At the same time, once things do click, they are often able to take a huge leap forward, and that's what the Brewers will be hoping for from Harrison.
Minnesota Twins: SP Alex Meyer
17 of 30
Acquired: 2012 trade, via Washington Nationals
Prospect Rankings: No. 5 in MIN system, No. 62 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | AAA | 27/27 | 130.1 | 7-7 | 3.52 | 1.381 | 4.4 | 10.6 |
| 2015 | AAA | 38/8 | 92.0 | 4-5 | 4.79 | 1.620 | 4.7 | 9.8 |
Player Outlook
Drafted more on potential than his production at the University of Kentucky, Alex Meyer was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for center fielder Denard Span prior to the 2013 season.
As his raw ability began to grow into his towering 6'9" frame, he quickly shot up prospect rankings, and after a strong showing for Triple-A Rochester in 2014, he entered spring training with an outside shot at claiming a rotation spot.
While he wound up back in Triple-A to start the year, he was expected to be among the first pitchers called upon when the Twins needed reinforcements.
Instead, he struggled mightily with his command, posting a 7.09 ERA and 5.5 BB/9 over his first eight starts before being moved to the bullpen.
He has a 3.74 ERA and has managed to lower his walk rate to 4.4 BB/9 in 32 appearances, spanning 55.1 innings since shifting to a relief role, and it appears that is now where his long-term future lies.
Meyer still has electric stuff and is more than capable of turning himself into a high-leverage reliever, but this season has no doubt been a disappointment.
New York Mets: 3B Jhoan Urena
18 of 30Acquired: 2011 international free agent
Prospect Ranking: No. 14 in NYM system
Stats
| 2014 | A- | .300/.356/.431 | 85 | 20 | 5 | 47 | 30 | 7 |
| 2015 | Rk/A+ | .222/.274/.302 | 50 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 19 | 3 |
Player Outlook
After showing solid offensive potential in short-season ball over the first three years of his pro career, Jhoan Urena looked ready to make the jump to higher-level competition at High-A St. Lucie this season.
He has struggled mightily in 2015, though, and a nagging wrist injury that sidelined him for nearly two months is largely to blame.
The switch-hitting Urena batted .292 his first three seasons, tallying 41 doubles and nine home runs in 602 at-bats while showing marked improvement defensively at third base.
"Urena fits the profile of a run-producing corner infielder perfectly, one who has the chance to be a dynamic two-way player," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
Given the injuries, this season has essentially been a wash, as he's played just 69 games, and the potential breakout season some expected this year may just come a year later when he's healthy once again in 2016.
New York Yankees: SP Ian Clarkin
19 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, first round (33rd Overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 6 in NYY system
Stats
| 2014 | A/A+ | 17/16 | 75.0 | 4-3 | 3.12 | 1.253 | 2.8 | 9.0 |
| 2015 | A+ | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Player Outlook
A standout for the Team USA U-18 squad that won the gold medal in 2012, Ian Clarkin was the third high school left-hander and fourth lefty overall selected in the 2013 draft.
He was also selected one spot after Aaron Judge as the New York Yankees held back-to-back supplemental round picks and is joined by third base prospect Eric Jagielo as one of three first-round selections by the team that year.
Clarkin showed an advanced feel for pitching last season while making the jump to Single-A after just three appearances in the rookie league the previous year.
His fastball and curveball already grade out as plus offerings, and his changeup has a chance to be at least a solid third pitch.
The issue has been his health.
After being shut down during spring training with elbow tendinitis, Clarkin has been battling inflammation in that elbow the entire season. He hasn't undergone any kind of surgery and is not expected to, but this has been a lost season for one of the organization's top young arms.
Oakland Athletics: SP Daniel Gossett
20 of 30
Acquired: 2014 draft, second round (65th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 15 in OAK system
Stats
| 2014 | A- | 12/1 | 24.0 | 1-0 | 2.25 | 0.708 | 0.4 | 9.4 |
| 2015 | A | 27/27 | 144.2 | 5-13 | 4.73 | 1.403 | 3.2 | 7.0 |
Player Outlook
Daniel Gossett was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft after a standout junior season at Clemson saw him go 7-2 with a 1.93 ERA, 1.006 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 107.1 innings to earn first-team All-ACC honors.
He pitched mostly in relief after signing last year and making the jump straight to Low-A Vermont and was nothing short of dominant with just 16 hits, one walk and six earned runs allowed in 24 innings of work.
Things have not gone nearly as smoothly in his first full season, but he has thrown the ball better of late with a 1.00 ERA and 0.667 WHIP in his last three starts.
He's somewhat undersized but has a solid four-pitch repertoire and is capable of reaching the mid-90s with his fastball when he needs to.
All things considered, it speaks to how well the Oakland Athletics' high-ranking farm hands have performed this season that Gossett is the player highlighted here.
Philadelphia Phillies: SP Tom Windle
21 of 30
Acquired: 2014 trade, via Philadelphia Phillies
Prospect Ranking: No. 9 in LAD system
Stats
| 2014 | A+ | 26/25 | 139.1 | 12-8 | 4.26 | 1.371 | 2.8 | 7.2 |
| 2015 | AA | 34/14 | 97.1 | 4-5 | 4.35 | 1.531 | 4.7 | 5.9 |
Player Outlook
One of the pitchers sent from the Los Angels Dodgers to Philadelphia in exchange for Jimmy Rollins during the offseason, Tom Windle is just one more piece of the rebuilding puzzle for the Phillies.
Making the jump from the University of Minnesota to Single-A Great Lakes after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft, Windle went 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.304 WHIP in 53.2 innings of work—and his future looked bright.
His ERA climbed to 4.26 for High-A Rancho Cucamonga last year, but he posted solid peripheral numbers with a 1.371 WHIP and just 2.8 BB/9 as his future still looked to be in the rotation.
However, after going 2-5 with a 5.35 ERA in 14 starts to begin the 2015 season, the Phillies opted to move him to the bullpen where his plus fastball-slider combination has a chance to play up.
He's responded to the move incredibly well with a 1.69 ERA, 1.162 WHIP and 7.1 K/9 in 20 appearances out of the pen.
The left-hander obviously had more value and upside as a starter, so the need to move him to the relief ranks as a disappointment, but he could be a valuable arm out of the big league bullpen in the near future.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Jameson Taillon
22 of 30
Acquired: 2010 draft, first round (second overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 2 in PIT, No. 29 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | AAA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | AAA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Player Outlook
The Pittsburgh Pirates brought Jameson Taillon along carefully after they selected him second overall in the 2010 draft, but after reaching Triple-A down the stretch in 2013, he looked poised to debut at some point in 2014.
Instead, the 6'5" right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery that April and just as he was close to returning to the mound this year, he was sidelined again when he underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia in July.
If he can return as the same pitcher who featured three plus pitches and looked to have legitimate front-line potential, the Pirates' starting rotation will be that much better going forward.
In 25 starts and 147.1 innings of work in 2013, Taillon was 5-10 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.324 WHIP and 143 strikeouts as a 21-year-old pitching at the highest level of the minors.
Tyler Glasnow has passed him as the top arm in the organization, but a return to health could give the Pirates a lethal trio with those two alongside current ace Gerrit Cole.
San Diego Padres: CF Michael Gettys
23 of 30Acquired: 2014 draft, second round (51st overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 13 in SD system
Stats
| 2014 | Rk | .310/.353/.437 | 66 | 8 | 3 | 38 | 29 | 14 |
| 2015 | A | .231/.271/.346 | 114 | 27 | 6 | 44 | 62 | 20 |
Player Outlook
Michael Gettys was exactly the kind of wild-card teams like to take a chance on with an above-slot second-round pick.
"Though Gettys' package of tools might have been the best in the 2014 Draft, concerns about his bat dropped him to the second round, where the Padres paid him $1.3 million as the 51st overall pick," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
Toolsy outfielders are always hit and miss, but when they do hit, they generally have a chance to not only turn into everyday players but legitimate stars at the big league level.
Gettys certainly looked like a potential hit after signing, as he went on to lead the Arizona rookie league in hits (66) while ranking second in total bases (93).
However, the contact issues that caused his draft stock to fall were very much present, as he whiffed 66 times in 233 plate appearances, and that has been the big issue here in 2015.
He has 162 strikeouts (30.6 percent strikeout rate) to lead the Midwest League and has walked just 28 times in 529 plate appearances.
The ceiling is high for Gettys, but the floor is also low if he can't improve his hit tool.
San Francisco Giants: SP/RP Kyle Crick
24 of 30
Acquired: 2011 draft, first round (49th Overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 3 in SF system
Stats
| 2014 | AA | 23/22 | 90.0 | 6-7 | 3.80 | 1.544 | 6.1 | 11.1 |
| 2015 | AA | 36/11 | 63.0 | 3-4 | 3.29 | 1.794 | 9.4 | 10.4 |
Player Outlook
In terms of pure stuff, few pitchers in minor league baseball are better than Kyle Crick.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can touch 99, his slider comes in at the high 80s and those two offerings are offset by a plus curveball that may be his second-best pitch and a changeup that is tough on right-handed hitters.
The trouble is, that electric stuff isn't much good if the pitcher has no idea where it's going.
The San Francisco Giants have been incredibly patient with Crick, as he's thrown just 340 innings in his five minor league seasons, but the command simply has not improved.
The 22-year-old has a 6.4 BB/9 mark for his pro career, and that number has climbed to a ridiculous 9.4 BB/9 here in 2015.
After walking 40 in 42 innings of work over his first 11 starts this year, Crick was finally moved to the bullpen where he has a solid 3.86 ERA over 25 appearances but is walking batters at a dizzying 11.1 BB/9 clip.
Unless he can rein in his stuff, it's hard to see Crick ever reaching the majors, let alone living up to his billing as a future front-line starter.
Seattle Mariners: 1B/3B D.J. Peterson
25 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, first round (12th overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 2 in SEA system, No. 85 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | A+/AA | .297/.360/.552 | 147 | 31 | 31 | 111 | 83 | 7 |
| 2015 | AA/AAA | .223/.287/.344 | 83 | 20 | 7 | 44 | 39 | 5 |
Player Outlook
It's a tough call between D.J. Peterson and Alex Jackson as far as who has been the most disappointing prospect for the Seattle Mariners this year.
The No. 6 pick in last year's draft, Jackson has hit just .207/.318/.365 while striking out 96 times in 318 plate appearances between Low-A and Single-A.
However, he's still only 19 years old, and while he was still several years away from making a big league impact regardless of what he did this year, Peterson appeared to be on the cusp of reaching the majors after a breakout 2014 campaign.
He put up impressive power numbers last year with 31 doubles and 31 home runs, and did it while striking out just 21.2 percent of the time.
That strikeout rate has climbed a bit this year to 22.9 percent, but he simply is not driving the ball the way he did last year, and a 2016 arrival as the team's primary first baseman now seems like a long shot.
Peterson still has plus power and the ability to be a significant run producer, but his fast track to the majors has been significantly slowed here in 2015.
St. Louis Cardinals: SP Marco Gonzales
26 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, first round (19th overall)
Prospect Rankings: No. 1 in STL system, No. 50 in MLB
Stats
| 2014 | A+/AA/AAA | 21/21 | 122.0 | 9-5 | 2.43 | 1.123 | 2.0 | 8.6 |
| 2015 | A+/AA/AAA | 18/18 | 80.2 | 1-5 | 4.69 | 1.562 | 2.7 | 6.8 |
Player Outlook
Marco Gonzales looked like another gem in a long line of impressive, homegrown arms for the St. Louis Cardinals when he pitched well enough down the stretch last year to earn a spot on the postseason roster.
After dominating over three levels of the minors, Gonzales made his debut on June 25, and he finished the regular season at 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA in five starts and five relief appearances.
His work out of the pen was enough to win him a significant role in October, and he went on to pick up two relief wins in the Cardinals' National League Division Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Expected to be the next man up if someone went down in the Cardinals rotation this year, Gonzales instead battled injuries of his own and missed nearly a month from May 19 to July 10.
More importantly, he missed out on a golden opportunity when Adam Wainwright was sidelined, as he likely would have had a chance at a regular rotation spot and an opportunity to prove himself for next year ahead of the free agency of John Lackey.
Gonzales still has plenty of upside and a chance to be a solid big league starter, but his 2015 season has been a disappointing one for the organization and a missed opportunity for him personally.
Tampa Bay Rays: 2B Ryan Brett
27 of 30
Acquired: 2010 draft, third round (98th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 7 in TB system
Stats
| 2014 | AA | .303/.346/.448 | 128 | 25 | 8 | 38 | 64 | 27 |
| 2015 | A+/AAA | .251/.293/.360 | 83 | 19 | 5 | 30 | 50 | 4 |
Player Outlook
After a stellar performance for Double-A Montgomery and with Ben Zobrist headed for free agency following the 2015 season, all signs pointed to Ryan Brett getting a crack at the everyday second base job for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016.
The offseason trade of Zobrist didn't do anything to expedite Brett's arrival in the majors, but it did give Logan Forsythe an opportunity at regular playing time, and he's put together a breakout season in the process.
With Forsythe under team control through the 2017 season, the future has become considerably more clouded for Brett this year, and he's done little to help his cause.
Brett made his big league debut earlier this season, going 2-for-3 with a double before suffering a shoulder injury that cost him over a month.
That could certainly be at least partially to blame for his dip in production at the plate, and despite his poor showing this year, Brett still has a chance to be a significant piece of the future in Tampa.
Texas Rangers: IF Travis Demeritte
28 of 30
Acquired: 2013 draft, first round (30th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 19 in TEX system
Stats
| 2014 | A | .211/.310/.450 | 84 | 16 | 25 | 66 | 77 | 6 |
| 2015 | A-/A | .232/.332/.384 | 44 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 27 | 10 |
Player Outlook
It was tempting to put Joey Gallo in this spot, as his 37.2 percent strikeout rate in the minors this year has gone a long way in offsetting his tremendous power.
However, that prodigious strikeout total should come as no big surprise to those that have followed Gallo the past few years, so instead, we'll focus on 2013 first-round pick Travis Demeritte.
While his .211/.310/.450 line last year does not exactly jump off the page, his 16 doubles and 25 home runs as a 19-year-old playing at the Single-A level certainly do.
Those power numbers came with a lot of strikeouts, 171 in 466 plate appearances to be exact, but the power opened more than a few eyes nonetheless.
Back at Single-A Hickory in 2015, Demeritte showed some improvements in his overall offensive game before his season was abruptly cut short with an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs on June 4.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions and will be working hard over the next few months to be fully prepared for a return as an active player," Demeritte told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News following the suspension.
Toronto Blue Jays: C Max Pentecost
29 of 30
Acquired: 2014 draft, first round (11th overall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 5 in TOR system
Stats
| 2014 | Rk/A- | .324/.330/.419 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 17 | 2 |
| 2015 | High-A | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Player Outlook
Max Pentecost was the 11th overall pick and the second catcher drafted after Kyle Schwarber went No. 4 overall in the 2014 draft.
While Schwarber's future may wind up being in left field, there is little doubt that Pentecost has the tools to stay behind the dish, as he is an elite athlete for the position, and his throwing and receiving skills play up as a result.
That being said, it's his offense that has a chance to make him a star, and he checked in as the No. 17 catcher in my MLB 20 in '20 series running down the projected top 20 players at each position five years from now.
"He has a steady, quick swing, enabling him to hit line drives to all fields. He has good raw power, but his swing produces more doubles than home runs," wrote MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
For as bright as his future looks, the 2015 season as been a complete wash, as Pentecost underwent surgery to repair a partially torn right labrum last October and has been sidelined all season as a result.
Washington Nationals: CF Brian Goodwin
30 of 30
Acquired: 2011 draft, first round (34th pverall)
Prospect Ranking: No. 9 in WAS system
Stats
| 2014 | AAA | .219/.342/.328 | 60 | 10 | 4 | 32 | 31 | 6 |
| 2015 | AA | .226/.290/.340 | 97 | 17 | 8 | 46 | 58 | 15 |
Player Outlook
While the future looks bright for another young Washington Nationals outfielder in Michael Taylor, the same can't be said for 2011 first-round pick Brian Goodwin.
Selected out of Miami-Dade Junior College, Goodwin hit .280/.384/.469 with 26 doubles, 14 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 382 at-bats in his pro debut in 2012, reaching the Double-A level in the process.
Three years later, he was back in Double-A to begin the season after a dismal showing for Triple-A Syracuse in 2014.
While he has shown impressive patience at the plate with a 12.0 percent walk rate and .343 on-base percentage for his career, he simply has not made enough consistent contact to hit for a respectable average.
The hope was that a demotion back to Double-A this season would jump-start his career, but instead, he has posted a career-worst .631 OPS and a career-worst 8.1 percent walk rate as he's continued to head in the wrong direction.
Note: All 2015 prospect rankings referenced in this article come courtesy of the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and reflect preseason rankings. All previous year's rankings are also via Baseball America.
All standard statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, advanced stats are via FanGraphs and college stats come from Baseball Cube. Stats are current through Aug. 7.
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