Selecting the All-Prospect Team for the 2015 Minor League Season
What a year it's been for prospects in 2015. Top talents have impressed at every level, including standout performances in the majors.
Now that the minor league season has concluded, we've compiled a list of 2015's best prospect seasons. The following slideshow will take a closer look at Bleacher Report's 2015 All-Prospect Team.
To be eligible for inclusion, players must still have prospect status and/or have spent all of 2015 in the minor leagues. That means you won't find players such as Kyle Schwarber, Miguel Sano and Aaron Nola on this list.
However, plenty of impressive talents managed to make the cut. Corey Seager, Blake Snell, Yoan Moncada and Jose Berrios are just a few names we'll touch on over the following slides.
Every player on this list has enjoyed statistical success. If a decision was too close to call, prospects at higher levels earned the nod.
Make sure to let us know what you think of our list in the comments section below. Do you agree with our selections? If not, who would you have included?
MLB's future is bright. By the end of these slides, you'll have a better idea of which youngsters to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
Right-Handed Starting Pitcher: Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
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2015 Stats: 14-5, 2.87 ERA, 166.1 IP, 9.47 K/9, 2.06 BB/9, .220 AVG
Of all the positions on this list, right-handed pitching was loaded with the most talent. But with respect to Tyler Glasnow and Luis Severino, Minnesota's Jose Berrios has been the most consistent righty in the minors this season.
Berrios started 2015 in Double-A, posting a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts. He combined strikeout stuff (25.1 strikeout percentage) with above-average command (6.5 walk percentage) to befuddle hitters.
After a deserved promotion to Triple-A, the 21-year-old only improved those numbers. Berrios lowered his ERA to a 2.62 mark and bolstered his strikeout-to-walk ratio to 23 percent. Opposing hitters also only managed to hit .211 against him.
Add it all up and Berrios won 14 games and posted a 2.87 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A at age 21. He also ranked 11th in the minor leagues in innings pitched, which gives him an edge over Glasnow and Severino.
He may not have been promoted this September, but Berrios proved he's big league-ready this season.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Glasnow (PIT), Luis Severino (NYY), Jose De Leon (LAD), Michael Fulmer (DET), Alex Reyes (STL)
Left-Handed Starting Pitcher: Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
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2015 Stats: 15-4. 1.41 ERA, 134 IP, 10.95 K/9, 3.56 BB/9, .180 AVG
No minor league pitcher threw the ball better in 2015 than Tampa Bay's Blake Snell.
Snell used the 2015 season to establish himself as one of the top left-handed prospects in the game. The 22-year-old pitched across three levels this season, posting a 1.41 ERA in 134 innings.
After not allowing a run in four games at High-A, Snell continued to dominate opponents as he moved through the Rays system. He went 6-2 with a 1.57 ERA in 12 Double-A starts. While in Double-A, he struck out 29.5 percent of the batters he faced. Following a promotion, the southpaw recorded a 1.83 ERA in nine Triple-A starts while raising his strikeout percentage to over 33 percent.
Snell finished in the top 10 among minor league pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (ninth), strikeout percentage (fourth), average against (seventh) and ERA (seventh). He allowed 21 earned runs all season. Come on.
Steven Matz, Sean Newcomb and Rob Kaminsky all put together outstanding seasons, but nobody dominated in 2015 quite like Snell.
Honorable Mentions: Steven Matz (NYM), Sean Newcomb (LAA), Rob Kaminsky (CLE), Brian Johnson (BOS)
Catcher: Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
3 of 102015 Stats: .333/.413/.478, 8 HR, 71 R, 75 RBI, 156 wRC+
The Chicago Cubs are loaded with young talent, but catcher Willson Contreras wasn't mentioned in the same breath as his peers before this season. In fact, MLB.com didn't list Contreras among Chicago's top 20 prospects before the season.
But that has all changed in 2015. Contreras has moved into Chicago's top 10 after crushing Double-A pitching.
In 126 games, the 23-year-old slashed .333/.413/.478. The biggest reason for Contreras' breakout year can be attributed to a sharp decline in strikeout percentage. After whiffing over 20 percent of the time in 2014, he reduced that number to just less than 12 percent this year.
Among minor league backstops, Contreras ranked third in average, fourth in RBI, fourth in on-base percentage and fifth in wRC+. Austin Barnes and Jacob Nottingham can each make compelling arguments, but Contreras was the most complete hitter of the bunch.
Honorable Mentions: Austin Barnes (LAD), Chance Sisco (BAL), Jacob Nottingham (OAK), Gary Sanchez (NYY), Patrick Mazeika (NYM)
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First Base: A.J. Reed, Houston Astros
4 of 102015 Stats: .340/.432/.612, 34 HR, 113 R, 127 RBI, 182 wRC+
Brace yourself, Houston Astros fans. A.J. Reed's powerful bat is rapidly approaching a major league debut.
After impressing in his first season as a professional last season, Reed announced himself to the baseball world with one of the best offensive seasons in the minors. The 22-year-old slashed .340/.432/.612 and launched 34 homers between High-A and Double-A this season.
It's rare to see a young power hitter who can still hit for a high average, but Reed has done just that in 2015. Despite striking out nearly 20 percent of the time, Reed hit .340 due to a .384 BABIP. That average on balls in play is no fluke, as most of Reed's contact was hit hard enough to result in extra bases.
Pittsburgh's Josh Bell may be a more polished hitter, but Reed has more upside. He was the top first baseman in the minors this season, and one can argue he was the best player in the minor leagues overall.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Bell (PIT), Jesus Montero (SEA), Trey Mancini (BAL), Carlos Munoz (PIT), Collin Ferguson (COL)
Second Base: Yoan Moncada, Boston Red Sox
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2015 Stats: .278/.380/.438, 8 HR, 61 R, 38 RBI, 49 SB, 135 wRC+
When the Boston Red Sox committed $63 million to snag Cuban teenager Yoan Moncada earlier this year, plenty of hype surrounded the talented youngster as he embarked on his first pro season.
After overcoming some initial struggles, Moncada has lived up to his astronomical billing. The 20-year-old slashed .278/.380/.438 this season in Single-A. Moncada's high on-base percentage can be attributed to an 11.6 walk percentage.
More importantly, he flashed the rare blend of power and speed that could set him apart. The infielder hit eight homers and was a remarkable 49-of-52 in stolen base attempts. As he continues to develop, Moncada's home run totals will only improve.
Javier Baez definitely deserves mention here, but Moncada's transition as a teenager to a new country gives him the edge.
Honorable Mentions: Javier Baez (CHC), Forrest Wall (COL), Micah Johnson (CHW), Tony Kemp (HOU), Max Moroff (PIT)
Shortstop: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
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2015 Stats: .293/.344/.487, 18 HR, 81 R, 76 RBI, 120 wRC+
Corey Seager's meteoric rise to the big leagues culminated in a September call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month. In 11 games since his promotion, he's hitting .432 with a .534 on-base percentage.
But before debuting this September, Seager was the best shortstop in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old slashed .293/.344/.487 between Double-A and Triple-A, mashing 18 homers in the process.
Seager began the season by blitzing Double-A pitching. He wasn't as dominant in Triple-A, but he went deep 13 times and ultimately raised his average near the .280 mark while facing much older competition.
As with right-handed pitching, shortstop is among the deepest positions in the minor leagues. Franklin Barreto, Trea Turner and Ozzie Albies all improved their stock in 2015.
But with all eyes on him, Seager lived up to expectations. If his initial production in the majors is any indication, he's in for a stellar career.
Honorable Mentions: Franklin Barreto (OAK), Trea Turner (WAS), Ozzie Albies (ATL), J.P Crawford (PHI), Orlando Arcia (MIL)
Third Base: Richie Shaffer, Tampa Bay Rays
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2015 Stats: .267/.357/.539, 26 HR, 64 R, 72 RBI, 155 wRC+
The Tampa Bay Rays may not have a deep prospect pool, but Richie Shaffer joins Blake Snell as the second player from the organization on this list.
Since being drafted in the first round in 2012, Shaffer has proved to be a dangerous hitter. The 24-year-old improved his 19-homer total from a season ago in 2015, going deep 26 times.
Shaffer ranks first among minor league third basemen in isolated power, third in homers, third in slugging percentage and seventh in wRC+. Tampa Bay called up Shaffer for two weeks in August and again in September. In 18 games, he's hit three homers and is slugging .422.
Miguel Sano's graduation from the Minnesota Twins prospect list opened the door for Shaffer. Still, his power and slugging ability make him the right choice.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan McMahon (COL), Colin Moran (HOU), Rafael Devers (BOS), Renato Nunez (OAK), Kevin Padlo (COL)
Outfield: Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins
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2015 Stats: .318/.410/.520, 9 HR, 80 R, 71 RBI, 19 SB, 163 wRC+
The Minnesota Twins signed then-16-year-old Max Kepler out of Germany for $800,000 in 2009. Years later, the toolsy outfielder is beginning to put all of his talents together.
Kepler slashed .318/.410/.520 between High-A and Double-A this season. In 112 games in Double-A, he hit .322, posted an on-base percentage of .416, bashed nine homers, stole 18 bases and walked more than he struck out.
Talk about a complete offensive player.
Kepler also finished among the top outfielders in Double-A in batting average (third), OBP (first), slugging percentage (second), isolated power (fourth) and wRC+ (second).
The Twins are loaded with young talent, and the development of Kepler is just a cherry on top. Thanks to its patience, Minnesota now has a legitimate five-tool prospect on its hands.
Outfield: Lewis Brinson, Texas Rangers
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2015 Stats: .332/.403/.601, 20 HR, 74 R, 69 RBI, 18 SB, 169 wRC+
In a Texas Rangers organization filled with top talent, Lewis Brinson was often overshadowed by Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and other prospects.
But after 2015, Brinson won't be ignored any longer. The outfielder progressed through three levels this season, slashing .332/.403/.601 in the process.
A majority of Brinson's playing time came in High-A, where he hit 13 of his homers and posted an on-base percentage over .400. Once promoted to Double-A, the 21-year-old went deep six more times with a slugging percentage over .540.
While Brinson's power jumps off the page, his speed makes him even more dangerous. He stole 18 bases this season and profiles as a 20-20 player in the big leagues.
Because of his breakout season, Brinson should begin 2015 in Triple-A. A major league debut won't be far behind for one of the fastest-rising prospects in the minors.
Outfield: Domingo Santana, Milwaukee Brewers
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2015 Stats: .333/.426/.573, 18 HR, 75 R, 77 RBI, 168 wRC+
Even before he was a coveted prize for the Milwaukee Brewers in the Carlos Gomez trade, Domingo Santana was putting together a phenomenal season.
Santana added 18 homers to his impressive minor league tally this season. The 23-year-old has hit 82 homers since 2012 and posted a career-high batting average as well in 2015.
As has become customary, his long, powerful swing results in plenty of swings and misses. Santana whiffed over 26 percent of the time this season but managed to post an on-base percentage above .400 due to the fifth-highest walk rate in Triple-A.
Santana has his flaws, but he's found a way to mask those deficiencies with what he does well. Throughout 2015, there wasn't a more feared hitter in the minor leagues, which is why he's deserving of a place on this list.
Honorable Mentions: Nomar Mazara (TEX), Michael Conforto (NYM), Manuel Margot (BOS), Billy McKinney (CHC), Bradley Zimmer (CLE), Brett Phillips (MIL), Anthony Alford (TOR), Clint Frazier (CLE), Jordan Patterson (COL), Jesse Winker (CIN)
Stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of Sept. 15.
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