Fantasy Baseball Prospect Tracker: Trout, Friedrich, and Moustakas

It’s time to check in on three more prospects from around the minor leagues. Are any of them primed to make an impact in the not too distant future? Let’s take a look.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels—Outfielder
Single-A: .290 (29-100), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 13 R, 6 SB

Since being promoted to High Single-A 24 games ago (just after our last update on him), Trout has not enjoyed the same type of success as he did at Low Single-A.  

That’s not to say that he’s been bad, but it’s a far cry from the .362 average with 45 SB he had previously posted. Then again, maybe he just needed to adjust to things. 

In his last 10 games he’s hit .326 with four SB without being caught (he had gone two-for-five previously). He also continues to draw walks at a double-digit rate (10.7%), certainly helping him utilize his immense speed. 

He’s considered one of the elite prospects in the game, and thus far he has backed it up. He just turned 19, so late-2011/early-2012 would seem like a good estimate for his Major League arrival (barring struggles on his next promotion).

Christian Friedrich - Colorado Rockies - Pitcher
Double-A: 3-6, 4.88 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 74 K

It’s been an extremely disappointing season for Friedrich, who is seen as one of the better pitching prospects in the game. He’s had some problems, including leaving a game on July 18 without recording an out, due to taking a ball off his elbow. 

He also missed time earlier this season due to elbow inflammation. The stops and starts easily could have influenced his ability on the mound, causing some of his struggles. He has shown flashes in recent outings, including a 12 strikeout performance on July 8 and giving up no earned in six innings his last time out. 

Plus, his BABIP this season has been .346, so there is certainly plenty of room for improved luck. He has the ability to strike people out and his control, though not great (3.8 BB/9), is not awful either.

It’s easy to look at the numbers and give up on him, but that would be a major mistake.  He remains one of the top pitching prospects in the game and I would look for him to be able to put these struggles in the rearview mirror.

Mike Moustakas - Kansas City Royals - Third Baseman
Triple-A: .248 (29-117), 5 HR, 16 RBI, 15 R, 1 SB

The numbers are a far cry from his tenure at Double-A earlier this season (.347, 21 HR, 76 RBI), but you have to give him time to adjust. He’s just 21 years old (turns 22 in mid-September), and the Royals have already said that he will not see time in the Major Leagues in 2010. 

Could these struggles help deter the Royals from having him on the Opening Day 2011 roster? Perhaps, but many other factors, like arbitration time, will also play a role. 

He has tremendous upside at a position with very few elite players, and the Royals do not want to rush him (a la Alex Gordon). There’s nothing wrong with the approach, so just be patient.

What are your thoughts on these three? Who is going to make an impact in 2010?  Who has the best long-term potential?

Make sure to check out our new Prospect Tracker, for links to the latest updates on all the top prospects in baseball, by clicking here.

Make sure to check out some of our Prospect Reports:

• Dustin Ackley
• Yonder Alonso
• J.P. Arencibia
• Jake Arrieta
• Phillippe Aumont
• Josh Bell
• Jason Castro
• Starlin Castro
• Allen Craig
• Aaron Crow
• Kyle Drabek
• Todd Frazier
• Christian Friedrich
• Jeremy Hellickson
• Daniel Hudson
• Jay Jackson
• Desmond Jennings
• Mike Leake
• Will Myers
• Martin Perez
• Michael Pineda
• Buster Posey
• Gaby Sanchez
• Carlos Santana
• Michael Saunders
• Anthony Slama
• Mike Trout
• Mark Trumbo
• Brett Wallace

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