MLB Prospects: The Most Naturally Gifted Prospect in Each Team's System
This past spring, all 30 teams in Major League Baseball had an opportunity to get a good look at many of the younger players currently in their farm systems, with a small percentage of those players getting the chance to show their stuff at the big league camps.
While some of the players received more publicity than others (Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, John Mayberry Jr.), others went through the spring under the radar, but impressed nonetheless.
As April continues on, and players who went north with their respective clubs either got injured or flamed out miserably in the first couple of weeks, some clubs have started thinking about some of those players who impressed them so much during spring training.
Will any of these younger stars impress enough to make an impact with their teams this season? That seems to be a given each season, as someone makes the jump and impresses right out of the gate.
We will take a look at each team’s most gifted prospect, and see what his impact could be, either now or in the near future. The list will be in order of teams by alphabetical order.
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1. Arizona Diamondbacks—Jarrod Parker, Pitcher
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When the Arizona Diamondbacks saw that young pitcher Jarrod Parker was still on the board with the ninth pick of the 2007 Major League draft, the D-Backs pounced immediately. Parker was the highest rated player on their board, and they were thrilled that he was still available.
Parker, who features a mid-90s fastball with an outstanding slider and above-average curveball, was sidelined midway through the 2009 season with elbow issues that required Tommy John surgery. Parker reported to spring training in 2011 with the D-Backs and pitched 6.1 innings, giving up four runs.
Parker was roughed up in his first start with Double-A Mobile, allowing seven earned runs on six hits in three 2/3 innings. Still, it is widely believed that Parker could be with the D-Backs and contributing sometime in the 2011 season.
2. Atlanta Braves—Arodys Vizcaino, Pitcher
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Arodys Vizcaino was signed by the New York Yankees in 2007 as a 17-year-old, and was part of the deal that saw Vizcaino, Melky Cabrera and Michael Dunn end up in Atlanta in exchange for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan.
While both Vazquez and Cabrera only lasted one year with their respective teams, Vizcaino is now considered one of the rising stars in the Braves organization. Vizcaino was clearly the centerpiece of that deal. Featuring a mid-90s MPH fastball and what scouts have called a devastating “hammer curve,” Vizcaino is continuing his development at advanced Single-A Lynchburg.
3. Baltimore Orioles—Manny Machado, SS
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Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles last year with the third overall pick, Manny Machado has played less than 20 professional games in his infant career, and he has already drawn comparisons to Alex Rodriguez.
At 6’3” and 185 pounds, Machado will no doubt still fill out, and once he does, scouts are projecting the next great shortstop. Considered a five-tool player who attacks the ball with authority at the ripe old age of 18, Machado is being highly touted as a franchise shortstop for the future.
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4. Boston Red Sox—Jose Iglesias, SS
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When the Boston Red Sox signed Jose Iglesias in September 2009, they envisioned a player who could one day stop the revolving door that has been the shortstop position since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in 2004.
At 5’11” and 175 pounds, Iglesias isn’t built in the mold of Garciaparra; however, the Sox love his quick hands and great range, and also has the ability to play second and third as well. Iglesias is currently hitting .300 in early action for Triple-A Pawtucket, and could well be the answer for the Sox at shortstop in the very near future.
5. Chicago White Sox—Dayan Viciedo, 3B/1B
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Chicago White Sox fans first got a look at prospect Dayan Viciedo last season. Viciedo started 22 games last season for the Sox, hitting .308 with five home runs and 13 runs batted in.
Viciedo fractured the tip of his right thumb during spring training, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Once activated, he was sent to Triple A-Charlotte, where the White Sox are giving Viciedo the chance to play right field. The Sox love Viciedo’s pure power, and are presumably giving him time to learn right field, with the current glut of options the White Sox currently have at both first and third base.
6. Chicago Cubs—Josh Vitters, 3B
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Josh Vitters, the third overall selection in the 2007 June Amateur Draft for the Chicago Cubs, had a rough time of it when called up to Double-A Tennessee last season, posting a .223 batting average with seven home runs and 26 RBI.
However, the Cubs love Vitters’ raw power and believe that he is the replacement for Aramis Ramirez at third base. Thus far, Vitters has handled Double-A pitching a bit better in 2011, hitting .360 through his first six games.
The Cubs are hoping that Vitters can learn better plate discipline, as his strikeout/walk ratio is hovering around 4:1.
7. Cincinnati Reds—Yonder Alonso, 1B/LF
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Yonder Alonso was a catcher when originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round of the 2005 June Amateur Draft. Electing to go to the University of Miami instead, Alonso blossomed as a first baseman, and was taken by the Cincinnati Reds with the seventh overall pick in 2008.
The problem the Reds have is that they have first base locked up for the future with reigning NL MVP Joey Votto. The Reds had Alonso play in left field last season for 30 games between Double-A and Triple-A, where he committed just one error with four assists.
At 6’2” and 210 pounds, the Reds believe that Alonso will continue to develop as a potential power hitter; now they just need to find an adequate position for him.
8. Cleveland Indians—Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
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Despite being slowed by a shoulder injury in May, Chisenhall hit 16 HR in his final 86 games last season, and has the ability to hit the ball with authority to all fields. Scouts love Chisenhall’s makeup and his overall fielding skills are considered above average.
At just 22 years of age, Chisenhall could find himself with the Tribe in 2012, if not sooner, and is clearly projected as their third baseman of the future.
9. Colorado Rockies—Wilin Rosario, C
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Young catching prospect Wilin Rosario was well on his way to an outstanding season last year for the Colorado Rockies Double-A club, Tulsa. In just 73 games, Rosario was hitting .285 with 19 home runs and 52 runs batted in. However, in late July, Rosario tore his right ACL, and underwent surgery in late August.
Rosario seems to have fully recovered, currently back at Tulsa once again and working to get the knee back to 100 percent. The injury hasn’t delayed his high prospect status as far as scouts are concerned, and Rosario could easily find himself with the Rockies in 2012.
10. Detroit Tigers—Nick Castellanos, 3B
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The Detroit Tigers thought enough about the skills of high school player Nick Castellanos to sign him to a $3.45 million contract after drafting him in the supplemental draft last year.
The Tigers rave about the raw skills of Castellanos, and although he has less than 20 professional games under his belt, he appears to be the heir apparent to Brandon Inge at third base for the Tigers.
Baseball America already has Castellanos listed as the second best prospect in the Tigers organization behind pitcher Jacob Turner.
11. Florida Marlins—Matt Dominguez, 3B
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2007 first-round draft pick Matt Dominguez had a pretty rough spring. First, he struggled with the Florida Marlins, hitting just .190 in 16 spring games. Then, after being sent down to Triple-A New Orleans, Dominguez was hit by a pitch in a spring training, fracturing his left elbow and sidelining him for two months.
Still, the Marlins are enamored by his Gold-Glove caliber defense, and believe that he will eventually turn into a power hitter at the major league level. At just 21 years of age, Dominguez will be given time to properly rehab the elbow and work on his swing. If not later on in the 2011 season, Dominguez will almost surely be the Marlins’ third baseman in 2012.
12. Houston Astros—Jordan Lyles, Pitcher
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The Houston Astros took a chance and drafted Jordan Lyles out of high school with the 38th pick in the 2008 June Amateur Draft, and thus far, they have loved what they’ve seen.
Lyles, who got an invite this past spring to the Astros major league camp, impressed manager Brad Mills.
"He's pretty special," Mills told The Oklahoman according to MLB.com. "I'm looking forward to what he's going to bring to the Major League club on a very, very, very short time period."
Lyles competed for the fifth spot in the starting rotation for the Astros, posting a 1.98 ERA during the spring. However, management thought it best to send him to Oklahoma City for a bit more experience before he makes his debut. Obviously, for manager Brad Mills, he is one who will be looking forward to it.
13. Kansas City Royals—Mike Moustakas, 3B
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This was a tough choice, as the Kansas City Royals have a slew of young players in their organization rated very highly (Eric Hosmer, Mike Montgomery, John Lamb, just to name a few). However Mike Moustakas, the Royals’ first-round pick (second overall) in the 2007 June Amateur Draft has the raw power and plate discipline that could well put him on the Royals’ roster by midseason.
Last season, between Double and Triple-A, Moustakas hit 36 home runs with 124 runs batted in, and an OPS of .999. He also struck out just 67 times in 534 plate appearances, showing he has the discipline to lay off bad pitches.
14. Los Angeles Angels—Mike Trout, CF
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Mike Trout is rated by many as the first or second highest rated prospect in the minor leagues, and his ceiling has yet to be determined. Trout hit .341 overall last season between Single and Advanced Single-A, stole 56 bases, and was invited to big league camp this past spring.
Trout has already been touted as a five-tool player, and has gotten off to an impressive start with Double-A Arkansas, hitting .303 with three home runs and eight runs batted in over his first nine games, including hitting two home runs, including a grand slam, last Tuesday.
With the Angels’ current youth movement (Peter Bourjos, Hank Conger, Tyler Chatwood, Mark Trumbo), the Halos have shown that they won’t be afraid to turn to Trout if one of their star outfielders (Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter, Bourjos, Bobby Abreu) goes down long-term with an injury.
15. Los Angeles Dodgers—Dee Gordon, SS
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When Los Angeles Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal broke his thumb sliding into third base early last week, many thought that young prospect Dee Gordon might get the call to replace Furcal on the roster. The Dodgers opted to recall Ivan DeJesus from Albuquerque instead, and Jamey Carroll will get the bulk of playing time for now.
However, Gordon is likely the heir apparent to Furcal long-term. Gordon has mad speed, has a .298 career average in the minors, and is currently hitting .333 through his first 10 games at Albuquerque.
However, Gordon will need to improve on the defensive side, committing 37 errors in 133 games last season at Double-A Chattanooga. If he can show a marked improvement on those numbers, Gordon could well be the Dodgers’ shortstop in 2012.
16. Milwaukee Brewers—Ryan Gennett, 2B/SS
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One look at Ryan “Scooter” Gennett, and one might think he would be better suited in another line work. At just 5'9" and 162 pounds, Gennett is not your prototypical major leaguer; however, one thing this young man can do is hit.
Last year, playing his first season of professional ball, Gennett put up .309/.354/.463 numbers at Single-A Wisconsin, and thus far is off to a similar start at Double-A Brevard County.
While Gennett could be a couple of years away from his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers, he could certainly fashion himself a nice career, a la Freddie Sanchez.
17. Minnesota Twins—Aaron Hicks, Outfielder
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Drafted out of high school with the 14th overall pick of the 2008 June Amateur Draft by the Minnesota Twins, Aaron Hicks posted an OBP of .401 last season with Single-A Beloit and was voted to the Midwest League All-Star team.
Also a pitcher in high school, Hicks boasts a tremendous throwing arm with great speed, and the Twins believe that Hicks will eventually learn to hit for power as well. Scouts have compared him favorably to former center fielder Devon White.
18. New York Mets—Matt Harvey, Pitcher
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Young Matt Harvey is off to a hot start already in his professional career. Drafted with the seventh-pick overall last season by the New York Mets out of the University of North Carolina, Harvey has thrown 11 scoreless for Advanced Single-A Port St. Lucie, allowing just eight hits and striking out 17.
Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2007, Harvey was already projected as the top rated high school pitcher then. After electing to attend UNC, Harvey’s stock hasn’t dropped whatsoever. Featuring a mid-90s fastball and an above average slider and curveball, Harvey will rise quickly in an organization that is completely devoid of solid major league prospects.
19. New York Yankees—Jesus Montero, Catcher
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Make no mistake about it, this young man will be a starting catcher sooner rather than later in the major leagues, the question just may be with which team.
Montero, drafted out of Venezuela by the Yankees as a 17-year-old in 2007, has easily handled every minor league level thus far, and is tearing up the International League early on in 2011, with a .471 average after seven games.
Montero has also been mentioned in numerous trade rumors as well. Last year, Montero was rumored to be part of the deal involving Cliff Lee, and this year has already been mentioned as trade bait for starting pitching.
20. Oakland Athletics—Grant Green, SS
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Grant Green, originally selected by the San Diego Padres in 2006, elected to play college ball at USC before being selected again in the draft in 2009, this time by the Oakland A’s.
By the time Green finished his first full season of professional ball with Advanced Single-A Stockton, Green posted a .318 average with 20 HR and 87 RBI.
Defensively, Green needs some polishing, committing 37 errors in 114 games at short. However, the A’s love his potential, and many believe that current A’s shortstop Cliff Pennington is just holding down the fort until Green’s arrival sometime next season.
21. Philadelphia Phillies—Jonathan Singleton, Outfielder
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The Philadelphia Phillies went after 17-year-old Jonathan Singleton with their eighth-round pick in the 2009 June Amateur Draft, and Singleton has been more than impressive at the minor league level thus far.
Last season, with Single-A Lakewood, Singleton put up .290/.393/.479 numbers, with 14 home runs and 77 runs batted in. This season, Singleton made the jump to Advanced Single-A Clearwater, and while he was drafted as a first baseman, the Phillies now have Singleton planted in left field, apparently since they already have a pretty good first baseman (Ryan Howard) locked up for a while.
With Raul Ibanez now 38 years old, Singleton’s path to the majors would be much quicker by learning how to play left field, and keep progressing offensively as well.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates—Jameson Taillon, Pitcher
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When the Pittsburgh Pirates used their second overall pick last year to select Texas teenager Jameson Taillon, Fangraph’s Bryan Smith called Taillon the best pitcher to come out of Texas since Josh Beckett.
Taillon has a fastball that hits 98 MPH on the gun, and at 6’7” certainly has the frame to be an overpowering pitcher. The Pirates kept Taillon in Florida for extended spring training, in order to get him used to a five-day rotation, with the expectation that he’ll report to West Virginia later in the summer.
What does it say about the Pirates’ minor-league system when Taillon was immediately considered their top prospect the day Taillon was drafted?
23. San Diego Padres—Casey Kelly, Pitcher
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Once the top rated prospect for the Boston Red Sox, Kelly can now hold the same title with the San Diego Padres, courtesy of the Adrian Gonzalez trade.
Kelly, once a shortstop, is blessed with a mid-to-high 90s fastball and a devastating curve. While he took a bit of a step back last season (3-5 with a 5.31 ERA in 21 starts), Kelly features an effortless delivery, and the Padres are currently working on finding a consistent release point for Kelly in order to harness his command.
24. San Francisco Giants—Zack Wheeler, Pitcher
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The San Francisco Giants have prided themselves on their pitching over the past several years, and with guys like Zack Wheeler in their system, will continue to in the future as well.
Wheeler, the sixth overall pick by the Giants in the 2009 June Amateur Draft, is still a bit raw, but Wheeler features a fastball that regularly touches 96 MPH on the radar gun, along with a tight power curve.
Pitching at Advanced Single-A San Jose right now, Wheeler is clearly a ways away from his Giants’ debut; however, in terms of raw talent, Wheeler is the real deal.
25. Seattle Mariners—Dustin Ackley, 2B
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There really isn’t much NOT to like about Dustin Ackley, taken with the second overall pick (behind Stephen Strasburg) in the 2009 June Amateur Draft. Ackley, who starred as a center fielder at the University of North Carolina, was switched to second base by the Mariners immediately.
Ackley underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, and had primarily played first base for UNC in 2009 as a result. So while the Mariners have him working out at second base, that could certainly change in the future.
26. St. Louis Cardinals—Shelby Miller, Pitcher
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Selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2009 June Amateur Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Shelby Miller was impressive right out of the gate. In 2010, his first full year of professional ball, and just 19 years of age, Miller was 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA in the Single-A Midwest League, with 140 strikeouts in just 104 1/3 innings.
Featuring a 97 MPH fastball and a 12-6 curveball, Miller is clearly at the top of the class among prospects in the Cardinals organization, and many believe that Miller could make his way to St. Louis sometime in 2012.
27. Tampa Bay Rays—Desmond Jennings, of
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One scout called him “Carl Crawford with better plate discipline.” Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays nine rounds after Evan Longoria in 2006, Jennings has posted a career .299 batting average in the minors, has blazing speed and puts up better than average defense.
Last season, International League managers voted Jennings as the best base stealer and most exciting defensive outfielder in the league. With Tampa Bay’s roster purge during the offseason, Jennings could very well be seen in Tampa Bay sometime this season.
28. Texas Rangers—Martin Perez, Pitcher
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Considered a diamond in the rough, starting pitcher Martin Perez was signed by the Texas Rangers back in 2008 while just 17.
The left-handed Perez features a low-90s fastball with plenty of movement and a nasty curveball. Perez struggled at the higher level Double-A Frisco last season, and the Rangers started him there this season to give him time to develop. To be fair, the Texas League is a hitter’s league, and Perez at just 19 was seeing players older and more developed than him.
BaseballNewsHound.com believes that Perez could certainly develop into a solid pitcher for the Rangers in the near future, possibly in the mold of a young Mike Hampton.
29. Toronto Blue Jays—Brett Lawrie, 3B
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When the Milwaukee Brewers selected Brett Lawrie with the 16th overall pick in the 2008 June Amateur, he became the highest non-pitcher draft pick ever out of Canada. Lawrie, originally a catcher, asked to move to second base to accelerate his development, and since moving to the Toronto organization, has now been switched to third base.
As one of the youngest players in the Southern League last season, Lawrie had a great all-around year offensively, hitting 36 doubles, 16 triples, eight home runs and 30 stolen bases. Defensively, Lawrie is still a work in progress, committing 25 errors at second last season, and five in his first ten games at third base this season. Still, Lawrie is an offensive machine with consistent contact and a keen eye.
30. Washington Nationals—Bryce Harper, Outfielder
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The top pick in last year’s draft, Bryce Harper was the talk of spring training. Invited to big league camp by the Washington Nationals, Harper impressed with his explosive bat from the get-go.
Now, settling in with his first professional team in Single-A Hagerstown, Harper will be given the opportunity to fine-tune the raw ability that led the Nationals to sign him to a whopping five-year deal that included a $9.9 million bonus.
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