2013 Offseason MLB Top Prospect Rankings:
- George Springer (OF) Houston Astros
Scouting Report: Aside from having one of the best power-speed
skill sets of any prospect, Springer has also proven his worth statistically at
every level of the minor leagues. He jumped on the radar in 2012 by dominating
the single-A level, but struggled in a brief call-up to Double-AA Corpus
Christi toward the end of the season. Springer quickly rebounded in 2013,
hitting 19 home runs in just 273 at-bats in Double-AA before the Astros promoted
him to Triple-AAA Oklahoma City. There, Springer continued his assault on minor
league pitching, launching 18 more home runs in his next 219 at-bats—giving
minor league fans the first legitimate 40/40 threat since the early 20
th
century. All told, he finished with 37 home runs and 45 stolen bases, in what
was the most eye-catching statistical season by a minor leaguer in 2013. If he
can cut down on his strikeout rate, there are very few players with the
contact-to-damage ratio that Springer has exhibited. At age 24, Springer should
be ready to take over in the outfield for the Astros in 2014, while being an
early favorite to contend for Rookie of the Year honors.
MLB
Player Comparison: Mike Stanton
MLB
E.T.A: 2014
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI
K SB SLG
OPS
(AA + AAA) 492 .411
.303 37 108
161 45 .600 1.010
- Miguel Sano (3B/1B) Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report: Sano has been on the prospect radar since his
early teen years—being touted as an international prospect in the documentary
“pelotero” and revered by scouts for his raw power. His bat is undoubtedly his
calling card, one that helped him hit 35 home runs in 439 at-bats between two
levels of the minor leagues in 2013. His power tool is the best going in the minors,
but his strikeout rate must be monitored if he will hit for a high average in
the majors. Still extremely young at 20 years old, the Twins don’t have to rush
Sano, but his bat would clearly help the club if they chose to do so. With a
bevy of young, high ceiling prospects,
Minnesota
could be a legitimate contender sooner than we think.
MLB
Player Comparison: Frank Thomas
MLB
E.T.A: 2015
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(A + AA)
439
.382 .280 35
103 142 11 .610 .992
- Oscar Taveras (OF) St.
Louis
Cardinals
Watching Taveras, one thing becomes evident
rather quickly—he makes consistently hard contact to all fields on a regular
basis. Rarely is he off-balance on off-speed pitches and his bat stays flat
through the zone for an extremely long time. This usually translates to a
player who will hit for a high average, and Taveras doesn’t seem to be any
exception. While injuries plagued his 2013 campaign, during spring training the
St. Louis Cardinals had serious thoughts about keeping Taveras over incumbent
center fielder Jon Jay. While the birds eventually went with Jay, Taveras will
be in the picture again in 2014, especially if
St. Louis can’t find a way to re-sign
free-agent Carlos Beltran.
MLB
Player Comparison: Carlos Gonzalez
MLB
E.T.A: 2014
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AA + AAA) 174 .348
.310 5 32 22 5 .471 .819
- Byron Buxton (OF) Minnesota Twins
Scouting
Report: Nobody created more hype in their first professional season than
Buxton, who was widely regarded as the best overall talent in the 2012 Draft
but eventually slipped a spot to #2 overall to
Minnesota. Between two different levels of
Single-A in 2013, Buxton posted a gaudy .334 batting average, .944 OPS and
swiped 55 bags to top it off. Additionally, he can be a game changer on defense
and has shown signs that his power will improve as he matures. As far as pure
athletic ability, Buxton takes the cake—but time will tell if these superior
tools translate as he faces much tougher pitching in Double-AA next season.
Buxton will be age 20 when spring training opens in 2014, so he has plenty of
time to make the adjustments needed—not to mention more than enough tools.
MLB
Player Comparison: Andrew McCutchen
MLB
E.T.A: 2015
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(Single-A) 488 .424
.334 12 77 105 55 .520 .944
- Javier Baez (SS) Chicago Cubs
Scouting
Report: Shortstops with 30+ homerun power potential don’t exactly grow on
trees, but Baez proved he could profile as one with a breakout 2013 campaign.
In 517 at-bats in the minors, the Cubs shortstop hit 37 home runs, drove in 111
and posted a .920 OPS between two stops. He also showed a flare for the
dramatic, fueling the Tennessee Smokies (AA) playoff push with several clutch
home runs shortly after his promotion. Baez could also play third base in the
future, but his defensive ability is adequate enough to keep him at shortstop
if need be. He will likely get most of next season to refine his tools in the
minors, but keep an eye on him as a late season call-up if he replicates his
outstanding 2013 campaign, or if the Cubs decide to move Starlin Castro at some
point.
MLB
Player Comparison: Young A-Rod
MLB
E.T.A: 2015
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(A + AA) 517 .341 .282
37 111 147
20 .578 .920
- Carlos Correa (SS) Houston Astros
Scouting
Report: The #1 overall pick of the 2012 draft, Correa has lived up to the
billing in his first professional season by posting a .320 batting average,
.872 OPS and 86 RBI in 450 at-bats. A solid glove in the field, the 6’ 4” Correa
could also project as a third baseman in the Manny Machado mold.
He would be one of the largest shortstops in
the major leagues, but his above-average range and soft hands could allow him
to stay there. Correa’s power is also likely to improve as he ascends through the
minor leagues, and scouts have raved about his work ethic and makeup. With
several quality shortstops in the prospect ranks, Correa ranks near the top of
the group.
MLB
Player Comparison: Manny Machado
MLB
E.T.A: 2015
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(Single-A) 450 .405
.320 9 86 83 10 .467 .872
- Xander Bogaerts (SS) Boston Red Sox
Scouting
Report: The Red Sox called Bogaerts to the show to help with a September
playoff push, and he proved himself to the point to where he was given the
chance to start games in the postseason and fall classic. Playing a mix of
third base and shortstop, Bogaerts has the defensive ability to play either and
gives the Red Sox flexibility in the infield. His bat has proven to be capable
of hitting for a high average, and the home run totals could increase as he
fills out his 6’3” frame. Whether or not he will ever be a 20-25+ home run
threat is debatable, but he does appear to have the tools to be an above-average
major leaguer because of ability to make consistently hard contact. He may not
have the pure power of Baez or upside of Correa, but it wouldn’t be surprising
to see Bogaerts in an All-Star game at some point in the near future.
MLB
Player Comparison: Edgar Rentaria
MLB
E.T.A: Arrived.
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AA + AAA) 444 .388
.297 15 67 95 7 .477 .865
(BOS-MLB) 44
.320 .250 1
5 13
1 .364 .684
- Kris Bryant (3B) Chicago Cubs
Scouting
Report: Not many prospects can compete with the power tools of Miguel Sano,
but Bryant may be able to hang in that discussion. A perennial staple atop the
NCAA home run leader boards, Bryant has shown that his raw power can translate
to the minor leagues and beyond. He stormed through the low minors after his
debut in 2013, blasting nine home runs in 128 at-bats spread out over three
different stops. Given 500 or more at-bats, it wouldn’t be shocking if Bryant
could surpass 30 home runs in his first full professional season in 2014. High
strikeout totals aren’t unusual for power hitters like Bryant, Sano and
Springer, but it is something that each must work to improve as the pitching only
gets better from here on out. Bryant did manage to maintain a surprisingly high
batting average given his strikeout rate, something that undoubtedly boosted
his stock in the eyes of scouts and the organization.
MLB
Player Comparison: Troy Glaus
MLB
E.T.A: 2016
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(Single-A) 128 .390 .336
9 32 35 1 .688 1.078
- Gregory Polanco (OF) Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting
Report: With an extremely advanced approach and eye for the strikezone,
Polanco has begun to build his case as one of the most polished hitting
prospects in the game. Surprisingly quick for his 6’4” frame, Polanco stole 38
bases in 2013 and began to flash the five-tool potential some scouts argue he
possesses. His .285 batting average, 12 home runs and 71 RBI suggest he can
compliment that speed quite nicely. Also promising was the fact that Polanco
only struck out 73 times in 470 at-bats, roughly half the amount of K’s totaled
by highly regarded prospects like Springer, Sano and Baez.
The potential outfield of Andrew McCutchen,
Starling Marte and Polanco in the near future could be one of the best in
Pittsburgh in quite some
time.
MLB
Player Comparison: Carlos Beltran
MLB
E.T.A: 2014
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(A-AA-AAA) 470 .356 .285
12 71 73 38 .434 .791
- Francisco Lindor (SS) Cleveland Indians
Scouting
Report: Some players just look the part, and Lindor seems to have all the
signs of being a major league shortstop. There is no questioning his defensive
abilities, as Lindor is all but guaranteed to remain at shortstop in the field
and could be a perennial Gold-Glove contender. His bat has also shown flashes
of being above average, but he will likely never be a serious power threat in
the major leagues. That being said, he rarely strikes out and can use his speed
to compliment his tendency for contact.
Lindor’s strengths will likely be his exceptional glove, above-average
speed, polished instincts and proven ability to get on base—traits that fit
extremely well at the top of any lineup.
MLB
Player Comparison: Jurickson Profar
MLB
E.T.A: 2014
2013
Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(A-AA) 403 .380 .303
2 34 46 25 .407 .787
- Nick Castellanos (OF/3B) Detroit Tigers
Scouting Report: Castellanos found his way into the Tigers lineup
sparingly during his September call-up in 2013, but the opportunity to play
more could arise if Detroit
decides to part ways with free-agent Torii Hunter. With a new young manager in
Brad Ausmus, coupled with the fact that the Tigers have millions tied up in the
likes of Cabrera, Fielder and Verlander, it wouldn’t be surprising to see
Hunter get better money elsewhere. If Hunter departs, Castellanos will get
every opportunity to prove he can stick at the major league level—something he
has now done at every level of the minor leagues. With a Futures Game MVP in his
belt, Castellanos could contend for more rookie hardware if given the chance to
play every day in the MLB.
MLB Player Comparison: Jayson Werth
MLB E.T.A: Arrived
2013 Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AAA) 533
.343 .276 18
76 100 4 .450
.793
(MLB) 18
.278 .278 0
0 1 0
.278 .556
- C.J. Cron (1B) Los
Angeles
Angels
Scouting Report: Playing his college ball in Utah, Cron quietly was one of the best
offensive players in all of NCAA baseball during his tenure. A 1.320 OPS
doesn’t look right, but it’s the actual figure Cron posted at the University of Utah in 2011—not to mention setting the
school record for batting average with a .396 clip. And for those who remember
how dominant Stephen Strasburg was in college, Cron upstaged him by being the
only player in the NCAA that season to record three hits off the flamethrowing
right-hander. In his first full professional season, Cron turned a hitter-friendly
Single-A park into a playground, launching 27 home runs and driving in 123 to
lead all minor leaguers in that category. The prodigious power numbers weren’t
quite the same in 2013, but Cron still managed to hit 14 home runs, while
totaling 83 RBI in Double-AA. At 6’4” 235 pounds, Cron profiles as a powerful
middle-of-the-order bat with an above average contact tool, similar to what
Paul Goldschmidt’s profile looked like when he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While Cron doesn’t quite have the rare and highly advanced opposite field
approach Goldschmidt does, he still can use the field better than most power
hitters and has maintained a high average wherever he has been. There aren’t a
ton of openings for young players in the Angels system, but if one arises,
don’t be surprised to see Cron run with it.
MLB Player Comparison: Paul Goldschmidt
MLB E.T.A: 2015
2013 Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AA) 519
.319 .274 14
83 83 8
.428 .746
- Billy Hamilton (SS) Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Report: When you steal your first base in the major
leagues off of Yadier Molina, people notice. Hamilton did it as a pinch-runner while the
whole ballpark knew he was going to go. A few days later, he stole second
easily on a pitchout. Anyone who saw Hamilton
run during his brief stretch with Cincinnati
in 2013, couldn’t help but have flashbacks of the chaos guys like Rickey
Henderson and Vince Coleman could create on the basepaths. What’s absolutely
fascinating about Hamilton is just how fast he truly is—right around 3.0
seconds going from first to second with a lead—a time that is all but
impossible to defend. The very best major league catchers have a pop-time of
1.8-2.0 seconds, while a very quick pitcher can deliver the baseball in right
around 1.1-1.3 seconds. So if the pop-time is perfect, the delivery quicker
than normal and the throw is right on the bag—Hamilton still has a chance to beat it—even
with the best in the game defending. Frightening variables given that Hamilton can find a way to
consistently get on base. He found a way in the minors, parlaying it into a
minor league record 155 steals in 2012. Playing Triple-AAA in 2013, Hamilton
recorded another 75 stolen bases, a number that could be a realistic figure in
the majors if the Reds feel he is ready.
MLB Player Comparison: Vince Coleman
MLB E.T.A: Arrived
2013 Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AAA) 504
.308 .256 6
41 102 75 .343 .651
(MLB) 19
.429 .368 0
1 4 13
.474 .902
- Joc Pederson (OF) Los
Angeles
Dodgers
Scouting Report: When a player can pair tools with tenacity and
competitiveness, the evolution of a ballplayer starts to rapidly accelerate.
This could be the case for Pederson, who has proven to many who have watched
him play that he is ready for the next challenge. Young, extremely athletic and
a fierce competitor, Pederson also has MLB bloodlines as his father Stu played
at the major league level. As a 21 year old in Double-AA, Pederson hit .278
with 22 home runs and 58 RBI, while swiping 31 bags. Pederson also posted a
.878 OPS at what is considered by many to be the toughest level for a hitter in
the minor leagues, an extremely promising sign for the former 11th
round pick by Los Angeles.
While the Dodgers outfield is crowded, Pederson may force their hand at some
point if he continues to develop.
MLB Player Comparison: Darin Erstad
MLB E.T.A: 2015
2013 Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(AA) 439
.381 .278 22
58 114 31 .497 .878
- Addison Russell (SS) Oakland A’s
Scouting Report: Taken in the first round out of high school by Oakland, Russell burst
onto the scene in his first professional season in 2012—hitting .369 with seven
home runs and 45 RBI in 217 at-bats between three lower levels of the minors.
Still extremely young, Russell was fast tracked in 2013 by the A’s and ended
the season as a 19 year old in Sacramento (AAA). While it was only for 13
at-bats, it showed that Oakland
believes Russell is prepared to handle the next level in spite of his youth.
His overall 2013 campaign wasn’t as gaudy as his debut season, but Russell hit
.269 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI in 442 at-bats, a very respectable clip for a
shortstop. He projects as an offensive minded shortstop who could hit 15-20
home runs and contribute greatly as a run producer. Considering how quickly
Russell has moved through the Oakland
system, he may be debuting with the big league club sooner than expected.
MLB Player Comparison: J.J. Hardy
MLB E.T.A: 2015
2013 Statistics: AB OBP AVG
HR RBI K
SB SLG OPS
(A-AAA) 442
.369 .269 17
60 125 21 .495 .865
