Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Top 20 Prospects Season 26

It's been a while since a blog post has been up but that streak ends now. I have compiled the list of the top 20 prospects in our league. These guys have to be in the minors to qualify. I also did not select any current year draftees or international free agents as I'd like to get a little track record under their belt. Without further ado, here they are:

 #20 - Rafael Camacho - Acquired as an IFA in 23 for a mere $26 million.  Never really hit his ceiling but is ready for a call up now.  If he had a little more range he'd be above average at short and average with the glove.  As it is, he's an above average defender at the hot corner with below average bat for the position.
Rafael Camacho
Ottawa
Microbrewers
Age: 22B/T: R/R
Born: Hato Mayor, DO
Position(s): 3B
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#19 - Carlos Mendoza - IFA in 23 for $15 million.  With that money you'd hope to get a dominant closer.  And his ratings support that however his stats haven't correlated with that throughout his minor league career.  Also has some health and durability concerns.  Probably time to bring him to the bigs and see what he can do.
Carlos Mendoza
Honolulu
Ham Hocks
Age: 21B/T: R/R
Born: Campina Del Seibo, DO
Position(s): P (ClA)
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#18 - Ned Rhodes - 5th overall pick in the 22 draft.  Will be a useful starter for any team but won't be a max contract guy.  He's currently in his 2nd go around at AAA.  He's dominating the competition there and doesn't seem to have much growth left.  He's ready for the show.
Ned Rhodes
El Paso
Robins
Age: 22B/T: R/R
Born: Walnut Cove, NC
Position(s): P (SP6)
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#17 - David Bournigal - 4th overall pick in the 22 draft.  Right before Rhodes, funny how that works out.  He's currently destroying his AAA competition.  Another guy that needs to be promoted.  Should be above average in LF and at the plate.
David Bournigal
Ottawa
Microbrewers
Age: 22B/T: L/L
Born: Irvine, CA
Position(s): LF
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#16 - Saul Aviles - IFA in 24 for $6.8 million.  Compared to his teammate Mendoza he's a bargain.  In AA right now, having a bit of a rough go but it's early.  Should be ready for a call up next year.  Great control, can light up the radar gun and keep the ball down.  Depending on how his splits progress he could be a very good closer or an average setup guy.  Probably a decent closer is his future.  Honolulu should have a nice back end of the pen in a couple years.
Saul Aviles
Honolulu
Ham Hocks
Age: 20B/T: L/L
Born: Veldado, CU
Position(s): P (ClA)
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#15 - Santos Barrios - IFA in 24 for $17 million.  Only in High A right now but is probably due for a midseason promotion to AA.  Great control.  His splits could be better.  Should be a functional #3.  Could be a #2.  Could be a #5.  Depending on how his splits progress.  ETA - 2 years
Santos Barrios
Burlington
Blizzards
Age: 20B/T: R/R
Born: Cambiaso, DO
Position(s): P (SP2)
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#14 - Joe Stewart - 7th overall pick in the 24 draft.  Should be a slightly above average 2B and will have excellent on base skills.  Average power for a 2B.  Very good speed but shouldn't be allowed to run.  He's 24 right now and despite only having 2 years of pro experience he should be called up now.
Joe Stewart
Portland
Blazers
Age: 24B/T: R/R
Born: Pembroke Pines, FL
Position(s): 2B/CIF/OF/DH
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#13 - Kirk Stewart - 13th overall pick in the 25 draft. Looks to be a workhorse. Could throw 250 innings a year. He's been unimpressive in the minors so far and injuries could also hamper his development. Question on him is if he can get his splits up to be a #2 workhorse or if he'll just be a back of the rotation guy.
Kirk Stewart
Salem
Snakes
Age: 21B/T: S/L
Born: Milwaukee, WI
Position(s): P (SP1)
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#12 - Randy Mientkiewicz - 7th overall pick in 23.  Should be an above average defensive catcher.  Immense power but the on base skills are lacking.  Owning AAA right now and is ML ready.
Randy Mientkiewicz
Houston
Hobos
Age: 23B/T: S/R
Born: Arlington, VA
Position(s): C/DH
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#11 - Francis Miller - 2nd overall pick in the 24 draft.  Steadily progressing through the minors and hitting at every stop.  Will be a great offensive shortstop or above average 3B.  I don't think he'll have the range to play SS but should make a good 3B.  Health is also a concern.
Francis Miller
Little Rock
Little Men
Age: 20B/T: R/R
Born: Canadian, TX
Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH
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#10 - Frank Fujiwara - IFA in 25 for $24 million.  We was the prize of the IFA class last year.  Has a high ceiling but his makeup may keep him from realizing all that potential.  At this point in his career is hard to tell if he's a #1 or just an average starter.  Time will tell.
Frank Fujiwara
Ottawa
Microbrewers
Age: 19B/T: R/R
Born: Tokyo, JP
Position(s): P (SP1)
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#9 - Ralph Demny - 12th overall pick in 24.  Progressing quickly through the minors as he's in AA right now.  Has elite power but will swing and miss a lot and will struggle to get on base.  However, that doesn't matter much because this is a Gold Glove SS.  Plus range and arm and the glove and accuracy are catching up.
Ralph Demny
St. Louis
Cardinals
Age: 20B/T: L/R
Born: Shelter, OK
Position(s): SS
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#8 - Brace Nelson - 4th overall pick in 23.  Currently smashing AAA pitching.  Will be a solid hitter.  The knock on him is he doesn't have enough range to stay up the middle.  And doesn't have enough arm to play RF or 3B.  Will be great LF or 1B defensively.  He's ready for the call up.
Brace Nelson
Albuquerque
Piojos
Age: 21B/T: R/R
Born: Sherwood, AR
Position(s): 2B/CIF/OF/DH
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#7 - Ron Schneider - 3rd overall pick in 25.  He has all the makings of a 3.25 to 3.50 ERA pitcher.  The concerning factor is that he's already 23, in High A and he's still got a ways to go to reach his potential.  Has a floor of a 4.25 to 4.50 ERA starter.
Ron Schneider
Pittsburgh
Primantis
Age: 23B/T: R/R
Born: Tampa, FL
Position(s): P (SP2)
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#6 - Calvin Martin - IFA in 25 for $17.2 million.  The 2nd highest priced Japanese import from 25 but the better option.  He's got an average fastball but everything else projects out well.  Should be a mid rotation guy with top of the rotation potential.  ETA - 2 years.
Calvin Martin
Burlington
Blizzards
Age: 20B/T: L/L
Born: Kyoto, JP
Position(s): P (SP1)
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#5 - George Strong - 3rd overall pick in 24.  Projects out as a solid #2 or #3 starter.  Not going to the Hall of Fame but might scratch an all-star game or two out.  The best of the overall weak pitching prospects in our league.  ETA 1- 2 years.
George Strong
Burlington
Blizzards
Age: 20B/T: R/R
Born: Harrison, NJ
Position(s): P (SP4)
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#4 - Brett O'Neill - 9th overall pick in 24.  This is the first guy on the list that really makes you salivate at his potential.  Average arm for a catcher.  Below average pitch calling.  Coupled with low durability.  Probably best suited as a DH but could catch occasionally.  The bat is unquestioned.  Should be a perennial Silver Slugger.  Potential HOF'er.  Would be an all-star this year had he started the season in the majors.  In AA right now make a joke of the league (.378/.456/.836/1.292).
Brett O'Neill
Chicago
Bravos
Age: 23B/T: S/R
Born: Wanette, OK
Position(s): C
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#3 - Alex Martin - 3rd overall in 23.  Not going to be Brett O'Neill with the bat but will be a middle of the order bat.  I don't think he's got the defensive tools to stick at short but should a great defensive 3B.  Nothing left to prove in AAA and would be fine in the majors if he has a full time job available.
Alex Martin
Little Rock
Little Men
Age: 21B/T: R/R
Born: Hampshire, IL
Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH
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#2 - Welington Flores - IFA in 24 for $25 million.  Tough to find a hole in his game.  He's going to give you decent defense at first and he may clog the basepaths but it won't matter as he's hitting 50 homers a year.  If he's in the right ballpark he could hit 70+.  Should be make his ML debut next year or this year if the need arises.
Welington Flores
St. Louis
Cardinals
Age: 20B/T: L/L
Born: Edo Anzoategui, VE
Position(s): 1B
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#1 - Desmond Nixon - 1st overall pick in 25.  Lacks in range, so I can't call him a five tool player but has the highest ceiling of any prospect.  Will demolish the baseball, steal some bases and should play a good RF.    Would be one of the best corner outfielders in the league this year.  With some more development I think he'll be a HOF'er.
Desmond Nixon
Portland
Blazers
Age: 20B/T: R/R
Born: Andover, NH
Position(s): RF
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Summary:
3 - Ottawa and Burlington
2 - Portland, St. Louis, Honolulu, Little Rock
1 - Albequerque, Houston, Salem, El Paso, Pittsburgh, Chicago

11 - Position
9 - Pitchers