We’ve hit past the mid-season point in year 30 and teams are fighting for the playoffs or
configuring their plans for building next season. Its an excellent time to review the top
prospects in the league, as there have been International Free Agents, the
Season 30 Draft and minor league progressions and promotions. My methodology for this is to base the
players on the traditional MLB 20-80 scouting scale and 5-Tool prospect
categories. The 20-80 scale bases out
like this: 20 career minor leaguer, 30
low level bench player, 40 ML bench player, 50 ML Regular, 60 Plus ML player,
70 ML All-Star, 80 MVP candidate. The
5-tools I used are: Fielding, Contact, Power, Eye, Base-running (Traditional ML
5-tools are Arm Strength, Fielding, Contact, Power, and Speed). I altered to fit the HBD fields. Please note, this is also based on my
scouting vision (14).
The first position to review is the Catching prospects. The depth of the league C prospects is
moderate. There are some potential stars
in the minors, but the talent is spread out it seems with a great diversity of
potential ML regulars. I did not look at
DH’s and will handle any potential C’s as DH’s in that review. Without further ado, here are the rankings.
Age: 19
Bats: RH
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 1, Pick
5, Season 29
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 60
Contact
= 80
Power
= 70
Eye
= 60
Base-running
= 40
Burgos is a talented all-around
catching prospect who looks to be a true MVP candidate. His Fielding is ML average now, and should
tick up to being Plus and bordering on All-star. He is boosted with a good knowledge of the
game and reading hitters. As for his
bat, he has the stick to hit in the MLs now.
He shows the uncanny ability to square up any pitch and drive them all
over the field, even showing good power to Right-center. His power is developing and many of his
current Doubles will climb over the fence as he fills out and gets more
experience. His one negative offensively
is his base-running as he’s neither fast nor adept at reading the play.
ETA: Depending on how hard Tampa Bay wants to push
him and how much he keeps tearing up the minors (he’s moved from Rookie to Low
A and now High A in 1..5 years), he could be in the majors by mid-season
31.
2.
Juan Perez, Charlotte Legends.
Age: 23
Bats: RH
How Acquired: IFA, season 26
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 75
Contact
= 65
Power
= 60
Eye
= 60
Base-running
= 50
Perez is another
multi-dimensional backstop who is ML ready.
He has progressed through the minors in a steady climb and though his
numbers are not phenomenal, he has produced at every level. Perez’s best tool is his defense which is
outstanding, grading out as All-Star/MVP.
He calls an excellent game and can completely stop a running game. Offensively, he will hold his own, with
excellent contact/power/eye overall.
While no tool is MVP, the combination of the three should allow him to
make some trips to the mid-summer classic.
His base-running is a slight plus for a catcher as he’s not fast but
gets good reads and knows how to move around the bases.
ETA: Perez is ready for the ML’s and looks to be a
September call-up this season, and then take over the full-time job next
year.
3.
Lefty Tracy, Salem Blues
Age: 20
Bats: RH
How Acquired: Draft, Round 1,
Pick 18, Season 28
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 60
Contact
= 65
Power
= 70
Eye
= 75
Base-running
= 50
Tracy is an excellent prospect
and short of one tool could easily be #1 on this report. Similar to Perez and Burgos, he is a
multi-dimensional catcher with both plus offense and defense. Tracy works well with pitchers now but his
improvement aptitude could make him elite.
Offensively, he is a stud ... but will need to show he can use his high
contact and power vs RH pitching to prove he is a great player. Right now, he can get fooled by RH, but makes
up for it with great contact, and superb power.
If he can improve as he
progresses up the minors, he may overtake the #1 spot here. As it stands, he’ll still be a productive
offensive player, and is not a base clogger as many C’s are.
ETA: Tracy needs a lot of development and Salem
has been patient moving him 1 level at a time.
If he keeps that pace, I’d expect to see Lefty in the majors by Season
33, with a possible call up late in season 32.
4.
David Washington, Atlanta Soda Poppers
Age: 19
Bats: RH
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 2, Pick
16, Season 29
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 65
Contact
= 75
Power
= 65
Eye
= 60
Base-running
= 40
Atlanta has one of the best Minor
League catching cores in the league, as well see another prospect in the
Honorable Mention section. Washington
isn’t the highest rated catcher but reviewing his tools suggest he may become
the best of the bunch for Atlanta. He
has a long way to progress, and how far he goes will certainly determine his ML
role. If he can fulfill his promise, he
shows excellent fielding as well as a great all-around hitter. He hits both LH and RH pitching with aplomb
and doesn’t swing and miss much. His
power is still developing, but its average now, with the potential to be
plus. His base-running is slow, but for
a catcher that’s the least of concerns.
ETA: It will be a long road for Washington to
improve to his future ratings, but if he does he’s an All-Star candidate. I
expect to see him in Season 34.
5.
Juan Johnson, Monterrey Gringos
Age: 22
Bats: S
How Acquired: IFA, Season 28
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 60
Contact
= 70
Power
= 80
Eye
= 50
Base-running
= 30
Monterrey has a future power
hitting all-star in Johnson. His defense
will certainly be adequate but his calling card has been and will be his
bat. He already shows great power in BP
and its beginning to show itself more in games with 21 HRs over 303 AA
Abs. Being a Switch hitter only enhances
his value and will certainly give him a chance to be a middle-of-the-order run
producer. He may not be the fleetest of
foot, and will not be able to move around the bases fast, but when the ball
leaves the yard it doesn’t matter how long it takes to circle the bases.
ETA: He is ready for a call-up now. However, with only 2 pro years there isn’t
any reason to rush him. Expect to see
him in Monterey at some point next season.
6.
Andrew Swauger, Vancouver Tragedy Twins
Age: 22
Bats: LH
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 1*, Pick
38, Season 29
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 55
Contact
= 75
Power
= 65
Eye
= 65
Base-running
= 30
Swauger has steadily progressed
in his first 2 minor league seasons even skipping Low A this season and holding
his own at High A. He’s the first C on
the list who is here for one dominating side.
He has a great bat, rating as a ML regular now. In the future progression, he shows great
control and as a LH, really handles LH-pitching, staying in on breaking pitches
and will not need to be a platoon at all.
His power is progressing, with potential plus power in the future. He will not be a great base-runner, but
again...that’s the least concern for a C prospect.
ETA: Even coming out of college, and being 22 now,
Swauger has a lot of room to improve. He
certainly has already this year, and looks to keep progressing. At best he’s an all-star candidate, at worst
he’s an offensive starting C.
7.
Jolbert Ortiz, Milwaukee Boys of Summer
Age: 19
Bats: RH
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 21, Pick
692, Season 29
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 70
Contact
= 60
Power
= 70
Eye
= 50
Base-running
= 40
This is a VERY long term projection
as Ortiz currently rates as a 36 overall.
But, his projections hint to future plus/all-star player. Drafted late in the 21st round, as
the 692nd pick, he is certainly a flyer to dream on. He defense will top out as average, but
that’s not what will carry him.
Offensively, he has high marks across the board, Plus contact and power
with an average Eye. He has good
instincts on the bases, but is very slow overall.
ETA: This could be a 5-year minor-league
progression, but if he can make it, and he’s a hard worker, a first-division
regular could emerge for Milwaukee.
8.
Ali Espinosa, Chicago Gray Stockings
Age: 20
Bats: RH
How Acquired: Draft, IFA, Season
26
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 55
Contact
= 50
Power
= 70
Eye
= 70
Base-running
= 45
Chicago has a true hitter on
their hands with Espinosa. Already
reaching AAA in his 3rd minor league season, he is holding his own
as a 20 year old at that level. He has
certainly progressed each year, limiting his K’s while increasing his Walks,
pointing to his excellent batting Eye which grades out as All-Star in the
future. Though his slugging has been
consistent over the past 2 seasons he’s converting more 2Bs into HRs, leading
to more RBI production. He also is not a
bad base-runner.
ETA: At this point, Espinosa could be in the MLs
very soon depending on how Chicago wants to move him along. At the lease, he would be productive as a 2nd
C next season and eventually moving into a starting role soon thereafter.
9.
Jerome Lawrence, Philadelphia Stomp
Age: 18
Bats: LH
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 1*, Pick
37, Season 30
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 60
Contact
= 80
Power
= 50
Eye
= 60
Base-running
= 40
The Stomp are another team with
great C prospect depth right now, taking a keen interest in this seasons draft
as two top picks are now catching for them, and project very well. Jerome takes the 9th spot based on
his defense/contact combination. He
seems to work well with the staff and shows a very good aptitude to improve in
the future at calling a game. As for his
offense, he has a keen eye and plus-plus batting contact ability. He can hit both RH and LH equally, and shows
average power in the future. He should
be a high average/OB% with some power as a hitter, while showing solid
defense. He may make the occasional
all-star squad.
ETA: Lawrence will need 4 years of development to
reach his potential, but it will be worth the wait.
10.
Merkin Conine, New Orleans RainMakers
Age: 18
Bats: S
How Acquired: Draft, Rnd 21, Pick
680, Season 30
5-Tool Ratings
Fielding
= 60
Contact
= 60
Power
= 70
Eye
= 55
Base-running
= 30
Talk about Lottery Ticket! Conine is one of the best, but will need to
really hit to be a solid player.
Currently he’s rated as a 33 overall player, but his progression in key stats
could lead him to being a plus regular.
His defense needs a lot of work, as his footwork and release are ok,
while he will need the roving Catching instructor to work with his PC. However, there is a lot to like and as a S
hitter, he’ll get the chance. Offensively,
he’s a power/eye combo, and certainly shows well against both LH and RH in the
future. He will make enough contact to
not Strikeout too much as well. On the
bases he’s an below-average runner.
ETA: While Lawrence may take 5
years, it may be 5-6 before Conine makes the MLs, but all together, he could
make a solid-plus ML backstop.
Honorable Mention:
2.
Thomas Hendrickson, Charlotte Legends
3.
Oscar Clarkson, Atlanta Soda Poppers
4.
Sam Lamb, Philadelphia Stomp
5.
Rando Paulido, San Diego Wiley Coyotes
6.
Hughie Balfour, Los Angeles White Sox
