It is just a few days from the start of the season. It is safe to say, that aside from a few minor details, rosters are set. It is only a matter of time that the stars of this years rookie class get called up to the bigs to make their impact. I’ve put together my list of the top prospects in the game now, along with a few honorable mentions……
1. Dylan Bundy- #49- Baltimore Orioles
If Dylan Bundy is not a name you have heard yet, get to know it. Say it out loud, repeat it, repeat it again, write it down if you have to, just remember it. Dylan Bundy will be a household name….just not yet. The 20-year old Tulsa native was drafted fourth overall in the 2011 draft by the Baltimore Orioles. At 6’1, 195 pounds, Bundy is physically gifted and has impressive command. He has an arsenal of pitches; a four-seam fastball, two-seam, cutter, a curve and a changeup. His four-seam fastball has movement and clocks in around 94-96, and has been known to hit 100. His curveball continues to impress, coming in at around 75-82. But, it is his fastball/cutter combination that is devastating to opposing pitchers.
He dominated in Single A maintaining a 0.00 ERA with 40 strikeouts. Bundy was promoted to Class A and went on to boast a 6-3 record with a 2.84 ERA. But, spring training showed that he will benefit from more minor league experience. Bundy has had a tendency to overthrow and needs to gain better control of the strike zone. The Orioles are looking to take it easy with him. He will be starting the 2013 season in the minors. But, one thing is for sure, there is no doubt from anyone in the Orioles organization that Bundy IS the best pitcher they have. I would be surprised if Bundy is not brought up by the All-Star break.
Interesting Fact: Bundy is a switch-hitter, a very rare trait for a pitcher. In fact, there has only been a handful in history.
2. Jurickson Profar- #13- Texas Rangers
Considered the top prospect in baseball, Jurisckson Profar is the real deal. The 5’11, 165 pound phenom was born in Curacao. He signed as an international free agent with the Texas Rangers on July 2, 2009. While other teams were looking to draft him as a pitcher, Profar was set on playing shortstop, so the Rangers were his choice.
Profar has impeccable plate discipline for his age, his bat speed is fierce and his defense is solid. He has the ability to draw walks and steal bases, not a common combination. With maturity, there is no doubt Profar will be in the double digits for home runs. The switch-hitter batted .281 with 14hr’s and 62 RBI’s in AA Frisco last year. Proving he’s doesn’t buckle under pressure, Profar hit a home run in his first major league at- bat on September 2, 2012.
With Elvis Andrus currently playing shortstop for the Rangers, Profar will be starting the year in the minors. Gaining more experience will only help him, there is no doubt he will be ready when he is called up to do damage.
3. Gerrit Cole- #34- Pittsburgh Pirates
The UCLA All-Star is a force to be reckoned with. At 6’4, 220 pounds, Cole features a four-seam and two-seam fastball that average between 94-98, but has been known to reach as high as 102. He is an aggressive strike-thrower, not afraid to pound the strike zone. Cole’s changeup however, is his best pitch, it clocks in at around 83-86mph with a rare late tumble. What fools the hitters is that his arm speed between his fastball and changeup are identical.
Cole, the #1 overall pick in the 2011 draft will start the season in Triple-A. Similar to Jackie Bradley’s dilemma, Cole won’t be eligible for free agency until 2019 IF he spends a few weeks there, instead of 2018. In addition, he won’t be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2016 season, rather than 2015 if he stays down in Indianapolis until June. So, strictly business reasons, the Pirates are holding back Cole. He will make his debut in the rotation around the All-Star break.
4. Shelby Miller #40- St. Louis Cardinals-RHP
The 21-year old Texas native combines a four-seam fastball, with a two-seamer, curveball and a changeup. His off-speed pitches can be inconsistent, but his fastball averages in around 93-94. Miller is very athletic at 6’3, 200 pounds and is an intense competitor. His four-seam fastball is cutthroat, and his confidence allows him to get inside, backing down the hitter. He attacks early and has the mental toughness to keep him in the game. Noticing some issues with his mechanics, Miller adjusted, realizing that he had been tipping pitches.
Miller will start the year as the fifth man in the rotation for the Cardinals. His heart,command, and fastball-curve combo will easily make him the man to watch in the Cardinals rotation.
5. Aaron Hicks-#3 Minnesota Twins
This switch-hitting center fielder is one to watch. At 6’2, 190 pounds, Hicks is a as good as it gets. He is extremely athletic and according to scouts is an elite fielder with a gun for an arm. Hicks gets very good reads off the bat and is confident in his defense. Great instincts make Hicks outstanding on the base paths with the ability to obtain stolen base counts into the double digits. Hicks as a patience at the plate that some can misconstrue as passive.
There is no doubt Hicks as earned his spot on the roster. In spring training, he batted .379 with 18 RBI’s and 4 HR in 20 games. Comparisons to Torii Hunter are beginning to emerge. The twins aren’t worried about arbitration and costing themselves millions, they feel that he has earned his way to a spot on the roster. Hicks will win multiple gold-glove recipient before he calls it quits.
Honorable Mentions:
- Byron Buxton-Minnesota Twins-OF
- Pros: Pull power, great bat speed, smooth throwing, quick release, aggressive defender, elite runner (home to first in 4 seconds), hard worker
- Cons: Doesn’t have a great feel for opposite field, struggles with ball hit right at him, raw pitch recognition
- Yasiel Puig-Los Angeles Dodgers-OF
- Pros: Built like a linebacker, aggressive swinger, good hands, raw strength, power, solid speed
- Cons: Struggles with breaking balls, strike out a lot, raw fielding, questions about effort and attitude
- Oscar Taveras-St. Louis Cardinals-OF
- Pros: Potential superstar, outstanding hand-eye coordination, natural hitter, tremendous bat speed, solid defender
- Cons: Fine- tune throwing mechanics, average runner
Leave a Reply