- Thread starter
- #1
jbone17
Active member
Prospect Projections for 2017
Intro
Greetings, everyone. I’ve decided to project where every top 10 prospect, within each respective organization will begin and end the 2017 season! I thought this comprehensive project will be fun and rewarding. Just a few notes. 1.) The top 10 prospects are taken from Baseball America. 2.) All rankings DO NOT reflect trades. Ex. Moncada is still ranked under Boston. 3.) I’ve added one HELIUM prospect for each system, along with their projections. 4.) Please provide any questions, comments or feedback if you’d like! 5.) Enjoy!
Arizona Diamondbacks
1. Anthony Banda, LHP
Begins: AAA Reno
Ends: MLB
Analysis: The Diamondbacks have one of the worst MLB systems and pitching is scant. Banda will be promoted to the show at some point.
2. Dawel Lugo, 3B
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: MLB
Analysis: After being named to the 40 man roster, it’s all but certain when Lugo gets promoted to the show. September is the most likely time.
3. Domingo Leyba, SS/2B
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Same as Lugo
4. Socrates Brito, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Even though he hit .179 in his brief MLB stint, Brito has great defensive ability to serve as Arizona’s 4th outfielder in 2017.
5. Jazz Chisholm, SS
Begins: Extended then Hillsboro (Short)
Ends: Hillsboro (Short)
Analysis: Chisholm has future utility written all over him, but he only played in Rookie ball last season.
6. Anfernee Grier, OF
Begins: Extended then Hillsboro
Ends: Low A Kane County
Analysis: Grier was handed $1.5 mil to sign due to his speed, but he’s incredibly raw
7. Taylor Clarke, RHP
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: AAA Reno
Analysis: Clarke went from Low-A to AA in 2016. He’s not on the 40 man roster, but he has ceiling to force the D’Backs to promoting him to AAA.
8. Brad Keller, RHP
Begins: High-A Visalia
Ends: AA Jackson
Analysis: Keller had a rough go in the hitter friendly California League, but he will be ready for AA after a few starts.
9. Jon Duplantier, RHP
Begins: Kane County
Ends: High-A Visalia
Analysis: Even though he only threw one inning for Hillsboro, Duplantier is a 3rd round college arm. He should move quickly, but needs innings.
10. Curtis Taylor, RHP
Begins: Kane County
Ends: AA Jackson
Analysis: Like Duplantier, Taylor could move quickly and is more likely to reach AA due to being a fresh college arm.
HELIUM :
11.) Ryan January, C
Begins: Low-A Kane County
Ends: High-A Visalia
Analysis: January hit 10 homers for the Hops last season with a .197 ISO. That raw power could force the D’Backs to push the 18 year old fast.
Atlanta Braves
1. Dansby Swanson, SS
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Swanson has the potential to be a .280-.290 hitter this season.
2. Ozzie Albies, SS
Begins: AAA Gwinnett
Ends: MLB
Analysis: The Braves have been grooming Albies to play up the middle with Swanson. The promotion is inevitable.
3. Kolby Allard, LHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: The Double-A projection might be a stretch, but Allard has all of the tools necessary to handle an aggressive assignment by season’s end.
4. Mike Soroka, RHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: Like Allard, Soroka has all of the intangibles. However, Soroka’s control is impeccable and if he repeats his impressive 2016, Soroka will be in Double-A by midseason.
5. Ian Anderson, RHP
Begins: Low-A Rome
Ends: Low-A Rome
Analysis: Anderson will spend all year in Rome. He’s fresh out of high school, so the Braves will move him along slowly due to the wealth of advanced pitching talent in the system.
6. Ronald Acuna, OF
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: Acuna has the most ceiling in the system, to go along with 5 tool potential. Expect him to move quickly if he repeats 2016.
7. Kevin Maitan, SS
Begins: Extended, then GCL Braves
Ends: Danville (Rookie)
Analysis: Maitan will finish with Danville and attempt to cement his prospect hype. He’s still very young with raw tools.
8. Sean Newcomb, LHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: AAA Gwinnett
Analysis: Newcomb since coming over from LA has good stuff, but if he’s going to be a big leaguer his control and command must improve.
9. Patrick Weigel, RHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Weigel flew through the system in 2016, beginning with Rome and ending in AA. With an invite to spring training, the Braves like him a lot and could force his way to Atlanta.
10. Max Fried, LHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: High-A Florida
Analysis: The Firefrogs rotation will feature Allard, Soroka, Toussaint and Fried. Expect the latter to stay in the FSL all season, due to lost development time.
HELIUM :
11. Matt Withrow, RHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: AAA Gwinnett
Analysis: Surprise, surprise. Another pitcher. Withrow isn’t overpowering, but he had more than a K per inning last year for Carolina. He must cut down on the walk rate, though.
Baltimore Orioles
1. Chance Sisco, C
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: One of the best hitting catchers, Sisco is close to MLB ready.
2. Cody Sedlock, RHP
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: AA Bowie
Analysis: The Orioles are notorious for being aggressive and ruining their pitching prospects. I’d expect Sedlock to be no different.
3. Ryan Mountcastle, SS
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Mountcastle is a good all around prospect, but in order to reach AA in 2017; he must rake.
4. Hunter Harvey, RHP
Begins: Disabled List
Ends: Arizona Fall League
Analysis: Havey will miss all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery. He might get some AFL innings to prepare for 2018.
5. Trey Mancini, 1B
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: After an impressive showing in his brief MLB stint, expect Mancini to return to Norfolk.
6. Keegan Akin, LHP
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Akin has some of the best ceiling in the system. If the Orioles develop him as a reliever, he could reach AA instead. For now, he has all the tools to be a starter.
7. Austin Hays, OF
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Hays destroyed NYPL pitching last summer. He’s most likely a future 4th outfielder, but the Orioles can take their time developing him.
8. Jomar Reyes, 3B
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: AA Bowie
Analysis: Reyes took a major step back in 2016. If he makes adjustments, there’s no doubt he can reach AA.
9. Chris Lee, LHP
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Lee is on the 40 man roster, so his promotion is inevitable. He’s not a big K guy, but he gets people out in typical reliever fashion.
10. Tanner Scott, LHP
Begins: AA Bowie
Ends: AAA Norfolk
Analysis: Scott had an awful 2016. His K per 9 ratio is a career 11.38, so there’s room for optimism.
HELIUM :
11. Garrett Cleavinger, LHP
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: AAA Norfolk
Analysis: After blowing away Low-A hitters, Cleavinger struggled at High-A with control. If he can iron that out, his fastball-curve combo is good enough for an aggressive promotion by season’s end.
TODAY: Boston, CHC and CWS
Boston Red Sox
1. Andrew Benintendi, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Because he didn’t reach the 130 at bat threshold, there’s a good chance Benintendi will win the AL Rookie of the Year.
2. Yoan Moncada, 3B/2B
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Moncada needs a tad more seasoning in AAA after a brief MLB stint. He will be ready full time by mid May at the latest.
3. Rafael Devers, 3B
Begins: AA Portland
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: Barring an offensive onslaught, Devers will stay all year in the Eastern League. Once Benintendi loses prospect status, he’ll be the crown jewel of the Red Sox system.
4. Michael Kopech, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Kopech is becoming a celebrity by throwing a 3.5 ounce ball 110 MPH this offseason. He has the tools necessary to reach AAA and should make his MLB debut in 2018.
5. Jason Groome, LHP
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: Low-A Greenville
Analysis: Groome has all the tools to become a great pitcher, but the Red Sox are destined to bring him along slowly and groom him (see what I did there?).
6. Sam Travis, 1B
Begins: AAA Pawtucket
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Before his season ended abruptly, Travis was projected to make his MLB debut. With a good spring training and some more seasoning, Travis is destined for a good 2017.
7. Mauricio Dubon, SS
Begins: AAA Colorado Springs
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Dubon can flat out hit. The trade to Milwaukee was the best thing for his future and with Arcia also at SS, the Brewers boast a wealth of infield talent up the middle.
8. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF
Begins: High-A Winston-Salem
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: Another piece in the Chris Sale trade, Basabe along with Kopech and Moncada have bright futures in Chitown.
9. Bobby Dalbec, 3B
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: High-A Salem
Analysis: Dalbec destroyed NYPL pitching last summer. He just missed mlbpipeline’s top 10 3B prospects list, but his raw power is something to behold.
10. Roniel Raudes, RHP
Begins: High-A Salem
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: Overshadowed by Anderson Espinoza, Raudes has serious helium potential after holding his own as an 18 year old in Greenville last year.
HELIUM :
11. Mike Shawaryn, RHP
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: A 5th round college selection, Shawaryn had a pedestrian debut with Lowell. However, college pitchers in the Sox system tend to move quickly and Shawaryn has a good sinking action on his fastball to help him get to AA.
Chicago Cubs
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: AA Tennessee
Analysis: Jimenez is baseball’s next super prospect. His showing in the 2016 Futures Game was quite indicative of what he can become.
2. Ian Happ, 2B/OF
Begins: AA Tennessee
Ends: AAA Iowa
Analysis: With the Cubs influx of young talent occupying big league spots, the Cubs can be patient with Happ.
3. Albert Almora, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Almora is there to stay after his World Series heroics.
4. Dylan Cease, RHP
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Analysis: As the Cubs best pitching prospect, Cease will be developed slowly. He can be a number two starter if developed with care.
5. Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: AA Tennessee
Analysis: de la Cruz is being groomed as a reliever and is showing signs of promise. Already nearing 22 years of age, he’s ready for High-A.
6. Mark Zagunis, OF
Begins: AAA Iowa
Ends: MLB
Analysis: A former catcher, Zagunis has done nothing, but hit. Even if it’s a utility role, Zagunis will be ready.
7. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
Begins: AAA Iowa
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Candelario is ready for the show, but with Bryant at third for the next few years; he has nowhere to play. Regardless, he’s a good problem to have going forward.
8. Trevor Clifton, RHP
Begins: AA Tennessee
Ends: AAA Iowa
Analysis: Clifton doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he is a workhorse. He’s not on the 40 man, so he’ll have to earn his keep.
9. D.J. Wilson, OF
Begins: Low-A South Bend
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Analysis: Wilson has some serious wheels and with a good start in Low-A, Wilson will follow a similar path that Donnie Dewees took in 2016.
10. Jose Albertos, RHP
Begins: Extended then Eugene
Ends: Eugene (Short)
Analysis: The 17 year old had a brief stint in the Arizona Rookie League in 2016. Expect the Cubs to test him this season in short season ball.
HELIUM :
11. Thomas Hatch, RHP
Begins: Low-A South Bend
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Chicago White Sox
1. Zack Collins, C
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: Collins is a very good hitter, but his defense is shoddy. Expect the White Sox to take time developing him. If he switches to first base; however, he could make it to AAA Charlotte ahead of schedule.
2. Zack Burdi, RHP
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: No one flew through the system like Burdi did in 2016 going from rookie ball to AAA. There’s no doubt he’s almost ready for the bigs.
3. Carson Fulmer, RHP
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Whether he sticks as a starter or a reliever, Fulmer is almost ready for the majors full time after a brief stint in 2016.
4. Spencer Adams, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Adams has the tools to stick at starter and should get one step closer to the majors in 2017.
5. Alec Hansen, RHP
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: The 2016 2nd round pick needs more innings under his belt before spending the rest of 2017 in the Carolina League.
6. Jordan Stephens, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Like Adams, will remain a starter and will continue developing in Birmingham.
7. Trey Michalczewski, 3B
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: After a rough go at AA in 2016, Michalczewski will repeat the level. There’s still time for his ascension.
8. Jameson Fisher, OF
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: The 4th rounder in 2016 is ready to reach High-A after hitting .343 at Great Falls.
9. Alex Call, OF
Begins: High-A Winston Salem
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: He’s scrappy, hits well and gets on base. Even though he’s most likely a future utility option, Call is what they look like in terms of his passion and baseball IQ.
10. Jake Peter, OF/2B
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Even though he’s not on the 40 man roster, Peter is an advanced milb utility option that doesn’t strikeout a lot and should reach the show.
HELIUM :
11. Micker Adolfo, OF
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: Once a highly touted prospect, injuries have derailed him. If healthy, Adolfo has the tools to make everyone a believer again.
Intro
Greetings, everyone. I’ve decided to project where every top 10 prospect, within each respective organization will begin and end the 2017 season! I thought this comprehensive project will be fun and rewarding. Just a few notes. 1.) The top 10 prospects are taken from Baseball America. 2.) All rankings DO NOT reflect trades. Ex. Moncada is still ranked under Boston. 3.) I’ve added one HELIUM prospect for each system, along with their projections. 4.) Please provide any questions, comments or feedback if you’d like! 5.) Enjoy!
Arizona Diamondbacks
1. Anthony Banda, LHP
Begins: AAA Reno
Ends: MLB
Analysis: The Diamondbacks have one of the worst MLB systems and pitching is scant. Banda will be promoted to the show at some point.
2. Dawel Lugo, 3B
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: MLB
Analysis: After being named to the 40 man roster, it’s all but certain when Lugo gets promoted to the show. September is the most likely time.
3. Domingo Leyba, SS/2B
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Same as Lugo
4. Socrates Brito, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Even though he hit .179 in his brief MLB stint, Brito has great defensive ability to serve as Arizona’s 4th outfielder in 2017.
5. Jazz Chisholm, SS
Begins: Extended then Hillsboro (Short)
Ends: Hillsboro (Short)
Analysis: Chisholm has future utility written all over him, but he only played in Rookie ball last season.
6. Anfernee Grier, OF
Begins: Extended then Hillsboro
Ends: Low A Kane County
Analysis: Grier was handed $1.5 mil to sign due to his speed, but he’s incredibly raw
7. Taylor Clarke, RHP
Begins: AA Jackson
Ends: AAA Reno
Analysis: Clarke went from Low-A to AA in 2016. He’s not on the 40 man roster, but he has ceiling to force the D’Backs to promoting him to AAA.
8. Brad Keller, RHP
Begins: High-A Visalia
Ends: AA Jackson
Analysis: Keller had a rough go in the hitter friendly California League, but he will be ready for AA after a few starts.
9. Jon Duplantier, RHP
Begins: Kane County
Ends: High-A Visalia
Analysis: Even though he only threw one inning for Hillsboro, Duplantier is a 3rd round college arm. He should move quickly, but needs innings.
10. Curtis Taylor, RHP
Begins: Kane County
Ends: AA Jackson
Analysis: Like Duplantier, Taylor could move quickly and is more likely to reach AA due to being a fresh college arm.
HELIUM :
11.) Ryan January, C
Begins: Low-A Kane County
Ends: High-A Visalia
Analysis: January hit 10 homers for the Hops last season with a .197 ISO. That raw power could force the D’Backs to push the 18 year old fast.
Atlanta Braves
1. Dansby Swanson, SS
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Swanson has the potential to be a .280-.290 hitter this season.
2. Ozzie Albies, SS
Begins: AAA Gwinnett
Ends: MLB
Analysis: The Braves have been grooming Albies to play up the middle with Swanson. The promotion is inevitable.
3. Kolby Allard, LHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: The Double-A projection might be a stretch, but Allard has all of the tools necessary to handle an aggressive assignment by season’s end.
4. Mike Soroka, RHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: Like Allard, Soroka has all of the intangibles. However, Soroka’s control is impeccable and if he repeats his impressive 2016, Soroka will be in Double-A by midseason.
5. Ian Anderson, RHP
Begins: Low-A Rome
Ends: Low-A Rome
Analysis: Anderson will spend all year in Rome. He’s fresh out of high school, so the Braves will move him along slowly due to the wealth of advanced pitching talent in the system.
6. Ronald Acuna, OF
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: AA Mississippi
Analysis: Acuna has the most ceiling in the system, to go along with 5 tool potential. Expect him to move quickly if he repeats 2016.
7. Kevin Maitan, SS
Begins: Extended, then GCL Braves
Ends: Danville (Rookie)
Analysis: Maitan will finish with Danville and attempt to cement his prospect hype. He’s still very young with raw tools.
8. Sean Newcomb, LHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: AAA Gwinnett
Analysis: Newcomb since coming over from LA has good stuff, but if he’s going to be a big leaguer his control and command must improve.
9. Patrick Weigel, RHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Weigel flew through the system in 2016, beginning with Rome and ending in AA. With an invite to spring training, the Braves like him a lot and could force his way to Atlanta.
10. Max Fried, LHP
Begins: High-A Florida
Ends: High-A Florida
Analysis: The Firefrogs rotation will feature Allard, Soroka, Toussaint and Fried. Expect the latter to stay in the FSL all season, due to lost development time.
HELIUM :
11. Matt Withrow, RHP
Begins: AA Mississippi
Ends: AAA Gwinnett
Analysis: Surprise, surprise. Another pitcher. Withrow isn’t overpowering, but he had more than a K per inning last year for Carolina. He must cut down on the walk rate, though.
Baltimore Orioles
1. Chance Sisco, C
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: One of the best hitting catchers, Sisco is close to MLB ready.
2. Cody Sedlock, RHP
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: AA Bowie
Analysis: The Orioles are notorious for being aggressive and ruining their pitching prospects. I’d expect Sedlock to be no different.
3. Ryan Mountcastle, SS
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Mountcastle is a good all around prospect, but in order to reach AA in 2017; he must rake.
4. Hunter Harvey, RHP
Begins: Disabled List
Ends: Arizona Fall League
Analysis: Havey will miss all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery. He might get some AFL innings to prepare for 2018.
5. Trey Mancini, 1B
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: After an impressive showing in his brief MLB stint, expect Mancini to return to Norfolk.
6. Keegan Akin, LHP
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Akin has some of the best ceiling in the system. If the Orioles develop him as a reliever, he could reach AA instead. For now, he has all the tools to be a starter.
7. Austin Hays, OF
Begins: Low-A Delmarva
Ends: High-A Frederick
Analysis: Hays destroyed NYPL pitching last summer. He’s most likely a future 4th outfielder, but the Orioles can take their time developing him.
8. Jomar Reyes, 3B
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: AA Bowie
Analysis: Reyes took a major step back in 2016. If he makes adjustments, there’s no doubt he can reach AA.
9. Chris Lee, LHP
Begins: AAA Norfolk
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Lee is on the 40 man roster, so his promotion is inevitable. He’s not a big K guy, but he gets people out in typical reliever fashion.
10. Tanner Scott, LHP
Begins: AA Bowie
Ends: AAA Norfolk
Analysis: Scott had an awful 2016. His K per 9 ratio is a career 11.38, so there’s room for optimism.
HELIUM :
11. Garrett Cleavinger, LHP
Begins: High-A Frederick
Ends: AAA Norfolk
Analysis: After blowing away Low-A hitters, Cleavinger struggled at High-A with control. If he can iron that out, his fastball-curve combo is good enough for an aggressive promotion by season’s end.
TODAY: Boston, CHC and CWS
Boston Red Sox
1. Andrew Benintendi, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Because he didn’t reach the 130 at bat threshold, there’s a good chance Benintendi will win the AL Rookie of the Year.
2. Yoan Moncada, 3B/2B
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Moncada needs a tad more seasoning in AAA after a brief MLB stint. He will be ready full time by mid May at the latest.
3. Rafael Devers, 3B
Begins: AA Portland
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: Barring an offensive onslaught, Devers will stay all year in the Eastern League. Once Benintendi loses prospect status, he’ll be the crown jewel of the Red Sox system.
4. Michael Kopech, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Kopech is becoming a celebrity by throwing a 3.5 ounce ball 110 MPH this offseason. He has the tools necessary to reach AAA and should make his MLB debut in 2018.
5. Jason Groome, LHP
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: Low-A Greenville
Analysis: Groome has all the tools to become a great pitcher, but the Red Sox are destined to bring him along slowly and groom him (see what I did there?).
6. Sam Travis, 1B
Begins: AAA Pawtucket
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Before his season ended abruptly, Travis was projected to make his MLB debut. With a good spring training and some more seasoning, Travis is destined for a good 2017.
7. Mauricio Dubon, SS
Begins: AAA Colorado Springs
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Dubon can flat out hit. The trade to Milwaukee was the best thing for his future and with Arcia also at SS, the Brewers boast a wealth of infield talent up the middle.
8. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF
Begins: High-A Winston-Salem
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: Another piece in the Chris Sale trade, Basabe along with Kopech and Moncada have bright futures in Chitown.
9. Bobby Dalbec, 3B
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: High-A Salem
Analysis: Dalbec destroyed NYPL pitching last summer. He just missed mlbpipeline’s top 10 3B prospects list, but his raw power is something to behold.
10. Roniel Raudes, RHP
Begins: High-A Salem
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: Overshadowed by Anderson Espinoza, Raudes has serious helium potential after holding his own as an 18 year old in Greenville last year.
HELIUM :
11. Mike Shawaryn, RHP
Begins: Low-A Greenville
Ends: AA Portland
Analysis: A 5th round college selection, Shawaryn had a pedestrian debut with Lowell. However, college pitchers in the Sox system tend to move quickly and Shawaryn has a good sinking action on his fastball to help him get to AA.
Chicago Cubs
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: AA Tennessee
Analysis: Jimenez is baseball’s next super prospect. His showing in the 2016 Futures Game was quite indicative of what he can become.
2. Ian Happ, 2B/OF
Begins: AA Tennessee
Ends: AAA Iowa
Analysis: With the Cubs influx of young talent occupying big league spots, the Cubs can be patient with Happ.
3. Albert Almora, OF
Begins: MLB
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Almora is there to stay after his World Series heroics.
4. Dylan Cease, RHP
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Analysis: As the Cubs best pitching prospect, Cease will be developed slowly. He can be a number two starter if developed with care.
5. Oscar de la Cruz, RHP
Begins: High-A Myrtle Beach
Ends: AA Tennessee
Analysis: de la Cruz is being groomed as a reliever and is showing signs of promise. Already nearing 22 years of age, he’s ready for High-A.
6. Mark Zagunis, OF
Begins: AAA Iowa
Ends: MLB
Analysis: A former catcher, Zagunis has done nothing, but hit. Even if it’s a utility role, Zagunis will be ready.
7. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
Begins: AAA Iowa
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Candelario is ready for the show, but with Bryant at third for the next few years; he has nowhere to play. Regardless, he’s a good problem to have going forward.
8. Trevor Clifton, RHP
Begins: AA Tennessee
Ends: AAA Iowa
Analysis: Clifton doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he is a workhorse. He’s not on the 40 man, so he’ll have to earn his keep.
9. D.J. Wilson, OF
Begins: Low-A South Bend
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Analysis: Wilson has some serious wheels and with a good start in Low-A, Wilson will follow a similar path that Donnie Dewees took in 2016.
10. Jose Albertos, RHP
Begins: Extended then Eugene
Ends: Eugene (Short)
Analysis: The 17 year old had a brief stint in the Arizona Rookie League in 2016. Expect the Cubs to test him this season in short season ball.
HELIUM :
11. Thomas Hatch, RHP
Begins: Low-A South Bend
Ends: High-A Myrtle Beach
Chicago White Sox
1. Zack Collins, C
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: Collins is a very good hitter, but his defense is shoddy. Expect the White Sox to take time developing him. If he switches to first base; however, he could make it to AAA Charlotte ahead of schedule.
2. Zack Burdi, RHP
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: No one flew through the system like Burdi did in 2016 going from rookie ball to AAA. There’s no doubt he’s almost ready for the bigs.
3. Carson Fulmer, RHP
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Whether he sticks as a starter or a reliever, Fulmer is almost ready for the majors full time after a brief stint in 2016.
4. Spencer Adams, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Adams has the tools to stick at starter and should get one step closer to the majors in 2017.
5. Alec Hansen, RHP
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: The 2016 2nd round pick needs more innings under his belt before spending the rest of 2017 in the Carolina League.
6. Jordan Stephens, RHP
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AAA Charlotte
Analysis: Like Adams, will remain a starter and will continue developing in Birmingham.
7. Trey Michalczewski, 3B
Begins: AA Birmingham
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: After a rough go at AA in 2016, Michalczewski will repeat the level. There’s still time for his ascension.
8. Jameson Fisher, OF
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: The 4th rounder in 2016 is ready to reach High-A after hitting .343 at Great Falls.
9. Alex Call, OF
Begins: High-A Winston Salem
Ends: AA Birmingham
Analysis: He’s scrappy, hits well and gets on base. Even though he’s most likely a future utility option, Call is what they look like in terms of his passion and baseball IQ.
10. Jake Peter, OF/2B
Begins: AAA Charlotte
Ends: MLB
Analysis: Even though he’s not on the 40 man roster, Peter is an advanced milb utility option that doesn’t strikeout a lot and should reach the show.
HELIUM :
11. Micker Adolfo, OF
Begins: Low-A Kannapolis
Ends: High-A Winston Salem
Analysis: Once a highly touted prospect, injuries have derailed him. If healthy, Adolfo has the tools to make everyone a believer again.
Last edited: