BA's AZL Top 20 Prospects

TEMPE, Ariz.—The earlier signing deadline for draft picks had an obvious effect on the caliber of talent in the Rookie-level Arizona League. This summer's crop of prospects arguably was deeper than any group in the league's 25-year history. Unlike in past years when Latin American players dominated this list, the 2012 Top 20 features several draft choices from June, starting with the top three prospects: Athletics shortstop Addison Russell, Cubs outfielder Albert Almora and Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo.

Russell and Almora were two of the six 2012 first-rounders who qualified for this list, along with Rangers outfielder Lewis Brinson, Diamondbacks catcher Stryker Trahan, Brewers catcher Clint Coulter and Reds righthander Nick Travieso. Padres lefthander Max Fried fell one inning short of making the cut, while Royals righty Kyle Zimmer authored the AZL's lone complete-game shutout but worked only 10 innings in the AZL. By contrast, only one first-rounder was eligible for this Top 20 in the previous two years combined.

The presence of two high-profile Cuban outfielders, Jorge Soler (Cubs) and Yasiel Puig (Dodgers), also bolstered the league, though Puig fell just short of having enough playing time to make this list. The Rangers captured their first AZL championship by defeating the Athletics in a one-game playoff and dominated the Top 20 with five of the league's best prospects. Gallo led that group after setting league records with 18 homers, a .733 slugging percentage and an 1.169 OPS.

1. Addison Russell, SS, AZL Athletics
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 185 Drafted: Pace (Fla.) HS, 2012 (1st round).
Signed for $2.625 million as the 11th overall pick in June, Russell is an explosive player, both offensively and defensively. He offers a promising combination of power and speed as well as the range to play shortstop at the major league level.

Russell batted .415/.488/.717 during his 26-game AZL stint and continued to hit after promotions to short-season Vermont (.895 OPS) and low Class A Burlington (.817). His quick hands generate above-average bat speed, causing the ball to jump off his bat. He needs to clean up his swing mechanics but he still finds a way to regularly barrel up the ball.

Scouting reports from earlier in his high school career indicated Russell likely would need to move off shortstop because he has a thick body, but he lost 20 pounds as a senior and is capable of staying there. In addition to his good range at shortstop, he also has an above-average arm. A plus runner, he stole 16 bases in 18 attempts across three levels.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
106 29 44 4 5 6 29 14 23 9 1 .415 .488 .717

2. Albert Almora, OF, AZL Cubs
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 170 Drafted: Mater Academy, Hialeah Gardens, Fla., 2012 (1st round).
Like Russell, Almora is a Florida high school product who went in the first round in June, signing for $3.9 million as the No. 6 overall pick. His reputation as an extreme hard worker was evident from the first day he arrived at the Cubs complex in Arizona, as he required frequent reminders from the staff to pace himself in the extreme summer heat. He drew raves for his off-the-charts makeup.

"He's humble, he's willing to learn and listen," Cubs manager Bobby Mitchell said. "You don't always get that on players picked that high."

Almora has the tools to match his outstanding character. With his loose swing and solid speed, he projects to hit for a high average, and he has the bat speed and raw power to hit 20 homers annually once he gets stronger. The stands out in center field with his tremendous instincts, jumps and routes, and he also has an above-average arm that combines strength and accuracy.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
75 18 26 5 1 1 13 2 8 5 1 .347 .363 .480

3. Joey Gallo, 3B, AZL Rangers
Age: 18 B-T: L-R Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 205 Drafted: Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, 2012 (1.5 round).
The Rangers paid a well above-slot $2.25 million to sign Gallo in the supplemental first round. Some scouts questioned whether his top-of-the-scale raw power would translate to pro ball because he swings and misses a lot, but he emphatically answered the doubters by shattering the AZL record with 18 homers in just 43 games. The league MVP has very good bat speed and good leverage in his swing.

"I've never seen a kid with anywhere near that much power, and power to all fields," Rangers manager Corey Ragsdale said.

Gallo drew 37 walks but also struck out in a third of his at-bats, with many of the whiffs coming when opponents stopped challenging him and he started chases pitches out of the strike zone. Clocked up to 98 mph on the mound in high school, he has the arm strength for third base but lacks quickness, range and footwork at the hot corner. He made 12 errors in 40 games and may be destined for first base.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
150 44 44 10 1 18 43 37 52 6 0 .293 .435 .733

4. Jorge Soler, OF, AZL Cubs
Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 205 Signed: Cuba, 2012.
One of the most coveted players to defect from Cuba in recent years, Soler signed a nine-year, $30 milllion contract with the Cubs two days before the July 2 international signing period began. He hadn't played in organized games in nearly a year and the rust showed during his time in Arizona, but his talent was evident and he hit better following a promotion to low Class A.

Soler has a lean, athletic body and should get stronger. He'll need to curb a tendency to overswing, but he has above-average raw power and the ball makes a different sound when it comes off his bat. He has slightly above-average speed from home to first and is better underway, and he's an instinctive baserunner who stole eight bases in as many tries in the AZL.

Soler has the biggest room to improve on defense, especially with his routes and angles on balls. He has average arm strength for right field and makes accurate throws.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
54 14 13 2 0 2 10 6 13 8 0 .241 .328 .389

5. Dorssys Paulino, SS, AZL Indians
Age: 17 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 175 Signed: Dominican Republic '11.
The Indians were aggressive in assigning Paulino to the AZL for his first pro season after signing him for $1.1 million bonus in 2011. He was anything but overmatched, ranking second in batting (.355) and third in OPS (.610) while providing 26 extra-base hits in 41 games.

Paulino brings a mature, disciplined approach to the plate. His quick hands, bat speed and exceptional hand-eye coordination allow him to use a short stroke that should allow him to hit for both average and power. "His swing is so natural, you don't need to mess with it so much," Indians manager Anthony Medrano said.

Some observers believe Paulino doesn't have the tools to stay at shortstop, and he may grow out of the position anyway. He makes the routine plays and has a decent first step, but he needs to improve his range and accuracy on his throws. He's a good baserunner with surprising quickness on the bases.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
172 42 61 14 6 6 30 15 31 9 1 .355 .404 .610

6. Lewis Brinson, OF, AZL Rangers
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 170 Drafted: Coral Springs (Fla.) HS, 2012 (1st round).
A third Florida high schooler who went in the first round in June, Brinson signed for $1.625 million and sparked the league-champion Rangers from the leadoff position all summer. He topped the league in runs (54), doubles (22), extra-base hits (36), total bases (124)—as well as strikeouts (74)—while showing off extreme athleticism.

Brinson is still very much a raw talent who struggles with breaking balls, though he improved his pitch recognition as the season progressed, specifically learning which curveballs to lay off. Rangers staff worked with him on his swing mechanics, keeping his hands back and shortening his stride. He has plus speed that makes him a basestealing threat and a quality defender in center field, where he also displays a strong arm and draws comparisons to Cameron Maybin.

"In three to five years, I see a special player," Ragsdale said. "He's a very good kid, he's a smart kid and he wants to be good, he wants to get better. He's got that fire in his belly."
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
237 54 67 22 7 7 42 21 74 14 2 .283 .345 .523

7. Stryker Trahan, C, AZL Diamondbacks
Age: 18 B-T: L-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 215 Drafted: Acadiana HS, Lafayette, La., 2012 (1st round).
Trahan is a tough but friendly kid named after a character in a Burt Reynolds movie, and Arizona's first-round pick (signed for $1.7 million) brought a big dose of Cajun attitude to the desert this summer. Hitting comes easy for him, as he combines discipline, bat speed and the strength to drive the ball out of the park. He has enough bat to handle a move to first base or the corner outfield, which could be in his future.

"With his patience and his power, he can do a lot of damage down the road," Diamondbacks manager Hector de la Cruz said.

AZL observers were mixed as to whether Trahan can stay behind the plate. While he has a strong arm, he threw out just 24 percent of basestealers and his receiving and blocking skills are below average. The Diamondbacks believe he has the base skills to succeed and the aptitude to learn, and had him work all summer with former big league catchers Robby Hammock and Bill Plummer.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
167 29 47 11 3 5 25 40 48 8 1 .281 .422 .473

8. C.J. Edwards, rhp, AZL Rangers
Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 155 Drafted: Mid-Carolina HS, Prosperity, S.C., 2011 (48th round).
Lightly scouted in high school, Edwards lasted until the 48th round of the 2011 draft and was headed to junior college before signing for $50,000 at the Aug. 15 signing deadline. He was still pretty raw when he reported to the Rangers' complex in Arizona, and it wasn't until he learned to repeat his delivery during extended spring training this year that he really took off. He pitched 20 scoreless innings in the AZL and continued to excel after a promotion to short-season Spokane.

Edwards possesses a fast arm and a good feel for pitching. Though a lot of projection remains in his frame, his fastball already sits at 95-96 mph and peaks at 98, and he maintains his velocity deep into his outings. He locates all of his pitches, including a mid-70s curveball and an effective changeup.
W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
3 0 0.00 4 3 0 20 6 0 0 0 6 25 .091

9. Daniel Robertson, ss/3b, AZL Athletics
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190 Drafted: Upland (Calif.) HS, 2012 (1st round supplemental).
A supplemental first-rounder signed for $1.5 million, Robertson had more baseball savvy and polish than most high school players. He has a true feel for hitting, along with a pure swing and good bat speed. His power mostly goes to the gaps now, but he should develop into a home run threat as his body gets stronger.

Roberston split time between third base and shortstop in the AZL and at short-season Vermont, getting most of his time at short after Addison Russell was promoted from both clubs. Robertson is more comfortable at third base, where he projects as an above-average defender with sound hands and a strong arm. He's an average runner with good instincts, but speed won't be a big part of his game.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
101 25 30 10 2 4 22 16 15 2 0 .297 .405 .554

10. Clint Coulter, C, AZL Brewers
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 210 Drafted: Union HS, Camas, Wash., 2012 (1st round).
The 27th overall pick in the 2012 draft and recipient of a $1.675 million bonus, Coulter is a hard work who projects as an offense-first catcher. He started slowly in the AZL before getting adjusted to the faster professional game and straightening a hitch in his swing. He posted a 1.012 OPS in season's final month and led the league with a .439 on-base percentage.

Coulter is more of a line-drive hitter for now, but he should develop more home run power because he has a quick bat with good leverage in his swing. He does a good job of laying off pitches he can't drive.

His offense is ahead of his defense, but he has a better chance than Trahan of staying behind the plate despite throwing out only 16 percent of basestealers and committing 21 passed balls in 26 games. Coulter has solid arm strength but needs to improve his footwork and agility, which should come with more reps. He takes a businesslike attitude on the field and shows good leadership skills.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
169 37 51 3 3 5 33 37 40 3 5 .302 .439 .444

11. Nomar Mazara, OF, AZL Rangers
Age: 17 B-T: L-L Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 195 Signed: Dominican Republic '11.
The Rangers signed Mazara for $4.95 million in 2011, setting a record that may never be broken with the new limits on bonuses for international amateurs. Mazara and fellow Dominican Ronald Guzman, who signed for $3.45 million on the same day, both started their pro careers in the AZL this summer at the age of 17.

Rangers coaches worked with Mazara on his hitting mechanics, reducing his leg kick. He still tends to swing and miss a lot at the plate, but he also drew 37 walks in 54 games and the ball jumps off his bat when he makes contact. He's a solid right fielder with average speed and plus arm strength, though he's still very raw defensively.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
201 40 53 13 3 6 39 37 70 5 2 .264 .383 .448

12. Ronald Guzman, 1B, AZL Rangers
Age: 17 B-T: L-L Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 205 Signed: Dominican Republic '11.
The other half of the Rangers' Dominican spending spree in 2011, Guzman was an outfielder as an amateur but switched to first base at the start of instructional league last September. Regardless of where he plays, his bat will carry him.

Guzman has fringy bat speed, though his long arms give his swing significant leverage. He's more of a line-drive hitter now by design, with the Rangers having him work gap to gap until he gets stronger. The AZL hit leader with 68, he shows good raw power in batting practice and should hit more balls out of the park as he physically matures.

Guzman still is learning to play first base and steadily has improved, especially with his footwork around the bag and pre-pitch setup. While he had below-average speed, he has good instincts and looks for opportunities.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
212 29 68 15 3 1 33 19 42 7 1 .321 .374 .434

13. Renato Nunez, 3B, AZL Athletics
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 185 Signed: Venezuela '10.
Another international bonus baby, Nunez signed for $2.2 million in 2010. His 2011 pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League earned mixed reviews, especially related to his plate discipline and defense, but he showed steady improvement during extended spring training and in the AZL this year. He's still just 18 and learning what kind of player he can become.

Nunez's biggest asset always will be his bat, which should play at other positions if needed. He has a good feel for hitting, slightly above-average bat speed and raw power to all fields. His swing has natural loft and an ability to generate backspin.

Nunez worked hard on his defense and showed some improvement, but he still needs more consistency after making seven errors in 30 games. His range is limited and he lacks quick reactions and hands. He always plays hard and has an aggressive personality.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
160 31 52 18 3 4 42 17 32 4 0 .325 .403 .550

14. Dan Vogelbach, 1B, AZL Cubs
Age: 19 B-T: L-R Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 250 Drafted: Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla., 2011 (2nd round).
Vogelach played briefly in the AZL after signing for $1.6 million as a second-round pick in 2011. He returned to post a 1.078 OPS in the first month of this season before moving up to short-season Boise, where he was equally productive. There aren't many big leaguers with 6-foot, 250-pound builds and his value is tied mostly to his bat, but it has the potential to be a very special bat.

Vogelbach combines raw strength, quick hands and good knowledge of the strike zone. He has a tremendous feel for hitting and plus power to all fields. He's a well below-average runner and most scouts question whether he'll ever be good enough to play a major league-caliber first base, though he does work hard on his defense.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
102 16 33 12 2 7 31 12 14 1 0 .324 .391 .686

15. Mitch Brown, RHP, AZL Indians
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 195 Drafted: Century HS, Rochester, Minn., 2012 (2nd round).
Just the fourth Minnesota high school pitcher ever drafted as high as the second round, Brown was inconsistent in his pro debut but his potential was obvious. The son of a Korean powerlifter, he has a sturdy, muscular body and pitches with good mechanics. His delivery doesn't involve a lot of effort and the ball comes out of his hand nice and easy.

Brown's fastball usually sits at 91-93, touching as high as 96, and he commands it well. He has good feel for an average changeup and pitches with some deception. The only breaking ball he used in the early part of the season was a slider, but he worked with pitching coach Steve Karsay and made progress with refining his curveball.
W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
2 0 3.58 8 8 0 28 20 16 11 3 10 26 .194

16. Nick Travieso, RHP, AZL Reds
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 215 Drafted: Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla., 2012 (1st round).
A strong high school senior year propelled Travieso into the middle of the first round, as he went 14th overall and signed for $2 million. In Arizona, his fastball ranged from 90-93 mph, down a couple of ticks from his spring velocity because the Reds had him focus on his mechanics. They wanted him to finish on the back side of his delivery more to keep from pitching up in the strike zone too much.

Travieso's fastball will be his bread and butter, though it may need added movement. He has recently added a hard curveball that can be a plus pitch once he improves his command of it. His changeup provides some deception, but he needs to control it better and keep it down in the zone.

Travieso stands out for his mound presence. He has a stocky build and will need to continue to work on his conditioning. Some observers believe that his best role ultimately could be as a late-inning reliever if his secondary pitches don't develop enough.
W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
0 2 4.71 8 8 0 21 20 11 11 3 5 14 .241

17. Gabriel Guerrero, OF, AZL Mariners
Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 190 Signed: Dominican Republic '11.
Vladimir Guerrero's nephew led the Dominican Summer League with 11 homers before reporting to Arizona to finish the season. It didn't take long for Gabriel to start drawing raves from AZL observers, and he came on strong with four homers in the last five games.

Like his uncle, Guerrero is a free swinger who can hit just about any pitch near the plate, but he's selective enough that he handles offspeed pitches and doesn't strike out much. He has plus bat speed and strong hands, and he should be able to add more strength to his projectable frame. He has a slight uppercut swing with power to all fields and the Mariners worked with him to get better extension at the plate.

Guerrero is still very raw defensively and must improve his routes and angles in right field. His arm is strong but not very accurate. He also offers some intangibles, with Mariners hitting coach Andy Bottin believing Guerrero could be a silent leader in the clubhouse.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
75 17 25 5 0 4 18 3 13 0 0 .333 .350 .560

18. Tyler Pike, LHP, AZL Mariners
Age: 18 B-T: L-L Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 180 Drafted: Winter Haven (Fla.) HS, 2012 (3rd round supplemental).
The Mariners drafted Pike in the supplemental third round and gave him sandwich-round money ($850,000) to keep him from going to Florida State as a two-way player. He'll concentrate on pitching as a pro and led the AZL in ERA (1.78) and opponent average (.193).

Pike stands out with his poise, easy delivery and potential for three solid pitches. His fastball ranges from 88-93 mph with natural lefty tail, and he locates it well down in the strike zone. He also throws a curveball and changeup, and he relied heavily on his curve early in the season before learning to use his fastball.
W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
2 1 1.78 11 11 0 51 34 13 10 1 21 57 .183

19. Zach Bird, RHP, AZL Dodgers
Age: 17 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 177 Drafted: Murrah HS, Jackson, Miss., 2012 (9th round).
Los Angeles may have gotten one of the better bargains in this year's draft in Bird, who draws comparisons to another Dodgers draft pick from the past, James McDonald. Bird signed for $140,000 in the ninth round, but scouts who saw him in Arizona said he should have gone in the second or third round.

Bird has very good movement on an 89-92 mph fastball that touches 94 and should add velocity once he gains more strength. "I've never seen anyone at this age that had such good swing-and-miss stuff," Dodgers manager Matt Martin said.

Bird has the makings of a good curveball, while his changeup is still a work in progress. He pitches with good downhill plane, and when he's able to repeat his delivery he's very tough to hit. He's a fierce competitor who takes a very cerebral approach to the game, closely observing opposing hitters when he's not on the mound.

W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
1 2 4.54 10 10 0 40 36 24 20 2 17 46 .232

20. Matt Olson, 1B, AZL Athletics
Age: 18 B-T: L-R Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 236 Drafted: Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga., 2012 (1st round supplemental).
Oakland's second sandwich pick in June behind Robertson, Olson would have been a two-way player at Vanderbilt had he not signed for $1,079,700. His best attribute is his lefthanded power and he led the Athletics with eight homers, including three in his first five pro games. He has a quick bat, the ability to turn on inside fastballs and nice leverage in his swing.

Olson's stroke is generally short but gets too long at times, leading to strikeouts. Though most of value comes from his offense and he's a below-average runner, he regularly makes good decisions on the bases. He's a solid first baseman with good reactions and a strong arm for his position.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
177 29 50 16 1 8 41 16 46 0 0 .282 .345 .520

Not so sure how I feel about Gallo over Soler.

Same goes for Mazara over Guzman.

Too limited data to decide on Mazara or Guzman. My real question here is did the Cubs get Almora to early?

I'm a little confused also as to how Vogelbach can be #14 and Gallo #3. I don't view them THAT far apart, especially with Vogelbach's advantage in discipline.

Ian Stewart said:

I'm a little confused also as to how Vogelbach can be #14 and Gallo #3. I don't view them THAT far apart, especially with Vogelbach's advantage in discipline.

Click to expand...

Vogelbach is a future DH; Gallo at worst would have to shift from 3B to 1B.

Gallo runs rings around Danny-boy as an athlete.

Jaypers said:

Vogelbach is a future DH; Gallo at worst would have to shift from 3B to 1B.

Gallo runs rings around Danny-boy as an athlete.

Click to expand...

Gallo is definitely going to play 1B. There is no way around that.

Vogelbach's advantage in discipline brings them a little closer than #14 and #3 IMO.

Ian Stewart said:

Gallo is definitely going to play 1B. There is no way around that.

Vogelbach's advantage in discipline brings them a little closer than #14 and #3 IMO.

Click to expand...

According to my calculations, Gallo posted a 1.62 BB/K rate across both levels, whereas Vogelbach's was 1.37.

Jaypers said:

According to my calculations, Gallo posted a 1.62 BB/K rate across both levels, whereas Vogelbach's was 1.37.

Click to expand...

Discounting the AZL, which both players were too advanced for, Vogelbach had a 1.48 v. Gallo's 2.36.

Can someone throw up the AZL chat? Thanks.

sheetskout said:

Can someone throw up the AZL chat? Thanks.

Click to expand...

The bolded part made my day.



Arizona League Top 20 Prospects Chat With Bill Mitchell

By Bill Mitchell
September 24, 2012


Bill Mitchell: Prospect season is now underway! It was a truly fabulous year in the Arizona League, with the deepest pool of prospects in the history of the league. I could easily have gone 30 deep and still omitted players that would have made the list in previous years. Since we already have quite a few questions in the queue, let's get started a few minutes early.

PT (IBC): Thanks for the chat Bill. What can you tell me about Royals RHP Miguel Almonte who got 6 games in the AZL after starting the season in the DSL?

Bill Mitchell: PT, I was at Almonte's first start and was very impressed. When I first saw him warming up in the outfield I thought I was looking at Yordano Ventura's younger brother. His delivery even resembles that of Ventura's. His fastball was usually in the low 90s, but touched as high as 96. He's got a changeup that is just a tick above average and a curveball that's still a little inconsistent. What stands out about Almonte is the command of his pitches and his composure on the mound. He was one of the last cuts for the top 20. Keep an eye on this one!

JR (Iowa): How many on this list do you think might make the top 100 overall prospects list?

Bill Mitchell: JR, I'm not involved in the development of the Top 100, but I'd guess that at least the top five on the list are shoo-ins and perhaps Brinson and Trahan, too. Also, don't forget about the three guys that didn't play enough to qualify —- Fried, Zimmer and Puig.

@Jaypers413 (IL): Had they qualified, where would Zimmer and Fried have ranked on this list? Thanks for the chat, as always.

Bill Mitchell: Jaypers, it's always good to get questions from the iron horse of BA chats. Zimmer and Fried definitely would have been in the top ten and more likely in the top five.

PT (IBC): Last year the Indians had a huge lefty in Araujo, this year it was Luis Lugo. Does Luis project to have the same kind of power arm for the tribe?

Bill Mitchell: PT, I received some favorable comments on Lugo. He's a big kid and is very competitive on the mound. Fastball was usually 88-90 and he'll likely add velocity as he gets older and more experienced. While he's already got a strong frame, I could see him getting stronger.

Ben (Leland Grove): Your impressions of Anthony Santander? Was he a late cut from this list?

Bill Mitchell: Ben, Santander was in my 25-30 range. He's still very young, with a strong frame at only 17, and showed improvement in the second half of the season. He should show more power as he gets older. He needs a lot more experience and to develop more instincts. He's going to likely slow down as he gets older so the bat will need to carry him.

Ben (Leland Grove): Dillon Howard definitely had his struggles in the AZL. What went wrong with him?

Bill Mitchell: I'll take another question from Ben because this is an important one to answer. I saw Howard several times and he really had a rough season. His biggest issue was consistency and ability to repeat his delivery. He's be cruising along and then the wheels would fall off —- he'd start elevating his pitches and it would look like he was throwing batting practice. There's still a lot to like about Howard's build and his repertoire, but there's a lot of work to do.

David (San Diego): How close to your list were Weickel and Eflin? Who impressed you more between the two?

Bill Mitchell: David, neither Weickel or Eflin pitched enough to qualify. The latter came down with mono and didn't finish the season, although he's back pitching in instructs. I saw both pitchers first start and liked Weickel a little more, but they were both only one inning stints.

Morrie (NJ): Did Jose Valentin's son get any rave reviews this year?

Bill Mitchell: Morrie, Jesmuel Valentin showed a lot of baseball savvy (not surprising, since he comes from big league roots). He was better early in the season but tired in the second half because he was playing just about every day for the Dodgers. His tools are pretty much average across the board. He's selective at the plate and switch hits. Valentin may profile better as a utility infielder. I liked him and have him in my top 30.

Kyle (Dallas): In last year's AZL chat, you told us to keep an eye on Shawn Duinkerk. Still feel this way?

Bill Mitchell: Kyle, there is still something that intrigues me about Duinkerk but he's really, really raw. To give you an idea, I heard that he never faced a left-handed pitcher before coming to the U.S. I think he'll need another AZL season before he's ready to move up. He just needs a lot more experience, but the raw athleticism is impressive.

Shawon Dunston (Sr.)'s Clone (Nearby): What did you think of my son's game, Mr. Mitchell?

Bill Mitchell: Shawon Dunston Jr. showed a much better swing late in the season. He was overmatched in the Northwest League early in the year but to his credit he didn't mope after being sent back to the AZL. He's got solid makeup and is a hard worker.

Ty (Baltimore): Did Tanner Rahier have enough IP to qualify? Thoughts on his pitches?

Bill Mitchell: Ty, Tanner Rahier fell way short of having enough innings, since he strictly played infield. However, he did have enough ABs to qualify but didn't show enough offensive upside to merit consideration for the list. He's an average defender at third base and may profile better as a utility infielder.

Navin (Pasadena, CA): Obviously they didn't have enough innings to qualify but which of the young Cubs pitchers amongst Dillon Maples, Paul Blackburn, Duane Underwood and Ryan McNeil impressed you the most? Which one is the most advanced?

Bill Mitchell: Navin, Maples and Underwood are the two pitchers from your list that stood out. Maples was 91-96 with the fastball and showed a good curveball. While the numbers weren't there in his brief appearances, Underwood impressed scouts with a fastball that touched 97 and a good easy motion.

Grant (Chicago): What does Duane Underwood need to work on? Did he and Paul Blackburn get any consideration for the list?

Bill Mitchell: Grant, I just addressed Underwood in the previous question. Blackburn was impressive at times, although a little inconsistent with his velocity. He's got an athletic build with smooth, easy actions.

Josh (Oakland): Who would you say is more advanced as a hitter, Russell or David Dahl?

Bill Mitchell: Josh, I only saw Dahl play one time on one of my Pioneer League excursions but was very, very impressed with him. Both Russell and Dahl have a tremendous amount of upside, so I can't pick one as being more advanced right now. They are both very good prospects.

Mike (Cincinnati): Jonathan Reynoso led the league in steals while also hitting .311. What are the reports on him saying?

Bill Mitchell: Mike, I got some good reports on Reds outfielder Reynoso and he was one of the guys in my 21-25 range. He's got plus speed and should add more power as he fills out. In the outfield, he's got a strong arm but needs to improve his routes. They moved him from right to center out of necessity and he handled that position well. He's an aggressive player and plays hard every day. He needs experience and better baseball instincts, but he's definitely one to keep on the radar.

Elliot (YOungstown OH): The Indians don't much have much talent anywhere but they do have a lot of young shortstops (Lindor, Paulino, Ronny Rodriguez). Where do you think Paulino will wind up and how soon will he get there? Indians are desperate!

Bill Mitchell: Elliot, there's a lot to like about Paulino, but don't forget that he's only 17 and is likely at least four or five years away from reaching Cleveland. Opinions are mixed as to whether he can stay at shortstop but the Indians will keep him there for now. The bat will play regardless of where he winds up, and one scout said that he'd be an above average regular in a corner outfield spot.

@Jaypers413 (IL): Your impressions of AZL Indians' Jorge Martinez?

Bill Mitchell: There are several questions about Martinez in the queue so I'll address him now. He's a bit of a polarizing prospect —- some observers love him and others see a lot of flaws in his game. I really planned on working him into the top 20 despite the fact that it was his third year in the league. He got stronger this year and had a better feel for what he could do with pitches. Some observers think he can handle third base while others believe he's better suited to an outfield corner. The enormous potential is still there, but now I want to see more consistency from him and to see him challenged by moving to a higher level.

PT (IBC): Aside from Puig, anyone else who didn't qualify catch your eye?

Bill Mitchell: We've got several questions about Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig in the queue so I'll handle them now. Puig is an absolute beast. I really don't think he even knows how strong he is. I saw him hit balls without solid swings that carried to the fence. He would watch the balls out of the batters box and not realize how hard he hit it. Needless to say, he's better than some of the early reports on him. His swing is much cleaner and he was in much better physical condition. I'm really intrigued by the guy —- he's one of those players that you just can't look away from when he's on the field. He would have easily been a top ten prospect if he had qualified. More than just a few AZL observers liked him better than Jorge Soler.

ScottAZ (Phx, AZ): If Russell had to move does his bat profile better at 2b or does he have the pop to profile at 3b?

Bill Mitchell: Scott, Russell's bat would profile well at any position, but right now I don't see any reason why he will have to move off shortstop. He's got the range and arm to stay there, and he got himself into good physical condition prior to the season.

Chuck (Wichita): Who were the top Royals?

Bill Mitchell: Chuck, I mentioned Miguel Almonte at the beginning of the chat. Also just missing the list was outfielder Alexis Rivera, who should have gone much higher than the 10th round. He's a big, athletic kid who scouts really loved. The most favorable comment I got from a scout was he liked how much his hands worked in the zone. Rivera struggled with his routes in right field and was more comfortable when they moved him to left. If he profiles better as a left fielder, then the bat is really going to have to develop. One scout labeled him as a high risk, high reward prospect, and I think that's appropiate.

Roger (Washington, DC): The Giants club obviously wasn't one of the stacked rosters in the AZL this year. Any good sleepers on that Giants roster?

Bill Mitchell: Roger, you are right —- the Giants didn't have any high profile prospects that qualified but there were a few interesting guys. Scouts liked Tyler Hollick, a local juco outfielder with plus speed and good baseball instincts. Another interesting player is shortstop John Polonius, who is from Curacao but played juco ball in New York state and then a year at West Virginia. He has a lean, projectable shortstop body and showed some good hitting skills, although he needs to get stronger. Polonius has an interesting backstory —- do a search on his name and read about how he wound up in the United States.

Joe LeCates (Easton, MD): Mr. Mitchell, thank you for the chat today - and thank you as always for the outstanding photography! What was the word from scouts on Nick Williams this year in Arizona? A raw high school draftee, who has some pretty interesting tools and ended up (surprisingly) making some pretty solid adjustments to pro ball.

Bill Mitchell: Joe, thank you for the compliments. Nick Williams was considered for the list. He's an interesting power/speed prospect with a potentially high upside if it comes together for him. His defense is not good and he lacks baseball instincts. I hesitate to use the high risk / high reward label again, but it really applies to Williams. He can be very good but has a long way to go.

Ajax (Fairfax, VA): A lot of Ranger fans are excited about C.J. Edwards. How fast could he rise? How good of a prospect is he?

Bill Mitchell: Ajax, I'm a big, big CJ Edwards fan. I think he's got the arsenal and the attitude to move quickly, but keep in mind that he's still relatively inexperienced and needs to fill out his very lean frame. I saw one inning of his first instructs outing on Saturday and reports were that he was using his changeup more. With such a great feel for his secondary pitches and velocity that could someday be hitting triple digits, there's a lot to like about Edwards' future.

Rod (Seattle): Does Jaypers have a life, or is he just a shill for BA to make sure all the "important" questions get asked?

Bill Mitchell: I don't know Jaypers personally —- I just regularly see his chat questions and follow him on Twitter. But I love your question and want to put it out for Jaypers to later provide a little biographical info. Thanks.

Jeff (PA): So, how raw is Amir Garrett?

Bill Mitchell: Jeff, Amir Garrett is very raw but somewhat promising. I only saw the Reds left-hander one time. His delivery is very rough and his velocity fluctuated quite a bit, but he showed a good curveball and good composure on the mound. Assuming he sticks with baseball, he's a good pitching prospect but it will take time as long as he spends the rest of the year playing basketball.

DH (Pittsburgh): Is this list more an indication that the player had a good year or that he is a good prospect? Is Addison Russell the top prospect on this list- would you rank him highest on your personal list?

Bill Mitchell: DH, this is a list of the best prospects and not necessarily who had the best year. I've never wavered from my belief that Russell was the best prospect in the league but that he's closely followed by Almora, Gallo, Soler and Paulino. The fact that he also put up very good numbers certainly didn't hurt his prospect status.

ttnorm (Connecticut): Did Timmy Lopes get consideration for the list?

Bill Mitchell: Mariners infielder Lopes did get some consideration for the list. He had a very good season, primarily playing second base for the Mariners. He's more of a gamer type than a tools guy, but has some hitting skills and can handle either middle infield position.

Mike (Boston): What were the reviews on the Diamondbacks SS/2B Andrew Velazquez?

Bill Mitchell: Mike, you just hit on one of my favorite players who didn't make the list, although he was in my top 25 or 30. Velazquez can certainly hit, with above average bat speed and good hands. His speed (I got grades ranging from 60 to 70 on him) plays up well. He's very athletic and just does a lot of things right. He had never played second base before coming to the AZL, and really didn't play infield in high school until his senior year, but was a quick study after they put him at second to stay.

Jake (Chicago, IL): Hi Bill, had he pitched enough innings to qualify, would Kyle Zimmer have ranked as the Arizona League's top pitching prospect over C.J. Edwards and Max Fried? Thanks for the chat and taking my question. Jake

Bill Mitchell: Jake, I haven't thought about that one before since Zimmer didn't stay in the AZL very long and was really only there because he was coming off an injury from late in his college season. But I think he'd have ranked as the top pitcher just because he's closer to the big leagues and more advanced than Fried. I only saw him pitch once, but what incredible movement on his fastball.

Jimmy (Palo Alto): What was your impression of the Athletics BJ Boyd?

Bill Mitchell: Jimmy, I liked Boyd but he's very raw, primarily because he was more of a football player in high school (and he still looks like a football player!). Right now the success he has on the field comes primarily from his physical ability because of his limited baseball experience. He's very explosive on the bases now and could develop into an interesting power/speed guy.

Elliot (Youngstown OH): It's a long way from the Arizona League to the American League, but do you foresee Paulino as a 300 hitter or a 30 home run hitter or maybe even both?

Bill Mitchell: Elliot, you are correct in stating that it's a very long way from the AZL to the American League, especially for Paulino who is still only 17. I could envision Paulino being that kind of hitter but it's way too early to project those kind of numbers. Just enjoy watching him along the way.

Gary (Mesa,AZ): I was just wondering, are you a scout or do you work directly for BA and get your info from other scouts? Thanks for all the helpful info!

Bill Mitchell: Gary, I am not a scout and don't work full-time for BA. I get my info for this report by talking to managers, coaches and scouts, not to mention the fact that I'm out at the ballpark every night during the season and at least consider myself an "armchair scout."

Ray (Austin): How would you rank Russell, Almora, Gallo and Soler as overall prospects (not just AZL performance)? And where would Puig fit in there?

Bill Mitchell: Ray, I do the ranking here based on overall prospect status, so I'd keep Russell, Almora, Gallo and Soler in that exact order. Puig would be right there with those four players but at this point until we see more of Puig I don't want to guess where he'd fit in that group. But he certainly is a very intriguing prospect.

Bob Sacamento (Ft Myers): Hi Bill, Vogelbach showed a good stick with power and eye at the plate but is that all he's ever going to be? Or can he stay at first base? I know there's not too many guys his size playing proball.

Bill Mitchell: Bob, you are right on target about Vogelbach. There aren't many players his size in pro ball. He gets compared at times to Prince Fielder but it's not a good comp because Fielder is much more athletic. Perhaps the defense will develop or perhaps he'll wind up in the American League as a DH. But the bat is real.

Jay (Ca.): What was your impression of the Juan Carlos Paniagua?

Bill Mitchell: Paniagua looked very good in his few appearances. He was up to at least 97 (and maybe 98) with an easy delivery.

Bill Mitchell: Thanks for all of the questions, and feel free to hit me on Twitter at @billazbbphotog.

Bill Mitchell: The deep pool of talent in the AZL this year is now rivaled by the deep pool of thoughtful, intelligent questions from our BA readers. But now I've got to head off to an instructional league game to see how Addison Russell is looking this month! Thanks again.