Baseball America's 2014 Organizational Top 10 Prospects Thread (Today - AL WEST)

[Jaypers]

BALTIMORE ORIOLES TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. DYLAN BUNDY, RHP
2. KEVIN GAUSMAN, RHP
3. EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ, LHP
4. HUNTER HARVEY, RHP
5. JONATHAN SCHOOP, 2B/SS
6. TIM BERRY, LHP
7. HENRY URRUTIA, OF
8. MIKE WRIGHT, RHP
9. MICHAEL OHLMAN, C
10. CHANCE SISCO, C

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Henry Urrutia
Best Power Hitter Jonathan Schoop
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Michael Ohlman
Fastest Baserunner Glynn Davis
Best Athlete Josh Hart
Best Fastball Kevin Gausman
Best Curveball Dylan Bundy
Best Slider Mike Wright
Best Changeup Kevin Gausman
Best Control Zach Davies
Best Defensive Catcher Brian Ward
Best Defensive Infielder Adrian Marin
Best Infield Arm Jonathan Schoop
Best Defensive Outfielder Josh Hart
Best Outfield Arm Dariel Alvarez

 

[scotty216brs]

RED SOX TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Xander Bogaerts, ss/3b
2. Henry Owens, lhp
3. Jackie Bradley, of
4. Allen Webster, rhp
5. Blake Swihart, c
6. Garin Cecchini, 3b
7. Mookie Betts, 2b
8. Brandon Workman, rhp
9. Matt Barnes, rhp
10. Trey Ball, lhp

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Garin Cecchini
Best Power Hitter Xander Bogaerts
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Garin Cecchini
Fastest Baserunner Bryan Hudson
Best Athlete Mookie Betts
Best Fastball Matt Barnes
Best Curveball Brandon Workman
Best Slider Allen Webster
Best Changeup Henry Owens
Best Control Brandon Workman
Best Defensive Catcher Christian Vazquez
Best Defensive Infielder Deven Marrero
Best Infield Arm Deven Marrero
Best Defensive Outfielder Jackie Bradley
Best Outfield Arm Jackie Bradley

Wow no Ranaudo in the top 10?! I'm assuming he would land right in the 11th spot, JP? Really like this list though, the future looks bright.

Barnes stock dropped a little bit with his so-so year but I think he is still going to be a stud....just needs to work on his offspeed pitches a bit more.

 

[Jaypers]

Wow no Ranaudo in the top 10?! I'm assuming he would land right in the 11th spot, JP? Really like this list though, the future looks bright.

Barnes stock dropped a little bit with his so-so year but I think he is still going to be a stud....just needs to work on his offspeed pitches a bit more.

Ken (Lakewood CA): Thanks for the chat. Surprised that Ranaudo didn't make the Top 10. Guessing that is more a statement of the absolute depth of the Red Sox farm system than Ranaudo as a prospect? If he pitches in 2014 like he did in 2013, would he have to be considered a serious contender for the future Red Sox starting rotation? Or am I just a little too high on him as an overall prospect?

Alex Speier: Indeed, Ranaudo being outside the top 10, to me, is a dramatic commentary on the depth of the Red Sox farm system. Ranaudo had a very, very good year. And yes — he is in the group of pitchers (Webster, Owens, Ranaudo, Barnes, Workman, De La Rosa) that gives the Sox an impressive degree of depth for years to come. The relative rankings of that group represent a snapshot in time; it will shift in coming years, just as it did this year with Workman asserting himself as the superior prospect (in my eyes) to Barnes, Ranaudo, etc.

 

[scotty216brs]

Interesting. I must say that I really like what I saw from Workman in Boston this year, but sadly he is blocked in the rotation at least until 2015. He has great fastball command and that curveball when it's on it's one of the best on the team. As for Ranado, I see him as a future #3 starter if everything pans out. This could be one of the best rotations in MLB in a handful of years if everyone lives up to expectations.

 

[craftysouthpaw]

BALTIMORE ORIOLES TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. DYLAN BUNDY, RHP
2. KEVIN GAUSMAN, RHP
3. EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ, LHP
4. HUNTER HARVEY, RHP
5. JONATHAN SCHOOP, 2B/SS
6. TIM BERRY, LHP
7. HENRY URRUTIA, OF
8. MIKE WRIGHT, RHP
9. MICHAEL OHLMAN, C
10. CHANCE SISCO, C

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Henry Urrutia
Best Power Hitter Jonathan Schoop
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Michael Ohlman
Fastest Baserunner Glynn Davis
Best Athlete Josh Hart
Best Fastball Kevin Gausman
Best Curveball Dylan Bundy
Best Slider Mike Wright
Best Changeup Kevin Gausman
Best Control Zach Davies
Best Defensive Catcher Brian Ward
Best Defensive Infielder Adrian Marin
Best Infield Arm Jonathan Schoop
Best Defensive Outfielder Josh Hart
Best Outfield Arm Dariel Alvarez

That's quite a top 4. Hopefully it turns out better than the other recent top pitching prospect group (Arrieta, Matusz, Tillman, Britton) that came up for the O's. Tillman has been solid and Matusz found a home in the pen (supposedly going to try to stretch him again in 2014) and Britton still has a shot, but it has to be a disappointment that they didn't get a single #1 or #2 guy out of that group.

BP had the top two flip flopped and I can see the argument. What really surprised me was they had Gausman ranked ahead of Machado for their top under-25 talent. Machado just had a pretty historic season for someone his age - not to mention a safer bet as he is not a pitcher. Pretty strong statement on their part and I'd be willing to bet against them.

 

[Jaypers]

Update: The AL Central lists begin today, starting with the White Sox. Their system is finally starting to look a bit better.

WHITE SOX TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Jose Abreu, 1b
2. Erik Johnson, rhp
3. Tim Anderson, ss
4. Matt Davidson, 3b
5. Marcus Semien, 2b/3b
6. Micah Johnson, 2b
7. Courtney Hawkins, of
8. Trayce Thompson, of
9. Chris Beck, rhp
10. Jacob May, of

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Micah Johnson
Best Power Hitter Jose Abreu
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Marcus Semien
Fastest Baserunner Micah Johnson
Best Athlete Trayce Thompson
Best Fastball Daniel Webb
Best Curveball Scott Snodgress
Best Slider Erik Johnson
Best Changeup Chris Beck
Best Control Erik Johnson
Best Defensive Catcher Miguel Gonzalez
Best Defensive Infielder Cleuluis Rondon
Best Infield Arm Cleuluis Rondon
Best Defensive Outfielder Trayce Thompson
Best Outfield Arm Keenyn Walker

 

[Jaypers]

INDIANS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Francisco Lindor, ss
2. Clint Frazier, of
3. Trevor Bauer, rhp
4. Tyler Naquin, of
5. Cody Anderson, rhp
6. Dorssys Paulino, ss
7. Ronny Rodriguez ss/2b
8. C.C. Lee, rhp
9. Jose Ramirez 2b/ss
10. Austin Adams, rhp

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Francisco Lindor
Best Power Hitter Clint Frazier
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Francisco Lindor
Fastest Baserunner Jose Ramirez
Best Athlete D’vone McClure
Best Fastball Trey Haley
Best Curveball Trevor Bauer
Best Slider C.C. Lee
Best Changeup Trevor Bauer
Best Control Kyle Crockett
Best Defensive Catcher Roberto Perez
Best Defensive Infielder Francisco Lindor
Best Infield Arm Erik Gonzalez
Best Defensive Outfielder Tyler Naquin
Best Outfield Arm Tyler Naquin

 

[Jaypers]

I just got my AL Central issue, so here are the remaining three teams' top 10 lists.



DETROIT TIGERS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. NICK CASTELLANOS, 3B/OF
2. DEVON TRAVIS, 2B
3. BRUCE RONDON, RHP
4. ROBBIE RAY, LHP
5. JAKE THOMPSON, RHP
6. JONATHON CRAWFORD, RHP
7. COREY KNEBEL, RHP
8. EUGENIO SUAREZ, SS/2B
9. DOMINGO LEYBA, SS/2B
10. HERNAN PEREZ, 2B/SS

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Nick Castellanos
Best Power Hitter Steven Moya
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Devon Travis
Fastest Baserunner Austin Schotts
Best Athlete Austin Schotts
Best Fastball Bruce Rondon
Best Curveball Corey Knebel
Best Slider Jonathon Crawford
Best Changeup Jose Alvarez
Best Control Jose Alvarez
Best Defensive Catcher James McCann
Best Defensive Infielder Dixon Machado
Best Infield Arm Dixon Machado
Best Defensive Outfielder Daniel Fields
Best Outfield Arm Steven Moya



KANSAS CITY ROYALS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. KYLE ZIMMER, RHP
2. YORDANO VENTURA, RHP
3. RAUL A. MONDESI, SS
4. JORGE BONIFACIO, OF
5. MIGUEL ALMONTE, RHP
6. SEAN MANAEA, LHP
7. HUNTER DOZIER, 3B
8. BUBBA STARLING, OF
9. JASON ADAM, RHP
10. CHRISTIAN BINFORD, RHP

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Hunter Dozier
Best Power Hitter Bubba Starling
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Hunter Dozier
Fastest Baserunner Terrance Gore
Best Athlete Bubba Starling
Best Fastball Yordano Ventura
Best Curveball Kyle Zimmer
Best Slider Kyle Zimmer
Best Changeup Miguel Almonte
Best Control Christian Binford
Best Defensive Catcher Parker Morin
Best Defensive Infielder Raul A. Mondesi
Best Infield Arm Jack Lopez
Best Defensive Outfielder Bubba Starling
Best Outfield Arm Brett Eibner



MINNESOTA TWINS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. BYRON BUXTON, OF
2. MIGUEL SANO, 3B
3. ALEX MEYER, RHP
4. KOHL STEWART, RHP
5. J.O. BERRIOS, RHP
6. EDDIE ROSARIO, 2B/OF
7. LEWIS THORPE, LHP
8. TREVOR MAY, RHP
9. DANNY SANTANA, SS
10. JORGE POLANCO, 2B/SS

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Byron Buxton
Best Power Hitter Miguel Sano
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Jorge Polanco
Fastest Baserunner Byron Buxton
Best Athlete Byron Buxton
Best Fastball Alex Meyer
Best Curveball Alex Meyer
Best Slider Kohl Stewart
Best Changeup Trevor May
Best Control Taylor Rogers
Best Defensive Catcher Stuart Turner
Best Defensive Infielder Danny Santana
Best Infield Arm Miguel Sano
Best Defensive Outfielder Byron Buxton
Best Outfield Arm Byron Buxton

 

[Jaypers]

Stacked system. :mrgreen:

HOUSTON ASTROS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Carlos Correa, ss
2. George Springer, of
3. Mark Appel, rhp
4. Mike Foltynewicz, rhp
5. Lance McCullers Jr., rhp
6. Vince Velasquez, rhp
7. Jonathan Singleton, 1b
8. Domingo Santana, of
9. Michael Feliz, rhp
10. Asher Wojciechowski, rhp

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Carlos Correa
Best Power Hitter George Springer
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Nolan Fontana
Fastest Baserunner Delino DeShields Jr.
Best Athlete George Springer
Best Fastball Mike Foltynewicz
Best Curveball Lance McCullers Jr.
Best Slider Mark Appel
Best Changeup Vince Velasquez
Best Control Jake Buchanan
Best Defensive Catcher Roberto Pena
Best Defensive Infielder Carlos Correa
Best Infield Arm Carlos Correa
Best Defensive Outfielder George Springer
Best Outfield Arm Brett Phillips

 

[ballerskrip]

Stacked system. :mrgreen:

HOUSTON ASTROS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Carlos Correa, ss
2. George Springer, of
3. Mark Appel, rhp
4. Mike Foltynewicz, rhp
5. Lance McCullers Jr., rhp
6. Vince Velasquez, rhp
7. Jonathan Singleton, 1b
8. Domingo Santana, of
9. Michael Feliz, rhp
10. Asher Wojciechowski, rhp

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Carlos Correa
Best Power Hitter George Springer
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Nolan Fontana
Fastest Baserunner Delino DeShields Jr.
Best Athlete George Springer
Best Fastball Mike Foltynewicz
Best Curveball Lance McCullers Jr.
Best Slider Mark Appel
Best Changeup Vince Velasquez
Best Control Jake Buchanan
Best Defensive Catcher Roberto Pena
Best Defensive Infielder Carlos Correa
Best Infield Arm Carlos Correa
Best Defensive Outfielder George Springer
Best Outfield Arm Brett Phillips

EXCELLENT system, though I am shocked that Rio Ruiz isn't listed. I would have him at 8 personally.

 

[All The Hype]

EXCELLENT system, though I am shocked that Rio Ruiz isn't listed. I would have him at 8 personally.

I'm surprised by Ruiz's exclusion but even more surprised buy Singleton only ranking 7th. He was 2nd for the Phillies, 1st for the Astros, then 2nd for the Astros the last few years...I figured he'd slot in around #3-4 on this list.

 

[Jaypers]

I'm surprised by Ruiz's exclusion but even more surprised buy Singleton only ranking 7th. He was 2nd for the Phillies, 1st for the Astros, then 2nd for the Astros the last few years...I figured he'd slot in around #3-4 on this list.

Singleton's 2013 was not nearly as impressive as his prior ones, and the suspension didn't help.

Sent from my XT907 using Freedom Card Board mobile app

 

[All The Hype]

Singleton's 2013 was not nearly as impressive as his prior ones.

Sent from my XT907 using Freedom Card Board mobile app

Agreed, but that doesn't make him less of a prospect IMO, especially given it was his first shot at AAA. He's still a future 30 HR Major League bat and Minute Maid park is among the top 5-10 most hitter-friendly parks in baseball if I'm not mistaken.


To be fair, I have an enormous stash of Singleton cards. But bias aside, there aren't many legit 30+ HR prospects that are also capable of hitting .275+ and he is one of them.

 

[Jaypers]

EXCELLENT system, though I am shocked that Rio Ruiz isn't listed. I would have him at 8 personally.

Casey (W): Why did Rio not make the top 10?

J.J. Cooper: Ruiz is 11th, so he didn't miss by much. Really him, Max Stassi and Delino Deshields Jr. would all look fine in a Top 10, but there were only 10 spots...it's a problem a lot of clubs would be thrilled to have. With Ruiz, he had a pretty poor first half of the season, but he did show the ability to make adjustments and rebound. He's a better bat than glove, and there are some questions about how adequate he will be a third base. Those questions were enough to bump him to 11 on a deep list.

 

[Jaypers]

Agreed, but that doesn't make him less of a prospect IMO, especially given it was his first shot at AAA. He's still a future 30 HR Major League bat and Minute Maid park is among the top 5-10 most hitter-friendly parks in baseball if I'm not mistaken.


To be fair, I have an enormous stash of Singleton cards. But bias aside, there aren't many legit 30+ HR prospects that are also capable of hitting .275+ and he is one of them.

Ricardo Montelbon (Houston): What caused the slide for Jonathan Singleton? Was it a case of the talent around him getting better, the suspension concerns or a lower projected ceiling due to uninspiring performance last year? Thanks.

J.J. Cooper: He had a poor year, but even more than that, he got passed by other guys getting better. Springer had a breakout year, McCullers demonstrated he could pitch a full pro season. They drafted Appel. Velasquez took a big step forward and Foltyniewicz is now nearly as close to the big leagues as Singleton while continuing to add velocity.

 

[All The Hype]

Thanks, I meant to put in a question about it this morning and never got around to logging in. Explanation makes sense.

Ricardo Montelbon (Houston): What caused the slide for Jonathan Singleton? Was it a case of the talent around him getting better, the suspension concerns or a lower projected ceiling due to uninspiring performance last year? Thanks.

J.J. Cooper: He had a poor year, but even more than that, he got passed by other guys getting better. Springer had a breakout year, McCullers demonstrated he could pitch a full pro season. They drafted Appel. Velasquez took a big step forward and Foltyniewicz is now nearly as close to the big leagues as Singleton while continuing to add velocity.

 

[Jaypers]

Just got my AL West issue. Here are the Angels, A's, Mariners and Rangers lists.


LOS ANGELES ANGELS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. TAYLOR LINDSEY, 2B
2. C.J. CRON, 1B
3. KALEB COWART, 3B
4. R.J. ALVAREZ, RHP
5. MARK SAPPINGTON, RHP
6. HUNTER GREEN, LHP
7. RICARDO SANCHEZ, LHP
8. ALEX YARBROUGH, 2B
9. ZACH BORENSTEIN, OF
10. CAM BEDROSIAN, RHP

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Alex Yarbrough
Best Power Hitter C.J. Cron
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Cal Towey
Fastest Baserunner Eric Stamets
Best Athlete Eric Stamets
Best Fastball Victor Alcantara
Best Curveball Buddy Boshers
Best Slider Mike Clevinger
Best Changeup Mike Morin
Best Control Mike Morin
Best Defensive Catcher Jett Bandy
Best Defensive Infielder Eric Stamets
Best Infield Arm Kaleb Cowart
Best Defensive Outfielder Chevy Clarke
Best Outfield Arm Chevy Clarke




OAKLAND A’S TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. ADDISON RUSSELL, SS
2. BILLY MCKINNEY, OF
3. RAUL ALCANTARA, RHP
4. MICHAEL YNOA, RHP
5. RENATO NUNEZ, 3B
6. MAX MUNCY, 1B
7. DYLAN COVEY, RHP
8. BOBBY WAHL, RHP
9. DANIEL ROBERTSON, SS
10. NOLAN SANBURN, RHP

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Addison Russell
Best Power Hitter Matt Olson
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Max Muncy
Fastest Baserunner Billy Burns
Best Athlete Addison Russell
Best Fastball Michael Ynoa
Best Curveball Dylan Covey
Best Slider Bobby Wahl
Best Changeup Raul Alcantara
Best Control Raul Alcantara
Best Defensive Catcher Iolana Akau
Best Defensive Infielder Addison Russell
Best Infield Arm Chad Pinder
Best Defensive Outfielder Billy McKinney
Best Outfield Arm Michael Taylor




SEATTLE MARINERS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. TAIJUAN WALKER, RHP
2. D.J. PETERSON, 3B
3. JAMES PAXTON, LHP
4. LUIZ GOHARA, LHP
5. EDWIN DIAZ, RHP
6. AUSTIN WILSON, OF
7. VICTOR SANCHEZ, RHP
8. TYLER MARLETTE, C
9. CHRIS TAYLOR, SS
10. DANNY HULTZEN, LHP


BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average D.J. Peterson
Best Power Hitter D.J. Peterson
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Ty Smith
Fastest Baserunner Ketel Marte
Best Athlete Gabriel Guerrero
Best Fastball Taijuan Walker
Best Curveball James Paxton
Best Slider Taijuan Walker
Best Changeup Tyler Pike
Best Control Dylan Unsworth
Best Defensive Catcher John Hicks
Best Defensive Infielder Gabriel Noriega
Best Infield Arm Carlos Triunfel
Best Defensive Outfielder Leon Landry
Best Outfield Arm Gabriel Guerrero




TEXAS RANGERS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. ROUGNED ODOR, 2B
2. JORGE ALFARO, C
3. MICHAEL CHOICE, OF
4. NICK WILLIAMS, OF
5. JOEY GALLO, 3B
6. ALEX GONZALEZ, RHP
7. LUIS SARDINAS, SS
8. LUKE JACKSON, RHP
9. TRAVIS DEMERITTE, SS/3B
10. RONALD GUZMAN, 1B

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Rougned Odor
Best Power Hitter Joey Gallo
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Drew Robinson
Fastest Baserunner Chris Garcia
Best Athlete Lewis Brinson
Best Fastball Keone Kela
Best Curveball Nick Martinez
Best Slider Alex Gonzalez
Best Changeup Alexander Claudio
Best Control Alex Gonzalez
Best Defensive Catcher Pat Cantwell
Best Defensive Infielder Luis Sardinas
Best Infield Arm Joey Gallo
Best Defensive Outfielder Lewis Brinson
Best Outfield Arm Preston Beck

 

[spahnandsain]

help!

RED SOX TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Xander Bogaerts, ss/3b
2. Henry Owens, lhp
3. Jackie Bradley, of
4. Allen Webster, rhp
5. Blake Swihart, c
6. Garin Cecchini, 3b
7. Mookie Betts, 2b
8. Brandon Workman, rhp
9. Matt Barnes, rhp
10. Trey Ball, lhp

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Garin Cecchini
Best Power Hitter Xander Bogaerts
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Garin Cecchini
Fastest Baserunner Bryan Hudson
Best Athlete Mookie Betts
Best Fastball Matt Barnes
Best Curveball Brandon Workman
Best Slider Allen Webster
Best Changeup Henry Owens
Best Control Brandon Workman
Best Defensive Catcher Christian Vazquez
Best Defensive Infielder Deven Marrero
Best Infield Arm Deven Marrero
Best Defensive Outfielder Jackie Bradley
Best Outfield Arm Jackie Bradley

Haven't logged on or prospected in over three years. How about a little help / advice on what to do with this. Did I miss the time to sell or was there ever a time to sell?

 

[Jaypers]

Haven't logged on or prospected in over three years. How about a little help / advice on what to do with this. Did I miss the time to sell or was there ever a time to sell?

There really hasn't been an ideal time to sell his cards as of yet. He needs to have a breakout season.

 

[Joeed10]

Mariners AA team is my home team. I hope DJ makes it to Jackson, pretty excited to see him hit in person.