Continuing our rankings of this year’s top prospects here at S2S, we’ve reached the midway point of our list and it’s time to start the Top 50. There have been a few surprises here and there, based on some of the feedback I’ve received, but that was to be expected when taking on this task. Don’t forget, there’s a certain level of subjectivity to these lists which is why no two are every completely the same. There’s no perfect science to coming up with them. There will be some decisions within this list that you will not fully agree with. Discussion is encouraged. If you want some more insight into the process behind them, be sure to read through our introductory post.
To make it easy for your to look back, here are the rankings we’ve already gone through:
- #101 through #115 (because I couldn’t settle on just 100 names)
- #91 through #100
- #81 through #90
- #71 through #80
- #61 through #70
- #51 through #60
Next up: #41 through #50.
#50 – Kaleb Cowart, third baseman, Los Angeles Angels
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195
Born: June 2, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (combined between Class-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Inland Empire): .276/.358/.452, 16 HR, 103 RBI, 14 SB, 67 BB, 111 SO, 135 G (606 PA)
Third base has been a black hole in Los Angeles for some time now, as the Angels just simply have not been able to find a player capable of being a regular contributor at the position. They’ve had players who everyone expected would be the answer (Brandon Wood anyone?) but that hasn’t worked out as planned. Cowart is the next in line to be the ‘heir apparent’ at the position and he might actually have a chance to produce there.
Bold Prediction: Cowart will have a strong season at Double-A, suggesting to some that he could compete for a spot in Spring Training 2014.
#49 – Austin Hedges, catcher, San Diego Padres
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190
Born: August 18, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (at Class-A Fort Wayne): .279/.334/.451, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 14 SB, 23 BB, 62 SO, 96 G (373 PA)
A position normally shallow in talent, the catching position has a fairly solid representation in these rankings with Hedges being just the latest to check in. There have been rumblings for a year or two that Nick Hundley’s spot in San Diego isn’t safe long term and those rumblings will surely intensify as Hedges continues to climb through the minor leagues. He should eventually challenge Yasmani Grandal for playing time.
Bold Prediction: He’ll make the jump to Double-A by season’s end and hit well with the promotion.
Alex Meyer, #48, took his 6’9″ frame to Minnesota this winter but that didn’t change his prospect status. (Image Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
#48 – Alex Meyer, right-handed pitcher, Minnesota Twins
Height/Weight: 6’9″, 220
Born: January 3, 1990 (age 23)
2012 Stats (combined between Class-A Hagerstown and High-A Potomac): 10-6, 2.86 ERA, 25 GS, 129.0 IP, 45 BB (3.1 BB/9), 139 K (9.7 K/9), 1.101 WHIP
Meyer was arguably the top pitching prospect left in the Washington system before he was dealt to Minnesota this winter (for Denard Span). Now he’ll assume a similar role with the Twins. Meyer has a solid arsenal of pitches and has shown good command to date, leading plenty to speculate that he could be a #2 or #3 starter down the line.
Bold Prediction: He’ll struggle with a jump to Double-A but straighten things out by season’s end.
#47 – C.J. Cron, first baseman, Los Angeles Angels
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 235
Born: January 5, 1990 (age 23)
2012 Stats (with High-A Inland Empire): .293/.327/.516, 27 HR, 123 RBI, 3 SB, 17 BB, 72 SO, 129 G (557 PA)
Bold Prediction: Cron may be the next big-bat to come along in the Angels organization, but like the last one (Mark Trumbo) he’ll be forced to move off of first base thanks to the presence of Albert Pujols.
#46 – Addison Russell, shortstop, Oakland Athletics
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 185
Born: January 23, 1994 (age 19)
2012 Stats (combined between three levels): .369/.432/.594, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 16 SB, 23 BB, 48 SO, 55 G (224 PA)
The 2012 Draft pick looks to have all of the tools to hold down the shortstop position long term, something Oakland’s been lacking for some time now. He’s just 19, however, and still a long ways away from reaching the Bay Area.
Bold Prediction: Russell might have an off year at the plate, but it won’t severely hurt his overall prospect status.
#45 – Albert Almora, outfielder, Chicago Cubs
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170
Born: April 16, 1994 (age 18)
2012 Stats (combined between the team’s Rookie League affiliate and Low-A Boise): .321/.331/.464, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 5 SB, 2 BB, 13 SO, 33 G (145 PA)
Bold Prediction: Almora will eventually be a more-hyped prospect in Chicago than Jorge Soler is, but won’t have the same success initially.
#44 – Carlos Martinez, right-handed pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 165
Born: September 21, 1991 (age 21)
2012 Stats (combined between High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield): 6-5, 2.93 ERA, 22 G (21 GS), 104.1 IP, 32 BB (2.8 BB/9), 92 K (7.9 K/9), 1.179 WHIP
Bold Prediction: By the end of the 2013 season Cardinals fans will be salivating at the thought of Martinez stepping into the rotation alongside Shelby Miller and Adam Wainwright.
#43 – Zach Lee, right-handed pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 190
Born: September 13, 1991 (age 21)
2012 Stats (combined between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga): 6-6, 4.39 ERA, 25 GS, 121.0 IP, 32 BB (2.4 BB/9), 103 K (7.7 K/9), 1.331 WHIP
Bold Prediction: It might take another full season at Double-A, but Lee will erase any lingering doubts that he made the right decision to pursue a baseball career rather than attend LSU to play quarterback.
#42 – Jackie Bradley, outfielder, Boston Red Sox
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 180
Born: April 19, 1990 (age 22)
2012 Stats (combined between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland): .315/.430/.482, 9 HR, 63 RBI, 24 SB, 87 BB, 89 SO, 128 G (575 PA)
Already the ‘heir apparent’ in Boston to succeed Jacoby Ellsbury in center field, Bradley could actually sniff Fenway Park before the end of the 2013 season with a little luck (and some injuries on an already questionable active roster). I think Boston would prefer he waits another year, but they’ll use him if necessary.
Bold Prediction: If he spends the full year in the minor leagues he could contend for Minor League Player of the Year.
#41 – Byron Buxton, outfielder, Minnesota Twins
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 188
Born: December 18, 1993 (age 19)
2012 Stats (combined between the team’s two Rookie Level affiliates): .248/.344/.448, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 11 SB, 19 BB, 41 SO, 48 G (189 PA)
Some questioned whether Buxton was taken a little early in last June’s draft, but the five-tool outfielder could prove to be the real deal with some time.
Bold Prediction: He’ll get off to a hot start, reach High-A, but cool off dramatically in the season’s second half.