We’re chugging along through this year’s prospect rankings, having already passed the midway point of our list and we’re on the final stretches. As I expected, there have been a few surprises here and there – at least rankings that not all have agreed with – but there’s a big level of subjectivity to composing these rankings so some disagreements were expected. There’s no perfect science to developing them. Discussion is encouraged, remember, so leave some comments with your thoughts.
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
- #41 through #50
Next up: #31 through #40.
#40 – Brian Goodwin, outfielder, Washington Nationals
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195
Born: November 2, 1990 (age 22)
2012 Stats (combined between Class-A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg): .280/.384/.469, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 18 SB, 61 BB, 89 SO, 100 G (452 PA)
Washington addressed a significant need this winter, acquiring Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins, but the organization might have a quality outfielder waiting in the wings if Goodwin can continue the torrid pace he’s been on since beginning his professional career. He posted an all around solid 2012 season and then followed it up with a decent showing in the Arizona Fall League. He’ll likely start 2013 back at Double-A but could see a promotion to Triple-A before long.
Bold Prediction: If Washington doesn’t get the production they want from their extra outfielders (namely Roger Bernadina) then it wouldn’t be surprising to see Goodwin get a late-season trip to our nation’s capital.
#39 – Carlos Correa, shortstop, Houston Astros
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 190
Born: September 22, 1994 (age 18)
2012 Stats (combined between the team’s two Rookie Level affiliates): .258/.305/.400, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 6 SB, 12 BB, 44 SO, 50 G (204 PA)
Bold Prediction: Last June’s 1st overall pick will show why he was taken with the #1 pick, but won’t develop into the player he’s been compared to since Draft Day (Alex Rodriguez).
#38 – Noah Syndergaard, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 200
Born: August 29, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (with Class-A Lansing): 8-5, 2.60 ERA, 27 G (19 GS), 103.2 IP, 31 BB (2.7 BB/9), 122 K (10.6 K/9), 1.080 WHIP
Despite falling in the top half of our prospect rankings, Syndergaard won’t be the best piece that the Mets received in this winter’s trade sending R.A. Dickey to Toronto. Eventually adding him to a mix including Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler will make a pretty formidable rotation in New York, however.
Bold Prediction: Syndergaard will have a strong year at Double-A, but won’t see New York for another year.
James Paxton, #37 on our rankings, is widely considered one of the top left-handed arms in the minors. (Image Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
#37 – James Paxton, left-handed pitcher, Seattle Mariners
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220
Born: November 6, 1988 (age 24)
2012 Stats (with Double-A Jackson): 9-4, 3.05 ERA, 21 GS, 106.1 IP, 54 BB (4.6 BB/9), 110 K (9.3 K/9), 1.411 WHIP
Amazingly enough, at #37 Paxton is just the third best pitching prospect in the Seattle system.
Bold Prediction: A September callup is not out of the question.
#36 – Rymer Liriano, outfielder, San Diego Padres
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 210
Born: June 20, 1991
2012 Stats (combined between High-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio): .280/.350/.417, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 32 SB, 41 BB, 119 SO, 127 G (520 PA)
2012 was a step back for Liriano, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a new norm despite the jump to a higher level of competition. He still could prove to be a big piece for the Padres rebuilding efforts in the years ahead.
Bold Prediction: He’ll spend most of the year at Double-A, but have a bounceback performance.
#35 – Delino DeShields, second baseman, Houston Astros
Height/Weight: 5’9″, 210
Born: August 16, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (combined between Class-A Lexington and High-A Lancaster): .287/.389/.428, 12 HR, 61 RBI, 101 SB, 83 BB, 131 SO, 135 G (637 PA)
His 101 stolen bases were largely unnoticed thanks to the record-setting performance of Billy Hamilton. DeShields will eventually hit leadoff for the Astros.
Bold Prediction: He’ll be better than his father was – and not just on the base paths.
#34 – Jorge Soler, outfielder, Chicago Cubs
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 205
Born: February 25, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (combined between the team’s Rookie Level affiliate and Class-A Peoria): .299/.369/.463, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 12 SB, 12 BB, 19 SO, 34 G (149 PA)
Bold Prediction: The hype surrounding Soler when the Cubs signed him was high, but he won’t live up to those expectations. He’ll be good, just not superstar good.
#33 – Gary Sanchez, catcher, New York Yankees
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200
Born: December 2, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (combined between Class-A Charleston and High-A Tampa): .290/.344/.485, 18 HR, 85 RBI, 15 SB, 32 BB, 106 SO, 116 G (474 PA)
There have been multiple catching prospects to arrive in the Yankees organization in recent years to catch the eyes of many, but Sanchez has long been the big prize of the group. He’s shown the offensive potential but also has proven himself behind the plate with strong defense. Sanchez is one reason why the team wouldn’t overpay to retain Russell Martin long term this winter.
Bold Prediction: He’ll impress enough at Double-A to earn an invite to Spring Training next year.
Checking in at #32, Jake Odorizzi got the chance to start last season’s Futures Game before being dealt this winter. (Image Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)
#32 – Jake Odorizzi, right-handed pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185
Born: March 27, 1990 (age 22)
2012 Stats (combined between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha): 15-5, 3.03 ERA, 26 G (25 GS), 145.1 IP, 50 BB (3.1 BB/9), 135 K (8.4 K/9), 1.252 WHIP
MLB Career: 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 2 G, 7.1 IP, 4 BB, 4 K, 1.636 WHIP
Expect Odorizzi to see some time in the Tampa Bay rotation sometime this coming season. The franchise has had success developing pitchers and he might have actually been the first arm the Royals had developed that was set for success in the Majors. A move to the Rays shouldn’t slow him down.
Bold Prediction: He’ll dominate Triple-A, but struggle in some MLB starts. By 2014 he’ll be a fixture in the Rays rotation.
#31 – Aaron Sanchez, right-handed pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 190
Born: July 1, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (with Class-A Lansing): 8-5, 2.49 ERA, 25 G (18 GS), 90.1 IP, 51 BB (5.1 BB/9), 97 K (9.7 K/9), 1.273 WHIP
Toronto entered the offseason with a trio of top pitching prospects, but after trading away Justin Nicolino (#89) and Noah Syndergaard (#38) in separate deals, Sanchez is the lone arm that remains in the organization. That distinction might make him untouchable in trade talks, should the Blue Jays find another need to address.
Bold Prediction: He’ll post a solid season at Double-A, prompting teams to inquire about his availability even though they know he won’t be dealt.
… The prospects that rank from #1 to #30 will be unveiled next week, starting first-thing Monday morning. Stay tuned!