Top Prospect Recap 36-40; Correa Leads Pack
Jun 18, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; West shortstop Carlos Correa bats during the Midwest League-All Star Game at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
We continue our recap of our pre-season top 115 prospect list with numbers 36-40;
#40 – Brian Goodwin, outfielder, Washington Nationals
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195
Born: November 2, 1990 (age 23)
2013 Stats (Triple-A): .252/.355/.407, 10 HR, 11 3B, 40 RBI, 19 SB, 66 BB, 121 SO, 122 G (533 PA)
Heading into 2013…An athletic first round pick, Goodwin went on a tear for the entire 2012 season while playing stellar defense in center. He reached AA at the end of last year, so he could find himself in the majors by September, pending further minor league success.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Goodwin never got out of AA as the power he flashed in 2012 never materialized and he struck out at a higher rate, leading to an overall disaster season at the plate.
Looking ahead….Goodwin is arguably the most athletic prospect in the Nationals’ system, so he still has the tools to succeed and will be given every chance to do as such. Even if he never improves his approach at the plate, he still has value as a defensive fourth outfielder.
Stock: Down
#39 – Carlos Correa, shortstop, Houston Astros
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 190
Born: September 22, 1994 (age 19)
2013 Stats (combined between the team’s two Rookie Level affiliates): .320/.405/.467, 9 HR, 86 RBI, 10 SB, 58 BB, 83 SO, 117 G (519 PA)
Heading into 2013…The first overall pick from the 2012 June draft, Correa had all the tools to succeed but as one of the youngest players in full season ball, it was unclose if those tools would translate immediately translate into on field performance.
Now that the 2013 season is over… The number two overall pick, Byron Buxton, may have gotten all the attention, but Correa was right behind him. Despite not turning 19 until after the end of the minor league season, Correa showcased all of his five tools, with a .320 average and .405 OBP, knocking 45 extra base hits, solid defense short (although he may have to move over to third as he fills out), and swiping 10 bags. More importantly, his approach at the plate was very advanced for his age. His 11% walk rate was above the major league average of 9% and his 16% strikeout rate was below the major league average of 18.5%.
Looking ahead….Correa is the future of this beleaguered Astros ball club and he will move up to High-A next year, before likely advancing to Double-A by the summer. If he continues to perform as statistically he could be the youngest player in baseball in 2015.
Stock: Up
#38 – Noah Syndergaard, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 200
Born: August 29, 1992 (age 21)
2013 Stats (Between High-A and Double-A): 9-4, 3.06 ERA, 23 GS , 117 IP, 28 BB (2.1 BB/9), 133 K (10.2 K/9), 1.147 WHIP
Heading into 2013…Acquired from Toronoto as part of the R.A. Dickey swap, the Mets had high expectations for Syndergaard, a big right hander with above average command of his plus fastball and change.
Now that the 2013 season is over… The jump from low-A, where Syndergaard pitched in 2012, to High-A is a big one, and the one from High-A to Double-A is even bigger leap, but the 21 year old handled both gracefully in 2012. He put up a 3.11 ERA with a 2.3 BB/9 and 9.0 SO/9 over 12 starts in the FSL (High-A) before improving to a 3.00 ERA, 2.0 BB/9, and 11.5 SO/9 in 11 Double-A starts. His numbers may be even better, but the Mets tried to ease the wear on his arm by cutting his innings down the stretch.
Looking ahead…Syndergaard will likely report to AAA to start 2014, but he could join the Mets’ rotation by June. His ceiling is a no.2 starter, and he’s more than likely to be at least a number four.
Stock: Up
#37 – James Paxton, left-handed pitcher, Seattle Mariners
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220
Born: November 6, 1988 (age 24)
2013 Stats (AAA): 8-11, 4.45 ERA, 28 G (26 GS), 145.2 IP, 58 BB (3.6 BB/9), 131 K (8.1 K/9), 1.483 WHIP
2013 Stats (MLB) 3-0, 1.50 ERA, 4 GS, 24.0 IP, 7 BB (2.6 BB/9), 21 SO (7.9 SO/9), 0.917 ERA
Heading into 2013…The third head of Seattle’s pitching prospect Hydra, Paxton had shut down the minors in his first two full professional seasons and looked to earn a big league call up after some light work in AAA to start the year.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Paxton stayed in AAA for most of the year thanks to a mediocre 4.45 ERA, but his peripherals indicated that his earned run average was not the full story. The Mariners agreed and gave him the call in September. He was brilliant in Seattle, finishing out the year with a 10 strikeout, no walk, seven shutout inning victory over Kansas City.
Looking ahead… His four start stint likely won over Seattle management, and he’ll slot in next to Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Taijuan Walker in one of baseball’s best rotations.
Stock: Up, slightly.
#36 – Rymer Liriano, outfielder, San Diego Padres
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 210
Born: June 20, 1991 (Age 22)
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)
Heading into 2013… Despite a modest home run total in 2012, Liriano had more raw power than anyone else in the Padres organization and looked to finally channel it into in-game results in 2013.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Liriano underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in february and did not play this season.
Looking ahead… Liriano will look to start over in 2014, when he’ll be year older and possibly even more power. He could move quickly once he gets healthy.