Top Prospect Recap 1-5: Wheeler, Myers breakout
By Jason Mast
Sep 17, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Well here we are, the the last recap of our pre-season top 115 prospects . We’ve done our best to give a fair assessment of each player’s performance and their stock going forward. Finally, we’ll do the same with the last group of players, the cream of Ray Kinsenella’s crop, the top five prospects in baseball heading into 2013.
#5 – Zack Wheeler, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 185
Born: May 30, 1990 (age 23)
2013 MLB Stats: 7-5, 3.42 ERA, 20 GS, 100 IP, 46 BB (4.1 BB/9), 84 K (7.6 K/9), 1.360 WHIP
Heading into 2013…Stolen from the Giants for two months of Carlos Beltran, Wheeler had as electric a fastball and curve as almost any other pitcher in minor league baseball. Add in a decent changeup and slider and improved command, and you had a legitimate future ace who would be in Queens by June.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Wheeler did in fact join the Metropolitans’ rotation in mid-June, and despite a few control problems here and there, settled down to have a decent rookie season. His 3.42 ERA ranked seventh among all rookie pitchers with at least 100 innings and his 84 strikeouts ranked fourteenth.
Looking ahead…. Wheeler has cemented his spot in the Mets rotation for the forseeable future. Fans looking for Wheeler to replicate Matt Harvey‘s dominating 2013 campaign, however, should temper their expectations as Zach’s command and repertoire are nearly a whole tier below Harvey’s and he should go through the same struggles that weather most pitchers.
Stock: Up
#4 – Wil Myers, outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 205
Born: December 10, 1990 (age 23)
2013 MLB Stats: .293/.354/.478, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 5 SB, 33 BB, 91 SO, 88 G (373 PA)
Heading into 2013…The Royals paid a steep price for Rays starter James Shields, sending Minor League Player of the Year Wil Myers to Tampa. Service time considerations would keep Myers in the minors to start the year, but, like Wheeler, he should be contending for the Rookie of the Year by June.
Now that the 2013 season is over…Rookie of the Year he was, as the 23 year old outfielder hit thirteen home runs in just half a season, getting on base at a .354 clip before almost unanimously winning the award in November.
Looking ahead…. Myers only showed glimpses of his prodigious hitting ability in his rookie season, and .300+ averages and forty home run seasons loom ahead.
Stock: Up
Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder Miguel Sano at bat during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
#3 – Miguel Sano, third baseman, Minnesota Twins
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195
Born: May 11, 1993 (age 19)
2012 Stats (with Class-A Beloit): .280/.382/.610, 35 HR, 103 RBI, 11 SB, 65 BB, 142 SO, 123 G (519 PA)
Heading into 2013…There is nothing at a higher premium in baseball right now than power, and Sano exuded that, hitting 28 home runs as a teenager in A ball in 2012. There’s a reason he was given the largest bonus in history to a non-Cuban Latin American, and that would become all the more apparent in the next few years.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Sano continued his power surge in 2013, hitting 35 home runs between High-A and Double-A, and slugging at a .610 rate. This was despite playing half the year in the Florida State League, one of the worst league for hitters in professional baseball.
Looking ahead…. Sano reached Double-A in 2013, but hit only .236 there and struck out in 29% of plate appearances, well above the major league average. He’ll report to Double-A again in 2014, where he’ll remain until he learns to make more consistent contant. After that, though, he has the potential to hit fifty home runs in the majors.
Stock: Up
#2 – Dylan Bundy, right-handed pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195
Born: November 15, 1992 (age 20)
2012 Stats (combined across three levels): 9-3, 2.08 ERA, 23 GS, 103.2 IP, 28 BB (2.4 BB/9), 119 K (10.3 K/9), 0.916 WHIP
MLB Career: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2.1 IP, 1 BB, 0 K, 1.200 WHIP
Did Not Play 2013
Heading into 2013…Bundy was jettisoned through the minor league ranks in 2012, dominating every level and managing to reach the majors as a nineteen year old in his first professional season. His fastball and curveball are can’t miss offerings and he could contend for a rookie of the year award as a 20 year old in 2013.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Any expectation was left completely unmet as Bundy dealt with elbow trouble for the first half of the season before undergoing Tommy John Surgery at the end of June
Looking ahead…. Bundy will probably miss all of 2014, but should return as one of the best young pitchers in baseball in 2015.
Stock: Down, only due to injury
Sep 26, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar (13) rounds third base after hitting a walk off home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
#1 – Jurickson Profar, shortstop/second baseman, Texas Rangers
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 165
Born: February 20, 1993 (age 19)
2013 MLB Stats: .234/.308/.336, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 2 SB, 24 BB, 63 SO, 85 G (324 PA)
Heading into 2013… Profar had been on the prospect radar since he was just a toolsy 17 year old playing in rookie ball, but he cleared his final major hurdle in 2012, showing solid fielding, power, on base ability, and speed in Double-A. Just twenty years old, he was ready for the majors but was blocked at both shortstop and second base by established big league stars.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Profar hung around the majors as a utilityman in 2013, but failed to show any of the offensive potential that got him to the majors at such a young age. His .648 OPS was well below the major league average average and anything he had shown in the minors. That being said, for a twenty year old in his first big league season, it was more than passable.
Looking ahead…. Despite a poor statistical showing in his rookie campaign, Profar’s future is just as bright as it was a year ago. Now, with former Ranger second baseman Ian Kinsler off to Detroit, Profar will have a starting job and a chance to show why he has been acclaimed by scouts for so long.
Stock: Down, but only temporary