Red Sox Swihart Highlights The Most MLB-Ready Prospects

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher

Blake Swihart

(71) takes a swing during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Many teams’ top prospects were invited to big league Spring Training last month, but not all remain. Some are invited only to get a taste of Major League pitching, while others are legitimately battling for spots on the 25-man roster.

Big names like Byron Buxton, Luis Severino, and Jose Peraza are some of the biggest names that have already been sent down after a brief stint in big league spring training. That doesn’t necessarily mean they failed, it simply means they need more polish. That seems to be the fate of many people of the following list. Either someone is blocking them already on the 25-man roster or they didn’t look honed this March.

The following is a list of the best players who have either already been sent down, or are expected to be sent down to the Minors before the season starts. I will select one player per position, plus one right handed and one left handed pitcher. The only criteria that will be used is the players’ abilities to have an impact during the 2015 season.

Next: Who's on First?

Mar 13, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman

Joey Gallo

(70) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher- Blake Swihart, Red Sox

It would be tough to find any player who advanced more as a prospect in 2014 than the Red Sox prospect. Having never played above A-ball, Swihart tore up Double-A, hitting for an OPS of .840, while hitting 12 homers and stealing 7 bases in just 92 games. The spark in his offensive game is that much more impressive considering he is one of the best defensive catchers in the Minor Leagues. He is off to a hot start in Spring Training as well, going 7 for 15 with a homer. The 2011 first rounder has been the center of trade rumors recently, but the Red Sox have wisely held on to him. With Christian Vasquez and Ryan Hanigan on the roster as the current catchers, there is good reason to believe Swihart can compete for playing time right away. He didn’t have the same success in Triple-A as he did in Double-A, so the team is probably right in starting him there to get him more experience. With some success in Triple-A, we should see the 22-year old in Boston soon, especially if their current catchers struggle.

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Shortstop- Francisco Lindor, Indians

As one of the top prospects in the Minor Leagues, there has been considerable buzz about Lindor for the last couple years. The Indians have been cautious with the youngster, having already announced that he will begin the season in Triple-A. The 21-year old’s defense is spectacular, and should make him a Gold Glover at the next level. His offensive game should make him a top of the order bat as well, with a solid contact ability and speed to steal 25 bags a year. He also displayed surprising power last year, hitting 11 combined homers between Double-A and Triple-A. The Indians likely want the Puerto Rican to improve in the on base department, where he had just a .307 OBP since being called up last year. Lindor is the complete package, and will likely be the starting shortstop in Cleveland by midseason.

Next: Rounding out the Infield

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

Third Base- Miguel Sano, Twins

Sano has been on the prospect radars for some time now, after staring in a documentary before he came over to the United States. When the Twins signed him, he was regarded as one of the best Cuban prospects of all time. His power comes from a smooth swing, hitting 35 homers in 2013 split between Advanced-A and Double A. Many expected the 22-year old to be ready for primetime in 2015, but Tommy John surgery sidelined him for the entire 2014 campaign. The Twins have already announced that he will start in the Minor Leagues, but there is a strong chance that he will be up by mid-season. His power and high contact rate, combined with his solid defense and throwing arm project him to be a star in the big leagues. He should be a middle-of-the-order slugger in Minnesota by this time next year.

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Left Field- Jesse Winker, Reds

Winker has quietly been among the top outfield prospects in the game over the last few years. He doesn’t have any skills that wow you, but he has all the makings of a Major League regular. The 21-year old has a high contact rate and plate discipline that is well beyond his age. He probably won’t be a guy who hits 20 homers, but he should be in the teens consistently. The lefthanded hitter won the batting title in the Arizona Fall League which created momentum toward Spring Training, but the team has already announced that he has been sent to the Minors. The 6 foot 3, 210 pounder is solid across the board, and should only get better after another season in the Minor Leagues. Since he only played 21 games in Double-A last season, it would be unrealistic for him to make the Reds out of Spring Training. The Reds probably won’t have much reason to rush him either, which means he is almost a lock to spend the year between Double-A and Triple-A. His all-around game could probably be useful to the Reds right now, but he has the potential to be a star as he develops. He should be the starting left fielder in Cincinnati by Opening Day 2016.

Next: Outfield Prospects

Mar 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder

Michael Taylor

(3) shakes hands with third base coach

Bob Henley

(14) following a solo home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Center Field- Michael Taylor, Nationals

Taylor’s outstanding 2014 season led to being called up by Washington as a September call-up. He had a .915 OPS, including 23 homers and 37 teals. The 23-year old definitely appears ready for the big leagues, but the teams outfield depth may lead to him starting the year in Triple-A. He did most of his damage in 2014 in Double-A, playing just 29 games in Triple-A and the Major Leagues. One flaw with Taylor’s game is his high strikeout numbers. The Nationals can definitely live with the strikeouts as long as his contact rate and power stay where they’re at. His speed game really makes him a complete player, one that could possibly hit 30/30 one day. Due to the injury of center fielder Denard Span, there is a chance that Taylor can earn a starting spot out of Spring Training. This move could be forced upon the Nats, given there lack of other CF options. Taylor has performed well this Spring too, going 7 for 24 with a homer and a steal. I’m sure they would like to give him a few more at bats in Triple-A, but he will undoubtedly have some impact on the 2015 team.

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Right Field- Domingo Santana, Astros

Santana has been pretty frustrating to Astros fans over the last year. He had an outstanding 2014 season, hitting .296/.384/.474, with 16 homers. He had hit over 20 homers the previous two years, possibly giving up some power in exchange for a higher contact rate. The Astros were happy enough with his performance that they called him up last September. The 22-year old didnt manage to record a hit in 17 at bats in his debut, striking out 14 times. If that wasn’t enough, he started Spring Training going 0 for his first 10 at bats with 6 strikeouts, leading to the team sending him down. However, Santana is clearly not this bad, as his solid Triple-A numbers show. He did have high strikeout numbers throughout his Minor League career, but there is no reason to believe he shouldn’t be able to hit for a decent average and provide some power. Also worth noting is that he has a cannon for an arm from right field, which should be useful to the Astros once he becomes a regular. He will start the year in Triple-A, where he should hopefully be able to regain the confidence that he had last season. If he can post some more solid numbers, then we should be seeing him in Houston again by mid-season.

Next: Live Arms

Mar 16, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher

Dylan Bundy

(49) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Right-Handed Pitcher- Dylan Bundy, Orioles

Dylan Bundy has been a top prospect for a number of years now, having dealt with some injuries that have slowed down his development. Tommy John Surgery led to him sitting out the entire 2013 season, and he only pitched 9 games. Even though the last time he pitched above A-ball was his debut in 2012, Bundy shouldn’t have to stay in the Minors for too long before being able to make an impact in Baltimore. The 22-year old was sent down on Monday, and will likely start the year in Double-A. He struggled with control issues in his 6 innings of Spring Training work, so he will need to harness some consistent control before getting a chance in the Majors. Providing he can stay healthy, he should make strides towards the big leagues by seasons end. His overall buzz has been diminished over the last couple years because of the injuries, but I still believe he has what it takes to be a top of the rotation starter.