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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #75-71



Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

75. Jeurys Familia--SP--New York Mets
  • 2012 Outlook: "Hard-thrower, but has control problems.  Might contribute in 2012."
  • 2012 Achievements: #14 International League Prospect; Made 8 pitching appearances for the Mets last season.
  • Conclusion: Familia's control problems did not get any better in the Minors last season, but after 28 starts, the Mets called him up anyway and placed him in their bullpen--he did not fare any better.  Despite the lack of results, many experts think he can be a closer, at best, for the Big League club and was reportedly going to pitch in the Dominican League as a reliever this fall. He will be competing to come out of the bullpen for the Mets in 2013.
74. Addison Reed--RP--Chicago White Sox
  • 2012 Outlook: "Competing for Closer's role in 2012." 
  • 2012 Achievements: Notched 29 saves for the White Sox
  • Conclusion: Very surprisingly, Reed did indeed end up being the closer on the South Side of Chicago, even though there was wide speculation that the Sox would option him back to the Minors out of Spring Training and wasn't named the official closer until late May.  He only had 2 full seasons of Minor League ball, but quickly moved up the White Sox system, making 56 appearances. He posted a respectable strikeout rate in the Majors and proved to have good control.  However, he did prove to be hittable (9.79 H/9 in 68 big league appearances) and is proving to be a flyball pitcher who pitches in a small ballpark in Chicago. Despite the need to improve his command, Reed looks to have the edge to close for the White Sox in 2013. 
73. Deck McGuire--P--Toronto Blue Jays
  • 2012 Outlook: "Might arrive mid-season. 'Safe,' but unspectacular."
  • 2012 Achievements: N/A
  • Conclusion: McGuire spent 2012 at Double-A, where he ended up having a disastrous season full of command and control issues and an inability to keep the ball in the park.  To top it off, his strikeout rate plummeted as well.  Clearly, he will need more time in Minors to fix his problems.
72. Taylor Green--2B--Milwaukee Brewers
  • 2012 Outlook: "Lit up AAA (in 2011).  The next Ben Zobrist."
  • 2012 Achievements: Played in Dominican League; Appeared in 103 at-bats for Brewers.
  • Conclusion: After struggling in Triple-A (decreased power numbers, on-base%, and BB:K), the Brewers called him up for infield depth. Green posted ordinary numbers for the big league club and at 26 years-old, Green's time is running out. 
71. Starling Marte--OF--Pittsburgh Pirates
  • 2012 Outlook: "Already fast with raw power. Needs to be more patient. Might join Big League Club in 2012.
  • 2012 Achievements: Played in Dominican League; #2 Prospect in International League as well as Best Batting Prospect, Defensive OF, and Most Exciting Player in League.
  • Conclusion: Marte played in 47 games for the Bucs last season and is expected to compete for LF spot in 2013. Marte has indeed displayed high contact rate and power potential in the last two seasons in the Minors, but has a lot of work to do in improving plate discipline.  Marte is also a decent base-stealer.



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