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Thursday, December 6, 2012

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #90-86


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.

90. Manny Banuelos--SP--New York Yankees

  • 2012 Outlook: "21, hard thrower, but comes with control issues"
  • 2012 Achievements: #8 Best Yankees' Prospect
  • Conclusion: Banuelos only pitched in 24 innings last season which ultimately ended with him undergoing Tommy John Surgery in October and won't be back until 2014. Before he got hurt, Banuelos was said to have a good changeup, but was already having issues with control and command throughout his Minor League career.  He was becoming more hittable as he moved up in class as well.  
89. Jean Segura--SS--Milwaukee Brewers
  • 2012 Outlook: "Great contact and adequate power.  Should make Majors by 2013."
  • 2012 Achievements: #12 Prospect and Best Baserunner in Texas League. Played in Dominican League.
  • Conclusion: Was involved in trade that sent Zack Greinke to the Angels.  Had Segura stayed in Anaheim, he probably would not have been called up in 2012.  But it only took Milwaukee 8 games in their farm system to call up the promising young shortstop. Despite looking overmatched in the Majors, the patience he displayed in the Minors streamlined fairly well in the Big Leagues. Segura's calling card is definitely his ability to get on base. He's expected to be the Brewers' starting SS in 2013.
88. Christian Yelich--OF--Miami Marlins
  • 2012 Outlook: "Good gap power, but a couple of years away."
  • 2012 Achievements: Made Arizona Fall League's Top Prospects' Team; #4 Prospect and Most Exciting Player in Florida State League.
  • Conclusion: Standing at 6'4", but only 189 lbs, Yelich's baseball skills are not the only thing that he needs to develop. What he lacks in homerun production, he makes up for it in hitting doubles, but if he were to bulk up, those doubles could turn into homeruns, obviously. Could also improve his approach at the plate. Regardless, reports show that he probably won't make the Marlins until 2014, but with the Marlins seemingly willing to trade anybody under long-term contract on their roster, I wouldn't be surprised if Yelich makes the Big League club by summer of 2013. 
87. Jon Pettibone--SP--Philadelphia Phillies
  • 2012 Outlook: "Throws hard with good command."
  • 2012 Achievements: #19 Prospect in Eastern League; Was added to Phillies' 40-man roster in November
  • Conclusion: Of all the Phillies pitching prospects, Pettibone was the closest to joining the Big League club, but not in 2012. His chances did not increase much for 2013. At 6'5", he has the size the Phillies are always looking for in their pitchers (i.e. Ryan Madson, Gavin Floyd, etc.). Has improved his K/9 since 2010, but high has only reached 6.8. What he lacks in "punch out power," he makes up for it in good command as evident by low walk rate and WHIP. Too soon to categorize Pettibone as a strikeout pitcher or a future "pitch to contact" hurler.
86. Matt Barnes--SP--Boston Red Sox
  • 2012 Outlook: "Might move up very quickly through Minors, but not play in Majors in 2012."
  • 2012 Achievements: #3 Carolina League Prospect; #3 Red Sox Prospect as well as having Best Fastball and Curveball in Red Sox farm system.
  • Conclusion: Not to be confused with the NBA player.  After dominating Low-A, he struggled a bit in High-A ball.  Still was able to post great K:BB, K/9, and BB/9 rates. Aggressive style might be the reason why he became a bit more hittable in Hi-A as opposed to Lo-A (8.2 H/9 vs 4.0 H/9, respectively). Might spend another full year in the Minors in 2013. 

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