2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #10-6

The next Miguel Cabrera is somewhere on this list.  But who could it be?
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos). 

Felipe M

10. Miguel Sano--3B--Minnesota Twins

• 2012 Outlook: "Might not be ready until 2013 and only 18.  Struggles with strikeouts, but might be the next Miguel Cabrera."
• 2012 Achievements: #1 Minnesota Twins' prospect along with Best Power Hitter and Infield Arm; #2 Midwest League Prospect and Best Infield Arm in league.
• Conclusion: Interestingly enough, Sano has also been compared to Giancarlo Stanton. Unfortunately, for many Twins' and fantasy fans alike, Sano is probably a long way from contributing in the big leagues.  Also, he needs to improve on his defense as he committed 42 errors at 3B.  Career minor league numbers are impressive, but keep in mind that he has yet to play above Lo-A ball.  He also needs to improve his plate approach (BB:K of .45).  He'll turn 20 in May.

9. Mike Trout--OF--Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Trout might have lost the battle to Cabrera in the MVP
voting, but heated discussions between baseball
traditionalists and "stats' geeks" ensued.
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos). 

• 2012 Outlook: "A future star.  If one of the regulars goes down, he's probably 1st player to be called up in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: AL Rookie of the Year; 2nd place in AL MVP voting.
• Conclusion: Age and questionable, past prospects in the Angels' organization dropped Trout to #9 on the list.  His impressive Minor League numbers streamlined very well in the Majors last season.  He might be the best player in fantasy baseball this year as well.  Despite not winning the MVP this year, he did gain a lot of high reverence from the SABR community and was picked as the MVP in a lot of advanced, baseball stats' websites.  He is currently penciled in as the Angels' LF in 2013.  

8. Danny Hultzen--SP--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Looked sharp in 2011 Arizona Fall League and might help in the Big Leagues, later in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #3 Prospect in Mariners' system.  #4 and #7 Prospect in Souther and Pacific Coast League, respectively.  Best Change Up in Southern League and in Mariners' system.
• Conclusion: So what do you do to a highly-touted prospect with all the skills and tools in the world? You force him to start his first year of pro ball in Double-A: not Rookie, Lo-A, but Double-A!  Let that sink in for a bit...He dominated Double-A, but struggled once he arrived in Triple-A so he might have to prove himself in the Minors, although there is talks that he might break spring training camp on the Mariners' roster, but all signs point to Hultzen arriving by mid-season, at best.  His Minor League numbers are as followed: WHIP 1.31; H/9 6.3; BB/9 5.4; K/99.9; K/BB 1.81.  

7. Shelby Miller--SP--St. Louis Cardinals

Will Shelby Miller pitch in this ballpark for the duration of
the 2013 season?
(photo courtesy of Felipe M).

• 2012 Outlook: "Dominated in Minors. Could be called up by mid-season."
• 2012 Achievements: #6 Prospect in Pacific Coast League. Pitched 6 games for the Cards, making one start.
• Conclusion: 2012, Triple-A numbers: WHIP 1.38; H/9 9.1; HR/9 1.6; BB/9 3.3; K/9 10.5; K/BB 3.20.  There's talk out of spring training that Miller might make the Cardinals' roster as a relief pitcher, but with the recent injury to Chris Carpenter, Miller might compete for starter role after all.  Should be interesting to see what the Cards do with the young pitcher, either way.  

6. Nolan Arenado--3B--Colorado Rockies

• 2012 Outlook: "Contact/Power combo, only Casey Blake is in his way.  A future star."
• 2012 Achievements: #8 in Texas League and League's best defensive 3B; Rockies' Best Defensive Infielder and Infield Arm, and Best Hitter for Average.
• Conclusion: Arenado struggled a bit last season in Double-A, but finished the campaign strong.  Stats: .285/.337/.428/.766 B:K .67.  Arenado is a longshot to break with the Rockies out of spring training, but is certainly in the mix to compete for the Rockies' 3B position.  Nevertheless, he looks to be a mid-season call up, at best for 2013. 

Prospects #15-11 are available here.

Top 5 is available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #35-31

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.

35. Joe Benson--OF--Minnesota Twins

• 2012 Outlook: "Future 20-20 player, but needs to raise contact rate and lower strikeouts."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: Benson struggled in 2012, but they can be attributed to hand and knee surgeries. Despite a down 2012, GM Terry Ryan is expecting Benson to compete for CF spot in 2013. Benson, however, is far away from ready. He has posted a career BB:K of .43 in the Minors justifying the concern over his patience. Also, Benson needs to show more efficiency when attempint to steal bases. As much as the Twins are high on Benson, his Slash Line seems to be that of a solid, but unspectacular player: .258/.351/.430/.782.

34. Jerry Sands--OF--Pittsburgh Pirates

• 2012 Outlook: "Strong finish to the 2011 MLB season, but might be heading back to Triple-A in 2012. However, as soon as a spot in the OF opens, he'll be the first one up for the Dodgers."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: After being traded to the Red Sox in the big Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez deal, the Red Sox traded him to the Pirates in the trade for Joel Hanrahan. Sands did manage to garner 23 at bats for the Dodgers last season (struck out 9 times). He has also proven to be a versatile defender, capable of playing anywhere in the OF and has even played at 1B, and a couple of games at 3B. His Minor League Slash Line is as follows: .289/.376/.562/.938 along with a BB:K of .56. He is currently listed as the 3rd RF in the Pirates' depth chart. 

33. Matt Adams--1B--St. Louis Cardinals

• 2012 Outlook: "Starting 1B for the Cardinals by 2013." 
• 2012 Achievements: #19 Prospect in Pacific Coast League
• Conclusion: Adams is a big guy with legit power. He garnered 86 at bats with the Cardinals last season and struck out 24 times. And then he was forced to have surgery to remove bone spur from his right elbow in August, but should be ready by spring training. Unfortunately, with Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter at the top of the Cards' depth chart, Adams' chance at the Big Leagues will continue to be delayed. Baseball experts and fans alike have been waiting in anticipation to see if Adams is the real deal. Power and production has been improving in the Minors since 2010 (from A-ball to Triple-A) and has show adequate patience, posting a BB:K of .60. Adams just needs an opportunity in the Majors to see if skills and abilities can streamline to the Big Leagues. 

32. Jonathan Singleton--1B--Houston Astros

Singleton showing off his big bat.

• 2012 Outlook: "20 year-old can hit for high average and high power."
• 2012 Achievements: Played in Arizona Fall League; #5 Prospect in Texas League; #2 Prospect in Astros' organization as well as the system's Best Hitter for Average.
• Conclusion: Singleton will have to be called up sometime in 2013, but the Astros have pretty much tried to defer having to call-up the young power hitter by signing Carlos Pena and even flirting with the idea of reuniting with Lance Berkman. In the Minors, Singleton has shown discipline (BB:K .70) and production (Slash Line: .291/.394/.470/.864). Reports have shown Singleton to compete for a spot in the Astros' roster in spring training, to projecting his call-up for September.  Singleton will be worth monitoring even in the Minors.

31. Adam C. Eaton--OF--Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2012 Outlook: "Shane Victorino-like. Might step in 2012 if somebody gets hurt." 
• 2012 Achievements: #12 Prospect in Pacific Coast League as well as the League's Fastest Baserunner and Most Exciting Player.
• Conclusion: Eaton did indeed get called up and filled in for a hurt D'backs' OF. He held his own in 85 Big League at bats posting a BB:K of .93(!), .259 batting average, and a .382 on-base%. He has a career .456 OBP%, .966 OPS, and a BB:K of .85 in the Minors. Despite all of the impressive numbers, Eaton is expected to compete for CF spot in 2013 and will most likely be on a short leash as he will be shipped back to the Minors at the fist sign of struggle. However, Eaton has shown flashes of his potential and despite the lack of size, he has show, thus far, that he can be a prototypical baseball player. 

Prospects #40-36 are available here.

Prospects #30-26 are available here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #85-81

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.

85. Anthony Ranaudo--SP--Boston Red Sox

• 2012 Outlook: "Will be ready to compete for rotation spot in 2013."
• 2012 Achievements: Pitched in Puerto Rican League in the fall.
• Conclusion: A nasty pattern has developed in Ranaudo's game--since A-Ball, his Hit and Walk rates have gone up while his K/9 have gone down. 2012 was no different as he continues to display command issues.  He's too young to give up on and standing at 6'7", 231 lbs., his big size might also be another reason for recent struggles as bigger pitchers tend to take a bit longer to develop.

84. Bobby Borchering--3B--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "Will be moved to LF.  Still has plenty of power.  Long-term prospect at age 20."
• 2012 Achievements: Played in Arizona Fall League.
• Conclusion: Borchering was shipped to Houston from Arizona for Chris Johnson.  At such a young age, he's already played at 4 different positions (LF, RF, 1B, and 3B).  The versatility is there, but Borchering has a few more seasons to go before he can make an impact on the big league team.  He has pretty good power potential, but is very impatient at the plate posting low on-base% and striking out once every 3 at bats.

83. Jeff Locke--SP--Pittsburgh Pirates

• 2012 Outlook: "Lefty with strong command.  Might make Majors by 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Made 8 pitching appearances in Majors; #9 International League prospect.
• Conclusion: Locke has a propensity to be hittable, but reputation of having "strong command" followed him in the big leagues.  The low walk rate, high strikeout rate and decent WHIP that he posted in the Minors translated fairly well in the Majors last season.  He will most likely crack the Pirates' rotation.  If he does, he will make a solid, but unspectacular starting pitcher.

82. Liam Hendriks--SP--Minnesota Twins

• 2012 Outlook: "Control artist to compete for rotation, but not likely to make opening day roster (2012)."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 16 games for the Twins last season.
• Conclusion: Hendriks is your prototypical Twins' pitching prospect--solid strikeout rate to go along with a very low walk rate and displays good command on his pitches. However, his K/9 has been dropping at every stop in the Minors since 2010, so that's a concern. Also has shown to be hittable so he might depend on defense to make plays for him rather on his stuff.  In the 16 games he pitched for the Twins, big-league hitters were able to take advantage of him last season.  Regardless of his struggles, he more than likely has the inside track on the Twins' starting rotation next season.

81. Jarred Cosart--P--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "Ace potential, but could become a closer too."
• 2012 Achievements: Started in AFL's Rising Stars Game; #7 Prospect in Houston Astros' system along with organization's Best Curveball. #19 Prospect in Texas League.
• Conclusion: Cosart had the tough task in pitching in both the Texas and Pacific Coast League--two very hitter-friendly leagues. Predictably, his hit rate was high, but so was his walk rate (4.0 BB/9 in 2012).  K/9 rate was solid, but unspectacular. This could be attributed to the fact that Cosart has been working on keeping his pitches low in the strike zone.  Cosart has proven to be a groundball pitcher in his Minor League career.  Scouts have admired his raw talent, but the Astros would be content to see Cosart crack the Astros' roster in 2013 as their permanent closer. 

Prospects #90-86 can be viewed here.

Prospects #80-76 can be viewed here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #115-111

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012. To read the criteria of compiling this list, please click here. "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

115. Kyle Gibson--P--Minnesota Twins:

• 2012 Outlook: "Recovering from Tommy John Surgery"
• 2012 Achievements: Best slider in Twins' system; Participated in Arizona Fall League; Made AFL's Top Prospects' List
• Conclusion: This former top prospect showed dominating stuff in Rookie and High-A ball before hitting a wall in AAA. He still showed great control and respectable strikeout rate.  Has ability to induce groundballs. Might be ready to contribute for Twins by summer of 2013.

114. Tanner Scheppers--P--Texas Rangers:

• 2012 Outlook: "Battled back and control issues. Still needs to develop as a pitcher"
• 2012 Achievements: Fastball was named "Best" in Pacific Coast League; Played for the Rangers as a Relief Pitcher
• Conclusion: After years of high walk rates in the minors, he impressed the Rangers in AAA to call him up.  Unfortunately, he got lit up in the Majors despite a decent K/9 and K:BB. Will need to work on command if he wants to avoid being another, in a very long list of, disappointing pitching prospect for the Rangers. 

113. Michael Choice--OF--Oakland A's:

• 2012 Outlook: "High strikeout rate might cripple his growth, but long-term prospect at 22."
• 2012 Achievements: Participated in 2012 Future Games
• Conclusion: Was having a solid season in the Minors before breaking his hand. Still strikes out too much, but if he can keep them under control next season and keep posting numbers, he can improve his stock.

112. Chris Carter--1B/OF--Oakland A's:

• 2012 Outlook: "Power potential is there, but has low contact rate. Running out of time."
• 2012 Achievements: Played half the season for Oakland A's. 
• Conclusion: Still displayed low contact rate, but made up for it in high OPS. Looks to be an all-or-nothing hitter as he has cemented the fact that he walks half as much as he strikes out.  Strikeouts are way too high, but still an intriguing batter with size and ability to post high on-base%. Career arch reminds me of Brandon Allen (who will be playing overseas in 2013).

111. Michael Taylor--OF--Oakland A's:

• 2012 Outlook: "26, running out of time to turn his career around. Might make big league club as 4th OF."
• 2012 Achievements: Played 6 games for the Oakland A's in 2012.
• Conclusion: Once an up-and-coming prospect three years ago, the door might have officially closed on his big league career this season. Home run rate dropped, but made up by hitting more doubles and improving BB:K. Starting to look like a Quadruple-A player, but size and pedigree and the fact that the A's have been known to give their players ample amount of time and chances to develop is all that remains for this player. 

Players #110-106 are reviewed here.

Thanks to Baseball America, CBSsports, Through the Fence Baseball, and Baseball-Reference for providing content for this project.