Top 10 MLB Prospects: Numbers 3 and 4

Tonight, catch the countdown of the Top 100 prospects for the 2014 season, to see if your favorite team is loaded with the next great players. In fact, some of your team’s players might have been already been listed in my top 10. Here’s the list so far:

10. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

9. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates

8. Carlos Correa, SS, Astros

7. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets

6. Jonathan Singelton, 1B, Astros

5. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins

Remember, I’m not including players that have played a good amount in the Major Leagues right now, and will most likely start on Opening Day. This includes prospects like Taijuan Walker, Xander Bogaerts, Billy Hamilton, Nick Castellanos, Kolten Wong, Oscar Taveras, and Travis d’Arnaud. That being said, who’s my fourth best prospect?

4. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

Ever since the 1998 McGwire/Sosa race, one of the most popular events to watch in baseball is the home run tracker. Well, let’s be honest. It’s the coolest thing in baseball. Nothing gets fans so excited when a player hits a walk off home run. Miguel Sano is going to be that next home run hitter.

 

He by far has the most power in the Minor Leagues. Sano, 20, hit 35 home runs in A+ and AA in 2013. He has enormous power that has been shown all around since the Twins signed him in 2009. He’s more of a swing-and-miss player, and not as all around as other 3B prospect Kris Bryant, but he might just have the most power in Twins’ history.

Sano was ranked as the top 3B prospect for the second straight year. Last year, he was ranked the 3^rd best prospect, but an injury during the Arizona Fall League makes me drop him at number four.

He might move positions later in his career because his fielding isn’t all-ever, but with Joe Mauer moving to first base next year for Minnesota, he might just become a DH. His arm is fantastic, though, so it would be unfortunate to see him become just a hitter.

3. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

You think Kris Bryant is good? He is, but he’s not the Cubs’ number one prospect. Javier Baez is absurd. Here’s a guy with a tremendous arm, enormous power, and decent speed. In 2013, Baez, 20, batted .282/.341/.578 with 37 home runs, 111 RBI’s, 34 doubles, and 20 steals in A+ and AA ball.

A shortstop that hit 37 home runs. His power is beyond average, and can hit for contact. Remember, a shortstops average usually ranges lower than other hitters, especially against a first baseman or an outfielder. 

Funny, we just talked about Miguel Sano, who's also 20 years old, and has tremendous power. Baez, however, hit more home runs, has better speed, and can throw just as well. Who would rather have?

Reports are saying that, depending on how well Spring Training goes, Baez will start in AAA this season. That means that for the Cubs, you might just see him in the Major Leagues this summer.

There are a couple of problems, though. First off is that Baez’s defense is not stellar; he still makes a lot of errors. Also, the Cubs have their future in Starlin Castro at shortstop. Baez can also play 2B and 3B, but SS is his strongest position. 3B does not work either, as they have Bryant, other top prospect Mike Olt, and Luis Valbuena competing for 3B. So if they put him at 2B, it’ll be a major downgrade defensively from Darwin Barney, but a great offensive upgrade.

It’s a good thing that the Cubs have too much and not too little, but Baez will come in soon, and it’ll be interesting to see where he fits in.  

Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd