Now the top prospects list is
getting good. Carlos Correa and Noah Syndergaard ranked as my number 8 and 7
prospects, respectively, with Gregory Polanco and Kris Bryant going 9 and 10.
But these next two are the number one prospects in their position, according to
mlb.com.
6. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros
And we find ourselves with yet
another Astros. Singleton had a very disappointing 2013 season, and he dealt
with a 50-game drug suspension that took him out for most of the season as
well. Yet it says something to deal with a season low and still be ranked as
the number one first-base prospect.
Singleton is mostly known for his
left-handed power and his ability to get on base. Though he posted just a .220
batting average last season in AAA, he was able to put up a .351 OBP. His power
is still working there, but he has more power than most Astros players right
now.
The 22-year-old did have a
successful winter in Puerto Rico, which might have just gotten his confidence
back. In 35 games, he hit nine home runs and posted a .933 OPS. He’s got soft
hands, making him a fine defensive player, but has no speed whatsoever.
Singleton can put up a .280 batting
average and hit 25 home runs a year. It’s just a matter of if he can get his
act together and not get suspended, as well as finding a rhythm at the plate
once again.
Last year, Singleton was ranked
number one among first base prospects, as well as number two on the Astros
prospects. It’ll be interesting to see where they will put this guy on the 28th.
He was ranked 19th overall last year.
Even if he has an outstanding
spring, don’t expect Singleton to be starting on opening day. Houston has two
guys in Marc Krauss and Japhet Amador that might be the short-term solutions
for Singleton. For now, it looks like we’ll see him this summer.
5. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins
I was mentioning before how Kris
Bryant was really making his way up into becoming one of the top prospects in
the MLB. Heaney suddenly became Miami’s favorite player to watch.
The number nine overall pick in the
2013 draft was supposed to be one of those guys to make a big league appearance
a little bit earlier. A strained lat kept him from making his season debut
until May. However, Heaney was able to work his way up into AA and dominated in
the Arizona Fall League.
Heaney has only three pitches to
mix from, yet can be dominant as he could make his MLB appearance this summer.
His fastball can reach 93 mph, but has great control and can keep it at 93 deep
through starts. His changeup still needs a little work, and is his third pitch
to use, but he has a terrific breaking ball that will make every batter swing
and miss.
Heaney has posted a 1.60 ERA in two
places in the minor leagues, allowing just a .211 opponent batting average
while maintaining close to a 9.0 K/9 rate. He was listed as the number four
left handed prospect, the second best Marlins prospect, and 49th
overall.
The Marlins have an amazing AA
system in Jacksonville. Take a look at Jose Fernandez, who was going to
continue to be in the AA last year, but instead went straight to the Major
Leagues. With Heaney, because of that injury he might not go straight into the
MLB even with a good spring, but expect him to join an already great and young
rotation in Miami this summer.
Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any
questions/comments/concerns.
-Evan Boyd
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