Group 5 - Nearing the Top
Bako Bums
Building a quality farm system should take a while when starting from nothing. . . in theory. The Bako Bums have thrown that axiom out the window and written their own truth. Starting with the Rookie Expansion Draft last November and continuing through the trading season this past winter, the Bums have built an impressive base from which to build a talented, deep and sustainable system. A trade with Brooklyn at the turn of the new year brought prized shortstop, Brendan Rodgers. Climbing fast through the system, Rodgers promises an impact bat at a premium position. Another January deal brought outfielder Alex Verdugo, catcher Victor Caratini (who’s bat may bring him to the major league roster as early as next season) and powerful arm Michael Matuella. Verdugo has hit at every level and owns a career .305 average, shows excellent plate discipline and patience, and has one of the strongest outfield arms in the minor leagues. The one question remaining for Verdugo: will he develop enough power? The expansion draft brought the system a number of high quality outfielders; Anthony Alford, Jesus Sanchez, Heliot Ramos, Brandon Marsh, and Adolis Garcia. Any one of that group has the talent and athleticism to break out this year and end up near or in the top ten rankings. Jorge Mateo may be the fastest player in the minors, and the team has already thought about moving him around defensively to see if there is a faster way to get him to the big club. While the system is a little light on the pitching side, they do have fast riser Mitchell White, and talented arms in Hunter Harvey and Thomas Szapucki returning from injury. And to further bolster the system the Bums have accumulated six of the first 43 picks in the upcoming Amateur Draft in July.
Top Prospects: 1. Brendan Rodgers (SS), 2. Alex Verdugo (OF), 3. Anthony Alford (OF), 4. Jorge Mateo (SS), 5. Jesus Sanchez (OF), 6. Heliot Ramos (OF), 7. Mitchell White (SP), 8. Adolis Garcia (OF), 9. Victor Caratini, (C/OF), 10. Brandon Marsh (OF)
Phoenix Miners
Another top heavy system with a lack of overall depth, Phoenix does possess one of the most intriguing story lines of the minor leagues. Brendan McKay displays both the hit tool and defensive ability to play 1B at the highest level along with the pitching acumen and raw stuff to succeed in a major league rotation. McKay has shown a disciplined, patient approach at the plate that has yielded as many walks as strikeouts so far in his young career and although there has not been a great show of power, the raw ability is there. He has also completely overmatched the lower levels from the mound, striking out 11.2 hitters per nine while only walking 6 in his brief career. As he climbs the ladder the question will continue: can he hit and pitch at the major league level, and will the team continue to allow him the opportunity? The Miners also claim a couple of high quality arms in Luis Gohara and Franklin Perez, both of whom could plant themselves in the top half of the teams major league rotation within the next couple seasons. Second baseman Luis Urias has continued to hit at every level, showing the same patience and discipline as McKay and has walked more than he has struck out throughout his minor league rise. He could be a top of the order anchor for the lineup if AAA goes as every other stop has for the keystone prospect. Urias also shows plenty of range and the chops to turn the double play without fear. A trio of outfielders gives the organization three very different talent profiles. Leody Taveras is a defensive standout who needs to show offensive improvement to move past his current profile as a late inning defensive replacement. Tyler O’Neill may be the strongest player in the minors, but he has to show an ability to tap that power in game action. Yusniel Diaz is the most well rounded of the three, but he is all raw ability at this point and needs to show a great deal of polish and maturity in his game. Chance Sisco and Jorge Alfaro give the system a couple possibilities behind the plate.
Top Prospects: 1. Luis Gohara (SP), 2. Brendan McKay (1B/SP), 3. Luis Urias (2B), 4. Franklin Perez (SP), 5. Leody Taveras (OF), 6. Tyler O’Neill (OF), 7. Yusniel Diaz, (OF), 8. Chance Sisco (C), 9. Jorge Alfaro (C)
River City Cutthroats
While not a deep system, the Cutthroats do boast a very high top end. Along with Ankeny, River City is the only organization to boast two top ten prospects. Eloy Jimenez has developed into one of the most complete hitters in the minors and may have the minors best game situation power. There are others who can claim equal raw power, but the completeness of Jimenez’ full offensive game allows him to tap his power when it counts come game time. Third baseman Nick Senzel was supposed to be one of the best pure, contact oriented hitters in the minors as soon as he signed, but questions about his ultimate power potential and his ability to stick at the hot corner defensively left some wondering what his eventual role would be and whether he could become a middle of the order impact bat playing a premium position. So far those questions seem to be unfounded. Senzel not only showed the pure hitting ability, but also impressed with a patient approach and plenty of game time power to make himself that impact bat the Cutthroats hoped they were getting. He has also quelled any concerns about his defense at third base. A trio of outfielders follows the two top tens, led by defensive standout and speedster, Lewis Brinson. Jahmai Jones began to tap into his vast athletic ability, and Kyle Lewis has shown plenty of talent when he’s been healthy enough to be on the field. The system drops off from there and although there are a couple intriguing arms in the lower levels, the pitching side is thin.
Top Prospects: 1. Eloy Jimenez (OF), 2. Nick Senzel (3B), 3. Lewis Brinson (OF), 4. Jahmai Jones (OF), 5. Kyle Lewis (OF), 6. Colin Moran (3B), 7. Davis Peterson (SP), 8. Wander Franco (SS), 9. Franklyn Kilome (SP), 10. Yairo Munoz (SS)
Topic: Group 5 - Nearing the Top (Read 2098 times)
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