Josh Norris will chat about the Eastern League beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Baseball America has been ranking the top prospects in each minor league since 1982. Every year, we talk to managers and scouts to determine the players in each league who project to be future big league contributors.
FIVE YEARS AGO
1. *Matt Wieters, c, Bowie (Orioles)
2. *Chris Tillman, rhp, Bowie (Orioles)
3. *Travis Snider, of, New Hampshire (Blue Jays)
4. *Lars Anderson, 1b, Portland (Red Sox)
5. *Jordan Zimmermann, rhp, Harrisburg (Nationals)
6. *Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Reading (Phillies)
7. *Fernando Martinez, of, Binghamton (Mets)
8. *J.P. Arencibia, c, New Hampshire (Blue Jays)
9. *Daniel Bard, rhp, Portland (Red Sox)
10. *Austin Jackson, of, Trenton (Yankees)
11. *David Huff, lhp, Akron (Indians)
12. *Jose Tabata, of, Trenton (Yankees)/Altoona (Pirates)
13. *Daniel Murphy, 3b/of, Binghamton (Mets)
14. *Lou Marson, c, Reading (Phillies)
15. *Michael Bowden, rhp, Portland (Red Sox)
16. Wes Hodges, 3b, Akron (Indians)
17. *Brett Cecil, lhp, New Hampshire (Blue Jays)
18. *Jon Niese, lhp, Binghamton (Mets)
19. *Pablo Sandoval, c/1b, Connecticut (Giants)
20. *Greg Golson, of, Reading (Phillies)
Consider this the start of prospect season, which will continue as we will rank the Top 10 Prospects for every organization in print and online, followed by the Top 30 Prospect lists in the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. We’ll wrap up prospect season with our Top 100 Prospects list in February.
To qualify for a league list, starting pitchers need to have 1/3 of an inning for each team game; relievers must have 20 appearances for full-season leagues or 10 appearances in short-season leagues. Hitters must have one plate appearance per team game. Players may qualify for more than one league list, and anyone who was rookie-eligible to begin the season can make a list, even if they exhaust their rookie eligibility during the season.
It became clear very early in the season that Portland shortstop Xander Bogaerts was the Double-A Eastern League’s best prospect, and it wasn’t going to be close.
Three scouts compared Bogaerts, No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox system, to former Boston farmhand Hanley Ramirez. Another compared him to Orioles third sacker Manny Machado, but with more power. That’s some pretty nice company.
And with a .311/.407/.502 batting line with nine home runs and 32 RBIs over 60 games in the EL before he’s old enough to drink, it’s easy to see why people are so high on Bogaerts.
New Britain third baseman Miguel Sano, with his power and improved defensive chops, ranked as the league’s No. 2 prospect, right behind Bogaerts. Hard-throwing Binghamton righthander Noah Syndergaard, acquired last offseason from the Blue Jays in the R.A. Dickey trade, gives hopes to Mets fans as the league’s top pitching prospect. Plenty of other talented arms fell in behind Syndergaard, including New Britain’s Alex Meyer, Altoona’s Jameson Taillon, New Hampshire’s Marcus Stroman and Reading’s Jesse Biddle.
1. Xander Bogaerts, ss, Portland (Red Sox)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185. Signed: Aruba, 2009.
Xander Bogaerts (Photo by Ken Babbitt)
The youngest of three 20-year-olds in the Eastern League, Bogaerts blew through his older competition with ease, earning a mid-June bump to Triple-A Pawtucket and an eventual move to the pennant-chasing Red Sox at the end of August.
Labeled a potential cornerstone player by one evaluator, Bogaerts can do almost anything on a baseball field. He improved his batting eye enough to walk in 13.5 percent of his plate appearances, but when he gets a pitch in the strike zone, he punishes it, showcasing power to all fields. Half of his six EL longballs were hit to center or right field. Bogaerts hit 15 homers between Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket this season, and scouts expect that total to peak somewhere in the 20-25 range by the time he fills out and adjusts to competition at the highest level.
As for his defense, most evaluators expected Bogaerts would play just fine at shortstop, especially given his strong arm, baseball instincts and knack for positioning himself at the correct spot on the field.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
219
40
68
12
6
6
35
35
51
5
1
.311
.407
.502
2. Miguel Sano, 3b, New Britain (Twins)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 195. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2009.
Miguel Sano (Photo by Mike Janes)
When you’re 20 years old and have two documentaries devoted to you, there’s a good chance your future is pretty darned bright. Such is the case with Sano, who boasts 80 raw power and a 70 arm at the hot corner.
More than the arm, Sano showcases strong athleticism and solid reactions at third base, though his footwork could use a little polishing before the Twins are ready to pull back the curtain on one of their most prized assets.
Scouts praise Sano’s approach at the plate, including his improved—though not perfect—plate discipline. Combine that with his top-shelf bat speed and sculpted frame, and he could be a player who hits between .275 and .300 with 30-plus homers a year.
Some league observers have questions about Sano’s makeup, especially after the Rock Cats sat him down for a few games after he styled on a home run late in the season. The concern is minor and, based on anecdotal evidence, he has learned from his showboating ways.
“I think he hit three home runs against us,” Binghamton manager Pedro Lopez said, “and on none of them he showed anybody up.”
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
233
35
55
15
3
19
55
36
81
2
1
.236
.344
.571
3. Noah Syndergaard, rhp, Binghamton (Mets)
Age: 21. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 240. Drafted: HS—Mansfield, Texas, 2010 (1s/Blue Jays).
Noah Syndergaard (Photo by Cliff Welch)
Two plus pitches and another that rates at least average is always enough to land a pitcher on a list like this. With his fastball, curveball and changeup, Syndergaard has that part down.
What sets him apart from his peers, however, is the outstanding command he displays and what one scout described as a “rare combination of power and strikes.” He uses his big, strong body to generate a fastball that sits between 93-96 mph, has touched triple-digits and features plenty of life. He couples it with a sharp curveball that improved in Double-A, reaching in the low-80s, and a budding changeup. He improved the arm speed on his curve after incorporating a slider into his repertoire this season.
Syndergaard still needs to refine his pitch sequencing and learn to keep his fastball down in the zone. If he irons out those issues, he’ll become the frontline starter scouts project him to be.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
6
1
3.00
11
11
0
54
46
23
18
8
12
69
.228
4. Maikel Franco, 3b, Reading (Phillies)
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2010.
Maikel Franco (Photo by Mike Janes
Even while he was struggling in the first half of 2012, the impact potential of Franco’s bat was clearly evident. He hit well in the final two months of 2012 and continued to rake in 2013, posting nearly the same numbers in the EL as he did in the Florida State League, where he crushed 16 homers in 65 games prior to a promotion.
Franco has improved his plate discipline and made greater contact by using the whole field. Tremendous bat speed plus a swing that stays in the hitting zone for a long time allowed him to club 31 homers across two levels this season. One EL skipper, however, noted that Franco was susceptible to breaking balls down and away, and that he can let his swing get out of control sometimes.
He’s still a bit of work in progress at third base, but every evaluator surveyed for this list believed he had the skills to stay at the hot corner, despite 20 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale and middling range. He has a plus arm and good hands, but he’s already a big boy and any more size would hinder his range.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
277
47
94
13
2
15
51
10
31
1
2
.339
.363
.563
5. Alex Meyer, rhp, New Britain (Twins)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-9. Wt.: 220. Drafted: Kentucky, 2011 (1/Nationals).
Even after being limited to 78 innings, Meyer still managed to whiff more than 100 batters at two levels, most of which came in New Britain. His bread and butter is a heater that sits in the mid-90s and can touch as high as 98 mph. The fastball can lack life, though, and he has a tendency to leave it up in the zone. He complements it mainly with a curveball, but can mix in a slider or changeup if he needs to give hitters a different look.
The concern with the 6-foot-9 Meyer, as with all exceedingly tall hurlers, is control. Trouble repeating his arm slot —not a surprise with someone so tall—led to a walk rate of 3.7 per nine innings, a figure that will need to be refined.
In his first year with the Twins after being acquired from the Nationals in the Denard Span trade, Meyer also missed significant time with a cranky right shoulder. MRI results showed no significant damage, but anything involving a pitcher’s shoulder bears watching.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
4
3
3.21
13
13
0
70
60
29
25
3
29
84
.226
6. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Altoona (Pirates)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 235. Drafted: HS—The Woodlands, Texas, 2010 (1).
Taillon showed no ill effects from pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in March, finishing the year pitching in the Triple-A International League playoffs. He made progress with his process as well, elevating his changeup’s status so greatly that some evaluators rated it even higher than his dynamic mid-80s curveball that features three-quarter break and bite.
Like many Pirates pitching prospects, Taillon throws the first few innings of games with almost exclusively a fastball that can show heavy sinking action and sits in the low- to mid-90s, pushing 96 mph. After that, he’ll mix in his power curve that scrapes 82 mph and changeup, the latter of which has deception and good contrast from his fastball. He’s also shown a willingness to throw the change to righties at any time. He’ll mix in a rarely-used slider at times.
When Taillon misses up in the zone he gets hit hard, so he’ll have to work a little harder to keep his pitches at the waist or below. He also occasionally casts his curveball.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
4
7
3.67
20
19
0
110.1
112
54
45
8
36
106
.257
7. Gregory Polanco, of, Altoona (Pirates)
Age: 21. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2009.
Gregory Polanco (Photo by Cliff Welch)
After a breakout year in 2012, Polanco kept right on breaking out. Although he didn’t turn 21 until September, the Pirates’ latest whiz kid started the year in high Class A Bradenton and turned enough heads to join Taillon during Indianapolis’ IL playoff run.
The athletic Polanco popped 13 doubles and half a dozen homers in the more advanced EL, but right now the power he showcases has only been to the pull side. Facing much older, more seasoned pitchers, Polanco nearly doubled his walk rate after his promotion, while also reducing his strikeout rate. All signs point to a future .280 hitter with 20-plus homer potential.
“This guy came up here, and right away you could see all of the ability he had,” Trenton manager Tony Franklin said.
Scouts and managers alike rave about Polanco’s ability to glide to baseballs in center field, even if he does have some work to do in the route-running department. The general consensus seems to be that while he’s good at moving laterally, he needs to improve on balls hit over his head. He also boasts a plus arm and could handle right field if he outgrows center.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
243
36
64
13
2
6
41
36
36
13
7
.263
.354
.407
8. Anthony Rendon, 3b, Harrisburg (Nationals)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Rice, 2011 (1).
Anthony Rendon (Photo by Mike Janes)
One of the bright spots of the Nationals’ disappointing season was the best pro season by Rendon, who played third base almost exclusively with the Senators before playing second base—and even some shortstop—at Triple-A and in the majors.
Despite his work up the middle, Rendon could still be the heir to Ryan Zimmerman, who had throwing issues at third base this season, even when healthy. Rendon has Gold Glove abilities at the hot corner and is more than capable at second base. Because of the vast strength in his wrists and forearms, he’s also got the potential for more than 20 homers annually and a solid average.
“He’s got enough power to hit home runs,” a second scout said. “Usually they’re bigger now, but Willie Mays wasn’t a monster. Mickey Mantle wasn’t a monster like these guys today. It’s a matter of how much power you’ve got.”
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
116
17
37
11
2
6
24
30
25
1
0
.319
.461
.603
9. Eduardo Rodriguez, lhp, Bowie (Orioles)
Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200. Signed: Venezuela, 2010.
Eduardo Rodriguez (Photo by Rodger Wood)
Rodriguez arrived in the EL in July and finished strong, allowing only one run in his final four starts, spanning 25 innings. His loose arm produces three average pitches that have a chance to be plus going forward. His fastball, which one scout projected as plus-plus in the future, sits in the low 90s and touches 94 mph with both sink and tailing action.
Rodriguez also features a tight, low-80s slider that features quick tilt at the end. His changeup features fade and drop and grades as above-average in the future, though now he occasionally slows his arm speed when throwing it. Rodriguez also has a curveball that he can bury with two strikes, but it lags behind his other three offerings.
Rodriguez can become inconsistent with his arm slot and sometimes leaves his heater up in the zone. Those are just minor dings, however, and scouts project him as a mid-rotation starter at least, if not a No. 2 as he makes improvements.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
4
3
4.22
11
11
0
59.2
53
28
28
5
24
59
.231
10. Marcus Stroman, rhp, New Hampshire (Blue Jays)
Age: 22: B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 185. Drafted: Duke, 2012 (1).
Marcus Stroman (Photo by Mike Janes)
Because of Stroman’s short stature, scouts are divided on his future role. Is he a starter or a reliever? No matter the answer, the addendum is always the same: He’s going to be very good.
Stroman comes equipped with a high-octane, 92-94 mph fastball, and despite his height he can throw on a downhill plane. He complements it with a dynamic, high-80s slider that one scout said rated higher than the one Joba Chamberlain threw while he was zooming through the minors. He completes the picture with a solid changeup.
More important, Stroman throws his entire arsenal for strikes, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 5-to-1. When his fastball arrives flat in the zone, it gets hit a long way. That explains a great deal of the 13 longballs he allowed in a season shortened to 111 innings because of a 50-game suspension he served at the outset for amphetamine use.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
9
5
3.30
20
20
0
112
99
48
41
13
27
129
.234
11. Jesse Biddle, lhp, Reading (Phillies)
Age: 21. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 225. Drafted: HS—Philadelphia, 2010 (1).
Jesse Biddle (Photo by David Schofield)
With a bit more command, Biddle would be much higher on this list. Alas, the young southpaw walked more than five batters per nine innings, a ratio that gives many pause when projecting a starting pitcher.
Biddle’s bread and butter is his sharp, Barry Zito-type curveball that he can drop in for a strike in the high 70s or bury at a righthanded hitter’s feet. The weapon was particularly potent in late April, when Biddle fanned 16 Harrisburg batters over seven one-hit innings.
The problem here is command, which might stem from his tendency to vary his arm slots. One scout noted that Biddle threw his average fastball and slider from a true three-quarters arm slot and his curve from high three-quarters. At times Biddle’s two breaking balls blend into one. The slot on his changeup, which has plus potential as well, varied between the two.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
5
14
3.64
27
27
0
138.1
104
59
56
10
82
154
.210
12. Taylor Jordan, rhp, Harrisburg (Nationals)
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Brevard (Fla.) CC, 2009 (9).
After dominating at high Class A, the Nationals bumped Jordan in mid-May to Double-A, where he gave up just six runs in nine outings en route to the big leagues. Jordan employs a sneaky delivery that includes long arm action and a stab on the back end. That deception helps his arsenal play up.
Said arsenal includes a low-90s heater with plenty of run, as well as a slider and a changeup, which he used to knife his way through the EL using groundballs as his weapon of choice.
Two full years after having Tommy John surgery, Jordan’s command returned in a big way, partly because the Nationals have fixed his delivery so he’s more in line toward the plate. Shut down in mid-August after reaching his innings limit, Jordan has a chance to open 2013 right back on the hill in D.C.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
7
0
0.83
9
8
0
54
37
6
5
0
9
43
.194
13. Rafael Montero, rhp, Binghamton (Mets)
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2011.
Rafael Montero (Photo by Mike Janes)
While his stuff is nowhere near the caliber of Binghamton teammate Noah Syndergaard’s, Montero does have something in common with his system-mate: Both are tremendous commanders of the strike zone. Montero puts his low-90s fastball just about wherever he wants and moves it in and out at will. He couples the fastball with a sweeping breaking ball and changeup that features plenty of late fade. Neither is a plus pitch, but both play up because of his top-grade control of his fastball.
Montero repeats his delivery and transitioned well to the offensive Pacific Coast League and the hitter-friendly Las Vegas venue. At Triple-A in the second half, he surrendered just four longballs in 88 frames and worked to an ERA of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.24.
He’ll be given a chance to make the Mets’ rotation out of spring training next season and profiles as a No. 3 or 4 starter.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
7
3
2.43
11
11
0
66.2
51
21
18
2
10
72
.204
14. Garin Cecchini, 3b, Portland (Red Sox)
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200. Drafted: HS—Lake Charles, La., 2010 (4).
Garin Cecchini (Photo by Rodger Wood)
That Cecchini is going to hit seems a foregone conclusion. After all, his .443 on-base percentage compiled at high Class A Salem and Portland led the minors. Cecchini refuses to play into the pitcher’s hand at the plate, doing his best with what he’s given and using his instincts and average speed on the basepaths.
Cecchini utilizes a gap-to-gap approach with a lefthanded swing made to spray line drives to all sectors of the ballpark. That approach, however, isn’t promising for power in the long term, and most scouts doubt his potential for suitable home-run output required at third base.
The reviews on Cecchini’s defense are just lukewarm. He has a slow first step and his throwing mechanics aren’t smooth, though he does have a solid arm.
AB
R
H
2B
3
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
240
36
71
14
3
2
28
51
52
8
2
.296
.420
.404
15. Nick Kingham, rhp, Altoona (Pirates)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Las Vegas, 2010 (4).
Beyond the Pirates’ big-name duo of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon lurks Kingham, a big, physical righthander who features a 90-94 mph heater that can touch 96. That pitch, plus a mid-80s breaking ball and a firm but effective changeup, helped him strike out 8.5 batters per nine innings in half a season in the EL.
Kingham maintains his velocity well deep into games. While he had bouts of wildness with Altoona—his walk rate of 3.7 per nine doubled following his promotion from high Class A performance—Kingham was consistent after his promotion. He has the size, stuff and delivery to profile as a mid-rotation workhorse, slotting in behind Cole and Taillon.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
3
3
2.70
14
12
0
73.1
70
24
22
1
30
69
.253
16. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Portland (Red Sox)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 230. Drafted: Louisiana State, 2010 (1s).
Anthony Ranaudo (Photo by Ken Babbit)
Injury-prone in college and in 2012 as a pro, Ranaudo finally showed what he can do in 2013. The towering righty was the Sea Dogs’ best starter before earning a midsummer promotion to Pawtucket.
Ranaudo gets his outs primarily on the strength of a 93-97 mph heater with plenty of life in the zone. He mixes in an inconsistent curveball that flashes plus and a changeup that is average now with a chance to be plus in the future. One EL manager noted that when Ranaudo’s command falters, it’s because he’s failing to find consistency with his release point.
Ranaudo has a higher ceiling than some pitchers on this list but he’ll have to prove that injuries are a thing of the past. More consistent location of his fastball would help him reach that ceiling as well.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
8
4
2.95
19
19
0
109.2
80
39
36
9
40
106
.204
17. Jose Ramirez, 2b/ss, Akron (Indians)
Age: 20. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 165. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2009.
Jose Ramirez (Photo by Tomasso DeRosa)
A switch-hitter, Ramirez profiles as the prototypical leadoff hitter. He has a slashing stroke that produces line drives to all fields, and the double-plus speed to take plenty of extra bases. Even though he reached the major leagues this year, he still has plenty of rough edges to sharpen. Both his 38 stolen bases and 16 times caught stealing were EL highs, suggesting he needs to work on reading pitchers and learning the appropriate time to try to swipe a bag.
Ramirez doesn’t have much power in his bat, but managers and scouts like the way he makes consistent contact. He struck out once every 13 plate appearances to lead all qualified EL players, and he’s willing to go with a pitch to get on base.
A confident defender at either up-the-middle spot with plus range, body control and arm strength, Ramirez may fill a utility role if he remains in Cleveland. The Indians have Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis as their double-play combination—and top prospect shortstop Francisco Lindor on the way.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI 38
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
482
78
131
16
6
3
38
39
41
38
16
.272
.325
.349
18. J.R. Murphy, c, Trenton (Yankees)
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Bradenton, Fla., 2009 (2).
The Yankees drafted Murphy for his bat and he’s remained a sound hitter throughout his minor league career. Scouts now seen him as a potential regular catcher as his defensive chops have improved. He has a line-drive stroke that he uses to spray balls to all fields, and he has enough pop to produce a career-best 12 home runs this season between Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Managers around the league noted how well Murphy handled Trenton’s pitching staff and consistently ranked him as one of the better catch-and-throw guys in the circuit. Those observations were backed up by his 48 percent success rate at throwing out basestealers, as his solid-average arm is accurate and aided by a quick transfer.
Murphy still does get a bit stabby with his receiving at times, and he surrendered 13 passed balls across two levels, so more defensive seasoning remains in the cards.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
183
34
49
10
0
6
25
24
32
1
0
.268
.352
.421
19. Brandon Workman, rhp, Portland (Red Sox)
Age: 25. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Texas, 2010 (2).
Brandon Workman (Photo by Mike Janes)
One of three members of Boston’s 2010 draft class on this list, Workman uses a slender frame and a max-effort delivery to produce an 89-93 mph heater with sink and run. He complements it with an over-the-top curveball that projects as a 60 pitch on the 20-80 scale. His fastball played up in relief after a big league promotion, at times sitting in the 93-95 mph range.
Workman also has a good feel for a changeup, which rates as an average pitch going forward. That, plus his willingness to pitch inside, could be the key to him fulfilling his future as a No. 3 or No. 4 major league starter.
As far as strikes against him, Workman’s fastball sometimes flattens out, and he finishes his delivery by spinning over a stiff front leg. Even with those flaws, he has proved he can succeed in a set-up role.
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
AVG
5
1
3.43
11
10
0
65.2
51
29
25
6
17
74
.216
20. Josmil Pinto, c, New Britain (Twins)
Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 220. Signed: Venezuela, 2006.
Pinto reached Double-A in his seventh pro season and began this year as a New Britain repeater, but the late-blooming catcher rocketed from the EL all the way to Minnesota in 2013. He parlayed tremendous plate discipline and an ability to hit both strikes and mistakes into the best season of his career.
Evaluators aren’t fond of Pinto’s ability to block pitches and suggest his game-calling chops need sharpening, but he has a plus arm, which he isn’t afraid to show off. He threw out 26 percent of basestealers.
Pinto’s offensive potential mitigates his modest defense. He has a stocky body and a big swing capable of producing average power. His emergence comes as Twins incumbent Joe Mauer battles concussion issues and could see more time at first base.
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
386
59
119
23
1
14
68
64
71
0
2
.308
.411
.482
The post 2013 Eastern League Top 20 Prospects With Scouting Reports appeared first on BaseballAmerica.com.