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2013 Top 115 Prospect List Recap: 61-65

By Tom Froemming

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March 5, 2012; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt (68) in the game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 152 pounds

Born: Oct. 22, 1992 (Age 20)

2013 Minors: .274/.329/.427, 8 HR, 30 SB, 41 BB, 96 K, 559 PA

Heading into 2013: Hanson absolutely exploded in 2012, his first year of full season ball. He hit .309 with 16 home runs and 35 stolen bases as a 19-year-old in Class-A. That performance put him near the middle of most top 100 lists.

This season: Hanson continued to impress, progressing all the way to Double-A this season. He didn’t dominate like in 2012, but he more than held his own against more advanced competition. His range has never come into question, and he cut his errors down from 40 in 2012 to 32 this season despite playing in 24 more games.

Looking ahead: The Pirates are continuing to be aggressive with Hanson, sending him to the Arizona Fall League. He’s still very green and has some work to do defensively, and if he is forced over to second base that will be a big hit to his potential future value. Still, he’s a switch-hitter with good speed who has already tapped into some of his power despite weighing in at barely over 150 pounds.

Stock: Up

Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 210 pounds

Born: Oct. 23, 1987 (Age 25)

2013 Minors: 7-5, 2.92 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 101 ⅔ IP

2013 MLB: 2-4, 6.53 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 51 IP

Heading into 2013: Gibson pitched just 28 ⅓ innings in 2012, missing the majority of the season after having Tommy John Surgery. Despite the injury and lost year of development, hopes were high for him as a prospect.

This season: On the positive note, Gibson pitched very well in Triple-A and stayed healthy. Over 17 starts in Rochester, he had a 2.92 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. On the down side, he got hammered during his time with the Twins. In 10 starts with Minnesota, he had a 6.53 ERA and nearly walked as many hitters as he struck out (1.45 K/BB ratio).

Looking ahead: Many pitchers struggle in both their first year back from Tommy John and their first stint in the majors, so there’s still a lot of reason to be excited about Gibson’s future potential. The fact that he logged over 150 innings is encouraging, but you would have liked to have seen him show something more in his first taste of the bigs.

Stock: Down, but he has graduated from prospect status.

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds

Born: July 5, 1989 (Age 24)

2013 Minors: 3-0, 1.15 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 14.1 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 31 ⅓ IP

2013 MLB: 7-4, 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 104 ⅔ IP

Heading into 2013: A third-round pick in 211, Cingrani had an ERA well under 2.00 each of his first two minor league seasons. That performance earned him a late-season look in Cincinnati, where his continued to impress, notching nine strikeouts while giving up just one run over five innings.

This season: With such a short track record in the minors and an established Major League rotation, Cingrani starter the year back in Triple-A. He wasn’t there long, however, as Johnny Cueto hit the DL in April. The lefty was a revelation with the Reds, posting a 2.92 ERA and 10.3 K/9.

Looking ahead: Cingrani’s season ended due to a lower back strain, but it may have been a blessing in disguise to have his workload limited at the end of the year. It’s likely Bronson Arroyo will be leaving as a free agent, leaving a spot for Cingrani to occupy.

Stock: Up, but he has graduated from prospect status.

  • No. 62 Darin Ruf, 1B/OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

Born: July 28, 1986 (Age 27)

2013 Minors: .266/.343/.407, 7 HR, 1 SB, 36 BB, 88 K, 350 PA

2013 MLB: .247/.348/.458, 14 HR, 0 SB, 33 BB, 91 K, 293 PA

Heading into 2013: Ruf destroyed the minors in 2012, leaving nothing left to prove, but the Phillies still had Ryan Howard blocking him at first base entering the season. Ruf also impressed in a brief audition with the Phillies, posting a 1.079 OPS over 12 games.

This season: Howard and Ben Revere got hurt and Delmon Young was eventually released, opening up opportunities for Ruf in Philadelphia. He proved again that his power can play against Major League pitching, hitting 14 home runs in 73 games.

Looking ahead: At 27, Ruf isn’t exactly the kind of guy you start rebuilding with, not that the Phillies have completely started that process at this point. Also, it’s a huge red flag that he struck out 91 times, 31 percent of his plate appearances.

Stock: Up slightly, but he has graduated from prospect status.

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds

Born: Sept. 2, 1991 (Age 22)

2013 Minors: .277/.305/.436, 12 HR, 11 SB, 16 BB, 57 K, 388 PA

Heading into 2013: Bethancourt has been on the prospect radar for some time now, always receiving high marks for his work behind the plate. The product of Panama has an athletic, muscular build and many had speculated that his power would someday develop into an asset.

This season: The bat is starting to catch up to the glove. Bethancourt had his highest OPS, .741, since Rookie ball and his 12 home runs were more than double what he had in any other season. The Braves called him up at the end of the year, and while he only got one plate appearance, I’m sure that was a valuable experience.

Looking ahead: Brian McCann is expected to leave as a free agent, but the Braves still have Evan Gattis and Gerald Laird as options behind the plate. Bethancourt could still use some seasoning in Triple-A, so it’s probably good news Atlanta won’t have to rush him if they’re not inclined to do so.

Stock: Up

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