Top Prospect Recap; 11-15
By Jason Mast
Aug 23, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets catcher Travis d
#15 – Travis d’Arnaud, catcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 195
Born: February 10, 1989 (age 24)
2013 MILB Stats (with Triple-A Las Vegas): .304/.487/.554, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 1 SB, 21 BB, 12 SO, 19 G (78 PA)
2013 MLB Stats: .202/.286/.263, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 12 BB, 21 SO, 31 G (112 PA)
Heading into 2013… The centerpiece of the trade that sent R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays, D’Arnaud had already torn up the minors for the last couple season and looked to be in Queens by May. Injuries were the only question as he had missed significant portions of the last three seasons with a series of ailments.
Now that the 2013 season is over… As always, Injuries threatened to ruin D’Arnaud again as he went down with a broken foot just two weeks into the season and did not reach the Majors until mid-August. He struggled at the plate once there, but the sample size was too small to elucidate true talent level.
Looking ahead…Regardless of D’Arnaud’s stats last season, his talent will almost undoubtedly allow him to hit and catch in the majors. The only question is health and D’Arnaud has simply not shown that he can remain on the field.
Sep 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Nick Castellanos (30) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
#14 – Nick Castellanos, third baseman/outfielder, Detroit Tigers
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210
Born: March 4, 1992 (age 21)
2013 MILB Stats (With Triple-A Stats): .276/.343/.450, 18 HR, 76 RBI, 4 SB, 54 BB, 100 SO, 134 G (595 PA)
2013 MLB Stats: .278/.278/.278, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 BB, 1 SO, 11 G (18 PA)
Heading into 2013… Castellanos had been one of the top hitting prospects in the Tigers system since being drafted in 2010. A third baseman by trade, the crowded Tigers crowded infield forced him to move over to left field. With a solid season in Triple-A, Castellanos looked to be in the Majors by the end of the season.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Castellanos posted his lowest average of his professional career, but improved his overall batting line as he racked up a career high 18 home runs and 54 walks. Detroit gave him a promotion at the end of the year, but he didn’t see much time on the field.
Looking ahead…The Tigers traded away Prince Fielder, allowing Miguel Cabrera to move back to first base, and possibly open up a hole at third for Castellanos. In all likelihood, he will break camp with the starting job and contend for the rookie of the year award.
Stock: Up, slightly
#13 – Trevor Bauer, right-handed pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 185
Born: January 17, 1991 (age 22)
2013 MILB Stats (WithTriple-A Columbus): 6-7, 4.15 ERA, 22 GS, 121.1 IP, 73 BB (5.4 BB/9), 106 K (7.9 K/9), 1.582 WHIP
2013 MLB Stats: 1-2, 5.29 ERA, 4 GS, 17.0 IP, 16 BB (8.5 BB/9), 11 K (5.8 K/9)
Heading into 2013… There had never been any doubt about Bauer’s domineering stuff and he quieted almost any concern about his overall ability after he steamrolled through Double and Triple-A in 2012. Arizona mystified the baseball world when they traded him to Cleveland, and he was expected to contend for the Rookie of the Year award there.
Now that the 2013 season is over… The “Pitching Savant,” as fangraphs once called him, suddenly seemed more human in 2013 as his fastball, which once routinely hit 97 on the gun, lost its zip. According to Keith Law of ESPN.com, he was suddenly sitting in the 89-90 range as opposed to his usual 92-93. Bauer’s control hadn’t seen any improvement and the result was dreadful stats in the majors and mediocre ones in the minors.
Looking ahead…There’s too much talent in that arm to give up on him, but Bauer bears little resemblance to his old self. He’ll need some major restructuring and until he works out all of his kinks, his future will be up in the air.
Stock: Down, considerably.
#12 – Archie Bradley, right-handed pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 225
Born: August 10, 1992 (age 21)
2013 Stats (Between High-A Visalia and Double-A Mobile): 14-5, 1.84 ERA, 26 GS, 152.0 IP, 69 BB (4.1 BB/9), 162 K (9.6 K/9), 1.211 WHIP
Heading into 2013… A high school draft pick in 2011, Bradley was still a couple years away from the majors, but could have reach Double-A in 2013.
Now that the 2013 season is over… Minor league hitters proved no match for Bradley’s sinking fastball and sharp curve as his 1.84 ERA ranked second in all of minor league baseball. Formerly one of the better prospects in baseball, Bradley was now one of the best, ranking seventh in the game according to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
Looking ahead…Bradley will be in the majors by the end of next season, where he’ll remain as a top of the rotation starter.
Stock: UP!
Mar 7, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (70) doubles during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
#11 – Javier Baez, shortstop, Chicago Cubs
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 205
Born: December 1, 1992 (age 21)
2012 Stats (combined between High-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee): .282/.341/.578, 37 HR, 54 RBI, 20 SB, 40 BB, 69 SO, 130 G (577 PA)
Heading into 2013… Baez had shown impressive amounts of power for a high school shortstop, with a .543 slugging percentage and 16 home runs in 80 games between A and High-A in 2012. He hoped to take his first round pedigree to Double-A in 2013
Now that the 2013 season is over… It’s rare for a 20 year old to hit 37 home runs, but its almost completely unheard of for a 20 year old shortstop to do it. Yet thats what Baez did in 2013, proving himself as the best slugging shortstop prospect since possibly Alex Rodriguez. The major concern were walks and strikeouts as Baez walked a mere 40 times, for a .341 OBP, and struck out 147 times. This indicates a relatively rudimentary approach at the plate that could be exposed at the higher levels.
Looking ahead…With Starlin Castro struggling mightily and striking out every other at bat, Baez could be the future at shortstop for Chicago. He could be the next major league shortstop to hit forty home runs.
Stock: Up