Minor League Previews: Southern League North
Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
As the Grading on the Curve staff moves through the minor leagues, we kick off the Double-A previews with the Southern League. The Northern Division is home to the league’s defending champions, as well as some talented players looking to make a move in 2014.
Birmingham Barons
Parent Club: Chicago White Sox
Compared to others, the White Sox have a pretty thin minor league system. That said, the Birmingham Barons were champions last season, and look to defend their 2013 Southern League title with a talented and athletic group on board for 2014. In fact, the Birmingham roster is seemingly the most talented among White Sox affiliates at the start of the full-season schedule.
Pitchers
Three of the top prospects in the system will pitch for the Barons in 2013. Right-hander Chris Beck got the nod to start in the exhibition opener against the big league club, and looks to improve on a strong 2013 season. The 2012 second round pick made five starts for Birmingham last year (2-2, 2.89). Fellow right-hander Chris Bassitt will also factor into the rotation, while lefty Scott Snodgress returns for his second season in Double-A. The trio comprises the top three pitching prospects not named Erik Johnson according to our 2014 Top 15 Prospects List. Right-handed prospect Nestor Molina, a member of the 40-man roster, will also open in Birmingham.
Hitters
The Barons will start 2014 with a lot of speed and athleticism on the roster. Many of the players featured in our Thick as Thieves feature on White Sox base stealers will either start the season in Birmingham or may find their way over the course of the summer.
Infielder Micah Johnson is one of the most exciting players in the White Sox system, and provided a playoff spark for the Barons at the end of last season. The speedster is likely to play second base and hit leadoff, but could move up to Triple-A Charlotte, or possibly even the south side of Chicago before the season is over.
In the outfield, prospects Keenyn Walker and Trayce Thompson will return to Birmingham after playing all of 2013 for the Barons. Both players have power and speed, though Thompson has displayed more of an ability to go deep thus far in his career. Walker and Thompson have each struggled to hit for average, mainly due to high strikeout rates, but have potential and could move up to Charlotte with strong starts. If either is promoted, look for Courtney Hawkins or Jacob May to take their place.
Kevan Smith is expected to see most of the playing time behind the plate in 2013. A big-bodied hit-first catcher, Smith has 31 home runs in three professional seasons to date. He ended last season strong posting a .313/.399/.470 line in the second half of 2013 for High Class-A Winston-Salem.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Chattanooga Lookouts
Parent Club: Los Angeles Dodgers
While there are a handful of exciting prospects currently in the Dodgers system, it seems that few of those will start the season in Chattanooga. However, the club could see a few prospects return early in the season before moving to Triple-A Albuquerque or up to the big leagues. Later in 2014, the club may see more talent moving up through the system.
Pitchers
Because of the depth of the Dodgers Triple-A pitching staff, the Lookouts could again offer one of the more prospect-laden pitching staffs in the Southern League to start 2014. The trio of Zach Lee, Chris Reed and Ross and Ross Stripling all spent time in Chattanooga last season, and may begin the 2014 season there as well. The three are considered among the top four pitching prospects in the organization, and all could spend the majority of the season in Albuquerque, and even part of it in Los Angeles.
The right-handed Lee posted good numbers in Chattanooga last season, including a 3.22 ERA and 131 strikeouts with only 35 walks in 143 innings. The 22-year old Lee may see the bulk of his work in Triple-A, and could be in Los Angeles by the end of the summer. Reed, a left-hander may return after a solid 2013 season for Chattanooga. Also a former first round pick, Reed went 4-11, with a 3.86 in 2013 across 29 appearances.
Stripling has done nothing but impress as a professional in two seasons. After carving up hitters in the Pioneer League with a 1.24 ERA in 14 appearances in 2012, Stripling jumped to Double-A after just six starts in the Cal League last season. For the Lookouts, the 2012 fifth round pick went 6-4 with a 2.78 ERA across 21 appearances, which included 16 starts. The righty allowed 91 hits and 19 walks in 94 innings, and struck out 83. He could become the top starter for Chattanooga if the others graduate.
The club may also feature relievers Pedro Baez, a member of the 40-man roster, as well as Hector Nelo, who has been known to throw a baseball in excess of 100mph, though both could see most of their time at Triple-A.
Looking down the line, top pitching prospect Julio Urias could make the jump to Double-A before the season ends. The lefty has been as impressive as a 17-year old can be as a professional and compiled a 2-0 record and 2.48 ERA in 18 starts for Great Lakes last season. Fellow 2013 Loons Chris Anderson and Tom Windle could see time in Chattanooga as well after starting the season in the California League.
Hitters
With top prospect Joc Pederson expected to play the majority of the season in Triple-A, there are not a lot of big time position players anticipated in Chattanooga early this season. Outfielders Scott Schebler and Jon Garcia are likely to open in Double-A. Do not be surprised to see fellow prospect Corey Seager get an opportunity with the Lookouts before the summer is over, though the infield prospect will start the season in Rancho Cucamonga.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Huntsville Stars
Parent Club: Milwaukee Brewers
Before the club relocates to Biloxi, Mississippi after this season, fans in Huntsville will have an opportunity to see some of the Brewers better pitching prospects in 2014.
Pitchers
As far as Brewers prospects go, the Stars will feature much more interest on the mound than in the field at the start of 2014. Led by 2011 first round pick Taylor Jungmann (10-10, 4.33 in 2013), Huntsville will feature a handful of intriguing hurlers this season. To this point, Jungmann has not quite lived up to the top-of-the-rotation potential most project for a starter selected early in the first round. However, the former Texas Longhorn can make an impact at the big league level, and could make his debut at some point this season with a strong repeat performance in Double-A.
Fellow prospect Drew Gagnon will join Jungmann in the rotation, as will Brooks Hall, a member of the 40-man roster. After two seasons in the Florida State League, the Brewers’ second 2011 first round pick, lefty Jed Bradley should see time with the Stars, also. Damien Magnifico, along with fastball that consistently hits triple digits, is slated to open in Huntsville as well. Both Bradley and Magnifico saw action with the Double-A club throughout spring training.
Coming out of the bullpen, Huntsville will feature hard throwing right-hander, and potential future closer, David Goforth. Kevin Shackelford, a member of the 40-man roster, will open with Huntsville as well after posting a 0.92 ERA and .217 BAA in 20 appearances out of the pen in 2013. Right-hander Tyler Cravy had his best season as a professional, by far, for Brevard County in 2013 and could see time in Double-A at some point this season.
Hitters
Though not officially listed on the roster at this point, outfield prospect Mitch Haniger has spent a large chunk of time with the Double-A squad in spring training. The 2012 first round supplemental pick posted a .250/.323/.396 for High Class-A Brevard County in 2013. Fellow outfield prospect D’Vontrey Richardson is slated to begin the year with Huntsville after an impressive 2013 season in which he hit .325/.372/.412, all his top marks as a professional, in 52 games in the Florida State League.
Milwaukee’s 2013 Minor League Player of the Year, Jason Rogers also saw time with the Stars in camp after a strong Double-A campaign last season, in which he hit .270/.346/.468 with 22 home runs and 87 RBI, but could spend the majority of the year in Nashville. Shortstop prospect Yadiel Rivera is likely to return to Brevard County to begin 2014, but could rise to Huntsville quickly with a strong start.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson Generals
Parent Club: Seattle Mariners
The Jackson Generals were the class of the Southern League’s Northern Division in the second half last season, going 42-27. However, at this point the Generals feature the fewest prospect in the league.
Pitchers
Reliever Carson Smith is the biggest pitching prospect expected to start the season with the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate, though he may prove worthy of Triple-A instead. The imposing 2011 8th round pick pitched in 44 games for Jackson last season, posting a 1.98 ERA with 15 saves. The righty struck out 71 hitters and walked only 17 in 50 innings in 2013.
Possibly joining Smith in the pen is Dominic Leone. The slightly built right-hander put together a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he notched six saves. Leone has move quickly through the system after being selected in the 16th round in 2012, and pitched at three levels in 2013. Thus far as a professional, the 23-year old has held hitters to a .201 BAA, 1.95 ERA and has 103 strikeouts in 97 innings.
Though likely a stretch, it is not out of the realm of possibility that starting pitching prospects Victor Sanchez and Tyler Pike could see time in Jackson in the second half.
Hitters
There are a few more recognizable names in the lineup for the Generals in 2014, led by shortstop Chris Taylor and outfielder Julio Morban. Taylor appeared in 67 games for the Generals last season, posting a line of .293/.391/.383 after tearing up High Class-A in the first half. The 23-year old is good with the glove and on the base paths, stealing 38 bases in 43 total attempts last season. He appeared in 20 games this spring for the big league club, but hit just .125/.192/.292 in 29 plate appearances.
The 22-year old Morban is expected to return to Double-A for the start of the season, but could see plenty of time in Tacoma as well in 2014. A left-handed hitter with power, Morban hit .300/.382/.600, including two home runs, in 13 Major League spring training games for the Mariners.
Jabari Blash will also spend time in the outfield for Jackson this season, following an impressive 29 late season games in Double-A in 2013. The 24-year old posted a .309/.442/.619 line with 9 home runs in only 97 at-bats for Jackson last season, after spending much of the year in High Desert.
Catcher John Hicks will handle most of the load behind the plate in 2014, though Tyler Marlette could make his way to Jackson before all is said and done. Expect infield prospects D.J. Peterson and Patrick Kivlehan to see time later in the summer, as well as outfielder Gabriel Guerrero. Kivlehan will likely be the first to join the Generals after he posted a .320/.384/.530 line in High Desert in the second half of 2013.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Smokies
Parent Club: Chicago Cubs
Considered among the early favorites for the Southern League title, there will be plenty of star power this season on the Tennessee Smokies roster. Boasting one of the best farm systems in the game, the Cubs will send several top prospects to Double-A in 2014, many of which were part of a Florida State League championship Daytona Cubs roster in 2013.
Pitchers
Right-handed starter Corey Black spent all of last season in High Class-A, first in Tampa and then in Daytona following a mid-season trade from the Yankees. Fellow righty Ivan Pineyro also joined the club in Daytona after being acquired from the Nationals, as did Cubs top pitching prospect C.J. Edwards, the third pitching prospect to come aboard after a 2013 trade. Edwards has been the most impressive to date, tossing 23 innings for Daytona after spending the early part of the year in Low Class-A Hickory in the Rangers’ system. In two seasons as a professional, Edwards has a 13-5 record and 1.72 ERA in 38 appearances (37 starts), with an astounding 240 strikeouts in 183 innings, while allowing just 103 hits over that span. None of the three are guaranteed to begin the season in Double-A at this point, but should see time in Tennessee in 2014.
Unlike those previously mentioned, right-handed pitcher Pierce Johnson was drafted by the Cubs. He was a first round supplemental pick in 2012. Johnson also spent most of last season in Daytona, and posted a 6-1 record with a 2.22 ERA in 49 innings after starting 13 games early in the year for Kane County. Reliever Armando Rivero should join the group in Double-A after appearing in six games for the Smokies last season.
Hitters
The biggest name among those slated for Tennessee this season is Kris Bryant, whom many feel is the favorite to become the Cubs’ third baseman of the future. In his first professional season, the 22-year old Bryant posted an impressive slash of .336/.390/.688, with nine home runs and 32 RBI in only 36 games and helped High Class-A Daytona win the Florida State League. His stay with the Smokies could be short, as Bryant is not far from making an impact on the north side of Chicago.
The outfield in Tennessee will be star-studded, with Jorge Soler and Albert Almora slated to spend time in Double-A in 2014. Soler is likely to start the season as the Smokies’ right fielder after a good year at the plate for Daytona last season. The 22-year old Cuba native hit .281/.343/.467 with eight home runs in 2013, and could prove ready for a big league call-up before all is said and done. Fellow Cuban Rubi Silva is expected to start the season in the Smokies’ outfield as well.
While likely to start the season in High Class-A Daytona, Albert Almora will probably see time with the Smokies this season. Though he has struggled with injuries at times as a professional, Almora, 20, has certainly lived up to the expectations that come with being selected high in the first round. In 94 professional games across two seasons, the right-handed hitter has compiled a .326/.361/.465 line. Reportedly in a concentrated attempt to keep him together with Soler, the Cubs are being aggressive with Almora. He has not disappointed, and put together a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League after last season as the league’s second youngest player.