2015 MLB Top Prospects: 11-20

Sep 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder

Jorge Soler

hits a single against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Spring training is right around the corner. Minor league names with aspirations of making the big show in 2015 will be making a lot of waves shortly. That’s why it is important to not only know the top-billed prospects’ names, but know who they are and what they bring to the table.

Grading on the Curve recently began their look into minor league guru Keith Law‘s Top 100 Prospects for 2015. We started off with the big guns, No. 1 through No. 10, who appear to all be pretty close to major league ready. Today we will take a look at the next wave, covering prospects No. 11 through No. 20.

Part II of the installment includes several top pitching arms, and, like the Top 10, many players who should be ready to contribute in 2015. All in all, there isn’t any huge surprises, as all these players were ranked highly on last years list as well.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; USA designated hitter

Joey Gallo

flies out in the 8th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

11. Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers

The 21-year old Gallo has had a lot of hype since being drafted by the Rangers in the Supplemental round of the 2012 draft. He probably has the most power out of anybody in the Minor Leagues, smashing 104 homers in just 296 games.

He split last year between Advanced-A and Double-A, enjoying his best season to date. His 42 homers were accompanied with 106 RBI’s and 87 walks. If he can keep that power and plate discipline up, he should be in the big leagues before long. The lefty’s game is far from complete, as he struck out a whopping 179 times last year. He also hit just .232 after being promoted to Frisco. If his contact rate remains low, he may not fulfill his potential. However, if he is walks as much as he has been, his batting average won’t be as much of a problem.

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Gallo isn’t the fastest guy, stealing a handful of bases over the last few years. This also affects his range at third base, as he doesn’t make many dazzling plays with the glove. However, he has an extremely strong throwing arm, which is why he hasn’t been moved over to first base. His arm makes his overall defense above above. His bat will also play much more nicely at third base.

The 6’5″ 205 pounder will probably start 2015 back with Double-A Frisco. If he continues to mash and improves his contact rate, we may see him in Texas by mid-season.

Jun 8, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State pitcher

Carlos Rodon

(16) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Rice Owls in the Raleigh super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Doak Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

12. Carlos Rodon, LHP, White Sox

Rodon came out of NC State as one of the more polished lefty pitchers in recent memory. He led them to a National Championship, and was the favorite to go #1 in the draft. Luckily for the White Sox, they were able to take him with the 3rd pick. They gave him the highest ever club signing bonus which was also the highest ever for a lefty pitcher. His debut in 2014 was very encouraging, advancing all the way up to Triple-A. He may not be very far away from the big leagues.

He made a few starts in Advanced-A, and Triple-A in 2014, also appearing in the Arizona Fall League. At all three stops, he managed to strike out more than a batter per inning, totaling 38 K’s in 24 innings. It will be interesting whether the White Sox give him a chance out of Spring Training, or if they elect to start him down in Double-A or Triple-A.

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Rodon’s fastball sits in the mid 90’s range, and can top out towards the upper 90’s. The 22-year old’s best pitch is his high-80’s wipeout slider that makes batters look silly. It is his clear go to strike out pitch and is very effective for him. His changeup is a work in progress as his third pitch, but it’s a pitch that has a huge difference in velocity compared to his fastball and slider. The 6’3″ 235 pounder doesn’t have the best control at this point, as he walked 13 batters in those 24 innings last season.

Rodon is a pitcher who should be on the fast track to the White Sox rotation. In 2015 he’ll need to work on his changeup as well as his fastball control. We may see him in Chicago in 2015, probably around mid-season. We can probably pencil him into the 2016 rotation for Opening Day.

13. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates

The Pirates top prospect is one of the most intriguing pitchers in the minor leagues. At a lean 6’7″, he’s a power right hander with room to grow. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2011 draft out of high school, signing for far above slot value. The 21-year old has excellent control of his mid-high 90’s fastball, with a decent curveball and average changeup as his secondary offerings. His size, quality stuff, and delivery lead to insane strikeout numbers.

He has dominated Rookie ball, Single-A, and Advanced-A since entering the Pirates system. In 2013, he had 164 strikeouts in 111 innings, breaking the Single-A West Virginia strikeout record by 30 K’s. The righthander was arguably even better in 2014, where his 1.75 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 157 strikeout all paced the league.

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The sky’s the limit for this towering flamethrower. He is expected to start 2015 with Double-A Altoona, and depending on how well he does, could even be promoted to Triple-A by the end of the season. There could have been a case made for Glasnow to be in the top 10 of this list, given his projectibility.

The Pirates will likely look to add the righty to their rotation in 2016. Upon joining Cole, Taillon, Francisco Liriano and Jeff Locke, the Pirates could have one of the best rotations in the league. If Glasnow can develop his curveball and changeup into plus pitches, we could be looking at an elite ace.

Sep 26, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler (68) hits a single to drive in a run in the seventh inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

14. Jorge Soler, OF, Cubs

Soler signed a 9-year, $30 million dollar deal with the Cubs in 2012, and after a slew of injuries, really showed his potential in 2014. The Cubs boast a lot of Minor League talent, evidenced by Soler being their third best hitting prospect, yet #14 overall.

He started 2014 in Rookie ball, and ended up in the Majors by season’s end. His Minor League numbers were pretty ridiculous, hitting .340/.432/.700, with 15 homers. The Cuban had a fantastic debut in Chicago as well, starting off 10 for his first 19 at bats with three homeruns. He understandably couldn’t keep up that pace, but it definitely gives him something to build on going into next year.

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Soler’s bat is his calling card, specifically his power from the right side. At 6’4 and 220 pounds, he has the makings of a 4 or 5 hole hitter. If he can hit above .280, he could be a real star. He has good patience at the plate, leading to a good amount of walks. The 22-year old doesn’t offer a whole lot in the speed department, stealing just one bag last season. Fielding wise, he’s got a strong enough arm to play right field, but his routes to balls can sometimes be suspect. He should develop into an average-above average Major League outfielder.

The outfielder should be starting in Chicago in 2015, and the sky’s the limit for what kind of season he may put together. He should be able to put up 20 homeruns, but his contact and on base numbers will be key for him. It could very well come down to he and Kris Bryant for NL Rookie of the Year.

March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder

Miguel Sano

(97) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

15. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

Sano missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in Spring Training. Although he is still regarded as one of the best hitting prospects in the game, missing last year pushes his timetable of joining the Twins to 2016.

The 21-year old’s best tool is clearly his power, which enabled him to hit 35 homers in 123 games in 2013. He is a very strong kid who should develop into one of the best power hitters in the game. Making contact can sometimes be a different story for Sano. He struck out 142 times in 2013, and will probably always be a high strikeout guy. He tends to swing very aggressively, especially when behind in the count, which leads to a lot of swing and misses. Like most power hitters, he draws a lot of walks, which should give him a consistent on base percentage over .350. In this respect, he reminds me of Vladimir Guerrero. Both are very aggressive hitters, but Sano will need to improve his contact rate to have a career like the future Hall of Famer.

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Formerly a shortstop in the Dominican Republic, he was promptly moved to third base by the Twins when they signed him as a 16-year old in 2009. Chances are, he’ll have to move across the diamond in the big leagues, due to a lack of range at third. He does have a very strong arm, so it could be somewhat of a waste putting him at first. He did have double digit steals in 2013, but he is definitely not known for his speed. It would be very impressive if he could manage to steal around 10 bags per season in the Majors.

The 6’4″ 235 pounder has been in the Minors for quite awhile, and will likely stay there in 2015. If the Twins are somehow in contention and Sano goes back to raking, then there’s a chance we could see him in the second half. But in all likelihood, he’ll play most of the year in Double-A and maybe get a promotion to Triple-A by seasons end. 2016 will probably be the first year we see Byron Buxton and Sano together in Minnesota.

16. Hunter Harvey, SP, Orioles

Drafted in the first round in the 2013 draft, Harvey had a very impressive first full season in A-ball. His season was cut short after suffering a strained flexor mass in his throwing elbow. Dylan Bundy has been the O’s top prospect for years, but the 20-year old passed him this year. The son of former All-Star reliever Bryan Harvey, he has dominated the low Minors and will surely be in for a challenge next year coming off of injury.

The best skill for Harvey is his ability to miss bats. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90’s with good control, and as he continues to put weight on his 6’3″ 175 pound frame, he should be able to throw more consistently towards the mid-90’s range. His curveball is his best off-speed pitch, using it frequently as a strikeout pitch. In 87 innings last year, he struck out 106 and walked 33. Scouts believe he should develop into a top of the line starter who consistently strikes out 200 batters a year.

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He will need to develop his third pitch, his changeup, if he wants to have more success moving forward. He throws in in the mid-80’s, and if developed further, can be a solid pitch for him. The biggest thing for the lanky right-hander to work on is his mechanics. As Law notes, as the year went in 2014 he started to throw more and more across his body, which probably led to his injury.

Although Bundy will probably reach the Majors this season, Harvey probably won’t be ready until at least the second half of 2016. The two of them may form one of the best young tandems in the league by the 2017 season.

Mar 3, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; New Yorks Mets pitcher

Noah Syndergaard

(55) warms up before the spring training exhibition game against the Atlanta Bravesat Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

17. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets

Drafted by the Jays in 2010, Syndergaard was dealt to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade a few offseasons ago. He will most likely end up becoming the most valuable player in that trade, as he’s steadily advanced through the Minors the last few years. He profiles as a power right handed, front of the rotation starter.

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His stock took a slight hit this past season, posting a 4.60 ERA with an opponents batting average of .293 at Triple-A Las Vegas. However, the 51’s home ballpark is a notorious hitter’s park, and the 22-year old still posted 145 strikeouts in 133 innings. The 6’6″ 240 pounder uses his high 90’s fastball to overpower batters, leading to the high strikeout numbers. His change-up is a solid secondary pitch, and his curveball has really developed since being drafted and is now an average offering.

The righthander should be able to join Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom, and Zach Wheeler in New York in 2015. The Mets have a done a very nice job at developing arms, and Syndergaard seems like the next in line. He may have a shot at earning a rotation spot in Spring Training. If he has to return to the Minors, it won’t be long before we see him in the big leagues for good.

Sep 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

Daniel Norris

(32) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

18. Daniel Norris, LHP, Blue Jays

Drafted in the second round in the 2011 draft, Norris has developed into a top prospect after a dominating 2014 season where he played in the Futures game, and ended in Toronto by seasons end. He’s progressed very nicely since being drafted as a raw teenage arm, and should be battling for a rotation spot come Spring Training.

Norris’ delivery has become a lot more consistent over the last couple seasons, throwing his low 90’s heat, with an above average slider, curveball, and changeup. Sometimes he tries to throw his fastball too hard and he comes out of his delivery a little bit, but this mechanical issue can undoubtedly be fixed. The lefthander keeps hitters honest while mixing all of his pitches effectively. It seems like he already has a Major League arsenal of pitches, and should only get better.

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He put it all together in 2014, going 12-2 through the Minors with a 2.53 ERA, striking out a whopping 164 batters in 124 innings. That put him 5th in the Minors in strikeouts, right behind Red Sox prospect Henry Owens. Despite not throwing incredibly hard, his high strikeout numbers show just how good of a pitcher he is. The 22-year old is 6’2″ and 180 pounds, with room for him to develop even further.

Arguably one of the most Major League ready pitching prospects, Norris should be fun to watch in Toronto next season, whenever he makes it there. He could be battling fellow top prospect Aaron Sanchez for the last rotation spot, which he should have the edge for. He’s my pick for AL Rookie of the Year.

19. Braden Shipley, RHP, D’Backs

Drafted 15th overall in the 2013 draft, Shipley has quietly progressed over the last two season, putting up some solid but unspectacular numbers in the process. Less heralded than some other pitching prospects, Shipley’s advanced arsenal of pitches gives him a higher floor than many. He jumped ahead of fellow D’Backs prospect Archie Bradley, who has been regarded as the teams best prospect for years.

A former shortstop in his freshman year at Nevada, Shipley was moved to the mound permanently after it became evident that he had a rocket arm. He throws his fastball in the mid-90’s and his been known to reach up to 98 mph. He lacks great movement on his fastball, and he sometimes has trouble controlling it, which may lead to more home runs. What separates Shipley from some other prospects is how developed his secondary pitches are. The 22-year old has a mid-80’s changeup with solid downward movement on it that projects as an above average Major League pitch. His 12-6 curveball is also at least an above-average offering, giving him three quality pitches to use interchangeably.

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In his first full season in 2014, the 6’3″ 190 pounder advanced through three levels, starting in Full-A ball and finishing in Double-A. He struck out a batter per inning throughout the season, but also walked 42 batters in 126 innings. Improving his fastball control will lead to less walks and ultimately less hits against. His 1.26 WHIP wasn’t amazing, but he definitely has room to grow heading into 2015.

Shipley’s expected to start the year in Double-A, and may even be ready to make a cameo in Arizona by seasons end. The safer bet would be to expect him to be ready for the start of the 2016 season, after he fine-tunes his control of his fastball.

Mar 8, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Henry Owens (76) pitches during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at

Ed Smith

Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

20. Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox

Owens was drafted by the Sox in the Compensation round of the 2011 draft, and has pitched very well ever since. At 6’6″ and 205 pounds, he is very lanky with long arms that add deception to his delivery. He made a big jump forward in 2014, starting in Double-A and getting called up to Triple-A towards the end of the season.

The 22-year old tallies high strikeout numbers, despite his fastball sitting in the low-90’s. His changeup may be one of the best in the Minor Leagues, getting a ton of swing and misses on the pitch. His arm speed is often indistinguishable from the fastball to the changeup, leaving batters guessing a lot of the time. His third pitch, his curveball, is still a work in progress and should be improved upon this off-season and into next season. The spin is there, but he has trouble locating it and clearly doesn’t have as good of a feel for it as he does with his fastball and change.

Owens struck out 170 batters in 159 innings in 2014, a year after fanning 169 batters through 135 innings. He can sometimes be a little wild, walking 59 batters last season. However, his opponents’ batting average of just .208 gave him a very solid 1.13 WHIP in 2014. He’ll probably need to work on cutting down on the walks, but the strikeout numbers and lack of hits are very encouraging.

If the lefthander can develop his curveball into an average offering, he definitely has the ceiling of a number 1 starter. He reminds me a lot of Cole Hamels, as both rely on their changeups to post high strikeout numbers, while not overpowering with their fastballs. They even have a similar hair cut, for what its worth. Owens doesn’t have a lot of Minor League tuning left, and will probably be ready to join the Red Sox rotation around midseason in 2015.

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