MiLB Top 50 Prospects: Numbers 36-40

The top 34 prospects are in the book. 15 elite minor leaguers remain in our look at the Top 50 prospects heading into 2015. Parts I through IV have been pitcher heavy with an abundance of infielders. Today’s installment of Keith Law’s Top 50 is much like yesterday’s prospects, full of pitchers and outfielders.

36. Jameson Taillon, pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

If you’re tired of hearing the name Jameson Taillon as one of the games future stars, your fatigue is justified. Some publications had Taillon ranked in their pre-2011 rankings, and in most of them his stock has fallen over the past four years. Taillon missed all of 2014 with Tommy John surgery, so his latest stats are over a year old, but before the surgery he had the mid-90s fastball and sharp curveball that justified everyone’s optimism.

A 5-10 record with a 3.73 ERA and 1.32 WHIP were enough to create rumors that Taillon would be pitching for the big club during 2014, especially considering his 143 strikeouts in 147 innings during 2013. He does walk the occasional batter—3.2 per nine innings in 2013—but 2015 is starting to look like a put-up or shut up year for Taillon and his supporters.

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37. Aaron Blair, pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks

I broke down Blair in relation to the rest of the Diamondbacks prospects, including highly regarded teammates Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley, a few weeks ago. Blair is the lowest ranked of the three—Shipley is ranked 19th, Bradley is ranked 21st—but has arguably been the most consistent and is the most major-league ready, according to Law.

Blair’s 2014 was another brilliant stroke of his work ethic’s masterpiece. 2013 was a very productive year, but 2014 was even better as his WHIP (1.25 in 2013 to 1.14 in 2014) and strikeout rate (7.6 to 10) took him from good to dominant. Keep an eye out for him in 2015.

38. Raul Mondesi Jr., 19, Shortstop, Kansas City Royals

“Raw talent” is a trite buzz phrase used to describe young players in every sport, but there is simply no other way to describe Raul Mondesi, Jr. He has the pedigree (yes, he is the son of that Raul Mondesi) and scouts see nothing but a physical specimen waiting to grow into his body. Mondesi, Jr. was the youngest player in high-A by six months, which Law says explains his struggles with the bat in 2014 (.211 AVG/.610 OPS). Mondesi, Jr. should experience similar growth as Mazara (No. 31) as he gains professional experience.

39. Hunter Renfroe, 23,outfielder, San Diego Padres

Law says Renfroe has “four above-average tools, including plus raw power and a plus arm, as well as the ability to run and play good defense in right field, so the main question was and is how much he’s going to hit for average.”

That couldn’t be truer, as Renfroe hit 21 home runs in 2014 between two levels of the minors and followed that up with six home runs during the Arizona Fall League to tie for the league lead. Renfroe is only a .268 hitter as a minor leaguer, so Law’s concern over Renfroe’s ability to be a consistent hitter is justified. Renfroe did hit .284 in his AZFL stint, so there is evidence he could be turning the corner. A September call up in 2015 is a real possibility.

40. Jesse Winker, outfielder, Cincinnati Reds

Law says Winker could be one of the toughest outs in baseball once he arrives in the majors. If Kevin Youkilis wasn’t the Greek God of Walks, Winker is a worthy replacement—Winker walked in 15.8 percent of plate appearances in 2014, which would’ve put him in second in the majors behind the Indians’ Carlos Santana.

Law sees an 18-20 home run hitter, but Winker’s power numbers argue he could hit more. Winker often draws comparisons to fellow Red Jay Bruce, who has the potential to hit 30 home runs every year. Winker hit more home runs at high-A than Bruce did when Bruce played there and he did it in fewer games. Winker also hit home runs more frequently, tagging pitchers every 18.8 at bats while Bruce needed 22.3 at bats to hit a home run.

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