MLBTR has made their 2013 All Prospect List, and two Cubs made the grade.
The players were chosen by considering a mixture of future potential and statistical results.
Catcher: Austin Hedges, Padres -- Because of his abilities on both defense and offense, San Diego's catcher of the future narrowly edged out the Yankees' Gary Sanchez.
First Base: Dan Vogelbach, Cubs -- This position was the hardest one to find a deserving candidate. The Astros Jonathan Singleton missed the beginning of the year due to a suspension and then struggled with his consistency. The Angels' C.J. Cron failed to consistently tap into his raw power. Vogelbach, just 20,
performed well at two A-ball levels and showed the ability to hit for
average and power while also getting on-base at a solid clip.
Brandon Hyde, the Cubs' director of player development, said Vogelbach's successes came from hard work. "It was an impressive season with raw power to all fields," he said. "He has an advanced approach for his age, and he controls the strike zone."
Second Base: Rougned Odor, Rangers -- Second base was another tough position to settle on the winner. The Angels' Taylor Lindsey, Cardinals' Kolten Wong, and Twins' Eddie Rosario
also received serious consideration before the award went to Odor. The
Rangers' prospect hit more than .300 between High-A and Double-A with a
strong OPS and 32 stolen bases -- all at the age of 19. The left-handed
hitter also popped 58 extra base hits, including 41 doubles. With all
the middle infield depth in Texas, Odor could make things very
interesting -- and crowded -- in short order.
Third Base: Miguel Sano, Twins -- Sano was the runaway winner at third base, although the Cubs' Kris Bryant
could give him a run for his money in a year's time (assuming both
prospects are still in the minors). The Dominican native launched 35
home runs and produced a .610 slugging percentage. However, he didn't
hit for a great average after his promotion from High-A to Double-A, and
he combined to strike out 142 times in 123 games, so there are some
holes in his game that need to be addressed.
Shortstop: Javier Baez, Cubs -- There were five players that were considered in this slot, including Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox), Francisco Lindor (Indians), Addison Russell (Athletics) and Carlos Correa (Astros). Baez, though, came out ahead when considering his outstanding
statistical results and the fact that he has a chance to be as good as
any other player on the list. Just 20, he finished the year in Double-A
and hit a combined 37 home runs with 20 stolen bases and a .920 OPS.
Hyde was impressed with Baez's ability to make adjustments after being promoted to Double-A. "He hit in the middle of the order on a prospect-laden team. He made huge strides defensively and with his plate discipline," Hyde said. "He has a unique combination of raw power, speed and off-the-charts instincts, especially for a 20 year old in Double-A."
Outfielder: George Springer, Astros
-- Springer, 23, had an eye-popping season while playing at both
Double-A and Triple-A. He narrowly missed becoming a 40-40 player
(HR-SB) with 37 homers and 45 steals while playing at the highest levels
of the minors. Springer's approach produces massive strikeout numbers,
but he showed improvements in that area as the year progressed.
Outfielder: Byron Buxton, Twins
-- Buxton was the biggest no-brainer on this list. Just 19 and in his
first full pro season, the five-tool outfielder played at two A-ball
levels while hitting more than .330 and producing double digits in
doubles, triples and homers. He also got on base at a .424 clip, stole
55 bases in 74 tries and played above-average defense in centerfield.
The Twins have one of the best minor league systems in all of baseball
and could be a massive threat in two to three seasons.
Outfielder: Gregory Polanco, Pirates
-- Polanco edged out a few other players because, at a very young age,
he showed a five-tool approach and had an impact in numerous areas. The
21-year-old outfielder showed that he may one day develop into a 20-20
or perhaps even a 30-30 player. After beginning the year in A-ball, he
ended the season in Triple-A.
Starting Pitcher: Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks -- Bradley and
Dylan Bundy grew up playing baseball together, but the former passed the latter on
top prospect lists after the Orioles' prospect blew out his elbow. Just
20 years old, Bradley spent the majority of the year in Double-A and
finished the season with a combined ERA of 1.84 and 162 strikeouts in
152 innings of work. He also allowed just 115 hits.
Starting Pitcher: Taijuan Walker, Mariners
-- Utilizing a strong fastball and excellent breaking ball, Walker, who
just turned 21 on Aug. 13, made older competition look foolish as he
produced outstanding numbers in Double-A and Triple-A before earning his
MLB promotion. The right-hander struck out 160 batters in 141 1/3
innings while allowing just 112 hits.
Starting Pitcher: Noah Syndergaard, Mets -- Jameson Taillon (Pirates), Kevin Gausman (Orioles) and Robert Stephenson (Reds) also received consideration as the one of the top pitchers in
the minors but the final spot went to the Mets' prospect. Syndergaard
showed a rare combination of power (his fastball can tickle triple
digits) and control when he struck out 133 batters in 117 2/3 innings
and issued 28 free passes. Just 20, the Texas native finished the year
with 11 starts at the Double-A level.
Reliever: Steve Geltz, Rays
-- It's hard to find a worthy reliever because many of the best MLB
bullpen aces originally come from the starting ranks. Geltz, though, is
still only 25 years old and he was the hardest pitcher to hit in
Triple-A (minimum 50 innings) by allowing a batting-average-against of
just .152. That mark was actually the seventh lowest in the entire minor
leagues. His strikeout percentage (31.3 percent) was good for 12th in
Triple-A ball. Not bad for a player that went undrafted and signed with
the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent in 2008.
>>> Vogelbach has been lost in the Rizzo expectations and Kris Bryant signing on Cub fan radar. Since Rizzo was penciled in at first for a decade, Vogelbach would have to be moved to the outfield down the road. But maybe now, not so sure. Baez will be the Cubs Minor League Player of the Year. He excelled at the plate in both Class A and AA this year.
Look at the teams associated with these potential impact players: Padres, Cubs (2) , Rangers, Twins (2) , Astros, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Mariners, Mets, Rays. Most of these teams have historically developed quality prospects or have been so bad for so long statistically they were overdue.
