The Southern League is a Proffesional AA Minor League Baseball division. In 2013 the Southern League hosted many of baseball's top prospects such as the Javier Baez, Yasiel Puig, David Holmberg, Taijuan Walker, Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick, Archie Bradley, Nick Ahmed, Marcus Semein, Alex Wood, and Taylor Jungmann. With those top players coming last year 2014 could be just as big for the Southern League. I am going to breakdown some prospects that will start this season off or could see time in the Southern League during the 2014 season
Tennessee Smokies: The Smokies are the AA-affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They finished the 2013 season 42-27 and in first place of the North Division. The Smokies are going to see quiet a bit of talent this year.
Kris Bryant - Bryant is the No. 2 prospect in the Cubs organization. Bryant was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft. After beingd drafted Bryant tore up the lower leagues by hitting .336 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI's in just 36 games. Bryant will have a quick stop in Tennessee as he could find him self in AAA-Iowa if he puts up the same numbers as last year.
C.J Edwards - Edwards was acquired by the Cubs in 2013, in a trade for Matt Garza. Edwards had went 8-2 with a 1.83 ERA with 122 strikeouts in 18 games with Lo-A Hickory while with the Rangers. Once acquired by the Cubs he was sent to Hi-A Daytona where he posted a 1.96 ERA with 33 strikeouts in just 6 games. Edwards will start with Tennessee this year and the sky is the limit for this young prospect.
Jorge Soler - Soler defected from Cuba in 2012 where the Cubs signed him. Soler had a rough year last year after a incident at the first of the year caused him to get a small suspension. Soler then went on to get injured and it limited him to just 55 games last year. In his 55 games, Soler hit 8 homeruns and 35 RBI's. Soler looks to get back on track this year and show the Cubs that he is still the highly claimed prospect they thought he was. Soler has already been signed to AA-Tennessee
Pierce Johnson - Johnson was a first round pick by the Cubs in 2012. Since being drafted he has posted great numbers. In 2013 Johnson had a breakout year where he went 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 50 strikeouts in just 10 starts with HI-A Daytona. Johnson looks to lead the Smokies rotation beside Edwards in what could be one of the top rotations in the Southern Leagues
Honorable Mentions: #15 RHP Corey Black, #21 RHP Ivan Pineyro, #27 RHP Zach Cates, and #28 RHP Ben Wells
Kris Bryant - Bryant is the No. 2 prospect in the Cubs organization. Bryant was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft. After beingd drafted Bryant tore up the lower leagues by hitting .336 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI's in just 36 games. Bryant will have a quick stop in Tennessee as he could find him self in AAA-Iowa if he puts up the same numbers as last year.
C.J Edwards - Edwards was acquired by the Cubs in 2013, in a trade for Matt Garza. Edwards had went 8-2 with a 1.83 ERA with 122 strikeouts in 18 games with Lo-A Hickory while with the Rangers. Once acquired by the Cubs he was sent to Hi-A Daytona where he posted a 1.96 ERA with 33 strikeouts in just 6 games. Edwards will start with Tennessee this year and the sky is the limit for this young prospect.
Jorge Soler - Soler defected from Cuba in 2012 where the Cubs signed him. Soler had a rough year last year after a incident at the first of the year caused him to get a small suspension. Soler then went on to get injured and it limited him to just 55 games last year. In his 55 games, Soler hit 8 homeruns and 35 RBI's. Soler looks to get back on track this year and show the Cubs that he is still the highly claimed prospect they thought he was. Soler has already been signed to AA-Tennessee
Pierce Johnson - Johnson was a first round pick by the Cubs in 2012. Since being drafted he has posted great numbers. In 2013 Johnson had a breakout year where he went 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 50 strikeouts in just 10 starts with HI-A Daytona. Johnson looks to lead the Smokies rotation beside Edwards in what could be one of the top rotations in the Southern Leagues
Honorable Mentions: #15 RHP Corey Black, #21 RHP Ivan Pineyro, #27 RHP Zach Cates, and #28 RHP Ben Wells
Chattanooga Lookouts: The Lookouts are the AA-affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They started off last season with tons of prospects but with the call up of Yasiel Puig and a few other players it brought them back down to a mediocre level.
Corey Seager - Seager was a first round pick for the Dodgers back in 2012. Seager had a pretty big year last year where he hit .282 with 16 homeruns and 79 RBI's in 91 games split between LoA-Great Lakes and HiA Cucamonga. Though struggling in HiA, Seager should see AA at some time this year even if he starts off back at HiA-Cucamonga.
Erisbel Arruebarrena - Erisbel defected from Cuba this year and the Dodgers signed him right up. Not much is known abut Arruebarrena except for his time playing with the Cuba national team. The 24 year prospect will get his first taste of Professional Baseball this year.
Honerable Mention: #17 OF Scott Schebler, #19 RHP Pedro Baez, and #25 INF Darrell Sweeney.
Corey Seager - Seager was a first round pick for the Dodgers back in 2012. Seager had a pretty big year last year where he hit .282 with 16 homeruns and 79 RBI's in 91 games split between LoA-Great Lakes and HiA Cucamonga. Though struggling in HiA, Seager should see AA at some time this year even if he starts off back at HiA-Cucamonga.
Erisbel Arruebarrena - Erisbel defected from Cuba this year and the Dodgers signed him right up. Not much is known abut Arruebarrena except for his time playing with the Cuba national team. The 24 year prospect will get his first taste of Professional Baseball this year.
Honerable Mention: #17 OF Scott Schebler, #19 RHP Pedro Baez, and #25 INF Darrell Sweeney.
Jackson Generals: The Generals are the AA-affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Generals started off the season much like the Lookouts with many prospects such as Julio Morbin, and TaiJuan Walker. Once Walker was sent up the Generals took a big hit on their rotation.
D.J Peterson - Peterson was a first round pick by the Mariners in the 2013 draft compared a lot to Kris Bryant of the Cubs. Peterson was drafted out of New Mexico University in his first professional season Peterson hit .303 with 13 homeruns, and 47 RBI's in just 55 games. Peterson could start the season at HiA but I wouldn't be expected if he isn't up to AA-Jackson by midseason.
Patrick Kivelhan - Another top rated 3B in the Mariners organization Patrick was drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 draft. Patrick split time last year between LoA-Clinton and HiA-High Desert where he hit .300 with 16 homeruns, and 90 RBI's. Patrick will most likely be the starting 3B for the Generals this year.
Honorable Mention: #20 SS/2B Ketel Marte, #24 2B Timmy Lopes, and OF Gullimermo Pimentel
D.J Peterson - Peterson was a first round pick by the Mariners in the 2013 draft compared a lot to Kris Bryant of the Cubs. Peterson was drafted out of New Mexico University in his first professional season Peterson hit .303 with 13 homeruns, and 47 RBI's in just 55 games. Peterson could start the season at HiA but I wouldn't be expected if he isn't up to AA-Jackson by midseason.
Patrick Kivelhan - Another top rated 3B in the Mariners organization Patrick was drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 draft. Patrick split time last year between LoA-Clinton and HiA-High Desert where he hit .300 with 16 homeruns, and 90 RBI's. Patrick will most likely be the starting 3B for the Generals this year.
Honorable Mention: #20 SS/2B Ketel Marte, #24 2B Timmy Lopes, and OF Gullimermo Pimentel
Birmingham Barons - The Birmingham Barons are the AA- affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons actually won the Southern League Championship in 2013 and are looking to repeat in 2014. The Barons are still a good team but they shouldn't see really any new faces until mid season when the possibility of seeing Courtney h
Courtney Hawkins - Hawkins was a first round draft pick in 2012 for the White Sox. Hawkins came on with a bang when he made his professional debut but, last year slowed down a lot. Hawkins played last year with HiA-Winston Salem where he only hit .178 with 19 homeruns and 62 RBI's in only 103 games. Now that sounds great it doesn't include his 160 strikeouts and .249 OBP. Hawkins will most likely start off back in HiA-Winston Salem but if he can get his numbers back up he should find himself in AA by midseason.
Honerable Mentions: #3 SS Tim Anderson, #7 OF Trayce Thompson, #20 RHP Braulio Ortiz, and #30 1B Rangel Ravelo
Courtney Hawkins - Hawkins was a first round draft pick in 2012 for the White Sox. Hawkins came on with a bang when he made his professional debut but, last year slowed down a lot. Hawkins played last year with HiA-Winston Salem where he only hit .178 with 19 homeruns and 62 RBI's in only 103 games. Now that sounds great it doesn't include his 160 strikeouts and .249 OBP. Hawkins will most likely start off back in HiA-Winston Salem but if he can get his numbers back up he should find himself in AA by midseason.
Honerable Mentions: #3 SS Tim Anderson, #7 OF Trayce Thompson, #20 RHP Braulio Ortiz, and #30 1B Rangel Ravelo
Huntsville Stars - The Stars are the AA-affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Stars had a mediocre year last year with few big named prospects but this year looks a lot different and could be a big year for the Stars.
Mitch Haniger - Haniger was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft and is making huge strides every year since being drafted. Haniger split time between LoA Wisconsin and HiA-Brevard County. Between both leagues Haniger hit .270 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, and .360 OBP. Haniger should get his first look at AA ball and if he plays like he has been he could see majors by 2015.
Nick Delmonico - Delmonico was drafted in 8th round by the Orioles in 2011, the 21 year old was acquired last year by the Brewers and was sent to HiA-Brevard County. While with the Manatees he struggles a little hitting only .194 with 9 RBIs but before being acquired he was hitting .243 with 13 homeruns, 30 RBI's and a .350 OBP. Delmonico should be a little more comfortable with his surroundings this year and he should get back on track. He could start back at HiA-Brevard County but don't be surprised if he is up with the Stars very soon.
Honerable Mentions: #2 OF Tyrone Taylor, #7 SS Orlando Arcia, #13 SS Yadiel Rivera, #18 LHP Jedd Bradley.
Mitch Haniger - Haniger was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft and is making huge strides every year since being drafted. Haniger split time between LoA Wisconsin and HiA-Brevard County. Between both leagues Haniger hit .270 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, and .360 OBP. Haniger should get his first look at AA ball and if he plays like he has been he could see majors by 2015.
Nick Delmonico - Delmonico was drafted in 8th round by the Orioles in 2011, the 21 year old was acquired last year by the Brewers and was sent to HiA-Brevard County. While with the Manatees he struggles a little hitting only .194 with 9 RBIs but before being acquired he was hitting .243 with 13 homeruns, 30 RBI's and a .350 OBP. Delmonico should be a little more comfortable with his surroundings this year and he should get back on track. He could start back at HiA-Brevard County but don't be surprised if he is up with the Stars very soon.
Honerable Mentions: #2 OF Tyrone Taylor, #7 SS Orlando Arcia, #13 SS Yadiel Rivera, #18 LHP Jedd Bradley.
*Honorable Mentions are players that could make it up to Southern league this year or are lower ranked prospects.
*There are more top prospects that played in the Southern league last year that will be back this year that are not listed
*There are more top prospects that played in the Southern league last year that will be back this year that are not listed