10. Tyler Skaggs LHP - Skaggs is a southpaw from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He is Arizona's #1 prospect and with Trever Bauer's departure to Clevland Skaggs will be depended on a whole lot. The Dbacks also, picked up RHP Randall Delgado in the Justin Upton trade. The Dbacks are hoping Delgado can hold his own and by Skaggs some time but, if Delgado strugles dont be suprised to see Skaggs in the rotation.
Baseball America's Grade: 65
9. Gerrit Cole RHP - Cole is a promising pitcher in the Pirates Organization. He is Pittsburg's #1 prospect and he deserves to be it 100%. Cole is a power pitcher, his 4-seam fastball averages at 96 - 98 mph and has reached highs of 101 mph. Cole also, has a nasty slider that runs about 88 - 90. Cole seen most of his playing time last year in AA where he posted a 2.90 ERA, with 60 strikeouts in only 12 games. Cole will start the season off in AAA. I look at him to play a full season in AAA but if the Bucos make a run for the playoffs then Cole could be a big part of the Pirates bullpen. I look at Cole to make the Starting Rotation no later than the 1st of 2014.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
8. Zack Wheeler RHP - Wheeler is young gun in the Mets Organization. Wheeler was aquired by the Mets in the the 2011 trade for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler had some promising numbers while in the Giants organization but went back to to some High School antics and dropped back off in the 2012 season. If Wheeler can get back in the groove he had while in San Fran Wheeler could be in the Starting Rotation by mid season. Especially after the departure of 2012 Cy Young Winner R.A. Dickey.
Baseball America's Grade: 65
7. Jose Fernandez RHP - Jose is a young prospect in the Marlins Organization. Fernandez is the Marlins #1 prospect and he is only 20 years old. This 20 year old phenom posted amzing numbers in 2012. Splitting time between LoA Greensboro and HiA Jupiter. Fernandez posted 14-1 W/L record with 157 strikeouts and only 35 walks in 134 innings. Fernandez will most likely start the season in AA Jacksonville but if he keeps up the hard work and puts up the amazing numbers he should finish the season in AAA if not the majors. I expect Fernandez to be in the Starting Rotation by the start of the 2014 season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
6. Travis D'arnaud C - Travis is a Catcher in the Mets Organization. He was aquired by the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. Travis has potential to be in the bigs by mid season. As long as he can avoid injuries that devestated him in 2012. In only 67 games last year Travis hit .333, 93 hits, 21 HR's, and 52 RBI's. I look at Travis to start off in AAA and as he becomes comfortable with Top Prospect Zack Wheeler both prospects could see MLB time together by mid season.
Baseball America's Grade: 60
5. Taijuan Walker RHP - Walker is RHP in the Mariners Organization. Walker is another 20 year old phenom. In 2012 at AA Jackson Walker posted a 7 - 10 W/L, 118 Strikeouts, and 50 walks, in 127 innings. Walker was the youngest pitcher in the Southern League last year by almost a full year. With his youth I expect Walker to start off the 2013 season back in AA Jackson for more development but, if Walker has a good Spring he could be seeing his first full season in AAA. I actually got an oppurtunity to see Walker pitch several times in the 2012 season and WOW he is good. With a fastball sitting 93 - 95 mph. The only reason I dont see Walker starting off in AAA is he had somewhat of a control problem but, once that is figured out Walker could be in the Starting Rotation by the start of the 2014 season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
4. Will Myers OF/3B - Will Myers is a OF/3B in the Rays organization. Myers was aquired in the trade that sent James Shields to the Kansas City Royals. Myers has the best oppurtunity of making the Opening Day Roster for the Rays. While in AAA, last year Myers hit .304, 118 hits, 36 HR's, and 109 RBI's. I expect Myers to start the season in AAA Durham but he will for sure be in the every day lineup by mid season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
3. Oscar Tevaras OF - Tevaras is a the #1 Prospect in the Cardinals Organization. Tevaras also, only 20 put up amazing numbers in AA Springfield last year where he hit .321, 153 hits, 23 HR's, and 94 RBI's. Tevaras is expected to replace Carlos Beltran at the end of the 2013 season. With saying that if Carlos Beltran can stay healthy I believe Tevaras will spend most of the 2013 in AAA Memphis but, if the injury prone Beltran does go down with an injury dont be suprised to see Tevaras gets the call.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
2. Dylan Bundy RHP - Bundy is the #1 prospect in the Orioles organization. Exploded on the scene in 2012 after being drafted by the Orioles in 2011 he only spent 23 games in the Minors before getting the call to the majors. Bundy became the fourth 19 year old pitcher to pitch in the MLB in the past decade. Bundy offers a crazy combination of control and power. His fastball sits at 95 - 98 mph. Bundy's best pitch is his Cutter that runs in the high 80's. Bundy seen some relief play in 2012 and, I expect him to start the season off in AAA but, if he keeps up the promising work he will be making everyday starts in no time. Baseball America says that "Bundy could be the best homegrown player in the Orioles organization since Mike Mussina.
Baseball America's Grade: 75
1. Jurickson Profar SS - Profar is the #1 prospect in the Rangers Organization. Profar became an instant sensation before he was in high school. In 2005 Profar helped lead Curacao to its first ever Little League World Series. Profar was later drafted by the Rangers in 2009. Profar made the jump from AA Frisco to the Bigs in 2012 where he appeared in 9 games while Elvis Andrus was out with injury. Profar could start the season off in AAA but, with the departure of Josh Hamilton to the Los Angelas Angels of Anahiem. Dont be suprised if Profar makes the big league roster and plays at 2nd while Ian Kinsler moves to the OF.
Baseball America's Grade: 75
Baseball America's Grading Scale goes as Follows.
75 - 80: Franchise pllayers, and No. 1 Starters, such as Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Verlander.
65 - 70: No. 2 starter and pernnial all-stars in the mold of Matt Cain, Matt Kemp, and Adrian Beltre.
55 - 60: First division regulars and No. 3 Starters and elite closers, such as Craig Kimbrel, James Sheilds and, Austin Jackson would earn these Grades.
ALL RATINGS ARE TAKEN FROM MLB.com OR BASEBALL AMERICA PROSPECT HANDBOOK
Baseball America's Grade: 65
9. Gerrit Cole RHP - Cole is a promising pitcher in the Pirates Organization. He is Pittsburg's #1 prospect and he deserves to be it 100%. Cole is a power pitcher, his 4-seam fastball averages at 96 - 98 mph and has reached highs of 101 mph. Cole also, has a nasty slider that runs about 88 - 90. Cole seen most of his playing time last year in AA where he posted a 2.90 ERA, with 60 strikeouts in only 12 games. Cole will start the season off in AAA. I look at him to play a full season in AAA but if the Bucos make a run for the playoffs then Cole could be a big part of the Pirates bullpen. I look at Cole to make the Starting Rotation no later than the 1st of 2014.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
8. Zack Wheeler RHP - Wheeler is young gun in the Mets Organization. Wheeler was aquired by the Mets in the the 2011 trade for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler had some promising numbers while in the Giants organization but went back to to some High School antics and dropped back off in the 2012 season. If Wheeler can get back in the groove he had while in San Fran Wheeler could be in the Starting Rotation by mid season. Especially after the departure of 2012 Cy Young Winner R.A. Dickey.
Baseball America's Grade: 65
7. Jose Fernandez RHP - Jose is a young prospect in the Marlins Organization. Fernandez is the Marlins #1 prospect and he is only 20 years old. This 20 year old phenom posted amzing numbers in 2012. Splitting time between LoA Greensboro and HiA Jupiter. Fernandez posted 14-1 W/L record with 157 strikeouts and only 35 walks in 134 innings. Fernandez will most likely start the season in AA Jacksonville but if he keeps up the hard work and puts up the amazing numbers he should finish the season in AAA if not the majors. I expect Fernandez to be in the Starting Rotation by the start of the 2014 season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
6. Travis D'arnaud C - Travis is a Catcher in the Mets Organization. He was aquired by the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. Travis has potential to be in the bigs by mid season. As long as he can avoid injuries that devestated him in 2012. In only 67 games last year Travis hit .333, 93 hits, 21 HR's, and 52 RBI's. I look at Travis to start off in AAA and as he becomes comfortable with Top Prospect Zack Wheeler both prospects could see MLB time together by mid season.
Baseball America's Grade: 60
5. Taijuan Walker RHP - Walker is RHP in the Mariners Organization. Walker is another 20 year old phenom. In 2012 at AA Jackson Walker posted a 7 - 10 W/L, 118 Strikeouts, and 50 walks, in 127 innings. Walker was the youngest pitcher in the Southern League last year by almost a full year. With his youth I expect Walker to start off the 2013 season back in AA Jackson for more development but, if Walker has a good Spring he could be seeing his first full season in AAA. I actually got an oppurtunity to see Walker pitch several times in the 2012 season and WOW he is good. With a fastball sitting 93 - 95 mph. The only reason I dont see Walker starting off in AAA is he had somewhat of a control problem but, once that is figured out Walker could be in the Starting Rotation by the start of the 2014 season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
4. Will Myers OF/3B - Will Myers is a OF/3B in the Rays organization. Myers was aquired in the trade that sent James Shields to the Kansas City Royals. Myers has the best oppurtunity of making the Opening Day Roster for the Rays. While in AAA, last year Myers hit .304, 118 hits, 36 HR's, and 109 RBI's. I expect Myers to start the season in AAA Durham but he will for sure be in the every day lineup by mid season.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
3. Oscar Tevaras OF - Tevaras is a the #1 Prospect in the Cardinals Organization. Tevaras also, only 20 put up amazing numbers in AA Springfield last year where he hit .321, 153 hits, 23 HR's, and 94 RBI's. Tevaras is expected to replace Carlos Beltran at the end of the 2013 season. With saying that if Carlos Beltran can stay healthy I believe Tevaras will spend most of the 2013 in AAA Memphis but, if the injury prone Beltran does go down with an injury dont be suprised to see Tevaras gets the call.
Baseball America's Grade: 70
2. Dylan Bundy RHP - Bundy is the #1 prospect in the Orioles organization. Exploded on the scene in 2012 after being drafted by the Orioles in 2011 he only spent 23 games in the Minors before getting the call to the majors. Bundy became the fourth 19 year old pitcher to pitch in the MLB in the past decade. Bundy offers a crazy combination of control and power. His fastball sits at 95 - 98 mph. Bundy's best pitch is his Cutter that runs in the high 80's. Bundy seen some relief play in 2012 and, I expect him to start the season off in AAA but, if he keeps up the promising work he will be making everyday starts in no time. Baseball America says that "Bundy could be the best homegrown player in the Orioles organization since Mike Mussina.
Baseball America's Grade: 75
1. Jurickson Profar SS - Profar is the #1 prospect in the Rangers Organization. Profar became an instant sensation before he was in high school. In 2005 Profar helped lead Curacao to its first ever Little League World Series. Profar was later drafted by the Rangers in 2009. Profar made the jump from AA Frisco to the Bigs in 2012 where he appeared in 9 games while Elvis Andrus was out with injury. Profar could start the season off in AAA but, with the departure of Josh Hamilton to the Los Angelas Angels of Anahiem. Dont be suprised if Profar makes the big league roster and plays at 2nd while Ian Kinsler moves to the OF.
Baseball America's Grade: 75
Baseball America's Grading Scale goes as Follows.
75 - 80: Franchise pllayers, and No. 1 Starters, such as Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Verlander.
65 - 70: No. 2 starter and pernnial all-stars in the mold of Matt Cain, Matt Kemp, and Adrian Beltre.
55 - 60: First division regulars and No. 3 Starters and elite closers, such as Craig Kimbrel, James Sheilds and, Austin Jackson would earn these Grades.
ALL RATINGS ARE TAKEN FROM MLB.com OR BASEBALL AMERICA PROSPECT HANDBOOK