This is a cotinuation of my previous blog about the MiLB Southern League. In the previous blog we covered the South division. You can find the link here! The Northern Division could be the best division going into the season. The Nothern teams could be covered up in talent. The the Northern division consist of teams from the Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Brewers, and Mariners. Last year the Chattanooga (dodgers) won the southern league title but, the Smokies (Cubs) could be the team to watch out for and thats who we will start off with on this segment.
Tennessee Smokies - The Tennessee Smokies are the double-AA affiliate of the Chicago cubs, the Smokies finished the 2012 seson 37-33. The Smokies could see tons of young talent this year!!!
Javier Baez SS - Javier was the 1st round draft pick by the cubs in 2011. Javier most unique feature is his bat speed. Baez's bat speed is comparable to Gary Sheffield. For you kids that dont remember Gary; google it. Baez spent his 2012 season split between loA and hiA. In Loa Baez hit .333, 12 HRs, 33 RBI's, and 20 stolen bases. Baez will most likely start the season off in AA-Tennesee moving last year shortstop Junior Lake to 3B. Baseball America Grade: 65
Albert Almora OF - Almora was the 1st round draft pick in 2012. Almora is fresh out of high school and only 19 year old. He is said to have the best raw talent out of high school in a long time. last year in Short season and Rookie league Almora hit very well. With a Batting Average of .321, 45 hits, 2 HR's, 19 RBI's and 5 SB's. In just 33 games. Almora could start his season out at HiA Daytona or LoA Peoria but, Almora could strongly finish the season off in AA-Tennessee. Baseball America Grade: 60
Jorge Soler OF - Was the best prospect our of Cuba. He was signed in 2012 by the Cubs. The Cuban defector has a very good bat and while he is predicted to start the season off in HiA Daytona. Soler could easily be in AA-Tennessee by midseason. Soler only played 34 games last year split between Rookie League and LoA Peoria. Soler hit .299 with 40 hits, 5 HRs, 25 RBI's and 12 Stolen Bases. Soler is said to have above average arm strength and once he gets the right field down he will be a real valuable source for the Cubs.
Honerable Mention: (#4 RP Arodys Vizcaino), (#6 RHP Pierce Johnson), (#7 1B Dan Vogelbach) and (#8 3B Jeimer Candelario)
Chattanooga Lookouts - The Lookouts are the AA- Affiliate of the Los Angelas Dodgers. The lookouts are the returning champions from 2012. With the Dodgers changing owners and money being put into the team alot of young talent is being dangled down in the minors or being traded for big time athletes. I suspect the Lookouts to stay in rare form and stay atop of the southern league.
Yasiel Puig OF - Puig was signed out of Cuba in 2012 by the Dodgers. Puig spent a half of a season in Rookie League and HiA last year. Last year Puig hit .354, with 5 HR's, 15 RBI's, and 8 SB's. Puig put up promising numbers in only 23 games last year. Puig will probably start off in AA-Chattanooga. Baseball America graded Puig: 65
Corey Seager SS - Seager is the younger brother of Mariners 3B Kyle Seager, Corey was drafted 18th overall in the 2012 draft. Fresh out of High School and only 19 years old Seager, could be a top notch prospect for the Dodgers. In Rookie league last year Seager hit .309, 54 hits, 8 HR's, and 8 SB's. Seager will most likely start off in LoA Great Lakes, but if he puts up the same numbers as last year dont be suprised if he finishes in AA-Chattanooga
Honerable Mentions: (#4 Joc Pederson) (#5 RP Zach Lee), (#6 LP Chris Reed) and (#7 Onelki Garcia)
Jackson Genrals - The Generals are the AA- Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Generals had a really good season last year finishing only 4 games behind Chattanooga. The Genrerals where loaded with top pitching talent but struggled with fielding and offense. This year could be a fall out for the Generals. The Generals could be without either this season. Just depending on where the pitching talent goes.
Taijuan Walker RHP - Walker is probably the most promising of the Mariners talent and, I can speak to that first hand. I seen Walker pitch against the Smokies last Spring and wow he has talent. Walker piled up strike out after stikeout i think finishing the game with almost 10 if not more. Walker has a Fastball that reminds me of a top of the rotation pitcher. Walkers only downfall is his control. No matter how fast his fastball was or how good his curveball was it was consistent but, once he learns to control each pitch... WOW everyone watch out! I really doubt Walker will start the season off in AA-Jackson but if there is a chance he could still start off in AA. Baseball America's Grade: 70.
James Paxton LHP - Paxton is an older but good prospect he has a low 90's fastball and a good curve ball Paxton played 2012 with AA-Jackson. He like Walker could see time there to start the season but will quickly be moving up.. Last year while in Jackson Paxton put up promising numbers. Paxton went 9-4 W/L, 3.05 ERA, and 110 strikeouts. Baseaball America's Grade: 55
Stephan Romero 2B - Romero is one of the best fielding and hitters in the Mariners organization. He was drafted in 2010 out of Oregon St. Romero battled injuries in in 2011 but came back and put up promising numbers in 2012. Romero hit .350, 167 hits, 23 HR's, and 101 RBI's those numbers where good enough for Romero to win the Mariners Minor League Player of the Year in 2012. Romero could start off in AA depending on how his spring goes but, Romero could get the call before the end of the season. Baseball Americas Grade: 50
Honerable Mention: (#6 RHP Brandon Maurer, #9 Brad Miller, and #17 Leon Landry)
Birmingham Barons - The Birminham Barons are the AA-Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons had a rought year last year finishing 8 game out of first. The Barons though have alot of young talent that could make their way to AA this year.
Courtney Hawkins OF - Hawkins was drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. straight out High School Hawkins became a household name when after being selected in the draft did a back flip on National TV. He was fastly called and told we would not be doing those any more. Hawkins played in a short league last year but, still put up awesome numbers. Reaching HiA in his first partial season Hawkins .284, 65 hits, 8 HR's, 33 RBI's, and 11 Stolen Bases in only 59 games. Hawkins will be a top notch talent for the White Sox i expect him to start off in AA- Birmingham but could finish the season in AAA- Charlotte. Baseball America's Grade: 60.
Keenyn Walker OF - Walker was a highly anticipated football prospect coming out of High School. Walker went to Arizona State JUCO where he led the league with stolen bases. Walker then was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round of the 2011 draft. Walker Finished last year in HiA Winston Salem, he struggled in the little time he was there so I expect him to start off the season there but, if he puts up the promising numbers he has shown in the past he could see some time in AA. Baseball America's Grade: 50.
Honerable Mentions: (#6 Scott Snodgress, #12 Andy Wilkins, and #14 Marcus Semien)
Huntsville Stars - The Huntsville Starts are the AA-Affiliate for the Milwakee Brewers. The Stars finished in last place of the Northern Division. The Brewers organization has topped out with prospects with only a select few in the organization. they are all either sitting at AAA- Nashville or just starting and down in HiA Brevard Co.
Taylor Jungmann RHP - Jungmann is the only really top prospect that could see time in AA- Huntsville, Taylor is the #3 prospect in the Brewers Organization. Taylor spent his 2012 season with Hi-A Brevard where he put up promising number. Jungmann went 11-6 W/L, 3.53 ERA, 99 Strikeouts, 46 walks, in 153 innings. Jungmann will probably start in Huntsville but, could finish in AAA-Nashville with numbers like last year.
Honerable Mentions: (#4 Hunter Morris, #5 Jimmy Nelson, and #6 Johnny Hellweg
Tennessee Smokies - The Tennessee Smokies are the double-AA affiliate of the Chicago cubs, the Smokies finished the 2012 seson 37-33. The Smokies could see tons of young talent this year!!!
Javier Baez SS - Javier was the 1st round draft pick by the cubs in 2011. Javier most unique feature is his bat speed. Baez's bat speed is comparable to Gary Sheffield. For you kids that dont remember Gary; google it. Baez spent his 2012 season split between loA and hiA. In Loa Baez hit .333, 12 HRs, 33 RBI's, and 20 stolen bases. Baez will most likely start the season off in AA-Tennesee moving last year shortstop Junior Lake to 3B. Baseball America Grade: 65
Albert Almora OF - Almora was the 1st round draft pick in 2012. Almora is fresh out of high school and only 19 year old. He is said to have the best raw talent out of high school in a long time. last year in Short season and Rookie league Almora hit very well. With a Batting Average of .321, 45 hits, 2 HR's, 19 RBI's and 5 SB's. In just 33 games. Almora could start his season out at HiA Daytona or LoA Peoria but, Almora could strongly finish the season off in AA-Tennessee. Baseball America Grade: 60
Jorge Soler OF - Was the best prospect our of Cuba. He was signed in 2012 by the Cubs. The Cuban defector has a very good bat and while he is predicted to start the season off in HiA Daytona. Soler could easily be in AA-Tennessee by midseason. Soler only played 34 games last year split between Rookie League and LoA Peoria. Soler hit .299 with 40 hits, 5 HRs, 25 RBI's and 12 Stolen Bases. Soler is said to have above average arm strength and once he gets the right field down he will be a real valuable source for the Cubs.
Honerable Mention: (#4 RP Arodys Vizcaino), (#6 RHP Pierce Johnson), (#7 1B Dan Vogelbach) and (#8 3B Jeimer Candelario)
Chattanooga Lookouts - The Lookouts are the AA- Affiliate of the Los Angelas Dodgers. The lookouts are the returning champions from 2012. With the Dodgers changing owners and money being put into the team alot of young talent is being dangled down in the minors or being traded for big time athletes. I suspect the Lookouts to stay in rare form and stay atop of the southern league.
Yasiel Puig OF - Puig was signed out of Cuba in 2012 by the Dodgers. Puig spent a half of a season in Rookie League and HiA last year. Last year Puig hit .354, with 5 HR's, 15 RBI's, and 8 SB's. Puig put up promising numbers in only 23 games last year. Puig will probably start off in AA-Chattanooga. Baseball America graded Puig: 65
Corey Seager SS - Seager is the younger brother of Mariners 3B Kyle Seager, Corey was drafted 18th overall in the 2012 draft. Fresh out of High School and only 19 years old Seager, could be a top notch prospect for the Dodgers. In Rookie league last year Seager hit .309, 54 hits, 8 HR's, and 8 SB's. Seager will most likely start off in LoA Great Lakes, but if he puts up the same numbers as last year dont be suprised if he finishes in AA-Chattanooga
Honerable Mentions: (#4 Joc Pederson) (#5 RP Zach Lee), (#6 LP Chris Reed) and (#7 Onelki Garcia)
Jackson Genrals - The Generals are the AA- Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Generals had a really good season last year finishing only 4 games behind Chattanooga. The Genrerals where loaded with top pitching talent but struggled with fielding and offense. This year could be a fall out for the Generals. The Generals could be without either this season. Just depending on where the pitching talent goes.
Taijuan Walker RHP - Walker is probably the most promising of the Mariners talent and, I can speak to that first hand. I seen Walker pitch against the Smokies last Spring and wow he has talent. Walker piled up strike out after stikeout i think finishing the game with almost 10 if not more. Walker has a Fastball that reminds me of a top of the rotation pitcher. Walkers only downfall is his control. No matter how fast his fastball was or how good his curveball was it was consistent but, once he learns to control each pitch... WOW everyone watch out! I really doubt Walker will start the season off in AA-Jackson but if there is a chance he could still start off in AA. Baseball America's Grade: 70.
James Paxton LHP - Paxton is an older but good prospect he has a low 90's fastball and a good curve ball Paxton played 2012 with AA-Jackson. He like Walker could see time there to start the season but will quickly be moving up.. Last year while in Jackson Paxton put up promising numbers. Paxton went 9-4 W/L, 3.05 ERA, and 110 strikeouts. Baseaball America's Grade: 55
Stephan Romero 2B - Romero is one of the best fielding and hitters in the Mariners organization. He was drafted in 2010 out of Oregon St. Romero battled injuries in in 2011 but came back and put up promising numbers in 2012. Romero hit .350, 167 hits, 23 HR's, and 101 RBI's those numbers where good enough for Romero to win the Mariners Minor League Player of the Year in 2012. Romero could start off in AA depending on how his spring goes but, Romero could get the call before the end of the season. Baseball Americas Grade: 50
Honerable Mention: (#6 RHP Brandon Maurer, #9 Brad Miller, and #17 Leon Landry)
Birmingham Barons - The Birminham Barons are the AA-Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons had a rought year last year finishing 8 game out of first. The Barons though have alot of young talent that could make their way to AA this year.
Courtney Hawkins OF - Hawkins was drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. straight out High School Hawkins became a household name when after being selected in the draft did a back flip on National TV. He was fastly called and told we would not be doing those any more. Hawkins played in a short league last year but, still put up awesome numbers. Reaching HiA in his first partial season Hawkins .284, 65 hits, 8 HR's, 33 RBI's, and 11 Stolen Bases in only 59 games. Hawkins will be a top notch talent for the White Sox i expect him to start off in AA- Birmingham but could finish the season in AAA- Charlotte. Baseball America's Grade: 60.
Keenyn Walker OF - Walker was a highly anticipated football prospect coming out of High School. Walker went to Arizona State JUCO where he led the league with stolen bases. Walker then was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round of the 2011 draft. Walker Finished last year in HiA Winston Salem, he struggled in the little time he was there so I expect him to start off the season there but, if he puts up the promising numbers he has shown in the past he could see some time in AA. Baseball America's Grade: 50.
Honerable Mentions: (#6 Scott Snodgress, #12 Andy Wilkins, and #14 Marcus Semien)
Huntsville Stars - The Huntsville Starts are the AA-Affiliate for the Milwakee Brewers. The Stars finished in last place of the Northern Division. The Brewers organization has topped out with prospects with only a select few in the organization. they are all either sitting at AAA- Nashville or just starting and down in HiA Brevard Co.
Taylor Jungmann RHP - Jungmann is the only really top prospect that could see time in AA- Huntsville, Taylor is the #3 prospect in the Brewers Organization. Taylor spent his 2012 season with Hi-A Brevard where he put up promising number. Jungmann went 11-6 W/L, 3.53 ERA, 99 Strikeouts, 46 walks, in 153 innings. Jungmann will probably start in Huntsville but, could finish in AAA-Nashville with numbers like last year.
Honerable Mentions: (#4 Hunter Morris, #5 Jimmy Nelson, and #6 Johnny Hellweg