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Health & Fitness

Hot Stove Special: Top 100 Prospects

In this special update, I review MLB's Top 100 Prospects as announced by Jonathan Mayo. All 100 players' stats are included, as well as 16 player profiles, four of which are Nationals.

Jonathan Mayo, mlb.com's prospect expert, released his Top 100 Prospects list after interviewing dozens of scouts and putting in some input of his own.  From 100 to 1, here is the list with stats, current age, and team/level played at in 2012.  More intriguing prospects will also be given a few sentences, especially those on followed teams (see bottom of blog).  One guy stole 155 bases.  Another hit 37 home runs.  Yet another batted .379.  One pitcher had an ERA of 1.53.  

Minor league levels/affiliates, from highest to lowest, go: AAA, AA, High A, A, SS, R, GCL/AZL, DSL, VSL.

Here is a sample: Rank: Player Name, Current Team, Affiliates played at in 2012. Stats.  (Age as of 2/1/12).

100: Gary Brown, Giants AA. 7 HR, 42 RBI, .279 AVG, 33 SB. (Age 24).

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99: Trevor Story, Rockies A.  18 HR, 63 RBI, .277 AVG, 15 SB. (19).

98: Aaron Hicks, Twins AA.  13 HR, 61 RBI, .286 AVG, 32 SB.  (23).

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97: Adam Eaton, D-Backs AA, AAA, and MLB.  9 HR, 53 RBI, .359 AVG, 46 SB.  (23).

96: Jose Iglesias, Red Sox SS, AAA, and MLB.  2 HR, 25 RBI, .245 AVG, 14 SB.  (23).

95: Martin Perez, Rangers AAA and MLB.  8-10, 4.53 ERA, 1.45 WHIP. (21).

94: Henry Owens, Red Sox A.  12-5, 4.87 ERA, 1.45 WHIP.  (20).

93: Oswaldo Arcia, Twins High A and AA.  17 HR, 98 RBI, .320 AVG, 4 SB.  (21).

92: Bruce Rondon, Tigers High A, AA, and AAA.  2-1, 1.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 29 saves.  (22).

91: A.J. Cole, Nationals A and High A*.  6-10, 3.70 ERA, 1.25 WHIP.  (21).  *With A's.

Cole is a hard throwing righty who was sent to Oakland in the Gio Gonzalez trade, then acquired back in the Michael Morse trade. He split 2012 between the A's Class A Burlington and High Class A Stockton teams, struggling in Stockton before dominating in Burlington.  He will not be a quick to the big leagues pitcher, but expect great things out of him.

90: Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays R and SS.  2-0, 2.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP.  (17).

89: Jarred Cosart, Astros AA and AAA.  6-7, 3.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP.  (22).

88: Jorge Alfaro, Rangers A.  5 HR, 34 RBI, .261 AVG, 7 SB.  (19).

87: Cody Buckel, Rangers High A and AA.  10-8, 2.49 ERA, 1.06 WHIP.  (20).

86: Kyle Crick, Giants A.  7-6, 2.51 ERA, 1.28 WHIP.  (20).

85: Joc Pederson, Dodgers High A.  18 HR, 70 RBI, .313 AVG, 26 SB.  (20).

84: Luis Sardinas, Rangers A.  2 HR, 30 RBI, .291 AVG, 32 SB.  (19).

83: Michael Wacha, Cardinals GCL, High A, and AA.  0-0, 0.86 ERA, 0.57 WHIP.  (21).

82: Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins AAA and MLB*.  8 HR, 78 RBI, .299 AVG, 8 SB.  (23).  *With Blue Jays.

81: Andrew Heaney, Marlins GCL and A.  1-2, 4.33 ERA, 1.41 WHIP.  (21).

80: Ethan Martin, Phillies AA*.  13-6, 3.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP.  (23).  *Partially with Dodgers.

79: Kolten Wong, Cardinals AA.  9 HR, 52 RBI, .287 AVG, 21 SB.  (22).

78: Zach Lee, Dodgers High A and AA.  6-6, 4.39 ERA, 1.33 WHIP.  (21).

77: Matt Davidson, Diamondbacks AA.  23 HR, 76 RBI, .261 AVG, 3 SB.  (22).

76: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers AZL and High A.  5 HR, 15 RBI, .354 AVG, 8 SB.  (22).

Puig was picked up by the Dodgers out of Cuba for $42 million.  In a 23 game debut for the AZL Dodgers and High Class A Rancho Cucamonga, Puig lived up to the hype with five homers and a .354 average, as well as 20 runs scored.   The 6'3", 215 pound outfielder has a ton of pop and should be reaching the high minors next year.

75: Tyler Austin, Yankees GCL, A, High A, and AA.  17 HR, 80 RBI, .322 AVG, 23 SB.  (21).

74: Lucas Giolito, Nationals GCL.  0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP.  (18).

The Nationals drafted Giolito out of high school in 2012 with the 16th overall pick even though he was considered arguably the top pitcher coming into the draft.  His damaged UCL eventually required Tommy John surgery, limiting him to just one game in 2012.  He will not be much of a factor in 2013, either, but after that, his ceiling is as high as it gets.

73: Austin Hedges, Padres A.  10 HR, 56 RBI, .279 AVG, 14 SB.  (20).

72: Justin Nicolino, Marlins A*.  10-4, 2.56 ERA, 1.07 WHIP.  (21).  *With Blue Jays.

71: Allen Webster, Red Sox AA*.  6-9, 3.86 ERA, 1.48 WHIP.  (22).  *Partially with Dodgers.

70: Jake Marisnick, Marlins High A and AA.  8 HR, 50 RBI, .249 AVG, 24 SB.  (21).  *With Blue Jays.

69: Casey Kelly, Padres AZL, AA, AAA, and MLB.  2-5, 4.59 ERA, 1.23 WHIP.  (23).

68: Courtney Hawkins, White Sox R, A, and High A.  8 HR, 33 RBI, .284 AVG, 11 SB.  (19).

67: Kaleb Cowart, Angels A and High A.  16 HR, 103 RBI, .276 AVG, 14 SB.  (20).

66: Tony Cingrani, Reds High A, AA, and MLB.  10-4, 1.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP.  (23).

65: Gregory Polanco, Pirates A.  16 HR, 85 RBI, .325 AVG, 40 SB.  (21).

64: Wily Peralta, Brewers AAA and MLB.  9-12, 4.30 ERA, 1.46 WHIP.  (23).

63: Didi Gregorius, D-Backs AA, AAA, and MLB*.  7 HR, 56 RBI, .267 AVG, 3 SB.  (22).  *With Reds.

62: Nolan Arenado, Rockies AA.  12 HR, 56 RBI, .285 AVG, 0 SB.  (21).

61: James Paxton, Mariners AA.  9-4, 3.05 ERA, 1.41 WHIP.  (24).

60: Jesse Biddle, Phillies High A.  10-6, 3.22 ERA, 1.28 WHIP.  (21).

59: Yordano Ventura, Royals AZL, High A, and AA.  4-7, 3.62 ERA, 1.23 WHIP.  (21).

58: David Dahl, Rockies R.  9 HR, 57 RBI, .379 AVG, 12 SB.  (18).

57: George Springer, Astros High A and AA.  24 HR, 87 RBI, .302 AVG, 32 SB.  (23).

56: Hak-Ju Lee, Rays AA.  4 HR, 37 RBI, .261 AVG, 37 SB.  (22).

55: Rymer Liriano, Padres High A and AA.  8 HR, 61 RBI, .280 AVG, 32 SB.  (21).

Rymer Liriano is a high profile prospect for the Padres, showing great speed and emerging power.  In 2011, he stole 66 bases for Class A Fort Wayne and High Class A Lake Elsinore.  He is great on defense and the Padres, who almost ready to move up in the standings, are excited for his arrival, probably in 2014.  His all-around style of play could help a team playing in spacious PETCO Park.

54: Alen Hanson, Pirates A.  16 HR, 62 RBI, .309 AVG, 35 SB.  (20).

53: Max Fried, Padres AZL.  0-1, 3.57 ERA, 1.13 WHIP.  (19).

52: Brian Goodwin, Nationals A and AA.  14 HR, 52 RBI, .280 AVG, 18 SB.  (22).

Goodwin is another toolsy outfielder who has been compared to Denard Span.  I think he has a little more pop than Span, so a better comparison to me would be B.J. Upton with a higher average.  Goodwin is moving quickly through the minors, appearing in 42 games for AA Harrisburg in 2012 barely a year after he was drafted.  He did struggle a bit against AA pitching, so he will probably split 2013 between Harrisburg and AAA Syracuse.

51: Robert Stephenson, Reds R and A.  3-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.  (19).

50: Jedd Gyorko, Padres AA and AAA.  30 HR, 100 RBI, .311 AVG, 5 SB.  (24).

49: Kyle Gibson, Twins GCL, High A, and AAA.  0-2, 4.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP.  (25).

48: Addison Russell, A's AZL, SS, and A.  7 HR, 45 RBI, .369 AVG, 16 SB.  (19).

47: Nick Franklin, Mariners AA and AAA.  11 HR, 55 RBI, .278 AVG, 12 SB.  (21).

46: Chris Archer, Rays AAA and MLB.  8-12, 3.83 ERA, 1.25 WHIP.  (24).

45: Jake Odorizzi, Rays AA, AAA, and MLB*.  15-6, 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP.  (22).  *With Royals.

44: Taylor Guerrieri, Rays SS.  1-2, 1.04 ERA, 0.77 WHIP.  (20).

43: Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals AA, AAA, and MLB.  8-8, 2.94 ERA, 1.07 WHIP.  (22).

42: Jorge Soler, Cubs AZL and A.  5 HR, 25 RBI, .299 AVG, 12 SB.  (20).

Soler is a similar player to Yasiel Puig (prospect #76), a Cuban defector playing in his first professional season.  Soler is on a nine year contract, and hit well in his first year.  He knocked five home runs in 34 games while also batting .299 and adding seven doubles.  A good runner, he stole twelve bases to add another tool to the mix.  Like his hitting, Soler is a great fielder.

41: Mason Williams, Yankees A and High A.  11 HR, 35 RBI, .298 AVG, 20 SB.  (21).

40: Alex Meyer, Twins High A and AA*.  10-6, 2.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP.  (23).  *With Nationals.

39: Albert Almora, Cubs AZL and SS.  2 HR, 19 RBI, .321 AVG, 5 SB.  (18).

38: Matt Barnes, Red Sox A and High A.  7-5, 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP.  (22).

37: Kevin Gausman, Orioles SS and High A.  0-1, 3.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP.  (22).

36: Gary Sanchez, Yankees A and High A.  18 HR, 85 RBI, .290 AVG, 15 SB.  (20).

35: Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays A.  8-5, 2.49 ERA, 1.27 WHIP.  (20).

34: Kyle Zimmer, Royals AZL and A.  3-3, 2.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.  (21).

33: Carlos Martinez, Cardinals High A and AA.  6-5, 2.93 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.  (21).

32: Jackie Bradley, Red Sox High A and AA. 9 HR, 63 RBI, .315 AVG, 24 SB.  (22).

31: Julio Teheran, Braves AAA and MLB.  7-9, 5.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP.  (22).

Teheran was the #4 prospect in 2012 dominating AAA Gwinnett by going 15-3 with a 2.55 ERA in '11, but a rough '12 knocked him down 27 spots to #31.  His command did not fade, but his ability to keep the ball in the ballpark did.  Opponents took him deep 18 times in 2012, double his previous career worst.  His ERA exploded to 5.08, but just having turned 22 on Sunday, Teheran has a lot ahead of him.  Pitching for the Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League, he was 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA, including an extremely dominant stretch in his last three starts in which he tossed 16.2 shutout innings on just two hits, four walks, and 15 K's.

30: Carlos Correa, Astros GCL and R.  3 HR, 12 RBI, .258 AVG, 6 SB.  (18).

29: Noah Syndergaard, Mets A*.  8-5, 2.60 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 1 save.  (20).

28: Anthony Rendon, Nationals GCL, SS, High A, and AA.  6 HR, 12 RBI, .233 AVG, 0 SB.  (22).

Rendon is the Nationals' top prospect, but he was limited to 43 games across four minor league levels in 2012 due to injuries.  21 of his 43 games were played for AA Harrisburg, where he struggled mightily to the tune of a .162 average.  Expected to be fully healthy in 2013, Rendon is looking to bounce back and push his way towards the big leagues.

27: Jonathan Singleton, Astros AA.  21 HR, 79 RBI, .284 AVG, 7 SB.  (21).

26: Bubba Starling, Royals R.  10 HR, 33 RBI, .275 AVG, 10 SB.  (20).

25: Shelby Miller, Cardinals AAA and MLB.  12-10, 4.43 ERA, 1.34 WHIP.  (22).

24: Archie Bradley, D-Backs A.  12-6, 3.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP.  (20).

23: Mike Zunino, Mariners SS and AA.  13 HR, 43 RBI, .360 AVG, 1 SB.  (21).

22: Mike Olt, Rangers AA and MLB. 28 HR, 87 RBI, .276 AVG, 5 SB.  (24).

21: Nick Castellanos, Tigers High A and AA.  10 HR, 57 RBI, .320 AVG, 8 SB.  (20).

20: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox High A and AA.  20 HR, 81 RBI, .307 AVG, 5 SB.  (20).

One of the coolest names on the list, up there with Bubba Starling, Didi Gregorius, Byron Buxton, and Rymer Liriano, Xander Bogaerts is an all around talent.  The Aruban shortstop is moving quickly through the minor leagues and not only reaching AA by 19 years old, but hitting .326 there to boot.  His power is emerging as rapidly as he is, and with 37 doubles last year, there is plenty more to come.  Bogaerts looks to be the solution at shortstop for a Red Sox team that has struggled at that position ever since Nomar Garciaparra left.

19: Byron Buxton, Twins GCL and R.  5 HR, 20 RBI, .248 AVG, 11 SB.  (19).

18: Danny Hultzen, Mariners AA and AAA.  9-7, 3.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP.  (23).

17: Trevor Bauer, Indians AA, AAA, and MLB*.  13-4, 2.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP.  (22).  *With D-Backs.

16: Javier Baez, Cubs A and High A.  16 HR, 46 RBI, .294 AVG, 24 SB.  (20).

15: Jameson Taillon, Pirates High A and AA.  9-8, 3.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP.  (21).

14: Francisco Lindor, Indians A.  6 HR, 42 RBI, .257 AVG, 27 SB.  (19).

13: Christian Yelich, Marlins GCL and High A.  12 HR, 48 RBI, .329 AVG, 20 SB.  (21).

12: Miguel Sano, Twins A.  28 HR, 100 RBI, .258 AVG, 8 SB.  (19).

11: Billy Hamilton, Reds High A and AA.  2 HR, 45 RBI, .311 AVG, 155 SB.  (22).

First thing's first.  The kid can fly.  Billy Hamilton smashed Vince Coleman's professional record of 145 stolen bases by ten, all before his 22nd birthday.  At first it seemed like he would be all speed no hitting, but Hamilton has developed his bat to the point where he hit .311 across two levels last year.  Adding 22 doubles and 14 triples to just two home runs shows that Hamilton will never be a power hitter, but pitchers better watch out while he's at the plate.  He is learning to play the outfield and could someday become an above average fielder.

10: Tyler Skaggs.  D-Backs AA, AAA, and MLB.  10-9, 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP.  (21).

9: Gerrit Cole, Pirates High A, AA, and AAA.  9-7, 2.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.  (22).

The former first overall pick has lived up to the hype so far, turning in a solid season at the higher levels of the minors.  A power throwing righty, Cole should be in the big leagues at some point next year, already logging 13 starts at AA or higher.  

8: Zack Wheeler, Mets AA and AAA.  12-8, 3.26 ERA, 1.17 WHIP.  (22).

7: Jose Fernandez, Marlins A and High A.  14-1, 1.75 ERA, 0.93 WHIP.  (20).

Those look like video game statistics.  Fernandez, a Cuban import, dominated the South Atlantic and Florida State Leagues in 2012 with ease.  His power fastball leads his arsenal of pitches, and he only walked 35 batters last season.

6: Travis D'Arnaud, Mets AAA*.  16 HR, 52 RBI, .333 AVG, 1 SB.  (23).  *With Blue Jays.

5: Taijuan Walker, Mariners AA.  7-10, 4.69 ERA, 1.37 WHIP.  (20).

4: Wil Myers, Rays AA and AAA*.  37 HR, 109 RBI, .314 AVG, 6 SB.  (22).

Myers was unbeatable in 2012.  Putting up the best offensive season in minor league baseball, he wrecked the Texas and Pacific Coast Leagues with a .314 average and 69 extra base hits. After a mediocre 2011, Myers busted out with 37 home runs and a .314 average in 134 games.  He has good plate discipline, but his 140 strikeouts in 2012 were by far a career high.  Formerly a Royals prospect, Myers was the centerpiece return to Tampa Bay in the James Shields trade.

3: Oscar Taveras, Cardinals AA.  23 HR, 94 RBI, .321 AVG, 10 SB.  (20).

Taveras has been compared to a pre-steroidal Barry Bonds.  The 20 year old Dominican has always hit for average, but in 2012, he added a new dimension to his game: power.  Combining for 17 home runs and 54 doubles in his first three minor league seasons, Taveras broke out with 23 home runs and 37 doubles in 2012.  The sky is the limit for his bat, which could see itself in the St. Louis lineup in 2013 next to Matt Holliday and Allen Craig.

2: Dylan Bundy, Orioles A, High A, AA, and MLB.  9-3, 2.05 ERA, 0.92 WHIP.  (20).

Bundy is the power throwing righty in the Orioles' system.  Just over a year out of high school, Bundy was pitching in the major leagues in Baltimore, tossing 1.2 shutout innings on a hit and a walk.  What is fascinating is his line at Class A Delmarva: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.23 WHIP in eight starts.  Translated, he tossed thirty shutout innings on just five hits, two walks, and forty K's. Overall in the minors, he was 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA, proving too much for them all together.  Starting some point in 2013, Bundy is going to be in the Baltimore rotation for a long time.

1: Jurickson Profar, Rangers AA and MLB.  15 HR, 64 RBI, .278 AVG, 16 SB.  (19).

His numbers don't pop out.  He'll never hit 40 home runs, never bat .350, and he'll never steal 50 bases.  Then why is he the top prospect?  Myers, Taveras, D'Arnaud, Olt, Zunino, and Gyorko may all hit 40 homers.  Myers, Taveras, Bogaerts, and Lindor may all bat .350.  Billy Hamilton will certainly steal 50 bases, maybe before the All Star Break.  Then again, Profar is ahead of all of these players.  Why?  It is because there are no holes in his game.  He is the definition of an all around player.  The Curacao native generates good extra base hit numbers, can hit for average, can run, and is an excellent fielder.  The switch hitter rarely strikes out and shows good plate discipline.  By 19 years old, he was not only playing for the Texas Rangers, but homering in his first at bat.  A shortstop by trade, Profar may have to move around the Rangers' infield a bit while he gets established, but once either Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, or Adrian Beltre is out of the way, Profar can begin to truly show what he is capable of.  

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Teams followed in this update: Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman

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