Hot Stove Special: Top 100 Prospects

Jonathan Mayo, mlb.com's top reporter on the minor leagues and prospects, compiled a list of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball.  In order to qualify as a prospect, a player must be under contract with a major league team and must have no more than 130 at bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues.  Below, I will count down from 50, giving analysis on important players.  Additionally, I will glaze over numbers 51-100 by recording players from followed teams (see bottom of blog) and highlighting important players from that list.  Directly below is the format for all players (so you know what everything means).  Also, the minor league levels, from lowest to highest, are: VSL, DSL, AZL/GCL/Low A, Class A, High Class A, AA, AAA.

#: Player Name (MLB affiliate). Position, Age (as of 1/31/2014)
Statistics, at (minor league level).
Analysis (if applicable).

100. Pierce Johnson (Cubs). RHP, age 22.
11-6, 2.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP at Class A and High Class A.

97. Robbie Ray (Tigers). LHP, 22.
11-5, 3.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP at High Class A and AA.

96. Trey Ball (Red Sox). LHP, 19.
0-1, 6.43 ERA, 2.29 WHIP at GCL.

94. Taylor Guerrieri (Rays). RHP, 21.
6-2, 2.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP at Class A.
Taylor Guerrieri is a prized Rays pitcher who has been everything Tampa Bay could have hoped for...on the field.  Off the field, he is currently serving a 50 game suspension for a "drug of abuse".  He is also currently recovering from Tommy John surgery.  Over his two year minor league career, he is 7-4 with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 26 starts at Low Class A Hudson Valley (2012) and Class A Bowling Green (2013), proving that no minor league level thus far has been able to tame him.  His walk rate (just 17 in 119 career innings) is even more astounding than his regular numbers, which bodes extremely well for a 21 year old.

89. Arismendy Alcantara (Cubs). 2B, 22.
15 HR, 69 RBI, .271 AVG, 31 SB at AA.

86. Matt Barnes (Red Sox). RHP, 23.
6-10, 4.13 ERA, 1.44 WHIP at AA and AAA.

84. Hak-Ju Lee (Rays). SS, age 23.
1 HR, 7 RBI, .422 AVG, 6 SB at AAA.
The 6'2", 170 pound Lee is one of the most fascinating players to watch in the minor leagues.  Hailing from South Korea, he is the only Asian in the entire 100.  Lee missed most of 2013 due to a knee injury, but he is one of the game's fastest base runners, stealing at least 25 bases in four straight seasons from 2009-2012.  He topped out with 37 in 2012, playing for AA Montgomery.  He doesn't have much power, but he is excellent defensively.  He was acquired by the Rays in the Matt Garza deal from 2011 and should be in the majors by 2015, possibly in 2014.

75. Mason Williams (Yankees). OF, 22.
4 HR, 28 RBI, .245 AVG, 15 SB at High Class A and AA.

73. Trevor Bauer (Indians). RHP, 23.
7-9, 4.30 ERA, 1.62 WHIP at AAA and MLB.
Bauer is not part of a followed team, but I want to go over him.  The UCLA alum was number 17 at this time last year, but dropped all the way to 73 due to a rough season.  At times a little headstrong, he is famous for his long toss regime where he throws the ball foul pole to foul pole, showing his exceptional arm strength.  He was 12-2 with a 2.42 ERA in the minors in 2012, but he struggled in 2013, especially with his walks.  Including his four major league starts, he walked 89 batters in 138 innings, a number he will have to bring down.

69. A.J. Cole (Nationals). RHP, 22.
10-5, 3.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP at High Class A and AA.
When the Nationals drafted Cole in the 4th round in 2010, he was the definition of a high ceiling, high risk player.  The Nats barely lured him away from a commitment to the University of Miami, and he has rewarded them with a steady rise through the minor leagues.  Having just turned 22, he already has seven AA starts (where he was 4-2 with a 2.18 ERA) under his belt, as well as two trades: one from Washington to Oakland, and one back from Oakland to Washington.  He could be in the majors in 2015, and looks to become a fixture in the Nationals future rotation.

64. Julio Urias (Dodgers). LHP, 17.
2-0, 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP at Class A.
Julio Urias is one of the most mysterious and fascinating prospects in the game.  He's less than five months older than me and was already pitching as high as Class A Great Lakes at the age of 16.  By far the youngest player in A ball, he routinely faced players three, five, or even eight years older than him.  To add to the mystery be brings, milb.com only gives his birthplace as Mexico.

63. Zach Lee (Dodgers). RHP, 22.
10-10, 3.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP at AA.

62. Mookie Betts (Red Sox). 2B, 21.
15 HR, 65 RBI, .314 AVG, 38 SB at Class A and High Class A.

61. Blake Swihart (Red Sox). C, 22.
2 HR, 42 RBI, .298 AVG, 7 SB at High Class A.

57. Garin Cecchini (Red Sox). 3B, 22.
7 HR, 61 RBI, .322 AVG, 23 SB at High Class A and AA.

56. Jake Odorizzi (Rays). RHP, 23.
9-7, 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP at AAA and MLB.

53. Jesse Biddle (Phillies). LHP, 22.
5-14, 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP at AA.

Top 50

50. Jonathan Singleton (Astros). 1B, 22.
11 HR, 44 RBI, .230 AVG, 1 SB at Class A, AA, and AAA.

49. Jorge Soler (Cubs). OF, 21.
8 HR, 35 RBI, .281 AVG, 5 SB at High Class A.
Jorge Soler will probably be the next Cuban sensation, following Yasiel Puig and Aroldis Chapman.  Over his two year minor league career, he's hit 13 home runs, driven in 60, and batted .288 with 17 stolen base in 89 games.  The guy has every tool you want: power, average, speed, defense, you name it.  We should be seeing him in the majors around 2015 or 2016, but there's no need to hurry; he's currently on a nine year contract that runs through 2020.

48. Clint Frazier (Indians). OF, 19.
5 HR, 28 RBI, .297 AVG, 3 SB at AZL.

47. Gary Sanchez (Yankees). C, 20.
15 HR, 71 RBI, .253 AVG, 3 SB at High Class A and AA.

46. Allen Webster (Red Sox). RHP, 23.
9-6, 4.72 ERA, 1.25 WHIP at AAA and MLB.

45. Austin Meadows (Pirates). OF, 18.
7 HR, 22 RBI, .316 AVG, 3 SB at GCL and Low Class A.

44. Lucas Giolito (Nationals). RHP, 19.
2-1, 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP at GCL and Low Class A.
Giolito is the Nationals' top prospect despite having thrown less than 40 innings of professional baseball, none of which were above Low Class A Auburn.  Giolito was taken 16th overall in the 2012 draft, but missed most of 2012 and 2013 due to Tommy John surgery.  Without the injury, scouts say he could have been a first overall pick instead of Carlos Correa.  Interestingly, Giolito was a high school teammate of Max Fried, the number 43 prospect now with the Padres.  Giolito will probably be slow to the big leagues, but once he gets there, he has ace potential.

43. Max Fried (Padres). LHP, 20.
6-7, 3.49 ERA, 1.37 WHIP at Class A.

42. C.J. Edwards (Cubs). RHP, 22.
8-2, 1.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP at Class A and High Class A.

41. Eddie Butler (Rockies). RHP, 22.
9-5, 1.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP at Class A, AA, and AAA.

40. Kohl Stewart (Twins). RHP, 19.
0-0, 1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP at GCL and Low Class A.

39. Jorge Alfaro (Rangers). C, 20.
18 HR, 61 RBI, .265 AVG, 18 SB at AZL, Class A, and High Class A.

38. Adalberto Mondesi (Royals). SS, 18.
7 HR, 47 RBI, .261 AVG, 24 SB at Class A.

37. Billy Hamilton (Reds). OF, 23.
6 HR, 42 RBI, .264 AVG, 88 SB at AAA and MLB.
Billy Hamilton is the fastest man in baseball.  Although otherwise an average player, Hamilton has gained fame for his speed.  In 2012, he set a professional baseball record by stealing 155 bases in one season.  Last year, he stole 75 at AAA Louisville before being called up to the bigs, where he stole an additional 13 to bring his total to 88.  Oh, and those 13 stolen bases came in only 13 major league games for a total of 88 in 136.  With all the hype about his speed, Hamilton still has to hit.  His modest .308 on base percentage from his time with Louisville will have to rise, as to utilize his speed, he needs to be on base.  He has very little power, and his average has not quite caught up with his rapid ascension through the minors.  

36. Joc Pederson (Dodgers). OF, 21.
22 HR, 58 RBI, .278 AVG, 31 SB at AA.

35. Yordano Ventura (Mariners). RHP, 22.
8-7, 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP at AA, AAA, and MLB.

34. Corey Seager (Dodgers). SS, 19.
16 HR, 72 RBI, .269 AVG, 10 SB at Class A and High Class A.

33. Jackie Bradley (Red Sox). OF, 23.
13 HR, 45 RBI, .255 AVG, 9 SB at AAA and MLB.
A lot of people have called Bradley an AL Rookie of the Year candidate, both in 2013 and 2014.  The 23 year old is major league ready and could start the season in Boston.  He's an excellent fielder who can wield a bat, as exemplified by his 42 doubles between High Class A Salem and AA Portland in 2012.  He also hit .315 with 24 stolen bases that season.  The former South Carolina Gamecock is certainly one of the better all around prospects who will make an impact in 2014.

32. Kyle Crick (Giants). RHP, 21.
3-1, 1.57 ERA, 1.27 WHIP at High Class A.

31. Kevin Gausman (Orioles). RHP, 23.
6-11, 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP at AA, AAA, and MLB.

30. Henry Owens (Red Sox). LHP, 21.
11-6, 2.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP at High Class A and AA.

29. Andrew Heaney (Marlins). LHP, 22.
9-3, 1.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP at High Class A and AA.
Andrew Heaney, the number nine overall pick in the 2012 draft, improved his stock greatly in 2013 despite injuries keeping him out until May.  Having pitched in only 25 minor league games, he's already jumped from the GCL to AA Jacksonville.  The Oklahoma State alum made a huge leap forward last year, going 9-3 with a 1.60 ERA between High Class A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville.  He additionally helped his stock by going 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in seven starts in the Arizona Fall League.  Despite his 2013 injury, he could be in the majors as early as this year.

28. Alex Meyer (Twins). RHP, 24.
4-3, 2.99 ERA, 1.26 WHIP at GCL and AA.
Alex Meyer was drafted by the Nationals 23rd overall in 2011, but they subsequently spun him to Minnesota in return for Denard Span.  The 6'9" former University of Kentucky standout has done nothing but dominate in the minors, going 14-9 with a 2.91 ERA in 41 starts over his two year minor league career.  Someone so tall always has to watch their command, and Meyer has done well with 77 walks in 207.1 innings.

27. Tyler Glasnow (Pirates). RHP, 20.
9-3, 2.18 ERA, 1.03 WHIP at Class A.

26. Maikel Franco (Phillies). 3B, 21.
31 HR, 103 RBI, .320 AVG, 1 SB at High Class A and AA.

25. Kyle Zimmer (Royals). RHP, 22.
6-9, 4.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP at High Class A and AA.

24. Austin Hedges (Padres). C, 21.
4 HR, 38 RBI, .260 AVG, 8 SB at High Class A and AA.

23. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays). RHP, 21.
4-5, 3.34 ERA, 1.19 WHIP at High Class A.

22. Travis d'Arnaud (Mets). C, 24.
4 HR, 25 RBI, .245 AVG, 0 SB at GCL, AA, AAA, and MLB.

21. George Springer (Astros). OF, 24.
37 HR, 108 RBI, .303 AVG, 45 SB at AA and AAA.
Statistically, George Springer had as good a minor league season as anybody.  Despite playing only 135 games, he fell just three home runs short of 40-40, totaling 37 homers and 45 stolen bases.  With this power-speed combination comes the ability to hit for average, as he's hit over .300 in both of his full minor league seasons.  The UConn product strikes out a ton–161 times in 492 at bats to be precise–but he makes up for it with a great ability to get on base.  He posted a .411 on base percentage last year, helped by an incredible .450 BABIP (batting average on balls in play).  Springer is just one of a slew of Astros prospects that will have the team competing for the AL West crown by 2017.

20. Dylan Bundy (Orioles). RHP, 21.
Missed 2013 season.
Dylan Bundy has not pitched since 2012, but remains the number 20 prospect in the game.  He reached the major league that year at just 19 years old after an incredible minor league season. While high school pitchers are usually slow to the big leagues (as compared to college pitchers), Bundy was there in his first minor league season.  It was punctuated by an unreal stint at Class A Delmarva, where he tossed 30 shutout innings on just five hits and two walks, striking out 40.  That resulted in a 0.00 ERA, a 0.27 WHIP, a 20/1 K/BB ratio, and 12 strikeouts per nine innings.  Just because he sat out last season due to injury does not mean that he won't be up and dominating in the big leagues in 2014.

19. Robert Stephenson (Reds). RHP, 20.
7-7, 2.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP at Class A, High Class A, and AA.

18. Albert Almora (Cubs). OF, 19.
3 HR, 23 RBI, .329 AVG, 4 SB at Class A.

17. Mark Appel (Astros). RHP, 22.
3-1, 3.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP at Low Class A and Class A.
The Astros' first overall pick from the 2013 draft, Appel was already at Class A Quad Cities competing with the more seasoned competition.  Appel should be extremely quick to the big leagues, and will probably be in the big leagues by 2015.  He is very dependable and will probably be an ace on the successful Astros teams of the late 2010's and early 20's.

16. Jameson Taillon (Pirates). RHP, 22.
5-10, 3.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP at AA and AAA.

15. Nick Castellanos (Tigers). 3B, 21.
18 HR, 76 RBI, .276 AVG, 4 SB at AAA and MLB.

14. Jonathan Gray (Rockies). RHP, 22.
4-0, 1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP at Low Class A and High Class A.
The Rockies have a pretty tough time luring free agent starters to Coors Field (especially after the Mike Hampton disaster), so they have been forced to acquire starting pitching through the draft and  trades.  Jon Gray is no exception, unless you consider the fact that he's exceptionally good as an exception.  He has a killer fastball/slider combination that's already major league good.  During his time at the University of Oklahoma, his coach actually called him the best college pitcher he'd ever seen...ahead of Stephen Strasburg.  The Astros were deciding between Gray and Stanford righty Mark Appel for the first pick.  Appel was the more consistent, dependable option, while Gray was the high-updside option.  As it turned out, Houston took Appel first overall while Gray slid to the Rockies at number three.  Gray reached High Class A Modesto within a month of a minor league debut and is on the fast track to becoming the Rockies' ace starting pitcher.

13. Gregory Polanco (Pirates). OF, 22.
12 HR, 71 RBI, .285 AVG, 38 SB at High Class A, AA, and AAA.

12. Addison Russell (A's). SS, 20.
17 HR, 60 RBI, .269 AVG, 21 SB at High Class A and AAA.
Addison Russell kind of reminds me of Troy Tulowitzki, with just a little less defensive prowess.  Despite being drafted out of high school in 2012, he was already at AAA by the time the 2013 season closed. He just turned 20 in January and though he likely needs another year in the minors, he'll be one of the quicker to develop high school draftees.  It started in 2012, when he hit .369 with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases in 55 games across three levels.  He spent most of 2013 at High Class A Stockton, but earned a call-up to AAA Sacramento after knocking 17 home runs and stealing 21 bases while batting .275 in 107 games. He rarely gets caught stealing, but he does strike out a lot for such an all around hitter.

11. Noah Syndergaard (Mets). RHP, 21.
9-4, 3.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP at High Class A and AA.

10. Francisco Lindor (Indians). SS, 20.
2 HR, 34 RBI, .303 AVG, 25 SB at High Class A and AA.

9. Kris Bryant (Cubs). 3B, 22.
9 HR, 32 RBI, .336 AVG, 1 SB at AZL, Low Class A, and High Class A.

8. Carlos Correa (Astros). SS, 19.
9 HR, 86 RBI, .320 AVG, 10 SB at Class A.
Carlos Correa, like Addison Russel, is a good comparison to Troy Tulowitzki, only more accurate.  The 2012 first overall draft pick by the Astros is an excellent all around hitter who can run.  He is also a solid defender with a great arm at shortstop.  The Astros passed over Derek Jeter in the 1992 draft (where they also held the first overall pick), so they decided not to miss the opportunity again with Correa.  So far, he's proving them right, hitting 12 home runs, driving in 98, and batting .302 with 16 stolen bases over his 167 game professional career.

7. Javier Baez (Cubs). SS, 21.
37 HR, 111 RBI, .282 AVG, 20 SB at High Class A and AA.
With Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, the Cubs have the best power combination in the minors.  In five years, the three-four punch of Bryant and Baez may be the most feared in baseball, likening to today's Miguel Cabrera/Prince Fielder and yesterday's David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez and Lance Berkman/Jeff Bagwell (only Bryant and Baez are both right handed).  Baez hit 37 home runs last year, among the minor league leaders.  He holds a .562 career slugging percentage in the minors and could be in the bigs as early as this year, though he won't turn 22 until after the season.

6. Taijuan Walker (Mariners). RHP, 21.
10-10, 2.99 ERA, 1.18 WHIP at AA, AAA, and MLB.
Taijuan Walker has the chance to run at the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2014.  He broke into the major leagues just days after his 21st birthday, and looks to join Felix Hernandez atop the Seattle Rotation in the near future.  Aside from having one of of the better names in the minors, he has an excellent fastball that will only improve as his command develops.

5. Archie Bradley (Diamondbacks). RHP, 21.
14-5, 1.84 ERA, 1.21 WHIP at High Class A and AA.
Ever since the Diamondbacks took Bradley seventh overall out of Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma in the 2011 draft, he's made an absolute joke out of the minor leagues.  After 55 games (54 starts), he is 26-11 with a 2.76 ERA over four minor league levels.  He managed to do that with less than stellar control, which should develop as he matures.  Remember, he's only 21.  

4. Miguel Sano (Twins). 3B, 20.
35 HR, 103 RBI, .280 AVG, 11 SB at High Class A and AA.
Watch out, because the next big Dominican power hitter is coming.  We've seen Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz, and Jose Bautista, and Sano fits right up there. He has 90 career minor league home runs and he's not even old enough to drink.  Every year, he's increased his home run total, from seven in 2010 to 20, 28, and 35.  The same can be said for RBI (29, 59, 100, 103), doubles (16, 18, 28, 30), runs (34, 58, 75, 86), and even stolen bases (4, 5, 8, 11).  His offensive outburst at High Class A Fort Myers was followed by some struggles at AA New Britain, but there is no doubt that he will have one of the most feared bats in the majors in the future.

3. Oscar Taveras (Cardinals). OF, 21.
5 HR, 32 RBI, .310 AVG, 5 SB at GCL and AAA.
When a player can play in just 47 games and still be ranked the number three prospect, you know he's good.  Taveras is that guy, putting up some of the best minor league numbers of anybody in game.  Over 374 minor league games, he has 45 home runs, 275 RBI, and a .320 average with 34 stolen bases and 104 doubles, and he's only 21.  He's the best overall hitting prospect, even though injuries have plagued him for much of his career.  Combining his 2011 and 2012 seasons, he hit 31 home runs, drove in 156, and batted .346 in 202 games at Class A Quad Cities and AA Springfield.  He doesn't strike out a lot, but he does need to work on drawing more walks.

2. Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox). SS, 21.
16 HR, 72 RBI, .293 AVG, 8 SB at AA, AAA, and MLB.
Bogaerts only adds to the growing field for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, joining Matt Davidson, Jackie Bradley, George Springer, Yordano Ventura, and Taijuan Walker.  The number two overall prospect, Bogaerts is an excellent hitter as well as a very good defender.  He reached the majors last season at just 20 years old, having hit 15 home runs and batted .297 in 116 minor league games.  The Red Sox were so impressed with his performance that they added him to their postseason roster, and he assumed more and more playing time at third base as the games went on.  In total, he played in 12 games and batted .296.

1. Byron Buxton (Twins). OF, 20.
12 HR, 77 RBI, .334 AVG, 55 SB at Class A and High Class A.
There is little doubt that Byron Buxton is the top overall prospect in the minors.  Scouts use a 20-80 scale to evaluate talent in the following categories: hit, power, run, arm, field.  Buxton ranked as at least a 60 (above average) in each category, even reaching 80 (the highest grade possible) in run.  He hits for good power, and an excellent average, catches everything in the outfield, has a great arm, and can run like nobody's business.  Despite his 6'2", 190 pound frame built for running and hitting for average (two things he does exceptionally well), he was able to add 49 extra base hits in 2013, including 19 doubles, 18 triples, and 12 home runs.  He could be the next Mike Trout.

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