2015 IBC White Sox

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2015 IBC White Sox

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2015 IBC White Sox

.C - Pena, B# .255/.286/.354
- 13-Sisco*...BA Baltimore #4, BA South Atlantic #18, BP #101/101, BP Orioles #3 .243/.293/.348
- 13-Farmer ... BA Midwest League #17 .250/.285/.330
- Read... BA NY/Penn #13

1B - Shaw* .227/.300/.374
- Bradley* - BA Indians #9, BA Arizona League #3, BP Indians #9
- Lara
- [Butler, Pena, B]

2B - Sanchez# ... BP White Sox #8 .253/.297/.340
- Johnson... BA White Sox #4, BA International League #14, BA Southern League #16, BP White Sox #9 .253/.299/.357
- Romero - BA Marlins #5, BP Marlins #7
- Valentin
- [Drury, Ynoa]

3B - Drury...BA California League #18, BP D'backs #5 .246/.291/.397
- Ynoa .267/.314/.361
- 13-Dosch
- [Romero]

SS - Herrera# .285/.331/.396
- Rosario...BA NY/Penn #3, BP #78/101, BP Mets #4
- [Sanchez, Ynoa]

COF - A. Garcia .269/.309/.417
- Souza ... BA International League #5, BP Nationals #6 .228./304/396
- Rodriguez ... BA Reds #10, BP Reds #4 .239/.288/.359
- Hernandez ... BP Royals on the Rise #3
- 13-Paroubeck ... BP Padres Prospects on the Rise #2

CF - 13-Alvarez ... BA Baltimore #5, BP Orioles Factors on the Farm #1 .270/.290/.409 ]
- Naquin* ... BA Indians #6, BP Indians #5 .227/.275/.319
- 13-May# ... BP White Sox #10
- Szczur
- 14-Cousino*

DH - Butler .272/.340/.403

SP - Medlen 3.54 ERA, 109/34 K/BB in 142.1 IP (95 ERA-)
- Cole...BA International League #7, BA Eastern League #15, BP #30/101, BP Nationals #2 3.82, 120/36 in 141.3 IP (102 ERA-)
- Cosart 3.89, 95/66 in 148 IP (103 ERA-)
- Elias* 4.32, 114/57 in 139.7 IP (113 ERA-)
- Santiago* 3.96, 116/55 in 138.7 IP (106 ERA-)
- House* 4.80, 85/43 in 123.7 (126 ERA-)
- Conley* ... Marlins Facotors on the Farm #2 4.33, 69/42 in 97.7 IP (113 ERA-)
- Mejia* ... BP Giants #1 4.50, 72/35 in 100.0IP (129 ERA-)
- Davies ... BA Baltimore #6, BP Orioles #6 4.76 86/40 in 116.0 IP (119 ERA-)
- Wilson ... BP Orioles Factors on the Farm #2 5.67, 107/52 in 157.0 IP (141 ERA-)
- Cederoth - BA Appalachian League #19, BP Twins Prospects on the Rise #1
- 14-Lopez

RP - Albers
- Duke* 3.71, 59/18 in 53.0 (87 ERA-)
- Drake 3.60, 40/16 in 40 IP (90 ERA-)
- Yates 3.79, 63/33 in 59.3 IP (105 ERA-)
- Pestano 3,34, 61/22 in 56.7 IP (89 ERA-)
- Withrow 3.32, 45/21 in 38.0 IP (92 ERA-)
- 14-Finnegan* ... BP #87/101, BP Royals #4
- Thielbar* 4.07, 45/20 in 55.3 IP (103 ERA-)
- Torres* 4.11, 58/37 in 57.7 IP (106 ERA-)
- Romero* BP Rays Factors on the Farm #2 4.40, 93/62 in 123.7 IP (129 ERA-)
- 13-Gott ... BP Angels #10
- [Cosart, Santiago*]
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Since the beginning of August (and being acquired by the real life Marlins) Jarred Cosart has the 15th-lowest ERA in the majors (data below):

Splits ERA WHIP K% BB% BABIP HR/FB OPS

HOU 4.41 1.46 14.8 10.1 .304 7.3% .709
MIA 1.99 0.98 14.6 5.1. 248 2.6% .510

The biggest number that stands out is the walk rate deceasing by nearly half. Based on his strike percentage (from 61% to 65.5%) the decreased walk rate looks legit. From what I’ve seen he’s been throwing more strikes with the fastball/cutter, which is why the curveball has been more effective. (The success of his curveball is dependent upon his fastball command. Basically, if hitters aren’t waiting for a fastball then the slow breaking pitch won’t fool them.) If he can continue to throw strikes with the fastball he’s going to be able to sustain his success.

He’s not going to have a sub-2.00 ERA but he’s going to be better because he pitches in a favorable ballpark and in the sub-par real-life NL East. If the strikeout rate can increase 2-3 percentage points he could be a fringe 2/3 SP pitcher. The only way that’s going to happen is if he adds a stronger third pitch. He currently throws a changeup, but it’s primarily a “show me” pitch. The changeup is a feel pitch and it usually takes longer for pitchers to master the command of it, so it’s very possible his changeup takes a step forward in 2015.

The White Sox understand that this recent success will not dominate his 2015 SIM but there is a strong belief that Cosart is showing the beginning of a solid trend.
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KEEP AN EYE ON: First baseman Andy Wilkins made the most of spring-training invitation to go 7-for-16 (.438) with one home run in 17 Cactus League games. Optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, he did not stop hitting.

“He’s had a tremendous year,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “He’s 25 years old and sort of having that breakout season this year. It’s fun to see with Andy because he’s been a guy who our player-development staff has loved for years.”

A fifth-round pick in 2010 from Arkansas, Wilkins led the International League with 30 home runs, 69 extra-base hits and 274 total bases to earn a September callup.

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BEST PLAYER: Triple-A Syracuse outfielder Steven Souza earned both the MVP and rookie of the year awards in the International League, which he led in average (.350), on-base percentage (.432) and slugging (.590). He contributed 18 home runs, 77 RBIs, 28 stolen bases and 52 walks in 100 games.

The stellar season earned the 25-year-old Souza multiple callups to Washington, with one halted on Aug. 9 when he crashed into the right-field wall in Atlanta. His rehab from the shoulder injury landed him back in Syracuse for the Chiefs’ run to the Northern Division title.

On the heels of his breakthrough year, Souza profiles as a power/speed right fielder in the big leagues.

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BEST PLAYER: Second baseman Avery Romero helped drive the potent low Class A Greensboro offense in the first half, but the 2012 third-round pick out of high school in St. Augustine, Fla., didn’t stick around long enough for the South Atlantic League playoffs.

Romero hit .320/.366/.429 with five homers and 23 doubles in 92 games to earn a second-half bump to high Class A Jupiter, where the 21-year-old produced similar rate statistics in 26 games.

Romero finished the year ranked fifth in the SAL batting race.
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BEST PITCHER: Big league manager Buck Showalter alerted reporters back in March to keep an eye on righthander Tyler Wilson. Now they understand why.

A 10th-round pick in 2011 out of Virginia, Wilson went 14-7, 3.53 in 27 starts between Bowie and Norfolk. He went 10-5, 3.72 in 16 starts at Bowie, with 22 walks and 91 strikeouts in 97 innings, to earn his promotion. Wilson didn’t allow a run in two of his last three starts at Norfolk over 13 innings. He allowed one run over 14 innings in back-to-back July starts, with four walks and 14 strikeouts.

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Though some considered him a throw-in in the big June trade between the Padres and Angels, Trevor Gott (RHP, LAA) is very close to pitching in the big leagues. He was a closer in college and served in that same role while in High-A with the Padres. The 22-year-old has a very deceptive delivery featuring quick arm action that produces a nice 91-95 mph fastball. He’ll mix in a slider that is a potential out pitch and an occasional change-up. Adding to his intrigue is his extreme groundball tendency. He pitched 60.2 innings in 2014, posting a 2.97 ERA and 9.0 Dom.

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If not for three callups to Washington this season, [RF Steven] Souza probably would have hit 20 homers and stolen 30 bases at Triple-A Syracuse. Regardless, he won the International League MVP award after leading the circuit in average (.350), on-base percentage (.432) and slugging (.590). He might not ever steal 20 bases in the majors, but Souza’s quick-twitch athleticism and refined hitting approach will help his raw power and speed play.

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Amed Rosario, ss, Brooklyn (Mets)

Age: 18. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012.

Rosario has progressed quickly since signing for $1.75 million, the largest international bonus in Mets history. He was named the top prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League last year, and his OPS jumped from .637 last year to .717 in the NYPL, as his on-base skills improved.

Rosario still is something of a free-swinger, but he is adept at hitting behind runners and executing the hit-and-run, and he profiles as a prototype No. 2 hitter. He has quick hands and figures to grow into some power as he fills out his wiry frame, but he primarily is a line-drive hitter who can use all fields.

Rosario’s arm rates as plus, but he needs to become more accurate with his throws. He fell into a rut this year where he sat back and let balls come to him, resulting in errors, but he did a better job charging balls in the final month. He has the fluid actions, range and hands to be a standout defensive shortstop down the road, and he also offers good speed, though he is not an aggressive basestealer at this stage.

Rosario needs to get stronger and improve his stamina, but the Mets are thrilled with his developmental track.

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Chance Sisco, c, Delmarva (Orioles)

Age: 19. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 193. Drafted: HS—Lake Elsinore, Calif., 2013 (2).

Sisco turned in an incredible full-season debut at the plate. As a 19-year-old, he led the SAL with a .338 batting average and a .406 on-base percentage while showing an ability to hit to all fields.

Sisco generally stays inside the ball and is adept at lining the ball to the opposite field. Eventually, he’ll need to prove he’s comfortable pulling the inside pitch.

In just his second full behind the plate, Sisco looks like a catcher with very little experience. He shows plenty of arm strength but has plenty of work to do to improve his receiving and footwork. Some evaluators saw him as a player who could catch occasionally at best, but others saw the makings of a potential everyday catcher, albeit one who is a long way from reaching that goal.

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Rob Kaminsky of peoria was not only a high draft choice but outperformed a couple of older pitchers on this list. What kept him out of the top 20?

J.J. Cooper: Kaminsky was a very divisive prospect around the league. Guys who liked him were impressed by his 89-92 mph fastball that touched 95 infrequently and loved his breaking ball. Guys who liked him a lot less thought he couldn’t command the fastball, isn’t very physical and most likely will end up as a reliever. I got anywhere from No. 3 SP to LHRP assessments on him.

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Three years ago the Indians nearly released T.J. House, thinking the lefthander was too soft to pitch at the major league level.

“Back then he’d kind of struggle with any adversity in a game,” Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. “An error would lead to bad pitches. A bad call from an umpire might lead to some body language issues on the mound . . . That led to a very tough conversation at the end of (the 2011 season) talking about those kinds of things.”

Now the rookie is becoming a mainstay in the Indians rotation since a May promotion. Through 97 innings, House had a 3.43 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 22 walks. But back in 2011, House had just wrapped up his second season at high Class A Kinston on a sour note, losing his last six decisions.

“I knew they were serious (about the possibility of being released),” said House, who signed for $750,000 as a 16th-round pick in 2008. “So I went into the offseason thinking, ‘Man, there’s a lot of things I need to change—on and off the field.’ So, I lost about 30 pounds and Mickey and I got to work.”

House’s first break came the following season after the Indians had moved the Kinston franchise to Carolina.

“I started the season again at Carolina, where they were going to put me in the bullpen,” House said. “But I got an opportunity to start on a fluke. The starters were supposed to go six innings, but one only went three on day. (The coaches) were like, ‘Hey, can you throw three innings?’ ”

House allowed just one hit over three innings and was granted another chance to start. With his newfound dedication to his craft, he quickly began to advance up the organizational chain. More recently, House has been aided by the use of a GoPro digital camera on top of the catcher’s mask.

“I’ve been able to see things from a different viewpoint,” he said. “I’m able to analyze myself much better mechanically.”

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Brandon Drury, 3b, Visalia (Diamondbacks)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—Grants Pass, Ore., 2010 (13/Braves).

Cal League managers and scouts weren’t in universal agreement on Drury, other than that he has solid power. He has the strength and bat speed to hit for extra bases, combined with a short swing that helps him hit balls hard to all fields. He finished tied for third in the league in doubles (35) despite being promoted to Double-A at the end of July, and he surpassed his previous career-high for homers on July 13, finishing with 23 at two levels.

Playing in the Cal League might have messed with Drury’s approach at times, but he settled in as the season progressed. However, his skeptics felt he was pitchable. He’d sit dead red at times and appeared to have trouble recognizing offspeed pitches, though he didn’t strike out excessively.

Some scouts worry about Drury’s body type and range at third base, but he does have good hands and makes all the plays. He shows a solid arm and earns praise for his work ethic.

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Raudy Read, c, Auburn (Nationals)

Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2011.

Read took a major step forward as a 20-year-old in the NYPL, putting together the best offensive and defensive season of his career to date.

“For me, he was one of the most impressive guys all-around,” Williamsport manager Shawn Williams said. “He’s a good fastball hitter, a tough out, showed some power, especially for a 20-year-old. Catching-wise, he’s very good back there—blocking, receiving, he throws very well, and consistent throws, throws from his knees, everything’s right on the bag.”

Read’s plus arm helped him throw out 47 percent of basestealers this summer. He has the hands to become a good receiver and his footwork is promising, but he needs to work on his pitch-calling and game management.

Read also flashes above-average raw power and is learning to make use of his pop in games, showing good strength to the opposite gap along with loft power to the pull side. He is an instinctive hitter with feel for the strike zone and a fairly disciplined approach for his age.

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4. Chance Sisco, c

Born: Feb. 24, 1995. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—Corona, Calif., 2013 (2nd round). Signed by: Mark Ralston.

Background: The 61st overall selection in the 2013 draft, Sisco signed for a $785,000 bonus, which was under slot for that draft position. The Orioles drafted Sisco for his bat, with his catching skills a real bonus. He didn’t begin catching full-time until his senior season of high school, after primarily playing shortstop previously.

Scouting Report: Sisco can hit. He batted .371/.475/.465 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and won the low Class A South Atlantic League batting title in his first full season in 2014. Scouts like Sisco’s controlled, line-drive swing, and he uses the whole field and seldom overswings. He lets the ball travel and uses left-center often. Some scouts want to see him pull the ball more with authority, which the Orioles expect to develop with time. Defensively, Sisco is raw with enough arm strength but plenty of work to do to improve his receiving and footwork. His 16 passed balls led the Sally League, and he threw out just 20 percent of opposing basestealers. Sisco got stronger last year, which should help him handle the rigors of catching.

The Future: The Orioles will keep Sisco behind the plate for the foreseeable future, as he’s much more valuable as a potential offensive catcher. He’ll get his third year at the position at high Class A Frederick in 2015.

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5. Dariel Alvarez, of

Born: Nov. 7, 1988. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180. Signed: Cuba, 2013. Signed by: Fred Ferreira/Joel Bradley/Gustavo Bencid.

Background: Alvarez spent four seasons playing in Cuba’s Serie Nacional before he left the island, making his way to Mexico in 2012. After nearly a year, he was cleared to sign with a U.S. team and signed with the Orioles for an $800,000 bonus in July 2013. He hit his way to a spot in the 2014 Futures Game.

Scouting Report: Alvarez showed an ability to make adjustments all year, hitting .306/.330/.472 between Double-A and Triple-A in his first full U.S. season. He’s aggressive, so he’ll likely never walk much, but covers the plate and makes consistent hard contact, showing solid power to all fields. He’ll need to continue to improve laying off breaking stuff for his power to play. While he projects as a corner outfielder, the Orioles played him in center this year and he handled it well, with average or better range thanks to good jumps and average speed. Alvarez threw 93-95 mph during workouts when some clubs looked at him as pitcher, and his arm is a weapon in right field.

The Future: Alvarez is an option for right field if the Orioles do not re-sign Nick Markakis, whose team option (at $17.5 million) was declined. The Orioles prefer to bring Markakis back and give Alvarez more time at Triple-A to temper his aggressiveness, but he should reach Baltimore in 2015 at some point.

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Amy (Boston): What is Tyler Wilson's upside? will he stick in the rotation?

Steve Melewski: Realistically it is probably back-end starter but Wilson just keeps progressing and impressing and this year won the Orioles minor lg Pitcher of the Year award. Has some decent breaking stuff and changes speeds well. Was impressive at Bowie and Norfolk. He gets somewhat overlooked beyond some of those top 10 pitchers but maybe he should not. Probably is close to a top 10 prospect right now.

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6. Zach Davies, rhp

Born: Feb. 7, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 150. Drafted: HS—Mesquite, Arizona, 2011 (26th round). Signed by: John Gillette.

Background: Davies got a $575,000 bonus despite his low draft round in the last year under the old draft rules when the Orioles signed him away from his Arizona State commitment. Buck Showalter picked him to make an exhibition start against the big league club in March, and Davies struck out J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis with changeups in the first inning.

Scouting Report: Davies is a strike-thrower with a plus pitch, his changeup. He throws it with such good arm action that one scout said he had to look at his radar gun to be sure it was his changeup. One club official cited his delivery as the best in the system—smooth, free and easy, repeatable—leading to good command of his sinking 86-91 mph fastball. Davies’ curveball is his third pitch, and it’s solid-average as well. He’s slightly built, leading to consistent durability concerns, and he missed most of May with shoulder tendinitis. He pitched well after returning, but at his size, he has little physical projection left and likely has maxed out his fastball velocity.

The Future: Davies got to go home to Arizona to pitch in the Fall League, seeking to make up for lost innings and get more upper-level experience. He should re-join Tim Berry in the rotation, this time at Triple-A Norfolk, in 2015 and likewise projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

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Brandon Drury, 3B, Diamondbacks (Rafters)

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound (listed) Drury displays plenty of strength in his thick, muscular frame, employing a short, compact stroke with very quick hands and innate barrel skills through the zone, showcasing the ability to get the barrel to 94 mph at the letters on one particular occasion. The 22-year-old tracks the ball very well and took a walk in his first plate appearance of the day, laying off of weak stuff at the fringes and showing a patient approach, though he occasionally shows pitch recognition issues on breaking balls on the outer half. His range at third base is fringy but he shows good hands and fluid actions at the position with plenty of arm for the left side of the infield. He will continue to get thicker and slower and will eventually move to first base down the line, but he will stick at the hot corner in the near term. The upside isn’t crazy, but the chances of him hitting his above-average regular ceiling are high due to his ability to hit line drives from gap to gap with at least average in-game power and a chance to stick at third base. —Ethan Purser

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10. Dylan Cozens, OF

The Tools: 5 potential hit; 6+ power potential; 5+ arm

What Happened in 2014: Cozens flashed in-game power during his first year of full-season baseball in dropping 16 bombs, but also whiffed 147 times in the process.

Strengths: Large frame; good present strength; plus-plus raw; leverage in swing to produce loft; hits from a firm foundation; strong hands and forearms; solid-average bat speed; plus arm strength.

Weaknesses: Questions on utility of hit tool; swing can get long, loopy and lose fluidity; swing-and-miss tendencies in the zone; power may play down as a result of lack of contact; immature approach; on the stiff side with actions; will have to watch bulk; engagement drifts.

Overall Future Potential: High 5; solid-average regular

Realistic Role: High 4; bench/platoon outfielder

Risk Factor/Injury History: High risk; yet to reach upper levels; hit-tool utility

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Power is power, but Cozens comes with more red flags than a slalom course. He’s a pure flier at this point in fantasy leagues, but rebuilding owners do love big power numbers from prospects, and Cozens could be a 25-homer guy if he can figure out how to get to it.

The Year Ahead: The big draw here with Cozens is the plus-plus raw power and the ability to drive the ball with carry at a young age. There are questions as to how the hit tool is going to play up given the long arms, max extension, and heavy leverage created. Those concerns are likely to be tested fairly quickly when the 20-year-old takes a step up the ranks. Near-term improvements with his presently pull-heavy approach and tendency to get loose with his swing deeper in counts will go a long way toward keeping Cozens’ from stalling out before reaching the upper levels. This is a high-risk profile and a bit of an upward battle given the rawness, but one that could pay out down the line with averages in the .250s and 20-25 home runs at peak.

Major league ETA: 2018

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7. Avery Romero, 2B

The Tools: 6 potential hit; 5+ potential power; 6 arm; 5 potential glove

What Happened in 2014: The 21-year-old more than held his own in the South Atlantic League, hitting .320 prior to his promotion to High-A, where he continued to flash similar contact ability.

Strengths: Strong body despite smaller frame; quick bat; loose hands that stay inside of the ball; flashes ability to barrel offerings with backspin; strength to tap into to produce more carry; some leverage in swing; flashes the foundation of an approach; arm for the left side of the diamond; asset at second base; excellent work ethic; strong makeup; possesses feel for the game.

Weaknesses: Hit tool more projection than present; needs work toning down at the plate; must develop better selectivity—likes to get aggressive with fastballs early; may ultimately end up too prone to secondary stuff; will have to find balance in swing when trying to tap into power; fringe-average present defensive reactions; can be stiff and clunky with footwork; bat carries profile.

Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division player

Realistic Role: 5; average big-leaguer

Risk Factor/Injury History: High risk; no upper-minors experience; pitch selection progression.

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Speed will not be an asset from this middle infielder, but Romero has the potential to hit .280 with 12-15 homers down the road. The fantasy upside may not be sexy, but a solid contributor at a weak position can go a long way.

The Year Ahead: Romero is a solid prospect who flashes feel for the barrel and has the potential to develop some juice in the stick as he continues to mature as a hitter. The infielder possesses the type of loose hands that enable him to stay inside of offerings while also being capable of adjusting the head of the bat to the point of contact. He also shows the makings of a gap-to-gap approach, though presently Romero is on the aggressive side early in counts, which draws some concerns of growing pains upon reaching more advanced levels. The defense here isn’t a calling card or carrying tool. Romero has the arm for the left side of the infield, but his reactions can be slow and the instincts are just average. The 21-year-old has been making progress at second base, but there’s still lead time on becoming adequate with the glove. Romero should handle High-A well, with the big test being when he reaches Double-A, which could come around mid-summer. If the forward progress continues to show, he’ll shoot up into the top half of this list in short order.

Major league ETA: Late 2017

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4. Micah Johnson, 2b

Background: If he’s not careful, Johnson will pick up the injury-prone tag. He missed much of his junior season at Indiana with arm surgery, then lit up pro ball in 2013, leading the minors with 84 stolen bases and earning MVP honors in the Double-A Southern League playoffs. Johnson then missed two stretches with left hamstring problems in 2014.

Scouting Report: In an organization long on athletes, Johnson still stands out for his explosiveness and burst. He’s physical and strong, with surprising pull power that allows him to punish mistakes. He focuses more on being a top-of-the-order igniter, with double-plus speed and reasonable contact skills, as well as a discerning-enough eye for a leadoff man. Johnson doesn’t always adjust on pitches away, and he has to keep improving his footwork around the second-base bag to turn the double play effectively. With hard hands, he struggles to consistently field the ball cleanly. With his plus range, he must learn which plays he can make and which ones he can’t.

The Future: The White Sox traded Gordon Beckham in 2014, leaving second base an open competition between Johnson, Carlos Sanchez and Marcus Semien. Johnson might be the best bet, but if he needs more polish, he will head back to Triple-A Charlotte.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2 ... prospects/

Any chance Micah Johnson gets moved to the outfield?

John Manuel: Definitely a chance. The team has no established LF (I don’t think Viciedo has established himself as the guy there; he just has been the guy they start there hoping he becomes something more). Semien and Carlos Sanchez are potential starters at 2B. Plus Johnson’s hands can be hard; he’s no gold glove threat. But if he hits, all he’ll have to do at 2B is turn the double play. That’s not necessarily easy, but that’s the minimum. Turn the DP enough and they’ll live with the glove as long as he hits. I think he can hit.

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Post by Padres »

Hey John. Jacob May had an up and down season last year in Winston Salem.What are your thoughts and do you see May as a regular position player or extra OF down the line?

John Manuel: I like Jacob May; I may be too low on him. I really had a tough time with Nos. 9-13, Hawkins, Ravelo, May, Bassitt, Beck all in that mix, obviously the last three guys fell out. I got a Coco Crisp comp on May, and I kind of like that. May has that athleticism, he has pop though not true power, he’s a 70 runner who has turned in 80 times in workouts … I like the Crisp comp. If he’s Crisp, then I’m light on him. I should mention Coco is one of my favorite big league players right now and has been a fave since his days at Pierce JC. Damn, I’m old.

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Post by Padres »

6. Tyler Naquin, of

Background: Naquin finished his college career with back-to-back Big 12 Conference batting titles at Texas A&M and netted himself a $1.75 million bonus as the 15th overall pick in 2012. He has kept hitting as a pro and was coming on strong at Double-A Akron in 2014, hitting .333 in June, until a stray pitch broke his right hand on June 27, ending his season.

Scouting Report: Naquin always has been a handsy hitter, but he made an adjustment to broaden his stance in the middle of 2013. Things really started clicking when he hit .339 in the Arizona Fall League, and he continued to improve in 2014. He created more leverage in his swing and consistently stayed up the middle. He takes a quiet approach in the box and hits to all fields with a line-drive swing. Naquin shows pop at times, too, though he’ll likely max out near 12 homers. He played right field in college but has moved to center as a pro. He runs well and his routes and jumps are solid. He has a plus arm that would play well in right field, and opponents already think twice about running on him, though he lacks ideal power for a corner. Some scouts are less enamored of Naquin’s ability to stick in center and see him as a fourth outfielder.

The Future: Naquin can be a top-of-the-order hitter and everyday center fielder if everything comes together, and he probably will begin 2015 at Triple-A Columbus.

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Post by Padres »

Do the Twins still see Sean Gilmartin as a potential rotation starter, or has he stalled on that track? If the latter, does he have the ’2 dominant pitches’ to succeed as a bullpen ‘conversion’?

Mike Berardino: The former Braves first-rounder is well down the list as a starter and probably won’t make a deep top 30 after struggling three straight years at Triple-A. He still might get added to the 40-man roster on Thursday, however, after posting a 49/4 K/BB rate vs lefties in 2014. He only has one career relief outing, but I could see him making that switch soon.

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