While big-time prospects like Trevor Bauer, Anthony Rizzo and Martin Perez got called up this week — you can find takes on those three here, here and here — these three lesser-knowns should be making their way to a ballpark near you soon.
Kevin Youkilis needed a change of scenery. With the White Sox desperate for help at third, they happily obliged. While the 33-year-old third baseman carries a strong career line, Youkilis is batting just .233/.315/.377 this season. But Youkilis will also be moving into a better situation. He won’t have to worry about losing playing time to anyone, and will be moving to a more homer-friendly park. Even though Youkilis will be an upgrade for the White Sox, it’s unclear whether his performance will be strong enough for fantasy teams.
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No, that’s not the name of a law firm. Rather, those are the last names of three under-the-radar pitching prospects who made their MLB debuts in the past week. Click below to take a closer look at the trio, and as a bonus you’ll get not one, but two more minor leaguers nearing the bigs.
The Chicago White Sox’s pitching staff isn’t living up to expectations. For a team that was so reliant on hitting in the early 2000s, the White Sox’s pitching has carried them in recent years. This year, however, things are a bit different. They’ve received surprise performances by Chris Sale and Jake Peavy, but their normal rotation stalwarts — John Danks and Gavin Floyd — have floundered. Danks eventually went on the DL with a shoulder injury. In his absence, José Quintana has been fantastic. In 35.1 innings, the rookie has an exceptional 1.53 ERA. With the team’s rotation still in shambles, Quintana may keep his job longer than anticipated.
Let’s break from the usual three-player Mining the Minors write-ups to cover more ground (or if you prefer, more bases — this is a baseball site after all). This time, we’ll hit on three pairs, with one of each position — starting pitcher, outfielder and reliever — coming from each league.
What do two rehabbing big leaguers and a hot shot closer-of-the-future candidate have in common? That’s right: All three are in this week’s episode of Mining the Minors.
After spending the majority of the week day-to-day with flu like symptoms, I mustered the energy to begin my mid-season Top Prospect List. Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of lists, as they often beget spats about order rather than rationale. Alas, we must give the people what they want! Thus far, here are some biggest risers from my pre-2012 Top 100 list and, of course, the all important rationale for their movement.
Oscar Taveras (Pre-Season Rank: 56): Oscar Taveras tore up the Midwest League. That is undeniable. But, coming into the season, some questioned if his free swinging approach would undermine his outstanding tools – myself included. I typically don’t care about a player’s walk rate prior to AA, but one’s walk rate is mutually exclusive from one’s approach to a plate appearance. Oscar Taveras doesn’t possess anything that would resemble plate discipline, but can one blame him? Previously, I’ve labeled his hit tool “uncanny,” his swing is long and unconventional but he simply does not miss the ball. Taveras has tools in spades, but it’s hard to go “all-in” on a guy with that approach. For me, he’ll have to prove at every level that his approach will not undermine his ability to make consistent quality contact. Still, I’ve got him moving all the way to my number 7 overall hitting prospect.
Mason Williams (Pre-Season Rank: 69): Just prior to creating my list Bullpen Banter colleague Al Skorupa took a scouting trip to see the Yankees’ outfielder. He followed the trip up with one my favorite pieces of the off-season, which includes enough .gifs to make your prospect-loving heart explode (and your browser too). The article started a heated e-mail exchange where I stood alone to argue that despite a small frame Williams projected to have average or above average power. Only time will tell if I was correct, but even so, Williams has an interesting fantasy profile. His speed is elite, and his ability to make contact is very strong. However, like the aforementioned Tavares, he too is a free swinger. Of course, he can’t steal first base and he doesn’t barrel balls like Tavares so his lack of discipline is slightly more worrisome. Still, Mason projects to a well above average defender with who can hit for a high average, steal a ton of bases and maybe even have surprising pop for a guy his size.
Rougned Odor (Pre-Season Rank: N/A): Unless you’re drafting based on awesome names, Odor probably isn’t selected in your league. If you don’t pick him up soon, someone else surely will because Odor is likely to be the top second baseman in the minors at year’s end. By my eye, he’s grown quite a bit and is now a very muscular young man. He’s going above average home run power for a second baseman and when I’ve seen him he’s has no problem bombing the ball the ball the opposite way. He’ll be exciting one to watch.
It’s not quite on par with Bryce Harper and Mike Trout being promoted within hours of each other in late April, but this week has seen its share of promising prospects getting the call, including a new shortstop in the A-T-L and a couple of quality arms out in Cali.
This time, let’s hit on a recently-promoted outfielder, a shortstop with a masterful mitt and a bat that could help the Giants offense.
Injuries are the theme in this installment. As in, one former top prospect’s current DL stint is costing him a golden opportunity, a used-to-be-can’t-miss player needs another shot before he suffers yet another ailment, and a future big leaguer could use some more aches and pains to befall those ahead of him if he’s going to make his debut this season.