Prospect Performers: The AL West

At the beginning of the 2017 season, I wrote pieces reviewing the potential impact rookie hitters in each league for 2017. Today, we continue a semi-regular review of how those players are actually performing. Previously we reviewed:

AL East
NL East

1. Jharel Cotton, RHP, A’s: When the season began, Cotton appeared well-positioned to play a significant role on the A’s starting staff. To date, he’s thrown the fourth most innings on the staff but has also received a demotion to (and subsequent return from) triple-A. A lack of command has hurt the young hurler and he’s given up too many base runners. Cotton will no doubt continue to get opportunities as the year progresses so if things finally click for him he could still be an asset.

2. Francis Martes, RHP, Astros: Martes reached triple-A at the age of 21 but he’s had a rough season so far. He’s walking more than seven batters per nine innings — resulting in 24 free passes in just 29.2 innings. When he can find the plate, though, he’s exhibiting swing-and-miss stuff as witnessed by his 36 strikeouts. The Astros are one of the strongest teams in the American League but the team’s weakness so far has been the starting pitching depth. Once this young hurler finds the plate on a more consistent basis, he’s going to get a shot.

3. Mitch Haniger, OF, Mariners: In April, Haniger looked like he was going to give New York’s Aaron Judge a run for his money in the AL Rookie of the Year race… However, an oblique injury knocked him out of action over a month ago. He’s expected to return in early June, and will look to pick up where he left off — hitting for average and power, while also getting on base at a terrific pace.

4. Frankie Montas, RHP, A’s: Despite having just 39 innings of big league experience over two seasons, the big arm of Montas has already travelled through four organizations. Perhaps finally settled in Oakland, the right-hander has struck out 28 batters in 24 innings but he’s worked in mostly low-leverage situations with no save opportunities and just one hold acquired. His fly-ball-heavy ways has led to a HR/FB of 15.4%. With his propensity for allowing base runners, that’s not a good thing.

5. Tyler O’Neill, OF, Mariners: This young Canadian hitter had a breakout season in double-A last year but he’s struggled to find consistency at the triple-A level so far this year. He’s hitting just .222 and has struck out 56 times in 47 games. At just 21 years of age there is no reason for the Mariners to rush him — especially once Mitch Haniger gets back from injury — so he may spend the bulk of ’17 in the minors.

6. Yohander Mendez, RHP, Rangers: The Rangers have struggled through an up-and-down season in part due to inconsistent starting pitching. Mendez might eventually help out but he’s going to have to find a way to limit the long ball. The right-hander has allowed a whopping 14 home runs in 62 innings at the double-A level. Oddly, though, he’s holding hitters overall to a .203 batting average.

7. Franklin Barreto, IF, A’s: Opening day shortstop Marcus Semien is now on the 60-day disabled list. Replacement shortstop Adam Rosales is producing an OPS of just .605. The only thing standing between Barreto and the A’s is Chad Pinder — who is showing uncharacteristic extra base pop. Well, truth be told Barreto is also striking out too much (55 times in 44 games) but he has an .868 OPS nonetheless. He’ll be up in The Show before the year is out, and will look to make the Jays regret parting with him in the Josh Donaldson deal.

8. Jandel Gustave, RHP, Astros: Gustave broke camp with the Astros but he struggled to find the plate with his blazing fastball. He walked seven batters (with just 2 Ks) in 5.0 innings before hitting the disabled list with a flexor strain in his arm. If he can get healthy, he should still be able to provide some much-needed depth for the Astros in the second half.

9. Chase De Jong, RHP, Mariners: De Jong has already been called upon to help out a beleaguered Mariners pitching staff but inconsistent command has doomed him. His BB-K of 11-11 in 24.1 is uninspiring and he’s already back in triple-A trying to iron out the wrinkles. With a fastball that averages right around 90 mph, he needs both his command and control to survive at the big league level.

10. Matt Chapman, 3B, A’s: An injury slowed Chapman’s development in 2017 but he’s healthy again and hitting well. His OPS is up to .911 on the year at triple-A thanks to four home runs and seven walks in the last 10 games. He’s always going to swing and miss a lot but the power, on-base ability and excellent defence at the hot corner is going to get him to Oakland before too long — especially with Trevor Plouffe’s solid but unspectacular performance to date at the hot corner.