Prospect Stock Watch: Alford, Chang, Murphy

Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we review a prospect recovering his value after a spate of injuries, an almost-traded middle infielder and an underrated catcher.

Anthony Alford | OF | Blue Jays
ETA: 2017
Value: Recovering

Alford’s 2016 season has been a nightmare — but he might be finally turning things around. An ultra-athletic but raw athlete (due to his time spent splitting focus between pro ball and college football), the outfielder showed a lot of improvement in ’15 when he agreed to give up the gridiron. Alford played just one game this season before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for almost a month. He returned only to suffer a concussion in a collision, which put him on the shelf for another couple of weeks. It took another few weeks for him to look good in the batter’s box upon his return but he then hit in 13 of 15 games between July 9-27 and was much more selective at the plate. The injuries have pushed Alford’s ETA back but he should still see time in Toronto in the latter half of 2017.

Yu-Cheng Chang | SS | Brewers Indians
ETA: 2018
Value: Rising

Chang, 20, is one of the lesser known names that almost went from Cleveland to Milwaukee in the Jonathan Lucroy deadline deal but he could be one of the best when the dust settles. The young shortstop seems redundant with young rising star Francisco Lindor already in the system but you can never have too many talented up-the-middle athletes. Chang doesn’t have one standout, flashy tool but he can do a little bit of everything and might surprise with his extra-base pop as he continues to mature. That could help him if he eventually needs to move over to the hot corner or, perhaps, the outfield. With the depth ahead of the Taiwan native in his new system, there is no need to rush Chang who will be ready for double-A in 2017 at the age of 21.

Tom Murphy | C | Rockies
ETA: 2016
Value: Steady

Murphy will never be confused for a gold glove candidate but he plays his position well enough to play everyday in the Majors. The biggest obstacle to future success is his lack of discipline at the plate. In 2016, he’s walked just 11 times in 55 games (207 at-bats). He’s slugged 15 home runs (and went deep 20 or more times in both ’13 and ’15 when healthy) but he’ll struggle with this approach at the big league level unless he makes adjustments — he just won’t see as many good pitches too hit unless he learns to be more selective. Nick Hundley and Tony Wolters have held their own at the big league level but neither offers the upside of Murphy — especially considering the potential Coors Field effect.