Prospect Stock Watch: Nimmo, Alford, Cotton

Today we take a look at two outfielders who are following opposite tracks on the value scale for their respective organizations. We also revisit the Dodgers’ disgustingly deep pool of prospects with an under-sized right-hander under the microscope.

Brandon Nimmo | OF | Mets
ETA: Now
Value: Steady

Michael Conforto — the club’s first round pick from 2014 — has been demoted to the minors and replaced with another former first rounder. Nimmo (2011) was promoted to The Show over the weekend — and in his sixth pro season and after a solid showing in triple-A. The 23-year-old outfielder has produced a .409 on-base percentage and banged out 82 hits in 63 games. Getting on base is Nimmo’s game. He lacks consistent home-run pop and he doesn’t really run well despite having decent speed. As a result, he’s more of a future big league fourth (or platoon) outfielder than a true everyday guy — unless he suddenly pulls a Kevin Pillar and starts running through walls to catch fly balls.

Anthony Alford | OF | Blue Jays
ETA: 2018
Value: Dropping

Alford ended the 2015 — his first full year in pro ball since giving up college football — on a huge high note and was considered the Jays’ best prospect by many during the offseason. The 2016 season, though, has been a nightmare. The young outfielder has battled through a litany of injuries — highlighted by a concussion suffered in an ugly collision — and contact issues. Alford, 21, split the ’15 season between low-A and high-A while producing an .825 OPS at the latter level. Returning there in ’16, he’s down to an OPS of .507 with 56 strikeouts in 35 games. The Jays system seriously lacks outfield depth and the deterioration of Alford’s value (and timetable) stings something fierce. He’s completely lost right now.

Jharel Cotton | RHP | Dodgers
ETA: 2016
Value: Steady

The Dodgers are definitely not where they want to be in the standings but there aren’t many teams that can survive the kinds of injuries that Los Angeles has weathered — and the club is still seven games above .500 despite having six players on the 60-day disabled list. Cotton is currently pitching at triple-A and might be in the Majors right now for a lot of clubs. His heater works into the mid-90s and he flashes a plus changeup. A lack of a consistent breaking ball holds him back — along with durability concerns and his penchant for giving up home runs. Although the 24-year-old hurler has been a starter for much of his career, his future in The Show should probably come in the ‘pen as a set-up man.