Prospect Stock Watch: Trammell, Andujar, Hansen

Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we’re taking a look at three players that could be Top 100 prospects by the end of the year — if they’re not already.

Taylor Trammell, OF, Reds: The Reds system got a whole lot better last week after the club cleaned up during the 2017 amateur draft. But the system already had some solid prospects — including Trammell, who was selected 35th overall in the ’16 draft. The 19-year-old outfielder is enjoying a solid first full year in pro ball. At the low-A level, he’s showing his power-speed threat with 27 of his 64 hits going for extra bases and his 17 steals in 22 tries. Trammell is also displaying a willingness to take a free pass with a walk rate at 12.1%. His swing-and-miss tendencies might suppress his batting average a bit but the quick wheels give him a chance to offset that with some infield hits. In his prime, he has a shot at being a 20-20 player (HR-SB).

Miguel Andujar, 3B, Yankees: I’ve been a fan of this young third baseman for a few years now — and he’s finally getting a chance to shine in the minors with the likes of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez graduating to The Show. There’s still some question on this young fielder’s ability to stick at the hot corner but his rifle arm could make him a star in a corner outfield spot if his fielding becomes too erratic in the dirt. At the plate, Andujar makes excellent contact for a player with 20-homer pop but that’s to his detriment at times; he doesn’t walk much because he’s able to put bat to ball so easily. His modest foot speed, though, keeps him from legging out many infield hits. At 22, he’s almost ready for triple-A and could be the eventual successor to Chase Headley.

Alec Hansen, RHP, White Sox: The club hasn’t developed many impact arms in recent years — since the likes of Chris Sale — and has mostly been focused on acquiring other teams’ prized pitching prospects (Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito). However, the Sox have a real sleeper in Hansen — who is in the midst of a full-blown breakout. The 6-7, 235 beast on the mound can dial up his heater into the upper 90s but it’s the outstanding control of his offerings that makes him so tough. He’s walked just 23 batters in 72.2 innings (with 92 Ks). Now, Hansen is already 22 years old and in low-A ball so the Sox need to push him up to give him a fair test. If he continues to succeed, his mix of velo, control and potential four average-or-better offerings could make him an ace.





Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.

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balancedman178
6 years ago

Isnt it more likely Gleyber is the Headley successor? Or if he comes up for SS than it would be DiDi moving over?

Mallow
6 years ago
Reply to  balancedman178

Didi is a top-five defensive SS so I can’t imagine the Yankees will need to move him off the position for while, especially for a rookie. Likelier that Torres will supplant Headley at 3B when he is ready.

In the meantime, there’s no reason that Andujar (who is on the Yankees 40 man roster) can’t come up if he does everything he needs to do in Scranton and let the Yankees see what they have in him. With Torres knocking on the door and Castro/Didi locking down the middle of the infield, I wonder if the Yankees would entertain moving Andujar across the diamond to 1B (which would be a waste of his arm) or use him as trade bait.

Kevin Grimes
6 years ago
Reply to  balancedman178

You are both aware Gleyber is out for the season, correct? It is weird that the author doesn’t even mention him, but if they look to replace Headley internally later this year, Andujar could get a shot.

Kevin Grimes
6 years ago
Reply to  balancedman178

I see that this post and subsequent comments may have occurred before the Gleyber injury was known, MY APOLOGIES. Perhaps the author just doesn’t count on prospects hatching into bonafide major leaguers until they do, even if they’re hyped. WHICH IS PROBABLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO