The Prospect Stock Watch: Coulter, Snell, Turner

The baseball season is in full swing and prospects around baseball are already seeing their stock values start to shift up or down. Today we’re going to take a look at three young players that have seen their values increase and have an opportunity to impact their clubs in 2016 — if not sooner.

Earlier Editions:
Prospect Stock Watch 2
Prospect Stock Watch 1

Clint Coulter, OF, Brewers: The Brewers began the task of converting Coulter from catcher to outfielder in 2014 and it’s continued on into this season. The young prospect has yet to don the tools of ignorance in an official game in 2015 but, unlike a lot of players converted from catching, he doesn’t project to lose much value. That’s because he offers so much at the plate beginning with plus power, which he’s showcased in the Florida State League (A+) this year with a .607 slugging and seven homers in 28 games.

Coulter, 21, strikes out like a power hitter but he also takes a lot of walks and should produce a strong on-base percentage in the Majors. After a strong 2014 season in 2014 and a quick start in ’15, he’s primed for a promotion to Double-A by mid-year, which would put him in the Majors in 2016. That could make incumbent left-fielder Kris Davis expendable as he enters arbitration and becomes more expensive. [Value Up]

* * *

Blake Snell, LHP, Ray: The Rays organization has been hit hard by the dreaded Tommy John surgery epidemic with losses such as Matt Moore and, more recently, Alex Cobb. As a result, the organization must rely heavily on its player development and Snell is yet another win in that category.

The 52nd overall pick in the 2011 draft, the southpaw took the typically-slow trek through the Rays system and struggled mightily with his control early on (He walked 73 batters in 99 innings in 2013). Things really clicked for Snell mid way through 2014 and entered 2015 back in High-A ball. He needed just four appearances to show that Rays front office that he was ready for Double-A. In two starts at the higher level he has yet to allow a run and has given up just four hits in 12.0 innings.

Snell likely has the talent to pitch in Majors in 2015 but it’ll probably be another year before his command and control are polished enough to let him thrive against big league hitters. If things continue to click, he could have No. 2 starter upside. [Value Up]

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Trea Turner, SS, Padres/Nationals: It’s well known that Turner will be the PTBNL in the 11-player, multi-team trade from late 2014 that saw Will Myers head to San Diego. An old rule (that has since been adjusted) will keep the young infielder in San Diego’s system until June when he’ll officially become a member of the Nationals.

The 2014 first round draft pick is handling the mess admirably. He jumped from Low-A in ’14 to Double-A this season and has a triple-slash line of .307/.388/.465 in 26 games. He’s shown good gap power with seven doubles but the strikeouts are a bit of a concern with 26 so far, which would put him on pace for 162 in a full Major League season — far too many for someone with modest power potential.

Despite that fact, Turner will easily become the best middle infield prospect in the Nationals system the minute the transaction is officially completed — surpassing the fast-rising Wilmer Difo, who’s also playing in Double-A. The Nationals are well positioned to fill the void if shortstop incumbent Ian Desmond leaves via free agency this winter, although they will also have to fill a hole at second base where the disappointing Dan Uggla and inconsistent Danny Espinosa are holding down the fort. [Value Up]





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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Will
8 years ago

Given that Difo is currently occupying SS at AA, what do you think the Nationals should do when Turner officially joins the franchise next month? Do you move him to AAA?

Difo is no slouch himself, currently outhitting Turner with a .344/.371/.625 slash in AA (.315/.360/.470 last year in single A), so a demotion for him isn’t justifiable.

I’ve seen little commentary on Difo’s defensive abilities. Would moving him to 2B make sense?