The Prospect Stock Watch: Jagielo, Medeiros, Quinn

We took a look some key freshmen players at the big league level yesterday and today we’re following up on some top prospects around the game.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays: A solid community college find, Honeywell has had no issues with pro ball. After signing as a second-round pick in 2014, the right-hander allowed just 19 hits in 33.2 innings. So far this season, he’s allowed seven hits in 16.0 innings. He’s also struck out 22 batters this year. Honeywell, 20, is probably too advanced for Low-A and should see a quick promotion to High-A ball. Don’t be shocked if the pitcher, who can dial his heater up into the mid-90s and backs it up with a screwball, sees Double-A by the end of the year. [Value Up]

Eric Jagielo, 3B, Yankees: A 2013 first round pick out of Notre Dame, Jagielo battled injuries in 2014 and appeared in just 92 games, mostly in High-A ball. He showed some pop but was inconsistent with his hit tool. He had a strong enough spring to convince the Yankees that he was ready for Double-A and he’s hit .311/.360/.622 through his first 12 games. He’s also popped three home runs and seven extra base hits in total. If he can make a little more contact he could reach the Majors quickly. Two things, though, could slow down Jagielo’s MLB timetable: 1) Veteran third baseman Chase Headley was signed to a four-year contract during the last offseason, and 2) He doesn’t have to be added to the 40-man roster (to protect from the Rule 5 draft) until after the 2016 season. His other defensive option, first base, is spoken for by Mark Teixeira through 2016. [Value Up]

Kodi Medeiros, LHP, Brewers: Milwaukee received heat for over drafting Medeiros as a first-round selection in 2014. The left-hander doesn’t turn 19 until late May so age is very much on his side and he’s showing promise in 2015. He’s whiffed 20 batters in 15.1 innings and has shown improved command and control. Medeiros has good stuff and he’s been a ground-ball machine since turning pro. He’s a long way away from the Majors but the Brewers’ system is one of the thinnest in baseball so any prospect that has success could move quickly. [Value Up]

Roman Quinn, CF, Phillies: I wrote about the Phillies’ current center-fielder (and rookie) Odubel Herrera yesterday and today I’ll look at the next up-and-coming center-fielder in Quinn. A converted shortstop, he’s come back strong after rupturing his Achilles tendon in late 2013. That type of injury is tough to return from for any athlete but especially one whose greatest offensive (and defensive) weapon is his speed. Despite playing no more than 88 games in each of the past three seasons, Quinn stole more than 30 bases in each of those years. With a hot start to his Double-A season (.422/.480/.644 with eight steals in 11 games) it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him in the Majors this summer — potentially making Jeff Francoeur and Grady Sizemore expendable. [Value Up]

Lucas Sims, RHP, Braves: Sims’ command took a step back last season at the High-A ball level and those struggles have continued into the 2015 season while repeating the same level. The 20-year-old hurler has walked nine batters with 11 hits allowed in 12.0 innings. He’s also seen his success against left-handed hitters decrease over the past two seasons which suggests he needs a better weapon to combat them as he faces better hitters. The good news is that the Braves have a number of high-ceiling arms ahead of Sims — including Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler and Tyrell Jenkins — which will allow them time to polish his approach since he doesn’t have to be added to the 40-man roster until after the 2016 season (to protect him from the Rule 5 draft). [Value Down]





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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