Braves: Arodys Vizcaino
The Braves acquired Vizcaino in a trade, and at the time the trade was thought of as quite a gamble. Vizcaino projects out of the bullpen as an elite level closer instead of a starter. With his high 90's fastball and curveball being plus pitches, the addition of Vizcaino could very well make the Braves bullpen the best in baseball.
2012 numbers: Had Tommy John surgery in early March, and will miss at least the rest of 2012
Orioles: Manny Machado
Selected second overall in the 2010 Amateur Draft, Machado has shown flashes of brilliance in the Orioles minor league system. Machado is known more for his superb defense than his offense, though he is a talented hitter. Machado does not project to be a power hitter, though the first pitch he saw of 2012 ended up over the fence.
2012 numbers: .271 average with two home runs, 15 RBI and four steals in Double-A Bowie
Diamondbacks: Trevor Bauer
Bauer has yet to be called up to Arizona, though his arrival has to be just around the corner. Bauer is as close to a guarantee as the Diamondbacks have had in quite some time, and has been unreal throughout his time in the minors. His only flaw is a high walk rate, though his walks have decreased substantially since being promoted to Triple-A.
2012 numbers: Seven runs allowed over 32 innings, 42 strikeouts and a 1.97 ERA
Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts
Bogaerts was acquired via international free agency in 2009, and made a name for himself in 2010. Bogaerts is an excellent hitter, with plus power and a smooth swing. He is a free swinger, and could eventually be plagued by his pitch selection. Easily the best player in Boston's farm system, Bogaerts has loads of talent at the plate and at shortstop.
2012 numbers: .292 average with eight home runs, 42 RBI and a .360 OBP
White Sox: Nestor Molina
Molina came to the White Sox from Toronto in exchange for closer Sergio Santos. While the White Sox are hoping that Molina can be a starter, he has looked like more of a bullpen gem thus far. The Venezuelan's stock exploded last season, as he earned 12 wins, while accumulating only three losses in Class-A and Double-A.
2012 numbers: 15 runs allowed over 36 innings, 25 strikeouts and a strikeout/walk ratio of five at
Cubs: Brett Jackson
The epitome of a five tool player, there is nothing on the field that Brett Jackson can't do. He projects as a 20 home run, 20 steal center fielder with plus defensive skills. Though Jackson does not project to be an all star, he looks like the future of center field at Wrigley. Ironically, Jackson's weakness is his volume of strikeouts, though he has good plate discipline and patience.
2012 numbers: .259 average with three home runs and 15 walks through 28 games at Triple-A Iowa
Indians: Francisco Lindor
Lindor is a different breed of shortstop, and the Indians are perfectly fine with that. What Lindor lacks in arm strength, he makes up for with deadly accuracy and a quick release. Not known as much of a contact hitter, he has Hanley Ramirez like power. He won the 2010 Aflac Home Run Derby, and can crush the ball from both sides of the plate.
2012 numbers: .278 average with four home runs, 22 RBI and 14 steals at Class-A Lake County
Reds: Billy Hamilton
Hamilton is likely the fastest man in all of baseball. Not even half way through the 2012 campaign, the second baseman has already racked up a ridiculous 71 steals in 85 attempts. He lacks power, though his .405 on base percentage at Class-A Bakersfield makes up for that deficiency. Strikeouts have been an issue for Hamilton in the past, but his strikeout/walk ratio is considerably better this year at 47/34.
2012 numbers: .320 average with 71 steals in 60 games at Class-A Bakersfield
Tigers: Nick Castellanos
Third baseman Nick Castellanos can flat out hit the baseball. Before his recent promotion to Double-A Eerie, Castellanos was hitting at a .405 clip. He lead to Florida State League in average, on base percentage, hits, slugging, total bases, and OPS. The former first round pick likely has two more seasons in the minors, but he should be ready to carry the offense when he gets the call up.
2012 numbers: .389 average in 61 games with 33 RBI at Class-A and Double-A
Rockies: Nolan Arenado
Jason Giambi thinks Arenado could be the next Alex Rodriguez. Rockies fans think he will make them forget about Vinny Casilla. Players believe his determination is unmatched. Arenado looked like an elite level contact hitter with elite level power in Class-A Modesto in 2011. His defense is the main reason Arenado was cut in spring training, though he has plenty of time to correct that, as he is only 20 years old.
2012 numbers: .288 average with five home runs in 30 games at Double-A Tulsa
Royals: Bubba Starling
With the fifth pick in the 2011 Draft, the Royals selected their future center fielder. A three sport athlete in high school, Starling is an incredibly gifted athlete with good range in the outfield, plus speed on the basepaths, and maybe the most power potential in the entire organization. Starling has a few years until he will become the player he is projected to be, but his combination of power and speed is a rarity.
2012 numbers: Has yet to be assigned to a club
Astros: Jonathan Singleton
Singleton came to Houston from Philadelphia in the Hunter Pence deal. Singleton is not a top tier outfielder, though the Astros will be moving to the American League where Singleton can DH. What makes him valuable is his raw power. After a fantastic 2010, lefty first baseman struggled for a good portion of 2011, and his scouting reports varied. What no one has ever denied, though, is that Singleton has big home run potential.
2012 numbers: .295 average with 11 home runs and 40 RBI in 58 games.
Angels: Jean Segura
Segura was drafted out of the Dominican Republic in 2007 as a highly touted prospect. Since being drafted into the Angels system, he has been plagued with injuries, including a hamstring injury in 2011. The shortstop does not have prodigious power, though he is best known for his speed. Thomas Belmont of Prospect Instinct believes that his bat speed is good enough that he could eventually develop power.
2012 numbers: .258 average with three home runs, 20 RBI and 20 steals through 48 games in Double-A Arkansas
Dodgers: Zach Lee
While Lee might never be the ace of a rotation, he seems to be among the most well rounded pitchers in the country. He has a high 90's, plus fastball to go along with a plus curveball. His slider is described by scouts as "outstanding", and he has good command on his changeup. His estimated time of arrival in Los Angeles is 2014, but some scouts think he could get the call sooner than that.
2012 numbers: 25 runs allowed in 47 innings with 49 strikeouts at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga
Twins: Miguel Sano
The third baseman has power and lots of it. Anthony Rizzo, Singleton, and Arenado might have light tower power, but they pale in comparison to Sano. Originally a shortstop, Sano outgrew the position, and might outgrow the hot corner as well. Scouts believe Sano to be a future all star, and the middle of the order bat that the Twins need.
2012 numbers: .243 average with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 63 games at Class-A Beloit
Marlins: Christian Yelich
Taken 23 overall in 2010 by Miami, the left handed outfielder has 20 home run, 20 steal potential. Yelich's offense is more about contact than power, though he will make hard contact and hit a good amount of line drives. Even if the power does not show up, Yelich will hit likely hit for a good average at the major league level. His defense is a work in progress, though his speed is a big asset in the outfield.
2012 numbers: .276 average with seven home runs and 18 RBI in 42 games at Class-A Jupiter
Yankees: Manny Banuelos
Signed out of Mexico in 2008, the left handed Banuelos has two plus pitches. The fact that his fastball can be a consistent 92 mph pitch is impressive, considering that he is only 5'9". Banuelos' changeup is very advanced for a 22 year old, and shows signs of being a plus pitch. Since Banuelos only has two good pitches thus far, he might end up as an elite bullpen arm, instead of being the top end starter the Yankees hoped for.
2012 numbers: 13 runs allowed in 24 innings with 22 strikeouts at Triple-A Scranton
Brewers: Wily Peralta
Peralta would not be top prospect on most major league teams, though he definitely has the talent to be a contributor in a major league rotation. Peralta has a plus fastball, and his curveball shows flashes of brilliance. He doesn't have many options outside of his heater and curveball, yet he has had quite a bit of success at each stop in his minor league stint. He had a winning record at Double-A Huntsville, and has looked even better at Triple-A Nashville.
2012 numbers: 49 runs allowed over 71 innings with 61 strikeouts at Triple-A Nashville
Athletics: Michael Choice
Choice stands out in Oakland, as he is one of the few top tier hitters that are currently in the system. Scouts do not believe that he will ever have the ability to be much of a contact hitter, but he has the power to make up for it. His strength and quick swing lead to a 30 home run season in 2011 at Class-A Stockton. The centerfielder does not have any outstanding defensive flaws, though some scouts see him as a better fit in a corner outfield spot.
2012 numbers: .262 average with five home runs and 38 RBI through 65 games at Double-A Midland
Mets: Zack Wheeler
Wheeler was acquired by the Mets in a trade with San Francisco. This was a brutal lapse in judgement by the Giants, as Wheeler has the tools to be a star. Only 22 years of age and already with two definite plus pitches, Wheeler has taken it upon himself to add a changeup to his repertoire. Even with his dominant pitches though, scouts seem to have differing opinions on where he will end up. Some see a bullpen stud, while others see a top of the rotation ace.
2012 numbers: 15 runs allowed over 65 innings with 70 strikeouts at Double-A Binghampton
Mariners: Danny Hultzen
Acquired with the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, Hultzen is already being heralded as a future ace. He displays a fastball that is known not only for its speed, but for its accuracy. The fastball, along with a very good cutter, changeup and slider make Hultzen an absolute stud on the mound. Some scouts believe that the 22 year old lefty is already major league ready, though there may not be a reason for a rushed call-up as the Mariners will likely not be ready to compete for several years.
2012 numbers: 14 runs allowed over 75 innings with 79 strikeouts at Double-A Jackson
Phillies: Trevor May
May is the textbook definition of a power pitcher. Not only does he have the size (6"5') and durability of a power pitcher, but he has the ability to blow fastballs by hitters late in ball games. His stamina is excellent. Throwing his mid 90's fastball late in games helps him set up his other pitches, none of which are plus yet. Still, his stamina and power make up for what his curveball and changeup lack.
2012 numbers: 43 runs allowed over 74 innings with 79 strikeouts at Double-A Reading
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