BA's 2012 AZL Top 20 Prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Three Cubs make the list (subscriber link):

 

1. Addison Russell, ss, Athletics

2. Albert Almora, of, Cubs

 

Like Russell, Almora is a Florida high school product who went in the first round in June, signing for $3.9 million as the No. 6 overall pick. His reputation as an extreme hard worker was evident from the first day he arrived at the Cubs complex in Arizona, as he required frequent reminders from the staff to pace himself in the extreme summer heat. He drew raves for his off-the-charts makeup.

 

"He's humble, he's willing to learn and listen," Cubs manager Bobby Mitchell said. "You don't always get that on players picked that high."

 

Almora has the tools to match his outstanding character. With his loose swing and solid speed, he projects to hit for a high average, and he has the bat speed and raw power to hit 20 homers annually once he gets stronger. The stands out in center field with his tremendous instincts, jumps and routes, and he also has an above-average arm that combines strength and accuracy.

 

3. Joey Gallo, 3b, Rangers

4. Jorge Soler, of, Cubs

 

One of the most coveted players to defect from Cuba in recent years, Soler signed a nine-year, $30 milllion contract with the Cubs two days before the July 2 international signing period began. He hadn't played in organized games in nearly a year and the rust showed during his time in Arizona, but his talent was evident and he hit better following a promotion to low Class A.

 

Soler has a lean, athletic body and should get stronger. He'll need to curb a tendency to overswing, but he has above-average raw power and the ball makes a different sound when it comes off his bat. He has slightly above-average speed from home to first and is better underway, and he's an instinctive baserunner who stole eight bases in as many tries in the AZL.

 

Soler has the biggest room to improve on defense, especially with his routes and angles on balls. He has average arm strength for right field and makes accurate throws.

 

5. Dorssys Paulino, ss, Indians

6. Lewis Brinson, of, Rangers

7. Stryker Trahan, c, Diamondbacks

8. C.J. Edwards, rhp, Rangers

9. Daniel Robertson, ss/3b, Athletics

10. Clint Coulter, c, Brewers

11. Nomar Mazara, of, Rangers

12. Ronald Guzman, 1b, Rangers

13. Renato Nunez, 3b, Athletics

14. Dan Vogelbach, 1b, Cubs

 

Vogelach played briefly in the AZL after signing for $1.6 million as a second-round pick in 2011. He returned to post a 1.078 OPS in the first month of this season before moving up to short-season Boise, where he was equally productive. There aren't many big leaguers with 6-foot, 250-pound builds and his value is tied mostly to his bat, but it has the potential to be a very special bat.

 

Vogelbach combines raw strength, quick hands and good knowledge of the strike zone. He has a tremendous feel for hitting and plus power to all fields. He's a well below-average runner and most scouts question whether he'll ever be good enough to play a major league-caliber first base, though he does work hard on his defense.

 

15. Mitch Brown, rhp, Indians

16. Nick Travieso, rhp, Reds

17. Gabriel Guerrero, of, Mariners

18. Tyler Pike, lhp, Mariners

19. Zach Bird, rhp, Dodgers

20. Matt Olson, 1b, Athletics

[davell]

Almora is 2, Soler is 4, and Vogelbach is 13.

[Guest]

Almora is 2, Soler is 4, and Vogelbach is 13.

 

Vogelbach is actually 14 - see the OP.

[davell]

Serves me right for glancing quick. I can't remember, but this is NOT necessarily an indication of how guys are ranked in the overall top 100, correct?

[Guest]

Serves me right for glancing quick. I can't remember, but this is NOT necessarily an indication of how guys are ranked in the overall top 100, correct?

 

Correct. This list was done by Bill Mitchell, who doesn't have a voice in BA's top 100.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Love our representation on there. I wonder where some of our pitchers fall (Blackburn, Johnson, Maples, Paniaqua, Wells) in the overall rankings.

 

And Everytime I see the same basic reports on Vogelbach, it makes me wonder when, not if we end up trading him. Perhaps the centerpiece of a package for a young pitcher. As always, Oakland could offer some interesting possibilities.

[davell]

No idea how many innings are needed to qualify for the list, but it wouldn't surprise me if most didn't qualify. Considering what we've heard about Vogelbach's athleticism, I'll also be surprised if he can't play 1B longterm. But I think he is a prime trade piece, probably as soon as he hits in A ball.

[toonsterwu]

There's really no need to even contemplate the idea of trading Vogelbach anytime soon. By the time Vogelbach gets to AA/AAA, Rizzo will be likely be in his arbitration years. Do I think there's a chance we move Vogelbach at some point? Sure. But Candelario will stick at 3rd for at least a couple more years in the low minors, so there's no real concern on getting Vogelbach the time at first.

 

Anyhow, I say this to note that, if you want to talk about a team that could be looking for a future first baseman, the easy team to consider, considering the background of our FO, is Boston, who really do not have a guy in the pipeline unless Lavarnaway moves there full-time (unlikely).

 

As for the list, looks good for us. The write-up on Soler makes it sound like he might be better off in LF.

[Guest]

No idea how many innings are needed to qualify for the list, but it wouldn't surprise me if most didn't qualify. Considering what we've heard about Vogelbach's athleticism, I'll also be surprised if he can't play 1B longterm. But I think he is a prime trade piece, probably as soon as he hits in A ball.

 

The write-up said Fried was 1 inning shy of qualifying for the top 20 list, which means you needed 18.2 IP. Ryan McNeil and Paul Blackburn qualified and didn't make the top 20 while Juan Carlos Paniagua, Dillon Maples and Duane Underwood did not qualify.

[El Duderino]

Looking forward to the NWL list, obviously.

[Guest]

Navin (Pasadena, CA): Obviously they didn't have enough innings to qualify but which of the young Cubs pitchers amongst Dillon Maples, Paul Blackburn, Duane Underwood and Ryan McNeil impressed you the most? Which one is the most advanced?

 

Bill Mitchell: Navin, Maples and Underwood are the two pitchers from your list that stood out. Maples was 91-96 with the fastball and showed a good curveball. While the numbers weren't there in his brief appearances, Underwood impressed scouts with a fastball that touched 97 and a good easy motion.

 

Grant (Chicago): What does Duane Underwood need to work on? Did he and Paul Blackburn get any consideration for the list?

 

Bill Mitchell: Grant, I just addressed Underwood in the previous question. Blackburn was impressive at times, although a little inconsistent with his velocity. He's got an athletic build with smooth, easy actions.

 

PT (IBC): Aside from Puig, anyone else who didn't qualify catch your eye?

 

Bill Mitchell: We've got several questions about Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig in the queue so I'll handle them now. Puig is an absolute beast. I really don't think he even knows how strong he is. I saw him hit balls without solid swings that carried to the fence. He would watch the balls out of the batters box and not realize how hard he hit it. Needless to say, he's better than some of the early reports on him. His swing is much cleaner and he was in much better physical condition. I'm really intrigued by the guy --- he's one of those players that you just can't look away from when he's on the field. He would have easily been a top ten prospect if he had qualified. More than just a few AZL observers liked him better than Jorge Soler.

 

Ray (Austin): How would you rank Russell, Almora, Gallo and Soler as overall prospects (not just AZL performance)? And where would Puig fit in there?

 

Bill Mitchell: Ray, I do the ranking here based on overall prospect status, so I'd keep Russell, Almora, Gallo and Soler in that exact order. Puig would be right there with those four players but at this point until we see more of Puig I don't want to guess where he'd fit in that group. But he certainly is a very intriguing prospect.

 

Bob Sacamento (Ft Myers): Hi Bill, Vogelbach showed a good stick with power and eye at the plate but is that all he's ever going to be? Or can he stay at first base? I know there's not too many guys his size playing proball.

 

Bill Mitchell: Bob, you are right on target about Vogelbach. There aren't many players his size in pro ball. He gets compared at times to Prince Fielder but it's not a good comp because Fielder is much more athletic. Perhaps the defense will develop or perhaps he'll wind up in the American League as a DH. But the bat is real.

 

Jay (Ca.): What was your impression of the Juan Carlos Paniagua?

 

Bill Mitchell: Paniagua looked very good in his few appearances. He was up to at least 97 (and maybe 98) with an easy delivery.

[illiniguy]

That bolded part surprised me as well. But Yasiel is a year plus older than Jorge. He should be able to look impressive against these kids.

[davell]

I'll always wonder if we were the team that supposedly outbid the Dodgers for him.

[Guest]

I'll always wonder if we were the team that supposedly outbid the Dodgers for him.

 

I'm 99.9% sure the Cubs were.