2012 PCL Top 20 Prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Wil Myers, of/3b, Omaha (Royals)

2. Travis D'Arnaud, c, Las Vegas (Blue Jays)

3. Trevor Bauer, rhp, Reno (Diamondbacks)

4. Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Reno (Diamondbacks)

5. Anthony Rizzo, 1b, Iowa (Cubs)

5. Anthony Rizzo, 1b, Iowa Cubs

Age: 22  B-T: L-L  Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 220  Drafted: Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla., 2007 (6th round)

No. 5 on this list in 2011, before the Padres traded him to the Cubs for Andrew Cashner, Rizzo has hit .336/.405/.670 in two PCL stints. Unlike a year ago, when he was unable to carry that momentum after a big league callup, he continued to mash after summoned to Chicago.

 

Rizzo hits with a low hand position that tends to lead to an uppercut swing, but that hasn't diminished his ability to hit for average and also creates easy plus power. He controls the strike zone very well, has excellent strength in his forearms and wrists and has a compact stroke. He's a below-average runner but is good around the first-base bag and has soft hands.

6. Shelby Miller, rhp, Memphis (Cardinals)

7. Danny Hultzen, lhp, Tacoma (Mariners)

8. Anthony Gose, of, Las Vegas (Blue Jays)

9. Yasmani Grandal, c, Tucson (Padres)

10. Jedd Gyorko, 3b/2b, Tucson (Padres)

11. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Omaha (Royals)

12. Adam Eaton, of, Reno (Diamondbacks)

13. Dan Straily, rhp, Sacramento (Athletics)

14. Adeiny Hechavarria, ss, Las Vegas (Blue Jays)

15. Brett Jackson, of, Iowa (Cubs)

No. 8 on this list a year ago, Jackson wasn't as impressive in his second tour of the PCL. He still showed average or better tools across the board, but he had more trouble making contact than ever. He led the league with 158 strikeouts in just 407 at-bats, and his problems continued in his first stint in the majors, where he fanned in 50 of his first 100 at-bats.

 

Jackson has plus raw power and makes hard contact—when he makes contact. He struggled to catch up to inside fastballs this summer, and he also had problems with offspeed pitches. Even when he didn't produce offensively, he showed above-average speed, arm strength and defense, though he probably fits better in right field than in center in the long term.

 

16. Nick Franklin, 2b/ss, Tacoma (Mariners)

17. Leonys Martin, of, Round Rock (Rangers)

18. Derek Norris, c, Sacramento (Athletics)

19. Matt Adams, 1b, Memphis (Cardinals)

20. Patrick Corbin, lhp, Reno (Diamondbacks)

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2012/2614192.html

[Guest]

Andrew C (Chicago): Wow is it me or is this list LOADED? Interesting to get your opinion on what the cubs will do with Jackson. Last year the coaching staff reworked Rizzo's swing after struggling in his initial call up last year, placing his hands lower, causing a quicker swing and improved contact rate. I have heard this is something that they plan to do with Jackson this offseason. Have you heard similarly that is the plan with Jackson? Do you think his swing has the ability to adjust enough to improve his contact rate enough to hit .250-.260 in the majors?

 

Nathan Rode: I do think it's a pretty strong list. Good players always get left off because it's a 16-team league, but I felt there were more this year than last. I haven't talked to the Cubs about that specifically, but I don't see Jackson following that parallel. Rizzo's strikeout rate was by no means alarming while Jackson's is. Also, it's more than just swing mechanics for Jackson. He doesn't make the necessary in-game adjustments. Pitchers noticed that and ate him up. He's a good athlete with solid tools across the board, but I'm skeptical.

 

Jack (Toronto): Did Josh Vitters get any consideration for the list? It always surprises me that even though he's been around for ever, he is young for his competition and this year he put up some nice numbers.

 

Nathan Rode: Vitters is perplexing prospect. He has a knack for making contact and doesn't walk much because of his uncanny ability to put just about everything in play. He got a little bit of consideration, but not a lot of support. He puts together good at-bats so he can be successful. He's not a great defender at third and there's a split camp on whether he'll stay there. He's not a star and won't be the center of an offense, but could carve out an everyday role.

 

Jack (Toronto): Did Welington Castillo get any consideration? His numbers weren't that great in the PCL, but he looked like a starting catcher in Chicago over the last couple months.

 

Nathan Rode: A little bit, yes. He's a good catch/throw guy and has some power, but he needs to use the whole field more to hit for enough average.

[KingCubsFan]

That doesn't help Theo's quest to trade Vitters.