BA's mid season top 50

[CarolinaCubFan]

Rank Player Pos. Team

1 Byron Buxton of Twins

No. 1 talent in last year’s draft is even better than expected with power, speed, defense and an extremely advanced hitting approach

2 Oscar Taveras of Cardinals

Has been limited by an ankle injury, but power, hitting ability still evident.

3 Miguel Sano 3b Twins

Best power in the minors, one of the best arms. Hitting ability has taken a step forward.

4 Xander Bogaerts ss Red Sox

Of an impressive group of shortstop prospects, Bogaerts has best combo of hit and power tools.

5 Francisco Lindor ss Indians

Smooth-swinging switch-hitter has plenty of range and soft hands at shortstop.

6 Archie Bradley rhp Diamondbacks

Bundy-Bradley debate continues. Bundy won ‘12, Bradley is going to win ‘13 and ‘14 by default.

7 Taijuan Walker rhp Mariners

Scout: “He could pitch in the big leagues right now.” Improved control is remaining to-do item.

8 Christian Yelich of Marlins

Injuries have ruined his first half of the season, but they haven’t screwed up his excellent swing.

9 Carlos Correa ss Astros

Correa doesn’t run all that well, but he does everything else you’d look for in a shortstop.

10 Javier Baez ss Cubs

Earlier this year became second Florida State Leaguer to hit four home runs in one game.

11 Jameson Taillon rhp Pirates

Arrival of Gerrit Cole gives Pirates one future frontline starter, Taillon isn’t far behind.

12 Michael Wacha rhp Cardinals

In a thinner organization, he’d have made more than three big league starts this year.

13 Gregory Polanco of Pirates

When Polanco joines Pirates outfield, club will field three legitimate center fielders.

14 Tyler Skaggs lhp Diamondbacks

Pitching in Reno skews his stats, but has posted 2.62 ERA away from Reno this year.

15 Nick Castellanos of Tigers

Took a month to adjust to Triple-A. Since May 1, .321 AVG, 8 HR, 33 BBs, 35 Ks.

16 Albert Almora of Cubs

Missed first month with hamate injury, but has made up for lost time since returning.

17 Dylan Bundy rhp Orioles

Tommy John surgery is a significant setback, but teams would still love to have him.

18 Jorge Soler of Cubs

Will miss two months with stress fracture, but talent is too good to ignore.

19 Addison Russell ss Athletics

Slow start behind him, Russell has caught up to the Cal League, will soon surpass it.

20 George Springer of Astros

He gets caught on his front foot at times, but his power and speed are worth some strikeouts.

21 Jackie Bradley of Red Sox

Ceiling is lower than some lower on this list, but he’s a safe bet to be an long-time everyday center fielder.

22 Jonathan Singleton 1b Astros

Returned from suspension to immediately reclaim status as top first base prospect in a thin class.

23 Noah Syndergaard rhp Mets

Improved breaking ball has made his mid-90s fastball an even deadlier weapon.

24 Carlos Martinez rhp Cardinals

Either going to be a future closer or a solid middle of rotation starter with plus stuff.

25 Travis D’Arnaud c Mets

When healthy, he’s top catching prospect in minors, but healthy months are few and far between.

26 Yordano Ventura rhp Royals

With an improved curveball and an average changeup to go with a 100-mph fastball, isn’t far from big leagues.

27 Robert Stephenson rhp Reds

Not many starting pitchers can touch 100 mph consistently, especially with potential plus secondary stuff.

28 Kyle Zimmer rhp Royals

Results have generally been awful, but his stuff is just as good as it was when he was drafted last year.

29 Taylor Guerrieri rhp Rays

Rays move pitching prospects slowly, but Guerrieri’s 1.70 career ERA shows it’s working for him.

30 Austin Hedges c Padres

Not far away from claiming title of best catching prospect away from injured D’Arnaud.

31 Mike Foltyniewicz rhp Astros

Fastball sat at 91-94 mph when he was drafted; now he touched 100 mph regularly.

32 Alex Meyer rhp Twins

His acquisition helped fill Twins’ most desperate need–nearly big league ready power pitching.

33 Andrew Heaney lhp Marlins

On strict pitch counts as he comes back from strained lat, but has dominated in short stints.

34 Gary Sanchez c Yankees

Reports are more optimistic that he could stay behind the plate long-term.

35 Joc Pederson of Dodgers

Overshadowed by Yasiel Puig’s breakout year, but Pederson too can hit, hit for power, field and run.

36 Billy Hamilton of Reds

Move to outfield has gone well, has best speed in baseball, but his lefthanded swing still needs work.

37 Anthony Ranaudo rhp Red Sox

If not for his track record of injuries/ineffectiveness, he’d rate even higher.

38 Danny Hultzen lhp Mariners

Stint on disabled list with rotator cuff strain has opposing scouts concerned, but solid in first start back.

39 Alen Hanson ss Pirates

Might end up as a second baseman long term, but he hits enough that such a move won’t be a problem.

40 Max Fried lhp Padres

As you would expect from young flame-throwing lefty, has shown flashes of brilliance around bouts of wildness.

41 Garin Cecchini 3b Red Sox

One of the breakout stars of 2013 ranks second in minors in on-base percentage.

42 Aaron Sanchez rhp Blue Jays

Has missed a month with a shoulder injury, but was throwing in mid-90s in his return from the DL.

43 Jesse Biddle lhp Phillies

Had one of best outings of year with 16 Ks against Harrisburg in April, but his control frequently wavers.

44 Mike Olt 3b Rangers

Vision problems ruined his April, but since his return he’s back to being a low-average, big power third baseman.

45 Rafael De Paula rhp Yankees

Long-awaited U.S. debut has gone as expected for De Paula who is moving quickly through minors.

46 Lance McCullers rhp Astros

His changeup has a long ways to go, but few pitchers in minors can match his fastball/breaking ball combo.

47 Kolten Wong 2b Cardinals

Not flashy, but a safe bet to have a lengthy big league career as a solid all-around second baseman.

48 Adam Eaton of Diamondbacks

Big league arrival has been delayed by elbow injury, but Diamondbacks could use him now.

49 Kyle Crick rhp Giants

Another injured pitcher who has recently returned to the mound, Crick is next in Giants’ long line of power arms.

50 Adalberto Mondesi ss Royals

Has survived Sally League as a 17-year-old shortstop while hitting for cycle and homering twice in one game.

[Guest]

Nice to see three in the top 18 and Baez in the top 10.

[toonsterwu]

The placing of Baez actually surprises me a bit, considering there were sporadic reports about how scouts weren't too enthused with him. I thought he would actually be lower than this.

 

I actually think 10th is pretty fair, just thought they would have him lower.

 

A bit surprised Almora is that high, though.

[scarey]

The placing of Baez actually surprises me a bit, considering there were sporadic reports about how scouts weren't too enthused with him. I thought he would actually be lower than this.

 

I actually think 10th is pretty fair, just thought they would have him lower.

 

A bit surprised Almora is that high, though.

 

Other midseason publications and writers had Almora ahead of Baez, so I'm not surprised to see Almora where he is. I'm more surprised by where Baez is.

[Guest]

The placing of Baez actually surprises me a bit, considering there were sporadic reports about how scouts weren't too enthused with him. I thought he would actually be lower than this.

 

I actually think 10th is pretty fair, just thought they would have him lower.

 

A bit surprised Almora is that high, though.

 

Other midseason publications and writers had Almora ahead of Baez, so I'm not surprised to see Almora where he is. I'm more surprised by where Baez is.

 

Not really that surprised where BA has Baez. They looooooveeeee tools and Baez is already at AA.

[bukie]

The placing of Baez actually surprises me a bit, considering there were sporadic reports about how scouts weren't too enthused with him. I thought he would actually be lower than this.

 

I actually think 10th is pretty fair, just thought they would have him lower.

 

A bit surprised Almora is that high, though.

 

Other midseason publications and writers had Almora ahead of Baez, so I'm not surprised to see Almora where he is. I'm more surprised by where Baez is.

 

Not really that surprised where BA has Baez. They looooooveeeee tools and Baez is already at AA.

The old regime loved to draft toolsy players as well, they just thought the five tools were bunting for a hit, bunting to advance the runner, legging out a grounder to second, catching the ball, and being left handed.

[Warpticon]

4 shortstops in the top 10.

[wekim81]

4 Cardinals, 3 Cubs (would be 4 if Bryant had signed last week), 3 Pirates, 2 Reds. Lotta talent in the Central.

[TruffleShuffle]

4 Cardinals, 3 Cubs (would be 4 if Bryant had signed last week), 3 Pirates, 2 Reds. Lotta talent in the Central.

 

and 5 (would be 6 if 2013 draft counted) from the team that just departed the NL central.