BA's PCL Top 20

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Kris Bryant

1. Kris Bryant, 3b, Iowa (Cubs)

 

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 215. Drafted: San Diego, 2013 (1).

 

The jewel of a loaded Cubs system, Bryant should begin impacting the big league club’s fortunes in 2015, one year after leading the minors with 43 home runs and winning the BA Minor League Player of the Year award.

 

Bryant has plus-plus power, a plus arm that allows him to profile at the infield and outfield corners and good strike-zone coverage despite a high strikeout total. One rival PCL manager said Bryant has the most power he had ever seen in the league, while Iowa manager Marty Pevey said Bryant has plus power to all fields.

 

“Obviously, his power is hard to replicate,” a scout said. “Only (the Rangers’ Joey) Gallo in the minors has more raw power, (but) Bryant has feel to hit and uses the whole field.”

 

While some scouts rave about his athleticism in the dirt, one evaluator said Bryant has range restrictions and trouble moving laterally at third base. “I would not speak glowingly of his defense,” he said. “He’d be an average third baseman, but an above-average right fielder.”

3. Javier Baez

3. Javier Baez, ss/2b, Iowa (Cubs)

 

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—Jacksonville, 2011 (1).

 

Baez had a rough start at Triple-A, hitting .172 in April with 22 strikeouts in 58 at-bats. His turnaround began in May, was punctuated by a long, opposite-field home run off Nationals top prospect Lucas Giolito at the Futures Game and culminated with 12 homers in July and August followed by a major league callup.

 

Of Baez’s hitting approach, one scout called him a “grip it and rip it” player. “He has a huge (bat) wrap but big-time bat speed, and he cuts it loose on almost every pitch,” the scout said. “You’ll see a lot of strikeouts and a lot of extra bases.”

 

“This guy swings coming out of his shoes. He’s got huge power,” said Fresno manager Bob Mariano, who spent several years as a hitting coach.

 

Baez frequently expands his strike zone, though, and his lack of plate awareness showed in his big league performance. His defense and arm strength, however, were lauded across the board. He has the range for shortstop or second base, and his power also would profile on an outfield corner.

10. Arismendy Alcantara

10. Arismendy Alcantara, of/2b, Iowa (Cubs)

 

Age: 22. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2008.

 

Never the top dog in an Iowa lineup that at one point included Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, Alcantara quietly had a strong season prior to his callup to Chicago in early July. Shifted off shortstop and over to second base in favor of Baez, he ultimately ended up calling center field his primary position in Chicago.

 

Alcantara has more power than his frame would suggest, and he knocked 46 extra-base hits at Iowa this season, leading the league in triples. He runs well, steals his share of bases and makes smart baserunning decisions. Solid feel for the strike zone combined with above-average speed could make him a big league table-setter with at least fringe-average power.

 

“I liked his wrist action,” a rival PCL manager said.”I liked his athleticism and his versatility.”

 

Scouts believe Alcantara could handle shortstop or second base in the majors if pressed, but his long, unconventional arm stroke might fit best in the outfield.

17. Kyle Hendricks

17. Kyle Hendricks, rhp, Iowa (Cubs)

 

Age: 24. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Dartmouth, 2011 (8/Rangers).

 

Hendricks’ fastball touched 95 mph in his Ivy League days at Dartmouth, but as a pro his heater settles in near 90 mph. These days, he’s a command-oriented starter who relies on his feel for pitching, fastball command and a good changeup. That formula produced positive results during a second-half promotion to the Cubs.

 

Hendricks pitches mostly at 86-91 mph range, reading hitters’ swings and disrupting their timing. He throws his changeup to lefties and righties alike and has shown the ability to pitch to the inside and outside corners and down with both his fastball and change.

 

Hendricks throws both a slider and a curve, both fringe-average, and most scouts prefer the curve, which he throws with some power in the upper 70s. Some scouts give him 70-grade control.

 

“He’s an intelligent guy,” one evaluator said. “He needs to be a little bit finer because he doesn’t throw hard. He’s always been invested in the game, (and) he has the feel and intelligence to pitch.”

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I just don't know how to reconcile all the awesome things Bryant does with a 35% whiff rate in the PCL.

[Cubswin11]

1. Kris Bryant

1. Kris Bryant, 3b, Iowa (Cubs)

 

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 215. Drafted: San Diego, 2013 (1).

 

The jewel of a loaded Cubs system, Bryant should begin impacting the big league club’s fortunes in 2015, one year after leading the minors with 43 home runs and winning the BA Minor League Player of the Year award.

 

Bryant has plus-plus power, a plus arm that allows him to profile at the infield and outfield corners and good strike-zone coverage despite a high strikeout total. One rival PCL manager said Bryant has the most power he had ever seen in the league, while Iowa manager Marty Pevey said Bryant has plus power to all fields.

 

“Obviously, his power is hard to replicate,” a scout said. “Only (the Rangers’ Joey) Gallo in the minors has more raw power, (but) Bryant has feel to hit and uses the whole field.”

 

While some scouts rave about his athleticism in the dirt, one evaluator said Bryant has range restrictions and trouble moving laterally at third base. “I would not speak glowingly of his defense,” he said. “He’d be an average third baseman, but an above-average right fielder.”

That's all he needs to be if he's hitting 30-40 dongs a year, guy

[Guest]

I just don't know how to reconcile all the awesome things Bryant does with a 35% whiff rate in the PCL.

We know.

[rawaction]

Sucks that Soler didn't get enough ABs to qualify anywhere.

[Gilby]

I just don't know how to reconcile all the awesome things Bryant does with a 35% whiff rate in the PCL.

 

Yeah, though I keep going back to Springer who managed a .350 wOBA with a 61% contact rate in his rookie season in the majors. I think Bryant can at least do that next year.

[ctcf]

Sucks that Soler didn't get enough ABs to qualify anywhere.

 

I suggest just staring at his .903 MLB OPS until that feeling goes away.

[Tyrant]

Sucks that Soler didn't get enough ABs to qualify anywhere.

 

I suggest just staring at his .903 MLB OPS until that feeling goes away.

 

it's more fun to wonder what could have been on one website's end of season list though.

[shnsajax]

Sucks that Soler didn't get enough ABs to qualify anywhere.

 

ROY next year