Pacific Coast League Top 20 Prospects Chat With Nathan Rode
Nathan Rode answered subscribers' questions about prospects from the Pacific Coast League.
Nathan Rode answered subscribers' questions about prospects from the Pacific Coast League.
Brett Lawrie leads off the Pacific Coast list.
The Triple-A Pacific Coast League favors batters, and the circuit's talent leaned heavily in the direction of offense in 2011. The first six players on our Top 20 Prospects list were hitters, led by Las Vegas third baseman Brett Lawrie and Tacoma second baseman Dustin Ackley, who made their presence felt in the majors before the year was done.
James Bailey answered International League questions including queries about Yonder Alonso, Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jesus Montero.
Even without Stephen Strasburg, it was another great year for prospect dreaming in the Triple-A International League. Twenty-six members of Baseball America's preseason Top 100 Prospects list competed with IL clubs at some point during the season, including three of the top five in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre catcher Jesus Montero, Lehigh Valley outfielder Domonic Brown and Gwinnett righthander Julio Teheran.
The two best pitching prospects in baseball competed for the top spot on the International League list.
Will Lingo explained more about the rankings or ommissions of Juan Nicasio, Jose Altuve, Wil Myers and others.
Mike Trout, one of the game's top prospects, leads off the Texas League list.
San Antonio dominated the Double-A Texas League from start to finish in 2011, posting 94 regular-season wins and going 6-1 in the playoffs to take the league title. The Missions also had a wealth of talent, with standouts like righthander Casey Kelly and third baseman James Darnell to start the season. After they were promoted, Jedd Gyorko replaced Darnell at third base and pitchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland moved from Frisco to San Antonio when the Rangers traded for Padres reliever Mike Adams.
Ben Badler talked about the top prospects in the Southern League.
Pitching prospects stood out in the Double-A Southern League this year, none more than Montgomery lefthander Matt Moore. He started to establish himself as the top pitching prospect in the minors while with the Biscuits, solidified the notion with even more dominating numbers in Triple-A and put an exclamation point on it by striking out 11 Yankees in five shutout innings in his first big league start.
John Manuel answered Eastern League prospect questions.
Pitching prospects stood out in the Double-A Southern League this year, none more than Montgomery lefthander Matt Moore. He started to establish himself as the top pitching prospect in the minors while with the Biscuits, solidified the notion with even more dominating numbers in Triple-A and put an exclamation point on it by striking out 11 Yankees in five shutout innings in his first big league start.
Bryce Harper leads off a pretty deep Eastern League Top Prospects list.
A year after reaping the benefits of Stephen Strasburgmania, Harrisburg once again had the Double-A Eastern League's star attraction. Bryce Harper may have generated even more hype when he jumped two levels from low Clas A in early July.
Jim Shonerd took subscribers' questions about Florida State League prospects.
Thanks to the high Class A Florida State League's big parks and sea-level altitude, pitchers typically stand out more than the hitters. This year was no different, as power-armed righthanders Shelby Miller (Palm Beach) and Matt Harvey (St. Lucie) headlined our Top 20 Prospects list.
Thanks to the high Class A Florida State League's big parks and sea-level altitude, pitchers typically stand out more than the hitters. This year was no different, as power-armed righthanders Shelby Miller (Palm Beach) and Matt Harvey (St. Lucie) headlined our Top 20 Prospects list.
Josh Leventhal answered your California League prospect questions.
Our California League Top 20 Prospects list had several worthy contenders for No. 1.