2012 Northwest League Top 20 Prospects

By Conor Glassey
September 28, 2012

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See also: Northwest League Top 20 Prospects With Scouting Reports
See also: Northwest League Top 20 Prospects Chat With Conor Glassey
See also: Complete League Top 20 Prospects schedule

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NORTHWEST LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Mike Zunino, c, Everett (Mariners)

2. Dan Vogelbach, 1b, Boise (Cubs)

3. Victor Sanchez, rhp, Everett (Mariners)

4. Joe Ross, rhp, Eugene (Padres)

5. Tom Murphy, c, Tri-City (Rockies)

6. Marco Hernandez, ss, Boise (Cubs)

7. Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Boise (Cubs)

8. C.J. Edwards, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)

9. Gioskar Amaya, 2b, Boise (Cubs)

10. Patrick Kievlehan, 3b, Everett (Mariners)

11. Mac Williamson, of, Salem-Keizer (Giants)

12. Rosell Herrera, ss/3b, Tri-City (Rockies)

13. Jose Valdespina, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)

14. Dane Phillips, c, Eugene (Padres)

15. Stephen Bruno, inf, Boise (Cubs)

16. Trey Martin, of, Boise (Cubs)

17. Tayler Scott, rhp, Boise (Cubs)

18. Jeremy Baltz, of, Eugene (Padres)

19. Ketel Marte, ss/2b, Everett (Mariners)

20. Taylor Cole, rhp, Vancouver (Blue Jays)

For the second year in a row, Vancouver (Blue Jays) won the Northwest League championship. While last year's edition of the Canadian featured No. 1 prospect Justin Nicolino, this year's club was an older team highlighted by the No. 20 prospect in the league, righthander Taylor Cole. In the finals, Vancouver beat Boise, which placed a league-high seven players on this Top 20.

While most Rookie-level and short-season leagues greatly benefited from the earlier draft signing deadline, NWL talent was just OK this summer. The top half of this list would have been much stronger had several other notable prospects played enough to qualify, such as Boise center fielder Albert Almora, Salem-Keizer righthander Chris Stratton, Spokane third baseman Joey Gallo or Vancouver righthander Roberto Osuna played enough to qualify.

For the first time since 1999 (when we went just 10 deep), this list doesn't include a lefthanded pitcher.