MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 2011 South Atlantic League

By Matt Eddy
on September 26, 2020

As a large league with agreeable springtime weather, the low Class A South Atlantic League is where many future Hall of Famers see their first taste of full-season ball. The list includes Tom Glavine (1985), Craig Biggio (1987), Ivan Rodriguez (1989), Chipper Jones (1991), Derek Jeter (1993) and Vladimir Guerrero (1995).

Potential future Hall of Famers Scott Rolen (1994), Andruw Jones (1995) and Adrian Beltre (1996) also played in the SAL.

The South Atlantic League class of 2011 is notable for its depth, including future MVPs Bryce Harper (No. 1) and Christian Yelich (No. 5) as well as quality regulars Manny Machado (No. 2), Xander Bogaerts (No. 10) and Marcell Ozuna (No. 7).

The depth continues. Harper, Jameson Taillon (No. 4) and Machado were the first three picks in the 2010 draft, while Jurickson Profar (No. 3) would become the No. 1 prospect in baseball in 2013.

2011 South Atlantic League Top 10 Prospects

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Bryce Harper	OF	Hagerstown	Nationals	4,871	36.6
2	Manny Machado	SS	Delmarva	Orioles	4,977	35.9
3	Jurickson Profar	SS	Hickory	Rangers	2,019	5.3
4	Jameson Taillon	RHP	West Virginia	Pirates	466	9.1
5	Christian Yelich	OF	Greensboro	Marlins	4,269	34.4
6	Jesse Biddle	LHP	Lakewood	Phillies	92	-0.6
7	Marcell Ozuna	OF	Greensboro	Marlins	4,109	22.4
8	Brandon Jacobs	OF	Greenville	Red Sox	—	—
9	Jonathan Schoop	SS	Delmarva	Orioles	3,281	10.8
10	Xander Bogaerts	SS	Greenville	Red Sox	4,143	26.2

Harper displayed “exceptional hitting and power prowess” as perhaps the “most heralded minor leaguer ever.” The 18-year-old hit .318 with 14 homers and 19 steals in 72 games, earning a late promotion to Double-A.

Machado showed “impressive bat speed and the ability to consistently barrel up the ball,” looking like a “plus hitter with at least average power.” A dislocated kneecap cut into his production, but he still moved to high Class A in the second half.

The athletic Yelich rode a late surge to 15 homers and 32 steals while hitting .312. Yelich’s manager accurately summed him up this way: “He has good instincts and is going to be a very productive offensive player because he sees the ball very well and really knows the strike zone.”

“Maturity” marked Bogaerts’ play in the South Atlantic League, where he hit .260 with 16 homers as an 18-year-old. He’s got some pop and life in that bat,” his manager said. “He’s an aggressive hitter and he hits the ball as hard and far as anyone you’ll see. You can envision him playing for a long time.”

South Atlantic League All-Time BA No. 1 Prospects

Players listed with career major league plate appearances/innings and FanGraphs WAR. Stats for active players current through mid August.

Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1981	Jeff Reynolds	3B	Greensboro	Yankees	—	—
1982	Matt Winters	OF	Greensboro	Yankees	122	-0.4
1983	Van Snider	OF	Charleston	Royals	36	0.0
1984	Kevin Sliwinski	1B	Florence	Blue Jays	—	—
1985	Sil Campusano	OF	Florence	Blue Jays	288	0.0
1986	Cameron Drew	OF	Asheville	Astros	16	0.0
1987	Mark Whiten	OF	Myrtle Beach	Blue Jays	3,523	13.1
1988	Derek Bell	OF	Myrtle Beach	Blue Jays	5,068	13.0
1989	Willie Ansley	OF	Asheville	Astros	—	—
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1990	Tito Navarro	SS	Columbia	Mets	18	-0.4
1991	Rondell White	OF	Sumter	Expos	5,852	23.8
1992	Cliff Floyd	OF	Albany	Expos	6,063	24.7
1993	Terrell Wade	LHP	Macon	Braves	126	1.0
1994	Ruben Rivera	OF	Greensboro	Yankees	1,818	4.9
1995	Andruw Jones	OF	Macon	Braves	8,664	67.0
1996	Adrian Beltre	3B	Savannah	Dodgers	12,130	84.1
1997	Ryan Minor	3B	Delmarva	Orioles	342	-2.8
1998	Alex Escobar	OF	Capital City	Mets	439	1.4
1999	Rafael Furcal	SS	Macon	Braves	7,237	33.1
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
2000	Josh Hamilton	OF	Charleston	Rays	4,350	27.9
2001	Boof Bonser	RHP	Hagerstown	Giants	417	0.9
2002	Gavin Floyd	RHP	Lakewood	Phillies	1,250	14.9
2003	B.J. Upton	SS	Charleston	Rays	5,858	24.4
2004	Delmon Young	OF	Charleston	Rays	4,371	-1.3
2005	Scott Elbert	LHP	Columbus	Dodgers	97	1.2
2006	Andrew McCutchen	OF	Hickory	Pirates	6,849	49.5
2007	Desmond Jennings	OF	Columbus	Rays	2,351	11.7
2008	Madison Bumgarner	LHP	Augusta	Giants	1,863	34.2
2009	Martin Perez	LHP	Hickory	Rangers	951	8.8
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
2010	Jon Singleton	1B	Lakewood	Phillies	420	-0.9
2011	Bryce Harper	OF	Hagerstown	Nationals	4,725	36.4
2012	Jose Fernandez	RHP	Greensboro	Marlins	471	13.6
2013	Eddie Butler	RHP	Asheville	Rockies	264	-0.8
2014	Lucas Giolito	RHP	Hagerstown	Nationals	451	5.6
2015	Yoan Moncada	2B	Greenville	Red Sox	1,568	10.1
2016	Victor Robles	OF	Hagerstown	Nationals	780	3.1
2017	Sixto Sanchez	RHP	Lakewood	Phillies	39	1.1
2018	D.L. Hall	LHP	Delmarva	Orioles	—	—
2019	Jarred Kelenic	OF	West Virginia	Mariners	—	—