South Atlantic League All Star Hitters
Just entering July and about half way through the 2011 season we’re getting a much clearer picture of the top performers across baseball. So we’re hopping from league to league and taking preseason ranks, to date 2011 statistical analysis and scouting reports to task to see who who’s. Today we’re looking at the South Atlantic League affectionately called the Sally by minor league baseball aficionados. Let’s take the hitters first since we have a pretty good bet off the top to find a future major leaguer.
Bryce Harper, OF Washington Nationals
Bryce Harper OF Nationals (19) – The fame monster has struck Harper and as such he’s been in the national baseball spot light since he was a Freshman in High School. The Natural hasn’t disappointed in his 2011 professional debut. He’s Low K rate, good walk rate of 57/42 and he’s crushing the baseball. 13 HR with 14 doubles and chipping in 17 SB to date is pretty special for a 19 year old. He’s hitting .310 after a midseason slump. The future is bright if his star isn’t already burning hotter than he can handle. The expectations are set way too high and that scares me. But the talent is very special led by plus plus power not often seen. (He’s recently been moved to Double-A Harrisburg.)
Jurickson Profar SS Rangers (18) – 5 tool talent who’s answering the naysayers who doubted he would be a SS at the professional level. He’s handling SS well and looks to be an above average fielder with an excellent arm. More than athletic enough to handle the OF and the frame to profile well. His bat has been even more of a surprise. Not because it was doubted, but because his power is coming along so quickly. He’s already at 19 doubles and 8 HR and flashing his speed with 6 triples and 8 SB. He’s doing it across the board and his .266 AVG will see a jump when his .278 BABIP normalizes. With Harper gone Profar is the SAL top prospect but I also expect to see the 18 year old moved to Advanced A ball soon.
Christian Villanueva 3B Rangers (20) – The Rangers see Villanueva as a glove first 3B prospect and hoping he can add some power to stick there. Well, it looks like the hit tool breakout from 2010 is turning into a power breakout in 2011. He’s hitting .277 with 8 HR and 18 doubles while running for 18 SB. So he’s going from fringe prospect to top prospect. He’s one to keep an eye on.
Miles Head 1B Red Sox (20) – Head tore up the Sally in the first half with 15 HR and 25 doubles while driving in 53 . His .338 AVG was driven by a high LD% and BABIP of .379. So that means he certainly hitting the ball hard. His open stance means that his bat speed is going to be tested as he moves up the ladder. As a right-handed 1B he’s going to need the bat to be well above average to have a strong future. But his performance in the first half is most notable and has earned him a call up to the Carolina League in Advanced A ball.
J. R. Murphy, C/3B New York Yankees
J.R. Murphy C Yankees (20) – Murphy has taken advantage of a slow start by fellow C prospect Gary Sanchez and has made strides behind the plate. Ultimately he’s probably going to end up a corner OF or 3B if his power develops fully. He has a solid approach at the plate leading to a .300 AVG with 6 HR and 23 doubles. He’s difficult to strike out but still has work to do with working counts. Once that happens his hit tool will be enough to carry him through the system and he could be an average regular in the OF.
Corey Dickerson OF Rockies (22) – Another unheralded prospect, Dickerson, has a sweet lefty swing with above average raw power that is already translating well in games. Currently 16 HR with 16 doubles and a .288 AVG. His .340 IsoP probably isn’t sustainable but even a regression still shows that the power is legit. He’s already pretty patient at the plate and makes good contact. He’s a name on the rise.
Gary Sanchez C Yankees (18) – Sanchez is one of the elite Yankees prospects, although he’s being out shined by Murphy this year and has had some questions about his makeup arise, he still has the elite skill set and is only 18. He’s flashing the power with 7 HR and 13 doubles producing a .175 IsoP. His k/bb is troubling but a 10%+ walk rate is pretty good for a kid his age. With maturity it should rise and lead to him being able to fully take advantage of his raw power. His hit tool is questionable at this point with a .246 AVG and his BABIP being a nice .346. So there is definitely refining needed which is ok because it will take time for him to become the best catcher he can be. With Montero ahead of him the Yankees can give Sanchez that needed time.
Christian Vazquez C Red Sox (21) – Vazquez is a touch old for the league, but his numbers merit mention since he does possess a plus arm and could one day become a solid back up catcher even if his bat doesn’t become above average. He’s currently showing excellent power with a .213 IsoP headed by 10 HR and 11 doubles. His .276 AVG is probably above his skill set though. With enough time to refine his receiving and blocking, Vazquez, is athletic enough to stick behind the plate. I don’t think his bat will ever advance enough to make him passable at 3B so he’ll need to stick at catcher.
Jonathan Schoop, SS/3B Baltimore Orioles
Jonathan Schoop SS Orioles (19) – Just 19 years old its tough to fathom being as talented as Schoop and being 2nd on the depth chart to another SS in the organization. Especially when that plyer is a year younger. But that is where Schoop finds himself. With Machado being placed a step ahead in development, Schoop is going to be paced right behind. Schoop though is not showing any ill effects. He was one of the best hitters through his frist 212 AB batting .316 with 8 HR and 12 doubles good for a .198 IsoP. He also stole 6 bases and played an excellent SS. Chances are that he’ll eventually be moved to 3B or possibly CF. But for now the O’s are playing the odds in case Machado flames out however unlikely that is.
Trayce Thompson OF White Sox (20) – Thompson is the showing some really good power with 13 HR and 15 doubles but he’s only scratching the surface. He has some of the most elite raw power in all of the minor leagues and still just learning how to harness it. The bad to this season is 92 K to date. He has a lot of work to do and the maturation process is probably going to be a slow one. But Thompson could some day prove to be a proto RF with his large frame, plus arm and plus plus raw power.
Christian Yelich OF Marlins (19) – Sweet swinging HS lefty, Yelich, is showing more speed than I expected and if profiling well as an OF because of it. He certainly has average speed but with 17 SB to go along with 7 HR and 19 doubles, he’s putting it all together. He should see High A when the Marlins move Kyle Jensen up from Jupiter. So that puts Yelich on the fast track for a 19 year old.
Edward Salcedo 3B Braves (19) – Signed as a SS, Salcedo, makes the move to 3B because he’s already physically developed and is going to be a bit big for SS. But he handles 3B well and his power potential makes him a nice prospect. So far he’s at a .180 IsoP driven by 9 HR and 18 doubles and a .278 AVG. Add in 13 SB and he’s doing a bit of everything. He should see Lynchburg this year.
David Freitas C Nationals (22) – Freitas might not be viewed as anything more than a backup catcher, but he’s doing his best to get noticed. He’s walking more than he’s striking out, hitting .310 and powering a .186 IsoP with 9 HR and 19 doubles. That is a great line for a catcher and although Freitas might be a little old for the level, if he can stick at catcher and come anywhere near this offensive production the Nationals are going to have to take notice.
Check back later in the week for the top Sally League pitchers and a breakdown on Cardinals top prospect Carlos Martinez.
