Fantasy Baseball Prospects

Scott Evans

Top 25 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2012

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 36 Comments

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We’re a few weeks from Opening Day, and the outlook on prospects for 2012 is taking shape.  As usual, it’s important to take a prudent approach with these guys.  Prospect-happy drafting is not wise.  Most of these names won’t make major impacts for another year or two – if ever.  Even so, it’s a good idea to get to know ‘em.  I tried to limit this list to guys I thought would contribute this year.  Rankings are weighted heavily in terms of realistic 2012 playing time, but I’m factoring each player’s projectable ceiling as well.  I’ll be following this post with my Top 25 Fantasy Prospects for 2013 & Beyond.  That one will run on Sunday.  For now, this:

1.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

New York Yankees 2011 Minor League Review

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New York Yankees 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (6) | 2011 (5) | 2010 (22) | 2009 (15) | 2008 (5) | 2007 (5)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [97-65] AL East

AAA: [73-69] International League – Scranton

AA: [68-73] Eastern League – Trenton

A+: [74-64] Florida State League – Tampa

A: [55-85] South Atlantic League – Charleston

A(ss): [45-28] New York-Penn League – Staten Island

The Run Down

The Yankees system took a bit of a blow after losing Jesus Montero, but it’s still in good shape.  Offensively, there isn’t much exciting going on at the high levels of the minors, but there are some high-upside guys (Sanchez, Heathcott) in A-ball.  The pitching side of things is a little more interesting as a number of guys are primed to push through with into the bigs.  The Scranton rotation this year will feature a group of arms, each of whom could surely occupy a major league role with a different organization.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Cincinnati Reds 2011 Minor League Review

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Cincinnati Reds 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (7) | 2011 (6) | 2010 (17) | 2009 (14) | 2008 (3) | 2007 (12)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [79-83] NL Central

AAA: [73-71] International League – Louisville

AA: [53-86] Southern League – Carolina*

A+: [66-74] California League – Bakersfield

A: [83-57] Midwest League – Dayton

R: [44-32] Pioneer League – Billings

*Pensacola takes over as Cincinnati’s Double-A affiliate in 2012.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Cleveland Indians 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 2 Comments

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Cleveland Indians 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (29) | 2011 (7) | 2010 (3) | 2009 (7) | 2008 (19) | 2007 (10) | 2006 (9)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [80-82] AL Central

AAA: [88-56] International League – Columbus

AA: [73-69] Eastern League – Akron

A+: [76-62] Carolina League – Kinston

A: [53-86] Midwest League – Lake County

A(ss): [41-34] New York-Penn League – Mahoning Valley

The Run Down

A lot has been made out of how horrendous the White Sox farm system is, how there’s a sizable gap between them at #30 and the systems ranked ahead of them.  And while I would by no means rank Cleveland’s system beneath that of the White Sox, I don’t necessarily think they’re too far apart.  And from a fantasy perspective, the Sox probably have more pieces who’re ready to contribute.  Certainly the Tribe’s woes in this regard can be attributed to their having graduated a nice crop of guys last year, as well as a few trades (Pomeranz to Colorado).  But the upper levels of the Cleveland farm system are almost entirely void of genuine big league talent.  For chrissakes, their top two prospects – Francisco Lindor & Dillon Howard – have only five games of pro ball experience between them.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

San Diego Padres 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 17 Comments

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San Diego Padres 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (8) | 2011 (8) | 2010 (20) | 2009 (29) | 2008 (13) | 2007 (29) | 2006 (29)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [71-91] NL West

AAA: [65-79] Pacific Coast League – Tucson

AA: [94-46] Texas League – San Antonio

A+: [96-71] California League – Lake Elsinore

A: [69-70] Midwest League – Fort Wayne

A(ss): [46-30] Northwest League – Eugene

The Run Down

San Diego’s system is, without a doubt, among the best in baseball, and that holds true regarding fantasy.  Recent trades are looking incredibly smart, as they’ve traded away big league pieces for multiple prospects, all of whom appear to be panning out.  Alonso, Grandal, Wieland, Erlin and Kelly were all acquired from other systems, and they’re all on the verge of breaking through with the Padres.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Colorado Rockies 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 9 Comments

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Colorado Rockies 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (16) | 2011 (10) | 2010 (10) | 2009 (20) | 2008 (7) | 2007 (2) | 2006 (11)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [73-89] NL West

AAA: [64-80] Pacific Coast League – Colorado Springs

AA: [68-72] Texas League – Tulsa

A+: [74-66] California League – Modesto

A: [69-70] South Atlantic League – Asheville

A(ss): [44-32] Northwest League – Tri-City

R:  [27-49] Pioneer League – Casper

The Run Down

This Colorado farm system is primed to produce a handful of regular MLB players, perhaps a couple all star-types, included.  From a fantasy perspective, there is plenty of reason for excitement, here.  And we might not have to wait too long for it to play out, either.  Top pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz is ready for a spot in the Rockies’ rotation.  And top hitting prospect Nolan Arenado isn’t far behind.  Wilin Rosario should work his way into a regular role as Colorado’s backstop this season, too.  All three project as solid fantasy options.  Behind them, the Rockies have some talent, but, barring injury, the big club won’t be allowing for many throughways this year.  Baseball America ranks this organization at number 16 for 2012, but I like this Rockies system, and given the upside of guys like Pomeranz and Rosario, I think it could certainly rank higher.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Philadelphia Phillies 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 2 Comments

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Philadelphia Phillies 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (27) | 2011 (11) | 2010 (18) | 2009 (12) | 2008 (22) | 2007 (21) | 2006 (22)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [102-60] NL East

AAA: [80-64] International League – Lehigh Valley

AA: [74-68] Eastern League – Reading

A+: [75-63] Florida State League – Clearwater

A: [68-69] South Atlantic League – Lakewood

A(ss): [43-33] New York-Penn League – Williamsport

The Run Down

The Phillies graduated quite a bit of talent in 2011.  They also shipped a few nice prospects Houston’s way.  What’s left is not exciting.  Not from a fantasy perspective, at least.  The Phillies have some nice arms in the lower rungs of their system – A-ball pitchers like Trevor May, Jesse Biddle and Jonathan Pettibone.  Biddle will need a few more years of seasoning, but May and Pettibone could be up next year.  There are a few relief arms ready to contribute in the bigs, but the closer situation in Philly is locked up for the time being.  Offensively, the Phillies a pretty well set at the Major League level.  Any reinforcements they needed arrived last year.  Freddy Galvis might catch on in a utility role, but he won’t see regular time unless Jimmy Rollins or Chase Utley gets hurt.  Don’t expect this system to produce a big league regular until Sebastian Valle arrives two years from now.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Los Angeles Dodgers 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 10 Comments

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Los Angeles Dodgers 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (23) | 2011 (12) | 2010 (21) | 2009 (23) | 2008 (6) | 2007 (6) | 2006 (2)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [82-79] NL West

AAA: [70-74] Pacific Coast League – Albuquerque

AA: [77-62] Southern League – Chattanooga

A+: [80-60] California League – Rancho Cucamonga

A: [72-67] Midwest League – Great Lakes

R: [34-22] Pioneer League – Ogden

The Run Down

While none of them is particularly interesting, the Dodgers have quite a few prospects who are close to helping in some capacity at the Major League level.  Among the pitchers, there isn’t much drawing excitement outside of Zach Lee, and even he doesn’t quite project as the frontline arm you expect from the organization’s top prospect.  There is depth here, though.  LA is loaded with mid-rotation and bullpen arms who’ll be pitching in the bigs before long.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Minnesota Twins 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 3 Comments

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Minnesota Twins 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (19) | 2011 (13) | 2010 (6) | 2009 (22) | 2008 (15) | 2007 (8) | 2006 (6)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [63-99] AL Central

AAA: [53-91] International League – Rochester

AA: [72-70] Eastern League – New Britain

A+: [63-76] Florida State League – Fort Meyers

A: [69-69] Midwest League – Beloit

R: [42-26] Appalachian League – Elizabethton

The Run Down

Much of the Twins best talent is years away from its arrival in the big leagues.  The club’s top prospect, Miguel Sano, is not yet 19.  He headlines a handful of talented prospects beneath the Double-A level, including Eddie Rosario, Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia.  With their first round pick in the June Draft, the Twins added Levi Michael out of UNC.  They hope the shortstop will add some polish to their system’s hitting prospects and climb the ladder quickly, though he’s yet to step foot on a ball field as a pro.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Washington Nationals 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 10 Comments

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Washington Nationals 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2011 (14) | 2010 (24) | 2009 (21) | 2008 (10) | 2007 (30) | 2006 (24)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [80-81] NL East

AAA: [66-74] International League – Syracuse

AA: [80-62] Eastern League – Harrisburg

A+: [68-71] Carolina League – Potomac

A: [75-64] South Atlantic League – Hagerstown

A(ss): [45-30] New York-Penn League – Auburn

The Run Down

There would’ve been a few more guys to discuss here, had the Nationals not gutted their system in acquiring Gio Gonzalez.  Their top two pitching prospects (Brad Peacock & A.J.

Please, blog, may I have some more?