Kris Bryant leads the class of minor league third basemen
As we draw closer and closer to Spring Training and Opening Day, questions about ‘the next big thing’ only intensify. Therefore, we’re bringing you the top five prospects at each position, so that you can have a leg up on your competition. One quick note is that I chose to leave international players who will start 2015 in the majors off this list. That means no Yasmani Tomas, Rusney Castillo, or potentially Hector Olivera. Even though they are technically rookies, I want to focus on players who have spent time in the minor leagues.
In this segment, we look at the top third base prospects headed for the majors in 2015. This year’s crop features power, power, and more power. Unfortunately, for some of these guys, that also means strikeouts, strikeouts, and more strikeouts. Kris Bryant and Joey Gallo both blasted over 40 homers in 2014. Maikel Franco and Miguel Sano hit more than 30 in 2013, while D.J. Peterson bested 30 in his first full season last year. What we’re all waiting to see is how these players fare at the top level.
Kris Bryant – Cubs
Should I start by talking about the 43 home runs Kris Bryant hit across two minor league levels last year? Or maybe how he batted .325? Oh, what about how he also stole 15 bases? If you haven’t gotten the gist yet, I’ll spell it out for you: this kid can do it all. For the sake of baseball fans everywhere, I hope Bryant is manning third base come April 6th when the Cubs open up against the Cardinals at Wrigley. Bryant is a special talent that the nation deserves to see. He generates his immense power using his strong lower half, and his advanced plate discipline keeps his walk rates high enough for his strikeout rate to be acceptable. The only thing Bryant has left to prove is how good he can be at the MLB level. If he were given 600 PA right now, 30+ home runs and an average north of .260 would be more than just a possibility.
Joey Gallo – Rangers
If you’re searching for the next Adam Dunn, look no further than Joey Gallo. Last year, he was the three-true-outcome player of the minors. Between High-A and Double-A, 71.6% of Gallo’s at-bats ended in a home run (42), walk (94), or strikeout (179). Surprisingly, Gallo was able to maintain a .271 average as well. However, while his combined average was .271, it dropped from .323 to .232 when he was promoted from High-A ball to Double-A. His contact woes are very troubling, and will remain something to keep an eye on as Gallo climbs up the ranks. If he’s able to keep his average over .220 in the majors, Gallo could be a lock for 40+ home runs each year. But that could turn out to be a rather big “if.”
Miguel Sano – Twins
There were so many torn UCLs last year that even catchers and third basemen started joining in on the fun. Miguel Sano lost all of 2014 after his Tommy John surgery, but the injury should be completely behind him in 2015. The main knock on Sano is that his swing is a little long, which will prevent him from striking out any less than 150 times a year. However, with grade-80 raw power and 35+ homer potential, I think that Twins management, fans, and Sano fantasy owners alike will be more than okay with 150 strikeouts. The missed season likely bumps Sano’s arrival to Minnesota back to late 2015 or 2016, but expect home runs to come to Target Field when he does.
Maikel Franco – Phillies
Maikel Franco shot up prospect charts everywhere when he batted .230 and hit 31 home runs in 2013, making it clear that he was one of the minor leagues’ premier power hitters, while also possessing formidable contact skills and a low strikeout rate. After tearing through High-A ball, Franco blasted 15 home runs, while striking out just 31 times in 277 Double-A at-bats. However, coming off the heels of a breakout 2013, Franco didn’t do himself any favors in 2014. With an abysmal start, it took Franco until July before he was able to pull his average over .200. But eventually Franco regained his 2013 form, and he reached the majors at the tail end of the season. Baring an atrocious Spring Training, the rebuilding Phillies should have Franco’s name penciled in for Opening Day; his proximity to the majors is a tremendous decrease in the risk that is so common with most prospects.
D.J. Peterson – Mariners
The first four names on this list all have 30-homer seasons under their belts, so what did you expect here? D.J. Peterson blasted 31 home runs between High-A and Double-A last year. Most importantly, he showed that his power wasn’t only a result of the hitter-friendly California League, as he hit 13 of the 31 in Double-A. Peterson possesses elite bat speed, but will need more plate discipline to avoid being exposed by advanced pitchers as he ascends through the minors. Only a Maikel Franco-like start to the 2015 campaign would push his ETA back much past August, and, with his impressive bat, Peterson could be the Mariners’ best chance to see some rare power in Safeco in the coming years.
Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Outfielders
Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Starting Pitchers
Bobby Jacowleff is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Bobby, check out his archive.
