Monday Discussion Question: Which Outfield Prospect Do You Want?

by John Sickels on Mar 12, 2026 8:01 AM EDT

Let's keep going with the theoretical question series. I like asking questions like this because they make you analyze certain players in greater detail, as well as forcing the reader to examine his own assumptions about what they are looking for and value in a prospect. We'll move away from pitchers today and take a look at outfielders.

You MUST take one of the following players and use them as your regular major league center fielder for 2012. You have a magical guarantee that they won't get hurt, but you have to give them regular playing time in center field, at least 450 plate appearances. No matter how badly the guy plays, he has to be on your major league roster all season. You can platoon him a little as long as he gets 450 PA, and center has to be his primary position.

Your home park is Target Field in Minnesota.

Your choices are:

Kole Calhoun, Los Angeles Angels
Brett Eibner, Kansas City Royals
Alex Hassan, Boston Red Sox
Slade Heathcott, New York Yankees
Jiwan James, Philadelphia Phillies
Domingo Santana, Houston Astros

Remember, this isn't about who is the best prospect. You do need to consider all aspects of the player, though. This is real baseball and stuff like defense and baserunning count.

Poll

Which outfielder would you give 450 plate appearances to?

Tweet Comment 20 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: Alex Hassan (RF - BOS), Brett Eibner (RF - KAN), Kole Calhoun (RF - ANA), Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros

Comments

Eibner

I’d pick him. I don’t think what he did last year in A-Ball was a true indication of the type of player he will be moving forward. I do think he will be able to draw a walk albeit with some K issues and some power to make up for that and he will be able to hit for a decent average (.270?) Also, defensively, he should be pretty solid in center-field.

"Hello. My name is Matthew Berry. I am on a Fantasy Jihad. Prepare to die!"

by Dominatio on Mar 12, 2026 8:08 AM EDT reply actions

I take Alex Hassan

He already has a strong approach with great discipline. I’d feel comfortable saying he won’t fall flat on his face at the ML level.

I didn’t even give much thought to Doming Santana he’s too far away to have any kind of success at the ML level.

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Mar 12, 2026 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Quick analysis

Calhoun - He might be the most prepared to hit at the MLB level, but I really don’t think he’s able to play a solid CF defensively.

Eibner - I got 6 different looks at this kid last year. Inside fastballs ate his lunch all day every time I saw him. I’m afraid MLB pitching would kill him. That being said, he is probably the best defensive CF on this list. He has one wail of an arm, and I love how he tracks the ball and the routes he takes after contact. If the team is stacked offensively, he might be your guy and just hope his offense does not completely kill you.

Hassan - I do like his approach at the plate a lot, and he just passed a pretty good test at AA. I’m not sold on his defense in CF either, but he could probably play a passable CF for a year.

Heathcott - WAY too young. He looks like he will stick in CF in the bigs defensively, but he needs at least 3 years in the minors to be able to make it against MLB pitching.

James - WAY too raw. He’s probably the most athletic kid on the list, but his bat may fare worse than Eibner’s if both were given 450 ABs.

Santana - Posted a pretty good stat line in the Sally. I’m just afraid that jump from low A to the bigs would be too much for the kid. I like his approach at the plate though.

Given all these choices, I would definitely go with Hassan. I don’t think he would embarrass himself too much at the plate, and he could play good enough D in CF to get the job done.

by guru4u on Mar 12, 2026 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

I agree across the board, though I think James could give Eibner a run for his money defensively. I think Santana’s probably the least ready, though perhaps the highest ceiling on the list. But as a Phillies fan, I may be biased on that.

by Cormican on Mar 13, 2026 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

My pick

After briefly reviewing each player, it came down to between Calhoun and Hassan for me. Those 2 have played more at a higher level of the minors than the other 4, so they may be closer to MLB ready. They’re also the oldest at 24 and 23 so they have more experience, altho much of it was in college. Plus I think the other 4 all are fairly raw. Calhoun and Hassan each have very good plate discipline and put up good numbers last year. I didnt find much of a scouting report on either one, altho I didnt look too hard.

I went w Hassan because he’s the only one that’s played at as hi as AA and his numbers probably are more legit than Calhoun’s since Calhoun played in a hitters’ league (Cal) while Hassan played in a neutral league (Eastern), altho I didnt bother looking up the park factors for Portland. I’m not sure either one of them profiles as a CFer. Calhoun had a good amount of SBs, but his speed is supposedly only around slightly above average, and my info on him is that he’s more of a corner guy. Hassan had only a handful of SBs, but his build (6’3", 195) seems closer to that of a typical CFer than Calhoun’s. Target Field supposedly is more spacious than most MLB parks, so CF may be challenging for him, but Minny also has Span and Revere that they can play in the corners so their speed can pick up some of the slack. Of course, Hassan may not do much for one of the Twins’ main problems, which is a severe shortage of power. With Mauer and Morneau being major injury concerns, who on that club is going to drive in runs besides Willingham? They may have to play small ball to score runs, and Hassan could help out there by virtue of his very good OBP.

by rhd on Mar 12, 2026 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

BTW...

I have Santana as my best prospect of the six, but I think playing him anywhere on any MLB club in 2012 would be a disaster. That illustrates John’s main intent for this thread.

by rhd on Mar 12, 2026 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Santana would seriously strike out

In 75% of his plate appearances.

by auclairkeithbc on Mar 12, 2026 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely the best bats

But I don’t have much faith in them defensively, especially in CF at Target Field. I went with Eibner - I think his defense would be valuable, and I think his BB and K rates in the minors are good enough that he could be valuable with the bat.

by cookiedabookie on Mar 12, 2026 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I picked Eibner. Here’s to hoping he cuts the strikeout rate to somewhere near 20% and maintains his current walk rate of around 14% and even though K’s were a problem in 2011 he still posted decent OBP% and SLG%. Plus with the injury free guarantee and the strong defense he seems like he could produce the most value in the field and at the plate…also if his BABIP improves to around .290-.300 he could see an additional uptick across the board.

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 12, 2026 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hassan

he’s the only one advanced enough where I wouldn’t be totally concerned he’d be an offensive black hole

by PrincetonCubs on Mar 12, 2026 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

Do we keep them all in our imaginary "system"?

If these are my choices at my disposal for my team, and I get to keep them all, I’d take Hassan over Heathcott (for instance) since he’s more advanced (as stated above) and I could give the latter more time to develop. But if I get to pick one and only one (parallel to a Rule 5 pick) to keep this year and then still have at my disposal, I’d take the higher ceiling, such as Heathcott (in this instance).

by AGuinness on Mar 12, 2026 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

I'll take Hassan or Calhoun

Calhoun has impressed on both offense and defense so far this spring. He’s made a couple diving catches in right. He’s taken an 0 fer against lefties but his BA is still around .400

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 12, 2026 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Why does everyone take the 4 toolsy players over the two skills players.

The 2 skills players (Hassan and Calhoun) Average 9%. The 4 toolsy players average 18%. I would take Hassan or Calhoun.

by Bososx13 on Mar 12, 2026 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

because Hassan and Calhoun are probably the least likely to be able to handle CF in Target Field

by cookiedabookie on Mar 12, 2026 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't get it

They are also the only two players who would not get completely embarrassed offensively.

by GoldenSpikes24 on Mar 12, 2026 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

Not sold any have a chance at ML CF

Hassan is most ready but is a corner OF, Calhoun might be able to pull it off but he’s done a lot of A ball after being tagged not having much of a ceiling. The others don’t seem in the least ready to make the jump -I’d take an older AAAA outfielder ahead of them all for a full season. I picked Hassan but agree with the criticisms against

I would add James is the most likely to struggle with the jump from from a personal adaptation struggles -he would be my last choice. Eibner shows no readiness in the least -Jarrod Dyson would be a better choice-how often to outfielders jump from A ball to MLB?

by ribman on Mar 12, 2026 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

jarrod dyson is a major leaguer....he doesnt exactly fit in with the rest of the group

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Mar 13, 2026 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Duh I know

but I would go there before I went Eisner ~~I’m saying he’s nowhere near ready and AAAA guy is a better choice and theres always a AAAA guy around~~

by ribman on Mar 13, 2026 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

thats the point

thats the point of the question, we know there are better options like the 4A type guys. The question shows that people either vote and don’t read the question, or it shows how people are blinded by tools and don’t understand that closeness to the majors is much more valuable thing than most prospect junkies give it credit. Hitters can’t jump from A ball to the majors, thats why anyone picking the ‘upside’ guys are missing the point. They might be able to field the position but would maybe hit .150 at this point in their career.

by GoldenSpikes24 on Mar 13, 2026 9:45 PM EDT reply actions