Hello everyone. Welcome back to my personal Top 20 rankings of each team. I kicked things off with the NL East back in September with the NL Central also done in October. Here's a quick recap of the top prospects for each team -
Braves - Lucas Sims, Marlins - Andrew Heaney, Mets - Noah Syndergaard, Phillies - Maikel Franco, Nationals - Lucas Giolito, Cubs - Javier Baez, Reds - Robert Stephenson, Brewers - Jimmy Nelson, Pirates - Gregory Polanco, Cardinals - Oscar Taveras
Now that we have that out of the way, here are the Top 20 Prospects for each NL West team.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Starting pitcher Archie Bradley finished the year with a 1.84 ERA and 14 wins for the Diamondbacks A+ and AA affiliates.
via chrisharrismlb.files.wordpress.com
RANK | PLAYER | AGE | POS | LEVEL |
1 | Archie Bradley | 20 | RHSP | A+/AA |
2 | Tyler Skaggs | 21 | LHSP | A+/AAA/MLB |
3 | Braden Shipley | 21 | RHSP | A-/A |
4 | Chris Owings | 21 | SS | AAA |
5 | Aaron Blair | 21 | RHSP | A-/A |
6 | Matt Davidson | 22 | 3B | AAA |
7 | Justin Williams | 17 | LF | R/R+/A |
8 | Brandon Drury | 20 | 3B | A |
9 | David Holmberg | 21 | LHSP | AA |
10 | Andrew Chafin | 23 | LHSP | A+/AA |
11 | Stryker Trahan | 19 | C | R |
12 | Daniel Palka | 21 | 1B | R+/A- |
13 | Matt McPhearson | 18 | CF | R |
14 | Jake Lamb | 22 | 3B | R/A+ |
15 | Jake Barrett | 21 | RHRP | A+/AA |
16 | Brad Keller | 17 | RHSP | R/R+ |
17 | Rudy Flores | 22 | 1B | A |
18 | Gerson Montilla | 23 | 2B | A+ |
19 | Geordy Parra | 19 | RHRP | R+/A |
20 | Jimmie Sherfy | 21 | RHRP | A-/A |
HM | Luis Ramirez | 20 | RHRP | DSL/R/R+ |
HM | Gabriel Moya | 18 | LHRP | DSL |
Notes: Geordy Parra, younger brother of current D-Backs outfielder Gerardo Parra, Geordy only threw 27 innings between Missoula of the offensive-minded Pioneer League and Low A South Bend, but he dominated in those innings with a 0.33 ERA, 13 K/9, 3.25 K/BB and a .170 batting average. Parra came in at #18 in the Pioneer League by Baseball America. He features a 93-95 mph fastball with a mid 80's split and a curve.17 year old short stop turned left fielder Justin Williams blew away both rookie leagues and earned a three game stint at Low A South Bend to end the year. He finished the year with a .351/.397/.452 line with 18 doubles and 37 RBI in 51 games.
Colorado Rockies
The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Jonathan Gray absolutely dominated after signing with a 1.93 ERA, 12.29 K/9 and 6.38 K/BB.
RANK | PLAYER | AGE | POS | LEVEL |
1 | Jonathan Gray | 21 | RHSP | R+/A+ |
2 | Eddie Butler | 22 | RHSP | A/A+/AA |
3 | David Dahl | 19 | CF | A |
4 | Ryan McMahon | 18 | 3B | R+ |
5 | Kyle Parker | 23 | LF/1B | AA |
6 | Rosell Herrera | 20 | SS | A |
7 | Tom Murphy | 22 | C | A/AA |
8 | Tyler Anderson | 23 | LHSP | A-/A+ |
9 | Trevor Story | 20 | SS | A+ |
10 | Daniel Winkler | 23 | RHSP | A+/AA |
11 | Sam Moll | 21 | LHSP | A- |
12 | Jordan Patterson | 21 | RF | R+ |
13 | Raimel Tapia | 19 | CF | R+ |
14 | Ryan Casteel | 22 | C | A+ |
15 | Tyler Matzek | 22 | LHSP | AA |
16 | Francisco Sosa | 23 | LF | A |
17 | Matt Flemer | 22 | RHSP | A |
18 | Jayson Aquino | 20 | LHSP | A-/A |
19 | Jose Briceno | 20 | C | R+/A |
20 | Alex Balog | 20 | RHSP | R+ |
HM | Emerson Jimenez | 18 | SS | DSL/R+ |
HM | Raul Fernandez | 23 | RHP | A |
Notes: 19 year old center fielder Raimel Tapia proved the Pioneer League to be not enough competition for him, tearing the league's pitching apart with a .357/.399/.562 line with 20 doubles, 6 triples and 7 home runs. He drove in 47 and stole 10 bases with a decent 15/31 walks to strike outs. He was ranked as the 3rd best prospect in the league by Baseball America, noting 20-20 potential with a high average. Catcher Jose Briceno dominated the Pioneer League as well for 36 games with a .333/.356/.614 line, 9 home runs, and 16 doubles but was not anywhere close to that with his promotion to Low A Asheville. In his time there, the 20 year old Venezuelan only hit .264/.302/.363 with 6 doubles and 1 home run in 27 games. Briceno came in at #10 in the League by BA.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The 19 year old short stop Corey Seager hit 18 homers, 23 doubles and drove in 82 for Low A Great Lakes (A) and High A Rancho Cucamonga (A+).
RANK | PLAYER | AGE | POS | LEVEL |
1 | Corey Seager | 19 | SS | A/A+ |
2 | Joc Pederson | 21 | CF | AA |
3 | Julio Urias | 16 | LHSP | A |
4 | Zach Lee | 21 | RHSP | AA |
5 | Chris Anderson | 20 | RHSP | A |
6 | Tom Windle | 21 | LHSP | A |
7 | Chris Reed | 23 | LHSP | AA |
8 | Jose Dominguez | 22 | RHP | AA/AAA/MLB |
9 | Scott Schebler | 22 | RF | A+ |
10 | Jacob Scavuzzo | 19 | LF | R+ |
11 | Ross Stripling | 23 | RHSP | A+/AA |
12 | Jesmuel Valentin | 19 | 2B | R+/A |
13 | Darnell Sweeney | 22 | SS | A+ |
14 | Lindsey Caughel | 22 | RHSP | A/A+ |
15 | Noel Cuevas | 21 | CF | A+ |
16 | Alex Santana | 19 | 3B | R+ |
17 | Yimi Garcia | 22 | RHP | A/A+/AA |
18 | Jharel Cotton | 21 | RHSP | A/A+/AA |
19 | Victor Gonzalez | 17 | LHSP | R |
20 | Jairo Pacheco | 16 | LHP | DSL |
HM | JD Underwood | 20 | RHSP | R/R+ |
HM | Adam Law | 23 | 3B | R/R+ |
Notes: Jacob Scavuzzo showcased some monster power as a 19 year old, hitting 14 homers, 18 doubles, and a .307/.350/.578 line for Ogden of the Pioneer League. The 21st round pick in 2012 split time between CF and LF making 6 errors. His 6'4 195 pound frame has room for even more power and was ranked as the 9th best prospect in the Pioneer League by BA. Right handed starting pitcher Lindsey Caughel spent a month in Low A before getting the bump to High A Rancho Cucamonga for the rest of the year, posting a combined 3.63 ERA with 8.65 K/9 and 6.0 K/BB with a 3.11 FIP. He only walked 23 batters in 143.2 innings, good for an amazing 1.44 BB/9.
San Diego Padres
Austin Hedges is arguably the best defensive catcher in the game with gold glove potential and he also hit .262 with 30 doubles and 8 stolen bases.
RANK | PLAYER | AGE | POS | LEVEL |
1 | Austin Hedges | 20 | C | A+/AA |
2 | Matt Wisler | 20 | RHSP | A+/AA |
3 | Hunter Renfroe | 21 | RF | A-/A |
4 | Max Fried | 19 | LHSP | A |
5 | Burch Smith | 23 | RHSP | AA/AAA/MLB |
6 | Rymer Liriano | 22 | RF | INJ |
7 | Keyvius Sampson | 22 | RHSP | AA/AAA |
8 | Franchy Cordero | 18 | SS | R |
9 | Matt Andriese | 23 | RHSP | AA/AAA |
10 | Reymond Fuentes | 22 | CF | AA/AAA |
11 | Cory Spangenberg | 22 | 2B | A+/AA |
12 | Jace Peterson | 23 | SS | A+ |
13 | Zach Eflin | 19 | RHSP | A |
14 | Joe Ross | 20 | RHSP | A |
15 | Jose Urena | 18 | RF | R |
16 | Dustin Peterson | 18 | 3B | R |
17 | Adrian De Horta | 18 | RHSP | R |
18 | Travis Jankowski | 22 | CF | A+ |
19 | Walker Weickel | 19 | RHSP | A |
20 | Pete Kelich | 22 | RHSP | R |
HM | Franmil Reyes | 17 | RF | R/A- |
HM | Juan Oramas | 23 | LHSP | R/AA |
Notes: The San Diego Padres should be the envy of every system because of one thing. Pitching depth. Any pitcher in the top 15 could peak as a #3 starter minimum with back of the rotation floors. The surprise name on this list could be an impact short stop in 18 year old Franchy Cordero. He's got a strong frame at 6'3, 175 lb that has plenty of projection and could develop into a beast with above average power/hit/arm/range and great instincts. He posted a .333/.381/.511 line in the rookie AZL complex league with 4 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, and 11 steals without getting caught. He ranked 3rd in the BA Top 20 AZL prospect list. Pete Kelich anchored that same pitching staff and showed impeccable control on the mound. The 38th round senior sign out of Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island, has a low 90's fastball and a cutter, change and slider. He dominated younger competition obviously but anytime a guy posts a 69/1 K/BB ratio, I take notice; especially when he's only been concentrating on pitching for three years. He also had a 1.40 ERA, 10.71 K/9 and a 1.15 FIP in 58 innings.
Note - Rymer Liriano added at #6. Adys Portillo dropped.
San Francisco Giants
Right hander Kyle Crick dominated California League hitters with a 1.81 ERA, 12.7 K/9 and held them to a .192 batting average.
via cdn.fansided.com
RANK | PLAYER | AGE | POS | LEVEL |
1 | Kyle Crick | 20 | RHSP | A+ |
2 | Christian Arroyo | 18 | SS | R |
3 | Edwin Escobar | 21 | LHSP | A+/AA |
4 | Clayton Blackburn | 20 | RHSP | A+ |
5 | Andrew Susac | 23 | C | AA |
6 | Kendry Flores | 21 | RHSP | A |
7 | Adalberto Mejia | 20 | LHSP | A+/AAA |
8 | Martin Agosta | 22 | RHSP | A |
9 | Gustavo Cabrera | 17 | CF | DSL |
10 | Ryder Jones | 19 | 3B | R |
11 | Gary Brown | 24 | CF | AAA |
12 | Ty Blach | 22 | LHSP | A+ |
13 | Keury Mella | 19 | RHSP | R |
14 | Mac Williamson | 22 | RF | A+ |
15 | Joan Gregorio | 21 | RHSP | A |
16 | Chris Stratton | 22 | RHSP | A |
17 | Joe Panik | 22 | 2B | AA |
18 | Derek Law | 22 | RHP | R/A/A+ |
19 | Heath Hembree | 24 | RHP | AAA |
20 | Chris Johnson | 21 | RHSP | A- |
HM | Bryce Bandilla | 23 | LHP | A+ |
HM | Nicol Parra | 18 | CF | DSL |
Notes: One of the top international free agents from 2012 signing period, Gustavo Cabrera debuted in the DSL with a .247/.379/.360 line with 21 stolen bases, 30 walks and 38 runs scored in just 54 games. The 6'2 190 lb center fielder signed for $1.3 million and he suffered a very serious hand/wrist injury this offseason which could put his 2014 stateside debut on hold. Bryce Bandilla is good at one thing and that is sending the batter back to the bench with a K. The 6'4 235 lb southpaw struck out 72 batters in just 44.1 innings, good for 14.62 K/9 and a .166 opponents batting average. He posted a 3.65 ERA, 5.08 BB/9 and 2,88 K/BB with 5 saves in 38 appearances. He was a 4th round pick in 2011 spending this past year, his age 23 season, at High A San Jose in the California league.