Community Discussion: Name Your Favorite Sleeper Prospect

High 90’s sinking fastball and he hasn’t walked anyone in Lo-A. Might not be a sleeper any more but he was my favorite pre-season.

…Go Flying Tigers!
He’s not particularly toolsy and may not be a great defender out there, but all he’s done is hit so far in his college/minors career.

Kyler Burke - Former OF has taken to the mound where there are reports of two plus pitches and a developing change. Fastball can touch mid-90’s. He’s old for his level, obviously (just turned 24), but power lefties always intrigue, and he’s off to a good start. That said, is he a starter or a pen arm? He’s currently piggybacking, which doesn’t tell us that much. Also, he’ll be a 6 year minor league FA after this season.

PJ Francescon - IIRC, John actually had him on his original list before I argued to swap him out. The 2011 40th rounder’s fastball is in the low 90’s, but shows some promise on both the breaking ball and the changeup. Like Burke, a bit older (23). Ceiling’s probably mid-rotation, projects more as end of the rotation/pen.

Michael Jensen - 2011 26th round overslot JC kid was noted for his fastball/breaking ball combination. Off to a great start in Peoria, and hey … he’s age appropriate (21)!

Ben Wells - Does he fall under sleeper classification? Seems likely, relative to some of the other arms above. Big righty was a 7th round overslot in 2010, has gotten off to a solid start in Peoria in a piggybacking role, with an added focus on throwing first-pitch strikes. Breaking ball has flashed on occasion this year, but his bread and butter is his sinker. Hey … he’s young for the level (19)!

Rubi Silva - 22 year (turns 23 in June) Cuban signee always had intriguing offensive tools. One of the few early-season breakouts for the Cubs system, he’s sporting a .321/.374/.452 line. Okay, that .409 BABIP isn’t going to hold, but the intriguing part of his start is that his walk rate is significantly up. 18 total walks in 495 AB’s last year - already has 7 in 84 AB’s.

Dae-Eun Rhee - ERA looks ugly (partly due to .357 BABIP and some early season long ball issues), but his K and BB rates are similar to last year’s. Last year, he got better as the weather warmed up.

Dallas Beeler - 41st round pick in 2010 coming off TJ, the big righty is up in AA Tennessee. Exceptional command, gets ground balls. Doesn’t have Wells sinker, though. Can he tighten up the breaking ball? Ceiling is probably mid-rotation, but also probably projects more as a 4/5 guy.

Alberto Cabrera and Marcus Hatley - Tossing Cabrera in here, because I recall that John wasn’t that huge on him. Cubs demoted him back to AA, and moved the 23 year old to the pen. In ST with the big league club, he lit up the guns, but has to work on some consistency. That said, mid-upper 90’s heat out of the pen with a good slider. Since Frank Batista was promoted, Cabrera is getting some closing looks in AA. 24 year old Hatley was a 39th rounder in 2006 who had TJ. Big time stuff, with mid-upper 90’s heat and a good slider as well. Both have late inning potential.

Does a guy who got an overslot bonus a year or two ago really count as a sleeper?

11/3 bb/k - I know he is a little old

Also not sure Shawn tolleson counts as a sleeper anymore but his FIP is incredible…

2B for the Braves in Lynchburg all he’s done is hit .333/.433/.542 this season in the CAR league. 11/3 BB/K ratio, only K’d 3 times all season! Haven’t been able to read many scouting reports on him but it looks like the man can stick. Anyone seen him in person?

I’m also a big fan of Ravel Santana, if he counts as a sleeper. Probably a bit too high profile. Kubitza and La Stella for the Braves, also.

will second La Stella
also: Junichi Tazawa

Not sure if he really qualifies as a sleeper, given how much the fanfare he received when he was signed.

He has been horrible up until this year, and looks to finally be putting something together.

He strikes out too much (25% this year) but he’s also got a .909 OPS to go along with 5 homers and 5 steals for Lakewood this year. I don’t ever expect him to be a top 50 guy or anything, but I think he could end up turning into a useful player at the Major League Level.

/thread

RHP Jose Cisnero - Houston

was one guy I remember designating a sleeper before the season…so far so okay, .245/.327/.429 w/ 5 HRs in the MWL.

Kendrick Perkins - OF - BOS - Raw tools, big guy, I think he has the potential to begin making an impact in ’12.

Oscar Hernandez - C - TB - If he even shows a hint of his DSL ‘11 power numbers, he’ll rocket up prospect lists.

Luigi Rodriguez - OF - CLE - Converted outfielder (2B?) that is already off to a good start.

Astros, Jonathan Meyer, 3B
Brewers, Eric Marzec, RHP
Cardinals, Anthony Garcia, OF
Cubs, Frank Batista, RHP
Pirates, Adalberto Santos, OF
Reds, Henry Rodriguez, 2B-3B

Gabe Lino C Orioles
Christian Villanueva 3B Rangers
Kyle Waldrop RF Reds
Tyler Austin RF Yankees — not anymore
Alen Hanson SS Pirates — not anymore part 2
Glynn Davis CF Orioles
J.T. Realmuto C Marlins — not much of a sleeper
Maikel Franco 3B Phillies
Domingo Tapia RHP Mets
Ariel Pena RHP Angels
Victor Payano LHP Rangers
Victor Sanchez RHP Mariners — questionable sleeper considering IFA status
Ronald Guzman 1B/LF Rangers — same as Sanchez
Tony Cingrani LHP Reds
Brenny Paulino RHP Tigers
Andrew Chafin LHP D-Backs
Dave Filak RHP Braves
Nick Maronde LHP Angels
Felipe Rivero LHP Devil Rays (fine me, bitches!)

Chase Anderson

Apparently has the best changeup on the farm, throws low 90s with his fastball, and uses a cutter as his third pitch.

He’s missing bats at AA level, which is always good to see. I think he can be a major league starter, even if only back-end, as long as he can stay healthy and build up innings.

I’ll take Jeimer Candelario (K’s too much, but nice pop and great patience), Orlando Arcia, and Juan “The butcher” Santana (28 errors in just 65 games at short last year).

I have Arcia in my top 75-100 already, and Candelario on the cusp. Santana maybe top 130 or so.

Good premise for a thread, John!

and is Darin Gorski still considered a sleeper?

Maybe not a huge sleeper but he’s talented

IP: 18.1 ERA:7.85 H:22 BB: 14 SO: 36, ERA and WHIP is terrible, but unbelievable K/9(17.7). I don’t understand this kid, too..

Jimmy Nelson - didn’t rank highly on Brewers lists coming into the season, but currently off to a great start in the FSL, showing good command of two plus pitches.

Wilfredo Tovar - above average defensive SS has taken a big step forward with the bat, good approach, with a bit of gap power.

Rob Segedin - Yankees 2010 3rd rounder isn’t awful in RF, and shows a decent bat.

Drafted in Rd #3 but has put up some remarkable number last year and this season. Hard to ignore the sub-one era and K rate.

Of course, one could say he has awoken (or returned from the near dead). I’m excited to see if he can stay this hot in AA, learn to play LF and maybe move to the bigs in September or next year.

Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox - He’s gotten off to a slow start this year and needs to work on cutting the Ks, but draws walks and hits for power, all while providing a strong glove at 2B. Fast bat.

Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers - I took him in the 2009 Minor League Ball mock draft, so I’ll admit a bit of a fondness. Big body and decent stuff, doesn’t walk a lot of guys, strikeouts have crept up every year, keeps the ball on the ground. Steady progress up the ladder. Remains hittable and might be better suited in the long-run to play a useful role in the major league pen, but I think there’s a chance that he could surprise.

Marlins pitcher in Double-A with great fastball velocity. I have heard great things about his start, and it’s starting to look like he could reach the potential we used to believe he had.

Travis Taijeron - OF
Danny Muno - SS/2B
Dustin Lawley - OF/3B
T.J. Rivera - SS
Akeel Morris - RHP
Domingo Tapia - RHP

Yes I’m a homer