Reviewing the 2014 Sleeper Alert list

A few days ago, we posted the 2016 Sleeper Alert List from the 2016 Baseball Prospect Book. It will be a few years before we know how many of those guys pan out, but as part of the yearly list refinement process, we can go back and look at past lists to see how those guys stand now.

So here's the list from the 2014 book. How many of these guys have either made the majors, or have at least emerged as better-known prospects today?

Osvaldo Abreu, SS, Nationals: Still a promising prospect, hit .274/.357/.412 with 30 steals last year in Low-A.

Rafael Bautista, OF, Nationals: Still a prospect, though fairly marginal limited to 52 games in High-A last year by injury, hit .272/.318/.325 with 23 steals.

Matt Boyd, LHP, Blue Jays: Now with Tigers, has made 12 starts in the majors with poor results, 7.53 ERA in 57 innings.

Steven Brault, LHP, Orioles: Now with Pirates and one of the better prospects in their system, posted 2.43 ERA with 125/40 K/BB in 156 innings last year in High-A/Double-A; could see majors this year.

Curt Casali, C, Rays: Major league reserve catcher, .208/.289/.434 with 10 homers in 173 big league at-bats.

Miguel Castro, RHP, Blue Jays: Unexpectedly opened 2015 in Blue Jays bullpen as closer, subsequently traded to Colorado Rockies, still an intriguing prospect.

Jason Creasy, RHP, Pirates: Mediocre 2015 season in Double-A, 4.41 ERA in 147 innings last year, Grade C type prospect but hasn't taken off.

Joey Curletta, OF, Dodgers: Hit disappointing .233/.302/.395 in the California League but did hit 10 homers. Held back by pitch recognition issues but is still young at age 22.

Rookie Davis, RHP, Yankees: Solid 2015 season (3.86 ERA, 129/26 K/BB in High-A/Double-A; traded to Reds in Aroldis Chapman deal. A fine prospect.

Jacob Faria, RHP, Rays: Spectacular  2015 (17-4, 1.92, 159/52 in 150 innings) has moved him from sleeper prospect to Top 100 guy.

Chris Flexen, RHP, Mets: Has trouble staying healthy but effective when on the mound, posted 2.42 ERA with 51/16 K/BB in 52 innings last year. Still a prospect.

Dylan Floro, RHP, Rays: Pitched well in Double-A in 2014 but was hit hard in Triple-A last year, 5.02 ERA with 81/21 K/BB in 133 innings, 160 hits, throws strikes but stuff may be too short.

Jarlin Garcia, LHP, Marlins: Effective 2015 season, 3.57 ERA, 104/40 K/BB in 134 innings between High-A and Double-A, has moved from sleeper to solid prospect.

Sergio Gomez, RHP, Red Sox: This one did not pan out; posted a 6.78 ERA in 2014 and got released; no one has picked him back  up.

Niko Goodrum, INF, Twins: Very toolsy switch-hitter has remained stagnant with bat, hitting just .232/.332/.367 last year in High-A/Double-A. He did steal 29 bases but power hasn't developed.

Joan Gregorio, RHP, Giants: Decent 2015 season, 3.09 ERA, 72/32 K/BB in 79 innings in Double-A, still a prospect.

Jin-De Jhang, C, Pirates: Hit .292/.332/.381 last year in High-A; still a prospect.

Joe Jimenez, RHP, Tigers: Has evolved into one of the top relief prospects in the minors, 1.47 ERA with 61/11 K/BB in 43 innings in Low-A, 17 saves; got major league spring training invite.

Cory Jones, RHP, Cardinals: Missed most of 2014 and all of 2015 with injury. Now in Orioles system, selected in minor league portion of 2015 Rule 5 draft.

Felix Jorge, RHP, Twins: Still an interesting prospect following fine 2015 season in Low-A, 2.79 ERA,114/32 K/BB in 142 innings at age 21.

Brett Lee, LHP, Twins: Sinkerball lefty posted 3.16 ERA with 65/41 K/BB in 134 innings in High-A/Double-A; throws strikes but very low strikeout rate is red flag.

Chris Lee, LHP, Astros: Traded to Orioles, good season in 2015, 3.29 ERA with 98/59 K/BB in 145 innings, 2.03 GO/AO, hard sinker, could take step forward with slight command improvements.

Corey Littrell, LHP, Red Sox: Traded to Cardinals in John Lackey deal, impressive 2015 season moved him up prospect lists, 2.69 ERA with 93/21 K/BB in 130 innings in High-A; potential number four starter.

Tyler Mahle, RHP, Reds: Excellent 2015 season in Low-A, emerging as one of Cincinnati's top prospects due to stellar command, 2.43 ERA with 135/25 K/BB in 152 innings. Stock up.

Luke Maile, C, Rays: Hit .207/.298/.296 in Triple-A but still played 15 games in the majors due to impressive defensive work; backup catcher going forward.

Trey Mancini, 1B, Orioles: outstanding 2015 campaign boosted him up prospect lists, hit .341/.375/.563 between High-A and Double-A; now one of the better first base prospects in baseball.

Kyle McGowin, RHP, Angels: 4.38 ERA, 125/50 K/BB in 154 innings in Double-A; back-end starter projection still makes him one of the better prospects in thin farm system.

Seth Mejias-Brean, 3B, Reds: Hit .247/.352/.360 in Double-A; not much power but can get on base and a talented defender. Still has a chance.

Keury Mella, RHP, Giants:  Traded to Reds in Mike Leake deal, 3.23 ERA with 106/41 K/BB in 103 innings; has developed into a very good prospect with mid-rotation potential.

Carlos Moncrief, OF, Indians: Has stalled in high minors, hit just .227/.346/.367 last year, has signed with Giants as minor league free agent. Doesn't look like he'll pan out.

Ryan Newell, RHP, Marlins: Limited by injuries but has pitched very well when healthy, posted 2.27 ERA with 38/17 K/BB in 39 innings in High-A last year; still a prospect.

Wes Parsons, RHP, Braves: Missed almost all of 2015 with injury.

Nick Petree, RHP, Cardinals: Retired after injury-plagued 2015.

Tom Robson, RHP, Blue Jays: Another injury guy, posted 4.91 ERA with 35/19 K/BB in 37 innings at the lower levels last year coming back from Tommy John.

Nellie Rodriguez, 1B, Indians: Hit .245/.328/.452 with 21 homers, 60 walks, 159 strikeouts between High-A and Double-A, struggling at higher level (.118 in 93 at-bats), still young at 21, intriguing power.

David Rollins, LHP, Astros: Selected by Mariners in Rule 5 draft, served PED suspension and didn't pitch well after returning 7.56 ERA in 25 innings; could still be useful bullpen arm.

Caleb Smith, LHP, Yankees: 3.38 ERA in 131 innings in Double-A, 92/51 K/BB ratio; age 24; not an exceptional prospect but still has a chance to contribute something.

Josh Smith, RHP, Reds: Continues to perform well in minors, 3.45 ERA with 123/33 K/BB last year but hit hard in majors (.89 in 33 innings); wants to be Chris Heston-type inning eater but stuff is likely too short. Good Quadruple-A arm.

Myles Smith, RHP, Red Sox: Traded to Diamondbacks and pitched well in relief in 2015, 2.33 ERA with 54/16 K/BB in 39 innings across four levels; could be useful bullpen part.

Jeff Thompson, RHP, Tigers: Missed most of 2014 with dead arm and pitched poorly in first part of 2015. Was much better in second half when arm strength returned to past standards, overall 3.79 with 105/47 K/BB in 119 innings. We need to see him above Low-A but second half was promising.

Austin Voth, RHP, Nationals: Excellent 2015 season in Double-A, 2.92 ERA with 148/40 in 157 innings; very efficient strike thrower could be nice fourth starter and get a trial soon.

LeVon Washington, OF, Indians: Plagued with constant injuries, hit well in 2014 (.294 with .402 OB) but just .244 in 2015 all in High-A; strike zone judgment has slipped. Forgotten prospect at this point.

Aaron West, RHP, Astros: Hurt in 2014; returned in relief role in '15 and was effective in Double-A, 2.77 ERA with 68/11 K/ BB in 84 innings. Could be nice pen asset.

Robert Whalen, RHP, Mets: Traded to Braves, another arm with injury issues who has performed decently when healthy but isn't a top prospect; 3.35 ERA with 68/35 K/BB in 96 innings in High-A last  year. Still young at 22.

Kean Wong, 2B, Rays: Kolten's younger brother, hit .274/.319/.332 in High-A but was just 20 years old; contact hitter with some speed.


As you can see, it is still too early to judge this list even two years later, but many of these guys are still intriguing prospects and a few did take large steps forward.