Arizona Summer League (Including BA's AZL Top 20)

Every year I try to rank the prospects and "guess" what BA will do for each league in their top 20s and their top 10s. It's fun and it really let's me learn about the prospects around the league.

 

I've done it with the AZL only so far. I came up with:

 

1. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP - AZL Brewers

 

Jeffress was the Brewers first pick in the 2006 draft, 16th overall. Jeffress is a big projectable righthander who throws from a low 3/4 arm angle. His fastball sits low-to-mid 90s and hits 97 with regularity late in games. His slider has the makings of a plus pitch, but his changup is a work in progress at this point. Jeffress struggled in his professional debut, but it is of no concern.

 

2. Hank Conger, C - AZL Angels

 

Conger was the Angels top pick in the draft. Conger has considerable power potential with solid contact skills for someone like him. His arm is good enough to catch in the majors but his footwork and receiving skills need work. He's similar to Daric Barton a few years back, though Conger has more power and less discipline. Conger was having a great start before getting hurt.

 

3. Cedric Hunter, OF - AZL Padres

 

Hunter was rumored to possibly be sneaking into the back end of the first round, but fell to the Padres in the third round. He's a guy with gap power and good present hitting ability. There is a question as to whether he'll have enough power for the corners, and there is a question if he's good enough defensively to play center. He torched the AZL to a tune of a .371/.467/.484.

 

4. Alex Liddi, 3B - AZL Mariners

 

Liddy could be the first big name prospect from Europe. Scouts absolutely love everything about this kid. He played most of the season as 17, showing an advanced feel for the game, which is unheard of from a 17 year old from Italy. The only hole in his bat was his contact, but it was not terrible. As he matures he should hit for solid power to go with solid batting average skills. He's a phenomenal athletic specimen and should develop into a gold glove talent at third base. He reminds a lot of scouts of a young Ryan Zimmerman, with good reason.

 

5. Sharloon Schoop, SS - AZL Giants

 

Schoop is a defensive SS, the only Giants orginazational guy better is Omar Vizquel. He was named the leagues #11 prospect last summer, saying he was a no bat great glove with crap discipline. He must have taken that to heart as he hit .310/.437/.405 with a 26:15 BB:K. His discipline shot up. He has a good chance to hit for gap power as he grows into his body, but he looks like a good one to me.

 

6. Jake Brigham, RHP - AZL Rangers

 

Brigham was taken in the sixth round of this years draft. His fastball runs in the low 90s touching 94 and a good hard biting slider. He has good command and an easy delivery. His two plus pitch potential gives him lofty upside, but he's a ways away like everyone else in the league. He pitched nicely in the league with a 3:1 K:BB and striking out a batter an inning.

 

7. Marcus Lemon, SS - AZL Rangers

 

Marcus Lemon is one of the leader type kids. He's a hard nosed player who plays his heart out every game. His potential isn't lofty but his baseball IQ and work ethic are off the charts. None of his tools are outstanding but he generates line drives well. His advanced bat tore through the AZL as he hit .310 walking 16 times in 100 plate appearances.

 

8. Jose Ceda, RHP - AZL Cubs

 

Ceda is a big dominican kid the Cubs acquired in the Todd Walker trade. He's got a great arm, touching 99 in the past. He sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has the makings of a solid breaking ball. His control is a work in progress and his ERA (3.60) wasn't spectacular but his league leading K rate of 13.4 K/9 and his hit rate of 6.7 show his dominance.

 

9. Brent Fisher, LHP - AZL Royals

 

Fisher was ranked the #18 prospect in this league last year, and flatout dominated this time striking out 98 batters in 68.1 innings walking just 19. Fisher's fringe-average stuff are an issue. His fastball runs 86-89 with great deception. His curveball and changeup are average to solid pitches. His repetoire gives him back of the bullpen potential, but his performance in the league keeps him high on the list. He's also projectable, increasing his velocity a bit this season. If he can get his fastball 89-91 he'd become a solid prospect.

 

10. Matt Sweeney, 3B - AZL Angels

 

Sweeney wasn't much of a draft prospect, but the Angels took him in the 8th round and he's been a helium prospect since. He hit .341 knocking 23 extra base hits in 170 ABs all while maintaining excellent plate discipline.

 

11. Carlos Peguero, IF - AZL Mariners

 

The third Mariner bat on the list. He's a 6'5" 19 year old with prodigous power potential. His long swing is a work in progress but his pure batspeed might have been the best in the AZL. The issue with him was contact as he struck out 49 times in 134 ABs, but knocked 7 longballs.

 

12. Gerardo Avila, 1B - AZL Mariners

 

Avila is a 20 year old who was a bit advanced for the league, but was among the league leaders in all major offensive categories. He hit .326/.369/.561 in 39 games before getting promoted to the Midwest League. His short compact swing hits for above average power. Scouts love his bat, but he's going to need some refinement.

 

13. Chris Huseby, RHP - AZL Cubs

 

The Cubs made quite a name for Huseby when they gave him a 7 figure bonus as a 11th rounder. Going into his junior season he was one of the top prospects in his age, but injured his elbow missing most of his senior season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Huseby is a big 6'4" righty whose fastball sits 90-94 with potential for more as he develops and recovers. He also has the makings of a plus hard curveball and a good feel for a straight change. Huseby didn't get much action in the AZL as the Cubs were catious with him, but he was inconsistent showing glimpes of what he could be. He finished the season with a solid 3 inning outing striking out 4 allowing one hit.

 

14. Rolando Pascual, RHP - AZL Brewers

 

Pascual was one of the premeir talents from Latin America last year. He signed with the Brewers for little over $700,000 and made his debut in the AZL. Pascual just turned 17 earlier this year and has a fastball that ran 87-93 that should gain velocity as he grows into his massive 6'6" frame. His offspeed pitch needs some work, but he's young with a big fastball. He really struggled his professional debut though.

 

15. Wily Peralta, RHP - AZL Brewers

 

While Pascual was the top international pitcher, Peralta was no slouch. Like Pascual he just turned 17 this year and has a fastball that has dialed up to 96. He isn't as projectable as Pascual and his offspeed pitches aren't as developed as Pascuals. He also struggled in his debut, but the talent's there.

 

16. Brent Brewer, SS - AZL Brewers

 

Brent Brewer is another tremendous athlete who was recruited by Florida State to play wide receiver before signing with the Brewers. He was taken 60th overall in last June's draft. He has above average power and tremendous 4.2 speed to first. He does have an issue with strikeouts that bit him in the ass in his professional debut as he had a 53:16 K:BB. His glove and arm may not let him stick at short, but he can just as easily play second or center.

 

17. Doug Salinas, RHP - AZL Mariners

 

Salinas' was a 17 year old Venezuelan who dominated the league. His fastball now has been clocked at 90, but with him it's all about projection. As he grows into his 6'4" frame he should get his fastball in the low to the mid 90s at the least. He's got clean mechanics and a bulldog agressive nature that both bode well. He also has a curve and change that are work in progresses. His dominance shows well in his line as he nearly struckout a batter an inning and held opponents to a .219 batting average.

 

18. Kyler Burke, OF - AZL Padres

 

Burke was the Padres' supplemental round pick. He's a raw toolsy outfielder with power potential. He's an incredible overall athlete so that bodes well for his future. However he struggled in his debut just hitting .209 with 56 strikeouts in 163 at bats.

 

19. Luis Durango, 2B - AZL Padres

 

The 20 year old second baseman continued his advanced approach from the 2005 VSL. He showed great discipline as he hit .378/.470.448. As you can see he has no power. He didnt homer last year or this year, but has blazing speed.

 

20. Henry Rodriguez, RHP - AZL Athletics

 

On the outside the 19 year olds stats look terrible, a 59:50 K:BB and an ERA over 7. However he had the best arm strength in the league topping out at 99 MPH and registering in the high 90s with regularity. His offspeed stuff need a lot of work. His command needs even more, but his arm strength is first class. Also, he's shown an ability to get the ball on the ground, which is quite impressive for a guy with his arm.

 

Honorable mention: Derrick Robinson, Rafael Dolis, Vladimir Veras, Jason Taylor, Nathan Adcock, Felix Corrasco.

 

DNQ: Chris Tillman, Trevor Cahill, etc

 

Thoughts on the rankings?

Outside of Liddi, I don't know much about the foreign-born prospects (outside of their AZL stats), so it's nice to read something about a few of them.

 

Most of them didn't have multiple sources, or they were two sources using the other as a source so I don't know how reliable everything is. I can just thank Google.

 

I probably didn't google some hotshot toolsy shortstop BA always loves that hit like .220/.300/.300. Much like Sammy Baez last year.

I did what I could with the GCL

 

1. Clayton Kershaw, LHP - GCL Dodgers

 

Kershaw was the first high school player selected in June and he surely didn't disappoint. He had a 54:5 K:BB and a sub 2.00 ERA. To be honest, I am shocked that hitters batted over .200 considering those 54 K's came in under 40 innings. Kershaw's fastball tops out at 96 sitting in the low 90s. He's also got a big curveball that's a plus pitch as well. He's one of the finest left-handed prospects in the minors, quite possibly only Donnie Veal, Andrew Miller and fellow Dodger Scott Elbert grade out higher.

 

2. Kyle Drabek, RHP - GCL Phillies

 

The son of a Cy Young award winner struggled in his pro debut. His ratios were out of whack and he got torched. Still his natural stuff cannot be denied. His fastball runs 92-96 topping out in the high 90s. His spike curve and sliders also flash plus potential. He's not very projectable because he is listed at a very generous 6'0" but his present stuff is already on the top of charts. He does have makeup issues, and I do not know if they played a role in his struggles in the GCL. He also could have had a tired arm since he sent his team to the #1 National ranking through mid June. It was only six games so we can't read too much into the numbers.

 

3. Angel Reyes, LHP - GCL Yankees

 

Reyes has tremendous left-handed stuff. His fastball sits 91-93 topping out at 95. He flashes a plus curveball, and a developing slider and change. He's shown command, poise and everything. His stuff could be plus-plus down the road. The only issue is his size. He's only 5'11" 170 so he isn't very projectable but much like Kyle Drabek is present stuff is undeniable.

 

4. Dellin Betances, RHP - GCL Yankees

 

Betances proved too much for the GCL. His fastball has touched mid 90s in the past and sat in the low 90s in the GCL. Given his height (listed at 6'7") he's a good bet to gain velocity as he matures. His curveball has flashed potential and he's still supposed to be pretty raw. His pure stuff simply overmatched GCL hitters. Low A Charelston will be the first test on how raw he is.

 

5. Chris Parmelee, LF - GCL Twins

 

Parmelee is an advanced high school draftee for the Twins. He shows above average hitting tools across the board. That includes discipline, power, average the works. His speed is a little below average but he has more than enough arm strength to play RF or LF. His advanced play from Southern California baseball proved too much for the GCL as he was among the leaders in HR, SLG and OPS.

 

6. Chris Marrero, OF - GCL Nationals

 

Marrero did not hme in his pro debut, but the 2006 first rounder has legitimate 70 power and managed to hit 9 doubles in 81 ABs, however he did strike out 19 times. His tools grade out as average or higher acress the board. He should be able to stay at third, but may have to move to first or left down the road, but his power potential plays at either position.

 

7. Jason Place, CF - GCL Red Sox

 

Place was taken in the first round of the draft and had a solid debut. He hit well overall, but was very patient at the plate. In 130 PAs he struck out 35 times and walked 17 times. The strikeouts are not a surprise but the walks were. He's a five tool guy with 70 power and plus-plus arm strength in the outfield. The best major league comp right now would be Jeff Francoeur with a little more discipline.

 

8. Steven Evarts, LHP - GCL Braves

 

Evarts is a lefty whose fastball tops out around 93. He has good pitchability and makeup and is projectable. His changeup is a 70 pitch and acts like a screwball. The key to him will be getting out lefties. His curveballs are just dreadful, and his armside run on his change up won't be effective against advanced left-handed hitters.

 

9. Jeff Locke, LHP - GCL Braves

 

Locke was the Braves second round pick, and has very good potential on the mound. His fastball runs up to 93 and has plus potential. He's got a large frame and has what scouts call easy gas. He has a developing curveball and an improving changeup. He's going to be a late-bloomer because he's from New England, left-handed and big. All of those three things point to that. He's certainly one to watch in the future. He's also a gamer and wants the ball.

 

10. Adrian Cardenas, SS - GCL Phillies

 

Cardenas was another supplemental pick who has made an impressive debut. He showed good extra base power with solid discipline and good speed. He won't stick as a shortstop but should adept to 2B fine. Although some scouts say he will wind up at LF where his power won't play well. He looks like a guy wh should hit for gap power while maintaining a solid average. That won't cut it in left but will do nicely as 2B.

 

11. Cody Johnson, 1B - GCL Braves

 

Johnson played most of the league at 17, but it doesn't really matter. He was flat-out terrible in his pro debut. He hit .184 with 49 Ks in 114 AB. Yes. That's an issue. He did hit one home run, but the Braves were hoping for more out of their first-rounder. It's way too early to label him as a bust, but he's got a ways to go. The big deal before the draft with him is that he has a lot of holes in his swing and his pitch recognition was weak. He has prodigous power potential but right now has problems catching up to a good fastball. He's a work horse so he may be able to correct some of these flaws, but he has a ways to go.

 

12. Steve Kent, LHP - GCL Braves

 

Kent turned 17 the month before the season started. The Aussie has a fastball that runs in the high 80s presently with a big overhand curveball that shows potential and a good changeup. He's 6'0" right now, so it's not certain how much velocity he can add down the road. He might be the best Aussie pitching prospect at his age. The Braves think he's much more advanced than Damian Moss was. Kent also gets good reviews on his feel for pitching and overall makeup.

 

13. Tyler Robertson, LHP - GCL Twins

 

Robertson was the Twinkies third round pick in 2006. He has a huge 6'5" 220 frame. Right now his fastball runs in the high 80s topping out in the low 90s, but he figures to gain velocity as he matures. He's got a good curveball that could be a plus pitch down the road. The big deal with him is that his windup is truly a wonder. That's not a good thing. It may hamper his ability to increase command on his pitches and improve his velocity. The Twins could rework them, but then he will be a work in progress and a ways off.

 

14. Thomas Hickman, CF - GCL Marlins

 

Hickman didn't have great overall numbers but he showed solid discipline drawing 30 walks in 205 PAs. He did strike out 20% of the time, but it is a byproduct of being patient. It look slike this lefty has a clue at the plate. He could move to RF has he threw 90 on the mound and he's got a sweet swinging left-handed that is a linedrive machine. He also has raw power and could develop into a high on-base power machine similar to Trot Nixon.

 

15. Adam Coe, 3B - GCL Braves

 

Coe is a 3B with good present power as he hit 7 HR in 156 ABs, among the league leaders. He also hit 9 doubles and a triple. He's a very agressive hitter who tries to pull everything. He's a bulky prospect whose bulk limits his defense. He's not flexible and is a brick at third. He might wind up at a corner outfielder or first where he'll have to hit a lot.

 

16. Zach McAllister, RHP - GCL Yankees

 

McAllister gobbled up groundballs at over 30% higher than the league rate. His fastball runs around 90, 91 with potential for more and a good slider. He also has a good feel on his changeup. He's a big 6'5" kid weighing in at 230, so to see his sinking fastball jump into the low-to-mid 90s consistently would not be a shock.

 

17. D'Arby Myers, CF - GCL Phillies

 

This is a quote from BA's draft report on Myers, "Myers will need plenty of at-bats to get it at the plate." Didn't take him that long in the GCL as he hit .313 in his debut. His discipline needs a lot of work but he is as toolsy as it gets in CF. He's good excellent range in center and good speed on the bases. He should develop above average power once he fills out his 6'3" wiry frame.

 

18. Preston Mattingly, SS - GCL Dodgers

 

Mattingly hit okay in his pro debut after the Dodgers selected him with the 31st pick in the draft. However his discipline needs a lot of refinement as he drew just 9 walks in 200 PAs. He's a great athlete with good bat speed and power. He also has plus speed, but his footwork and arm all grade out as below average so he probably won't stay at SS. He could move to 3B, but his arm makes that unlikely. LF is an option, but his bat might not be that good.

 

19. Chad Rodgers, LHP - GCL Braves

 

Rodgers was the Braves' third round pick last June. He's been compared to Jeremy Sowers. Sowers' command is better but Rodgers should gain more velocity and better stamina. His sinking fastball runs in the high 80s with good movement. He can get it up to 92 when he throws his four seam. He also has a big overhand curveball and a changeup. He's very advanced at pitching, working the ball in and out and such.

 

20. Felix Doubront, LHP - GCL Red Sox

 

Doubront used a lot of finesse to overmatch most of the complex hitters. He's got a fastball that runs in the mid-to-high 80s topping out around 90 flashing an inconsistent and at times plus curveball and a good slider. He's a very skinny guy on a 6'2" frame so he projects to gain velocity as he fills out. He appears to be very advanced and has a clue about his command, so he could move rather quickly. He's one of the better lefty pitching prospects in either of the complex leagues. The key for him will be his fastball, right now his stuff doesn't project to be more than a loogy, so gaining 3-5 MPH is going to be vital for his prospect success unless his slider and curveball both are plus-plus pitches.

Yeah but a lefty with a plus fastball, plus curve and a solid slider? He's got Liriano/Santana type upside. Of course the size is an issue. Betance's height might be too tall considering that it should be hard for him to maintain a good motion.

Boo I thought they were starting them today.

Yeah they went back and edited the Ask BA from last Friday. Lame.

 

Oh well some of the guys on that On-Deck list won't be eligible and some of the guys not on that On-Deck list will be eligible. To qualify there you have to be in the league and make 1 appearance. Cahill, Morrow and Tillman didn't have the IPs. I am not sure if Chris Huseby will have enough. If he's not there I am asking if that was the reason or not.

 

Although BA will probably run the chat through ESPN like they've done with Callis. I have a BA subscription but not an ESPN Insider one so I have no idea if I can get into those or not.

 

Also On-Deck's lists are definitely more stat oriented on the tools-stats spectrum and BA is notoriously more tools oriented on the spectrum. So a guy like Brent Fisher would be higher in ODs than BAs unless Fisher got his fastball up to average-to-above average - which I do not believe he has.

Post them here and I'll submit them if I can. I'm not sure when the chat will be but i have class from 2:30 - 3:45 CST, so we'll see.

Chris Kline is doing a chat at 2 EST for BA on ESPN.com. I dunno if it is the AZL chat or not. I don't think it is as they say he is discussing MLB teams and playoffs.

1. Hank Conger, c, Angels

2. Jeremy Jeffress, rhp, Brewers

3. Cedric Hunter, of, Padres

4. Marcus Lemon, ss, Rangers

5. Brent Fisher, lhp, Royals

6. Matt Sweeney, 3b/1b, Angels

7. Sharlon Schoop, ss, Giants

8. Kyler Burke, of, Padres

9. Jason Taylor, 3b, Royals

10. Vladimir Veras, rhp, Angels

11. Brent Brewer, ss, Brewers

12. Gerardo Avila, 1b, Mariners

13. Luis Durango, of, Padres

14. Jose Ceda, lhp, Cubs

15. Manuel Cabez, rhp, Giants

16. Derrick Robinson, of, Royals

17. Nick Van Stratten, of, Royals

18. Carlos Peguero, of, Mariners

19. Warner Madrigal, rhp, Angels

20. Felix Carrasco, 3b, Padres

 

Bah, where's Liddi? Honestly...They said that some of the managers projected Ceda as a reliever down the road.

 

I believe Huseby did not qualify.

I asked if Huseby qualified and if there were any other Cubs close. I also asked for some info on Rafael Dolis. THey said Ceda was listed at 205, but was more like 60 pounds over. He had good size fastball sat in the low 90s topping out at 96, his secondary pitches and control aren't great presently, hence the reliever down the road remarks.

Q: Matt from Houston asks:

Did Chris Huseby qualify for this list or was he an inning or so inelegible? Had he qualified, where would he have ranked if he would have ranked in it at all?

A:

 

John Manuel: Sorry for the late start, had a great college phone call to do. Let's rev up some iTunes and crank out some AZL.

 

John Manuel: Huseby didn't quite qualify, needed 20 innings. But he showed the arm strength that prompted the Cubs to give him all that money . . . he would have cracked the Top 10 had he qualified, because the league had few projectable, power arms like his.

Sean Marshall touched 95 when he was in Low A.