2012 Minor League All-Star Team

2012 Minor League All-Star Team:

With Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado all graduating from top prospect lists to the majors, there are several spots available for the 2012 offseason rankings. Here is a look at the top performers from around the minor leagues--some of whom will be atop many prospect lists in 2013.

 

Starting Pitchers:

 

1. Jose Fernandez (MIA) RHP

*The Marlins first round pick in 2011 (14th overall), Fernandez has done nothing but dominate through two levels of minor league competition. Between Greensboro (A) and Jupiter (A), Fernandez posted a combined 14-1 W-L record, 1.75 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. In 134 innngs, he surrendered just two homeruns, while striking out 158. A former cuban defector, Fernandez has not only a strong physical build but likely is just as tough mentally considering his background.

2. Dylan Bundy (BAL) RHP

*After tossing 30 innings of scoreless baseball to start his professional career, word spread quick about Bundy and his arsenal on the mound. In that span, he allowed just five hits and showed more than enought to earn a quick promotion to Bowie (AA).  His legend has led him all the way to a big league debut this season, but Bundy is not being rushed as a starter for Baltimore. Most of his starts were between four and five innings this season in the minors, as Baltimore hopes to keep the workload light for the former first round pick. All told, Bundy breezed through his first minor league season with a 9-3 record, 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.

3. Trevor Bauer (ARI) RHP

*When watching Bauer pitch, it doesn't take long to draw Tim Lincecum comparisons simply based on their mechanics and physical appearance. Both are sub six-foot pitchers who generate incredible velocity through elaborate windups--both also have the tendency to be very streaky.

Because of their difficult mechanics, it's easy for both Bauer and Lincecum to get out of whack. A variety of moving body parts and an extreme amount of body whip create a difficult task when trying to repeat their delivery. When they can do this, both can be among the best pitchers in the game. When they can't, both leave their fastballs elevated, hang their changeups and walk far more batters than they do when their mechanics are sound.

Bauer stormed through the minor leagues with one of the best strikout per nine ratios in the minors, but stumbled once he was called up to the big league clup in late August. A groin strain could partially be to blame, but watching Bauer's mechanics, it wasn't hard to tell something wasn't the same. Things looked to return to form for him after being demoted back to Reno (AAA), so he could still be a part of Arizona's rotation plans next season with a strong spring.

4. Tony Cingrani (CIN) LHP

*A few years ago while still in college, Cingrani was demoted to the bullpen at Rice after a less than spectacular  stint in the rotation for the Owls. He regained his form as the team's closer, but slipped to the third round of the 2011 draft because of a variety of concerns from scouts. The Reds still took a flier on Cingrani, converting him back to a starter where his career began. The results were breathtaking to say the least, as Cingrani won the ERA crown with his 1.73 mark, while striking out 172 batters in 146 innings pitched. He nearly struck out twice as many batters as he allowed hits (98). The Reds even called up Cingrani to the big league club in September to aid the bullpen, but could be looking to preview him in the rotation as early as next season.

5. Zack Wheeler (NYM) RHP

*During the San Francisco Giants playoff push in 2011, the Mets aquired Wheeler for an aging Carlos Beltran who had overstayed his welcome at Shea. What looked to be a deal that would get the Giants over the top and into the playoffs, turned into a one-year rental for San Francisco that didn't result in a playoff berth and has since landed elsewhere to aid a contender in St. Louis. Since the Mets had no intentions of re-signing Beltran anyway, they were happy to take whatever they could get for him and his contract. What they got instead was possibly a future ace in Wheeler, who had already put up impressive minor league numbers for San Francisco before doing the same in the Mets system. In 25 starts, Wheeler went 12-8 with a 3.26 ERA, while allowing just 115 hits in 149 innings of work. A good start to the season in (AAA) for Wheeler could result in a bump to the New York rotation to join fellow prospect Matt Harvey.

 

CATCHER:

 

1. Travis D'Arnaud (TOR)

*What was turning into a breakout season for D'Arnaud was cut short by an untimely injury, but the Blue Jays prospect still managed to hit .333 with 16 homeruns and 52 RBI in just 279 at-bats. He got a brief stint with the big leauge club in Toronto, but it may still take some time for D'Arnaud to regain his full heath from the injury. When healthy, he has proven to be one of the better offensive and defensive backstops in the minors. He was part of the Roy Halladay trade that sent the ace to Philadelphia and was highly regarded in  the Phillies system. Toronto still is giving J.P. Arencibia a look, but D'Arnaud will be knocking on the door in 2013.

 

2. Gary Sanchez (NYY)

*After trading Jesus Montero to Seattle in a deal that landed the Yankees a damaged arm in Michael Pineda, New York was counting on a solid season from Sanchez as they search for the successor of Jorge Posada and Russell Martin. They got just that, as Sanchez hit .290 with 18 homeruns and 85 RBI between to levels of (A) ball and showed defensive progress as well. He still is a year or two away, but the Yankees have to be happy with how the maturation process is developing for their catcher of the future.

 

First Base:

 

1. C.J. Cron (LAA)

*The Angels already have a pair of prototypical power hitters at the corners with Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo, but they may just have another on the way. Simply put, Cron can flat out hit and has done so at every stop in his young career. The career batting leader at the University of Utah with a .396 mark also was a two-time first team All-American and two-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. Once had three hits in a college game versus Stephen Strasburg (only player to do so in D-I). In his first full season of pro ball, Cron mashed 27 homeruns and drove in 123. While it was in a hitter's paradise, Cron should prove in time it's the indians, not the arrow. His .293 batting average also shows he can use the whole field well for a power hitter. While the corners are blocked for the time being in Aneheim, managers can always find a spot on the field for someone with Cron's credentials.

 

2. Jonathan Singleton (HOU)

*The Astros have been in full rebuilding mode for the past few seasons, parting ways with numerous veterans like Hunter Pence, Roy Oswalt, Carlos Lee, Brett Myers and Brad Lidge to name a few. While the rebuilding process can be slow and painful, there have been plenty of future returns worth getting excited about for the Astros. Singleton is just one of the prospects aquired from Philadelphia last season for Hunter Pence, representing a large part of the future in Houston. In 461 at-bats in the minors in 2012, Singleton hit .284 with 21 homeruns and 79 RBI. He maintains a great plate approach for a power hitter, which allowed him to rank seventh in the minor leagues in walks. Playing the 2012 season with Corpus Christi (AA), Singleton will be getting a shot in Houston as soon as next season.

 

Second Base:

 

1. Stefen Romero (SEA)

*A little known 12th round pick out of Oregon State in 2010, Romero is starting to pop up on prospect lists all over after a full season that yielded a .352 batting average, 23 homeruns and 101 RBI. While he may not stay at second base because of his large frame, the type of power he displayed this season from the position is rarely seen. With Kyle Seager at third and Dustin Ackley at second for the time being, Romero will have time to develop and show whether his 2012 campaign was a flash in the pan or a preview of what is to come.

 

2. Kolten Wong (STL)

*There is little doubt Wong will be a big leaguer--his advanced, gritty approach at the plate and line-to-line bat control make him a likely canditate to hit for a high average wherever he goes. Listed generously at 5-foot-9, scouts were able to overlook what he lacks in size, landing Wong in St. Louis with their first round selection last year. After signing quickly, Wong followed suit by hitting .335 in 194 at-bats in 2011. He continue his success in 2012, hitting over .300 for most of the season before wearing down towards the end. All told, Wong still finished with a clip of .287 and stole 21 bases. While Wong is already very advanced at the plate, many question how high his ceiling is. He likely won't hit for much power and would be hard pressed to drive in more than 75 runs per year. He has adaquate speed and is athletic, but stealing more than 25 bases in the major leagues would seem a stretch. What can't be measured is his heart and dedication to the game--two things Wong seems to have plenty of. Those are often the guys who have careers far better than what was expected.

Third Base:

 

1. Miguel Sano

*Big, strong and athletic are all qualities Sano possesses. One of the best pure power hitters in the minors, Sano still isn't able to legally drink. Hitting 28 home runs as a 19-year-old in the low (A) ball, Sano still has plenty of time to develop both physically and intellecually on the baseball field. He doesn't look to be a guy who will hit for a high average, but there is no mistaking his power potential. A few years of refining his approach at the plate as he ascend through the minors could yield the Twins their best prospect since Joe Mauer.

 

2. Mike Olt

*Olt arrived this year in Texas with high expectations after his spectacular season in the minors that resulted in 28 home runs in less than 400 at-bats. It didn't go as well in the show, as Olt adjusted both offensively and defensively to the rigors of the majors. He hit .156 in 32 at-bats, showing little power or run production while occaisionally being a liability in the field. There is no rush for Olt, but the Rangers were likely hoping they could add another bat to their pennant run. That didn't happen, so the Rangers are going to have to decide whether to start him in the minors next year to help regain his confidence, or to give him a fresh start in the majors in 2013. 

 

Shortstop:

 

1. Xander Bogaerts (BOS)

*Most of the buzz around shortstop prospects was regarding Jurickson Profar in 2012, but next season that could change in a big way because of Bogaerts. Build in the mold of a young Miguel Cabrera or Hanley Ramirez, Bogaerts hit .307 with 20 homeruns and 81 RBI between (A) and (AA).

His numbers were better than Profar's across the board, aside from stolen bases. Still developing into his body, there could be much more to come from Bogaerts who is still very young. He may not be the speedster and defensive whiz that Profar is, but there is little questioning Bogaerts ability at the plate. The Red Sox could experiment with Bogaerts as early as next season, especially after watching the impact Manny Machado had on the Orioles playoff run.

 

2. Jurickson Profar (TEX)

*A switch-hitting shortstop with incredible defensive range, Profar will have no problem finding a place to play in the big leauges. Utility players with those skills can last a long time in the game, even if they hit .220 for their career. Profar looks to be capable of much more than that offensively and has already shown their may be more in the bag. After a solid minor league season that yielded a .281 average, 14 homeruns and 62 RBI, Profar responded by hitting a homerun in his frist major league at-bat after being called up by the Rangers. Texas has Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler so there is currently a blockage, but the Rangers are so high on the kid from Curacao that they may trade one of their incumbant middle infielders to open a spot. They have already shunned all trade requests for Profar, so there is little doubting they have him in their plans--immediate or not.

 

Outfield:

 

1. Wil Myers (KC)

*A poor 2011 season led to a steep decline in Myers prospect stock, but seemingly all of those doubts

were put to rest after the type of season he responded with in 2012. Myers batting average went from .254 to .314, his homerun total from eight to 37 and his RBI increased from 49 to 109. Kansas City didn't call Myers up in September despite the breakout year, but are grooming him to be an everyday player for them as soon as next year. A former first round pick out of high school, Myers has been up and down throughout his four years in the minors, but something may have finally clicked. When he is locked in, he possesses comparable power potential to recent top prospects like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. A converted catcher like Harper, Myers will likely end up as an outfielder in the majors.

2. Oscar Taveras (STL)

*Consistent .300 hitters are very hard to find, but Taveras may be of the sort. Singed as an undrafted free-agent by St. Louis in 2008, few have ascended the prospect rankings as quickly as Taveras in the last year. His 2011 season was when the hype started, as Taveras hit .386 in 308 at-bats--adding eight homeruns and 62 RBI. In 2012, he continued his offensive assualt in Springfield (AA), hitting .321 with 23 home runs and 94 RBI in his first season with more than 350 at-bats. Taveras has showed marked improvement, especially considering he hit just .257 with one homerun in his first season of pro ball (2009). Since then, his average has been better than .300 in each season (.303-.386-.321). With Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig and Matt Holliday occupying the St. Louis outfield, Tavares is waiting for his opportunity to arise with the Cardinals.

3. Jackie Bradley Jr. (BOS)

*A dynamic collegiate player who helped South Carolina to a National Championship, Bradley brings a certain level of leadership and savvy that can't be measured. Clutch would be another catagory Bradley has shown to fall under, as he has shown the ability to deliever the big hit when it matters. Statistically, Bradley hasn't been half bad either since being drafted by the Red Sox, hitting .315 in 2012 with nine homeruns and 62 RBI between to levels. He finished the season in (AA) for the Red Sox and may get a chance to occupy one of Boston's outfield positions with a strong spring. He's a polished hitter with above average skills defensively and good speed, traits the Red Sox dearly need. He's shown to be somewhat injury prone because of his max effort play, but barring injuries Bradley will be a huge hit in Boston.

4. Tyler Austin (NYY)

*Austin jumped on the radar this season after hitting .320 for Charleston (A) in 266 at-bats. He added 14 home runs and 54 RBIs, which projects to a very healthy 25+ homeruns and 100+ RBIs over 500 at-bats (generally a full season). The Yankees have a tendency to part ways with prospects to aquire major league ready talent, but Austin may be a name they want to hold on to with an aging outfield. He will be challenged with a higher level of minor league ball in 2013, but a positive response could fastrack Austin towards New York.

5. Adam Eaton (ARI)
*Few players had a better stat line than Eaton in 2012--he flirted with .400 for a while, stole more than 40 bases and had 198 hits in 528 at-bats. Yet, as a 5-foot-8, undrafted free agent, he's never been considered a top flight prospect in the minors. That could change soon as Eaton has hit well over .300 in each of the past three seasons, hitting .375 this season and a career best .385 in 2010. Eaton has also shown timely pop, hitting 24 homeruns in three minor league seasons. The Diamondbacks eventually gave Eaton a chance to play center in Arizona, a duty he responded to by hitting a respectable .221 in 77 at-bats. A bigger sample size will show if Eaton can duplicate his knack for getting on base in the majors, something that will likely come next season.