Top 20 Southern League Prospects

[Seth Stohs]

Baseball America posted its Top 20 Southern League Prospects online today, and it is littered with Lookouts, and Twins. 

 

#1 - Miguel Sano

#2 - Byron Buxton

#6 - Max Kepler 

#9 - JO Berrios 

#14 - Jorge Polanco

 

Obviously there were several others on that Lookouts roster that we as Twins fans like a lot that didn't appear on this list including, Adam Brett Walker, Nick Burdi, JT Chargois and others.

[Seth Stohs]

Look at the Top 5, those ahead of Max Kepler:

 

1.) Sano

2.) Buxton

3.) Orlando Arcia

4.) Kyle Schwarber

5.) Blake Snell

 

That's an amazing list.

 

Sano put up big numbers in the 2nd half in the big leagues. Schwarber wasn't that far behind him. Snell was BA's minor league player of the year and incredible. Arcia is a tremendous prospect.

 

Kepler at 6 feels low (as does Berrios at 9), but there were some incredible prospects in that league this year!

[clutterheart]

No Adam Walker.  

We all know Walker has flaws and I guess they factor in age / experience over anything else?  Albert Almora and Jesse Winker are younger and higher draft picks so they must like their potential over Walker's power..  

[drjim]

 

No Adam Walker.  

We all know Walker has flaws and I guess they factor in age / experience over anything else?  Albert Almora and Jesse Winker are younger and higher draft picks so they must like their potential over Walker's power..  

 

Those guys are better all around players and hitters, so a fair ranking. Walker would sneak in most years but the Southern League was a monster this year.

[kab21]

This is ridiculous (in an awesome way).

 

I am interested to see where kepler falls in the overall rankings.  Berrios has been talked about as a top 20 or even top 10 prospect.  This ranking doesn't mean that he will be higher but he could be a top 50 prospect or higher.

[blairpaul715]

I am surprised that Kepler is/was ahead of Berrios, but does amount of time in league have some to do with that??? Overall prospect , i would assume Berrios will be ahead of Kepler, I would be surprised (happily) if Kepler was a Top 50 prospect in BA eyes........but he is definitely a Top 75 to 100 for sure, and maybe better with all the graduates to the big leagues this yr.

[blairpaul715]

 

 

I am surprised that Kepler is/was ahead of Berrios, but does amount of time in league have some to do with that??? Overall prospect , i would assume Berrios will be ahead of Kepler, I would be surprised (happily) if Kepler was a Top 50 prospect in BA eyes........but he is definitely a Top 75 to 100 for sure, and maybe better with all the graduates to the big leagues this yr.

On second thought , after looking at MLB Pipeline prospects, I think he could end up being right around that 50 mark, at least in my eyes. and hopefully BA will think so also.

[Seth Stohs]

I would expect that Buxton will be #1 (or very close).

 

I think Berrios will be top 25, and I think Kepler will be top 40. Gordon should be top 75, and I would assume Tyler Jay will be on the back end of the top 100. 

[drjim]

I would expect that Buxton will be #1 (or very close).

 

I think Berrios will be top 25, and I think Kepler will be top 40. Gordon should be top 75, and I would assume Tyler Jay will be on the back end of the top 100.

Buxton 1 or 2 after Seager.

 

Agree with your other rankings. Wouldn't be stunned if Polanco sneaks in too.

[Bob Sacamento]

Synopsis of Kepler:

-shortens swing with two strikes

-goes opposite way

-future power still developing

-CF best position (plus speed, good routes, average arm)

-plus bat speed plus approach and recognition at plate

 

Without some wheeling and dealing, Twins OF is looking like it's going to get crowded real quick.

[Bob Sacamento]

Synopsis on Jose Berrios:

-looks like a strong #3 starter

-improved changeup this year

-changes speeds and locates very well

-bulldog on mound

-throws too many strikes

-FB +, CH avg/+, SL -/avg

 

 

[bluechipper]

 

Synopsis of Kepler:

-shortens swing with two strikes

-goes opposite way

-future power still developing

-CF best position (plus speed, good routes, average arm)

-plus bat speed plus approach and recognition at plate

 

Without some wheeling and dealing, Twins OF is looking like it's going to get crowded real quick.

If he's got the skills to play CF, then he's got some serious value. If he had more of a track record, that would almost sound like a top 10 prospect to me.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

If he's got the skills to play CF, then he's got some serious value. If he had more of a track record, that would almost sound like a top 10 prospect to me.

One scout does go on record saying of all the prospects in SL, he was the most MLB ready.  The question of him playing CF in the future rests will his shoulder elsewise he's in a corner spot (LF>RF).

 

The SL top 10 5 years ago, pretty impressive:

 

1. *Giancarlo Stanton,of, Jacksonville (Marlins) 
2. *Dustin Ackley, 2b, West Tenn (Mariners) 
3. *Michael Pineda, rhp, West Tenn (Mariners) 
4. *Mike Minor, lhp, Mississippi (Braves) 
5. *Brett Lawrie, 2b, Huntsville (Brewers) 
6. *Dee Gordon, ss, Chattanooga (Dodgers) 
7. *Devin Mesoraco, c, Carolina (Reds) 
8. *Brett Jackson, of, Tennessee (Cubs) 
9. *Chris Archer, rhp, Tennessee (Cubs) 
10. *Matt Dominguez, 3b, Jacksonville (Marlins)