Are Sano and Buxton now both top 5 prospects in baseball?

[DaveW]

Discuss

[Mike Sixel]

After less than 1 month? I'd have to look at the lists of prospects again, but probably not yet.

 

I'd guess that Sano does not move into the top 5 until scouts are convinced he can stay at 3B, but I could be wrong about that. How often does anyone hit this well in the FSL? I guess if he hits like this for 2 months, it won't matter what his position is.

 

Buxton, I don't know. They haven't played many games, and his SB numbers are pretty bad. But, the fact that he plays good defense and is hitting like this should see him rising up the charts. I don't think there have been enough games to change anyone's mind one way or the other just yet.

 

I'd say they are both cementing their already lofty spots....and I have no idea if others are falling or climbing.

 

Either way, very exciting start. I hope they are promoted aggressively, if they continue to deserve it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Well, looking at the BA Top 100, #2 has a date with Dr. James Andrews, and #5 and #6 have been promoted to the majors:

 

Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | 2013 Top 100 Prospects List

 

So that alone could bump them up three spots, unless someone else could have leapfrogged them.

[Mike Sixel]

I did not know BA had them both that high. yes, I guess is the answer then.

[Otto von Ballpark]

In addition to defense, Sano could still stand to show some consistency with the bat (basically, avoid the midseason slump he suffered last year).

 

And after a couple early homers, Buxton hasn't shown much of a power game yet.

 

Encouraging starts -- I don't think either has dropped on any lists -- but I don't know if they've leapfrogged anyone else yet either (aside from injury/promotion cases mentioned above).

[Badsmerf]

Too early to leapfrog guys (except the TJ surgery and promotions). Sano started hot last season and went through a little slump. With improvement in defense and contact rate, Sano could easily be #1 going into next season IMO. His power is just that legit.

[kab21]

Sano sticking at 3B has very little to do with his value. Most of the rankers have said that they think he will probably move and that is already factored into his ranking. The big thing holding Sano back (if anything) are the K's. they are not horrible but merely acceptable right now.

 

As far as Buxton I would like to see a little more but the numbers and the physical observations have been great. I would have had him more in the 20-25 range this offseason so I think cracking the top 10 is pretty fair at this point.

[nicksaviking]

Well they likely aren't going to pass the guys who are in front of them, considering they are all MLB or near MLB ready. But for that reason alone, they will possibly be top 5 prospects. The top 7 guys are already at the MLB level, or possibly will be by June except for Bundy, who as mentioned may have a serious arm issue. As BA's list stands now, that only leaves Bogaerts between Sano/Buxton and the top spot. If all goes as planned for the guys above them, it would be tough to keep them out of the top 5.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

One of the BA guys said last week that it's not unreasonable to believe they could be the Top 2 hitting prospects in all of baseball. I would have to look closer before I said they're both Top 5 right now... but yeah, they definitely could be...

[jay]

BA has them 9-10, but this compilation shows they are ranked at an average more in the teens. Building a Farm: Top Prospects | FanGraphs Baseball

 

It's a small difference in reality and even future expectations, but it's enough that I don't think we can say top 5 just yet. Solidly top 10 given the graduations and injuries already? Yes.

 

They are the only "ETA 2015" prospects in the top 25 aside from Carlos Correa, so guys around them should be either graduating or failing. If they keep up the pace with great seasons, it'd be about impossible not to grant them both top 5 status next off-season.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Sano sticking at 3B has very little to do with his value. Most of the rankers have said that they think he will probably move and that is already factored into his ranking. The big thing holding Sano back (if anything) are the K's. they are not horrible but merely acceptable right now.

True, but the Twins will likely hold Sano back awhile if his defense doesn't improve (also if his K rate doesn't improve). That will delay his promotions and probably holds back his prospect ranking a bit.

[Brad Swanson]

I'd say they are in the discussion for top 10. It seems all of these players are higher rated:

 

Jurickson Profar

Oscar Taveras

Gerrit Cole

Wil Myers

 

These guys are all right there in the top 5/10 discussion with Buxton and Sano:

 

Dylan Bundy (even if he has TJ)

Zack Wheeler

Taijuan Walker

Xander Bogaerts

Kevin Gausman

Carlos Correa

Travis d'Arnaud

Billy Hamilton

Tyler Skaggs

Francisco Lindor

Jameson Taillon

Addison Russell

Christian Yelich

Javier Baez

 

I think Buxton is top 5, but Sano might be lower due to defense, as others have pointed out.

[righty8383]

hell, they might just be 1 and 2 if they keep this up:go:

[Vervehound]

hell, they might just be 1 and 2 if they keep this up:go:

 

i'd put them 1-2 on the list right now for guys that will likely end their seasons in the minors. only correa and archie bradley give me pause at the moment - jonathan gray will also be in that mix after the draft.

[maxisagod]

i'd put them 1-2 on the list right now for guys that will likely end their seasons in the minors. only correa and archie bradley give me pause at the moment - jonathan gray will also be in that mix after the draft.

 

Appel could also be in the mix for top 10 after the draft. Both Appel and Gray would need to sign, play a little pro ball and show good numbers though. If going by the Baseball America list, after graduations, I could see Sano and Buxton jumping Bogaerts, Cole, and Bundy. Leaving only Taveras ahead and Correa behind. So top five is very possible and even top 1-2.

[Vervehound]

Appel could also be in the mix for top 10 after the draft. Both Appel and Gray would need to sign, play a little pro ball and show good numbers though. If going by the Baseball America list, after graduations, I could see Sano and Buxton jumping Bogaerts, Cole, and Bundy. Leaving only Taveras ahead and Correa behind. So top five is very possible and even top 1-2.

 

appel has a pretty good shot to end the season in the majors but i'd put him just behind that first group if he didn't. gray has created separation, imo.

 

with that said, i'd have more difficulty deciding who's 1 and who's 2 between the two of them rather than whether they're the two best.

 

man that was an awkward sentence.