Prospects Plus: The Top 10

The Minor League Baseball season is almost over. It's been a fun year for us at OTWT. We went to a bunch of Lakewood Blueclaws game as well as a Trenton Thunder. Here is a break down of the 10 best players I've seen this summer.

1. Nick Williams, OF, Reading:  A key piece of the Hammels deal..He looks the part of the an offensive force. Saw him two years ago in the South Atlantic League and he looks like a different player now and I mean that in a good way. I'm a huge Nick Williams fan boy. 
2. JP Crawford, SS Reading: I've seen a bunch of him the last couple of years and he looks the next Phillies SS for the next decade. 
3. Josh Morgan, SS, Hickory: The Texas Rangers prospect looks the part. 
4. Cole Tucker,  SS, West Virginia: I really think him and Morgan where the best Single A players I saw all year. 
5. Spencer Adams, P, Kannapolis: Sat between 92-94 with his fastball. Bad electric stuff when I saw him. 
6. Carlos Tocci, OF, Lakewood: Tocci didn't spend much time in Lakewood this season but  he showed that his bat is starting to develop.
7. Jake Thompson, P, Reading: Good fastball. Good Change up. Could develop into a good 3rd starter. 
8.  Jairo Beras, OF, Hickory: He looks the part of an outfielder. 
9. Cord Sandberg, OF, Lakewood: The former Mississippi State football recruit looks like a player for the future. 
10. Tyler Wade, SS, Trenton: Athletic defender.

Prospects Plus: Cole Tucker

Name: Cole Tucker

Position: Shortstop 

Team: West Virginia Power

Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates

Organizational Rank: eighth ranked prospect in the Pirates system, according to Baseball America 

Last Friday vs the Blueclaws: 2 for 4 with a double. 

Positives: Tucker looks the part of a middle infielder. He showed many of the skills that made him a first rounder back in 2014. He has great baseball IQ, including saving a run by gunning a guy at home. Sure he is going to take time but it may be worth it in the end. He looked like the best player on the field on Friday night. 

Negatives: Tucker is never going to be a big time offensive player. His baseball IQ is going to play at any position if he has to be moved off shortstop. 

Prospects Plus: Shooting themselves in the foot

After Mark Appel turned down the Pirates in 2012, they could have run to the NCAA and accused the Stanford pitcher of using an agent. But like any well run Major League Baseball team they took its medicine and moved on.

But last week, the Phillies decided to take the law into their own hands. Ben Wetzler, an Oregon State University senior pitcher and former Phillies draft pick, was suspended 11 games by the NCAA on Friday, three months after the Phillies reported him to college's governing body for violations. Wetzler, the NCAA said, used an agent who attended meetings with the Phillies and negotiated potential contract terms. The Phillies did not sign Wetzler, their fifth-round pick last June, and took the unusual step of reporting him.

So wait the Phillies reported a fifth rounder that didn't sign, while the Pirates kept their mouth shut about a top 10 pick deciding not to sign and return to Stanford.  A couple of years ago, the Phillies where considered a model orgainzation, now it just looks like they are the laughing stock.

Ben Wetzler, an Oregon State University senior pitcher and former Phillies draft pick, was suspended 11 games by the NCAA on Friday, three months after the Phillies reported him to college's governing body for violations.
Wetzler, the NCAA said, used an agent who attended meetings with the Phillies and negotiated potential contract terms. The Phillies did not sign Wetzler, their fifth-round pick last June, and took the unusual step of reporting him.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Ben-Wetzler-suspended-11-games-Oregon-State-disappointed-in-Phillies.html#Bjwy5LBl86F5qpkb.99

Prospects Plus: Pirates Dilson Herrera

Name: Dilson Herrera 
Position: Shortstop/second baseman
Team: West Virginia Power
Prospect Status: 20th ranked player in the Pittsburgh Pirates system 
Friday vs. Atlanta Braves: 3 for 4, with a double and a run scored. 

Positive: Most of Herrera value will come with the bat, which has been the story so far. He hits to all fields, and while he wasn’t projected as a guy who could hit for power, his bat speed has produced some impressive power so far in his young career.  According to Baseball America, Herrera has plus speed which makes a base stealing threat. 

During the game on Friday night, Herrera showed some good bat speed pulling the ball to left field on his first two at bats. I think that he is underrated by many scouting reports that I have seen. He could be a solid middle infielder for the next decade if he continues to develop. I've seen him twice this year and each time he has been one of the more impressive members of the prospect loaded Power. 

Negatives: Doesn't have a classic arm, which may force him to move to full to second base full time. He made a couple of really good defensive play but also showed some inconsistency.

Prospects Plus: West Virginia's Stetson Allie

Name: Stetson Allie
Position: First Baseman
Team: West Virginia
Prospects Status: Unranked in Baseball American list of top prospects in the Pirates organization. Was listed as ninth best in 2012, when he pitched.
Stats vs. Lakewood on Friday night: 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs

Positives: Big strong powerful looking player. At six foot two inches and a 220 pounds, Allie looks more like a linebacker than a first baseman. During the game he an approximately 430 foot home run to center field. Last year, Allie was a pitcher last year but struggled with control and the moved to first base.

Negative: Allie was a huge bonus baby coming out of high school. The Pirates signed him for $2.25 bonus to keep him from his commitment from North Carolina. He has raw power but still learning to be a professional hitter. He is a couple of years away.

Prospects Plus: OTWT MOCK DRAFT

It's almost time for the MLB Draft and the scouting staff at OTWT has been busy breaking down film on these propects. Here is our mock first round (hopefully, it will be better than last years):

•  1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, P, Stanford
• 2. Chicago Cubs: Jonathan Gray, P, Oklahoma
• 3. Colorado Rockies: Colin Moran, 3B/1B, UNC
• 4. Minnesota Twins: Kohl Steward, P, Texas HS (pictured right)
• 5. Cleveland Indians: Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego
• 6. Miami Marlins:Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State
• 7. Boston Red Sox: Clint Frazier, OF, Georgia HS
• 8. Kansas City Royals: Austin Meadows, OF, Geogria HS
• 9. Pittsburgh Pirates (M. Appel - unsigned): Braden Shipley, P, Nevada
• 10. Toronto Blue Jays: Trey Ball, P, Indina HS
• 11. New York Mets: Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford
• 12. Seattle Mariners: Dominic Smith, 1B, California HS
• 13. San Diego Padres:JP Crawford, SS, California HS
• 14. Pittsburgh Pirates: Nick Ciuffo, C, South Carolina HS
• 15. Arizona Diamondbacks:Ryne Stanek, P, Arkansas
• 16. Philadelphia Phillies:Robert Kaminsky, P, New Jersey HS
• 17. Chicago White Sox: Jonathan Denney, C, Oklahoma HS
• 18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Sean Manaea, P, Indiana State
• 19. St. Louis Cardinals: Reese McGuire, C, Washington HS
• 20. Detroit Tigers: Billy McKinney, OF, Texas HS
• 21. Tampa Bay Rays: Bobby Wahl, P, Ole Miss
• 22. Baltimore Orioles: Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State
• 23. Texas Rangers: Ian Clarkin, P, California HS
• 24. Oakland Athletics: Jonathan Crawford, P, Florida
• 25. San Francisco Giants: Chris Anderson, P, Jacksonville

Prospects Plus: West Virginia Josh Bell

Name: Josh Bell
Position: Outfielder
Team: West Virginia Power
Prospect Status: Sixth ranked prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Former second round pick.
Stats vs. Lakewood on Friday night: 1 for 4 with two strikeouts

Positives: Bell looks the part of the a major league player. Bell stands six foot four inches call and looks like he has an amazing left handed swing. During an at bat during the game on Friday night, Bell found out approximately 10 pitches before striking out. Bell has great patience.

Negatives: Since Bell was in high school he has been under scouts scrutiny. During the 2011 draft, Bell sent out a letter to all 30 teams telling them not to draft him because he was committed to University of Texas. During the draft the Pirates drafted him in the second round and paid him $5 million to sign. That amount has always put a target on his back. There are not many negatives to his game but he is going to take time for him to develop. He is currently spending his second year in South Atlantic League, which is never good.

Prospects Plus: D'Backs Trevor Bauer makes MLB Debut

The 2011 MLB Draft class was highlighted by three top of the rotation type of pitchers: Gerrit Cole, Danny Hultzen, and Trevor Bauer. On Thursday night, Bauer became the first of the group to make their MLB debut. Bauer started against the Braves and went four innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs and walking 3 on 74 pitches. Bauer Debut Doesn't Dazzle, was the headline from The Bleacher Report. While ESPN story stated that Bauer has some work to do. Its only his first start so there is time. Over the next couple of years it will be interesting to see which of the three has the best pro career.

Prospects Plus: The New Generation K

Almost 20 years ago, baseball insiders were buzzing about three over the top Mets pitching prospects that were supposed to take over baseball, Generation K. Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson where billed as pitcher that were going to take over MLB. Injuries limited them and derailed most of their careers.

Fast forward to today and the Pirates are set to have three pitching prospects that will rival Generation K. The Pirates set of prospects include Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole and Mark Appel. The trio are set to rivals any groups of pitching prospects in the history of baseball.


Jameson Taillon, a 2010 first round pick, has an impressive arsenal of pitches. Taillon has  a fastball that already sits in the mid-90s with movement and a devastating curve ball — rated by most to be the two best pitches in his draft class— Taillon has two potentially plus-plus pitches in his arsenal. Taillon is currently pitching in Class A ball in the Florida State League.

Gerrit Cole (above), the first overall pick in 2011, features some of the best stuff currently  in the minors. To say Cole has outstanding stuff would be an understatement. His four-seam fastball sits 96-98 MPH touching 99 MPH frequently and occasionally flirting with triple digits. Cole attacks the zone with his four-seamer; he's not afraid to throw it up or down, inside or out. While he primarily uses his four-seamer, Cole also mixes in a two-seam fastball sitting 91-94 MPH with solid sink. His fastball command has improved greatly since his high school days and now is firmly above-average.It's very rare to say this about a pitcher who throw upper-90's, but Cole's fastball is not his best pitch; his changeup is. Coming in 83-86 MPH with rare late tumble, he has a true swing-and-miss changeup. Despite his curve flashing plus potential when he was in high school, Cole has shifted his focus to a slider in college. At its absolute best, Cole's slider flashes plus but it's more consistently a notch below that. His slider sits 86-88 MPH with above-average break, but the pitch is obviously still a little raw. Cole is currently in Double A and could be with the big club by the end of the season.

Mark Appeal, a 2012 first round pick, is one of the most complete pitchers in college baseball this year. Appeal has a fastball that sits in the mid-90 and an good breaking ball that is going to only get better. Because of his build some people compare him to Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain.

While nothing is guaranteed, the Pirates have the foundation to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball in the next couple of years or they could end up like Generation K and give their struggling fan base shattered dreams.

OTWT MLB Draft notebook

The first round of the MLB Draft was full of surprises and here is how OTWT say it.
• Surprised the Astros went with Correa. It's clear they went with the player with the largest upside. Stud middle infielders are hard to find.
• Mark Appel and Gerrit Cole that is not going to be a bad one two punch on the mound for the Pirates.
• MLB Network needs to stop putting Harold Reynolds on their draft coverage he adds nothing to the show.I hate the fact that he loves every pick.
• Love the fact that Courtney Hawkins did a back flip during the draft. Nice touch.
• Lucas Giolito is your typical Nationals pick high ceiling type player. Mike Rizzo is not scared of taking chances on players with issues. See Matt Purke.
• Nats last four first rounders: Strasburg, Harper, Rendon and Giolito. Not bad at all.
• Love when Gammons talks draft. Makes my day.