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With a staggering 72% of the vote, Devin "Snacks" Mesoraco is the number 1 prospect for our list. It's well deserved, I'd say. He was the best player in the organization last year, and looks to be the catcher of the future for the big league club, starting as early as next season.
In my opinion, the list gets pretty murky from here on out. In years past, we've had a lot of guys to go in a pretty logical progression, but after Mes, the guys on this year's list could be ranked in almost any order. This is likely due to the "closer to the big leagues" guys getting traded, leaving the "still a few years away with oodles of potential" guys at the top. WIth that in mind, we're adding two more names to this list.
Vote early, vote often. Poll stays open until 10 tonight.
Daniel Corcino, RHP, 21, BA-#4
(Dayton) 3.42 ERA, 139.1 IP, 156 K, 34 BB, 1.163 WHIP
Pros: Excellent fastball-slider combo, elite strikeout numbers, and excellent control, especially for a young pitcher
Cons: Slightly undersized (5'11", 165), needs to prove durability by throwing over 150 innings
Zack Cozart, SS, 26, BA-#3
(Louisville) .310/.357/.467/.825, 7 HR, 32 RBI
(Cincinnati) .324/.324/.486/.811, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Pros: Polished, above average defense at SS. Above average power for the position. Good contact skills.
Cons: Below average plate discipline and walk rate. Already 26, has he peaked?
Todd Frazier, UT, 26, BA-#7
(Louisville) .260/.340/.467/.807, 15 HR, 46 RBI
(Cincinnati) .232/.289/.437/.726, 6 HR, 15 RBI
Pros: Shown an ability to hit for power, lots of XBH too. Versatile on defense. Good clubhouse guy. Cool nickname and at-bat music.
Cons: Doesn't really have a set position, and isn't above average anywhere. Plate discipline is suspect.
Billy Hamilton, SS/2B, 21, BA-#2
(Dayton) .278/.340/.360/.700, 3 HR, 50 RBI, 103 SB
Pros: Speed. Switch hitter. Speed. Excellent middle infield range. Speed--Many think he's the fastest player in baseball.
Cons: Almost zero power, strikes out too much for a guy with no power, and needs refinement defensively.
Neftali Soto, 1B, 23, BA-#8
(Carolina) .272/.329/.575/.904, 30 HR, 76 RBI
(Louisville) .412/.444/.588/1.032, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Pros: Breakout season last year, finally showing the bat to profile at 1B. More raw power than anyone in the system not named Juan Francisco. Still relatively young given his level.
Cons: Strikes out a lot, doesn't walk a lot. Didn't get going until about July last season. Can he sustain that production for a whole year?
Yorman Rodriguez, OF, 19, BA-UR
(Dayton) .254/.318/.393/.711, 7 HR, 40 RBI
Pros: Tool shed--Chance for above average power, speed, contact skills, and defense.
Cons: Durability--has only played 122 games total the last 2 seasons. Very raw both at the plate and in the field. Very aggressive plate approach.
Robert Stephenson, RHP, 18, BA-#5
No Professional Stats
Pros: Good size, outstanding velocity (has hit 97), good control, and a potential plus curveball. Supposedly has a very good makeup.
Cons: As a high school pitcher with no pro experience, he's about as risky of a prospect as there is. Can he avoid injury, develop his secondary pitches, and consistently get professional hitters out?