Josh Smith makes our list at 24, meaning there's one spot left. We'll have a vote between the remaining 5 guys, and then later on in the week we'll be voting on who makes our list as an honorable mention. We're doing that a little different this year, so listen up.
If you have a name you want to add to the honorable mention poll, mention it in the comments below. The top 5 vote-getters in the poll will win an honorable mention in this year's rankings? Why is this important? Last year, guys like David Vidal and Didi Gregorius made that spot. They're usually guys with big upside who can be poised to have a breakout year, and guys like Juan Duran, Daniel Corcino, and Sam LeCure made the lists of nyc and myself last year.
Vote now.
Sean Buckley, 3B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .289/.372/.551/.923, 14 HR, 41 RBI
Pros: Showed a ton of power potential, hitting 14 HR in 225 AB. Good bloodlines.
Cons: Struck out a lot, needs to curtail that. Doesn't have a track record for hitting for average in college.
Tim Crabbe, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-#14
(Dayton) 3.65 ERA, 24.2 IP, 25 K, 7 BB, 1.17 WHIP
(Bakersfield) 3.41 ERA, 111.0 IP, 123 K, 46 BB, 1.29 WHIP
Pros: Two above average pitches, profiles as a solid reliever. Put up good numbers in the Cally League, which is a pitcher's nightmare.
Cons: Needs a 3rd pitch if he wants to be a starter. Kind of old for his level, so needs to go to AA and pitch well.
Drew Hayes, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 1.35 ERA, 60 IP, 89 K, 27 BB, 0.93 WHIP
Pros: Dayton's shutdown closer in 2011. Throws 3 pitches with good velocity on his fast ball (91-94).
Cons: Needs to improve command with his fastball and secondary pitches.
Kyle Waldrop, OF, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .273/.305/.471/.776, 5 HR, 29 RBI
Pros: Former football recruit and huge left handed bat. Broke out slugging .471 for Billings in 2011.
Cons: Plate discipline is an issue.
Ryan Wright, 2B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .298/.348/.522/.870, 7 HR, 32 RBI
(AZL Reds) .318/.375/.636/1.011, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Pros: Showed good power potential. Should advance fast through the system. Versatile in the field.
Cons: Could walk more. Attended a school that jch likes.