Oscar Taveras – The number 3 overall MLB Prospect is back to his old ways in Triple-A is batting .300/.364/.525 with 2 HR’s and 8 RBI’s through 11 games. Expect him to hit the Bigs in about a month. Cardinal fans, you can breath again.
Stephen Piscotty – Through 10 games, Piscotty is doing all he can to keep the attention off of his teammate, Oscar Taveras, as he is batting .375 with 8 RBI’s and 1 SB this season. Piscotty is no Oscar Taveras, let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with Piscotty however, in fact I believe he has an above average career, including multiple All-Start trips.
Ken Giles – As Phillies fans know, the back-end of their rotation is deteriorating. Papelbon’s fastball sat around 92 MPH last year, but is down to 90 MPH in 2014. In Double-A this season, Giles has 14 K’s in 6 innings of relief. Giles’ only limitation at the lower levels was his control, but this season his walk rate has been cut in half. Keep an eye on the flame thrower as he works to develop a complimentary pitch to his 100 MPH fastball.
Robert Stephenson – Red SP Prospect owns a fastball that ranges from 95-100 MPH along with a nasty-nasty curveball and effective change-up. The 21 year old has a 3.09 ERA in 7 IP with 11 K’s this season. Stephenson cshould get a call late in the season for the Reds.
Joc Pederson – The Dodgers No. 2 Prospect is off to a hot start batting .371/.511/.714 with 3 HRs through his first 10 games with the Albuquerque Isotopes. The Dodgers already have a crowded outfield with Crawford, Ethier, Kemp and Puig, so it looks like he won’t get a call until an injury/trade. Don’t forget, this guy was almost called up over Puig last season.
Gregory Polcano – Otherwise known as, El Coffee, is surging in the minors. Polanco is hitting .465 with a 1.255 OPS. The lefty has struck out just four times in 47 plate appearances. He also will hit the Bigs in about a month.
Aledmys Diaz – The Cardinals signed the 23 year old Cuban SS to a deal in March as insurance to their Major League SS, Johnny Peralta. In 9 games this season, Diaz is hitting .375 witha .656 sluggin percentage and a 1.039 OPS. Last week Diaz had consecutive 4-hit games with 2 steals and a HR.
Henry Owens – The Red Sox SP Prospect is as un-hittable as any Top SP Prospect in the Minors. Last season Owens had a 19-inning hitless streak and he struck out 13 of 15 batters he faced in an intrasquad game in spring training game.