If you purchased the 2012 Rotoprofessor Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, you got my Top 5 prospects for 2012 for each team. Unlike most other prospect lists, this was geared towards the plays who were most likely to make an impact this season.
With the minor league year basically behind us (outside of playoff baseball) and the MLB season quickly coming to a close, let’s take a look back at each team and see how every prospect fared:
1) Trevor Bauer – Starting Pitcher
Major Leagues – 1-2, 6.06 ERA, 17 K, 13 BB, 16.1 IP
Minor Leagues – 12-2, 2.42 ERA, 157 K, 61 BB, 130.1 IP (Double & Triple-A)
He had control issues throughout the season, which really hindered his potential when he did arrive in the big leagues. There was some hope in August, as he walked just 10 batters over 32.1 innings (5 starts), but that’s hardly enough to wipe out the bitter taste in our mouths. That’s what happens when you have a 4.84 BB/9 at Double-A and an astounding 7.18 mark in the Majors.
To an extent we shouldn’t have been surprised, considering he walked over 4 batters per nine innings in seven starts in 2011. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have electric stuff, because he clearly does. Nor does it say that I don’t think he will be successful, because I think he could excel as soon as 2103. All it means is that this season ultimately was a disappointment.
That said, he will likely be sitting atop the Diamondbacks list again in 2013. The stuff is there, he just needs to refine it.
2) Wade Miley – Starting Pitcher
Major Leagues – 15-9, 3.07 ERA, 123 K, 33 BB, 170.0 IP
Often lost amid the Diamondbacks other pitching prospects it was Miley who broke camp with the team and stuck in the rotation all season long. The numbers were impressive, but he has never shown this type of control in the past and lacks the strikeout potential of his counterparts. While he lived up to his spot on these rankings and is someone we will discuss again in the future, I don’t see him holding more than back end fantasy appeal.
3) Tyler Skaggs – Starting Pitcher
Major Leagues – 1-1, 4.43 ERA, 17 K, 9 BB, 20.1 IP
Minor Leagues – 9-6, 2.87 ERA, 116 K, 36 BB, 122.1 IP (Double & Triple-A)
Has he jumped Bauer on the organizational depth chart? It is quite possible, which will surprise many. While he too has struggled in the Majors, he at least has done so with better control.
That said, he does have his flaws. He struggled to generate significant strikeouts at both Triple-A (7.69 K/9) and in the Majors (7.52 K/9). Having shown that skill at the lower levels, it is something we are going to have to watch early in 2013. That’s not to say that he can’t excel at his current level, but with a 50% fly ball rate pitching in a hitters ballpark, I would have at least a few reservations.
4) Matt Davidson – Third Baseman
Minor Leagues – .261, 23 HR, 76 RBI, 81 R, 3 SB, 486 AB (Double-A)
It was Davidson or Ryan Wheeler for this spot on the rankings and, while Davidson was productive enough, Wheeler was the one who ultimately took the next step and reached the Majors.
That said, the year was definitely a successful one for Davidson. Despite moving to Double-A, he still showed power (he also had 28 doubles and 2 triples), while increasing his walks (12.0%) and decreasing his strikeouts (21.9%).
Is he going to be the team’s third baseman next season? Probably not, but he will definitely be in the conversation for a callup at some point unless the team fills the position with a top-notch option in the offseason. Consider him a near lock to open the year at Triple-A and be included in these rankings once again.
5) A.J. Pollock – Outfielder
Major Leagues – .250, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB, 56 AB
Minor Leagues – .318, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 65 R, 21 SB, 428 AB (Triple-A)
All along I wouldn’t have expected him to be anything more than a fourth or fifth outfielder given the teams depth. Unfortunately for Pollock, Adam Eaton has clearly blown past him on the depth chart.
While he showed he could offer some speed off the bench, that’s about all he is limited to. This one was a miss.
