After a look at the NL on Monday, it’s time for the AL.
New York Yankees: Jesus Montero C
There’s really no reason to keep running Posada out there as a DH, and while Montero’s .288/.348/.467 line is a bit underwhelming, it’s tough to motivate a 21-year old who is repeating AAA after a successful first attempt. He can’t catch, but he can still hit. Don’t give up on him.
Boston Red Sox: Felix Doubront LHP
It’s tough to get a chance in Boston when you’re a prospect, but Doubront should receive a few innings in the bullpen in September. While he probably won’t be a part of the rotation in his big-league career, he has a number of pitches–a low-90s fastball with sink and a solid curve, change, and cutter. None of those pitches are special, but even without that, he can be a solid reliever without the LOOGY tag.
Tampa Bay Rays: Brandon Guyer OF
I would love to see Matt Moore make a start or two, but the Rays won’t bring him up until at least the second week of April 2012. Guyer, however, could be looking for an outfield job for next season. His .312/.384/.520 line in AAA this season shows you that he can hit, and though he may not be able to cover center, the Rays could slide Jennings there and trade Upton. But Guyer needs to hit, or trading Upton becomes a more difficult proposition.
Toronto Blue Jays: Kyle Drabek SP
After a season that Drabek wishes he could hit the reset button on, he could see a little time in September. With a low-90s fastball that he can cut, sink, and throw straight and plus curveball, Drabek has plenty of stuff to compete in the big leagues, but his command completely abandoned him at every level this season. He’ll be 24 next season, so he still has plenty of time.
Baltimore Orioles: Josh Bell 3B
Before last season, the Orioles system looked stacked, but now, it looks fairly barren, though the recent additions of Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy have brightened the outlook somewhat. While he’s a switch-hitter, he struggles from the right side while raking from the left. Defensively, he’s probably a tiny bit below-average, and the soon-to-be 25-year old will need to hit. So far he hasn’t.
Detroit Tigers: Jacob Turner RHP
Turner has arrived on the big-league scene with plenty of fanfare from prospect watchers, and the Tigers have never been shy about promoting pitchers. He has a big fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a classic power curveball to give him a second plus pitch. Adding an average change makes him a front of the rotation starter, but he’s probably short of being a true ace.
Cleveland Indians: Cord Phelps INF
With the promotions for Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall, Phelps doesn’t have much of an opportunity in Cleveland, but the kid can play. Phelps is one of those players with no plus tool but a bunch of average ones, and if he can find some playing time, he could become a nice trade chip in the off-season to a team looking for 2B or 3B help.
Chicago White Sox: Dayan Viciedo 3B/DH
Viciedo is finally getting his shot in Chicago, and while he really can’t play defense, the man can hit. If there was a way for him to become an acceptable third baseman, Viciedo could be an All-Star, but if he’s relegated to a DH role, he’s probably nothing more than a solid big-leaguer, which is nothing to shake your head at.Kansas City Royals: Lorenzo Cain OF
He really has nothing left to prove in the minors, but he suffered from solid seasons from Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera, who refused to yield an outfield spot to him. No matter. He should be the center fielder in 2012 for some team, and he could use time in September to prove that he has a good enough stick, though with limited power, to hold down a spot somewhere.
Minnesota Twins: Joe Benson OF
This one might be a bit of a stretch, but with Kyle Gibson out for the rest of the season, there’s not a whole lot else to look forward to. After spending all season raking at AA, Benson could make the jump to the bigs to let the Twins see if a future outfield of Denard Span, Ben Revere, and Benson could work. Benson has huge raw power, and he has a good idea of the strike zone. He won’t be needed in center, but he could cover it if need be.
Texas Rangers: Leonys Martin OF
Martin can definitely cover center field, and he projects very well defensively. Offensively, however, he has many questions to answer. After destroying AA pitching, his AAA stint didn’t go very well, and scouts still question his hit tool, patience, and power. That’s not good for the 23-year old, but the good news is that not everyone agrees that’s the case.
Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout OF
Obviously the biggest name on the list, the Angels are trying to find a spot for Trout. Peter Bourjos is quietly having a 4-win season in center, and if Trout pushes him to a corner, they might as well trade Bourjos, which would net the Angels significant value in return. Trout boats huge tools across the board, except for an average arm and power, that includes 80 speed and defense.
Seattle Mariners: Kyle Seager 3B
The Mariners are always looking for offense, and while Seager doesn’t have the power normally expected from a third baseman, scouts universally believe he can hit for a high average. Seager is nothing special defensively, but he could be average to slightly above with some additional time at the position. Having him there could give the Mariners more flexibility to focus free-agent investments in an outfield corner and maybe a big splash on Jose Reyes for short.
Oakland Athletics: Michael Taylor OF
2010 was a disaster for Taylor, but the young outfielder fought back in 2011. Taylor is enormous at 6-6 and 250 pounds, but he moves well in the outfield. The size gives him huge raw power, and he can make solid contact. He would be an excellent prospect if not for the catastrophic 2010, but he appears to be back in the A’s plans.
