Click to see other top preseason prospect rankings:
SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C |
The top three have the future to be potential middle of the order stalwarts for the next decade, while Castellanos and Davidson are ready to slot into good lineups in the AL Central. Sano, Bryant, and Gallo have as much power as any trio in the minor leagues, and this may be the last chance for Mike Olt to show that 2013 was an aberration and he’s ready for the major leagues.
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Miguel Sano | Twins |
| 2 | Kris Bryant | Cubs |
| 3 | Maikel Franco | Phillies |
| 4 | Nick Castellanos | Tigers |
| 5 | Garin Cecchini | Red Sox |
| 6 | Rosell Herrera | Rockies |
| 7 | Joey Gallo | Rangers |
| 8 | Colin Moran | Marlins |
| 9 | Christian Villanueva | Cubs |
| 10 | Matt Davidson | White Sox |
| 11 | Mike Olt | Cubs |
| 12 | D.J. Peterson | Mariners |
1. Miguel Sano, Twins (Finished 2013 in AA, likely to open there in 2014)
The top power prospect in the minors, Sano has hit for both power and average at every level despite consistently being one of the youngest players at every level. Sano profiles as a middle of the order slugger who projects to hit .280/.375/.550 with 35 home runs per season in his prime. He could end up hitting .240 if contact ability does not improve, but could hit .300/.400/.600 with 40+ home runs if everything clicks. Though there has always been talk that he will move to first base or right field to decrease the importance of his less-than-stellar defense, it now seems that Sano will remain at third base for the foreseeable future due to improved defense and Joe Mauer’s move to first base. A comparable player is Giancarlo Stanton.
2. Kris Bryant, Cubs (Finished 2013 in High-A, likely to open 2014 in AA)
Bryant was the second overall pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2013 after being named an All-American twice in three years at the University of San Diego. He led NCAA Division I with 31 home runs in 2013 (second place had 21); after being drafted he hit 336/390/588 with nine home runs across three levels. He projects as a power-hitting 3B in the mold of Matt Williams, and could hit .275/.325/.500 once he reaches the majors. Bryant’s path to the majors is blocked by Luis Valbuena, Mike Olt and Christian Villanueva at third base, and the possibility that 2011 1st round pick Javier Baez may be moved to third base in the future. There is a good chance that he moves to OF, but he will be an all-star level performer at any position.
3. Maikel Franco, Phillies (Finished 2013 in AA, likely to open there in 2014)
Franco had a breakout season in 2013, hitting 320/356/569 across two levels, ending the season in AA approximately one week after turning 21. He projects as a power-hitting corner in fielder that hits for a low average, but his power is enough to make for the low batting average. Projects to be a. 265/.325/.450 hitter with 25+ home runs. Could put up a stat line similar to Chase Headley with power numbers closer to Headley’s 31 home runs in 2012. Cody Asche made his debut at 3B for the Phillies in 2013, but Franco will supplant Asche when he is called up. He is playing 1B in the Dominican Winter League and a position change may occur, but probably not until Ryan Howard’s contract ends after 2016.
4. Nick Castellanos, Tigers (Finished 2013 in majors)
Castellanos’ steady improvements and production in the minors allowed the Tigers to fill the hole at second base by trading Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler, moving Miguel Cabrera to first base, and installing Castellanos as their every day third basemen. Though he doesn’t project to put up a stat line similar to Fielder or Cabrera, Castellanos is no slouch, as he projects to put up a .290/.345/.450 line with 35 doubles and 20 home runs. His production will be amplified by an increase in runs and RBI due to the strength of the Tigers’ lineup. Castellanos’ fantasy comparable is Kyle Seager with a higher batting average.
5. Garin Cecchini, Red Sox (Finished 2013 in AA, likely to return in 2014)
One of the most blocked prospects in baseball, Cecchini has the bad fortune of being stuck behind Will Middlebrooks (and, to an extent, Xander Bogaerts), Cecchini would be the next big thing for many clubs. Cecchini has displayed middling power so far, but has flashed the potential for 20 home run power, hitting 38 and 33 doubles the past two seasons. Generally viewed as a good hitter for average, it is unclear if his power will develop. If it develops, Cecchini could be a .300/.350/.450 hitter with 20 home runs a few stolen bases. If the power fails to develop, Cecchini’s projected .290/.340/.370 line would make it unlikely that he sticks at third base, necessitating a move to the outfield. His fantasy comparable is Chris Johnson.
6. Rosell Herrera, Rockies (Finished 2013 in High-A, likely to open 2014 in AA)
After struggling in his introduction to High-A in 2012, Herrera broke out in 2013 with a .343/.419/.515 line, hitting 16 home runs and stealing 21 bases. Though he does not project to steal many bases as he continues to fill out, he looks like a solid all-around player at third base. He currently plays shortstop, though it is unlikely that he would unseat Troy Tulowitzki, necessitating a positional change or a trade. Herrera projects as a .280/.350/.425 hitter in the mold of Martin Prado.
7. Joey Gallo, Rangers (Finished 2013 in A, likely to open 2014 in High-A)
In 2013, Gallo led the South Atlantic League in home runs (38) and extra base hits (62), as well as strikeouts (165), which exemplifies Gallo’s strengths and shortcomings. Gallo is a three true outcome type of player whose development could take three paths. The most successful would be the All-Star (Adam Dunn), the most likely is the back-up/pinch hitter with power (Russell Branyan) and the worst would be the player stuck in AAA (Val Pascucci). If Gallo can tone down his “swing from the heels” approach without sacrificing too much power, he could have a long, successful career – but that’s a big if.
8. Colin Moran, Marlins (Finished 2013 in A, likely to open 2014 in High-A)
Drafted 6th overall in 2013, Moran showed great bat control and some pop in his days at UNC, which came through during his brief professional debut. Though his defense is average at best, his ability to hit for average, work the count and provide a little power will keep him at the hot corner. Moran projects as a .300/.360/.400 hitter with 15 home run power at his peak. His fantasy comparable is Martin Prado.
9. Christian Villanueva, Cubs (Finished 2013 in AA, likely to open 2014 in AAA)
Villanueva led the AA Southern League in extra base hits in 2013 with 62, slugging 41 doubles, two triples, and 19 home runs to go with a .261/.317/.469 line. Despite this, his path to the major leagues is unclear, as Luis Valbuena and Mike Olt look to have third base and the first bat off the bench locked up, and top draft pick Kris Bryant is nipping at Villanueva’s heels. Villanueva’s above-average defensive profile, average power potential, and decent contact ability project him as a starting third baseman who hits .265/.310/.380 with 20 home runs, though probably not in Chicago. His fantasy comparable is Todd Frazier.
10. Matt Davidson, White Sox (Finished 2013 in majors)
Traded to the White Sox for Addison Reed, Davidson went from an insurance plan for Martin Prado to the starting third baseman in what should be a potent lineup. Though he possesses a lot of swing and miss that will always result in high strikeout totals, Davidson has above-average power to go with a major league-ready approach at the plate. While he will never be a great defensive third baseman, Davidson should be able to hold down the hot corner for years while putting up a solid .275/.340/.415 line with 20 home runs. His fantasy comparable is Nolan Arenado, who is about three weeks younger than Davidson.
Bonus two: Mike Olt, Cubs; D.J. Peterson, Mariners.
