[情報] Prospect Watch: Top 10 shortstops
1. Manny Machado, Orioles: Machado was the first high school player taken in
the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, and for good reason. While his first full
season had its ups and downs, including a knee injury that forced him out of
action for a month, Machado did get promoted and played in the XM All-Star
Futures Game. Machado is right where he should be defensively, playing solid
shortstop despite his size. The time away from the field did show in his
hitting a bit once he was up in the high-A Carolina League, as he needs to
improve his approach at the plate. That will come in time, and Machado should
hit for average and some power. A good spring could allow Machado to jump up
to Double-A Bowie to start the season.
2. Jurickson Profar, Rangers: It's always a good sign when a young player
gets better as a season progresses. When he does so in his first taste of
full-season ball while playing a premium position, you might have something
special. That's what happened for Profar at age 18 in the South Atlantic
League. His second-half stats were outstanding, and he finished in the top 10
in the league in on-base plus slugging percentage, never hitting the
proverbial wall. A plus defender across the board, Profar is also a very good
baserunner and started showing some legitimate extra-base pop at the plate.
He'll move up a level in 2012, and it will be interesting to see how quickly
he can advance to provide competition for Elvis Andrus.
3. Francisco Lindor, Indians: Lindor did not sign until right before the
deadline last August, so save for a handful of New York-Penn League games at
the end of the summer, the Indians first-rounder will be making his official
professional debut on Opening Day. When he does, it should become quickly
apparent why he was a top 10 selection in the 2011 Draft. Lindor has the
chance to be an outstanding all-around shortstop. He has a very advanced
approach at the plate as a switch-hitter, one who should hit for average and
power from both sides. Lindor gets on base and is a heady baserunner. There's
also no question about his defensive ability, with a plus arm and range.
While Lindor is a high schooler who will likely start the year at Class A
Lake County, don't be shocked if he's able to move faster than most prepsters.
4. Billy Hamilton, Reds: Over the years, there have been many speedsters in
the Minors who rack up gaudy stolen-base totals but stall out when they reach
the upper levels. Hamilton swiped 103 bags in 2011, but there's more to him
than just his wheels, though that clearly will be his calling card. He's
worked on being a switch-hitter and has the chance to be a dynamic leadoff
hitter if he can learn better plate discipline and get on base at a better
clip, which he started to do in the second half of 2011. Hamilton has more
than enough range for shortstop, but it remains to be seen if he'll stay
there long term or need to move to second or the outfield down the line.
He'll stay at short for now, and it will be fun to see what he does as an
encore in the California League in 2012.
5. Hak-Ju Lee, Rays: Lee joined the Rays from the Cubs as part of the Matt
Garza deal, and it's worth the price of admission just to watch him play
shortstop. He is a plus defender across the board, capable of making
highlight-reel plays. The two-time Futures Game participant is showing he can
hit and run as well. Lee hits for average, and while he's never going to rack
up many home runs, he's not just a singles hitter. Lee's speed helps in that
regard, and he should be more of a basestealing threat as he learns the
nuances of that part of the game. He finished the 2011 season with Double-A
Montgomery, and that's where he should bring his exciting brand of play to
start this coming season.
6. Nick Franklin, Mariners: After Franklin went 20-20 in his first full
season, everyone was excited to see what he would do in year No. 2 in
Seatttle's system. But the 2011 season really never got going for the
infielder, because he was hit in the face with a bat during batting practice
in June. He did eventually return and played well in the Arizona Fall League,
named the No. 14 prospect there by MLB.com. Some feel a move from shortstop
might be in Franklin's future, but he's played well enough to stay there for
the time being. With 2011 now firmly behind him, Franklin will finally get
the chance to show that 2010 was no fluke.
7. Jean Segura, Angels: There has been a good amount of talk about how new
general manager Jerry Dipoto and assistant GM Scott Servais have their work
cut out for them in rebuilding the Halos' farm system. One thing they did
inherit was the up-the-middle talent of Segura, who was supposed to move to
shortstop after a solid season at second but stayed off the field for a good
amount of the 2011 season due to hamstring problems. His tools, though, are
still very much there. Segura has shown the ability to hit for average and
pretty good power, especially for the position. His plus speed when his legs
are healthy make him a legitimate basestealing threat and gives him more than
enough range (along with a strong arm) to stay at shortstop. Segura will get
the chance to prove that full-time this year, perhaps at Double-A Arkansas.
8. Javier Baez, Cubs: Baez went one spot after Lindor in the 2011 Draft, and
while Lindor might be the better all-around shortstop, a very good argument
can be made that Baez is the better pure hitter. His plus bat speed should
enable him to hit for average and power. Baez doesn't get cheated at the
plate, and his already-impressive skills will be even better once he learns a
bit more plate discipline. He's not a slouch defensively, with a strong arm
and good hands, but he doesn't have the same kind of range Lindor has. Some
think a move to third is in Baez's future, and his bat should be more than
fine to profile well there. That bat could allow Baez to move speedily
through the system, regardless of his defensive home.
9. Andrelton Simmons, Braves: Simmons had about as solid a first full season
as you could ask for in 2011, playing at two levels while hitting for
average, stealing bases and playing outstanding defense at short. The Curacao
native is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, with a plus arm
and range. He has offensive skills as well, with good bat speed and ability
to make consistent contact. While Simmons doesn't strike out, he is a bit of
a free swinger and he could tone that down some, along with his basestealing
approach. Once that all comes together, starting this season at Double-A
Mississippi, he could be a high-level everyday shortstop.
10. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox: Any thoughts of Bogaerts coming along slowly
were thrown out the window when he played his way to the South Atlantic
League in June and seemed more than comfortable there as a teenager. He has
some serious pop, with the ability to hit to all fields. A very good pure
hitter, Bogaerts will improve even more when he learns the strike zone
better, something that's sure to happen as he progresses, because he's
already shown an ability to adjust at the plate. Bogaerts isn't bad at
shortstop, but there's a good chance he'll outgrow the spot and move to
third, where his bat will play well. He'll continue playing shorststop in
2012, moving up to Class A Advanced Salem.
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