We recently got an email from someone looking to get some advice on a bunch of prospects that haven’t made the Big Leagues yet. Some names are bigger than others, but they can all play. Let’s credit one of our staffers, George Fitopoulos, for providing these helpful reports.
“1. Tyler Flowers
2. Dayan Viciedo
3. Jordan Danks
4. Kyle Drabek
5. Brett Wallace
Also, what do you think about Domonic Brown? I would think about drafting him and keeping him on the bench for the year. He’s supposed to be big.
What do you think?”
Well, here’s what we think:
Tyler Flowers (C – CHW)
He’s ready to play in the majors now because of his bat, which is all you should care about, but the White Sox will hold him back a little longer because he isn’t up to speed defensively. He has great power and patience at the plate (15 HR, .423 OBP in 108 games last year), but he probably won’t see a lot of time as an everyday catcher unless something happens to A.J. Pierzynski or the White Sox fall out of the race fairly early. When he does get the call to the majors, I could see him hitting 18-22 home runs in a full season with good walk numbers, but he will strike out frequently and could struggle with his batting average early on. Remember, Matt Wieters didn’t put it all together until September so it would be wise to temper expectations for Flowers right off the bat.
Dayan Viciedo (3B – CHW)
Viciedo is another Cuban defect who is very similar to his fellow teammate, Alexei Ramirez, in terms of plate discipline. He posted a .317 OBP with 89 strikeouts and 23 walks in the minors last season, but he did get better as the season went along. I think he is still a year away as he is only 20 years old (supposedly), and he still needs to refine his skills at the plate before he can be successful at the major league level.
Jordan Danks (OF – CHW)
Power isn’t his thing, but he could be a good contributor in runs, average, and steals in the future. The question is — when will he get his chance? The White Sox brought in Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones this offseason, which makes their outfield a little crowded in 2010. Danks started 2009 great, batting .322 with 25 runs and five steals in Single-A ball, but he battled injuries at the end of the season in Double-A and finished with just a .266 average. Watch him in spring training to see if he’s back to normal, but I expect him to start the season in Double-A with a short stint in Triple-A before we see him in the majors. He could be a September call-up.
Kyle Drabek (P – TOR)
Drabek came over in the Roy Halladay trade so there will be a lot of pressure and talk about him coming up to majors, but I don’t see it happening in 2010. He just came off Tommy John surgery in 2009 and had a very successful season, posting a 3.19 ERA while striking out 150 batters and walking 50 in 158 innings at Double-A. The Blue Jays are in no rush to bring him up this season because they aren’t playing for a 2010 championship. I could see him getting the occasional spot start if there are injuries, but it’s more likely that you will see him in September when rosters expand.
Brett Wallace (3B – TOR)
If we don’t see Wallace in the majors by May 15, I’ll be shocked. He clearly has the offensive skills to play at the major-league level, and the Blue Jays only have the very replaceable Lyle Overbay standing in his way. Wallace, a lefty at the plate, is an odd hitter in the fact that he rakes against left-handed pitchers to the tune of .357/.441/.476. When called up, he should contribute in batting average and will get on base at an above-average level. His power is a little average for a first baseman, but he should deliver at a clip of 25 HR per 162 games. Definitely watch him in spring training because if he tears it up, the Blue Jays might be inclined to give him a chance right away.
Domonic Brown (OF – PHI)
Brown is the best prospect on this list by a decent amount because he has the highest ceiling. The biggest knocks on him right now is his fielding and lack of bulk, both of which should keep him in the minors for most of the 2010 season. Let’s be honest here; the Phillies are in no rush to bring up a 22-year old when he can’t field his position well. However, when he finally does refine all his skills, this guy could be a legitimate .300 hitter with 30-homer power and 15-steal potential — a true five-tool player in the making. He will be worth waiting a year before he get’s regular playing time in the major leagues.
There you have it.
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