Minor League Affiliation:
Texas A&M University1. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago CubsDraft: 2013 - 1. round (12. pick)
ETA: 2014
Reports:
Should produce plenty of power and batting average, and I expect the discipline will improve. Even his defense was better than expected. Gary Sheffield comps may prove quite valid. (John Sickels)His hands are explosive, and the bat speed is so good that he's already got plus-plus raw power and can drive the ball out to the opposite field like he's tying his shoes. (Keith Law)Video:
Javier Baez cranks a pair of home runs in the Cubs game against the Royals2. Jorge Soler, OF, Chicag CubsDraft: 2013 - 2. round (13. pick)
ETA: 2015
Reports:
Soler stands out for his thick, physical build and strength. Power is Soler's best tool, as he shows great bat speed, the ability to hit balls out to all fields and the potential to hit 25 home runs per year. (Baseball America)Soler is a chiseled athlete with outstanding raw power, above-average speed, and a strong throwing arm. He demonstrated all of those tools in his first pro look, and he showed good skills once he got settled in. (John Sickels)3. Max Fried, LHP, PadresDraft: 2013 - 3. round (36. pick)
ETA: 2015
Reports:
Fried has the body, pitches, and mentality to be a number two starter, perhaps developing into something like Andy Pettitte as he matures. Fried has Top 20 potential, if not Top 10, for 2014. (John Sickels)He's more of a No. 2 than a future ace, someone who'll be among the top 20 or so pitchers in his league and should be good for 200 innings a year when he matures. (Keith Law)4. Michael Wacha, RHP, CaridnalsDraft: 2013 - 4. round (37. pick)
ETA: 2014
Reports:
Exceeded expectations in pro ball, granted the sample is small, but still. . .40/4 K/BB in 21 innings? Dang. I thought he was a future number three starter, but if he maintains the uptick in velocity he showed in pro ball, he's another guy you can build the rotation around. (John Sickels) 5. Jesse Biddle, LHP, PhilliesDraft: 2013 - 5. round (60. pick)
ETA: 2014
Reports:
Biddle's stuff will be good enough that he should be a back-end starter even if his command never quite gets to average, but has the potential to be a No. 2 if it develops into a real strength. (Keith Law)Class of the system. Local kid, good fastball, very good secondary pitches, no serious command problems, no durability issues yet. Good bet to be a mid-rotation starter, if not more.(John Sickels)