Now that #1 prospect Mike Trout is in the majors, this time for good it appears, it’s time to take a look at the top 21 players in the minors who are currently under the age of 21. This list does not include players who recently signed and have yet to appear in a pro game.
1. Bryce Harper- Nationals LF 6’3 Bats-L Age-18
109G .297 63R 24 2B 2 3B 17 HR 58 RBI 26 SB .392/ .501/ .894
Harper’s season was shut down after he suffered a hamstring injury this past week. The hype machine enjoyed a successful first season as a pro, putting up impressive stats across the board over 2 stops. With a solid spring training next season, there is a very good chance he will join fellow phenom Stephen Strasburg in Washington .
2. Tyler Skaggs- Diamondbacks 6’4 LHP Age-20
24G 8-6 3.12 ERA 1.14 WHIP 172K/ 44BB 138.1 IP .224 BAA
Skaggs just keeps getting better as the season goes on– a great sign of durability. Over his last 5 games, he is 2-0 1.61 ERA 0.89 WHIP 35K/ 6BB over 28 IP. The imposing lefty heads a future rotation of All Stars for the Diamondbacks along with Trevor Bauer, Jarrod Parker and Archie Bradley. Has command of 3 plus pitches, with his curveball being his out pitch with late drop and break.
3. Jurickson Profar- Rangers SS Bats-R Age-18
102G .289 77R 32 2B 7 3B 11 HR 54 RBI 18 SB .398/ .494/ .891
Profar is younger than Harper and has been equally impressive this year. Going into this season his defense was his best asset but his offense is catching up quickly. The Rangers have a stockpile of talent in their system and Profar may end being the best of the bunch. Should be an All Star caliber SS who does everything well on the field.
4. Trevor Bauer- Diamondbacks 6’1 RHP Age-20
5G 1-1 2.84 ERA 1.21 WHIP 33K/ 8BB 19 IP .203 BAA
Bauer was the 3rd pick in this year’s draft and maybe the most talked about player leading up to it. Using his unorthodox delivery, similar to Tim Lincecum, he was able to dominate hitters by going 13-2 1.25 ERA and 203 Ks in 136.2 IP at UCLA in 2011. His 15.6 K/9 over his first 5 pro starts show that professional hitters can’t touch him either. There are rumors that Arizona could bring him up this year to use him for a playoff push.
5. Julio Teheran- Braves 6’2 RHP Age-20
22G 13-2 2.12 ERA 1.13 WHIP 112K/ 40BB 130.2 IP .226 BAA
The Braves are building another championship staff with guys like Tommy Hanson, Brandon Beachy and Jair Jurrjens starting, and Jonny Ventors and Craig Kimbrel in the pen. Teheran has been outclassing AAA hitters all season long and it’s only a matter of time before he forces his way into the rotation for good. He mixes a mid 90’s fastball with an outstanding changeup and plus curve.
6. Manny Machado- Orioles SS 6’3 Bats-R Age-19
86G .262 43R 17 2B 4 3B 10 HR 44 RBI 8 SB .346/ .431/ .777
Machado, the 3rd pick in last year’s draft, has been compared to Alex Rodriguez because of his size and position. He might not reach the type of power that A-Rod possesses, but he should hit for a high average and be a major run producer at the next level.
7. Jacob Turner- Tigers 6’5 RHP Age-20
19G 4-5 3.60 ERA 1.18 WHIP 104K/ 34BB 125 IP .240 BAA
Turner’s fastball is his best weapon. He throws it in the mid 90’s with great movement, and at 6’5, looks much more imposing after the release. His curveball and changeup are developing into plus pitches and his command has greatly improved this season. Should slide nicely into the #2 spot next season alongside Justin Verlander to give the Tigers a strong 1-2 punch for years.
8. Gary Sanchez- Yankees C 6’2 Bats-R Age-18
82G .256 49R 16 2B 1 3B 17 HR 52 RBI 2 SB .335/ .485/ .820
Sanchez joins a bevy of catchers in their system including top prospect Jesus Montero and Austin Romine. Sanchez has the tools to be better than both of them. Already 6’2 220lbs, he has the ideal size to play the position, and the power is unmatched by the other 2. Just 18, he still has room to grow but should hit for a high average with plenty of pop and play a gold glove defense behind the plate.
9. Robbie Erlin- Padres 6’1 LHP Age-20
22G 8-4 3.13 ERA 0.88 WHIP 139K/ 13BB 135.1 IP .214 BAA
The Greg Maddux clone has been baffling hitters all season with his ability to pitch. Smart and fearless on the mound, Erlin keeps hitters off balance by throwing his fastball, curve and changeup at any time, in any situation. His 10.7 K/BB leads the minors and his 0.88 WHIP ranks 2nd. Petco Park was made for guys like Erlin and should be a front of the rotation starter for the Padres.
10. Shelby Miller- Cardinals 6’3 RHP Age-20
22G 9-6 2.96 ERA 1.23 WHIP 152K/ 47BB 122.2 IP .229 BAA
Miller was recently suspended by the Cardinals organization for violation of team policies. While his character may be of concern, his ability on the mound isn’t. His high 90’s fastball is his bread and butter, with a curve and change up still developing. Miller has great mound presence and is ultra competitive. Cardinals’ pitching coach Dave Duncan is a magician with young pitchers and Miller should only benefit from his tutelage.
11. Jameson Taillon- Pirates 6’6 RHP Age-19
20G 2-3 4.52 ERA 1.26 WHIP 80K/ 17BB 79.2 IP .266 BAA
The 2nd pick in last year’s draft, Taillon has command of 4 pitches. His fastball hit the upper 90’s with great movement, his curve was rated the best in his class, and his slider and changeup all rate above average. A tall and imposing figure on the mound, Taillon has great make up and should be a future ace for the Pirates and one of the best in the game.
12. Miguel Sano- Twins 3B 6’3 Bats-R Age-18
56G .280 46R 15 2B 6 3B 16 HR 44 RBI 3 SB .336/ .607/ .943
Sano is blessed with incredible bat speed that should allow him to hit for a high average. Already 6’3 195lbs, still has room to get bigger and improve on his already enormous raw power. His defense is good enough to hold down the hot spot and should develop into a perennial All Star as a run producing middle of the line up hitter for the Twins.
13. Taijuan Walker- Mariners 6’4 RHP Age-19
18G 6-5 2.89 ERA 1.12 WHIP 113K/ 39BB 96.2 IP .202 BAA
Walker has relied on his mid 90’s fastball and plus curveball to dominate hitters at the Class A level. When he adds a 3rd pitch to his arsenal that he can rely on, he will join Felix Hernandez and Rookie of the Year candidate, Michael Pineda, to form a nasty trio in Seattle.
14. Nolan Arenado- Rockies 3B 6’1Bats-L Age-20
120G .295 75R 30 2B 3 3B 17 HR 111 RBI 2 SB .343/ .482/ .825
Arenado leads the minors in RBI and has been knocking them in at a ridiculous rate as of late. Over his last 8 games, he is hitting .392 with 3 HR and 15 RBI. He should excel at Coors Field with his power and ability to hit for a high average. He also has great plate coverage as he has only struck out 47 times on the season. Could find himself in a corner outfield spot as his arm strength may not be strong enough to hold down the hot spot in the majors.
15. Carlos Martinez- Cardinals 6’0 RHP Age-19
16G 6-4 3.93 ERA 1.35 WHIP 89K/ 35BB 75.2 IP .235 BAA
The diminutive Martinez carries a huge arm. At 6’0 and just 160lbs, he can dial up his fastball to 100mph and also has an excellent change up with a developing plus curveball. Has very good control for his age, and like Miller, should only get better when he gets to work under Dave Duncan.
16. Christian Yelich- Marlins LF 6’4 Bats- L Age-19
108G .309 62R 29 2B 1 3B 12 HR 64 RBI 28 SB .379/ .473/ .852
The 23rd pick in last year’s draft, Yelich is a 5-tool player with all the intangibles. He has great plate discipline and generates a lot of power from the left side with his 6’4 frame. Also has great speed, which will allow him to be a top of the order hitter for the Marlins and a nightmare match up for opposing pitchers.
17. Jonathan Singleton- Astros 1B 6’2 Bats-L Age-19
113G .291 61R 2` 2B 1 3B 13 HR 58 RBI 3 SB .382/ .444/ .826
Singleton is the Astros 1B of the future. He generates a lot of power from the left side, and should continue to mature as he gets more experience. He shows a good approach at the plate already and his defense will allow him to stay at his position.
18. Manny Banuelos- Yankees 5’11LHP Age-20
24G 4-7 3.57 ERA 1.55 WHIP 115K/ 61BB 116 IP .277 BAA
Banuelos has had control problems this year and has been inconsistent overall, but the stuff is there. An appendectomy set him back earlier in the season but he is gaining his condition back as of late. His size leads to durability concerns but his mid 90’s fastball and plus curve and changeup are reasons to believe he can be a solid starter at the next level.
19. Cory Spangenberg- Padres 2B 6’2 Bats-L Age-20
57G .310 46R 14 2B 1 3B 3 HR 36 RBI 17 SB .426/ .429/ .854
Spangenberg, the 10th selection in this year’s draft, signed early and has benefited from the extra playing time by getting a head start on his draft mates. He has been raking as of late, going 15-28 (.536) over his last 7 games with 9 runs scored, 2 HR 7 RBI and 3 SB. His speed, ability to draw walks and developing power have drawn comparisons to Chase Utley.
20. Dante Bichette Jr. – Yankees 3B 6’1 Bats-R Age-18
47G .335 32R 13 2B 3 3B 3 HR 45 RBI 3 SB .445/ .494/ .939
The bat was never a question about Bichette, as seen by the numbers he has put up so far. Where he will end up in the field remains to be seen however. With his advanced batting eye and ability to hit to all fields the Yankees will find a spot for his bat.
21. Martin Perez- Rangers 6’0 LHP Age-20
23G 7-4 3.74 ERA 1.45 WHIP 109K/ 50BB 125 IP .273 BAA
Perez is another guy who has all the stuff in the world but control problems keep getting in the way. His Changeup is off the charts and his curve is already a plus pitch. His fastball get up to the mid 90’s with movement but he just needs to harness all 3 before he gets his chance at the next level.