The calendar has flipped and spring training has arrived once again, meaning it is time for the baseball world to go crazy over prospect rankings for the forthcoming season. Based primarily on stats and potential, below is our list of the top 10 outfield prospects for 2015.
1. Joc Pederson, 22 – Dodgers: Pederson gets the nod as the top outfield prospect in the minor-leagues, due to his destruction there a year ago. In 121 games at the Triple A level, the left-hander destroyed opposing pitching by launching 33 home runs and maintained a .303 average. Those numbers were enough for a call up to the big-league team in September, but the 22 year old struggled to a .143 average without hitting a long ball. With Matt Kemp traded in the offseason, Pederson is expected to hold down the center-field spot for the foreseeable future in Los Angeles, and fans may turn him into the next superstar to hit Hollywood.
2. Jorge Soler, 23 – Cubs: In arguably the most talented farm system in the entire major-leagues, Jorge Soler is also among the best outfield prospects in the game. The Cuban reached Chicago last year, playing in 24 games for the north-siders. The right-hander performed immaculately, producing a .292 average as well as hitting 5 home runs. The Cubs are expected to compete for the NL Central this year, after four years of mediocrity, and Soler should be an integral part of any success headed to Wrigley Field. The outfielder can do it all: run, throw and hit, and will likely be a staple along the ivy-covered walls for a long time to come.
3. Byron Buxton, 21 – Twins: Regarded by many as the top overall prospect in the game, Buxton finds himself at number three due to the terrific seasons last year by the two names aforementioned on this list. In 31 games across Single and Double A in 2014, Buxton hit just .234 and 10 extra base hits. He’ll look to get off to a better start in Double A to begin 2015, and look to progress through the ranks to claim his spot on top.
4. Alex Jackson, 19 – Mariners: Jackson was the 6th overall pick in the 2014 Draft and is arguably the best prospect in the Mariners’ system. The teenager doesn’t boast the best defensive skills with just average speed, but does own a strong arm having formally been a catcher. With the bat, the right-hander has the chance to be very formidable, due to his above average power and hitting ability. In 23 games in the rookie Arizona League last year, Jackson managed to post a .280 average, and hit 2 home runs. He’ll likely make the jump to full-season ball this year and the Mariners could have a mainstay in their outfield within three years.
5. Michael Taylor, 24 – Nationals: Taylor is another prospect on this list that will see time in the major-leagues this year. With Denard Span expected to start the season on the DL, Taylor will plug the hole in centerfield. The right-hander did in fact see time in the capital in 2014, and hit .205 with a single home run. Taylor’s speed and nous for stealing bases will be an ideal combination in the leadoff spot, but may be limited once Span does indeed return. Still, if the rookie can impress enough, fans may see him stick around.
6. Dalton Pompey, 22 – Blue Jays: Pompey burst onto the scene out of nowhere last year, starting the year in Single A and rising three levels to appear in 17 games in Toronto. The speedy outfielder excelled on defense, invigorating the ballclub with a succession of spectacular plays, but failed to impress with the bat after hitting just .231. After Colby Rasmus signed with the Astros in the offseason, the stage is set for Pompey to make centerfield his own out of spring training, though his offense will need to keep up with his defense if he is to stay north of the border.
7. Austin Meadows, 19 – Pirates: Drafted 9th overall in 2013, the Pirates were extremely excited to see that Meadows was still available. He missed all but 45 games in 2014, due to a nagging hamstring injury, but still managed to show his new employers why they were right in drafting him. The left-hander hit .317 and 3 home runs, as well as 12 doubles. Still a teenager, Meadows has plenty of time to make up for the development time he lost last year, and will likely begin 2015 in Single A advanced.
8. Domingo Santana, 22 – Astros: The Astros have slowly built one of the top farm systems in all of major league baseball, and Domingo Santana is at the top of said system. The 22 year old has natural strength to drive the ball to all corners of the field, including over the fences, and a big arm to go with it. Santana does, however, fall down significantly due to his tendency to swing and miss frequently, doing so in 14 of his 17 major-league at bats a year ago. He’s got a couple of years to make the necessary adjustments, and will look to do so between Triple A and the majors in 2015.
9. David Dahl, 21 – Rockies: Dahl is part of a Rockies farm system that ranks among the best in the entire major-leagues. The left-handed batter put together a fantastic season at the plate last year, after appearing in just 10 games in 2013. The 21 year old produced a .299 average in 119 games across two levels of Single A, as well as launching 14 home runs and 41 doubles. His power and hitting ability is salient, Dahl just needs to prove he can continue to produce at the highest levels of the minor-leagues. An ETA to the majors is by the end of the 2017 season.
10. Aaron Judge, 22 – Yankees: Judge is part of a talented core of Yankees prospects, and could be major-league ready within the next three years. Standing at 6’7 and weighing 255 pounds, Judge boasts above average skills across the board, and may end up at a corner infield spot in the future. In 2014, the giant slugged 17 homers in 131 games across two levels of Single A, and ended up combining for a .308 average. At 22 years of age, Judge will spend another couple of years working on his game in the minors, when he’ll be ready to take on the very best at the major-league level.
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