We've all seen the prospect list, but would you like to know why certain players got certain slots? Here's my explanation of the top 15. The last 5 could all be rearranged, and I felt they didn't really need explaining as to why they were in the slot they were in.
#1 - Quinton McAbee - RF - 24 years old - R/R - (KCR)
This guy has been crushing the ball in Triple A for two years now. His stats speak for themselves and his upside is pretty good too. He's major league ready and is just waiting to start blasting balls over that Kauffman waterfall. What is Mike waiting for? Bring this guy up!
MLB Comparison --- Albert Pujols
#2 - Travis Cottingham - 3B - 18 years old - R/R - (CHW)
Travis has the most upside of any player in FCM. He's shown the ability to excel on the single and double A ball teams and he was a complete beast in high school. Any time you find a player with his 5 tool make up it's something special. If any of his talent's translate on the field, he's looking at more than a few Silver Sluggers, Gold Gloves, and an MVP or two.
MLB Comparison --- Evan Longoria
#3 - Jacob Widdup - SP - 19 years old - L/L - (CHC)
Widdup has the most upside of any pitcher in the league as well as some of the best stuff for anyone his age. He's proven he can pitch on the single and double A levels even while being a professional for just 4 months. His control could use some work, but he's got plenty of time to work out the kinks. Hopefully that low ground ball ratio doesn't have lasting affects This south paw will be the everything the Cubs pitching staff will need.
MLB Comparison --- C.C. Sabathia
#4 - Josh Tarver - SP - 20 years old - L/L - (PHI)
Tarver is just about a complete replica of Widdup, however his stuff still needs some polishing before he can reach Widdup's level. He did very well in his first action of rookie ball and he has tremendous upside. As another south paw, if he can stay healthy, he will either be a consistent sub 4 ERA pitcher or a consistent sub 3 ERA pitcher during the prime of his career. No way you could go wrong with either result.
MLB Comparison --- Clayton Kershaw
#5 - Luis Domorano - CF - 22 years old - R/R - (PITT)
Now this is where things start to get tricky. The rest of the players on this list could have very well found themselves at a higher point or at a lower one. Domorano has put up some very impressive numbers in double A, and his youth gives him very nice upside. He has a great 5 tool package that one would drool for in a center fielder. With that short porch in right at PNC, he should be launching balls into the Pittsburgh night. His only downfall may be a slight health issue and/or attitude problem, but other than that he's worth the #5 slot.
MLB Comparison --- Daniel Carroll
#6 - Jason Baring - 3B - 21 years old - R/R - (FLA)
Baring had a beautiful minor league campaign in 2014. He's got enough raw talent to get him to the majors alone. Baring's raw power is his biggest asset, but the struggle will be to combine that with his eye that seems to be dragging behind. His arm is a rocket and his hands have been proven to be advanced, but his lacking range will limit him to the corner in-field positions throughout his career. Nevertheless, his defense combined with his bat will make him a very versatile and glowing player as well as the second best third base prospect in FCM. He's set to turn 22 this upcoming April, so he still a couple years to get to his peak ability.
MLB Comparison --- Miguel Cabrera
#7 - Buster Piccarreta - LF - 24 years old - R/R - (LAD)
Here is one of the more unusual picks. Piccaretta is pretty old to be a top prospect, that's been established. However he has shown plenty of room to grow into a very good hitter. His strengths are his eye and bat to ball contact, with strength not too far away. Buster totally ripped the cover off the ball in AAA last year, and with more tuning he can do the same thing at the next level. His defense is scary at best, so he will probably pan out as a DH on the MLB level, however there is no doubt he can become a productive player.
MLB Comparison --- Chipper Jones (Without the glove)
#8 - Fletcher Conyers - SP - 20 years old - R/R - (SEA)
Fletcher is very advanced with his stuff, and he even possesses a splitter that could work on the major league level. His power is his guide, but his fastball seems to lack the velocity needed to dominate. He's a couple of years away, but with the right tuning he will has the potential to be an electric starting pitcher for a team who needs one desperately.
MLB Comparison --- Clay Buchholz
#9 - Miguel Sano - SS - 21 years old - R/R (MIN)
Sano is the best shortstop prospect in FCM. His glove is great and will be MLB ready very soon. The question is his bat, which is a short way behind but not necessarily a given to be rock solid vs. MLB pitching. He put up amazing numbers in AAA last year, and could easily bust onto the scene half way through this upcoming season for the Twins.
MLB Comparison --- Elvis Andrus
#10 - Boris Turner - SP - 20 years old - R/R (BAL)
The 2013 1st overall pick has been doing a good job of locking up the tools scouts said he would just before he was drafted. He did fairly well in AA and AAA last season, and his stuff is as good as any other prospect out there. There really are no big flaws with Boris, but something he could improve on is his ability to get hitter to hit the ball on the ground. That could lead to some ugly outings during the height of his career. Turner could potentially hit his MLB debut sometime late next season, but so far, Turner is looking like a golden star, tuning up and waiting in the wings.
MLB Comparison --- Tim Alderson
#11 - Tony Morris - RP - 17 years old - L/L - (CHC)
Morris's youth compared to his ability is what landed him the #11 slot. He's got great velocity and fantastic movement for his age and has the make up of the next best closer of the MLB. He had an outstanding year in the minors last season, and personally I don't take it as much of a fluke. His command will be the test of his journey, but there is no doubt that he has the ability to shut the door.
MLB Comparison --- Joe Smith
#12 - Jason Wolverton - RF - 25 years old - L/L - (LAD)
Wolverton is the most powerful of all prospect in FCM. His raw power has the ability to hit 35+ HRs consistently on the MLB level. His eye is decent enough for him to have productive OBP numbers, however his contact will determine how valuable a hitter he will be during the prime of his career. His defense is slightly above average at best, which is solid enough for a corner outfielder with a very strong bat. He smashed 40 homers in AAA last year, that's a feat all in itself. He will probably end up playing DH on some American League team, but he will definitely thrive as a 5 or 6 hitter.
MLB Comparison --- Prince Fielder
#13 - Craig Toney - RF - 20 years old - R/R (CIN)
Toney is a small light of what Wolverton is already. His power is tremendous and a nice eye to compliment it. He also has a rocket launcher for a right arm. Toney has contact issue's, that's evident, and his defense isn't glowing at all. Hell, he looks to have some injury problems when he hits the majors. But should he work the right way, he will be a monster hitter in Cincy and should definitely be in for league leading seasons in homers, OBP and OPS.
MLB Comparison --- Justin Upton
#14 - Kevin Gallion - SP - 20 years old - L/L - (CHW)
Gallion's movement is his home. His Cut Fastball is his couch. This kid was a horse in the minors and he has plenty of room to grow into a horse in the majors. He doesn't really have any soft spots, so his overall objective is to become what scouts have predicted he will.
MLB Comparison --- C.C. Sabathia
#15 - Randy Barrett - SP - 20 years old - R/R (PHI)
Barrett has ups and downs. His power will be his lime light, however he doesn't have the velocity to make that his road to victory. His control and movement are pretty damn good, and he should be solid all around. Problem is, he let's up a slue of fly balls that are sure to be flying over the wall when he reaches the MLB level, so if he wants to stay consistent he will have to figure out how to keep balls on the ground. Barrett should be able to solidify himself as an Ace, and if he doesn't do that, the worst he'll be is a number 3 starter.
MLB Comparison --- Michael Stutes
#16 - Frank Prywes (HOU)
#17 - Manuel Varquez (WSH)
#18 - Jeff Wych (STL)
#19 - Gregg Mainwaring (CIN)
#20 - Nat Walcott (CHC)
Prospects we're considered players who have never had an AB or IP in the major leagues, 25 years old or younger, and who have 80 overall or below.
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