The 2011 MLB All-Prospect Team
The Objective: Compile a MLB roster complete with only the top minor league prospects.
The Rules: As long as they were viewed as a prospect coming into the 2011 season, they can be on this team. Thus, just because guys like Jeremy Hellickson and Eric Hosmer are already contributing at the Major League level, doesn’t mean they can’t be included on this team.
That’s it.
Let’s get nasty, Ricky.
C: Jesus Montero, Yankees
There’s no doubt that Montero is the future at catcher for the Yankees, but he may have some maturity issues to iron out first. He was benched twice earlier this month for showing a lack of energy and apparently loses focus at times. But that doesn’t mean the 21-year-old isn’t a great prospect, which he is. As soon as he shows he has the mental makeup to handle catching a big league staff, he’ll be up. In fact, I have a hard time believing the Bombers won’t recall him at some point in 2011.
Honorable Mention: Gary Sanchez, Yankees; Devin Mesoraco, Reds.
1B: Eric Hosmer, Royals
Hosmer has been slumping recently but he’s still hitting .268 with five home runs and 26 RBI this year for the Royals. Those aren’t terrible stats for a 21-year-old trying to make adjustments to big league pitching. Considered the top first base prospect in baseball, it’ll be interesting to see how he fares throughout a grueling second half.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Belt, Giants; Freddie Freeman, Braves.
2B: Dustin Ackley, Mariners
The M’s called Ackley up in mid-June and already the youngster is hitting over .300. In a recent win over the Marlins, Ackley went 3-for-5 with a double and a triple while scoring the go-ahead run in the 10th on a wild pitch. Once pitchers adjust, his batting average will likely drop but Seattle has to be thrilled so far with his production.
Honorable Mention: Jason Kipnis, Indians.
3B: Mike Moustakas, Royals
Yet another one of the Royals’ young hitters makes this mock roster. Moustakas hit his first big-league homer in just his second game with the Royals earlier this month and has now reached base in seven of his last eight games. Outside of the one home run, his power hasn’t translated to the big leagues so far, but it’s still early. He has a short, compact swing and despite having an aggressive approach, he doesn’t strikeout a lot. He could be a star in Kansas City for years to come.
Honorable Mention: Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays; Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians; Nick Castellanos, Tigers.
SS: Manny Machado, Orioles
It’ll be a while before we see the 18-year-old Machado in a big league uniform, but he certainly has the goods to be an All-Star once he does reach Baltimore. A dislocated kneecap has slowed him down the past couple of weeks but he has already displayed more power than scouts expected. He should be ready by 2013.
Honorable Mention: Grant Green, A’s; Jurickson Profar, Rangers.
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
Perhaps the top prospect in baseball, the 18-year-old Harper is already exceeding high expectations. He’s currently batting .322 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in his first pro season, although a sore left thumb has kept him out of the lineup recently. While he could be a September call-up this year, his ETA is 2012.
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
This all-prospect team will be stacked in the outfield, as Trout and Harper make up two of the best prospects in all of baseball. Trout, 19, has been killing it in the Texas League this year. To date, he’s second in stolen bases (26), second in triples (9) and fourth in OPB percentage (.425). He remains ahead of schedule and should reach the majors by 2012.
OF: Domonic Brown, Phillies
While Brown is barely hitting over the Mendoza Line (or just under it for those old school historians out there), he showed the Phillies what he’s capable of in a four-game stretch earlier this month. Brown belted a pair of home runs in a win over the Marlins in mid-June, which gave him three longballs in four games. Granted, he only has four dingers on the season, but he showed fans and onlookers alike what he could do once he matures at the plate.
Honorable Mention Outfield: Wil Myers, Royals; Desmond Jennings, Rays; Aaron Hicks, Twins.
SP: Jeremy Hellickson (Rays), Jameson Taillon (Pirates), Julio Teheran (Braves), Matt Moore (Rays) and Shelby Miller (Cardinals).
Hellickson is already a Rookie of the Year candidate, while there’s a good chance Taillon could be the ace that the Pirates have waited a decade for. Teheran proved in May that he isn’t ready for the show yet, but he could be back and forth between Triple-A and Atlanta throughout the year. Moore threw a no-hitter for Double-A Montgomery earlier this month and should be ready for the majors in 2012, while Miller is dominating Double-A himself. While there’s always a plethora of pitching prospects in the minors, these five are the best of the bunch (with Hellickson already proving that he can pitch at the top level).
Honorable Mention: Jacob Turner, Tigers; Michael Pineda, Mariners; Zach Britton, Orioles, Mike Montgomery, Royals; Martin Perez, Rangers; Kyle Gibson, Twins.
Bullpen: Aroldis Chapman, Reds; Chris Sale, White Sox.
The 100mph-throwing Chapman is a highly impressive prospect but he must fix his control problems if he wants to stay in the big leagues and off the DL. Sale blew his chance at closing for the Sox, but has turned into a reliable reliever and is the future closer in Chicago.
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