2016 Southern League Top 20 Prospects

LEAGUE SUPERLATIVES

Dansby Swanson

Championship Series
Jackson (Mariners) 3
Mississippi (Braves) 0

Best Record
Jackson (Mariners), 84-55 (.604)

Most Valuable Player
Tyler O’Neill, of, Jackson (Mariners)

Pitcher Of The Year
Ryan Yarbrough, lhp, Jackson (Mariners)

Did Not Qualify
Edwin Diaz, rhp, Jackson (Mariners)

See Also: 2016 League Top 20 Index

A trio of promising middle infielders—two of them Braves farmhands—headlined this year’s Top 20 Prospects ranking for the Double-A Southern League.

The Mississippi double-play combination of shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Ozzie Albies began the year not as teammates but as rivals for role of Braves shortstop of the future. Swanson took a clear and decisive lead in the race by manning shortstop for the five weeks in July and August that he and Albies were actually M-Braves teammates.

Few full-season leagues feature as little run-scoring as the SL, so pitchers tend to dominate, though this year’s ranking features an even split between position players and pitchers. Power lefthanders stood out among the pitchers, and southpaws occupy five of the top six spots given to pitchers, led by Biloxi’s Josh Hader and Mississippi’s Sean Newcomb, who both could be minor mechanical tweaks away from becoming frontline big league starters.

The Braves and Rays each placed five prospects in the top 20, and those clubs’ affiliates each advanced to the SL playoffs, Mississippi on the strength of its pitching (league-leading 3.10 ERA) and Montgomery on the strength of its offense (league-leading 4.59 runs per game). The M-Braves claimed a wild card and advanced to the SL finals, where they lost to Jackson, the Mariners affiliate that also bounced Montgomery in the first round of the playoffs.

1. Dansby Swanson, ss, Mississippi (Braves) |

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Vanderbilt, 2015 (1/Diamondbacks).

The Diamondbacks made Swanson the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, only to trade him to the Braves for Shelby Miller five months later. While Miller fizzled in Arizona, Swanson moved in the opposite direction.

Swanson, who grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Ga., began the season at high Class A Carolina but quickly hit his way to Mississippi on April 30 and then to Atlanta on Aug. 17. He is a well-rounded player whose ability to hit, run and defend stand above his other tools. Swanson profiles as a first-division shortstop and probable No. 2 hitter.

Swanson produces hard contact to all fields and exercises the patience to draw walks, making him at least an above-average hitter. He drives most of his extra-base hits to his pull side and has average power. His plus speed will enhance his offensive value by helping him take extra bases, including the occasional steal. SL managers recognized Swanson as the circuit’s best defensive shortstop, lauding him for his above-average range and arm. He led all full-season minor league shortstops with a rate of 3.27 assists per game.

“He’s way more mature defensively than anybody else in the league at the position,” Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero said.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
333	54	87	13	5	8	45	35	71	6	2	.261	.342	.402

2. Willy Adames, ss, Montgomery (Rays) |

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012 (Tigers).

The Rays targeted Adames when they traded David Price to the Tigers in July 2014, and the physical, young shortstop has exceeded expectations for Tampa Bay while batting in the middle of the order and handling tough assignments to the Florida State and Southern leagues the past two seasons. This year he led the SL with 74 walks and 89 runs, while ranking third in doubles (31) and fifth in on-base percentage (.372) and slugging (.430).

No player in the SL has a higher offensive ceiling than Adames, who most scouts regard as having the potential for a plus bat with plus power. He improved his walk and strikeout rates dramatically in 2016, while also upping his power production. He tends to pull most of his home runs now, but he also can drive the ball the other way, which portends good things for his future home-run totals. With a more compact swing, Adames should be able to get on top of more high fastballs. He rounds out his offensive game with solid-average speed and sharp baserunning instincts.

While he is bigger than the average shortstop, Adames is light on his feet and projects to stay at the position with average range and plus arm strength that will play along the lines big-bodied shortstops Carlos Correa, Manny Machado or Corey Seager

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
486	89	133	31	6	11	57	74	121	13	6	.274	.372	.430

3. Ozzie Albies, 2b/ss, Mississippi (Braves) |

Age: 19. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 160. Signed: Curacao, 2013.

The Braves jumped Albies from low Class A Rome in 2015 directly to Mississippi, much as they once fast-tracked middle infielders Andrelton Simmons and Rafael Furcal through the system. The teenager even spent May and June at Triple-A Gwinnett following Dansby Swanson’s promotion to Double-A.

While Albies faltered in the International League, he returned to the SL in July and did what he always does: hit. He claimed the circuit’s batting (.321) and on-base percentage (.391) titles with terrific barrel control, contact ability and timing. He has the bat speed to turn around any fastball and the patience to wait for his pitch. The 5-foot-9 Albies even began to show power in 2016, with a .143 isolated slugging percentage that was 32 points higher than the SL average. He won’t ever be a masher, but he he could approach average power.

A plus runner and prolific basestealer who needs to be more efficient, Albies moved to second base in deference to Swanson. Above-average range and arm strength make the position a good fit, though he needs to improve his double-play pivot. His season ended with an injury when he fractured the tip of his right elbow in the SL playoffs.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
330	56	106	22	7	4	33	33	57	21	9	.321	.391	.467

4. Tyler O’Neill, of, Jackson (Mariners) |

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 210. Drafted: HS—Maple Ridge, B.C., 2013 (3).

Perhaps no Mariners prospect benefited more from the organization’s front-office changeover last winter than O’Neill, who went from dangerous-but-flawed slugger in 2015 to the MVP of the SL this season. New Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto and farm director Andy McKay stressed plate discipline and accountability for prospects, and O’Neill responded with markedly improved strikeout and walk rates.

O’Neill challenged for the SL triple crown before finishing fifth in average (.293), second in home runs (24) and first in RBIs (102). He also led the league with a .508 slugging percentage and 54 extra-base hits. Managers marveled at his ability to make the ball disappear in a hurry to any part of the park with incredible raw power. He hits all pitch types in the zone and punishes mistakes, but like many young sluggers he can be neutralized by pitchers who locate hard in and soft away. With continued improvement he can be an average hitter with plus power.

A hard worker who always gives full effort, O’Neill drew attention for his improved defensive play in right field—he has at least average range—and above-average arm.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
492	68	144	26	4	24	102	62	150	12	2	.293	.374	.508

5. Jake Bauers, of/1b, Montgomery (Rays) |

Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Huntington Beach, Calif., 2013 (7/Padres).

Bauers has the type of pure lefthanded batting stroke to excite even jaded baseball men, and SL managers took notice of his potential as he returned to the circuit this season. The Rays parted with Wil Myers to acquire Bauers and four others—most notably Steven Souza—following the 2014 season, and the 20-year-old could redeem that trade for Tampa Bay.

Bauers ranked among the SL leaders with 28 doubles (fourth), 73 walks (second), a .370 on-base percentage (sixth) and 78 RBIs (fourth). He is the rare batter who works deep counts yet rarely strikes out and still hits for power. He focuses on making hard contact to all fields and doesn’t over-swing, so he doesn’t hit many home runs, but he stands to add power as he matures. Many believe he will develop into a plus hitter with plus power as he learns to look for and attack his pitch.

The Rays started Bauers in right field when he and 2014 first-rounder Casey Gillaspie were teammates. While playable in the outfield, Bauers is a standout defender at first base with good hands and range for the position.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
493	79	135	28	1	14	78	73	89	10	6	.274	.370	.420

6. Josh Hader, lhp, Biloxi (Brewers) |

Age: 22. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Millersville, Md., 2012 (19/Orioles).

The Orioles shrewdly identified Hader, a Maryland prep selected in the 19th round, in the 2012 draft, but they traded him to the Astros a year later for Bud Norris. Houston watched Hader win the California League pitcher-of-the-year award in 2014 before dealing him to the Brewers for Carlos Gomez at the 2015 deadline. The Brewers are the second organization to trade for Hader, but don’t expect them to part with the southpaw any time soon.

For some evaluators, Hader showed No. 1 starter upside in the SL and earned the circuit’s best-pitching-prospect tag from managers in Best Tools balloting. No starter who qualified for this ranking struck out a higher percentage of opponents (32.7 percent) than Hader, who throws two above-average to plus pitches, led by a 92-97 mph fastball that features serious late life. Batters struggle to pick up the ball out of Hader’s hand because of his deceptive motion and low three-quarters arm slot.

Hader changed the grip on his slider late in 2015 and it now flashes plus more often. He throws his high-80s breaking ball as a chase pitch to lefthanders and to upset balance for righthanders. He struggles to stay on top of his fringy changeup, but he limits damage from righthanders because he is unafraid to pitch inside. Hader works fast and oozes mound presence, but he must sharpen his control and command to reach his ceiling.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
2	1	0.95	11	11	0	57	38	7	6	1	19	73	.194

7. Brent Honeywell, rhp, Montgomery (Rays) |

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Walters State (Tenn.) CC, 2014 (2s).

Honeywell might have the best arm in the Rays system now that Blake Snell has graduated to the majors. He cruised through 10 starts at high Class A Charlotte, missed six weeks with elbow soreness and then earned a quick promotion to Montgomery on July 11, shortly after his return. He ranked 13th in the minors in both ERA (2.34) and WHIP (1.03) this season.

Honeywell throws an explosive fastball that sits 94 mph and touches 97. The pitch plays as at least plus and effectively sets up his wide array of secondary pitches, one of which will need to take a step forward. The leading contender is his solid-average curveball, which features power but not the consistent, sharp vertical break to force batters to look low in the hitting zone. He tends to work up in the zone and is an extreme flyball pitcher who generates few groundball double plays.

Honeywell throws an average changeup and excellent screwball but doesn’t use his high-80s cutter to work in on lefthanders enough. As he gains experience, he will learn how to use his varied weapons to maximum effect and grow to become a possible No. 2 starter.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
3	2	2.28	10	10	0	59	51	16	15	4	14	53	.231

8. Sean Newcomb, lhp, Mississippi (Braves) |

Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 255. Drafted: Hartford, 2014 (1/Angels).

The Braves traded Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Angels last November for Newcomb, the 15th overall pick in the 2014 draft. Given a full year at Double-A, he led the SL with 152 strikeouts and placed second with a .224 opponent average. Erratic control translated into 71 walks, second-most in the league.

While Newcomb’s control grades as below-average, he isn’t wild so much as he falls out of his delivery at times, inhibiting his ability to get back into counts or put batters away. He sits 92-93 mph and dials his fastball up to 95, and opposing batters struggle to pick up the ball out of his hand. A broad-shouldered, 6-foot-5 lefthander with an easy motion, he throws deceptively hard and hides the ball until the last instant, which makes him difficult to hit and almost impossible to take deep. He allowed just four home runs in 2016, for a rate per nine innings (0.26) that led all league qualifiers.

Newcomb misses bats with a tight, high-spin curveball that plays as plus with upper-70s velocity. His mid-80s changeup has improved to solid-average in pro ball, though it doesn’t feature as much action as his fastball or curveball.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
8	7	3.86	27	27	0	140	113	62	60	4	71	152	.224

9. Ian Happ, 2b/of, Tennessee (Cubs) |

Age: 22. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 205. Drafted: Cincinnati, 2015 (1).

The honor roll of players the Cubs have run through Tennessee the last three seasons includes Javier Baez in 2013, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell in 2014 and Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras in 2015. Chicago continued that trend when it assigned Happ, the ninth pick in the 2015 draft, to the SL on June 23 after he recorded an .885 OPS at high Class A Myrtle Beach.

While the switch-hitting Happ produced respectable results in the SL, he did not excel. Some evaluators expect that to change. “He has the best hands in the league as far as bat speed and getting the bat out front,” Montgomery manager Brady Williams said.

While Happ is a more dynamic batter from the left side, he has a discerning eye at the plate and the potential to develop into a plus hitter with near-average power. He will need to make more contact to reach that ceiling, but his swing works from both sides of the plate. He runs the bases well with above-average speed.

Happ played mostly outfield in college, but he is determined to play second base, much like bat-first prospects such as Jason Kipnis or Daniel Murphy before him. Evaluators see Happ as a fringy defender at the keystone with an average arm but stiff actions, particularly on the double play.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
248	35	65	14	0	8	31	20	60	6	2	.262	.318	.415

10. Anthony Banda, lhp, Mobile (Diamondbacks)

Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Drafted: San Jacinto (Texas) JC, 2012 (10/Brewers).

The Diamondbacks acquired both Banda and outfielder Mitch Haniger when they traded Gerardo Parra to the Brewers in July 2014. Banda led the Arizona system with 152 strikeouts, while Haniger led the minors with a .999 OPS and made his big league debut this season.

While Banda spent two seasons in Rookie ball and then one at each Class A level, he came to camp this spring firing 96 mph fastballs after he had sat 90 in the past. He made just 13 starts at Mobile prior to a June 26 bump to Triple-A Reno.

The athletic, strong-bodied Banda commands his 92-94 mph fastball down in the zone to set up a pair of quality secondary pitches. He throws a mid-70s, high-rotation breaking ball that often plays as plus and works as his strikeout pitch. He also throws an above-average, sinking changeup. A three-pitch lefty who throws strikes, he could be a No. 3 starter.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
6	2	2.12	13	13	0	76	70	23	18	4	28	84	.241

11. Amir Garrett, lhp, Pensacola (Reds) |

Age: 24. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 210. Drafted: HS—Henderson, Nev., 2011 (22).

Garrett pursued basketball at St. John’s even after he signed with the Reds for $1 million out of the 2011 draft. The 6-foot-5 southpaw decided to drop hoops in 2014, and he tackled the upper levels of the minors for the first time in 2016. Garrett cruised through the SL, going 5-3, 1.75 and not allowing a home run in 13 appearances before a June 22 promotion to Triple-A Louisville.

Garrett pitches in the low 90s and can reach 95 mph at times. He does a good job using his height to his advantage to drive the ball down in the hitting zone to generate groundballs and limit hard contact in the air. He leans on a sweeping slider as his out pitch, but his breaking ball fluctuates from average to plus, so it’s not a dependable weapon. He doesn’t have great feel for his changeup, using it mostly to keep righthanders from locking in on his fastball.

Evaluators aren’t wowed by the consistency of Garrett’s secondary stuff, with some seeing him as a possible reliever based on his arm strength. He has the athleticism to repeat his delivery and hold baserunners, which will keep him alive as a possible No. 3 or 4 starter if he can refine his secondary stuff.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
5	3	1.75	13	12	0	77	51	20	15	0	28	78	.184

12. Dustin Peterson, of, Mississippi (Braves)

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 210. Drafted: HS—Gilbert, Ariz., 2013 (2/Padres).

The Braves acquired Peterson along with three other prospects from the Padres in the Justin Upton trade following the 2014 season. San Diego had selected Peterson, who is the younger brother of Mariners prospect D.J. Peterson, in the second round of the 2013 draft as a third baseman, but Atlanta promptly shifted the error-prone infielder to left field.

Peterson led the SL with 38 doubles while ranking second with 88 RBIs and fourth with a .431 slugging percentage. League managers see the righthanded batter as having the bat speed and plate approach to become at least an average hitter with above-average power. He probably fits more as a lineup contributor rather than a focal point unless he can shorten his swing to combat elite velocity.

Peterson tried center field briefly this season but is a below-average runner who fits in left field with near-average range and an average, accurate arm.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
524	65	148	38	2	12	88	45	100	4	1	.282	.343	.431

13. Stephen Gonsalves, lhp, Chattanooga (Twins)

Age: 22. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 213. Drafted: HS—San Diego, 2014 (4).

Gonsalves has carved up full-season competition the past two seasons by recording a 2.03 ERA and striking out 287 batters in 274 innings. He produced results in the SL this season following his June 25 promotion from high Class A Fort Myers, and between both stops he finished among the overall minor league leaders with a 2.06 ERA (seventh), 155 strikeouts (12th) and a 1.02 WHIP (11th).

Evaluators, though, see potential trouble brewing for Gonsalves as he faces more advanced hitters in the years to come—unless he can improve his fastball command. Many believe he can do just that because he’s a competitive, 6-foot-5 lefthander with an effortless delivery and angle to his pitches. He sits at about 90 mph and can touch 94, but he hides the ball well and thus his effective velocity plays higher. Gonsalves leans on an above-average changeup as his second pitch, and the action on the pitch has improved dramatically in the past season.

Gonsalves needs to sharpen his curveball and slider (or develop a cutter) to give him a third weapon. He also needs to improve his control—he walked 4.5 batters per nine innings at Chattanooga—while also finding a way to mix his pitch types and velocities more efficiently. He could be a No. 3 or 4 starter.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
8	1	1.82	13	13	0	74	43	17	15	1	37	89	.171

14. Chih-Wei Hu, rhp, rhp, Montgomery (Rays)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 230. Signed: Taiwan, 2012 (Twins).

The Twins signed Hu for $220,000 in 2012 after he had served as the ace of the Taiwanese junior national team. He pitched well in the system for three seasons until Minnesota, in an unsuccessful run at the wild card, traded him to the Rays for reliever Kevin Jepsen at the 2015 deadline. In his first taste of Double-A, Hu claimed the ERA title at 2.59 and ranked third with a 1.15 WHIP.

Hu works at 91-93 mph and has only one plus pitch, his changeup, but league managers marveled at his mound demeanor, pitchability and toughness. He cleaned up his arm action this season and can touch 95 mph, and because he works down in the zone so effectively, opponents must offer at his sinking changeup, which he sells with terrific arm speed.

The Rays want Hu to sharpen his average slider to become a more reliable putaway pitch, but his overall average command makes him a strong candidate to become a competitive mid-rotation starter.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
7	8	2.59	24	24	0	143	128	49	41	7	36	107	.241

15. Casey Gillaspie, 1b, Montgomery (Rays) |

Age: 23. B-T: B-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 240. Drafted: Wichita State, 2014 (1).

A 2014 first-rounder who missed the second half of his full-season debut with a broken hand, Gillaspie knew he had work to do in 2016, especially after he hit just .191 in the Arizona Fall League last offseason. He focused on improving his physique by losing bad weight and tightening his defensive play as he embarked on his first run at Montgomery. The plan worked.

Gillaspie knows what type of hitter he is and stays with that approach. He showed high-level power production in the SL with a balanced, leveraged swing to go with an elite walk rate that earned him acclaim from managers for his strike-zone judgment. He continued to hit following a promotion to Triple-A Durham and finished with 18 total home runs and 80 walks, which ranked 10th most in the minors.

A switch-hitter, Gillaspie shows above-average bat speed from both sides of the plate and will hit for power and take his walks, but he won’t hit for a high average. Though he is tall, bulky and slow-footed, Gillaspie is nimble enough to play an average first base.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
293	51	79	21	0	11	41	58	79	5	1	.270	.387	.454

16. Brandon Woodruff, rhp, Biloxi (Brewers)

Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 215. Drafted: Mississippi State, 2014 (11).

The Brewers selected Woodruff in the 11th round of the 2014 draft after an uneven career at Mississippi State, viewing him as a probable groundball-oriented reliever. He completely refashioned his career this season after recording a 1.83 ERA at high Class A Brevard County to earn a May 19 promotion to Biloxi. Woodruff missed bats at both stops and finished with a minor league-leading 173 strikeouts.

Commanding his mid-90s fastball and sharp slider have made the biggest difference for Woodruff, who works with two above-average weapons at his best. He sits at 94 mph and can reach back for 97 while maintaining a strong ground ball rate. Woodruff locates his slider under the hands of lefthanders to neutralize their power, and he also throws an average changeup. He mixes his pitches well and throws them all for strikes whether ahead or behind in the count.

With an aggressive mound presence, Woodruff pitches with a power mentality and nearly doubled his strikeout rate from 5.8 batters per nine innings in 2015 to 9.9 this season. He should contribute to the Brewers in some fashion in 2017, perhaps as a mid-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
10	8	3.01	20	20	0	114	88	39	38	4	30	124	.211

17. Zach Granite, of, Chattanooga (Twins)

Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175. Drafted: Seton Hall, 2013 (14).

Rarely does a prospect emerge from seemingly nowhere at Double-A, but Granite accomplished just that in 2016, when he tied for the overall minor league lead with 56 stolen bases. He also led the SL with 155 hits and ranked second with 86 runs, third with eight triples and fourth with a .295 average.

A Staten Island, N.Y., native and 14th-round pick from Seton Hall in 2013, Granite stood out in the Big East Conference for his speed, baserunning acumen and strike-zone judgment, and those traits were on full display at Chattanooga. This season manager Doug Mientkiewicz and hitting coach Tommy Watkins helped the lefthanded-hitting Granite adjust his swing to get his bat started earlier, and he immediately began making more contact and squaring up the ball more frequently. He began to drive the ball on occasion—he hit four homers this season after hitting one as a pro and zero as a collegian—and while his power grades as well below-average, he at least began forcing outfielders to play him honestly.

A 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, Granite steals bases at a high success rate and goes about it with the cockiness of a basestealer. He doesn’t throw well but is at least a solid-average defender in center field, if not plus. Some see Granite as a starter, while others say fourth outfielder, but all agree he fits the leadoff prototype when he is in the lineup.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
526	86	155	18	8	4	52	42	43	56	14	.295	.347	.382

18. Lucas Sims, rhp, Mississippi (Braves) |

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Snellville, Ga., 2012 (1).

The Braves may be best known for stockpiling first-round power arms through trades with other organizations—think Max Fried, Sean Newcomb and Touki Toussaint—but they’re actually developing one of their own in Sims, the 21st overall pick in 2012 who hails from suburban Atlanta.

Sims experienced a seasons of extremes in 2016. At Mississippi to begin the year he struck out 41 percent of the batters he faced through three starts to earn a promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett. International League batters rang Sims’ bell (7.56 ERA, 12 home runs in 50 innings), but he returned to the SL on June 26 and continued to excel at missing bats and limiting hits. He ranked fifth in the minors with 159 strikeouts.

The issue for Sims will be control—he walked 5.4 batters per nine innings in the SL—and finding a third pitch to stay in the rotation. A thick-bodied righthander who bumps 97 mph and sits 93-95, he isn’t afraid to challenge batters with his plus-plus fastball. He uses it as a strikeout pitch and also to set up an above-average, high-70s curveball that now flashes plus more frequently than it once did. Feel for a changeup continues to elude Sims, which coupled with poor control leads many to project him to the bullpen, where he could be a high-leverage power arm.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
5	5	2.67	17	17	0	91	64	34	27	3	55	101	.203

19. Domingo Leyba, ss, Mobile (Diamondbacks) |

Age: 20. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 160. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012 (Tigers).

Two of the top shortstops in the SL originally signed with the Tigers out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, yet thanks to trades neither Leyba nor Montgomery’s Willy Adames still play for the organization. The Diamondbacks parted with shortstop Didi Gregorius to acquire Leyba and lefthander Robbie Ray in a three-team deal in December 2014.

After acquiring Leyba, the Diamondbacks pushed the 19-year-old to the California League in 2015 and asked him to play shortstop every day—but he hit just .237 as he struggled to catch his breath. That wasn’t an issue in 2016, which Leyba began at high Class A Visalia and concluded at Mobile following a July 17 promotion. He hit .296/.355/.429 with 10 home runs between the two stops, showing strong contact skills (15.3 percent strikeouts) and across-the-board ability.

Some evaluators see the Leyba more as a future utility infielder because he doesn’t have outstanding power or speed and his average arm might not be enough to play shortstop every day. SL managers viewed the switch-hitting Leyba as “hitterish,” with good rhythm, bat speed and hand-eye coordination from both sides of the plate. These attributes allow him to hit for average, and developing a plus hit tool could be his ticket to becoming a starting second baseman.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
156	21	47	7	1	4	20	17	22	4	2	.301	.374	.436

20. Carson Fulmer, rhp, Birmingham (White Sox) |

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Vanderbilt, 2015 (1).

An integral part of two Vanderbilt teams that reached the College World Series finals and the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft by the White Sox, Fulmer jumped on the same fast track as Chicago first-rounders Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon before him. Fulmer opened his full-season debut with 17 starts at Birmingham before being summoned to the majors on July 17 to work as a reliever. He finished the year with four starts at Triple-A Charlotte after serving up 21 baserunners in 12 big league innings.

Fulmer faces control questions but has big stuff, including the best breaking pitch in the SL, according to managers. His 79-81 mph curveball features big breaking action and generates a high swinging-strike rate, especially when thrown as a two-strike chase pitch. His 89-91 mph cutter has smaller break but produces a similar effect. He pitches at 92-93 mph and tops out at 95 and sells an effective changeup, but he throws so few first-pitch strikes that he doesn’t often get to surprise batters with his offspeed pitchers.

Some critics say that Fulmer’s delivery, which is high-effort and finishes violently, lacks deception and thus his offspeed pitches are easy to read out of his hand. This enables batters to sit on his fastball. While Fulmer improved his control during the SL season—he walked 3.7 per nine innings in his final seven starts there—he lacks fastball command and could face a permanent shift to the bullpen, where he could develop into a closer.