MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 2011 South Atlantic League
As a large league with agreeable springtime weather, the low Class A South Atlantic League is where many future Hall of Famers see their first taste of full-season ball. The list includes Tom Glavine (1985), Craig Biggio (1987), Ivan Rodriguez (1989), Chipper Jones (1991), Derek Jeter (1993) and Vladimir Guerrero (1995).
Potential future Hall of Famers Scott Rolen (1994), Andruw Jones (1995) and Adrian Beltre (1996) also played in the SAL.
The South Atlantic League class of 2011 is notable for its depth, including future MVPs Bryce Harper (No. 1) and Christian Yelich (No. 5) as well as quality regulars Manny Machado (No. 2), Xander Bogaerts (No. 10) and Marcell Ozuna (No. 7).
The depth continues. Harper, Jameson Taillon (No. 4) and Machado were the first three picks in the 2010 draft, while Jurickson Profar (No. 3) would become the No. 1 prospect in baseball in 2013.
2011 South Atlantic League Top 10 Prospects
| No | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 1 | Bryce Harper | OF | Hagerstown | Nationals | 4,871 | 36.6 |
| 2 | Manny Machado | SS | Delmarva | Orioles | 4,977 | 35.9 |
| 3 | Jurickson Profar | SS | Hickory | Rangers | 2,019 | 5.3 |
| 4 | Jameson Taillon | RHP | West Virginia | Pirates | 466 | 9.1 |
| 5 | Christian Yelich | OF | Greensboro | Marlins | 4,269 | 34.4 |
| 6 | Jesse Biddle | LHP | Lakewood | Phillies | 92 | -0.6 |
| 7 | Marcell Ozuna | OF | Greensboro | Marlins | 4,109 | 22.4 |
| 8 | Brandon Jacobs | OF | Greenville | Red Sox | — | — |
| 9 | Jonathan Schoop | SS | Delmarva | Orioles | 3,281 | 10.8 |
| 10 | Xander Bogaerts | SS | Greenville | Red Sox | 4,143 | 26.2 |
Harper displayed “exceptional hitting and power prowess” as perhaps the “most heralded minor leaguer ever.” The 18-year-old hit .318 with 14 homers and 19 steals in 72 games, earning a late promotion to Double-A.
Machado showed “impressive bat speed and the ability to consistently barrel up the ball,” looking like a “plus hitter with at least average power.” A dislocated kneecap cut into his production, but he still moved to high Class A in the second half.
The athletic Yelich rode a late surge to 15 homers and 32 steals while hitting .312. Yelich’s manager accurately summed him up this way: “He has good instincts and is going to be a very productive offensive player because he sees the ball very well and really knows the strike zone.”
“Maturity” marked Bogaerts’ play in the South Atlantic League, where he hit .260 with 16 homers as an 18-year-old. He’s got some pop and life in that bat,” his manager said. “He’s an aggressive hitter and he hits the ball as hard and far as anyone you’ll see. You can envision him playing for a long time.”
South Atlantic League All-Time BA No. 1 Prospects
Players listed with career major league plate appearances/innings and FanGraphs WAR. Stats for active players current through mid August.
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 1981 | Jeff Reynolds | 3B | Greensboro | Yankees | — | — |
| 1982 | Matt Winters | OF | Greensboro | Yankees | 122 | -0.4 |
| 1983 | Van Snider | OF | Charleston | Royals | 36 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | Kevin Sliwinski | 1B | Florence | Blue Jays | — | — |
| 1985 | Sil Campusano | OF | Florence | Blue Jays | 288 | 0.0 |
| 1986 | Cameron Drew | OF | Asheville | Astros | 16 | 0.0 |
| 1987 | Mark Whiten | OF | Myrtle Beach | Blue Jays | 3,523 | 13.1 |
| 1988 | Derek Bell | OF | Myrtle Beach | Blue Jays | 5,068 | 13.0 |
| 1989 | Willie Ansley | OF | Asheville | Astros | — | — |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 1990 | Tito Navarro | SS | Columbia | Mets | 18 | -0.4 |
| 1991 | Rondell White | OF | Sumter | Expos | 5,852 | 23.8 |
| 1992 | Cliff Floyd | OF | Albany | Expos | 6,063 | 24.7 |
| 1993 | Terrell Wade | LHP | Macon | Braves | 126 | 1.0 |
| 1994 | Ruben Rivera | OF | Greensboro | Yankees | 1,818 | 4.9 |
| 1995 | Andruw Jones | OF | Macon | Braves | 8,664 | 67.0 |
| 1996 | Adrian Beltre | 3B | Savannah | Dodgers | 12,130 | 84.1 |
| 1997 | Ryan Minor | 3B | Delmarva | Orioles | 342 | -2.8 |
| 1998 | Alex Escobar | OF | Capital City | Mets | 439 | 1.4 |
| 1999 | Rafael Furcal | SS | Macon | Braves | 7,237 | 33.1 |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 2000 | Josh Hamilton | OF | Charleston | Rays | 4,350 | 27.9 |
| 2001 | Boof Bonser | RHP | Hagerstown | Giants | 417 | 0.9 |
| 2002 | Gavin Floyd | RHP | Lakewood | Phillies | 1,250 | 14.9 |
| 2003 | B.J. Upton | SS | Charleston | Rays | 5,858 | 24.4 |
| 2004 | Delmon Young | OF | Charleston | Rays | 4,371 | -1.3 |
| 2005 | Scott Elbert | LHP | Columbus | Dodgers | 97 | 1.2 |
| 2006 | Andrew McCutchen | OF | Hickory | Pirates | 6,849 | 49.5 |
| 2007 | Desmond Jennings | OF | Columbus | Rays | 2,351 | 11.7 |
| 2008 | Madison Bumgarner | LHP | Augusta | Giants | 1,863 | 34.2 |
| 2009 | Martin Perez | LHP | Hickory | Rangers | 951 | 8.8 |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 2010 | Jon Singleton | 1B | Lakewood | Phillies | 420 | -0.9 |
| 2011 | Bryce Harper | OF | Hagerstown | Nationals | 4,725 | 36.4 |
| 2012 | Jose Fernandez | RHP | Greensboro | Marlins | 471 | 13.6 |
| 2013 | Eddie Butler | RHP | Asheville | Rockies | 264 | -0.8 |
| 2014 | Lucas Giolito | RHP | Hagerstown | Nationals | 451 | 5.6 |
| 2015 | Yoan Moncada | 2B | Greenville | Red Sox | 1,568 | 10.1 |
| 2016 | Victor Robles | OF | Hagerstown | Nationals | 780 | 3.1 |
| 2017 | Sixto Sanchez | RHP | Lakewood | Phillies | 39 | 1.1 |
| 2018 | D.L. Hall | LHP | Delmarva | Orioles | — | — |
| 2019 | Jarred Kelenic | OF | West Virginia | Mariners | — | — |
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