Friday, July 13, 2012

5 Prospects Making an Impact In Triple-A

Right now in Triple-A there are a group of prospects that are making an impact. Some of the seasons some of those players are having, may be flukes, while others may very well be legitimate.

Here are some of the players making an impact in Triple-A right now, that I believe could very well make an impact at the major league level:

 Ryan Lavarnway-BOS-C
Ryan Lavarnway, a catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization, could be an immediate impact player at the Major League level, as either a Catcher, or a DH. He has real power, and has hit for average at almost every Minor League Level. He has hit 20+ Home Runs, in three different Minor League seasons, and has had three different seasons of 80+ RBI. He also has terrific plate discipline, boasting a .380 OBP over his time in the Minors. With those kind of numbers coming from a Catcher, there is definitely a place for him in the Majors. Defensively, he is average at best, but would not kill a team to have him back there.

Justin Wilson-SP-PIT
Justin Wilson is a 24 year old, left-handed Starting Pitcher, in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.  Wilson has a deceptive, yet effective delivery. In just 4 seasons in the minors, he has a record of 34-28 over 101 games, with 91 games started. As a starter, he could project to be a middle of the rotation pitcher, if he can work on his control. As a reliever, he could be a dominant, as a left-handed specialist, or pitching in the 8th. In an organization such as the Pirates, he could definitely make an impact at the Major League level, sooner than later. Look for him to come up this season for the Pirates, down the stretch as a left-handed reliever, especially in September, if they are still in the race.

Chris Archer-SP-TBR
Chris Archer, a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, is a right-handed starting pitcher, that over 7 years in the minors, despite being only 23 years old, has been very inconsistent. He's had flashes of brilliance, such as in 2010 going 15-3 with a 2.34 ERA, and yet he's had seasons like 2011, where he pitched to a 4.09 ERA over 27 games. He has good stuff, and looks like he belongs in the Majors, if he can bring it all together. I could see him being a much more effective reliever than a starter, with 98 Ks this season already, over just 82.2 Innings Pitched.

 Tyler Cloyd-SP-PHI
Tyler Cloyd is a right-handed pitcher, in the Phillies organization, that looks to be the next great pitching prospect to come out of the Phillies organization. The Phillies, for a team who has looked to the free-agent and trade market to acquire pitching, can produce pitchers as well or better than teams known for their pitching prospects. Cloyd, could be, if given the chance, a solid Major League starting pitcher. Pitching to an 8-1 record, with a 2.01 ERA to this point in 2012, at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and an ERA below 2, at 1.96 over two levels this season, he could be ready now, especially with the trouble the Phillies have gone through this season.

Matt Clark-OF/1B-SD
Matt Clark is a power-hitting First-Baseman/Outfielder in the San Diego Padres organization. At just 25 years old, with less than 5 Minor League seasons under his belt, he has hit 95 Home Runs, and has had 3 seasons with 80 or more RBI. The ball seems to just jump off his bat, and gets out in a hurry. He is a left-handed hitter, and has pure power. A Money-Baller's dream, in addition to the power, he has terrific plate discipline, with a .360 OBP over 5 Minor League seasons. Matt Clark could be a franchise player, for the down and out Padres, and should receive a call-up this season in September, if not before.




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