Top Independent Prospects

There are many Independent Baseball leagues that are made up of former Major-Leaguers that can not play at the level they used to in the Majors, and young players who went un-drafted and want to make a name for themselves. Some of the players have played briefly in Major League organizations, and were overlooked. Many players are signed every year from Independent teams. On this list, I will name players that should be playing for affiliated teams, and could be the next Independent League players to play in the Majors.


Jaime Pedroza - IF - Lancaster, Atlantic League
Pedroza, played in the Dodgers organization before moving to Independent ball, in Lancaster. A 25 year old switch-hitting infielder, that stands at 5'8'' and weights 167 lbs, he has hit almost everywhere he has played, hitting to a .315 average, with a .405 OBP and an OPS of .974 this season, along with 13 Home Runs, and 48 RBI. It's a wonder he's not in affiliated ball, as a switch-hitting infielder, he could definitely be an effective bench player in the least.

Blake Gailen - OF - Lancaster, Atlantic League
Gailen is a 27 year old, left-handed hitting, left-handed fielding, outfielder. He has never played in affiliated ball, but in 6 seasons in Independent Leagues, he has a career .338 batting average, and a .420 OBP. This season he's hitting .324 with a .399 OBP and a .929 OPS, with 11 Home Runs, and 40 RBI. He could definitely be a factor on an affiliated team.

Tim Alberts - OF - Amarillo, American Association
Alberts is a 25 year old, right-handed hitting, and throwing outfielder.  With no affiliated experience, he has destroyed the pitching in independent leagues, hitting .322 on his career, with a .392 OBP, and a .893 OPS over 5 seasons. This year he has particularly shown off his abilities, hitting .371 with a .451 OBP, and an OPS of 1.080 over 53 games. He stands at 6'3'' and weighs 200 lbs. Alberts could be the next star to come out of Indepent ball.


Adam Buschini - OF - Amarillo, American Association
Buschini is a 25 year old infielder/outfielder who bats, and throws right-handed. He spent 2 seasons in the Phillies organization, before finding himself in the independent leagues. This season in 50 games, he has hit .342 with a .451 OBP, however, while with the Phillies his highest OBP was only .329. He may be a 4-A player but he has really found himself, with the pitching in the independent leagues. He is a grinder, and could have a career as a successful pinch hitter.

Kyle Mertins - P - Sioux Falls, American Association
Mertins is a right-handed relief pitcher, formerly with the Braves organization. Only 24, he has been untouchable this season for Sioux Falls. Pitching to a 0.95 ERA in 24 games, with 34 Ks, in 28.1 Innings Pitched. He won't stay around long in independent baseball, with lots of teams looking for relief help. This, his first season in Independent Baseball, he has shown that he belongs in affiliated ball. He could be a dominant relief pitcher, for a team down the stretch.

More prospects, and prospect profiles, coming soon!