George Springer highlights MLB.com all-prospect team
By Mike Marteny
Since the All-Star break is nearly upon us, MLB.com decided to put together an “all-prospect” team. Here it is, position by position:
C: Blake Swihart, Red Sox: Swihart is hitting .296 with nine homers and 42 RBI at AA, and has thrown out more than half of those brave enough to attempt to steal on him.
1B: C.J. Cron, Angels: Cron hit .319 with eight homers and 22 RBI in 28 games before the Angels summoned him to the majors
2B: Mookie Betts, Red Sox: Who knew the Sox were loaded in the minors? Betts was playing 2B in the minors, and hit .355 with 22 steals at AA. They promoted him to AAA where he his .322.
SS: Corey Seager, Dodgers: Seager is killing High-A ball right now to the tune of .347 with 14 homers and 55 RBI. He is third in the minors in total bases! How long before he gets promoted to AA or AAA? Both could happen this year for the 2012 first rounder.
3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs: This is the easiest pick on the list. Bryant hit .352 with 28 homers and 73 RBI between AA and AAA ball. Will the Cubs call him up this year?
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OF: George Springer, Astros: Springer only spent 13 games at AAA, hitting .353 with three homers and four steals before getting the call up to Houston. He has 16 homers and 43 RBI so far in the majors. Not that Springer doesn’t deserve to be on the list, but how about highlighting someone who is still in the minors?
OF: Gregory Polanco, Pirates: Polanco was only left in the minors because the Pirates didn’t want him to gain super 2 status. He hit .347 with 15 steals in the minors, and really had nothing left to prove at AAA by the end of April. He has found success in the majors as well, hitting .288 with two homers, four steals, and 10 RBI since his June 19th promotion.
OF: Joc Pederson, Dodgers: In any other franchise he would be in the majors by now. Pederson has hit .319 with 17 homers and 20 steals at AAA already. Will the Dodgers make a trade to give him room?
DH: Joey Gallo, Rangers: They just wanted to add another player. Hey, fine by me. Gallo has hit .313 with 29 homers and 71 runs scored between A and AA so far.
RHP: Jimmy Nelson, Brewers: Nelson is 9-2 with a 1.66 ERA with 105 K over 97.1 innings pitched. He has only allowed 62 hits on the season! How long can the Brewers keep him down? Better question: why do they want to?
LHP: Henry Owens, Red Sox: Owens is 10-3 with a 2.25 ERA with 95K in 92 innings with only 59 hits allowed at AA.
RP: Shae Simmons, Braves: Simmons has dominated AA so far. His is 14-14 in save opportunities with a 0.78 ERA and 11.7 K/9 ratio. His success has carried over to Atlanta so far, with 13 K in 13 innings. He won’t take Craig Kimbrel‘s job anytime soon, but he can be effective.
What do you think of their list?