Spring is upon us! If you live up north, just keep repeating that to yourself and try to not look outside. While spring stats are basically meaningless for most MLB veterans, this is the time of year where prospects get a chance to impress the big league clubs in person before being sent back to the minors. Although we have a long way to go until Cubs-Cards on April 5 (27 days, 11 hours, 44 minutes, and 48 seconds as I write this… but who’s counting?), let’s take an early look at some AL prospects that could make the jump to the bigs this year.
Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Joey Gallo was drafted #39 by the Rangers in 2012 and also may have been put on the earth with one sole purpose – to hit baseballs very, very far. In 2012, he set a rookie league record with 18 homers in 43 games and has continued to crush baseballs ever since. He was second in the minors last year with 42 homers. Yesterday, he hit a ball over everybody in left field – off a lefty! He is only 2-9 on the spring, but if he keeps hitting long balls it is going to be tough for a problem-ridden organization to keep Gallo in the minors for too long.
Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
You never want to count too much on prospects being starts, but Lindor may be the real deal. He was the 8th pick in 2011 and should make his debut this season at 21 years old. He can do it all on the diamond and should be at short for the Indians for a long time.
He made two sharp plays in the field against the Reds on March 4th and also went 2 for 3. Overall, he is 3 for 6 this spring and has also scored a run as a pinch runner. Expect him to make his debut in late April or early May.
Carlos Rodon, LHP, Chicago White Sox
As a Cubs fan that was drinking the Theo rebuilding Kool-Aid from day one, it hurt to watch the Sox nab this guy in last year’s draft. I followed his college career at NC State and badly wanted the Cubs to grab him. He is one of the best college lefties to come out in a while and with the Chris Sale injury rumor, he has a chance to break camp with the South Siders.
In his first start, he struck out four and gave up zero runs in two innings on only one hit. However, anyone that watched the game would tell you that two of those outs were liners and he also hit a batter. Regardless, it was a solid first impression for a player trying to grab hold of possibly the number 3 spot in the rotation to open the year. I will be keeping an eye on his next appearance early this week.
Those are the three prospects that have caught my eye in the AL in the first week. Keep in mind, a week is a very small sample size. Other lower end prospects that have been playing well but kept off this short list will make their way on it in the coming weeks if they keep it up. Stay tuned next week for a look at the top NL prospects. And remember, baseball fans, just keep repeating April 5th, April 5th, April 5th in your head as we are less than a month away!