2015 Minor League Baseball Preview: Teams To Watch

Iowa Cubs – Triple-A – Pacific Coast League

Javier Baez
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The Cubs made headline news when they sent down slugger Kris Bryant to Triple-A. He will most likely spend about two weeks with Iowa before he is called up to the big league club. Along with Bryant, former top ten prospect (he was not eligible this year to be on top prospects list) Javier Baez was sent down to the Iowa as well. Baez had 229 plate appearances in the big show last year, but he did not play as well as he would have hoped. He hit .169 with .227 OBP along with 95 strikeouts compared to 15 walks. He had too many swings-and-misses to be successful and has been working on his approach ever since he got moved up. His spring training numbers were not much better than his numbers from the 2014 season (.182 batting average, .237 OBP, 21 strikeouts and three walks in 55 at-bats) and as a result he was sent down to Iowa. This was the smart move. Baez has been in a slump since August and he needs to find his groove, while working on his approach and drawing more walks. Baez is an important part of the Cubs future plans. He does not have to be drawing walks at a substantial clip, but he cannot hit .200 and have an OBP of .250. Those numbers will not lead to success. If he could hit over .260 with an OBP north of .320 to go along with 30+ homers, he could be one of the best second baseman in baseball. He still has that potential. However, he needs to reboot in Iowa first, where I expect he will stay until at least June.

Charlotte Knights – Triple-A  – International League

Also not in Chicago, albeit on the south side, is southpaw Carlos Rodon. Rodon has the makings of a future number one starter. After being drafted third overall in 2014 out of North Carolina State, Rodon rose through the ranks, reaching Triple-A Charlotte. He performed well in Spring Training, where he had a 3.06 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 17.2 innings. However, the White Sox sent him down to Charlotte, where he will start the season. The decision to put Rodon back in the minors raised some eyebrows, but will beneficial for Rodon. If Rodon stayed with the big club, he most likely would have been a relief pitcher, not a starter. While Rodon should be up with the White Sox before the September roster expansion, he may still be slotted in as a bullpen guy. Getting more starts under his belt this year will only help him in both the short-term and the long-term. Having him stay in the bullpen for one full season may set him back long-term. Rodon will be up at soon point this year, especially if the White Sox are in the playoff hunt.

Biloxi Shuckers – Double-A – Southern League

Orlando Arcia
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The 2015 season is the inaugural season for the Biloxi Shuckers. The Shuckers moved from Huntsville over the winter, but their major league affiliate, Milwaukee, stayed the same. Biloxi will play at least the first two months of the season on the road as their stadium, MGM Park, gets completed. The first game at MGM Park is set for Saturday, June 6 against the Mobile BayBears, although the date could be pushed back if delays occur. On the baseball side of the club, the Brewers top two prospects are starting off the season in Biloxi. Middle infielder Orlando Arcia and outfielder Tyrone Taylor are both top 100 prospects according to Baseball America and project to reach the Brew Crew by 2016. Both guys are not big power hitters, but Taylor has good pop (he hit 36 doubles in 2014 and 33 in 2013). If they have solid years, they will be in contention for roster spots with Milwaukee in 2016. 

Chattanooga Lookouts  – Double-A – Southern League

The Lookouts changed their affiliation over the winter, moving from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Minnesota Twins. With the change, two of the best prospects in baseball will start the season in Chattanooga. Outfielder Byron Buxton and third baseman Miguel Sano are both top fifteen prospects (Buxton is the #1 prospect according to MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus, while Baseball America has him #2 after having him #1 last season) coming off injury-riddled 2014 campaigns. Sano did not play one game in 2014 due to Tommy John, while Buxton played in only 31 games due to a wrist injury and a concussion. Buxton has five-tool potential, while Sano has All-Star potential as a slugging third baseman who is competent defensively. This is a big season for both players. Even though both are heading into their year-21 seasons, their injuries put them behind schedule. They need to get back on track, prove that they can overcome injuries, and still have the potential to be All-Stars. 

Potomac Nationals – Class-A Advanced – Carolina League

Lucas Giolito
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Jayson Werth is starting the season with the Potomac Nationals while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. While he is not expected to be there long, the most fascinating player in Potomac is not with the club yet. Lucas Giolito is a top ten prospect and is currently the number one right handed pitching prospect in baseball. He was outstanding during the 2014 season with the Auburn Doubledays and Hagerstown Suns. He went 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA, 10.1 Strikeouts per Nine, and a 1.000 WHIP. Giolito is staying in extended spring training, along with fellow top 100 prospect Reynaldo Lopez, because he started throwing later than the other pitchers. Giolito had Tommy John in August 2012 and the Nationals have been very cautious with Giolito. He only threw 98 innings last season and was not allowed to start throwing until he reported to spring training. He is expected to be assigned to Potomac later this month. Giolito is not the only one with potential in Potomac. Lopez will likely join the club with Giolito. Middle infielder Wilmer Difo, pitcher Nick Pivetta, and third baseman Drew Ward are all top prospects in the Washington organization that are currently in Potomac. P-Nats fans are in for a good year.