In articles like this, many websites give readers a list of the best overall prospects at any given position, but the intention here is to focus on those prospects that are most likely to provide a significant fantasy impact in the 2011 season. Thus, a guy like White Sox prospect Dayan Viciedo—who should be beaten out by fellow prospect Brent Morel—is not on my list.
Ditto for Josh Bell in Baltimore, who has been blocked by the recent acquisition of Mark Reynolds.
Here is my list of the five third base prospects who will likely have the most impact at the major league level in 2011:
1. Mike Moustakas, KC
2010 Performance: .322, 36 HR, 124 RBI, 2 SB, 94 R (combined stats at AA and AAA)
Moustakas, 22, is clearly the best of the class of prospects at third base. He pummelled Texas League (AA) pitching to the tune of .347 with 21 home runs in just 259 ABs before being promoted to the Pacific Coast League (AAA). After his promotion to Omaha, he hit .293 with 15 homers (in 225 AB) and demonstrated that he is close to being major league-ready.
It has been suggested that “Moose” is capable of making an early-season jump to the major leagues in 2011, just as Mike Stanton (ATL) did last year, but it is likely he will either start the season as the Royals’ Opening Day third baseman or return to Triple-A for a full half-season.
He lacks plate discipline and while his selectivity improved in Double-A last year, he hit just .293 and drew only eight walks in the PCL—a league considered to be a hitter’s mecca.
I think he needs more seasoning before making the jump to the big leagues for good, so the betting here is he’ll start the 2011 season in the minors and make his debut with the Royals in July.
2. Brent Morel, CWS
2010 Performance: .322, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 8 SB, 65 R (combined stats at AA and AAA)
Morel, 23, has the inside track on Chicago’s third base job as spring training approaches. He was a September call-up last year and while he hit only .231 with 3 HR in 65 ABs, he showed his glove is ready for the big leagues.
The likelihood he sticks as the 2011 Opening Day starter increased when the White Sox signed DH Adam Dunn and re-signed 1B Paul Konerko and C AJ Pierzynski—their power capabilities in the middle of the lineup will permit the team to be patient with Morel’s offense while taking advantage of his defensive skills.
Mark Teahen started last year as the club’s third baseman but struggled at the hot corner and is being viewed as a super-utility player. Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo, who is known for his powerful bat, lacks plate discipline and defensive refinement and is still probably a year or two away from taking his place in the White Sox lineup.
Thus, Morel would seem to be the guy you want to target in your auction/draft. You can likely expect him to hit around .240-.250, with 15 HR (+/-).
3. Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE
2010 Performance: .278, 17 HR, 84 RBI, 3 SB, 81 RBI (at Double-A Akron)
Chisenhall is one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. He is a plus-hitter with excellent bat speed, a short stroke and solid power to all fields. He projects to hit for 20-plus HR in The Show.
He has accumulated over 600 plate appearances at Double-A and should start the season in AAA. His competition in Cleveland is not especially formidable, with Jayson Nix (.224 in 2010) and Luis Valbuena (.193) seemingly the only obstacles keeping him from taking over as the Tribe’s starting third baseman.
It is a near-certainty that he will be the Tribe’s starting third baseman by Opening Day 2012, but it would seem that a solid start in Columbus (AAA) could lead to a promotion after the All-Star break.
4. Zack Cox, StL
2010 performance: .429, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 11 SB, 67 R (at Univ of Arkansas)
Cox was considered one of the top hitters coming out of college last spring. He was selected by St. Louis out of Arkansas in the first round of the June draft (No. 25 overall) and will eventually take over as the Cards’ starting 3B.
The question is, whether the ballclub, starving for offense in a somewhat punchless lineup, is prepared to promote him to the major leagues in his first full professional season.
The organization considered promoting him late last season, but ultimately decided not to do so. But that doesn’t mean they won’t give him a shot this year in spite of the fact he played in just four pro games in 2010.
The club will likely start David Freese at third base as the team heads north out of spring training, but it’s entirely possible Cox will move through the Cardinals system quickly and join the major league team sometime after midseason.
He has exceptional bat speed and is projected to hit for a solid BA and 20-plus home runs, but I expect it will take a couple of years for him to get settled in The Show. I can only say, “buyer beware” if he makes the Cardinals in 2011.
5. Matt Dominguez, FLA
2010 Performance: .252, 14 HR, 81 RBI, 0 SB, 61 R (at Double-A Jacksonville)
The Marlins have already announced they are going to give Dominguez a shot to win the job at third base during spring training.
The former first round pick (No. 12 overall in 2007) was a shortstop in high school but has been transferred to third base due to the presence of Hanley Ramirez in Miami.
It seems like an awfully big step for a guy who hit just .252 in Double-A, but the Marlins are committed to their plan. He is an excellent defender with a plus arm.
Caveat emptor! As with Cox, I expect Dominguez will have a negative impact on his fantasy league owners in 2011.
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