Farm Futures: South Atlantic League Roundup

There really isn't much to be drawn from less than a week of minor-league stats, but it is still interesting to see how some of the top young hitting prospects in the game are faring, in what for many is their first taste of full-season ball. With that in mind, our 2017 tour of the minor leagues begins in the South Atlantic League, where four of the game's most exciting outfield prospects are clumped at the top. Each player's rank on the top 400 prospect rankings is noted.

Blake Rutherford, OF, Charleston (Yankees): .348/.464/.478, three 2B, 2-for-2 on SB attempts, 7:5 K:BB in 23 ABs.
Rank: 25

Rutherford is a full year older than Mickey Moniak, who went 17 picks earlier in last year's draft, so it should come as no surprise that he is off to the better start in his full-season debut. He was the talk of Yankees minor-league camp this spring, showing off a bit more game power than many evaluators expected this early on. He added 13 pounds of muscle this offseason but retains above average speed, at least for now. A .500 BABIP should be noted when looking at his slash line, but he also has yet to hit a home run, and it would not be surprising if he belted 20-plus this season. His future is incredibly bright.

Juan Soto, OF, Hagerstown (Nationals): .435/.500/.478, one 2B, 1-for-2 on SB attempts, 0:3 K:BB in 23 ABs.
Rank: 28

Soto is the youngest of the four electric outfield prospects that sit atop this list -- he turns 19 on Oct. 25. That makes his 0:3 K:BB all the more impressive. It's a very small sample size, but strikeouts and walks typically normalize quicker than most other surface stats, so it means something that he is not striking out in his first appearance in a full-season league. Soto is still something of an unknown among baseball fans who aren't obsessed with the minor leagues, but he has the talent to finish the year as one of the top prospects in the game.

Leody Taveras, OF, Hickory (Rangers): .320/.393/.560, two HR, 0-for-1 on SB attempts, 7:3 K:BB in 25 ABs.
Rank: 29

Taveras is well known in prospect circles as the last of the elite Rangers prospects following the Cole Hamels and Jonathan Lucroy trades. He boasts significantly more speed than Soto, which could give him a higher fantasy floor, assuming their hit tools are similar, and it appears they are. However, while Taveras might lead off in the big leagues, Soto could hit third or fourth if his power develops as expected. The big takeaway from Taveras' start to the season is that he has two home runs after hitting just one in 73 games prior to this season. If his power projection gets a bump, he could profile as a top-five dynasty league prospect in the game by season's end.

Mickey Moniak, OF, Lakewood (Phillies): .286/.333/.393, three 2B, 3-for-4 on SB attempts, 10:1 K:BB in 28 ABs.
Rank: 30

While most evaluators agreed that Moniak had the best hit tool in the 2016 draft, everyone knew he would take a little longer in the minors than the other top hitters. He was impressive in the Gulf Coast League last year (.284 average, 18 percent strikeout rate), but it's a significant jump to full-season pitching, and so far he is getting overmatched, as his 32.3 percent strikeout rate and 3.2 percent walk rate illustrate. His .286 average is propped up by a .444 BABIP, so unless he can really cut down on the strikeouts, his batting average is due for some heavy regression. He is a high-end prospect with a bright future, just know that he may struggle a bit more this year than the other three elite outfield prospects in the Sally League.

Desmond Lindsay, OF, Columbia (Mets): .125/.348/.125, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 7:6 K:BB in 16 ABs.
Rank: 105

Lindsay has been unlucky early on (.200 BABIP) but he is also striking out at a 30.4 percent clip. Despite being 20 years old, injuries have limited him to just 77 games as a pro since he was drafted out of high school in the second round of the 2015 draft, so he is a little behind the curve. A very patient approach has been apparent since he entered pro ball, but it would be nice if he could cut down on the strikeouts while also showcasing some game power against full-season pitching. The tools are there for a five-category contributor.

Cristian Pache, OF, Rome (Braves): .167/.211/.278, one 3B, 2-for-2 on SB attempts, 4:1 K:BB in 18 ABs.
Rank: 116

Pache is even younger than Soto, as he won't turn 19 until Nov. 19. He is kind of a poor man's Taveras, as he could hit for a high average while swiping 20-plus bases in his peak years, but it's unclear what kind of power will come down the road. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, there is a chance he could grow into some pop, but he has yet to hit a home run as a professional.

Colton Welker, 3B, Asheville (Rockies): .368/.429/.737, two HR, one 2B, 1-for-2 on SB attempts, 3:1 K:BB in 19 ABs.
Rank: 133

A favorite of mine from the 2016 draft class, Welker has picked up right where he left off last year in rookie ball, hitting for power and a high average without striking out or walking much. While his numbers figure to get a boost playing half his games in Asheville this year, he has only played on the road thus far and sports just a .357 BABIP, right in line with the .356 mark he put up last year, so the early-season success looks legit. It would be nice if he walked a bit more as he moved up the ranks, but he might not need to if he continues to rake like this.

Derian Cruz, SS, Rome (Braves): .211/.304/.368, one 2B, one 3B, 6:1 K:BB in 19 ABs.
Rank: 146

Cruz is another very young, raw, toolsy player getting thrown to the sharks in the Sally League this year. His elite speed is what makes him an intriguing prospect, as he will likely have to move off shortstop eventually, and is unlikely to ever hit for much power. In order to utilize that speed, he will have to hit at an acceptable clip, but he is so young that he could struggle all year and still finish the year as a top-200 prospect for dynasty leagues.

Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Greenville (Red Sox): .348/.400/.478, three 2B, 10:1 K:BB in 23 ABs.
Rank: 147

Dalbec seems to get more attention than Welker in dynasty leagues, but I'm not sure why. He is more than two years older and has notably more swing-and-miss in his game. In short-season ball, he struck out at a 23.1 percent clip as a 21-year-old, and now he is striking out at a 40 percent clip against full-season pitching. He also sports a .615 BABIP, so despite his slash line, this has not been a promising start for the right-handed slugger.

Estevan Florial, OF, Charleston (Yankees): .222/.333/.278, one 2B, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 6:3 K:BB in 18 ABs.
Rank: 148

While Florial, 19, is a year older than many of the prospects covered so far in this article, he is among the rawest in terms of actual baseball skills. His tools will likely keep him ranked inside the top 200 all season, even if the production isn't quite there. He has Alfonso Soriano upside if everything clicks.

Daniel Brito, 2B, Lakewood (Phillies): .407/.484/.556, one HR, 3-for-3 on SB attempts, 8:4 K:BB in 27 ABs.
Rank: 164

While Brito does not project to have plus power or plus speed, he might have a plus hit tool, which would allow him to profile as a five-category second baseman, providing 15-20 homer power and 15-20 steals in his peak seasons. He is just 6-foot-1, 155 pounds, so he needs to continue to mature physically in order to reach that projection.

Anderson Tejeda, SS, Hickory (Rangers): .136/.296/.273, one HR, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 12:5 K:BB in 22 ABs.
Rank: 166

This will be an important developmental year for Tejeda, as he will no longer be able to sell out for power and have the same level of success against Low-A pitchers as he did in the Northwest League last year. He leads the Sally League with 12 strikeouts, but the Rangers will likely give him a pretty long leash before considering a demotion, considering how much success he had in short-season ball in 2016.

Khalil Lee, OF, Lexington (Royals): .308/.379/.500, one HR, two 2B, 3-for-3 on SB attempts, 8:3 K:BB in 26 ABs.
Rank: 183

Lee, 18, is among the youngest hitters in the league, and when the Royals drafted him in the third round last year there were other teams that preferred him as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher. Despite his youth and divided focus as a high schooler, he has done nothing but hit and showcase an intriguing combination of power and speed since entering pro ball. He will continue to climb prospect rankings if he keeps this up all year.

OTHERS OF NOTE

Leonardo Molina, OF, Charleston (Yankees): .263/.286/.316, one 2B, 6:1 K:BB in 19 ABs.
Rank: 278

Yeyson Yrizarri, SS, Hickory (Rangers): .095/.136/.238, one HR, 0-for-1 on SB attempts, 3:0 K:BB in 21 ABs.
Rank: 279

Luis Carpio, 2B, Columbia (Mets): .381/.536/.429, one 2B, 3-for-3 on SB attempts, 5:6 K:BB in 21 ABs.
Rank: 290

Tyler Hill, OF, Greenville (Red Sox): .167/.231/.458, two HR, one 2B, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 5:1 K:BB in 24 ABs.
Rank: 328

Meibrys Viloria, C, Lexington (Royals): .267/.313/.333, one 2B, 4:1 K:BB in 15 ABs.
Rank: 330

Lorenzo Cedrola, OF, Greenville (Red Sox): .176/.222/.294, two 2B, 0-for-1 on SB attempts, 3:1 K:BB in 17 ABs.
Rank: 337

Sandro Fabian, OF, Augusta (Giants): .190/.261/.286, two 2B, 7:1 K:BB in 21 ABs.
Rank: 345

Carter Kieboom, SS, Hagerstown (Nationals): .458/.536/.625, one HR, one 2B, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 3:3 K:BB in 24 ABs.
Rank: 348

Anderson Franco, 3B, Hagerstown (Nationals): .200/.278/.333, one 3B, 2:2 K:BB in 15 ABs.
Rank: 358

Jameson Fisher, OF, Kannapolis (White Sox): .292/.387/.375, two 2B, 2-for-2 on SB attempts, 7:4 K:BB in 24 ABs.
Rank: 385

Tyler Nevin, 3B, Asheville (Rockies): .353/.478/.529, one HR, 2:5 K:BB in 17 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked

Sheldon Neuse, 3B, Hagerstown (Nationals): .240/.269/.440, one HR, two 2B, 2-for-2 on SB attempts, 7:1 K:BB in 25 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked

Arquimedes Gamboa, SS, Lakewood (Phillies): .280/.321/.400, one HR, 5:2 K:BB in 25 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked

Jose Gomez, SS, Asheville (Rockies): .318/.318/.364, one 2B, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 4:0 K:BB in 22 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked

Anfernee Seymour, OF, Rome (Braves): .350/.381/.500, three 2B, 1-for-2 on SB attempts, 6:1 K:BB in 20 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked

Vince Fernandez, OF, Asheville (Rockies): .333/.462/.762, three HR, 1-for-1 on SB attempts, 5:5 K:BB in 21 ABs.
Rank: Not ranked