FanGraphs Prospect Stock Watch – 07/18/12

Brian Goodwin, OF, Washington Nationals
Current Level: A
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 5th
Current Value: Value Up

The 34th overall pick of the 2011 draft, Goodwin signed for $3 million out of a Miami junior college. He’ll turn 22 in late 2012 so it’s a little surprising that he’s still in low-A ball after 57 games. The speedy outfielder is hitting .322 and has 43 walks compared to 39 strikeouts. His wRC+ of 169 suggests high-A (or possibly double-A) may not be far away. Along with his speed and solid defensive skills, Goodwin has shown promising power (.209 ISO). He could be ready to establish himself in the Nationals’ outfield at some point in 2014.

Renato Nunez, 3B, Oakland Athletics
Current Level: R
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 12th
Current Value: Value Up

Oakland gave Nunez more than $2 million in 2010 and he’s rewarded them with strong results. He spent 2011 in the Dominican Summer League but arrived in North America for the ’12 season. The infielder didn’t make his season debut until late June and has just 11 games under his belt but he’s been impressive. Nunez, just 18, has more walks than strikeouts, is hitting .415 in 11 games and 11 of his 17 hits have gone for extra bases. The third baseman is very promising with an all-star ceiling but is still quite raw.

Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Current Level: A
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 15th
Current Value: Value Down

Rodriguez is in a precarious position. The 19-year-old outfielder is already in his fourth season and consistency has not been his strong suit. Injuries have plagued him, including a shoulder injury that cut his 2011 season short. Rodriguez posted a 106 wRC+ in low-A ball last year and earned an assignment to high-A ball to begin this season. Unfortunately, he struggled in 23 games – including a 41.5 K% – and earned a trip back to low-A ball. His offense is back on track but his development has stagnated.

Bruce Rondon, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Current Level: AA
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 14th
Current Value: Value Up

Rondon, 21, has been a dominating reliever with high-90s heat in the low minors and the only thing holding him back is below-average control. He has shown some improvement with his walk rate since 2011 but it’s not hard to improve upon the 7.65 BB/9 rate that he produced. Rondon opened 2012 in high-A ball but earned a promotion to double-A after posting rates of 13.11 K/9 and 3.86 BB/9 in 22 games. When he gets the ball over the plate, the right-hander hasn’t allowed more than 4.91 hits per nine innings since his debut season of 2009. Rondon should be ready for the Majors at some point in 2013 and has high-leverage potential if he adds some polish.

Domingo Santana, OF, Houston Astros
Current Level: A+
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 7th
Current Value: Value Up… Slightly

Santana, 19, has made big strides since moving from the Philadelphia organization to the Astros in a 2011 trade for veteran outfielder Hunter Pence. He posted a small-sample size wRC+ of 203 after the deal last year and currently has a wRC+ of 140 in 75 high-A ball games (although it’s the California League). Santana continues to produce massive strikeout rates (27.9 K%) so he has a lot of work to do in that area but he flashes enough power potential (.237 ISO) to make a 20% K-rate palatable. Double-A will be a huge test for the young outfielder.