Last week, I wrote about the overcrowded NL MVP ballot. Eight different position players finished within 1.0 WAR of the top spot on our leaderboard, more than in any other year since WAR was introduced. The MVP nearly always goes to one of the top position players by FanGraphs WAR. Thus, this past year presented us with one of the most hotly-contested MVP races in recent memory, regardless of how voters ultimately cast their ballots.

To have so many worthy choices for the award is exciting, even if we already know that Paul Goldschmidt emerged as the winner, with Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado placing second and third, respectively. As I wrote last Friday, “such a close race between so many contenders compels us to look beyond the go-to methods we might normally rely on to pick a winner. It allows us to think about how we measure value. It’s a chance to get creative.” I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a fun challenge to me. Now, from the headline and the image at the top of this piece, you can already guess who I would’ve picked. But indulge me for just a moment longer so I can explain how I came to that decision. On a ballot full of deserving choices, how was I to single out one name as the most deserving of all? Read the rest of this entry »

As teams begin full workouts in Spring Training, they get the opportunity to make sure that all of their players arrive healthy and in good shape to start the season. While they likely pay attention to all players, of particular interest are those players who their second or third years in the big leagues. These players are still making the major league minimum salary and, as a result, are the best candidates to approach regarding a long-term extension. Such deals offer players with their first real shot at big-time money, and often pay off down the line for teams: indeed, as my research indicates, teams saved more than half a billion dollars on long-term extensions signed from 2008 to 2011. While the number of candidates for contract extensions isn’t as numerous as in previous seasons, there are a few potential stars.

While players and clubs certainly can agree on contract extensions during the winter, it’s less common for players who have yet to reach arbitration. The only long-term extensions signed this past offseason were between Dee Gordon and the Miami Marlins and Brandon Crawford and the San Francsisco Giants — and, in both cases, the relevant player was entering his second year of arbitration. Last year around this time, I discussed potential position-player candidates for extensions, and named eight players. Of those eight, four agreed to extensions: Brian Dozier, Juan Lagares, Adam Eaton, and Christian Yelich, although Dozier’s deal did not cover any free agent seasons. Adding Lagares, Eaton, and Yelich to the list from last year, here are the players who’ve been extended in the recent past.

While the Allen Craig contract has not worked out, and Jedd Gyorko was unloaded to the Cardinals this offseason, the above contracts are some of the very best (for clubs) in the majors. Dan Szymborksi recently listed his 25 most team-friendly contract situations, and Marte, Rizzo, and Trout all made the list. In his most recent edition of the trade-value series, Dave Cameron ranked Trout first among all players, while Goldschmidt was third, Rizzo was seventh, and Marte, Simmons, and Yelich all cracked the top 30. Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis also appeared on that list. Matt Carpenter, meanwhile, has worked out well for the Cardinals and Eaton put in a solid season for the White Sox, while Lagares struggled through injuries and will begin this season as the fourth outfielder for the New York Mets.

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We’ve spoken about Mookie Betts a few times recently in these digital pages, highlighting what we might expect out of him given his age and tools, and looking at the validity of some of the comparisons to a young Andrew McCutchen. And why not: despite a batting line in the opening week that might not wow us at first glance, he’s been a walking highlight reel since spring training with his sneaky power, base running, and defense in centerfield.

Monday only added to the hype, as he did this in the top of the first inning on a Bryce Harper would-be home run:

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Following a stupid .451/.491/.804 performance in the Grapefruit League, the hype surrounding Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is through the roof. Scouts are all but penciling him into July’s All-Star lineup, and some of Betts’s peers have even gone as far as to compare him to Andrew McCutchen. And wouldn’t you know it, Betts opened the 2015 season by going 2-4 with a homer and a walk on opening day. Mookie-mania is upon us.

Here at FanGraphs, we’ve been on the Betts bandwagon for a while. Carson Cistulli’s been tracking Betts since July 2013, when he made his first appearance on one of his fringe five lists. An undersized 5th round draft pick with excellent stats, Betts was exactly the type of prospect who endears himself to prospect enthusiasts whose heads are buried in spreadsheets. At that point, Betts was merely a little-known A-Baller with an unusual name.

But last year, Betts took his act to Double-A, and kept right on hitting. He put up a 177 wRC+ in two months in Double-A, and followed it up with a 158 mark in Triple-A. The 5-9 second baseman with the funny name was starting to look like a bona fide prospect, and it was happening in a hurry.

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The Boston Red Sox organization boasts both high-ceiling talent and depth within the system although a number of prospects are coming off of tough seasons. The 2013 season could be a key turning point for the club as those young players look to add a little more shine back to their prospect status.

#1 Xander Bogaerts (SS)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
19	531	146	37	20	44	106	5	.307	.374	.524	.398

Opening Day Age: 20
2012 Level: A+/AA
Acquired: 2009 international FA
Projected 2013 Level: AA/MLB

Bogaerts is an exciting prospect who is just beginning to get the attention he deserves from the non-Boston crowd. One of the best hitting prospects in the minors, the native of Aruba played the 2012 season at the age of 19 and reached double-A. He has an advanced hitting approach and generates outstanding power despite having a slender frame with tons of projection remaining. His pop comes from above-average bat speed.

Bogaerts had immediate success at double-A – albeit in a small sample of 23 games – but his approach deteriorated with his walk rate dropping from 9.9% in high-A to 1.0%. He’ll need to be more patient against the advanced pitching in an effort to get the best pitches to drive. A contact I spoke with said Bogaerts has a number of things working in his favor as a hitter, including pitch recognition, consistency, and the potential for plate discipline. He said the young player “gets pull happy and expands the zone a bit” and needs to focus on taking the ball back up the middle; he doesn’t need to pull the ball to hit it with authority.

When I saw him play in A-ball, Bogaerts looked extremely confident despite his inexperience and age. He was watching balls into the catcher’s mitt and taking lots of pitches. I was also impressed by his quiet batting stance and easy-to-repeat hitting mechanics.

The big question with Bogaerts is his future defensive home. Currently a shortstop, there are concerns that the 6’3” infielder could eventually get too big for the position. The contact I spoke with, though, thinks he’ll remain at his current position stating that the prospect has made “impressive fundamental improvements.” He added that Bogaerts possesses a strong arm good range and athleticism.

Now 20, the top prospect in the system could spent the entire season playingin the upper tiers ofthe minor leaguers but could also receivea brief cup of coffee in the majors at the end of the year. Bogaerts has excellent make-up and baseball intellect and should continue to excel despite the mounting attention and pressures of being a future corner stone of the franchise. The contact stated, “He has a good time playing the game and hasn’t been fazed by anything.”

Additional Notes

Early in 2011, Chris Mellen of Sox Prospects mentioned Xander Bogaerts in passing as a player to look out for once he arrived in Greenville. Little did I know Bogaerts would present as one of the best prospects I’ve scouted in person. At best, the Red Sox have an elite offensive force at the shortstop position. A more likely scenario is for Bogaerts to slide to a corner where his ceiling is that of a perennial All-Star. (Mike Newman)

#2 Matt Barnes (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	25	25	119.2	97	6	10.00	2.18	2.86	2.58

Opening Day Age: 22
2012 Level: A/A+
Acquired: 2011 draft (19th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: AA/AAA

Selected 19th overall in 2011 in a draft that also added fellow Top 15 prospects Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, Jackie Bradley and Mookie Betts into the system, Barnes dominated A-ball last season and showed continued improvements as a professional. The right-hander’s repertoire includes an above-average fastball that works in the 92-95 mph range and can touch the upper 90s. A contact I spoke with said Barnes needs to improve his fastball command, but it shows an impressive combination of velocity and life.

The prospect also has a curveball that currently flashes above-average and has the potential to be a plus pitch. The key for Barnes, I’m told, is to focus on improving his changeup in an effort to round out his repertoire. The baseball contact I spoke with said the pitcher learned a valuable lesson in 2012 when it came to the importance of the off-speed pitch. “Later in the year when he wasn’t able to rely on the fastball [due too inconsistent command], the changeup became an important weapon for him.”

When I watched Barnes pitch, I was impressed with how quickly he worked. He had an easy delivery and threw a lot of strikes, going right after the hitters. Despite his size, it appears as though he has more room to fill out and add strength to his frame. Barnes should open 2013 in double-A and could reach the majors in the second half of the season. He has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter and should reach it with continued polish and confidence in his abilities.

#3 Jackie Bradley (OF)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
22	576	147	42	9	87	89	23	.317	.431	.483	.411

Opening Day Age: 22
2012 Level: A+/AA
Acquired: 2011 draft (40th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: AA/AAA/MLB

Bradley entered his junior year of college as a potential first round pick but he struggled offensively and ended up having surgery on an injured wrist. Boston wisely nabbed him with the 40th overall selection in the supplemental first round and he’s produced outstanding offensive numbers since turning pro.

The left-handed hitting outfielder reached double-A in his first full season after dominting high-A ball where he posted a 180 wRC+ in 67 games. His batting average dipped below .300 in double-A but he still produced a solid line, showing line-drive pop, a solid feel for the strike zone and held his own against southpaws. He’s not a base stealer but Bradley has some guile on the base paths. Defensively, he has the potential to be a plus defender thanks to his range, arm and instincts. As a talent evaluator stated, “Jackie is an impact defender with uncanny ability to get to the baseball.”

Bradley could open 2013 back in double-A but he should also see significant time in triple-A. He could be ready to assume a full-time position in a big league outfield by 2014. Depending on what happens with Jacoby Ellsbury, Bradley could be Boston’s center- or left-fielder of the future. His skill set could make him a solid No. 2 hitter in the line-up.

#4 Allen Webster (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	29	24	130.2	133	2	8.89	4.20	3.86	3.26

Opening Day Age: 23
2012 Level: AA
Acquired: 2012 trade (from Dodgers)
Projected 2013 Level: AAA/MLB

After making just two starts after coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer during the blockbuster trade involving Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, Boston still doesn’t know exactly what they have with Webster, but they’re intrigued. A talent evaluator was impressed with what he saw in a small sample size after the trade, “The pure stuff is impressive… the fastball was consistently in the mid-90s… He has significant upside.”

That same contact stated that Webster flashed a plus breaking ball. He said the young pitcher needs to be more aggressive and attack hitters with his fastball, if he hopes to dominated as much as his stuff indicates he should. When he’s on, the right-hander produces a lot of ground-ball outs thanks to natural sinking action. Although Webster did not showcase his changeup much after switching organizations, the contact I spoke with felt the hurler could still stick in the starting rotation with the three pitches he currently utilizes but that improved command and control are both needed.

Webster spent the 2012 season – split between two organizations – at the double-A level and should be ready for an assignment to triple-A. He’s probably three to six months of seasoning away from contributing at the big league level. The North Carolina native has the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter; if his command and control do not improve enough, though, he could perhaps develop into a dominating high-leverage reliever.

Additional Notes

On two separate occasions, Webster was as good as any pitching prospect I’ve seen for four innings. Then, the wheels fell off as the tired and quickly lost velocity. At his best, Webster’s fastball was 94-96 MPH, touching 98. He also throws a slider, curveball and changeup which vary in effectiveness depending on the outing. If the Red Sox can help Webster fill out his frame, they have a mid-rotation starter. If not, then the potential is there for him to become a shut down reliever. (Mike Newman)

#5 Garin Cecchini (3B)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
21	526	139	38	4	61	90	51	.305	.394	.433	.380

Opening Day Age: 21
2012 Level: A
Acquired: 2010 draft (4th round)
Projected 2013 Level: A+/AA

On the surface, Cecchini is a very interesting prospect. He’s a solid hitter with a good idea of the strike zone and decent pitch recognition. He also possesses good bat speed and will take a walk. Unfortunately, he doesn’t possess the power teams look for from a third baseman (.127 isolate slugging rate in 2012) and the Red Sox organization has a plethora of hot corner options, including big league incumbent Will Middlebrooks and current shortstop prospect Xander Bogaerts.

Cecchini stole more than 50 bases in 2012 but he has modest speed and excels due to strong base running instincts. A contact I spoke with said Cecchini is one of the best base runners in the system and is also one of the most advanced hitters. He said the prospect could eventually develop average or better power. “His [current] approach is up the middle and the other way… As he moves up… we’ll see those [power numbers] improve.”

When asked about his defense, the talent evaluator I spoke with said Cecchini needs to improve at third base but he has the arm strength for the position. The contact said he needs to work on his agility and his range going side to side “but he’s definitely shown the ability to stay there.”

When I watched Cecchini play I was quite taken with his abilities at third base. He made a couple of nice running plays – one coming in and one going to his right -on tough ground balls. At the plate, I noticed that he had a wide, well-balanced base with slightly bent knees. He wasn’t afraid to go the other way and took the pitch where it was thrown, not trying to do too much. His swing mechanics were a little inconsistent with a longer swing during his first at-bat before becoming much quicker to the ball as the game progressed. He didn’t always swing atthe best pitches.

Cecchini will open 2013 in high-A ball and should be ready for the majors around late 2014 or 2015. Left-handed hitters with the ability to hit for a high average are often in demand, whether as a big league regular or part-time contributor. The development of his power tool will be key in determining his future role.

Additional Notes

Cecchini is a bit of a tweener whose statistical line was more impressive than his tools on the field. His 50+ steals are simply not sustainable at the higher levels and I question whether he has more than 10-12 home runs in his bat. However, .285/.350/.425 with average defense is still a three win player at the Major League level. (Mike Newman)

#6 Henry Owens (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
19	23	22	101.2	100	10	11.51	4.16	4.87	3.49

Opening Day Age: 20
2012 Level: A
Acquired: 2011 draft (36th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: A+

The 36th overall selection during the 2011 amateur draft, Owens did not officially pick up a baseball until 2012 when the organization gave the 19-year-old hurler an aggressive assignment to full-season A-ball. The southpaw responded with a solid season that included 130 strikeouts in 101.2 innings of work.

Owens, now 20, showed signs of tiring late in the year and elevated the ball a lot in August, resulting in very high fly-ball rates — although the 6’6” lefty was always more of a fly-ball pitcher. He needs to learn to leverage his height and get a better downward angle on his pitches to induce more ground-ball outs.

I watched Owens pitch in late August and he had a tendency to fall forward early in his delivery, dragging his arm behind him. He has a cross-fire motion with a low 3/4 arm slot, both of which help add deception to his delivery. I was a little surprised with the lack of life on his fastball. Owens threw heaters almost exclusively until the second inning when the opponents jumped all over him.

He got much better when he started mixing in all three of his pitches. He showed a good, but inconsistent, curveball, and a potentially-plus changeup that he used to strike out some hitters. The fastball command, which was also inconsistent – especially on the arm side – is key for helping him set up the change of pace.

A contact I spoke with said Owens has a chance to be a top-to-mid-rotation starter with further development. “He has a three-pitch mix with a deceptive fastball – up to 94 mph this year – a plus changeup, and a future above-average curveball… He needs to get stronger and that will help him maintain his delivery, command and quality. He is left handed with a very advanced feel for pitching, changing speeds and attacking hitters.”

Additional Notes

Having seen Owens’ final start of the 2012 season, it’s safe to say he was not at his best. The left-hander I did see was 91-93 MPH, touching 94 with an upper-60s curveball and changeup. While I was impressed with his fastball movement and late breaking curveball, it’s impossible to not wonder if such a slow off-speed pitch is a legitimate offering or trickery. (Mike Newman)

#7 Blake Swihart (C/DH)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
20	378	90	17	7	26	68	5	.262	.307	.395	.318

Opening Day Age: 21
2012 Level: A
Acquired: 2011 draft (26th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: A+

Switch-hitting catchers with above-average offensive abilities are rare, which helped make Swihart desirable as the 26th overall selection of the 2011 draft out of a New Mexico high school. A $2.5 million contract prevented the athletic backstop from following through on his commitment to the University of Texas.

Swihart’s calling card probably will always be his offense. A contact said, “He is athletic with fast hands and good hand-eye. He’s better when he tries to work through the middle of the field with line drives… He has more line-drive than loft in his swing but some of those line drives will carry the wall.” A future projection of 10-12 home runs and 30-plus doubles was given.

Like all young hitting prospects, Swihart still has work to do at the plate. “He needs to work on his pitch selectivity and let the ball travel more,” the talent evaluator said. “His swing consistency from both sides is a work-in-progress. He believes he can hit anything so he will predetermine swings on occasion which gets him in trouble.” When I personallywatched him play, I felt Swihart could be shorter to the ball and his swing got loopy at times.

Despite his abilities at the plate, there are still some who believe Swihart has a lot of work to do before he proves capable of playing behind the plate at the big league level. The Red Sox organization, though, believes he has a good shot at sticking as a catcher. The contact told me, “He has improved on the basic fundamentals – receiving, blocking, footwork… He takes to instruction well though and is a quick learner. Pitchers like throwing to him.” The same contact also said Swihart as a “plus arm” but tries to be too quick at times when throwing. He said the prospect’s pop times (throwing to second base) are typically in the 1.80 to 1.95 second range.

Despite producing slightly below average offensive numbers in A-ball in 2012 Swihart should move up to high-A ball and, with some adjustments, could taste double-A by the end of the year.

Additional Notes

Swihart presented as a solid, all-around catching prospect. And while he presented with no real weakness, nothing about his tools screamed former first round pick either. As an older 2011 draft pick, Swihart was age appropriate for the South Atlantic League leaving his offensive numbers a bit concerning. For a prospect considered to be an offense first catcher, he’ll certainly need to hit more to maintain his lofty prospect status. (Mike Newman)

#8 Jose Iglesias (SS)

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Age	PA	HR	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	Fld	WAR
22	77	1	1	.118	.200	.191	.186	4	7.2	0.3

Opening Day Age: 23
2012 Level: AAA/MLB
Acquired: 2009 international FA
Projected 2013 Level: AAA/MLB

Iglesias has been touted as the Red Sox’s shortstop of the future since signing out of Cuba in 2009. Despite being young and undeveloped with the bat, his glove work pushed him through the system quickly and he reached triple-A – with a cup of coffee in the majors – in just his second pro season.

Iglesias will probably never be an impact hitter (my favorite comp for him is Cesar Izturis) but a talent evaluator I spoke with said he really improved his offensive approach in 2012 despite being challenged at such a high level of pro ball. The contact said the young shortstop is currently learning to handle a variety of pitches, rather than focusing solely on fastballs. The club would like to see Iglesias stick to a game plan at the plate and get on base at a higher clip. He has good speed and could swipe double digit bag totals at the big league level.

Although there are concerns about his offense, there are few – if any – questions about his ability to field his position. The middle infielder has outstanding hands, foot work, range and a strong arm. Iglesias’ defensive wizardry will likely make him a big league regular even if his offense stagnates at its current level. As the talent evaluator put it, “His defense is at an elite level… It’s something every club would want.” The Cuban should open 2013 as the club’s starter at shortstop.

#9 Deven Marrero (SS/DH)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
21	284	66	14	2	34	48	24	.268	.358	.374	.351

Opening Day Age: 22
2012 Level: A-
Acquired: 2012 draft (24th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: A+

Marrero entered his junior year of college the same way he entered his senior year of high school – as a potential first round pick. However, for the second time in his amateur career, various unanswered questions caused him to slide a little bit in the draft – but not to the extent that his signability murkiness caused him to slip in 2009 (to the 17th round). The Red Sox were able to get the sure-handed shortstop with the 24th overall selection.

Some teams were concerned with Marrero’s offensive struggles in 2011-12, while others questioned his drive. Boston was just thrilled to get a player that the organization had coveted since his prep days, according to a contact I spoke with. “I don’t really think he struggled with the bat as much as I do that he struggled to live up to the expectations of being the first college position player taken,” the contact said. “Look at the difference in performance – in 2012, he struck out less and hit for more power. He put some unneeded pressure on himself and it caused him to have an erratic junior year.”

Those who love Marrero as a top prospect point to strong athleticism and steady defense. He possesses a strong arm and good range. At the plate, Marrero is streaky and inconsistent but he shows gap power and the ability to produce a solid batting average. He appeared more motivated in pro ball and flashed some potential on the base paths with 24 steals (six caught stealing) in 64 games; he’s not a burner but he has above-average speed. Marrero also did a nice job of working the count and taking some free passes while limiting his strikeouts. He could end up being a solid No. 2 hitter in the lineup.

The talent evaluator I spoke with agreed that Marrero still had polishing to do on his game: “He needs to continue to work on all aspects of the game – he has unbelievable instincts but will try and do too much on both sides of the ball.” The young shortstop will likely open 2013 in high-A ball and a strong first half could push him to double-A. He’s currently stuck behind fellow shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias but, if he develops as the Red Sox hope and Xander Bogaerts is shifted to another position, Marrero’s well-rounded game could make him the shortstop of the future in Boston.

Additional Notes

I’m not sure how Marrero’s agent netted him a two million dollar signing bonus, but I want that guy negotiating my next salary! The Arizona State product is a solid all-around shortstop, but profiles as more of a solid regular than player who excels in any area. Of course that has considerable value in today’s game, but his bonus seems a bit steep considering the Mets first round pick, also a shortstop, received about $800,000 less. (Mike Newman)

#10 Brandon Workman (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
23	25	25	138.2	127	12	8.44	1.62	3.50	3.01

Opening Day Age: 24
2012 Level: A+/AA
Acquired: 2010 draft (2nd round)
Projected 2013 Level: AA/AAA

Workman is another Red Sox college draft pick who has been a top prospect since his high schools days, having spurned the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2007 (as a third round selection) to play ball at the University of Texas. Finally signed in the second round of the 2010 amateur draft, the right-hander reached double-A in just his second full season in pro ball. He’s produced very consistent numbers as a professional.

A scout familiar with Workman during both his high school and college days said that the pitcher has come a long way in his development. “As a high schooler, Brandon had a plus fastball and curveball but lacked a real off-speed pitch and his command was not very sharp. He developed his cutter at the University of Texas with the help of pitching coach Skip Johnson and it became a real weapon for him as he continued to improve his ability to locate. By the time (he was drafted) he had plus control.”

When I watched Workman pitch, he showed a good pitcher’s frame with a three-quarter arm slot. He threw a heavy fastball but was not doing a good job of mixing in his secondary pitches. However, the scout I spoke with believes that both Workman’s fastball and curveball are plus pitches. “I think he’ll be a starter based on his mix, great strength, durability and his control. Now he’s developed the changeup and he has a starter’s mix to go along with it. There is effort in delivery and arm action but he has no problems repeating (it). He’s so big and strong that he can handle it.”

For me, Workman appears to be a future No. 3 or 4 starter who should be capable of providing lots of innings at the big league. He will likely open 2013 back at double-A but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up with the big league club at some point if the pitching staff struggles with injuries.

Additional Notes

After posting solid peripherals between High-A and Double-A in 2012, I can’t help but think Workman’s rank is more due to statistical success than pure stuff. The best Brandon Workman I’ve seen has a heavy, 92-94 MPH sinking fastball and curveball he can throw for strikes. At his worst, Workman strikes me as a seventh inning bullpen arm. (Mike Newman)

#11 Drake Britton (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
23	26	24	129.2	128	8	8.19	3.96	4.44	3.62

Opening Day Age: 23
2012 Level: A+/AA
Acquired: 2007 draft (23rd round)
Projected 2013 Level: AA/AAA

Britton has had an up-and-down career since signing out of a Texas high school back in 2007, which also included Tommy John surgery in 2008. He entered the 2011 season as one of Boston’s most promising pitching prospects but had a complete meltdown in high-A ball. He rebounded in 2012 – despite a slow start – and made 16 encouraging starts in double-A.

A scout I spoke with said the Tommy John surgery that Britton had definitely slowed his progress. “I believe that the further away he gets from the surgery, the better he becomes… Consistency with his stuff in the zone is the main thing he has to improve to become a successful major leaguer. The stuff is there and it’s all plus… This type of left-handed arm just doesn’t fall off many trees.” Britton’s repertoire includes a low-to-mid-90s fastball, curveball and changeup. I watched the southpaw pitch and he had a thicker lower half that hinted at strong legs – a necessity for any pitcher – but he didn’t have the smoothest delivery. He also struggled to keep his shoulder closed from the stretch.

Because of his past struggles, the organization may choose to be cautious with Britton and send him back to double-A to begin 2013 but a strong spring training could vault him to triple-A. He has the ceiling of a No. 3 or 4 starter but could also end up in the bullpen if consistency continues to elude him.

#12 Bryce Brentz (OF)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
23	589	156	31	19	46	153	9	.292	.351	.464	.365

Opening Day Age: 24
2012 Level: AA/AAA
Acquired: 2010 draft (36th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: AAA

He hasn’t shown it in his professional numbers to date – in terms of massive home run numbers – but Brentz possesses impressive raw power and could be Boston’s right-fielder of the (near) future. A scout I spoke with said, “Bryce has an extremely fast barrel and is capable of getting to his power anywhere in the zone.” Like most power hitters, though, the former supplemental first round pick strikes out a lot but his aggressive nature also leads to modest walk rates. The scout I spoke with said Brentz was always a competitive player. “This is an area where his competitiveness maybe working against him. He – like a lot of young players – has to learn to control his effort level and that it is OK to take a walk sometimes.”

Brentz is a decent hitter who is not a dead pull hitter but he still struggles with breaking balls. His batting averages in the minors have been buoyed by high – and likely unsustainable – BABIP rates; when he reaches the majors expect his average to be more in the .250-.270 range.

He’s not a great runner and his speed is slightly below average so his range in the outfield will be a tick below average. His plus arm strength makes up for any inadequacies in the field. As one scout put it, “He was able to throw 94 off the mound (as an amateur). Whenever he threw from the outfield it was a very playable arm, capable of fitting a right-field profile. (The) strongest amateur arm I ever saw was Jeff Franceour but Bryce was second.”

A former two-way player in college, Brentz was a little behind the eight ball when he entered pro ball but has now had to opportunity to focus on full-time hitting for the past three seasons. He’ll likely open 2013 at triple-A Pawtucket but could reach the majors at some point during the second half of the season.

Additional Notes

When Bryce Brentz posts a BABIP of .370+, prospect followers get excited and forget he strikes out more than 25% of the time. Having seen Brentz in 2011, I saw him as more of a second division starter who may struggle to break through in Boston where success is expected immediately. I’m a bit more confident in his abilities now that his numbers have maintained at the upper levels. (Mike Newman)

#13 Brandon Jacobs (OF)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
21	487	110	30	13	39	128	17	.252	.322	.410	.330

Opening Day Age: 22
2012 Level: A+
Acquired: 2009 draft (10th round)
Projected 2013 Level: AA

Jacobs appeared at No. 10 on my Red Sox Top 15 prospect list last year but a disappointing season in high-A ball dragged him down to the No. 13 slot this year. Despite his obvious struggles and step backward in 2012 he still managed to provide league-average offense. A contact I spoke with felt the prospect’s season was not that bad. “He was coming off a good year (in 2011)… He was in a less friendly hitting environment… and he maybe tried to do too much,” he said. “It was a learning experience for him… Has some work to do on his mechanics.”

I watched Jacobs play earlier this year and noted that he holds his hands very high and has a noisy load. He looked like he was swinging around the ball instead of keeping his hands inside the ball with a short swing path. When he’s going well, the former prep star shows impressive raw power and base running aptitude. His strikeout rates will probably always keep him from hitting for a high average but he could be a 20-15 (home runs-steals) player at the big league level, although he’s not a pure base stealer by any means. Jacobs has played both left and center field in pro ball but the talent evaluator I spoke with felt his best position would probably be left field because of his modest arm strength and solid range.

He should move up to double-A in 2013 at the age of 22. If he can continue to tighten up his pitch recognition and approach at the plate, Jacobs could be a solid big league contributor as early as mid-2014.

Additional Notes

Entering 2012, Jacobs was ranked in every major top-100 and deservedly so. With reports of a hamate injury slowing him down for much of the season, he might deserve a mulligan. However, prospect lists simply don’t work that way, so Jacobs takes a big hit. A rebound in 2013 has him back in the top five. Being that Jacobs made such huge strides in 2011, I wouldn’t bet against him. (Mike Newman)

#14 Anthony Ranaudo (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	9	9	37.2	41	4	6.45	6.45	6.69	5.54

Opening Day Age: 23
2012 Level: AA
Acquired: 2010 draft (39th overall)
Projected 2013 Level: AA/AAA

Not only is Ranaudo one of the most enigmatic prospects in the Red Sox system, he might be one of the biggest head-scratchers in professional baseball. He looked like a sure-fire first round draft pick after his sophomore season of college before suffering a stress fracture in his elbow. Boston still took him with the 39th selection of the 2010 draft and handed him more than $2.5 million based on past performances and scouting reports.

A contact I spoke with said,”We had a good process on Anthony’s medical history and we knew there was risk involved in regards to his elbow, but were confident with a conservative approach to his developmental path he would get healthy and on track… The elbow has been sound but the pulled groin coming out of spring training really set him back.” Ranaudo made only six starts in 2012, all at the double-A level. The good news, though, is that he’s pitching in the Puerto Rico winter league and reportedly flashed very good stuff in his debut.

Ranaudo is a monster of a man, standing 6’7” and weighing about 230 lbs so he should be able to provide a good number of innings if his elbow and shoulder hold up. If not, though, perhaps a future as a high leverage reliever. Both his fastball and curveball have the chance to be plus pitches while a scout I spoke with suggested a future grade of 55 (slightly above average) on his changeup.

People familiar with Ranaudo believe he’ll overcome all the adversity he’s faced to this point in his pitching career. The contact I spoke with said, “If you talk with anyone with the Red Sox Anthony is one of those unique young men who has plus-plus make-up. He has faced a lot of adversity thus far but it hasn’t changed his approach or commitment level. Hopefully he will have a great off season and be heathy coming into 2013.” If he can stay on the mound and continue to show the stuff he’s flashed this winter, Ranaudo could reach triple-A in 2013 and possibly the majors in 2014.

Additional Notes

In 2011, contacts kept telling me the same thing in regards to Ranaudo. He profiles as a durable, mid-rotation starter, but why the two-plus million dollar signing bonus? After a 2012 which saw Ranaudo post a 6.45 BB/9 in Double-A, those contacts were proven correct for the moment. (Mike Newman)

#15 Mookie Betts (2B)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
19	292	67	8	0	32	30	20	.267	.352	.307	.322

Opening Day Age: 20
2012 Level: A-
Acquired: 2011 draft (5th round)
Projected 2013 Level: A

The 15th slot on the list came down to a few names and I eventually settled on Betts, who narrowly edged out 2012 draftee and right-handed prep hurler Ty Buttrey. The diminutive second baseman spend 2012 playing at the age of 19 against much older competition in the New York Penn League. He understands his game, and his limitations, and focuses on controlling the strike zone, getting on base and using his legs. He’s working to become a steady defender at second base.

In 2012, Betts walked more than he struck out – and impressive feat for his age and experience level – and also stole 20 bases in 24 attempts. A talent evaluator I spoke with assessed the prospect: “He has a very advanced feel for the zone and always seems to be in control of his at-bats. He has good speed, instincts, and athleticism.” At 5’9” with a slender frame, he needs to get stronger so he’s not over-matched at higher levels. His month-by-month splits suggest that he wore down as the season progressed despite playing in short-season ball.

The contact I spoke with about Betts agreed that the prospect has work to do. “As with all high school players, he needs to get stronger and continue to get at-bats… He just needs to keep playing baseball and developing in the field and at the plate.” The Tennessee native should move up to full season A-ball in 2013 for the first time in his career and should move fairly methodically through the system.

His overally package of tools is probably not a threat to incumbent second baseman Dustin Pedroia and the infield glut of prospects – which is a great ‘problem’ for Boston to have – could push the youngster to a utlity role if he can diversify his defensive abilities and isn’t used as future trade bait.

Additional Notes

Betts is an athletic second baseman with gap power and strong contact skills. Unfortunately, his arm will keep him out of the shortstop picture which hurts his value. I like Betts as a sleeper, but would probably have Vinicio ranked here instead. He’s younger, just as athletic and profiles as a true shortstop. (Mike Newman)

Seeing prospects in person is my passion. In 2012, I was fortunate enough to visit parks in five different leagues — collecting information and video on 200 legitimate prospects or more. The lists released over the next few weeks will highlight the best prospects I’ve seen in person at each position during the 2012 season. The rankings will be adjusted based on projected position at the major league level, not present position (in italics if ranking includes position shift). Additionally, I’ll do my best to rank based on notes/video from the park and avoid adjusting for statistics after the fact. Keep this in mind when working through the lists and understand this is not meant to be a complete list of the best prospects at each position across all of Minor League Baseball, but the best of what I’ve seen.

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