2016 Carolina League Top 20 Prospects — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

LEAGUE SUPERLATIVES

Andrew Benintendi

Championship Series
Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 3
Lynchburg (Indians) 1

Best Record
Salem (Red Sox), 87-52 (.626)

Most Valuable Player
Bobby Bradley, 1b, Lynchburg (Indians)

Pitcher OF The Year
Trevor Clifton, rhp, Myrtle Beach (Cubs)

Did Not Qualify
Ryan O’Hearn, 1b, Wilmington (Royals)

See Also: 2016 League Top 20 Index

Carolina League managers had little trouble rattling off a deep list of prospects this year, especially among position players. Starting with Minor League Player of the Year Yoan Moncada, the league boasted two players who moved fast to the big leagues, and also had a strong mix of 20-and-under talent, highlighted by a catcher who built a 50-game hitting streak.

“To have 10 position players, approximately, in this league who look like blue-chip players, that’s a lot of players,” said Frederick manager Keith Bodie, who has managed at every level from short-season to Triple-A. “There are quite a few position players I liked, and most of them were on Salem on Lynchburg. If I were the Red Sox or the Indians, I’d be pretty optimistic about the future of my ballclub.”

This year’s list starts with two Red Sox. Second baseman Moncada and outfielder Andrew Benintendi made it all the way to the major leagues after leaving a lasting impression during their short time in the eight-team Carolina League.

“Moncada and Benintendi had the right approach every night,” Lynchburg manager Mark Budzinski said. “Moncada is so impressive on the bases, and Benintendi knows the game so well. They really separated themselves from the start.”

Carolina manager Rocket Wheeler put his former shortstop, Braves rookie Dansby Swanson, in that same category, but the No. 1 pick from the 2015 draft only had 93 plate appearances for the Mudcats, short of the total needed to qualify.

“Those three guys stuck out like a sore thumb,” Wheeler said. “Benintendi has an above-average arm and can hit and hit for power; Moncada stole bases and can really run and throw; and Swanson is a leader all over the field.”

1. Yoan Moncada, 2b, Salem (Red Sox) |

Age: 21. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. Signed: Cuba, 2015.

Moncada stood out even in a banner year for position prospects in the Carolina League, especially for his speed and game awareness. He showed why the Red Sox were willing to pay him a $31.5 million bonus and then chip in an additional $31.5 million for exceeding their international bonus-pool limit.

“His speed is a big part of his success, whether it’s offensively or defensively,” Salem manager Joe Oliver said. “He has some untapped power that he’s starting to show. As he gets more experience it’s going to show up even more. The work ethic he has is bringing out his athleticism.”

Moncada has more opportunity at third base than at second for Boston, but Oliver said he “can really turn the double play at second. He’s quite an athlete—and he has opposite-field power from both sides of the plate.”

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
228	57	70	25	3	4	34	45	60	36	8	.307	.427	.496

2. Andrew Benintendi, of, Salem (Red Sox) |

Age: 22. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 170. Drafted: Arkansas, 2015 (1).

Benintendi, the seventh overall pick in 2015 who signed for a Red Sox draft-pick record $3.59 million, played his way out of the Carolina League by May 16. He drove the ball consistently at Salem and then again in the Double-A Eastern League before moving to the big leagues in August.

Benintendi is an above-average runner with strong wrists and forearms as well as plate discipline. That combination makes him a hitting machine. Salem manager Joe Oliver said Benintendi was quick to recognize how teams tried to pitch him, showing excellent aptitude. He also lauded Benintendi’s strong ability to read balls off the bat in center field, where he has an above-average arm.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
135	30	46	13	7	1	32	15	9	8	2	.341	.413	.563

3. Victor Robles, of, Potomac (Nationals) |

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 185. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2013.

As seamless as the transition to high Class A was for Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi, it was a little more of a challenge for the 19-year-old Robles. He still amazed with his defensive skills, and eventually his bat came along.

“He has such an exciting package of tools, but he had some adversity in this league, and he’ll get better because of that,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. “His arm is really good. You can give it a 7 (on a 2-to-8 scouting scale). He’s a potential five-tool type of player. He can really throw, and he can really run.”

Robles missed time after getting hit by a fastball from Salem fireballer Michael Kopech, but he lifted his batting average by 48 points in the final two weeks. He also became more of the captain of the outfield as the summer wore on, opposing managers noticed.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
168	24	44	8	2	3	11	14	32	18	5	.262	.354	.387

4. Gleyber Torres, ss, Myrtle Beach (Cubs) |

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175. Signed: Venezuela, 2013.

Torres, a key piece that the Cubs sent to the Yankees to land Aroldis Chapman, stood out for a variety of reasons, especially his defense.

Said Salem manager Joe Oliver: “He was the best shortstop by far in the league—he had the strongest arm, hands down. He has really good range and instincts—in the hole, with the backhand, up the middle, you name it. He’s a big leaguer. If he stays grounded and continues to work, he’ll be in the big leagues pretty fast, I would think.”

Potomac manager Tripp Keister noted Torres’ improvement during the season, including improved power as he learned to pull the ball with backspin while also driving the ball to the opposite field.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
356	62	98	23	3	9	47	42	87	19	10	.275	.359	.433

5. Francisco Mejia, c, Lynchburg (Indians) |

Age: 20. B-T:: B-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 175. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012.

Through a period that included a promotion from low Class A Lake County, a reported trade that would have sent him to the Brewers organization and an illness, Mejia had the mental toughness to compile a 50-game hitting streak.

Mejia shrugged off trade rumors and maintained a consistent swing from both sides of the plate. Some scouts give his arm 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale as well.

“He’s consistent in the cage and in the way he plays the game,” Lynchburg manager Mark Budzinski said. “He made offensive and defensive strides. We’ve always known he has the hit tool and a plus arm, but he needed to work on how to call a game. He did a great job with that, and he didn’t let anything get to him all season.”

Salem manager Joe Oliver, a former major league catcher, also is a fan of Mejia’s. “He’s got the best arm I’ve seen in a long time,” Oliver said. “I’ve only seen him a few games behind the plate, but I’m really impressed with the way he throws. It seems like he handles the pitchers really well, too, and he moves well behind the plate.”

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
168	22	56	12	1	4	29	13	24	1	2	.333	.380	.488

6. Rafael Devers, 3b, Salem (Red Sox) |

Age: 19. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2013.

The highly touted Devers was hitting just .199 as late as May 28, but he turned that around, and then some, to finish 11th in the Carolina League in batting (.284). He shortened his swing and used the middle of the field but also improved his power.

Scouts and managers raved about Devers’ quick feet, strong arm and soft hands at third base. They said he has a strong internal clock to make on-time throws.

“He’s one of the best I’ve seen with his hands and the way he fields his position,” Salem manager Joe Oliver said. “The rough start he got off to never transitioned to the other side of the ball. He uses the whole field and has power from foul pole to foul pole. He’s probably at his best when he uses left-center and right-center field. He listened to input from hitting coach Nelson Paulino.”

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
503	64	143	32	8	11	71	40	94	18	5	.284	.337	.445

7. Bobby Bradley, 1b, Lynchburg (Indians) |

Age: 20. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 225. Drafted: HS—Gulfport, Miss., 2014 (3).

The league’s MVP led the way in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) and ranked fifth in slugging (.466). Though he ranked second in the Carolina League with 170 strikeouts, his power and improvements hitting the opposite way are expected to take him far.

“He has big-time power,” Wilmington manager Jamie Quirk said. “He’s obviously a good worker. He’s a swing-and-miss guy, but in this day and age, no one cares about that.”

Opposing managers said Bradley was able to give in a little and hit the ball the other way. He also improved defensively.

“He has a ways to go defensively from an athleticism standpoint,” Lynchburg manager Mark Budzinski said, “but he has learned a lot about being able to pick throws out of the dirt, field his position, feed pitchers on the 3-1 play and position himself in the right places on relays.”

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
485	82	114	23	1	29	102	75	170	3	0	.235	.344	.466

8. Michael Kopech, rhp, Salem (Red Sox) |

Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 205. Signed: HS—Mount Pleasant, Texas, 2014 (1).

Not many minor league starters can throw triple-digit fastballs and locate their offspeed pitches, but Kopech did both on a regular basis. He had four double-digit strikeout performances in August before falling to Myrtle Beach in his postseason start.

This season proved to be a step forward for Kopech after he broke his hand in March in an altercation with a teammate in spring training. Kopech consistently sat 94-100 mph.

Kopech’s slider was his most reliable secondary pitch, and he throws a 90 mph changeup that can be effective.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
4	1	2.25	11	11	0	52	25	15	13	1	29	82	.147

9. Erick Fedde, rhp, Potomac (Nationals) |

Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Nevada-Las Vegas, 2014 (1).

Fedde regained his command after working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Once he regained his feel, he dominated on his way to Double-A Harrisburg.

“He has a (92-96 mph) fastball, a slider and a changeup that’s still developing—and he’s really working at it,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. “He got that feel back about a month before the all-star break. He’s a competitive kid. To see him have that great stretch and get promoted to Double-A, that’s really a credit to him.”

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
6	4	2.85	18	17	0	92	85	35	29	7	19	95	.244

10. Ian Happ, 2b, Myrtle Beach (Cubs) |

Age: 22. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 205. Drafted: Cincinnati, 2015 (1).

Happ continued to show the strong hitting ability he had in college. He even earned a promotion to Double-A Tennessee, where he hit eight home runs in 248 at-bats.

Happ saw time in left field in addition to second base and has the arm strength to try third. He’s not adept or polished at second, though, committing seven errors in 50 games. He is universally regarded as a strong worker.

“He has tremendous plate discipline. He’s going to hit and hit for power,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
240	37	71	16	3	7	42	48	69	10	3	.296	.410	.475

11. Justus Sheffield, lhp, Lynchburg (Indians) |

Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Tullahoma, Tenn., 2014 (1).

The Yankees don’t have a Carolina League affiliate, but they have two of the league’s top prospects. Shortstop Gleyber Torres came over in the Aroldis Chapman deal, and the polished Sheffield was part of the trade that sent lefthanded reliever Andrew Miller to the Indians.

Sheffield signed for $1.6 million instead of joining his brother Jordan (a current Dodgers prospect) at Vanderbilt. He’s known for his bulldog attitude and poise on the mound. He can throw his heavy 93-94 mph fastball, curveball and changeup for strikes, and tops out at 96 with the heater.

“He’s got a great arm. This kid is legit,” Frederick manager Keith Bodie said. “He commands the ball pretty well for a young kid and has quality stuff. All of his pitches have some finish and some life.”

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
7	5	3.59	19	19	9	95	91	40	38	6	40	93	.252

12. Trevor Clifton, rhp, Myrtle Beach (Cubs)

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 170. Drafted: HS—Maryville, Tenn., 2013 (12).

Clifton had a breakthrough season in winning the Carolina League pitcher of the year award. He proceeded to win a start in both rounds of the postseason, including a six shutout innings in the championship series against a stacked Lynchburg lineup.

“Clifton has put together a really solid year,” Lynchburg’s manager Mark Budzinski. “He has good command of three pitches and really knows how to pitch.”

Clifton’s fastball sits 93-95 mph and he backs it up with an improving curveball and changeup, giving him three potentially above-average pitches. Scouts and managers like the way Clifton attacked hitters and kept them off-balance, especially with his breaking pitches.

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
7	7	2.72	23	23	0	119	97	42	36	4	41	129	.225

13. Zack Collins, c, Winston-Salem (White Sox) |

Age: 21. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 220. Drafted: Miami, 2016 (1).

The 10th pick in the 2016 draft, Collins played just three Rookie-level Arizona League games before getting tested in the Carolina League. He was a Baseball America All-American two seasons after winning Freshman of the Year. Scouts consider Collins a high-floor player because he should hit enough to be a bat-first big league receiver.

Though Collins didn’t join the league until July 15, he played enough to qualify and impressed scouts not only with his lefthanded power bat, but also with the target he set behind the plate and his ability to help pitchers keep the ball down.

His blocking skills need refinement and his arm strength is just average, and he needs to quicken his transfer. He threw out just three of 19 basestealers while allowing four passed balls in 18 games behind the plate.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
120	24	31	7	0	6	18	33	39	0	0	.258	.418	.467

14. Mauricio Dubon, ss, Salem (Red Sox)

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 160. Drafted: HS—Sacramento, 2013 (26).

Dubon hit .306 with Salem without any homers (but more walks than strikeouts), then hit six homers while hitting .339/.371/.538 at Double-A Portland. He’s noted more for his contact ability and on-base skills than pop, but managers considered him a tough out.

“To me, he doesn’t get enough press,” Wilmington manager Jamie Quirk said. “He’s in Double-A, hitting like .340. I really liked him. The kid knows how to play baseball, knows how to hit, knows what he is as a hitter.”

Salem manager Joe Oliver noted Dubon was smart in how he managed his at-bats given who was hitting ahead of him in the order.

“It definitely helped when Moncada was in front of him,” Oliver said. “He learned how to take pitches, giving Yoan a chance to steal bases.”

Oliver added Dubon has made major improvement on defense since he managed him in short-season ball and now has solid tools across the board, with good actions and enough arm at shortstop.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
235	53	72	11	3	0	29	33	25	24	4	.306	.387	.379

15. Yu-Cheng Chang, ss, Lynchburg (Indians)

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175. Signed: Taiwan, 2013.

Along with Francisco Mejia and outfield prospect Greg Allen, Chang was part of the Jonathan Lucroy-vetoed deal that would’ve sent him to the Brewers. Instead, he finished putting together a solid season at Lynchburg. Chang showed why scouts are high on his power potential as he raised his slugging percentage 102 points from his 2015 season at low Class A Lake County.

“Chang had a nice year,” Lynchburg manager Mark Budzinski said. “He battled a wrist injury for a couple of weeks (toward the end of the season), but he made great strides offensively and in ranging laterally. He’s learning to be more of a leader.”

Chang has smooth hands that work in the field and at the plate. He has athleticism and a workable arm but may have to slide to third base or second if he gets much bigger, as one scout compared his frame to that of a young Jhonny Peralta. His power comes with some swing-and-miss tendencies, and some scouts grade him as a below-average hitter overall.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
417	78	108	30	8	13	70	45	111	11	3	.259	.332	.463

16. Anthony Santander, of, Lynchburg (Indians)

Age: 21. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Signed: Venezuela, 2011.

Santander combined with league MVP Bradley to give Lynchburg a fearsome middle-of-the lineup combination. He finished sixth in the league in hitting, third in home runs and RBIs and first with 42 doubles. He stayed healthy the entire season for the first time and broke out offensively, earning 70 grades for his raw power on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.

“He’s a switch-hitting outfielder who showed power from both sides,” Carolina manager Rocket Wheeler said. “If there was a guy on third, he was going to get the run in.”

Managers also said Santander showed decent speed and athleticism, but he’ll need to work to stay in left field, where he is below-average. He played nine games at first base as well.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
500	90	145	42	0	20	95	54	118	10	5	.290	.368	.494

17. Max Povse, rhp, Carolina (Braves) |

Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-8. Wt.: 185. Drafted: UNC Greensboro, 2014 (3).

A healthy shoulder made all the difference for Povse, who was 1-3, 9.33 while pitching hurt in 18 innings with Carolina in 2015. He averaged more than a strikeout an inning with the Mudcats this year before pitching more economically after a promotion to Double-A Mississippi.

His fastball velocity varies, at times sitting in the upper 80s but getting up to 94 mph on occasion. When he’s at his best, Povse leverages his size and his ball gets on top of hitters with extension out front in his deliver, making for an uncomfortable at-bat.

“He went to Double-A after he was a little up-and-down here, and he really pitched well,” Wheeler said. “He throws 92-94 mph and he mixes in his changeup and curveball well.”

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
5	5	3.71	15	15	0	87	89	44	36	5	17	91	.262

18. Josh Staumont, rhp, Wilmington (Royals) |

Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 200. Drafted: Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 2015 (2).

Staumont continued to battle control problems that were evident in college, but he has a plus fastball that few possess, throwing up to 98 mph with ease as a starter. He pitched better at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he went 2-1, 3.04 with 73 strikeouts and 37 walks in 50 innings, than at Wilmington, where he exhibited command graded by scouts as a 30 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.

“He has the biggest arm of our group,” Wilmington manager Jamie Quirk said. “Once again, it’s just a matter of controlling it, throwing enough strikes. He has some feel for the game and just needs to continue to get more innings in, understand the strike zone and what he needs to do. Arm-wise—he has a plus curveball and plus fastball. It’s just a matter of getting it in the strike zone consistently.”

W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
2	10	5.05	18	15	0	73	62	49	41	3	67	94	.230

19. Travis Demeritte, 2b, Carolina (Braves) |

Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 180. Drafted: HS—Winder, Ga., 2013 (1/Rangers).

Demeritte, who joined the Braves in a trade that sent righthander Lucas Harrell to the Rangers, comes with high risk (175 strikeouts in 455 high Class A at-bats this year). However, he also has plus power, with strong, fast hands, and has improved as a defender.

After hitting .272/.352/.583 with 25 home runs in 331 at-bats at hitter-friendly High Desert, some of his homers became doubles in the Carolina League, but he still showed pull power and the quickness to catch up to good fastballs.

Demeritte has power to all fields but needs work on pitch recognition and plate discipline. He made up for development he lost last season, when he was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for Furosemid, a diuretic used to flush the system.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
124	21	31	9	5	3	11	26	50	4	1	.250	.384	.476

20. Max Schrock, 2b, Potomac (Nationals)

Age: 21. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-8. Wt.: 180. Drafted: South Carolina, 2015 (13).

The Nationals turned a 13th-round pick into a piece for their big league bullpen when they traded Schrock to the Athletics for lefthander Marc Rzepczynski, but now Oakland has an overachiever in its system who reached Double-A after the trade and could hit his way to the big leagues.

“He swung the bat very well and is a solid defender at second,” Carolina manager Rocket Wheeler said. “He was raking in this league.”

In his first full season, Schrock had similar success at the other levels, batting a combined .331/.373/.449 at his four stops in the minors. He struck out just seven percent of the time.

“He’s got a simple swing and he hits,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. “He hit from the day he got here until the day he left. His defense is better than I was expecting. He really works hard at it, turns the double play very well and has good hands. He goes the other way and has some power.”