Jesus Aguilar, 1b, Indians: A 2012 Futures Gamer and the Indians' No. 9
prospect, the 257-pounder finished the year in Double-A and has big raw power.
He's limited to first defensively and dropped from 23 home runs in 2011 to 15
in 2012.
Ryan Chaffee, rhp, Angels: The Angels left Chaffee unprotected last year, but
he's more likely to be taken this year, as his stuff took a leap. His fastball
now sits in the 94-96 mph range with good life and he throws a slider that
shows flashes of being a plus pitch.
Josh Fields, rhp, Red Sox: Fields, 27, has battled control throughout his
career, but in 2012 he improved his delivery, regained his velocity (up to 97
mph) and sharpened his power curveball. His Triple-A experience and newfound
success (78-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2012) make him a likely selection.
Randy Henry, rhp, Rangers: Henry dominated in 2012 when pitching out of the
bullpen (0.98 ERA at high Class A Myrtle Beach). He faltered in a mid-season
move to the rotation. With a 91-93 mph fastball with cutting action and an
average slider and changeup, he could fit in a big league bullpen.
Jon Keck, lhp, Royals: Keck started pitching as a college junior. He has a big
arm (91-96 mph fastball) but his secondary stuff is still raw and he struggles
to throw strikes.
Marc Krauss, of/1B, Astros: Krauss has a solid lefthanded bat with the ability
to hit for average and power. Overall in 2012, the 2009 second-round pick hit
.271/.397/.491 with 31 doubles and 20 home runs. He's a poor but versatile
defender at the corner spots.
Braulio Lara, lhp, Rays: From a pure scouting standpoint, Lara has the biggest
upside on this list. He has a lean, athletic build and an easy delivery
producing a mid-90s fastball with good life. He also has a hard, downer
curveball in the upper 70s but went just 6-10, 5.71 in high Class A in 2012.
Chris McGuiness, 1b, Rangers: The 2012 Arizona Fall League MVP, McGuiness has
shown consistent on-base skills to go with good power. With a full season in
Double-A under his belt to go with his AFL, McGuiness is one of the more
polished bats available.
Juan Sosa, rhp, Phillies: He's yet to pitch above Class A but Sosa has some of
the best stuff among Rule 5 eligibles with a 92-96 mph fastball and a curve
that flashes plus.
Coty Woods, rhp, Rockies: Woods throws from a low, sidearm slot that gives a
little extra deception and life to his 89-92 mph fastball. He has a
big-breaking, upper 70s slider and a decent changeup. Woods pitched well in the
AFL (3.18 ERA in 11 IP).