AL West Top 5 Position Prospects
5) Ivan Valenzuela - Helena
Ivan currently plays for the Helena Grizzlies Double A affiliate at 2b. It's still unclear what position Ivan will play when he gets to the Majors League Level as his fielding at 2b has always been questionable. Many within the organization project him to be a corner outfielder, but Ivan wanted a chance to prove himself at 2b and has been given the chance. Ivan is a solid all around player, his bat is above average, he hits righties a little better then lefties and has solid speed, but not exceptional. Expect to see Ivan in the Majors next year at the latest.
4) Arthur Rivera - Tacoma
Rivera is a dh prospect currently hitting for the Double-A affiliate of the Tacoma Amber Flashlongs. Rivera has limited fielding abilities which makes him a dh and occasionally he can play 1b. He has an exceptional eye with solid l/r splits, he has above average power with solid contact. Don't expect him to steal a lot of bases. Expect to see Rivera in the Major League by next fall or shortly there after.
3) John Leon - Salem
Leon comes in 3rd in our list of AL West prospects and leads off the trio of Salem prospects on the list. Leon is currently playing 2b for the Triple-A affilate of the Salem Witch Doctors. Leon is a solid fielder with exceptional range. His glove is below average for an ML 2b, which might force him to a corner of position at some point in his career. Leon is an exceptional bunter with an all around average bat and poor power. his speed is mediocre and should lead to a few stolen bases from time to time due to his above average baserunning skills. Expect to see Leon in the Majors by the end of the season.
2) Derrek Pritchett - Salem
Derrek Pritchett is the 2nd Salem player on the list, he is currently playing 1b for the Low A affilate for the Witch Doctors. Pritchett projects as a 1b/dh at the Major League level. Pritchett is an above average hitter in all categories but tends to hit lefties better then righties. Pritchett is still a few seasons from the Majors, we will continue to watch his development as we track the top prospects in the league.
1) Manny Norman - Salem
Manny is the clear #1 prospect in the AL West. Manny is currently playing c for the triple-A affilate of the Witch Doctors. Manny has solid arm, both in accuracy and strength and is a good pitch caller. Manny has a solid eye at the plate and has good power numbers to go along with solid contact. Expect Manny to be starting for the Major League club by the end of the year, if not he will be on the team next season as he is out of options.
AL West Top Pitching Prospects
Now on to the Pitching prospects in the AL West where, once again, we have a plethora of Salem Witch Doctors.
5) Clay Wigginton - Salem
Clay Wigginton is the #4 starter for the Double-A affilate of the Witch Doctors and leads off three more top ranked Witch Doctors. Clay has good control of his pitches and tends to get batters to keep the ball on the ground. He has one + pitch with two other solid pitches and thrives versus righties. Stamina has always been a concern with Clay which leaves him project as a middle of the rotation guy.
4)Patrick Donatello - San Jose
Donatello could very well be ranekd higher, if not for the deep starting pitching talent within this division. Donatello is currently the closer for the Triple-A affilate of the San Jose Enchiladas. Donatello has good great control and velocity to go along with one ++ pitch and another very good + pitch. Expect to see Donatello in the Majors soon.
3) Santiago Tarraga - Salem
Tarraga, a recent additon to the Witch Doctors family, is our #3 prospect. He is currently the #1 starter for the Double-A affliate. Tarraga projects as a #2 starter in the league only due to his average control of his pitches. He has good stamina with great velocity but tends to let the batters get the ball in the air more then he would like. Tarraga has one ++ pitch with a few other solid to average pitches. Don't expect to see him in the Majors for a few years.
2) Omar Navarro - Tacoma
Navarro is our #2 pitching prospect who currently pitches for the Double-A affilate of the Tacoma Amber Flashlongs. Navarro has exceptional control of his pitches, which more then makes up for his subpar velocity. Navarro has one ++ pitch to go along with three other solid pitches. Navarro projects as a #2 starter in the Majors due to his lack of great stamina, which can sometimes lead him to only get through five or six innings.
1) Ramiro Vargas - Salem
"It's not fair" (must be what the rest of the AL West is screaming at their computers as they read this) But yes once again the top ranking is held by a Witch Doctor. Ramiro Vargas is currently the Ace for their Triple-A affilate. Vargas projects as a potental #1 starter in the Majors if everything works out, if not he will make for a suberb #2. He has elite stamina to go along with great control and solid l/r splits. He has one ++ slider, which he complements with a few other average pitches. Vargas lacks great velocity and is more of a flyball pitcher which can lead to a few more homeruns then he would like.
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