So far we have focused our positional rankings on the infield. Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Corey Seager, along with the Philadelphia Phillies J.P. Crawford, kicked off our coverage as anchors of the middle infield. Last week, we covered the corners with Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo edging Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell for top honors. Today, we shift gears to the outfield.
Outfield is a deep position. At last glance, 15 of the top 50 players, according to ESPN's Player Rater, had outfield eligibility. It is an important position to address come draft day. While you will want to secure one or two big-ticket items in the outfield, you also do not want to waste all your resources in a plentiful talent well. While other owners extend themselves by reaching for an OF3 or OF4 with name value, take solace in knowing you can get similar production later while addressing weaker positions first. With that in mind, here are the top 10 outfield prospects in the minor leagues you want to know in the near future.
1. Nomar Mazara, OF
Texas Rangers
Current Level: Triple-A (Round Rock)
ETA: 2016
Analysis: The Rangers landing Cole Hamels without having to give up Mazara was a major coup for the front office. A consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball right now, the native of the Dominican Republic has a classic corner outfielder's profile with an advanced feel at the plate and above-average raw power. He has a wide, open stance reminiscent of John Jaso. He excels at keeping his hands back and his front hip closed, allowing the ball to get in the zone before firing with the barrel. Despite his age (he will not turn 21 until next season), he held his own in the Texas League, hitting .284 with 37 extra-base hits before he was promoted to Triple-A this week. He will likely return to Round Rock to begin next season but could be in the majors by next summer.
2. Aaron Judge, OF
New York Yankees
Current Level: Triple-A (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
ETA: 2015
Analysis: At first glance, you see why there is so much hyperbole regarding Judge's size. He is a large man (6-foot-7, 275 pounds) in a land without many giants, especially in the outfield. As you would expect of someone of his physical prowess, power is his lead tool. It is an easy plus grade in its raw form and is starting to manifest more in-game. He is approaching 20 home runs this season. As a full-time regular, likely in right field, that amount should be an easy get. He does make some other contact, but with his long limbs he can be prone to the swing-and-miss. A modest average with 20-plus home runs, solid on-base percentage and the potential to rack up in both runs scored and RBIs make him an attractive option in the very near future.
3. Dalton Pompey, OF
Toronto Blue Jays
Current Level: Triple-A (Buffalo)
ETA: 2015
Analysis: Pompey rocketed through Toronto's system last season, beginning the year in the Florida State League and ending it in the majors. Perhaps the Jays were a bit overzealous with the 2014 breakout star: He made the club's 2015 Opening Day roster, but it was soon evident he was not ready. He returned to the minors, including some time in Double-A, and now looks poised to return to the big leagues more prepared. He is a top-of-the-order type with a plus hit tool, good approach and the ability to move on the bases once aboard. Toronto made headlines with their deadline additions; however, an improved Pompey could provide help for the playoff push from within.
4. Bradley Zimmer, OF
Cleveland Indians
Current Level: Double-A (Akron)
ETA: 2016
Analysis: If you are not familiar with Zimmer, allow yourself some time to get to know him. A first-round pick in 2014, the former San Francisco Diamond Don will be a high riser on prospect lists this winter. He began the season in Advanced-A, handling the assignment with little issue. After being named to the Futures Game, he was promoted to Akron of the Eastern League, where he continues to flourish. Though not projected to hit for much power, he has belted 16 home runs this season, including six since jumping a level in competition. In addition to the power, he is approaching 40 stolen bases this season. He lacks the chrome of some prospects, but has the polish to move quickly -- as we have already seen this season -- and be average or better in multiple categories as an everyday outfielder.
5. Jesse Winker, OF
Cincinnati Reds
Current Level: Double-A (Pensacola)
ETA: 2016
Analysis: After struggling in the first half of the season, Winker has seemingly turned a corner in his development. He is hitting above .300 in the second half while displaying a solid approach at the plate along with increasing power. The 22-year-old is seeing -- and crushing -- the ball extremely well these days. He homered in five straight games last week and is hitting nearly .400 for the month of August. He has a solid frame that should produce above-average pop at the highest level with a hit tool that rates as plus. A .290 hitter with double-digit home runs and doubles to match makes for a nice play at the Great American Ballpark.
6. Brett Phillips, OF
Milwaukee Brewers
Current Level: Double-A (Biloxi)
ETA: 2017
Analysis: Moving from the Houston Astros to the Brewers, Phillips ranked fourth on our top 10 list of prospects traded at the 2015 non-waiver deadline. The sixth-round pick in 2012 from Seminole, Florida, has the ability to affect the game in several ways. In addition to playing center field defensively, he has been an extra-base machine over the past few years. He collected 60 extra-base hits last season, producing double-digits in doubles, triples and home runs. He has repeated that feat in 2015; although most of them coming from his time in Advanced-A Lancaster. (Double-A is a true test for most hitters.) Phillips has yet to show the same home run power upon promotion; however, he is still collecting doubles and triples while maintaining a good on-base percentage. He could be a 20/20 man at the highest level while chipping in with runs scored.
7. Max Kepler, OF
Minnesota Twins
Current Level: Double-A (Chattanooga)
ETA: 2017
Analysis: Finally out of the shadows of Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano, Kepler is shining on his own in Chattanooga. The German-born prospect was named to the World roster in this year's Futures Game and has been an offensive dynamo all season. With a frictionless swing from the left-handed batter's box, he is hitting over .340 this season with nearly as many walks as he has strikeouts. The average is not empty, either, as Kepler is closing in on 60 extra-base hits. He also has stolen 17 bases. In addition to what he can do at the plate, he is a versatile defender with the ability to play the outfield -- including center -- as well as handle some ground balls at first base.
8. Hunter Renfroe, OF
San Diego Padres
Current Level: Double-A (San Antonio)
ETA: 2016
Analysis: Renfroe's season got off to a rough start but caught fire in June and carried over to July. He hit over .300 for the two months and collected 11 of his 14 home runs during the same span. He works from a sturdy foundation and possesses true plus power from the right side. Hitting for average is unlikely to be his thing, so he will have to improve his walk rate, which slightly regressed this season. The Padres' outfield has undergone a metamorphosis in the past year and will likely change again before Renfroe is ready. For his part, he looks poised to hit 25 or more home runs while manning one of the corner positions.
9. David Dahl, OF
Colorado Rockies
Current Level: Double-A (New Britian)
ETA: 2017
Analysis: Dahl was involved in one of the scarier moments of the season when a collision in the field resulted in a lacerated spleen. He elected to have his spleen removed and has since recovered and returned to the field. The former first-round pick has one of the better left-handed strokes in the minor leagues even if it has not manifested itself in his batting average at the Double-A level. Furthermore, the approach is extremely aggressive at this juncture. Dahl, with good reason, should get a pass for most of 2015, as just making it back to the field is impressive enough. That said, he will need to make up for lost time and production next season.
10. Manuel Margot, OF
Boston Red Sox
Current Level: Double-A (Portland)
ETA: 2017
Analysis: Margot hails from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, where the current mayor is a former 30/30 major league outfielder (Raul Mondesi). Margot received $800,000 as an international signee in 2011 and has quickly worked his way through a talented Boston system. He is a legitimate defender in center field and is a threat along the bases. The Red Sox have been assertive in his assignment, moving him to Double-A this season despite his age and inexperience as a professional. The jump has proven to be a challenge offensively, but the tools (discipline and contact) remain strong aside from the results. The current assortment of Red Sox outfielders makes it difficult to project an ETA for any prospect of the same position; however, Margot has the talent to force his way into the mix.
Honorable mention
Byron Buxton, OF
Minnesota Twins
Current Level: Triple-A (Rochester)
ETA: 2015
Analysis: Buxton was originally the top-ranked prospect on this list, but the Twins recalled him from Rochester on Wednesday afternoon. While the 21-year-old spent less than two weeks in the majors during his first call-up in June, he is not a player who is going to creep up on anyone. The former No. 2 pick in the draft will soon be in the conversation for top fantasy pick. He is a fluid athlete with at least one 80-grade offensive tool (speed) and several others that rate above average. He received a 65 on our hit tool rankings and is a 60 in power. You could argue each tool up five points without much debate. He is a stat-sheet filler with the chance to lead your team in at least four of the five standard categories (RBIs being more team dependent). Buxton could be an impact player as soon as next month ... or today.