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MLB.com's Updated Dback Top 20 Prospects Rankings #11-15
Andrew Velazquez
Rank: 11
South Bend Silver Hawks (A Full)
ETA: 2017
Position: SS
Age: 20, DOB: 07/14/1994
Bats: S, Throws: R
Height: 5' 8", Weight: 175
Drafted: 2012, 7th (243) - ARI
Twitter: @squezhao
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Velazquez went under the radar coming out of Fordham Prep in New York City in 2012 and didn't raise his profile much in his first full professional season. That changed this year when he reached base in 74 consecutive games, setting a new Minor League record.
One of the keys to the record was Velazquez's improved approach at the plate. Armed with a better awareness of the strike zone, he has become a more disciplined hitter, though there is still some swing-and-miss in his game. He generates good bat speed, but his size limits his power output. His improved on-base skills and plus speed make him an ideal fit at the top of the order.
Defensively, Velazquez is still learning the infield after playing mostly center field in high school. He has good range and a strong arm and could develop into a solid defender in time.
Sergio Alcantara
Rank: 12
Missoula Osprey (ROK)
ETA: 2017
Position: SS
Age: 18, DOB: 07/10/1996
Bats: S, Throws: R
Height: 5' 10", Weight: 150
Signed: July 10, 2012 - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Arm: 70 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
After signing with the D-backs out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Alcantara made his professional debut the next summer in the Arizona Rookie League. He handled the assignment capably, despite playing much of the season as a 16-year-old.
Alcantara has a disciplined approach at the plate and walked more often than he struck out in his first season. He has minimal power, and his slight frame doesn't portend much, even as he physically matures. Alcantara is an average runner.
Alcantara is much more advanced defensively. His well-above-average arm, soft hands and good range give him all the tools necessary to become a solid defender. Alcantara is the nephew of former Major Leaguer Anderson Hernandez.
Justin Williams
Rank: 13
Missoula Osprey (ROK)
ETA: 2017
Position: OF
Age: 18, DOB: 08/20/1995
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 215
Drafted: 2013, 2nd (52) - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Williams was one of the youngest players in the 2013 Draft class, and he had some of the most power. He played at three levels after signing, finishing the season at Class A South Bend.
Williams packs a lot of power in his big, physical frame. His approach at the plate is still a work in progress, however, limiting how much of that power he can use in games. At his best, Williams uses the whole field to hit, and with more experience, he should be able to drive the ball out of any part of the park.
Williams was a shortstop in high school, but the D-backs quickly moved him to left field. He has the tools to become an adequate outfielder once he gets used to the new position.
Stryker Trahan
Rank: 14
South Bend Silver Hawks (A Full)
ETA: 2016
Position: OF
Age: 20, DOB: 04/25/1994
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 215
Drafted: 2012, 1st (26) - ARI
Twitter: @strykert25
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
Trahan was the first high school catcher drafted in 2012, and what really attracted scouts was his bat. Though he had made strides behind the plate as a professional, the D-backs moved him to the outfield in 2014.
Trahan has a strong arm and enough athleticism to be an adequate defender, in time, at his new position. His bat, however, remains the primary attraction. Trahan's bat speed and strength create plenty of raw power that he is just beginning to tap into. He has an advanced approach at the plate, though his pitch-recognition skills are still developing.
Now that Trahan doesn't have the added stress of catching, he should be able to start moving more quickly through the Minor Leagues.
Jose Martinez
Rank: 15
Status: Disabled 7-Day
ETA: 2017
Position: RHP
Age: 20, DOB: 04/14/1994
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 160
Signed: June 29, 2011 - ARI
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50
Martinez was unheralded as an amateur, but that has quickly changed since he signed with the D-backs. Though his numbers in the Northwest League didn't stand out in 2013, his stuff got the attention of scouts. He'll have to wait at least another year for his performance to catch up to his potential, however, as he suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow and underwent season-ending surgery in early June.
When Martinez is healthy, his fastball sits in the mid 90s and reaches the upper 90s. His power curveball gives him a second above-average offering, and he has some feel for his changeup. Martinez is still learning to repeat his delivery, and as a result, he struggles with his control. He is a good athlete, leading scouts to think he'll eventually be able to make the necessary adjustments to refine his command.
Martinez has a slight frame, but there's still projectability left in him. He draws comparisons to Carlos Martinez, another undersized but hard-throwing Dominican righty.
Andrew Velazquez
Rank: 11
South Bend Silver Hawks (A Full)
ETA: 2017
Position: SS
Age: 20, DOB: 07/14/1994
Bats: S, Throws: R
Height: 5' 8", Weight: 175
Drafted: 2012, 7th (243) - ARI
Twitter: @squezhao
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Velazquez went under the radar coming out of Fordham Prep in New York City in 2012 and didn't raise his profile much in his first full professional season. That changed this year when he reached base in 74 consecutive games, setting a new Minor League record.
One of the keys to the record was Velazquez's improved approach at the plate. Armed with a better awareness of the strike zone, he has become a more disciplined hitter, though there is still some swing-and-miss in his game. He generates good bat speed, but his size limits his power output. His improved on-base skills and plus speed make him an ideal fit at the top of the order.
Defensively, Velazquez is still learning the infield after playing mostly center field in high school. He has good range and a strong arm and could develop into a solid defender in time.
Sergio Alcantara
Rank: 12
Missoula Osprey (ROK)
ETA: 2017
Position: SS
Age: 18, DOB: 07/10/1996
Bats: S, Throws: R
Height: 5' 10", Weight: 150
Signed: July 10, 2012 - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Arm: 70 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
After signing with the D-backs out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Alcantara made his professional debut the next summer in the Arizona Rookie League. He handled the assignment capably, despite playing much of the season as a 16-year-old.
Alcantara has a disciplined approach at the plate and walked more often than he struck out in his first season. He has minimal power, and his slight frame doesn't portend much, even as he physically matures. Alcantara is an average runner.
Alcantara is much more advanced defensively. His well-above-average arm, soft hands and good range give him all the tools necessary to become a solid defender. Alcantara is the nephew of former Major Leaguer Anderson Hernandez.
Justin Williams
Rank: 13
Missoula Osprey (ROK)
ETA: 2017
Position: OF
Age: 18, DOB: 08/20/1995
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 215
Drafted: 2013, 2nd (52) - ARI
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Williams was one of the youngest players in the 2013 Draft class, and he had some of the most power. He played at three levels after signing, finishing the season at Class A South Bend.
Williams packs a lot of power in his big, physical frame. His approach at the plate is still a work in progress, however, limiting how much of that power he can use in games. At his best, Williams uses the whole field to hit, and with more experience, he should be able to drive the ball out of any part of the park.
Williams was a shortstop in high school, but the D-backs quickly moved him to left field. He has the tools to become an adequate outfielder once he gets used to the new position.
Stryker Trahan
Rank: 14
South Bend Silver Hawks (A Full)
ETA: 2016
Position: OF
Age: 20, DOB: 04/25/1994
Bats: L, Throws: R
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 215
Drafted: 2012, 1st (26) - ARI
Twitter: @strykert25
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
Trahan was the first high school catcher drafted in 2012, and what really attracted scouts was his bat. Though he had made strides behind the plate as a professional, the D-backs moved him to the outfield in 2014.
Trahan has a strong arm and enough athleticism to be an adequate defender, in time, at his new position. His bat, however, remains the primary attraction. Trahan's bat speed and strength create plenty of raw power that he is just beginning to tap into. He has an advanced approach at the plate, though his pitch-recognition skills are still developing.
Now that Trahan doesn't have the added stress of catching, he should be able to start moving more quickly through the Minor Leagues.
Jose Martinez
Rank: 15
Status: Disabled 7-Day
ETA: 2017
Position: RHP
Age: 20, DOB: 04/14/1994
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 160
Signed: June 29, 2011 - ARI
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50
Martinez was unheralded as an amateur, but that has quickly changed since he signed with the D-backs. Though his numbers in the Northwest League didn't stand out in 2013, his stuff got the attention of scouts. He'll have to wait at least another year for his performance to catch up to his potential, however, as he suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow and underwent season-ending surgery in early June.
When Martinez is healthy, his fastball sits in the mid 90s and reaches the upper 90s. His power curveball gives him a second above-average offering, and he has some feel for his changeup. Martinez is still learning to repeat his delivery, and as a result, he struggles with his control. He is a good athlete, leading scouts to think he'll eventually be able to make the necessary adjustments to refine his command.
Martinez has a slight frame, but there's still projectability left in him. He draws comparisons to Carlos Martinez, another undersized but hard-throwing Dominican righty.
