GOTC - Arizona Diamondbacks Top 15 Prospects

#15

Anthony Meo
Date of Birth: February 19, 1990
Height/Weight: 6’2″/185 lbs
Acquired: 2nd round of the 2011 draft

2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	WP	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2013	23	2 Teams	2 Lgs	AA-A+	ARI	1	5	.167	6.83	29	8	5	58.0	56	48	44	8	47	1	39	10	9	1.776	8.7	1.2	7.3	6.1	0.83
2013	23	Mobile	SOUL	AA	ARI	0	4	.000	6.37	8	8	0	35.1	31	26	25	6	25	0	17	8	4	1.585	7.9	1.5	6.4	4.3	0.68
2013	23	Visalia	CALL	A+	ARI	1	1	.500	7.54	21	0	5	22.2	25	22	19	2	22	1	22	2	5	2.074	9.9	0.8	8.7	8.7	1.00

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/22/2014.

Analysis: Meo makes it onto this list because he was ranked in the Top 10 by Jonathan Mayo despite a very disappointing year that saw him demoted from Double-A in 2013. He can still hit 94 mph on the radar gun as a starter but it’s looking like the D-backs are going to put him in the bullpen (or at least that’s where he ended up in Visalia). With a decent slider and no other pitches, he projects to a bullpen arm anyways. The control was obviously a big problem last year and if it’s a mechanical flaw that can’t be fixed quickly, Meo will be nowhere near this list next year.

2014 Prognosis: Back to Double-A Mobile for another shot.

#14

Justin Williams – OF
Date of Birth: August 20, 1995
Height/Weight: 6’2″/215 lbs
Acquired: 2nd round of the 2013 draft

2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2013	17	3 Teams	3 Lgs	Rk-A	ARI	51	224	208	32	73	18	0	1	37	0	1	11	44	.351	.397	.452	.849
2013	17	Diamondbacks	ARIZ	Rk	ARI	37	161	148	17	51	12	0	1	32	0	1	8	35	.345	.398	.446	.843
2013	17	Missoula	PION	Rk	ARI	11	52	51	12	21	6	0	0	5	0	0	1	7	.412	.423	.529	.952
2013	17	South Bend	MIDW	A	ARI	3	11	9	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	.111	.273	.111	.384

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/22/2014.

Analysis: I think that a lot of prospect writers are holding back on ranking Williams who had an outstanding professional debut as a 17 year old in three minor leagues. He showed some excellent contact ability and limited strikeouts to under 20% overall and displayed quite a lot of gap power that scouts think will translate into “over-the-fence” power as he matures. While, of course, he could improve his walk rate, the fact that he already has a solid season under his belt going into his Age-18 season is pretty impressive.

2014 Prognosis: Seeing how well Williams took to the professional game in 2013, the Diamondbacks could easily give him an aggressive assignment and have him play in South Bend in 2014.

#13

Matt Stites – RHP
Date of Birth: May 28, 1990
Height/Weight: 5’11″/170 lbs
Acquired: Traded from the San Diego Padres on July 31, 2013 with Joe Thatcherfor Ian Kennedy; Drafted in the 17th round of the 2011 draft by San Diego

2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	WP	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2013	23	San Antonio	TL	AA	SDP	2	2	.500	2.08	46	22	14	52.0	37	16	12	6	8	1	51	1	1	0.865	6.4	1.0	1.4	8.8	6.38

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/22/2014.

Analysis: Stites is showing a lot of polish as a closer and could very well make a big impression in 2014. He’s got a low-to-mid 90s fastball with a slider that scouts think can be above average to go along with a potentially average changeup. Baseball America rates his control the best in the system.

2014 Prognosis: With a strong season in Double-A, Stites earned a non-roster invite to spring training. He’ll likely start the season in Triple-A.

The rest of the list...  http://gradingonthecurve.com/2014/01/22/arizona-diamondbacks-2014-top-15-prospects/