BA rankings.
11. Willson Contreras, c/3b, Tennessee (Cubs)
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175. Signed: Venezuela, 2009.
Signed by the Cubs as a 17-year-old third baseman in 2009, Contreras spent his first three seasons as an unremarkable infielder before converting to catcher in 2012 . . . whereupon he spent three seasons as an unremarkable backstop. That changed in 2015 when Contreras hit .333 and won an unlikely batting title in the SL by going 12-for-27 (.444) in the final week to pass Max Kepler.
Even in a breakthrough season, Contreras began the year in a time-share with Kyle Schwarber and didn’t assume the starting job full-time until late June. He has a chance to be an offensive catcher in the big leagues, owing to his disciplined approach and short, compact stroke that produces lots of contact and power to the gaps. He ranked second in the SL with 34 doubles and with a .413 on-base percentage, while placing third with 151 hits.
A high-energy receiver who exudes confidence, Contreras combines strong receiving ability, good hands and average arm strength that can be improved by shortening his arm path and quickening his release. He also made eight starts at third base in 2015 and has spotted at first base in the recent past.
19. Albert Almora, of, Tennessee (Cubs)
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180. Drafted: HS—Hialeah Gardens, Fla., 2012 (1). Video
While Cubs first-rounders Javier Baez (2011 draft), Kris Bryant (2013) and Kyle Schwarber (2014) have put in half-seasons at Tennessee on their rapid rise to Chicago, Almora, the sixth overall pick in 2012, has progressed at a slower pace. He reached the SL late in the 2014 season and improved his year-over-year production in 2015, particularly in the second half when he hit .301/.370/.464 with 23 extra-base hits and 19 walks in 51 games.
A premium defensive center fielder, Almora recorded more putouts per game (2.4) than any SL outfielder but Byron Buxton, Max Kepler or Mallex Smith. He tends to play shallow because he ranges back on the ball so well, and scouts think highly of his lateral range and overall defensive instincts. Though he does not possess blazing speed or more than gap power, Almora is a smart baserunner who will profile as a top-of-the-order hitter if he can improve his on-base percentage and possibly steal a few more bases.
Almora makes a ton of contact—just two players who qualified for this ranking struck out less often—so the Cubs have stressed that a more patient approach would benefit him by allowing him to see more hitter’s counts and draw more free passes. On that note, Almora walked in a career-high 7 percent of plate appearances in 2015. Scouts love his competitive makeup and his ability to focus in big spots, but some don’t see a plus tool outside of his glove, viewing him as more of an outfield extra.