Given the performance of the teams supplying the Javelinas, one would think that there would be great talent on this team. Alas, that is not to be the case. While the Atlanta Braves have provided quality to this club, they are just about the only ones.

The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres foolishly thought that they could contend. Instead, they are mediocre from top to bottom within their respective organizations. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles are close but not quite competitive, meaning that at both the major and minor league levels, they are languishing to a degree.

What does this mean for the Javelinas? It means that their best player is James Paxton, who graduated from prospect status a couple years ago. However, injuries have kept his pitch counts down significantly, so the Mariners are using one of their slots here to get him more innings. On one hand, that’s good for Paxton’s development; on the other hand, it says much about how weak the system is that they didn’t have an actual prospect that could use the spot.

With all of that out of the way...

Top Prospects Of The Javelinas

D.J. Peterson, Third Base, Seattle Mariners

A first round selection in the 2013 draft, selected twelfth overall, Peterson has all the tools to excite the scouts, but the numbers don’t necessarily live up to that hype. After a very solid 2014, where he hit .297 with 31 home runs, 111 RBI, and 83 runs scored in 123 games between the High-A California League and Double-A, he regressed dramatically this year. He hit just .223 with seven home runs, 44 RBI, and 39 runs scored in 372 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A (with all but 14 at Double-A).

Which Peterson is the real one? A solid AFL and we’ll see him hopefully back on track in Triple-A to open the year. Continued struggles would merit a return to Double-A and a drop in his prospect rankings within the system.

Nick Travieso, Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

The 21-year-old Travieso was a first round selection, the 14^th pick overall, of the Reds in the 2012 draft out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Fort Lauderdale. Travieso has progressed well through the ranks, but he lost two months’ worth of playing time last season due to injuries. While healthy, Travieso put together a solid season for the Daytona Tortugas in the High-A Florida State League, going 6-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 76 while walking just 30 in 93 1/3 innings. Travieso’s best skill this season was keeping the ball in the park as he allowed just four home runs all season.

Chance Sisco, Catcher, Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles’ second round selection in the 2013 draft, Sisco is the second-youngest player on the Javelinas. Ranked 101^st in Baseball Prospectus’ Top 101 Prospects for 2015, Sisco did great at the High-A Carolina League this season, hitting .308 with four home runs, 26 RBI, and 30 runs scored in 263 at-bats over 75 games. However, he stumbled a little in his promotion to Double-A. His averaged dropped to .257, and he added two home runs, eight RBI, and nine runs scored there in 20 games over 74 at-bats.

Those Double-A numbers are still quite impressive for a 20-year-old. What Sisco needs to show in the AFL this fall isn’t that he can hit well enough to eventually be a major league catcher. Rather, he needs to prove he can handle the job defensively.

Tyler O’Neill, Outfield, Seattle Mariners

The other player born in 1995 on the Javelinas, all O’Neill did this year was crush the ball mercilessly. In 106 games at High-A Bakersfield in the California League, O’Neill hit .260 with 32 home runs, 87 RBI, 68 runs scored, and a .558 slugging percentage over 407 at-bats in 106 games. Hinting at even more potential power, O’Neill also belted out 21 doubles, and, oh yeah, he can run a little too, as he swiped 16 bases in 21 attempts.

Daniel Winkler, Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

A Rule 5 pick, Winkler made just two appearances in the majors this year thanks to Tommy John surgery, but things had been looking up for him before the injury. Pitching in 2014 in the hitting Mecca known as the Texas League, Winkler was quite impressive, going 5-2 with a 1.41 ERA in 12 starts, one of which was a complete game shutout. He struck out 71 while walking just 17 in 70 innings. Opposing batters were held to a ridiculous .139 batting average against. Winkler’s injury took him off lots of people’s radar, but a solid performance this fall will definitely get him back on the map.

That’s it for Peoria – tomorrow, we’ll break down the Salt Lake Rafters!

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