2016 DRaysBay Community Prospect No. 3

We're only through two votes, but so far, participation is robust, and discussion is both enlightening and respectful. I hope this keeps up.

1. LHP Blake Snell (95.2%)
2. SS Willy Adames (59.1%)

1B Jake Bauers (L/L, 6'1 195, 20 in 2016)

2015 statistics with Class A-Advanced Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery: 534 PA, .272/.342/.418, 45 XBH, 9.4 BB%, 13.9 K%

Bauers was certainly not the focus of last winter's three-team trade with the Rays, Padres and Nationals, but he has quietly emerged as a solid prospect. He has a great approach, and while his future power production is up in the air, his ISO improved by 28 points. He's a good defender at first base, but an experiment in the outfield in the Arizona Fall League could really improve his stock.

RHP Jacob Faria (6'4 200, 22 in 2016)

2015 statistics with Class A-Advanced Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery: 149 2/3 IP, 1.92 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 8.9 BB%, 27.2 K%

On Faria, Baseball Prospectus quoted a scout saying, "the pitcher with the most upside in their system outside of Snell (and it’s not close)." That's not a surprise after his huge breakout season that featured more strikeouts than innings and three starts with double-digit strikeouts. He gets it done with control of his above-average fastball and changeup and could have an average breaking ball in the future.

RHP Taylor Guerrieri​ (6'3 195, 23 in 2016)

2015 statistics with Class-A Bowling Green and Class A-Advanced Charlotte: 130 1/3 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 5.1 BB%, 24.6 K%

Honeywell is known for his screwball, but he's far more than a one-trick pony. While many young pitchers have trouble with control, his athleticism allows him to repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone. His low-90s fastball could still improve as he gets stronger, and he already has no problem striking out batters. His breaking ball and changeup could also be above-average pitches.

SS Daniel Robertson (R/R, 6'1 205, 22 in 2016)

Robertson's season was hampered by a broken hamate bone that took him 1 1/2 months to recover from. Still, he finished 2015 with a 123 wRC+. Robertson is a hit-first shortstop, and profiles as a contact hitter who will hit some home runs here and there. His speed is fringy but his glove and arm are both solid-average.

3B Richie Shaffer (R/R, 6'3 220, 25 in 2016)

2015 statistics with Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham: 457 PA, .267/.357/.539, 26 HR, 54 XBH, 11.8 BB%, 26.9 K%
2015 statistics with Tampa Bay: 88 PA, .189/.307/.392, 4 HR, 11.4 BB%, 36.4 K%

For 2013 and most of 2014, Shaffer's nondescript performance was not befitting of a first-round pick. After heating up in August with Montgomery, he picked up where he left off in 2015. In his Durham debut at the end of May, he hit two home runs, and a few weeks later, he socked three. He'll always strike out a bit, but he'll also walk and show plus power. He has enough arm to play third base and right field and can offer adequate play at all four corner positions.

OF ​Garrett Whitley (R/R, 6'0 200, 19 in 2016)