2014 Season Preview Series

Minor League Baseball fans have MLB Pipeline bookmarked as a great resource for top prospects and insight. Along with Jim Calis, Jonathan Mayo (@JonathnMayoB3) has been one of the best in the business reporting on prospects for years. Travs Talk sat down with Mayo to get his thoughts on the 2014 Arkansas Travelers.

TT: Stating pitching and a deep bullpen – on paper anyway – look like Travs strengths going into the season.

JM: Yea especially the bullpen. I thought (Michael) Morin would start the season in Salt Lake City and Triple-A. I think he has a chance to impact the Big League bullpen this year. R.J. Alvarez is another guy who may not be around Little Rock long. If he can tighten up his command he can be a closer for the Angels. It’s going to be interesting how they (Travelers) use them this season whether as a closer or a seventh – eighth inning guy. Mark Sappington has the most upside among the pitchers and maybe of any player on the entire roster. When healthy and i stress when healthy he can be a Major League middle of the rotation guy,

 

TT: The infield that Manager Phillip Wellman will send out every night is as equally talented and begins with the MLB.com No. 1 Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart.

JM: It is a very big year for Cowart. He needs to return to the player that he was a couple of seasons ago. When you talk to the Angels front office, they are confident that he will turn it around. His make-up is off the charts. Even while struggling last season he didn’t lose confidence and continued to get better defensively. Remember he’s in Double-A and will be what, 22 in June? Still a very young guy.

 

TT: The middle of this Arkansas infield can flash some leather and are dangerous on the base paths.

JM: Eric Stamets and (Alex) Yarbrough are a couple of college guys – Stamets from Evansville and Yarbrough from Ole Miss – with question marks about what they will be. Stamets can really play shortstop and run. His stolen base numbers weren’t that impressive last year (16 stolen bags) but I expect him to run more this year. Yarbrough hits better than his tools say he should. He’s one of the players on this roster that has to prove that he can hit in Double-A and not be a Cal League one-year wonder.

 

TT: How hard is it for organizations like the Angels to fairly evaluate a big season n a place like Inland Empire?

JM: It’s tough. It’s all about “Let me see him do it again in let’s say Arkansas”. Single-A to Double-A is where you separate guys who can and can not play in the Majors.

 

TT: I would guess then as we switch to the Travelers outfield that Zach Borenstein is another “show me again” player after a monster power year for the 66ers last season.

JM: He’s really an intriguing player. For a power-hitter who will play left field, you have to be encouraged by his discipline and walk ratio (drew 43 free passes a year ago).  If he puts up home run and RBI numbers again this year in the Texas League and n a home park that is pitcher friendly – he will get more mention as a top prospect.

Dave Barr (@daveabarr)