Read for Buxton raves, pleasant Berrios context, Adam Walker dream power, and a real, live middle infielder in Jorge Polanco.

1. Byron Buxton, of, Cedar Rapids (Twins)

Scouts debated whether Buxton was the best prospect they’ve seen or simply one of the best. Coming out of tiny Baxley, Ga., he was supposed to need time to catch up to the MWL. Instead the league never caught up to him. Buxton showed advanced pitch recognition, an ability to drive the ball to all fields and better-than-expected power.

“It’s a simple, direct swing. It’s lightning fast and physically correct,” Twins vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff said. “His hands are so fast and the barrel goes so directly to the ball.”

Defensively, Buxton was exceptional, showing the ability to make highlight-reel plays in center field. In fact, a diving catch he made in Cedar Rapids was a SportsCenter play of the day.

In the long term, Buxton projects as a plus hitter with above-average power, top-of-the-charts speed and defense. That includes a plus arm. He’s already moving quicker than the Twins expected. Promoted to high Class A Fort Myers after the MWL all-star break, he may be ready for Minnesota by the end of 2014.


13. Jose Berrios, rhp, Cedar Rapids (Twins)

In most years, Berrios’ youth would stand out, but in a league with 17-year-old wunderkind Julio Urias, his advanced feel for setting up hitters seemed less spectacular. But scouts were very impressed with Berrios’ ability to mix his three pitches in both pitcher’s and hitter’s counts. He also fills the zone with many more strikes than the average teenager.

Berrios’ fastball sits at 91-93 mph, though he’ll add and subtract for anything ranging from 87 to 95. He mixes in a solid-average changeup and a hard curveball that he can vary in power and tilt. He got hot early, pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, then wore down in the second half, which is understandable considering his age and reasonably heavy workload.

15. Adam Brett Walker, of, Cedar Rapids (Twins)

A terrible end to his summer in the Cape Cod League in 2011 hurt Walker’s draft stock, and he’s been making pitchers pay for that slight ever since.

Walker’s 27 home runs led the MWL, and his raw power is exceptional. Unlike most home run hitters, his average home run is a towering flyball that has enough carry to make it to the seats. When Walker really connects, no center-field batter’s eye can hold the ball in the park.

Walker is an average runner from home to first but is better than that underway, as evidenced by his 100 percent success rate on stolen bases. In right field, he still has work to do on his jumps, and his arm is average, which leads scouts to project a future in left field if he’s going to be a big leaguer. Other scouts believe his ultimate destination is first base.

20. Jorge Polanco, 2b/ss, Cedar Rapids (Twins)

For a middle infielder who was once hampered by his lack of strength, Polanco has blossomed as the natural maturation process kicked in. He posted the fourth-best OPS in the MWL among qualifying middle infielders, trailing only Correa, Seager and West Michigan’s Devon Travis.

Polanco has a sweet swing from both sides of the plate with a solid understanding of the strike zone and more than enough pop for a middle infielder.

When both he and Niko Goodrum were healthy, Polanco played more second base than shortstop. But Goodrum was banged up enough that Polanco ended up splitting his time almost evenly between the two positions. He lacks the plus range evaluators like to see from a shortstop, but he is reliable with good hands and an average, accurate arm. He projects as a potential everyday second baseman who could slide over to shortstop in a pinch.

...

Michael (Valpo): Travis Harrison? Is he the Twins' 3B of the future? Goodness knows they need one!!! He did alright, didn't he?

J.J. Cooper: It was a solid season for Harrison, but I’m going to go with Miguel Sano as the Twins 3B of the next five years or so. Scouts weren’t blown away with Harrison’s work at third base, although he did show some feel for hitting.

DH (Pittsburgh): Do you go along with the McCutchen - Trout comps for Buxton?

J.J. Cooper:Yes. I’ll be stunned if he doesn’t hit for average, play a great CF, steal bases and hit for at least some pop. The real question barring something completely unexpected like a serious injury is just how much power he’ll end up having.

Scott (Minneapolis): We kind of have an embarrassment of riches, and I'm glad Adam Brett Walker is getting attention, but isn't Polanco too low, especially considering defensive position?

J.J. Cooper: Again, who do you put him ahead of? If I thought he was a regular SS, he would probably rank higher, but he projects much more as a solid second baseman who can play shortstop in a pinch.

LaRoy (The Bronx): Am I the only one who just doesn't see the power potential for Buxton? Did any scouts have skepticism that his power will only be average at best?

J.J. Cooper: Yes, there are some who project him to have average power. Which would mean his projections are that he’ll be a .300-.315/.375-.400/.450-.500 guy with 15-20 home runs to go with Gold Glove defense, potentially 40+ SBs and an arm that keeps baserunner’s honest. That’s the big question with Buxton, but most of the guys who project Buxton as a 50 power guy see him as a 70-80 hitter, with 70-80 defense, a 70 arm and 80 speed. And there are guys who throw a 60 or 70 future power on that grade as well. He’s really, really good.

Michael Stern (Rochester NY): I thought Adam Brett Walker would rank higher than 15th on this list. His top shelf power seemed to me to be a big time seperator. Where were the main questions with him? His defense? Plate discipline? What are the scouts saying? Thanks for the chat.

J.J. Cooper: Defense is a question and some see him as a hitter who feasts on pitchers mistakes, which become less frequent as you climb the ladder.

Steve (Saint Paul): Does Mason Melotakis actually have a chance to make it as a starter, or is he destined to end up back in the 'pen like most thought coming out of the draft?

J.J. Cooper: My guess is he ends up back in the pen long-term.