Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs' top prospect, was named the 2014 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America back on September 9. ESPN MLB Insider Keith Law agreed and also provided his list of other contenders.
Bryant led the minor leagues in home runs (43) and slugging percentage (.661) and dominated in both Double-A and Triple-A throughout the season. If it weren't for service time - which gives the Cubs incentive to keep him in the minors so they can get more years out of him in the majors - he would have likely been called up no later than August. On top of his league leading statistics, Bryant posted a .325 batting average with 110 RBIs, 86 walks and a 1.098 OPS.
There were a number of potential runners-up for the award as well, and we included some of them on our list. Red Sox second baseman Mookie Betts, Texas Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, Washington Nationals outfielder Steven Souza, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Glasnow and Washington Nationals pitcher Lucas Giolito complete HNGN's list of contenders.
Three players on this list have already seen major league action this year: Betts, Pederson and Souza.
Mookie Betts, 2B/OF, Triple-A Pawtucket: The 21-year-old is currently starting at second base for the Red Sox after playing the outfield for some time. Prior to being called up, Betts was batting .346 in 99 games combined with Double-A and Triple-A. He also compiled 87 runs scored, 11 home runs, 65 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.
Joe Pederson, OF, Triple-A Albuquerque: The Pacific Coast League Player and Rookie of the Year dominated Triple-A with a .303 batting average, 30 home runs, 78 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and a 1.017 OPS. He was the first 30-30 player in the PCL since 1934 and was called up on September 1 to join the Dodgers' 40-man roster.
Steven Souza, OF, Triple-A Syracuse: He was up earlier in the year with Washington, but suffered an injury and was sent back down to the minors. In 96 games at Triple-A Syracuse, Souza batted .350 with 18 home runs, 75 RBIs and a 1.022 OPS. Souza is currently on the Nationals' expanded roster.
As for the others still in the minors ...
Joey Gallo, 3B, Double-A Frisco: The 20-year-old started the year in Class-A Myrtle Beach, but was then promoted to Double-A after 58 games. In a combined 126 games, Gallo batted .271 with 42 home runs, 106 RBIs and a 1.009 OPS. His average and on-base percentage dropped during his time in Double-A, but his power numbers stayed consistent. He finished second in the minors in home runs behind Player of the Year Kris Bryant.
Corey Seager, SS, Double-A Chattanooga: Seager started his minor league career at the age of 18 and has had his best season in 2014. He began the year in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga where he played most of the season, but his final 38 games were in Double-A. He batted .349 with 89 runs scored, 20 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .602 slugging percentage. He also had 50 doubles and 40 walks in the 118 games.
Tyler Glasnow, SP, Class-A Bradenton: The 20-year-old right hander absolutely crushed the competition this season. In 23 starts, Glasnow went 12-5 with a 1.74 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He also recorded 157 strikeouts in 124 1/3 innings and only gave up three home runs all year. Glasnow made Baseball America's High Class A All-Star team.
Lucas Giolito, SP, Class-A Hagerstown: The Nats shut down the 20-year-old in late August after he tossed a successful 98 innings in 20 starts. Giolito finished with a 10-2 record to go along with a 2.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 110 strikeouts. Giolito was named to Baseball America's Low Class A All-Star team.
Check out Baseball America's 2014 Minor League Classification All-Stars to see who else had impressive years.
