While still affiliated with the L. A. Dodgers, Lookouts' fans were able to watch Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson in action. Puig is now established in the Dodgers' outfield and Pederson in L. A.'s top prospect.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Chattanooga fans have gotten used to watching several Dodgers' prospects working their way up the Majors. Now that the Minnesota Twins have become the Lookouts' affiliate, it appears that this will not change.
Not only will the Lookouts begin the new season with Byron Buxton, top Twins' prospect, but the 21-year old is MLB.com's top prospect in all of the Major Leagues.
Baseball Prospectus has noted that the destination spot for seeing Minnesota Twins prospects this year is new affiliate - the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. Buxton, Miguel Sano, Nick Burdi, and Jose Berrios should all spend some significant time there. Throwing in names like Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario, it would appear that Lookouts' manager Doug Mientkiewicz will have a very talented squad.
Minnesota had to watch as both Sano and Buxton found themselves injured and thus slowed their arrival to the Major Leagues.
After already providing a glowing analysis of the Twins' prospects this offseason, Baseball Prospectus has decided that the Twins have the second best farm system in all of baseball - second only to the Chicago Cubs. They say:
"After resting atop these rankings in 2014, the Twins managed to retain their lofty title despite injury-marred seasons from two of the game’s elite prospects, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Even with their arrivals delayed due to injury, both prospects headline an impressive crop of talent that was augmented by top picks Nick Gordon and Nick Burdi; both of whom offer impact potential. When combined with the continued progress of Alex Meyer, Kohl Stewart, Jose Berrios, and Lewis Thorpe, and depth provided by the likes of Eddie Rosario and Trevor May, the Twins boast an enviable collection of talent with the potential to push them back up the Central Division standings in the years to come."
At any rate, the Twins are nearing a positioning that the Cubs currently find themselves in. Looking at the eight prospects the Twins have in the Baseball Prospectus 101, they find themselves the root of jealousy for many teams around the league.
Chattanooga fans who follow the leading prospects of each Southern League team should not be disappointed. Last season, Kris Bryant, the Cubs' top prospect, played several games for the Smokies in Chattanooga.
--- Source: Puckettspond.com
AT&T Field, home of the Chattanooga Lookouts.
photo by Tim Evearitt