Where Are They Now? Top CT Baseball Players

Mike Olt- TEX- 3B

Mike Olt is the most prominent prospect on our list, the Branford and UCONN product was drafted 49th overall in 2010 by the Texas Rangers. Olt tore it up in the minors hitting 28 home runs in only 95 games in AA Frisco. Skipping AAA all together Olt got the call up to the big club in Arlington. He struggled in Texas only collecting two hits in 14 games. Still, this year he is a top prospect in the organazation and as always is hearing his name in talks for trades. In a way it would make sense for Texas to trade him because, they have their third basemen, Adrian Beltre, and their shortstop (actually, they have two of them.) Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus. So why not trade him and get yourself a player that can impact your team now without any road blocks. Olt's scouting report includes having plus power, an ability to hit above .300 and a plus defender. Which makes me think of him as an Evan Longoria type. (hopefully he is injured less-often than Longo.)

MLB Comparison- Evan Longoria

Matt Harvey- NYM- RHP

Matt Harvey has had a much different path to the big leagues than Olt did. Harvey was drafted 7th overall by the New York Mets in 2010 draft taken out of the University of North Carolina and a Groton native. Ultimately being that he is a pitcher and on an a team with not much to lose Harvey was given a shot in 2012 and excelled. Posting a 2.73 ERA in 10 games with 70 strikeouts in 59.1 innings. Harvey is expected to be a mainstay in the rotation this year, of course on an innings limit. He has had no prior history but, in this day and age they are very careful with young pitchers, especially ones with this much potential. He has a plus fastball anywhere from 94-98 MPH to go along with a very good slider, and an improving change-up.

I have him as potential # 1. My guess is if Harvey can stay healthy, he will be an all-star caliber pitcher for a long time to come.

MLB Comparison- Roger Clemens

Matt Barnes- BOS- RHP

Barnes is the first on our list to have not had any major league experience yet. He is also the second University of Connecticut product on our list. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox 19th overall in 2011. His highest stop in pro ball has been A+ Salem. He had a 2.86 ERA between Salem and single A Greenville. Striking out 133 in 119.2 innings. He is the 38th best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. Another hard thrower, his fastball will be anywhere from 93-97 MPH complimented by a curveball and change-up, and could be a front-end # 2 type starter very soon. I have him making it to the bigs in 2013 and making an impact similar to what Harvey had for the Mets this season.

MLB Comparison- Jordan Zimmerman

George Springer- HOU- CF

George Springer was one of the most sought after prospects to come out of the University of Connecticut in quite some time. He was drafted twice, once in 2008 by the Minnesota Twins while at Avon Old Farms, and again in 2011 by the Houston Astros this time 10th overall. He went through three different leagues in 2012, -A Tri-City, +A Lancaster and AA Corpus Christi. Between them he hit 24 home runs and drove in 90. Coming out of college Springer was known as someone with bad plate selection, continuing that into the pros with 158 strikeouts in 136 games. Even with the high strikeout total Springer moved up from #84 to #57 in MLB.coms top 100 prospects. Known as a five-tool type player he stole 36 bases and was caught only 8 times. There's a lot to like about springer, power, speed, contact and defensive ability. The only chink in his armor so to speak would be his plate selection. I see him making an impact in 2014, Houston isn't going anywhere soon so they'll be patient with him. 

MLB Comparison- Carlos Beltran

Nick Ahmed- ARI- SS

Nick Ahmed is the known as the "other" UCONN prospect to be drafted in 2011. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and has been in the news most recently for being traded to Arizona as part of the Justin Upton trade. He is not a guy who will wow you with power but can hit for sure. In two seasons in rookie ball and +A he has hit 49 doubles and 6 triples. His average, .269  will not wow you but he is a solid player with a solid future. He is definitely a speed guy stealing 40 bases in +A last season, but was caught 10 times. He projects as a prototypical leadoff hitter, with his speed and ability to see pitches well. He is definitley going to get a shot with Arizona, he was blocked by two guys in Atlanta (Andrealton Simmons and Tyler Pastornicky.) He might end up being the shortstop the D-Backs have been looking for. I have him as mid to late 2013 call up possibly playing in some meaningful games if Arizona can stay in it in that tough NL West.

MLB Comparison- Zach Cosart

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