Who do you think will be the biggest breakout player in the minors in the second half of the season?

The first half of the season saw players like Eric Fryer, Mat Gamel, Jonathan Lucroy, and Alexandre Periard find their way to the big stage in the minors.  

What about the second half? 

Im going to say Friedrickson or Odorizzi. I think one or both those guys are going to be fast risers through the system. I wouldnt be suprised, if Evan can get more control, to see Friedrickson in AA by the end of the year. Im hoping to see Cain light up AA  ball too.

Odorizzi is a good choice.  He has the stuff to be an absolute stud.  The problem is that he's a high school player, so the Crew will move him along slowly and limit his innings.

Frederickson just has too many control issues.  If he can figure it out, you could be right, but it's only gotten worse as the year progresses.

My second half breakout player is Eric Farris.  He started off slowly after coming off a hamstring injury, but he has all the skills to be an absolute monster.  The second baseman won't wow you with power or speed.  He is solid all around, however.  Look for big things from him. 

I was looking at the Huntsville roster and David Welch has an 8-1 record but he's not even listed as a top 25 prospect. I don't follow all the minor league players that closely to know if he's that good. What is the scoop on Welch.

He is solid, with a line of: 8 Wins 1 Loss, 3.53 ERA, 102 IP, 57 SO, 40 BB, .247 opp. avg. but he is 25 already which he isnt going to be considered a prospect anymore. I believe he will at best become a 5th stater but more than likely a bullpen arm but thats just my view on him. His numbers arnt earth shattering, they are just solid.

He also pretty much had the same numbers down in A+ Brevard County which he had more strike outs and lesser walks but yeah again he is solid but wont crack the top 25 imo of the Brewers prospect since he is already 25.

SeattlePilot:

I was looking at the Huntsville roster and David Welch has an 8-1 record but he's not even listed as a top 25 prospect. I don't follow all the minor league players that closely to know if he's that good. What is the scoop on Welch.

So much of ranking prospects is done on potential, and David Welch doesn't have the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.  He will settle in as a swing man, or perhaps a #4 or #5 starter.

He doesn't have electric stuff, nor does he get that many ground balls.  He is very much like a Glendon Rusch type of pitcher -- throws everything but the kitchen sink up there, but doesn't give you anything to center on with the bat.  David Welch is solid, just not spectacular.  If he puts up the same type of numbers in Nashville, however, I might change my tune. 

Jim Breen:

Odorizzi is a good choice.  He has the stuff to be an absolute stud.  The problem is that he's a high school player, so the Crew will move him along slowly and limit his innings.

Frederickson just has too many control issues.  If he can figure it out, you could be right, but it's only gotten worse as the year progresses.

My second half breakout player is Eric Farris.  He started off slowly after coming off a hamstring injury, but he has all the skills to be an absolute monster.  The second baseman won't wow you with power or speed.  He is solid all around, however.  Look for big things from him. 

I can see Odorizzi going the way of Gallardo through the system. Fredrickson does have controll issues but still has the stuff to move up fast. He could put it all together quickly in WV and move onto BC and hopefully make a couple apperances in Huntsville. Someone needs to calm the kid down and teach him some controll or something but if he does find the controll for atleast a little bit, he will move fast. Im not real high on Eric Farris but if he does good things and becomes a 2nd base prospect I will be happy and I do hope that he has a huge second half and breaksout since we have no one considered a prospect at 2nd base so it would be nice.

SeattlePilot:

I was looking at the Huntsville roster and David Welch has an 8-1 record

He has an 8-1 record because he has managed to hold teams in check reasonably well enough for that offense to bludgeon opponents into submission.

As bad as win-loss records are to indicate major league success, they are that much worse for projecting minor leaguers.

As others have said, Welch isn't overpowering or anything, but there is some potential to at least get a shot some day in the bigs. 

The pitcher that has a chance to be a middle of the rotation starter in Huntsville is Donovan Hand, not Welch. 

Hand has struggled since being called up, but has flown up the system since getting drafted last season.  He's having problems with home runs right now, but I expect him to be back to normal fairly quickly.