20-20 o'plenty: Decade-high 10 prospects join club

20-20 o'plenty: Decade-high 10 prospects join club

September 12th, 2017

The power-speed combination has been one long sought after by front offices, with the ability for one player to impact the game in more than one way obviously a hot commodity.
One quick way to measure this multi-facetedness is the home run-stolen base combination, where crossing the 20-20 plateau is certainly seen as badge of honor. Only a select number of players achieve it annually. For example, only nine players in the big leagues crossed that threshold in 2016. To date, three have reached it in 2017 -- , and -- with the potential of several others to join the club before the year is over.
It's tougher to get to 20 homers and 20 steals in a Minor League season given the schedule is just 140 games compared to 162 in Major League Baseball. A 20-20 season down on the farm is the equivalent of a 23-23 campaign during the longer big league season.
So it's even more impressive that 10 players finished the 2017 season 20-20 or better. It's the first time there have been double-digit 20-20 performers in the Minors since there were 11 back in 2007. In the years between, the average had been just over five (5.1), with a high of six. And only five seasons in the past 30 years have had more: 1996 (14); '05 (13); '99, '00 and '07 (11).

While putting together a 20-20 season in the Minors certainly doesn't guarantee similar success at the big league level (see Corey Patterson, Abraham Nunez, and dozens of others), among those who have done it are some of MLB's best players over the past several decades: Luis Gonzalez (1990), Alex Rodriguez ('94), Andruw Jones ('95, '96), ('04), Joey Votto ('06) and Ryan Bruan ('06), to name a few.
All 10 on this year's list are on it for the first time. And while no one has gone 20-20 three times over the past 30 years, the Astros' came close to doing it for a third straight season. He was 20-20 in 2015 and '16 and finished with 21 homers and 16 steals in Triple-A this season. He almost certainly would have become the first three-timer in recent history had he not been called up to Houston several times. And if his MiLB and MLB stats are combined, he's currently at 25-19.
Here are the 10 prospects who did reach the 20-20 plateau in 2017, listed alphabetically:
Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves' No. 1/MLB No. 6: MLBPipeline.com's Hitting Prospect of the Year, Acuna went from the Class A Advanced Carolina League all the way up to Triple-A at age 19, recording one of two 20-40 seasons in the Minors in 2017, and one of just 12 in the past 30 years.

Monte Harrison, OF, Brewers' No. 14: It took until his third full season of pro ball to conquer the Midwest League, and then he kept on hitting in the Carolina League, finishing with 21 homers and 27 steals, marking his first season of double-digit home runs.

Sam Hilliard, OF, Rockies' No. 19: After coming close (17-30) during his first full season in 2016, Hilliard homered twice on the final day of the '17 season to finish at 21-37. Playing in the friendly confines of Lancaster (.971 home OPS vs. .707 on the road) in the California League didn't hurt, as he hit 16 of his 21 homers in The Hangar.
Daniel Johnson, OF, Nats' No. 10: The New Mexico State product has jumped more firmly on the prospect map by going 22-22 in his first full season, doing most of his damage in the South Atlantic League (17-12), but continuing to produce once he got up to the Carolina League (5-10).
Scott Kingery, 2B, Phillies' No. 3/MLB No. 53: Kingery showed off his speed in his first full season in 2016 by stealing 26 bases, but the power in 2017 was a big surprise, with his 26-29 finish allowing him to be the first middle infielder in at least 30 years to be 25-25.

Jose Siri, OF, Reds' No. 22: The other 20-40 performer, along with Acuna, Siri (24-46) really turned it on after the Midwest league All-Star Break, nearly going 20-20 (18-25 to be exact) in the second half alone. Only four players in the past 30 years -- Andruw Jones (25-56, '95), Curtis Pride (21-50, '93), Alex Escobar (27-49, '98) and Ruben Rivera (33-48, '94) -- have stolen more bases in 20-20 season.
D.J. Stewart, OF, O's No. 18: The 2015 first-round pick had an unspectacular first full season in '16, though he did steal 26 bases, but turned it up a notch this season, finishing 21-20 while spending the year in Double-A. He's also the first Minor Leaguer since in 2011 to reach the 20-20 mark while striking out fewer than 100 times.
Troy Stokes Jr., OF, Brewers: The lone player on this list not on a team Top 30, Stokes reached 20 steals for the third straight season, but he had nine homers to his name before going deep 20 times this year to go along with his 30 steals.
, SS, Padres' No. 4 /MLB No. 55: Along with Kingery, Tatis is the only non-outfielder on the list, finishing 22-32 as an 18 year old who spent nearly all season in the Midwest League, though he held his own with a late double-jump up to Double-A.

Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros No. 1/MLB No. 8: Tucker stole 32 bases in his first full season in 2016, but hit only nine homers, so the power really started to show up with his 25-21 season split between the Class-A Advanced Carolina League and Double-A Texas League in 2017.

Here's a look at every player who has recorded a 20-20 season in the Minors over the past 30 seasons:
Year - Player, ORG, (HR-SB)
2017 - Jose Siri, CIN (24-46)
2017 - Ronald Acuna, ATL (21-44)
2017 - Sam Hilliard, COL (21-37)
2017 - Fernando Tatis Jr., SD (22-32)
2017 - Troy Stokes Jr., MIL (20-30)
2017 - Scott Kingery, PHI (26-29)
2017 - Monte Harrison, MIL (21-27)
2017 - Daniel Johnson, WSH (22-22)
2017 - Kyle Tucker, HOU (25-21)
2017 - D.J. Stewart, BAL (21-20)
2016 - Derek Fisher, HOU (21-28)
2016 - , PHI (40-21)
2016 - Jason Martin, HOU (23-20)
2015 - Derek Fisher, HOU (22-31)
2015 - , ARI (29-24)
2015 - , COL (20-22)
2015 - , TEX (23-20)
2015 - , SF (23-20)
2015 - , OAK (20-20)
2014 - Michael Taylor, WSH (23-37)
2014 - , HOU (21-33)
2014 - , LAD (33-30)
2014 - Alex Glenn, ARI (24-22)
2014 - Chris Dominguez, SF (21-21)
2014 - Jared Hoying, TEX (26-20)
2013 - , HOU (37-45)
2013 - Joc Pederson, LAD (22-31)
2013 - Francisco Sosa, COL (20-30)
2013 - , TEX (21-24)
2013 - , CHC (37-20)
2013 - , CIN (21-20)
2012 - George Springer, HOU (24-32)
2012 - Jason Martinson, WSH (22-30)
2012 - Melky Mesa, NYY (23-22)
2012 - , CWS (25-21)
2012 - Cory Vaughn, NYM (23-21)
2012 - Keury De La Cruz, BOS (20-20)
2011 - , SEA (24-26)
2011 - Tim Wheeler, COL (33-21)
2011 - , CHC (20-21)
2011 - Kole Calhoun, LAA (22-20)
2010 - Nick Franklin, SEA (23-25)
2010 - Danny Espinosa, WSH (22-25)
2010 - , SF (23-22)
2009 - Grant Desme, OAK (31-40)
2009 - Terry Evans, LAA (26-28)
2009 - , CIN (22-21)
2009 - Michael Taylor, PHI (20-21)
2009 - , SEA (30-20)
2009 - Kyle Russell, LAD (26-20)
2008 - Greg Halman, SEA (29-31)
2008 - , DET (27-25)
2008 - Matt Downs, SF (20-25)
2008 - , TEX (37-24)
2008 - , MIA (23-23)
2008 - Drew Sutton, HOU (20-20)
2007 - , WSH (27-35)
2007 - Charlton Jimerson, SEA (25-35)
2007 - Greg Halman, SEA (20-31)
2007 - Matt Antonelli, SD (21-28)
2007 - Spike McDougall, MIA (21-28)
2007 - Justin Leone, SF (20-26)
2007 - , TB (20-26)
2007 - Adam Boeve, PIT (21-23)
2007 - Cody Ransom, HOU (28-21)
2007 - Quinn Stewart, TB (21-21)
2007 - Josh Rodriguez, CLE (20-21)
2006 - Terry Evans, STL (33-37)
2006 - Tyler Greene, STL (20-33)
2006 - , MIL (22-26)
2006 - Joey Votto, CIN (22-24)
2006 - , KC (29-22)
2005 - Daniel Ortmeier, SF (20-35)
2005 - Chris Young, CWS (26-32)
2005 - , TB (26-32)
2005 - Reggie Abercrombie, MIA (25-26)
2005 - Noah Hall, CWS (26-24)
2005 - Matt Kemp, LAD (27-23)
2005 - George Lombard, BOS (20-23)
2005 - Julio Ramirez, SF (23-22)
2005 - , CHC (20-22)
2005 - Kevin Melillo, OAK (24-21)
2005 - Craig Stansberry, PIT (21-21)
2005 - Alan Moye, KC (24-20)
2005 - , HOU (23-20)
2004 - Chris Young, CWS (24-31)
2004 - Chip Ambres, MIA (20-26)
2004 - Ian Kinsler, TEX (20-23)
2004 - Antonio Perez, LAD (22-22)
2004 - Delmon Young, TB (25-21)
2004 - Alex Frazier, ARI (20-21)
2004 - Reggie Taylor, CIN (20-21)
2004 - Jamar Hill, NYM (26-20)
2003 - Jeff Salazar, COL (29-28)
2003 - Dan Uggla, ARI (23-24)
2003 - Bobby Crosby, OAK (22-24)
2003 - , COL (21-24)
2003 - J.J. Davis, PIT (26-23)
2003 - Jason Bay, SD (20-23)
2003 - , LAD (24-20)
2003 - Justin Leone, SEA (21-20)
2002 - Carlos Duncan, LAA (21-35)
2002 - Abraham Nunez, MIA (21-31)
2002 - Andrew Beattie, CIN (21-28)
2002 - Lew Ford, MIN (20-28)
2002 - , MIL (24-27)
2001 - Jacques Landry, OAK (36-37)
2001 - , PHI (28-32)
2001 - Jon Topolski, HOU (24-28)
2001 - , CIN (26-26)
2001 - , ATL (23-25)
2001 - Dante Powell, SF (22-25)
2001 - Eric Byrnes, OAK (20-25)
2001 - , CIN (20-21)
2001 - Eric Hinske, OAK (25-20)
2000 - Chad Mottola, TOR (33-30)
2000 - Corey Patterson, CHC (22-27)
2000 - Keith Ginter, HOU (26-24)
2000 - Jose Ortiz, OAK (24-22)
2000 - Aaron Rowand, CWS (20-22)
2000 - Eric Cole, HOU (22-21)
2000 - Mark Bellhorn, OAK (24-20)
2000 - Dee Brown, KC (23-20)
2000 - Jason Lane, HOU (23-20)
2000 - Mark Cridland, MIL (21-20)
2000 - Joshua Hochgesang, OAK (20-20)
1999 - Calvin Murray, SF (23-42)
1999 - Abraham Nunez, ARI (22-40)
1999 - Jayson Bass, SEA (21-34)
1999 - Brandon Pernell, SD (21-33)
1999 - Corey Patterson, CHC (20-33)
1999 - Chin-Feng Chen, LAD (31-31)
1999 - Dee Brown, KC (25-30)
1999 - Jon Nunnally, BOS (23-26)
1999 - Lyle Mouton, MIL (23-22)
1999 - Chris Truby, HOU (28-20)
1999 - Mike Peeples, TOR (20-20)
1998 - Alex Escobar, NYM (27-49)
1998 - George Lombard, ATL (22-35)
1998 - Jose Santos, MIA (23-31)
1998 - Jayson Bass, SEA (21-31)
1998 - Trot Nixon, BOS (23-26)
1998 - Juan Dilone, SF (22-22)
1998 - Jimmy Hurst, BOS (20-22)
1998 - Chad Hermansen, PIT (28-21)
1998 - Adam Piatt, OAK (20-20)
1997 - , LAD (26-25)
1997 - Todd Dunwoody, MIA (23-25)
1997 - Michael Coleman, BOS (21-24)
1997 - Derrick Gibson, COL (26-20)
1997 - Anthony Sanders, TOR (26-20)
1997 - Rich Butler, TOR (24-20)
1996 - Dante Powell, SF (21-43)
1996 - Mike Cameron, CWS (28-39)
1996 - Decomba Conner, CIN (20-33)
1996 - Edward Davis, LAD (29-31)
1996 - Andruw Jones, ATL (34-30)
1996 - Mike Neill, OAK (20-28)
1996 - Scott Krause, MIL (22-27)
1996 - , OAK (20-27)
1996 - Todd Dunwoody, MIA (24-24)
1996 - Jose Guillen, PIT (21-24)
1996 - Bruce Aven, CLE (23-22)
1996 - D.T. Cromer, OAK (30-20)
1996 - Don Denbow, SF (27-20)
1996 - Scott Smith, SEA (20-20)
1995 - Andruw Jones, ATL (25-56)
1995 - Derrick Gibson, COL (32-31)
1995 - Adam Riggs, LAD (24-31)
1995 - Ruben Rivera, NYY (24-24)
1995 - Todd Walker, MIN (21-23)
1995 - Gus Kennedy, ATL (24-20)
1995 - Preston Wilson, NYM (20-20)
1994 - Ruben Rivera, NYY (33-48)
1994 - Pat Watkins, CIN (27-31)
1994 - Michael Smith, TEX (21-28)
1994 - Al Shirley, NYM (23-23)
1994 - Jon Nunnally, CLE (22-23)
1994 - Robert Heath, ATL (20-23)
1994 - Ryan Radmanovich, MIN (21-22)
1994 - Alex Rodriguez, SEA (21-20)
1993 - Curtis Pride, WSH (21-50)
1993 - Cliff Floyd, WSH (28-33)
1993 - Ernie Young, OAK (28-31)
1993 - Rick Holifield, TOR (20-30)
1993 - Vincent Moore, ATL (20-30)
1993 - Cleveland Ladell, CIN (20-24)
1993 - Dwayne Hosey, SD (21-20)
1992 - Ray McDavid, SD (24-43)
1992 - Mike Kelly, ATL (25-22)
1992 - Gary Mota, HOU (23-22)
1991 - Leon Glenn, MIL (21-34)
1991 - Jeromy Burnitz, SEA (31-31)
1991 - Butch Huskey, NYM (26-22)
1990 - Gerald Williams, NYY (20-37)
1990 - Luis Gonzalez, HOU (24-27)
1990 - Mark Davis, LAA (21-23)
1989 - Glenallen Hill, TOR (21-21)
1988 - Warren Newson, SD (22-36)
1988 - Greg Vaughn, MIL (28-22)