Dalton Pompey wasn't even on your top 100 list - or probably anyone's for that matter - last year, yet here he is ranked 42nd and in the mix to be the Opening Day center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. How do you explain Pompey's sudden rise through the ranks and what does his ceiling look like?
I think he got a bit stronger and the plate discipline was already pretty solid. He maintained it even though they kept promoting him last year. It's one thing to have good plate discipline for your age and your level and take good at bats, that's great. But eventually you move up to Double-A and all of a sudden that back door slider is a pitch you've never seen located before and it never seemed to phase him, actually. He can play the heck out of center field, he's a good athlete, the swings look good, all the other elements are there.
I think you're looking at an above average every day center fielder, probably getting to that level after another year or so. He got to the majors really quickly and I understand there's some debate over whether he'll start the season in the big leagues. At this point, I don't know that he's got a lot left to learn in the minors. I would be willing to let him struggle a little bit in 2015 in the majors if I thought it would advance his long-term development, and I do.
That means 2016-17 you're looking at a guy who really is your anchor - a plus defender who gets on base at a great clip and adds a lot of value on the bases. That's probably a top 10 center fielder in baseball once he gets to that peak.
