Prospect Countdown: #32 Justin Trapp

32. Justin Trapp Second Baseman

aeryssports.com

Age: 23
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 34th round of the 2009 Amateur Draft

2013 Rank: 30

2012 Rank: 46

2011 Rank: 56

Landon Adams (24): A former Division 1 quarterback recruit, Justin Trapp boasts plenty of athleticism. The former 34th round pick utilizes this athleticism in a variety of ways. Trapp has hit double digit home runs in back to back seasons while stealing 49 bases over the same time frame. In early June I was told by a Royals source that Trapp was close to a promotion to Northwest Arkansas after posting a .838 OPS in April and .811in May. Unfortunately, Trapp was on course to fall off a cliff in June when he struck out 18 times in 21 games and hit just .268/.307/.329. The slump continued throughout July, before Trapp rebounded a bit in August by hitting .257/.322/.410. Trapp is likely ticketed for a return to Wilmington in 2014.

Paden Bennett (29): I really like this Trapp kid.  He is a toolsy player with speed, a good eye (9% walk rate), and a little bit of pop as well with 10+ homers his last two seasons.  At 23 years old, Trapp has some time to really improve on his prospect status and that starts this season.  I think Trapp takes another step forward this season and you see him in Northwest Arkansas at some point.

Joe Cox (NR): I am a fan of any MI prospect with any amount of upside, and Trapp fits that profile.  The athletic 2B prospect spent his age 22 season in high A and posted a respectable .341 wOBA, which included 10 homers and 25 stolen bases.  He showed the ability to walk with a 9% BB rate (and 12 HBP) and a respectable 20.8% K rate, which is generally right in line with his career numbers.  Really, Trapp has consistently put up very similar numbers every year since 2010, moving up a level each season.  I consider that a good sign, and we will see if he can keep that consistency going, or even improve upon it, in 2014 when he will presumably move up to AA.

Dan Ware (30): Trapp entered 2013 coming off a career year with Kane County.  Entering the pitcher-friendly confines of the Carolina League, Justin's slash line went down in all 3 categories to .257/.340/.390.  He still managed to put up 10 HR for the second straight year, adding 47 RBI and 30 XBH, 5 of which were triples.  On the base paths, he added 25 steals for Wilmington and continues to show off his athleticism.  He's still considered a decent prospect, while being just 23 years old still helps him out.  Trapp could start off in Wilmington in 2014, get a few AB's, then head west to join the Naturals if he starts off strong.  

Total Points: 10