GCL Players to Watch

This is the second installment breaking down each minor league affiliate for players to watch as the season winds to a close. The GCL has six players worthy of mention:

1. Amaurys Minier, SH, LF/1B, DOB: 1/30/96

2014 statistics: 90 plate appearances, .304/.378/.456, 6 double, 0 triples, 2 homer, 9 walk, 29 strikeouts, 0 steals, 2 times caught stealing.

Minier has shown big improvements in his second stint in the GCL. His power is still developing and there are still many improvements to make, but Minier is the biggest bright spot on the GCL roster by far.

2. Alexis Tapia, RHP, DOB: 8/10/95

2014 statistics: 16.2 innings, 2.70 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1 walk.

Tapia's K and BB rates have improved significantly from his 2013 season in the DSL.

3. Rafael Valera, RH, Util, DOB: 8/15/94

2014 statistics: 78 PA, .333/.462/.429 (.890), 4 doubles, 1 triple, 0 homers, 13 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1 stolen base, 1 time caught stealing

Significant improvement over his 2013 DSL numbers. Lots of walks.

4. Wilfredy Lirianzo, RHP, DOB: 10/26/94

2014 statistics: 8.2 IP, 1.04 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 5 walks

Lirianzo was fantastic in 2013 in the DSL and looks to be continuing to strike batters out in the GCL. He is still very young.

5. Roberto Gonzalez, LH, OF, DOB: 3/14/95

2014 statistics: 39 PA, .270/.308/.351 (.659), 3 doubles, 0 triples, 0 homers, 2 walks, 16 strikeouts, 3 steals, 1 time caught stealing

Drafted in the 15th round of this year's draft, Gonzalez is struggling with strikeouts but also could grow into a solid speed-first guy.

6. Nelson Molina, LH, INF, DOB: 4/30/95

2014 statistics: 71 PA, .259/.353/.328 (.681), 0 doubles, 2 triples, 0 homers, 9 walks, 4 strikeouts, 5 steals, 0 times caught stealing

Molina was drafted in the 11th round of the 2013 draft and has rebounded from a bad first season in the GCL.