Well prospect season is officially here! Baseball America has begun their top 10 for each team and Jonathan Mayo has released his top 50 list, with some MAJOR question marks.
2009 is really a 2 man show, with everyone else just kind of falling in line behind them. It’s 2007’s first round all over again. Price v. Wieters, the showdown.
1. David Price – LHP, Tampa Bay
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a player with such polish, stuff and command. In fact, Price has the ability to become the next Mark Prior, in that he’s incredibly good right away. He should contend for the Cy Young as early as 2009. Stuff wise, he’s not rivaled in the minors.
2. Matt Wieters – C, Baltimore
Like Price, Wieters’ ability is not rivaled in the minors. He has a package of tools usually reserved for corner outfielders. He has contact, discipline and power. Oh yeah, and one of the best throwing arms around behind the plate and the ability to call a terrific game.
3. Madison Bumgarner – LHP, San Francisco
Bumgarner certainly deterred a lot of doubters in his secondary stuff in his first full season in the minors, winning the pitching triple crown. His fastball is plus-plus and his secondary stuff has developed faster than expected. His real tests will come in the upper minors when hitters won’t be simply blown away as easily. However, he already looks like a steal considering his price.
4. Rick Porcello – RHP, Detroit
Porcello versus Bumgarner is sure to be a great debate as both prepsters were taken early in 2007. Porcello struggled with his strikeout rate, but attributed it to working on his secondary stuff. His stuff is fantastic, and at 19 years old dominated High A. He has drawn Dwight Gooden like comparisons, which are quite fair.
5. Jason Heyward – OF, Atlanta
One of the better outfield prospects to come around in quite some time. He is a true 5 tool player with a work ethic to boot. He has 30/30 ability with Gold Glove caliber defense.
6. Mike Moustakas – 3B, Kansas City
7. Tommy Hanson – RHP, Altanta
8. Cameron Maybin – OF, Florida
9. Travis Snider – OF/DH, Toronto
10. Nefatali Feliz – RHP, Texas
11. Colby Rasmus – OF, St. Louis
12. Brian Matusz – LHP, Baltimore
13. Buster Posey – C, San Francisco
14. Lars Anderson – 1B, Boston
15. Andrew McCutchen – OF, Pittsburgh
16. Chris Tillman – RHP, Baltimore
17. Brett Anderson – RHP, Oakland
18. Trevor Cahill – RHP, Oakland
19. Elvis Andrus – SS, Texas
20. Mat Gamel – 3B, Milwaukee
21. Alcides Escobar – SS, Milwaukee
22. Jarrod Parker – RHP, Arizona
23. Tim Beckham – SS, Tampa Bay
24. Wade Davis – RHP, Tampa Bay
25. Matt LaPorta – OF, Cleveland
26. Dayan Viciedo – 3B, Chicago White Sox
27. Lou Marson – C, Philadephia
28. Dexter Fowler – OF, Colorado
29. Nick Adenhart – RHP, Los Angeles Angels
30. Eric Hosmer – 1B, Kansas City
31. Mike Stanton – OF, Florida
32. Carlos Triunfel – SS, Seattle
33. Adrian Cardenas – SS, Oakland
34. Jeremy Hellickson – RHP, Tampa Bay
35. Tim Alderson – RHP, San Francisco
36. Phillippe Aumont – RHP, Seattle
37. Justin Smoak – 1B, Texas
38. Angel Villalona – 1B, San Francisco
39. Carlos Carrasco - RHP, Philadelphia
40. Jordan Schafer – OF, Atlanta
41. Austin Jackson – OF, New York Yankees
42. Brett Wallace – 3B, St. Louis
43. Hank Conger – C, Los Angeles Angels
44. Matt Dominguez – 3B, Florida
45. Jeremy Jeffress – RHP, Milwaukee
46. Freddie Freeman – 1B, Atlanta
47. Fernado Martinez – OF, New York Mets
48. Chris Marrero – 1B, Washington
49. Junichi Tazawa – RHP, Boston
50. Kyle Drabek – RHP, Philadelphia
5 Comments
January 1, 2009 at 9:13 am
No Pedro Alvarez?
February 12, 2009 at 1:39 pm
No Derek Holland?
February 13, 2009 at 12:11 am
I’m not sold on either.
Alvarez really struggled on Friday nights, which makes me question his ability to transition to the next level. Considering the news of his conditioning, it really wouldn’t surprise me to see him wear out his welcome in Pittsburgh very quickly.
Holland I’m just not sold on, point blank. If he can continue to dominate at the higher levels, I’ll gladly admit that I’m wrong.
February 27, 2009 at 7:02 am
What do you see in Adenhart that you hold him in such esteem? He’s gotten worse at each successive level, every single promotion has come with a decline in K/9 and skyrocketing WHIP. I can’t begin to imagine taking him ahead of a guy like Inoa, who you didn’t list. To be honest, I wouldn’t place Adenhart anywhere near my own Top-100, let alone in the Top-30. I like most of your list, but you seem to be one of a rapidly dwindling number of guys still carrying a torch for Adenhart and I’m curious as to what it is you see, because from what I’ve gathered, his milquetoast two-pitch arsenal stands no virtually chance of prolonged success against major league batters.
April 20, 2009 at 8:11 pm
NO EVERETT WILLIAMS McCALLUM HIGH AUSTIN TEXAS?????????????