Official MLB Offseason Post: Michael Young asks for a trade.

The Cubs almost certainly would find a way to screw up signing Pujols. 
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2011 MLB organizational rankings
By Keith Law

As it has the past two years, this complements my annual Top 100 list of prospects. This ranking includes only players who are still eligible for the Top 100 prospects ranking -- that is, players who still retain rookie status for 2011.
A system that recently "graduated" a number of top prospects -- Florida and San Francisco are two recent examples, with Buster Posey, Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison -- will rank lower on this list because I'm considering only what is currently on the farm. It's a snapshot look rather than a look back over a year or two of farm productivity. So if you see a team at the bottom, it might be because its system recently graduated or traded good prospects in the past year. Of course, it also will reflect teams that just haven't done a very good job of stocking the system.

Within each system, I considered the entire list of prospects but gave much more weight to top prospects -- particularly high-impact prospects -- than to organizational depth based in average to fringe-average prospects. I also considered how much major league value each organization is likely to produce the next few years. So a system with high-impact prospects who are relatively close to the majors ranks high even if the system lacks depth in second- and third-tier prospects. Of course, a couple of impact prospects plus organizational depth is ideal. With that all clear, on to the list:

1. Kansas City Royals
About a month or so after Dayton Moore took over as the Royals' GM, he told me that he was alarmed to find how little pitching inventory he had in his new farm system and that addressing that vacuum would be a major priority for his front office. The phrase "Mission Accomplished" has acquired an ironic connotation of late, but if anyone could use the phrase earnestly to describe his own efforts, it would be Moore, as the Royals have arms coming out of their ears.

That's particularly impressive when you consider that Kansas City's top two prospects are bats, and there are some solid position player prospects further down in the system. But what truly sets the Royals apart, and not just this year but from prospect lists of years past, is their stable of left-handed pitchers. Southpaws are harder to find and valued very highly by most front offices, meaning the Royals have promising arms for their own use as well as a hoard for future trades if they find themselves in the running for a playoff spot. They've acquired those arms every which way they could -- mostly through shrewd drafting (Mike Montgomery in the sandwich round, Chris Dwyer in the fourth, John Lamb in the fifth), but also through trades and on the international front, where they've become major players since Moore took over. And Kansas City will add another impact player with the fifth pick in this year's draft, and probably will graduate only one or two prospects to the majors before we reach 2012. It's to the credit of Moore, the Royals' amateur scouting staff (led by J.J. Picollo after two solid drafts by Deric Ladnier after Moore took over), their international scouts and player development that a farm system that was a borderline laughingstock has, inside of five years, turned into the toast of baseball.

2. Tampa Bay Rays
Probably second even before they dealt Matt Garza, they're now No. 2 with a bullet and not far behind Kansas City for No. 1. They're absolutely loaded, with top-end talent near that of K.C., but not the extensive depth of prospects the Royals have. The Rays have focused on arms and impact bats in the middle of the field, mixing in the occasional corner bat (Josh Sale), but mostly recognizing that replacement level is so low right now for certain positions and roster spots that there's still some hidden value to be found. They also boast more picks in the first three rounds of the 2011 draft than any other club, so look for the prospect-rich to get richer.

3. Atlanta Braves
Those top three Latino arms keep marching to the big leagues, and the Braves will produce at least two other rookies who'll spend all or most of 2011 in Atlanta in regular roles. They have a knack for getting good young talent back in deals and signing players off the waiver wire and scrap heap, including Arodys Vizcaino as a sort of throw-in to the Javier Vazquez trade.

4. Toronto Blue Jays
A year ago, I wrote that the Jays might have ranked last without the talent infusion from the Scott Rolen and Roy Halladay trades. In the past 12 months, they saw a few in-house guys take steps forward, traded for another impact prospect in Brett Lawrie and had another solid draft, to the point that I left some likely big leaguers off their Top 10 for lack of room. The organizational turnaround in the year-plus since Alex Anthopoulos took over as GM has been impressive.

5. Philadelphia Phillies
Their low-A club in Lakewood, N.J., was as loaded with tools prospects as any club in the minors; you could dream on four or five of its hitters, at least three of its starters, and even a 'pen guy or two. And the Phillies keep stuffing the system with that sort of high-upside player despite one of the smaller draft signing budgets around. This after all the deals to help secure their enviable starting rotation.

6. Los Angeles Angels
They have the top prospect in baseball in Mike Trout, a catcher and reliever who should help the big club in 2011, and a ton of depth in A-ball and short-season, including a very promising haul from the 2010 draft led by infielder Kaleb Cowart and right-hander Cam (son of Steve) Bedrosian. I know Angels fans aren't happy with the team's offseason, but there's a lot of help on the way.

7. Minnesota Twins
A sneaky-good system, it's not loaded with big names but boasts a few impact guys and a ton of depth. This is more than just the Twins' usual assortment of strike-throwing fourth starters and speedy outfielders, a testament to good drafting and some major investments in the international arena, where they've been as aggressive as any club.

8. Cincinnati Reds
I had said in the 2009 season that they would start to compete in 2011 as the young talent reached the majors. Well, it got there faster than I expected, and they started what should be a long run of contention, bolstered by the next two waves of prospects. They have above-average prospects in the middle of the diamond and a number of big-tools teenagers from Latin America down in the low minors.

9. New York Yankees
Gary Sanchez had a tremendous debut season, Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman got healthy, and Manny Banuelos saw his stuff tick up and they're backed up with a lot of back-end starter depth. They rival Toronto for the best catching depth in the minors and took a couple of intriguing guys later in the 2010 draft, one of whom I'll discuss Friday.

10. Seattle Mariners
Top-heavy with Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda and strangely light on international talent below that, even though that is a historical strength for the club. The Mariners have a couple of possible fast-moving relievers, led by Stephen Pryor and Tyler Burgoon, who could make an impact in the next 24 months.

11. Boston Red Sox
The Sox traded away their top two prospects for Adrian Gonzalez, but boosted on the back end with three first-round talents added in the 2010 draft (their actual first-rounder, Kolbrin Vitek, plus Anthony Ranaudo and Bryce Brentz). As usual, their low-minors teams were strong, with the Greenville rotation quietly loaded with intriguing arms.

12. Texas Rangers
The top-ranked system the past two years, the Rangers used up a lot of that talent to win the AL pennant this year, either on their roster (Neftali Feliz, Mitch Moreland, Derek Holland) or in the Cliff Lee trade (Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke). Still very strong in Latin America, they were more slot-conscious than usual in the 2010 draft.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks
I admit to liking this system more than most, but I loved their 2009 draft haul and several of those players had strong full-season debuts. Jarrod Parker's promising return in instructional league -- with velocity as good as ever and improved lower-body strength -- is also a factor in putting them in the top half of arm systems, given that he's their one impact prospect who might see the majors this year.

14. St. Louis Cardinals
Extremely top-heavy, followed by a lot of extra-guy depth -- fifth starters, quality relievers, fourth outfielders, a few of whom will take steps forward and become solid-average big leaguers. A very productive Day 1 in the 2010 draft boosted them.

15. Colorado Rockies
It was a tough year in 2010 for three of their top four prospects, as well as talented but chronically hurt Hector Gomez, but I still believe very strongly in Tyler Matzek's future, and it sounds as if Christian Friedrich is good to go for 2011.

16. San Diego Padres
Moved up at least a half-dozen spots after the Adrian Gonzalez trade, which made up for an unsigned top pick in 2010 and the continued struggles and bad reports on 2009 first-rounder Donovan Tate. Like Arizona and Milwaukee, San Diego will benefit from having an extra pick in the 2011 draft, one that features one of the top college pitching classes in memory and a potent high school crop to boot.

17. Cleveland Indians
Cleveland finally broke out of its slot-or-bust financial strategy in the 2010 draft and took some fliers on guys whose stock fell after tough springs. Within the system, the Tribe's top arm, Hector Rondon, went down and had to have Tommy John surgery, but right-hander Jason Knapp (acquired in the Cliff Lee trade) returned from a shoulder injury and Jason Kipnis established himself as one of the top second-base prospects in the game.

18. Oakland Athletics
Their top two hitting prospects had disappointing seasons, although Chris Carter recovered in the summer and earned a call-up. There's a fair amount of position player depth here but very little pitching, with command lefty Ian Krol the only arm I have among their top 10 prospects.

19. Washington Nationals
This represents a ton of progress since Mike Rizzo took over as GM. He inherited a farm system that couldn't begin to fill the major league team's needs. Ownership opened its wallets beyond the first pick in August, adding three more players in the team's Top 10.

20. Chicago Cubs
A top-10 system before the Garza trade, the Cubs probably would place more guys in the 101-150 range than any organization except the Royals. They're loaded with high-floor players who have the potential to be above-average or better big leaguers but aren't there yet. Considering all the picks they've given up to sign free agents, it's remarkable how strong the system still is after the giant trade with Tampa Bay.

21. Pittsburgh Pirates
This system consists of a few high-end prospects, including three teenage power arms, followed by a dropoff. The big investment in prep arms in 2009 hasn't yielded any major prospects yet, although it's early.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers
Almost every major prospect in this system regressed this year, led by Chris Withrow, who lost his command and then his velocity by August. On the positive side, the Zach Lee signing was huge for them.

23. San Francisco Giants
Consider that they graduated two critical members of the 2010 World Series-winning roster. As a whole, they've been very productive near the top of the draft despite rarely going over slot, but the lauded 2008 draft class below Buster Posey took a collective step back in 2010.

24. Baltimore Orioles
This group was probably the most surprising ranking to me as I went through the process. The O's have produced a ton of potential impact players who no longer qualify here -- including Brian Matusz, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, and Chris Tillman -- but the system at this moment is two Top 30 prospects and no one else I'd put in my Top 150. The lack of international talent in the system stands out.

25. Detroit Tigers
Detroit landed a first-round talent -- top-half in my opinion -- in the sandwich round with Nick Castellanos, giving them two high-ceiling impact guys at the top of the system, but much of their minor league depth is in power relief arms.

26. New York Mets
Earth to Fred Wilpon: This is what a strict adherence to slot recommendations will buy you. Parsimony has its price.

27. Houston Astros
The Astros are slowly getting better through the draft and some dabbling in Latin America, but it sure would have been nice to see them get more in return for Roy Oswalt.

28. Chicago White Sox
It was hard to get to 10 names for this system, but it will produce at least two players who'll help the major league club try to win the AL Central this year.

29. Florida Marlins
The Marlins graduated Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton, leaving two good-not-great prospects in the system and not a whole lot else to excite you. Their top prospect, Matt Dominguez, has a major question around his bat, and their top draft pick from 2009, Chad James, had a so-so year and missed time in 2010 with a sore shoulder.

30. Milwaukee Brewers
The first organization to fail to place a single prospect on my Top 100 list since I first produced these rankings in 2008 ... although landing Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke is a pretty good excuse. Even before those trades, however, their system as a whole wasn't strong, with a lot of pitchers failing to progress once in the system. They might need one of those arms -- Wily Peralta, perhaps, or Amaury Rivas -- to increase his value this spring for a possible July trade.
Click to expand...
 
2011 MLB organizational rankings
By Keith Law

As it has the past two years, this complements my annual Top 100 list of prospects. This ranking includes only players who are still eligible for the Top 100 prospects ranking -- that is, players who still retain rookie status for 2011.
A system that recently "graduated" a number of top prospects -- Florida and San Francisco are two recent examples, with Buster Posey, Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison -- will rank lower on this list because I'm considering only what is currently on the farm. It's a snapshot look rather than a look back over a year or two of farm productivity. So if you see a team at the bottom, it might be because its system recently graduated or traded good prospects in the past year. Of course, it also will reflect teams that just haven't done a very good job of stocking the system.

Within each system, I considered the entire list of prospects but gave much more weight to top prospects -- particularly high-impact prospects -- than to organizational depth based in average to fringe-average prospects. I also considered how much major league value each organization is likely to produce the next few years. So a system with high-impact prospects who are relatively close to the majors ranks high even if the system lacks depth in second- and third-tier prospects. Of course, a couple of impact prospects plus organizational depth is ideal. With that all clear, on to the list:

1. Kansas City Royals
About a month or so after Dayton Moore took over as the Royals' GM, he told me that he was alarmed to find how little pitching inventory he had in his new farm system and that addressing that vacuum would be a major priority for his front office. The phrase "Mission Accomplished" has acquired an ironic connotation of late, but if anyone could use the phrase earnestly to describe his own efforts, it would be Moore, as the Royals have arms coming out of their ears.

That's particularly impressive when you consider that Kansas City's top two prospects are bats, and there are some solid position player prospects further down in the system. But what truly sets the Royals apart, and not just this year but from prospect lists of years past, is their stable of left-handed pitchers. Southpaws are harder to find and valued very highly by most front offices, meaning the Royals have promising arms for their own use as well as a hoard for future trades if they find themselves in the running for a playoff spot. They've acquired those arms every which way they could -- mostly through shrewd drafting (Mike Montgomery in the sandwich round, Chris Dwyer in the fourth, John Lamb in the fifth), but also through trades and on the international front, where they've become major players since Moore took over. And Kansas City will add another impact player with the fifth pick in this year's draft, and probably will graduate only one or two prospects to the majors before we reach 2012. It's to the credit of Moore, the Royals' amateur scouting staff (led by J.J. Picollo after two solid drafts by Deric Ladnier after Moore took over), their international scouts and player development that a farm system that was a borderline laughingstock has, inside of five years, turned into the toast of baseball.

2. Tampa Bay Rays
Probably second even before they dealt Matt Garza, they're now No. 2 with a bullet and not far behind Kansas City for No. 1. They're absolutely loaded, with top-end talent near that of K.C., but not the extensive depth of prospects the Royals have. The Rays have focused on arms and impact bats in the middle of the field, mixing in the occasional corner bat (Josh Sale), but mostly recognizing that replacement level is so low right now for certain positions and roster spots that there's still some hidden value to be found. They also boast more picks in the first three rounds of the 2011 draft than any other club, so look for the prospect-rich to get richer.

3. Atlanta Braves
Those top three Latino arms keep marching to the big leagues, and the Braves will produce at least two other rookies who'll spend all or most of 2011 in Atlanta in regular roles. They have a knack for getting good young talent back in deals and signing players off the waiver wire and scrap heap, including Arodys Vizcaino as a sort of throw-in to the Javier Vazquez trade.

4. Toronto Blue Jays
A year ago, I wrote that the Jays might have ranked last without the talent infusion from the Scott Rolen and Roy Halladay trades. In the past 12 months, they saw a few in-house guys take steps forward, traded for another impact prospect in Brett Lawrie and had another solid draft, to the point that I left some likely big leaguers off their Top 10 for lack of room. The organizational turnaround in the year-plus since Alex Anthopoulos took over as GM has been impressive.

5. Philadelphia Phillies
Their low-A club in Lakewood, N.J., was as loaded with tools prospects as any club in the minors; you could dream on four or five of its hitters, at least three of its starters, and even a 'pen guy or two. And the Phillies keep stuffing the system with that sort of high-upside player despite one of the smaller draft signing budgets around. This after all the deals to help secure their enviable starting rotation.

6. Los Angeles Angels
They have the top prospect in baseball in Mike Trout, a catcher and reliever who should help the big club in 2011, and a ton of depth in A-ball and short-season, including a very promising haul from the 2010 draft led by infielder Kaleb Cowart and right-hander Cam (son of Steve) Bedrosian. I know Angels fans aren't happy with the team's offseason, but there's a lot of help on the way.

7. Minnesota Twins
A sneaky-good system, it's not loaded with big names but boasts a few impact guys and a ton of depth. This is more than just the Twins' usual assortment of strike-throwing fourth starters and speedy outfielders, a testament to good drafting and some major investments in the international arena, where they've been as aggressive as any club.

8. Cincinnati Reds
I had said in the 2009 season that they would start to compete in 2011 as the young talent reached the majors. Well, it got there faster than I expected, and they started what should be a long run of contention, bolstered by the next two waves of prospects. They have above-average prospects in the middle of the diamond and a number of big-tools teenagers from Latin America down in the low minors.

9. New York Yankees
Gary Sanchez had a tremendous debut season, Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman got healthy, and Manny Banuelos saw his stuff tick up and they're backed up with a lot of back-end starter depth. They rival Toronto for the best catching depth in the minors and took a couple of intriguing guys later in the 2010 draft, one of whom I'll discuss Friday.

10. Seattle Mariners
Top-heavy with Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda and strangely light on international talent below that, even though that is a historical strength for the club. The Mariners have a couple of possible fast-moving relievers, led by Stephen Pryor and Tyler Burgoon, who could make an impact in the next 24 months.

11. Boston Red Sox
The Sox traded away their top two prospects for Adrian Gonzalez, but boosted on the back end with three first-round talents added in the 2010 draft (their actual first-rounder, Kolbrin Vitek, plus Anthony Ranaudo and Bryce Brentz). As usual, their low-minors teams were strong, with the Greenville rotation quietly loaded with intriguing arms.

12. Texas Rangers
The top-ranked system the past two years, the Rangers used up a lot of that talent to win the AL pennant this year, either on their roster (Neftali Feliz, Mitch Moreland, Derek Holland) or in the Cliff Lee trade (Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke). Still very strong in Latin America, they were more slot-conscious than usual in the 2010 draft.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks
I admit to liking this system more than most, but I loved their 2009 draft haul and several of those players had strong full-season debuts. Jarrod Parker's promising return in instructional league -- with velocity as good as ever and improved lower-body strength -- is also a factor in putting them in the top half of arm systems, given that he's their one impact prospect who might see the majors this year.

14. St. Louis Cardinals
Extremely top-heavy, followed by a lot of extra-guy depth -- fifth starters, quality relievers, fourth outfielders, a few of whom will take steps forward and become solid-average big leaguers. A very productive Day 1 in the 2010 draft boosted them.

15. Colorado Rockies
It was a tough year in 2010 for three of their top four prospects, as well as talented but chronically hurt Hector Gomez, but I still believe very strongly in Tyler Matzek's future, and it sounds as if Christian Friedrich is good to go for 2011.

16. San Diego Padres
Moved up at least a half-dozen spots after the Adrian Gonzalez trade, which made up for an unsigned top pick in 2010 and the continued struggles and bad reports on 2009 first-rounder Donovan Tate. Like Arizona and Milwaukee, San Diego will benefit from having an extra pick in the 2011 draft, one that features one of the top college pitching classes in memory and a potent high school crop to boot.

17. Cleveland Indians
Cleveland finally broke out of its slot-or-bust financial strategy in the 2010 draft and took some fliers on guys whose stock fell after tough springs. Within the system, the Tribe's top arm, Hector Rondon, went down and had to have Tommy John surgery, but right-hander Jason Knapp (acquired in the Cliff Lee trade) returned from a shoulder injury and Jason Kipnis established himself as one of the top second-base prospects in the game.

18. Oakland Athletics
Their top two hitting prospects had disappointing seasons, although Chris Carter recovered in the summer and earned a call-up. There's a fair amount of position player depth here but very little pitching, with command lefty Ian Krol the only arm I have among their top 10 prospects.

19. Washington Nationals
This represents a ton of progress since Mike Rizzo took over as GM. He inherited a farm system that couldn't begin to fill the major league team's needs. Ownership opened its wallets beyond the first pick in August, adding three more players in the team's Top 10.

20. Chicago Cubs
A top-10 system before the Garza trade, the Cubs probably would place more guys in the 101-150 range than any organization except the Royals. They're loaded with high-floor players who have the potential to be above-average or better big leaguers but aren't there yet. Considering all the picks they've given up to sign free agents, it's remarkable how strong the system still is after the giant trade with Tampa Bay.

21. Pittsburgh Pirates
This system consists of a few high-end prospects, including three teenage power arms, followed by a dropoff. The big investment in prep arms in 2009 hasn't yielded any major prospects yet, although it's early.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers
Almost every major prospect in this system regressed this year, led by Chris Withrow, who lost his command and then his velocity by August. On the positive side, the Zach Lee signing was huge for them.

23. San Francisco Giants
Consider that they graduated two critical members of the 2010 World Series-winning roster. As a whole, they've been very productive near the top of the draft despite rarely going over slot, but the lauded 2008 draft class below Buster Posey took a collective step back in 2010.

24. Baltimore Orioles
This group was probably the most surprising ranking to me as I went through the process. The O's have produced a ton of potential impact players who no longer qualify here -- including Brian Matusz, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, and Chris Tillman -- but the system at this moment is two Top 30 prospects and no one else I'd put in my Top 150. The lack of international talent in the system stands out.

25. Detroit Tigers
Detroit landed a first-round talent -- top-half in my opinion -- in the sandwich round with Nick Castellanos, giving them two high-ceiling impact guys at the top of the system, but much of their minor league depth is in power relief arms.

26. New York Mets
Earth to Fred Wilpon: This is what a strict adherence to slot recommendations will buy you. Parsimony has its price.

27. Houston Astros
The Astros are slowly getting better through the draft and some dabbling in Latin America, but it sure would have been nice to see them get more in return for Roy Oswalt.

28. Chicago White Sox
It was hard to get to 10 names for this system, but it will produce at least two players who'll help the major league club try to win the AL Central this year.

29. Florida Marlins
The Marlins graduated Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton, leaving two good-not-great prospects in the system and not a whole lot else to excite you. Their top prospect, Matt Dominguez, has a major question around his bat, and their top draft pick from 2009, Chad James, had a so-so year and missed time in 2010 with a sore shoulder.

30. Milwaukee Brewers
The first organization to fail to place a single prospect on my Top 100 list since I first produced these rankings in 2008 ... although landing Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke is a pretty good excuse. Even before those trades, however, their system as a whole wasn't strong, with a lot of pitchers failing to progress once in the system. They might need one of those arms -- Wily Peralta, perhaps, or Amaury Rivas -- to increase his value this spring for a possible July trade.
Click to expand...
 
I'm like foaming at the mouth for that list to come out
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I look forward to it a lot.

BTW, we signed our savior. The difference maker in the AL East race.




















Bartolo Colon.
 
I'm like foaming at the mouth for that list to come out
laugh.gif
I look forward to it a lot.

BTW, we signed our savior. The difference maker in the AL East race.




















Bartolo Colon.
 
The Red Sox and Yankees have waged their version of a baseball arms race for decades, with the moves and countermoves dating to the start of free agency.

The Red Sox signed Mike Torrez away from the Yankees, and a year later, the Yankees took Luis Tiant away from Boston. The two sides notoriously fought with checkbooks over Jose Contreras after the right-hander defected from Cuba before the 2003 season. Not long after the Expos told the Red Sox that they didn't have enough to trade for Javier Vazquez, Boston made a deal for Curt Schilling. The Yankees dominated the winter two years ago by signing Mark Teixeira -- Boston's primary target -- as well as CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and in turn, the Red Sox have owned this winter, taking on Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

That kind of thing has been going on in other divisions this winter, as well: The Cubs' acquisition of Matt Garza to strengthen their rotation seemed to come in response to the development of the Cincinnati staff, and the Brewers' move to add Zack Greinke. The Tigers got Victor Martinez, and it wasn't long after that that the White Sox landed Adam Dunn.

The strategy of mutual deterrence has been in play in the AL West, too. The Rangers' trade of Frank Francisco for Mike Napoli doesn't address Texas' primary question, namely rotation depth. But Napoli will undoubtedly strengthen Ron Washington's lineup against the team that represents the greatest threat to Texas.

At least three-fifths of the Oakland rotation will be left-handed, with Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden and Gio Gonzalez, and the Athletics have left-handed balance in their bullpen with Brian Fuentes and Craig Breslow, who will probably face Josh Hamilton 15 to 25 times during the course of the 2011 season.

What the Rangers have done now is build a lineup that will be formidable against left-handed starters. Their plan is for Napoli to play always against lefties, whether at designated hitter or at first or at catcher, and this means their lineup against lefties could look something like this (with each player's OPS against lefties listed):

2B Ian Kinsler (.957)
1B Michael Young (.871)
LF Hamilton (.789)
3B Adrian Beltre (.943)
RF Nelson Cruz (.976)
DH Napoli (.966)
C Yorvit Torrealba (.698)
SS Elvis Andrus (.642)
CF Julio Borbon (.609)

The combination of Napoli and Young should give the Rangers incredible flexibility in dealing with little injuries, or with situations when a player needs a day or two of rest. Napoli could be the third catcher, he could play first base, or he could DH with Young sliding over to play first base, second, third or shortstop. A lot of teams have to carry a 4-A type of player -- a fringy major leaguer -- to plug a lineup gap. The Rangers can now do that with the versatility of Young and Napoli.

The Rangers have liked Napoli in the past, Texas GM Jon Daniels said. Trading Francisco makes the idea of shifting Neftali Feliz to the rotation a little more difficult, writes Richard Durrett.
[h3]Notables[/h3]

• The Toronto Blue Jays have a nice stable of young pitching and draft picks, and with the salary dumps of Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, they have very little in the way of contractual obligations. But the question of whether they are truly building toward a particular period of time -- the way the Rays came together for 2008-10, or the way the Royals seem to be building toward 2013-14 -- remains to be seen. The messages from the Toronto ownership have always fluctuated.

The Blue Jays' bullpen could have a lot of depth.

• Rocco Baldelli, one of the game's best people, has decided to retire, as Marc Topkin writes.

• Milton Bradley will compete for playing time in spring training, says Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik.

• A longtime talent evaluator on the Vernon Wells trade: "The Angels should've been able to get the Jays to eat some money in the trade, but what I think is being forgotten is that Anaheim is getting a pretty good player. He makes them better than what they were going to be."

Vernon Wells bid farewell to Toronto in his conference call with reporters, as Ken Fidlin writes. It's been a blast, he told Richard Griffin.

• The Astros worked out a multiyear deal with Wandy Rodriguez, writes Zachary Levine.

• A veteran executive on where we are in the current free-agent market: "All that's left are the tickets to Vanilla Ice."
[h3]The McCourts[/h3]

Frank and Jamie McCourt might have to be business partners if Frank wants to keep the Dodgers, says her lawyer.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
1. Charlie Manuel still likes Jimmy Rollins as his leadoff hitter, and he thinks it's a matter of time before he works out a contract extension.
Banquets are a labor of love for Charlie Manuel, writes Rich Hofmann.

2. Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg believes his team's handling of the Cliff Lee negotiations helped play the Phillies into the mix.

3. If you haven't read the buzz about Albert Pujols' contract from Jayson Stark, it's worth a read. Pujols remains unsigned with little more than three weeks remaining until the deadline for an agreement.

4. The Orioles are in the mix for Clay Rapada.

5. The Pirates raised prices for game-day tickets.

6. Darryl Strawberry says Wally Backman will be the Mets' next manager.

7. The Yankees just have to win this year, says Hank Steinbrenner, within this Kevin Kernan piece.

8. The Twins agreed to terms with Kevin Slowey.

9. The makeup of the Giants' lineup isn't set in stone, writes John Shea. The key question for San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy: What is Pablo Sandoval, as he comes out of his winter weight-loss program?

10. The trouble with the Padres' Adrian Gonzalez trade, writes Tim Sullivan, is that it looks like an IOU.

11. The Rockies chose a young lefty over Joe Beimel.

12. Brian Cashman indicated out loud that Derek Jeter might not be the Yankees' shortstop for eternity.
[h3]Other stuff[/h3]
• The Royals' farm system has been ranked as baseball's best by Baseball America, not surprisingly.
• New challenges await Billy Butler, writes Terez Paylor.

• Jimmy Rollins is a record mogul.

• Joba Chamberlain hasn't been the same pitcher since he got hurt in a game against Texas, says Brian Cashman.

• The Reds' caravan is set to take off, writes Tom Groeschen.

• Travis Hafner has one of baseball's most immovable contracts, as mentioned within this piece.

• Jon Lester is focused on October.

• Players like Fernando Abad are a good reason to love spring training, writes Richard Justice.

• Some Tigers minor leaguers are solid prospects.

• Consistency will be key for Andy Oliver, writes John Lowe.

• Terry Pendleton is ready for his new role as first-base coach, writes Carroll Rogers.

• The Brewers are holding a ticket lottery.

• The Padres have new uniforms.

• The White Sox lineup is a hit with their hitting coach, writes Mark Gonzalez.

• The new and improved Orioles could produce the same old results, writes Peter Schmuck.

• The Red Sox set their game times.

• Giants writer Andrew Baggarly is back from working on his book.

• The D-backs think Micah Owings can be a versatile player, writes Nick Piecoro; Arizona plans on using Owings at first base occasionally in spring training.

• A Red Sox prospect impressed in Class A.

• Coach Don Meyer did a Q&A with Championship Productions.

• Vanderbilt is at No. 19, and starting to put it together, writes Teresa Walker. A junior forward was named player of the week in the SEC.

And today will be better than yesterday

 
http://[h3]
[h3]Oliver blocking Bonderman?[/h3]
1:18PM ET

[h5]Jeremy Bonderman | Tigers [/h5]


Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reiterated last month that the Yankees have interest in Jeremy Bonderman and notes that the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals also have some interest, while Tom Gage of the Detroit News tweets Tuesday that the Tigers have some interest in bringing Bonderman back, but only on a minor league deal.

One of the reasons why the Tigers may not be keen on guaranteeing money to Bonderman, or any other free agent starter, is left-hander Andrew Oliver, who could prove to be ready for the big leagues as early as this spring.

Oliver, says GM Dave Dombroski as quoted by John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press, ,a href="http://www.freep.com/article/201101...TS/Consistency-key-to-Tigers-P-Olivers-return" target=new>still needs to show some polish on his secondary offerings and to shore up his command. But signing another rotation candidate blocks Oliver from breaking through, and the club already has five projected starting pitchers.

The Yankees are reportedly in on Justin Duchscherer, too, and probably don't have room for both, unless Duchscherer is being courted as a relief pitcher.

Jack Curry of YES Network tweeted earlier this month that the Yankees are still considering what's left on the starting pitching market, but "don't expect them to sign Jeremy Bonderman."

No further explanation was offered, but if the Yankees aren't that high on Bonderman it could be for a number of reasons, including their concern over his health, asking price, or the chance that they much prefer other targets.

The right-hander could be in the cross hairs of several clubs, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals, and Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com first reportedthe Yankees' interest.

The Yankees, who are waiting on a decision from left-hander Andy Pettitte, do not expect the veteran to return, and would prefer not to head into the regular season with two unknown commodities at the back end of their rotation, hence their interest in Bonderman, Freddy Garcia is another option.

If Pettitte were to return, the Yankee may be just fine with Ivan Nova handling the fifth starter duties, but could also turn to Joe Blanton as a potential No. 4 behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.

- Jason A. Churchill

http://[h3]Angels to bounce back?[/h3]
1:08PM ET

[h5]Los Angeles Angels [/h5]


The recent graduations and failures in the Los Angeles Angels farm system and the loss of production from aging veterans has thrust the club into a difficult position -- one that prompted GM Tony Reagins to trade for Vernon Wells and $81 million of his contract.

But maybe things aren't so bleak after all, as ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney cites one scout that believes at the Angels did OK to acquire the outfielder, despite the cost, saying "what I think is being forgotten is that Anaheim is getting a pretty good player. He makes them better than what they were going to be."

Furthermore, the organization's farm system, while thin in the upper levels, has a good crop of talent in Class-A ball and own the likely No. 1 overall prospect. The Halos rank No. 6 overall, according to ESPN Insider's Keith Law.

Such future fortunes should keep the Angels a relevant factor in the American League West for years to come, and the young talent could allow GM Tony Reagins to acquire more big-league help right now.

law_keith_30.jpg
[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Angels rank at No. 6 overall
"(There is) a ton of depth in A-ball and short-season, including a very promising haul from the 2010 draft led by infielder Kaleb Cowart and right-hander Cam (son of Steve) Bedrosian. I know Angels fans aren't happy with the team's offseason, but there's a lot of help on the way."
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[/h3]

http://[h3]Is the Tribe shopping Sizemore?[/h3]
11:32AM ET

[h5]Grady Sizemore | Indians [/h5]


The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-indiansCleveland Indians are hoping http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5882Grady Sizemore is fully recovered from microfracture knee surgery by Opening Day. Could that be because the Tribe is shopping three-time All-Star center fielder?

Phil Wood of MASNSports.com cites a big league scout who says he's heard of some "conversations" between the Indians and Nationals about Sizemore and starting pitcher Fausto Carmona.

The Tribe is looking to move salary, but it seems unlikely the Nats would be willing to give up notable prospects in return.

Sizemore, reported ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney earlier this month, started hitting off a tee and appears on track for Opening Day.

- Doug Mittler

olney_buster_30.jpg
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Questions with Sizemore
"If Sizemore comes back and is a star again, a whole lot of logical questions will follow: Because Sizemore's current contract has a 2012 option for $8.5 million, would it make sense for the Indians to pick up the option? Would it make sense for them to trade him, in their effort to rebuild their pitching? But none of that matters until he gets back on the field and plays, and plays well. And he can't wait to try. 'I just want to come out and get healthy and get back to playing and having fun,' he said."
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http://[h3]Ray's role in Seattle[/h3]
11:12AM ET

[h5]Chris Ray | Mariners [/h5]


Veteran reliever Chris Ray agreed to a minor league contract with the Mariners Tuesday, becoming the 20th non-roster player, and 11th pitcher, to be invited to spring training.

Despite those inflated numbers, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times writes that Ray has a decent chance of making the team.

With David Aardsma likely to be still recovering from hip surgery on Opening Day, the Mariners could be starting the year with Brandon League as their closer. With 51 career saves, Ray provides an experienced arm in the bullpen and could step in temporarily as a closer if League falters.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Sandoval's place in the order[/h3]
10:51AM ET

[h5]Pablo Sandoval | Giants [/h5]


Earlier this month, we checked in as to whether the Giants' Pablo Sandoval is winning his annual Battle of the Bulge.

The Giants want Sandoval to control his weight, and the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday there is evidence on Twitter that the Kung Fu Panda has indeed shed many pounds.

Meanwhile, Sandoval says he has completed his offseason workout regimen and is ready for spring training.

John Shea of the Chronicle writes Wednesday that the Giants' 2011 lineup isn' etched in stone, and a key question is whether Sandoval hits like he did in 2009 (.330, 25 HR). Shea sees Sandoval batting sixth at this point, with the hope that he works his way up to the middle of the order.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Feliz more likely to stay in pen[/h3]
10:33AM ET

[h5]Neftali Feliz | Rangers [/h5]


While the Rangers added another solid bat in Mike Napoli, they lost some bullpen flexibility Tuesday in the deal that sent reliever Frank Francisco to the Blue Jays.

The deal could have a ripple effect that makes it more likely that Neftali Feliz remains in the bullpen and is not converted to a starter, reports Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.

Francisco has closing experience and was viewed at a candidate to get the closer's job back if the Rangers converted Feliz to a starter.

Feliz started 53 games in the minors but GM Jon Daniels and the Rangers clearly don't want to mess with a good thing after Feliz posted such a superb season finishing games in 2010. The plan remains for Feliz, who had 40 saves last season, to come to spring training stretched out and ready for both roles.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Dual role for Owings[/h3]
10:10AM ET

[h5]Micah Owings | Diamondbacks [/h5]


Before Micah Owings found a job with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week, the versatile right-hander said one team asked him if he would be willing to walk away from pitching and be a full-time position player.

Owings has nine homers in 184 career at-bats, so he does give a team additional options. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D-backs want Owings to compete for a long-relief job out of their bullpen, while also playing him at first in some spring training games to give him some at-bats.

For all the talk of his hitting ability, Owings still needs to establish himself as a bona fide big league pitcher. He had a 5.40 ERA in 22 games for Cincinnati last season before being designated for assignment.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Rangers looking to deal Young?[/h3]
9:48AM ET

[h5]Michael Young | Rangers [/h5]


When the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tex/texas-rangersTexas Rangers were in serious pursuit of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3878Adrian Beltre earlier this month, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4566Michael Young expressed a willingness to move to DH if it would help the team land the slugging third baseman.

Now that Beltre is signed, sealed and delivered, Young is still willing to DH, but said via AOLFanhouse that he does not consider it a permanent role.

Young's roster spot in Texas also isn't etched in stone. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com speculates that the Rangers may be willing to trade Young now that they have completed a deal for Mike Napoli.

Napoli can play first base and DH, two positions also slotted for Young. A large obstacle to any trade, however, is the $16 million owed Young over the next two seasons, so the Rangers will have to offer some financial relief.

The Rangers would have every reason to act quickly. In May, Young will become more difficult to trade, attaining the right to veto any deal as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same team.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Baldelli to retire[/h3]
9:27AM ET

[h5]Rocco Baldelli | Rays [/h5]


Rocco Baldelli is expected to announce his retirement as an active player on Wednesday and take a job in the front office of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.

"I don't anticipate ever playing baseball again. I'm retired. The paperwork will be filed," Baldelli said.

Baldelli had big seasons for the Rays in 2003 and 2004, but his career was cut short by injuries and a rare medical condition -- eventually diagnosed as channelopathy, which causes severe muscle fatigue. He finishes with a .278 average over seven big league seasons.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Pujols talks not in high gear[/h3]
8:58AM ET

[h5]Albert Pujols | Cardinals [/h5]


Putting a dollar figure on http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4574http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4574Albert Pujols may be the baseball equivalent of establishing a price for the Sistine Chapel, and that is the dilemma facing the St. Louis Cardinals.

The buzz earlier this month had talks of a contract extension beginning on a "positive" tone, but Joe Strauss cautions in Wednesday's Post Dispatch that reality has set in with talks failing to reach a "higher gear." Strauss cautions that neither party will fully know Pujols' true market value unless he reaches free agency.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark wrote Tuesday that Pujols and agent Dan Lozano started their negotiations at 10 years and $300 million, but also cites industry sources that don't believe Pujols will end up anywhere but St. Louis.

GM John Mozeliak said earlier this month that has notified the team that an extension must be completed by the start of spring training. With three-plus weeks left, the Cards may be getting nervous.

Pujols said last season that he did not want contract talks to leak into spring training or impact the regular season. The Cardinals' first baseman is set to become a free agent next winter at the end of a deal that paid him $111 million over eight years.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney wrote earlier this month that Pujols is serious about the deadline. Olney adds that the Cardinals have gotten some feelers from other teams on Pujols' availability in the past year but haven't acted on any of that. Presumably, their efforts will be focused entirely on signing Pujols until the start of spring training.

- Doug Mittler

stark_jayson_30.jpg
[h5]Jayson Stark[/h5]
Impact of Pujols' new deal
"If Sir Albert really does get his $30 million a year, he changes the baseball landscape -- in more ways than one. But who feels the impact? First off, the Cardinals will be feeling it for a decade -- but especially in the near term. If they pick up their 2012 options on their biggest stars and pay Pujols 30 million bucks, they would owe nearly $100 million in 2012 to just seven players (Pujols, Matt Holliday, Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook, Yadier Molina and Kyle Lohse). So they'd be looking, said an official of one team, at one of the most top-heavy payroll models of modern times."
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olney_buster_30.jpg
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Pujols situation is serious
"Logic tells us that the Cardinals and Albert Pujols will work out their differences, because the first baseman is to St. Louis what Stan Musial used to be, and Stan The Man has been omnipresent around the Cardinals in the half-century since he reached the end of his career. The folks who run the Cardinals know how much Pujols means to the franchise, and what his departure would mean. But the deadline that Pujols had given them to work out a long-term deal is very real, and if that passes without a contract in place, then all bets are off. Because the talks will shift from a nice one-on-one conversation between the Cardinals and their star player to being a straight bidding war."
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http://[h3]Extension or trade for Jays' Bautista?[/h3]
8:37AM ET

[h5]Jose Bautista | Blue Jays [/h5]


UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox explored a deal for Bautista before signing Carl Crawford.

We have to wonder if the Sox could rekindle their interest next winter when Bautista could hit the free agent market. J.D. Drew, Boston's right fielder, will be a free agent, too, leaving a vacancy Bautista could fill.

...

Jose Bautista could be set for a large raise this season after leading all of baseball with 54 long balls in 2010. He's requested more than $10 million via the arbitration process, while the Blue Jays countered with $7.5 million.

The 30-year-old Bautista is in his final year of arbitration, making him a free agent after 2011. And while the player is open to a multi-year pact, the Blue Jays have not made such an offer to date.

Bautista could point to the new deals signed by Jay Bruce and Joey Votto as starting points or base lines for any multi-year deal. The Jays appear to prefer to make sure his 2010 was not a fluke before committing long term, likely another sound decision among many for the organization's relatively new front office.

- Jason A. Churchill

olney_buster_30.jpg
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Bautista's case
"Bautista's request for $10.5 million is interesting, because there were rival executives who thought last July that the Blue Jays might be looking at an eight-figure arbitration number and would be more likely to trade Bautista because of that. But the Blue Jays appear comfortable with their number of $7.5 million. This will be an interesting decision, given that Bautista hadn't had much success until the second half of the 2009 season -- before putting up staggering numbers in 2010."
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http://[h3]Could Cashman leave?[/h3]
8:28AM ET

[h5]New York Yankees [/h5]


New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been surprisingly candid in recent weeks.

First Cashman admitted that he overruled on the decision to sign reliever Rafael Soriano, leading to an awkward press conference at Yankee Stadium. Fast forward to Tuesday, and Cashman commented that if Derek Jeter doesn't last at shortstop for the length of his new four-year contract, the 36-year-old would best suited for a switch to center field.

Cashman insisted afterwards that he was simply answering a hypothetical question from a fan, but the comment regarding the future of a franchise icon generated the expected firestorm.

John Harper of the Daily News writes that Cashman seems more and more determined to do things his way, which could lead to the GM leaving when his contract is up next winter.

Bill Madden wondered Sunday if there is more to the public spat between Cashman and owners Hank and Hal Steinbrenner.

"Cashman would never have dared to get involved in a public hissing match with the late Yankee Boss - the road is still littered with carcasses of those who did - but the very fact he would run the risk of annoying his son, Hal, tells me that Cashman is not very happy in his job," Madden writes.

Madden would not be surprised if the GM would walk away and seek a job with a small-market team that would give him a free hand.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Could Vlad land in Toronto?[/h3]
8:03AM ET

[h5]Vladimir Guerrero | Rangers [/h5]

p>Rangers president Nolan Ryan had been dropping hints that the American League champions might still be willing to bring back Vladimir Guerrero, but those chances may have dimmed significantly with Tuesday?s deal that brought Mike Napoli to Arlington.
The Blue Jays appeared to be out of the mix after making acquiring Napoli and Juan Rivera last week in the deal for Vernon Wells, but the subsequent deal with the Rangers could leave an opening for Guerrero north of the border. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday he's considering ways of bolstering his team's depth, but didn't specifically address Guerrero.

Tampa Bay and Minnesota were linked to Guerrero, but those teams came off the board with the signings of Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome, respectively.

The most logical suitors remain the Angels and Orioles, but Baltimore VP Andy MacPhail denied earlier reports that Guerrero is nearing a one-year deal to play in Maryland.

As it stands, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6229Luke Scott is slated to be the regular DH with http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6475Felix Pie and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28974Nolan Reimold sharing left field. If Guerrero signs, he's going to take up at-bats somewhere, likely DH and perhaps a few in the outfield as well.

Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes that Guerrero is worth the risk.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Effect of Wandy's deal[/h3]
7:33AM ET

[h5]Wandy Rodriguez | Astros [/h5]


Wandy Rodriguez would have become a free agent after the 2011 season, but the Houston Astros have agreed to a three-year extension with the southpaw worth $34 million.

The deal gives Houston plenty of stability in the rotation. The Astros have four starting pitchers under team control for at least the next two seasons -- Brett Myers is signed through 2012, while Bud Norris and J.A. Happ have yet to reach arbitration eligibility.

Rodriguez's new deal could impact the dollars it takes for the Texas Rangers to extend C.J. Wilson or Chicago White Sox to lock up John Danks. Cincinnati's reported agreement with Johnny Cueto -- four years and about $30 million -- may have influenced the Rodriguez negotiations.

Edinson Volquez, Cueto's rotation mate, is also seeking a multi-year extension in lieu of going year-to-year via arbitration, and could point to the deals of both Cueto and Rodriguez.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]M's GM: Bradley to compete[/h3]
7:15AM ET

[h5]Milton Bradley | Mariners [/h5]


UPDATE: On the subject of Bradley's status with the team, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told Dave Mahler of Sportsradio 950 KJR in Seattle that "we're planning on him coming into spring training and competing for a job."

...

There was legitimate question as to whether Milton Bradley would play a single game for the Seattle Mariners in 2011 prior to the news Tuesday, with Eric Wedge taking over as manager and the Mariners looking to get Michael Saunders and Jack Cust into the lineup as much as possible. But now there's a chance Bradley doesn't step foot on the field ever again after being arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats against an unidentified woman in Southern California.

Bradley is out on bail but is due back in court early next month. No matter the result of the proceedings, the Mariners may simply prefer to cut ties with the outfielder, who has one year and $12 million remaining on his contract. But there is a chance the M's could void the contract, or at least recoup some of it, especially when taking a look at similar situations that took place around the league recently, as Larry Stone writes in the Seattle Times.

Saunders is penciled in as the left fielder for 2011, and Cust at DH, but Bradley was expected to see time at both positions, since he can switch hit and when he's right, he can produce, which is something the hapless Mariners lineup sorely needs.

One has to wonder whether last summer's debacle with right-hander Josh Lueke, acquired in the Cliff Lee trade with Texas. Lueke plead no contest to a charge involving a rape accusation, later changed to false imprisonment. The organization boasts a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence, and the front office claims they were unaware of Lueke's situation prior to the trade.

Bradley's latest antics may be the straw that breaks the camel's back, as GM Jack Zduriencik isn't exactly playing with house money in Seattle these days.
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The Red Sox and Yankees have waged their version of a baseball arms race for decades, with the moves and countermoves dating to the start of free agency.

The Red Sox signed Mike Torrez away from the Yankees, and a year later, the Yankees took Luis Tiant away from Boston. The two sides notoriously fought with checkbooks over Jose Contreras after the right-hander defected from Cuba before the 2003 season. Not long after the Expos told the Red Sox that they didn't have enough to trade for Javier Vazquez, Boston made a deal for Curt Schilling. The Yankees dominated the winter two years ago by signing Mark Teixeira -- Boston's primary target -- as well as CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and in turn, the Red Sox have owned this winter, taking on Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

That kind of thing has been going on in other divisions this winter, as well: The Cubs' acquisition of Matt Garza to strengthen their rotation seemed to come in response to the development of the Cincinnati staff, and the Brewers' move to add Zack Greinke. The Tigers got Victor Martinez, and it wasn't long after that that the White Sox landed Adam Dunn.

The strategy of mutual deterrence has been in play in the AL West, too. The Rangers' trade of Frank Francisco for Mike Napoli doesn't address Texas' primary question, namely rotation depth. But Napoli will undoubtedly strengthen Ron Washington's lineup against the team that represents the greatest threat to Texas.

At least three-fifths of the Oakland rotation will be left-handed, with Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden and Gio Gonzalez, and the Athletics have left-handed balance in their bullpen with Brian Fuentes and Craig Breslow, who will probably face Josh Hamilton 15 to 25 times during the course of the 2011 season.

What the Rangers have done now is build a lineup that will be formidable against left-handed starters. Their plan is for Napoli to play always against lefties, whether at designated hitter or at first or at catcher, and this means their lineup against lefties could look something like this (with each player's OPS against lefties listed):

2B Ian Kinsler (.957)
1B Michael Young (.871)
LF Hamilton (.789)
3B Adrian Beltre (.943)
RF Nelson Cruz (.976)
DH Napoli (.966)
C Yorvit Torrealba (.698)
SS Elvis Andrus (.642)
CF Julio Borbon (.609)

The combination of Napoli and Young should give the Rangers incredible flexibility in dealing with little injuries, or with situations when a player needs a day or two of rest. Napoli could be the third catcher, he could play first base, or he could DH with Young sliding over to play first base, second, third or shortstop. A lot of teams have to carry a 4-A type of player -- a fringy major leaguer -- to plug a lineup gap. The Rangers can now do that with the versatility of Young and Napoli.

The Rangers have liked Napoli in the past, Texas GM Jon Daniels said. Trading Francisco makes the idea of shifting Neftali Feliz to the rotation a little more difficult, writes Richard Durrett.
[h3]Notables[/h3]

• The Toronto Blue Jays have a nice stable of young pitching and draft picks, and with the salary dumps of Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, they have very little in the way of contractual obligations. But the question of whether they are truly building toward a particular period of time -- the way the Rays came together for 2008-10, or the way the Royals seem to be building toward 2013-14 -- remains to be seen. The messages from the Toronto ownership have always fluctuated.

The Blue Jays' bullpen could have a lot of depth.

• Rocco Baldelli, one of the game's best people, has decided to retire, as Marc Topkin writes.

• Milton Bradley will compete for playing time in spring training, says Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik.

• A longtime talent evaluator on the Vernon Wells trade: "The Angels should've been able to get the Jays to eat some money in the trade, but what I think is being forgotten is that Anaheim is getting a pretty good player. He makes them better than what they were going to be."

Vernon Wells bid farewell to Toronto in his conference call with reporters, as Ken Fidlin writes. It's been a blast, he told Richard Griffin.

• The Astros worked out a multiyear deal with Wandy Rodriguez, writes Zachary Levine.

• A veteran executive on where we are in the current free-agent market: "All that's left are the tickets to Vanilla Ice."
[h3]The McCourts[/h3]

Frank and Jamie McCourt might have to be business partners if Frank wants to keep the Dodgers, says her lawyer.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
1. Charlie Manuel still likes Jimmy Rollins as his leadoff hitter, and he thinks it's a matter of time before he works out a contract extension.
Banquets are a labor of love for Charlie Manuel, writes Rich Hofmann.

2. Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg believes his team's handling of the Cliff Lee negotiations helped play the Phillies into the mix.

3. If you haven't read the buzz about Albert Pujols' contract from Jayson Stark, it's worth a read. Pujols remains unsigned with little more than three weeks remaining until the deadline for an agreement.

4. The Orioles are in the mix for Clay Rapada.

5. The Pirates raised prices for game-day tickets.

6. Darryl Strawberry says Wally Backman will be the Mets' next manager.

7. The Yankees just have to win this year, says Hank Steinbrenner, within this Kevin Kernan piece.

8. The Twins agreed to terms with Kevin Slowey.

9. The makeup of the Giants' lineup isn't set in stone, writes John Shea. The key question for San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy: What is Pablo Sandoval, as he comes out of his winter weight-loss program?

10. The trouble with the Padres' Adrian Gonzalez trade, writes Tim Sullivan, is that it looks like an IOU.

11. The Rockies chose a young lefty over Joe Beimel.

12. Brian Cashman indicated out loud that Derek Jeter might not be the Yankees' shortstop for eternity.
[h3]Other stuff[/h3]
• The Royals' farm system has been ranked as baseball's best by Baseball America, not surprisingly.
• New challenges await Billy Butler, writes Terez Paylor.

• Jimmy Rollins is a record mogul.

• Joba Chamberlain hasn't been the same pitcher since he got hurt in a game against Texas, says Brian Cashman.

• The Reds' caravan is set to take off, writes Tom Groeschen.

• Travis Hafner has one of baseball's most immovable contracts, as mentioned within this piece.

• Jon Lester is focused on October.

• Players like Fernando Abad are a good reason to love spring training, writes Richard Justice.

• Some Tigers minor leaguers are solid prospects.

• Consistency will be key for Andy Oliver, writes John Lowe.

• Terry Pendleton is ready for his new role as first-base coach, writes Carroll Rogers.

• The Brewers are holding a ticket lottery.

• The Padres have new uniforms.

• The White Sox lineup is a hit with their hitting coach, writes Mark Gonzalez.

• The new and improved Orioles could produce the same old results, writes Peter Schmuck.

• The Red Sox set their game times.

• Giants writer Andrew Baggarly is back from working on his book.

• The D-backs think Micah Owings can be a versatile player, writes Nick Piecoro; Arizona plans on using Owings at first base occasionally in spring training.

• A Red Sox prospect impressed in Class A.

• Coach Don Meyer did a Q&A with Championship Productions.

• Vanderbilt is at No. 19, and starting to put it together, writes Teresa Walker. A junior forward was named player of the week in the SEC.

And today will be better than yesterday

 
http://[h3]
[h3]Oliver blocking Bonderman?[/h3]
1:18PM ET

[h5]Jeremy Bonderman | Tigers [/h5]


Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reiterated last month that the Yankees have interest in Jeremy Bonderman and notes that the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals also have some interest, while Tom Gage of the Detroit News tweets Tuesday that the Tigers have some interest in bringing Bonderman back, but only on a minor league deal.

One of the reasons why the Tigers may not be keen on guaranteeing money to Bonderman, or any other free agent starter, is left-hander Andrew Oliver, who could prove to be ready for the big leagues as early as this spring.

Oliver, says GM Dave Dombroski as quoted by John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press, ,a href="http://www.freep.com/article/201101...TS/Consistency-key-to-Tigers-P-Olivers-return" target=new>still needs to show some polish on his secondary offerings and to shore up his command. But signing another rotation candidate blocks Oliver from breaking through, and the club already has five projected starting pitchers.

The Yankees are reportedly in on Justin Duchscherer, too, and probably don't have room for both, unless Duchscherer is being courted as a relief pitcher.

Jack Curry of YES Network tweeted earlier this month that the Yankees are still considering what's left on the starting pitching market, but "don't expect them to sign Jeremy Bonderman."

No further explanation was offered, but if the Yankees aren't that high on Bonderman it could be for a number of reasons, including their concern over his health, asking price, or the chance that they much prefer other targets.

The right-hander could be in the cross hairs of several clubs, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals, and Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com first reportedthe Yankees' interest.

The Yankees, who are waiting on a decision from left-hander Andy Pettitte, do not expect the veteran to return, and would prefer not to head into the regular season with two unknown commodities at the back end of their rotation, hence their interest in Bonderman, Freddy Garcia is another option.

If Pettitte were to return, the Yankee may be just fine with Ivan Nova handling the fifth starter duties, but could also turn to Joe Blanton as a potential No. 4 behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.

- Jason A. Churchill

http://[h3]Angels to bounce back?[/h3]
1:08PM ET

[h5]Los Angeles Angels [/h5]


The recent graduations and failures in the Los Angeles Angels farm system and the loss of production from aging veterans has thrust the club into a difficult position -- one that prompted GM Tony Reagins to trade for Vernon Wells and $81 million of his contract.

But maybe things aren't so bleak after all, as ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney cites one scout that believes at the Angels did OK to acquire the outfielder, despite the cost, saying "what I think is being forgotten is that Anaheim is getting a pretty good player. He makes them better than what they were going to be."

Furthermore, the organization's farm system, while thin in the upper levels, has a good crop of talent in Class-A ball and own the likely No. 1 overall prospect. The Halos rank No. 6 overall, according to ESPN Insider's Keith Law.

Such future fortunes should keep the Angels a relevant factor in the American League West for years to come, and the young talent could allow GM Tony Reagins to acquire more big-league help right now.

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[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Angels rank at No. 6 overall
"(There is) a ton of depth in A-ball and short-season, including a very promising haul from the 2010 draft led by infielder Kaleb Cowart and right-hander Cam (son of Steve) Bedrosian. I know Angels fans aren't happy with the team's offseason, but there's a lot of help on the way."
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[/h3]

http://[h3]Is the Tribe shopping Sizemore?[/h3]
11:32AM ET

[h5]Grady Sizemore | Indians [/h5]


The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-indiansCleveland Indians are hoping http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5882Grady Sizemore is fully recovered from microfracture knee surgery by Opening Day. Could that be because the Tribe is shopping three-time All-Star center fielder?

Phil Wood of MASNSports.com cites a big league scout who says he's heard of some "conversations" between the Indians and Nationals about Sizemore and starting pitcher Fausto Carmona.

The Tribe is looking to move salary, but it seems unlikely the Nats would be willing to give up notable prospects in return.

Sizemore, reported ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney earlier this month, started hitting off a tee and appears on track for Opening Day.

- Doug Mittler

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[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Questions with Sizemore
"If Sizemore comes back and is a star again, a whole lot of logical questions will follow: Because Sizemore's current contract has a 2012 option for $8.5 million, would it make sense for the Indians to pick up the option? Would it make sense for them to trade him, in their effort to rebuild their pitching? But none of that matters until he gets back on the field and plays, and plays well. And he can't wait to try. 'I just want to come out and get healthy and get back to playing and having fun,' he said."
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http://[h3]Ray's role in Seattle[/h3]
11:12AM ET

[h5]Chris Ray | Mariners [/h5]


Veteran reliever Chris Ray agreed to a minor league contract with the Mariners Tuesday, becoming the 20th non-roster player, and 11th pitcher, to be invited to spring training.

Despite those inflated numbers, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times writes that Ray has a decent chance of making the team.

With David Aardsma likely to be still recovering from hip surgery on Opening Day, the Mariners could be starting the year with Brandon League as their closer. With 51 career saves, Ray provides an experienced arm in the bullpen and could step in temporarily as a closer if League falters.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Sandoval's place in the order[/h3]
10:51AM ET

[h5]Pablo Sandoval | Giants [/h5]


Earlier this month, we checked in as to whether the Giants' Pablo Sandoval is winning his annual Battle of the Bulge.

The Giants want Sandoval to control his weight, and the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday there is evidence on Twitter that the Kung Fu Panda has indeed shed many pounds.

Meanwhile, Sandoval says he has completed his offseason workout regimen and is ready for spring training.

John Shea of the Chronicle writes Wednesday that the Giants' 2011 lineup isn' etched in stone, and a key question is whether Sandoval hits like he did in 2009 (.330, 25 HR). Shea sees Sandoval batting sixth at this point, with the hope that he works his way up to the middle of the order.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Feliz more likely to stay in pen[/h3]
10:33AM ET

[h5]Neftali Feliz | Rangers [/h5]


While the Rangers added another solid bat in Mike Napoli, they lost some bullpen flexibility Tuesday in the deal that sent reliever Frank Francisco to the Blue Jays.

The deal could have a ripple effect that makes it more likely that Neftali Feliz remains in the bullpen and is not converted to a starter, reports Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.

Francisco has closing experience and was viewed at a candidate to get the closer's job back if the Rangers converted Feliz to a starter.

Feliz started 53 games in the minors but GM Jon Daniels and the Rangers clearly don't want to mess with a good thing after Feliz posted such a superb season finishing games in 2010. The plan remains for Feliz, who had 40 saves last season, to come to spring training stretched out and ready for both roles.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Dual role for Owings[/h3]
10:10AM ET

[h5]Micah Owings | Diamondbacks [/h5]


Before Micah Owings found a job with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week, the versatile right-hander said one team asked him if he would be willing to walk away from pitching and be a full-time position player.

Owings has nine homers in 184 career at-bats, so he does give a team additional options. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D-backs want Owings to compete for a long-relief job out of their bullpen, while also playing him at first in some spring training games to give him some at-bats.

For all the talk of his hitting ability, Owings still needs to establish himself as a bona fide big league pitcher. He had a 5.40 ERA in 22 games for Cincinnati last season before being designated for assignment.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Rangers looking to deal Young?[/h3]
9:48AM ET

[h5]Michael Young | Rangers [/h5]


When the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tex/texas-rangersTexas Rangers were in serious pursuit of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3878Adrian Beltre earlier this month, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4566Michael Young expressed a willingness to move to DH if it would help the team land the slugging third baseman.

Now that Beltre is signed, sealed and delivered, Young is still willing to DH, but said via AOLFanhouse that he does not consider it a permanent role.

Young's roster spot in Texas also isn't etched in stone. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com speculates that the Rangers may be willing to trade Young now that they have completed a deal for Mike Napoli.

Napoli can play first base and DH, two positions also slotted for Young. A large obstacle to any trade, however, is the $16 million owed Young over the next two seasons, so the Rangers will have to offer some financial relief.

The Rangers would have every reason to act quickly. In May, Young will become more difficult to trade, attaining the right to veto any deal as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same team.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Baldelli to retire[/h3]
9:27AM ET

[h5]Rocco Baldelli | Rays [/h5]


Rocco Baldelli is expected to announce his retirement as an active player on Wednesday and take a job in the front office of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.

"I don't anticipate ever playing baseball again. I'm retired. The paperwork will be filed," Baldelli said.

Baldelli had big seasons for the Rays in 2003 and 2004, but his career was cut short by injuries and a rare medical condition -- eventually diagnosed as channelopathy, which causes severe muscle fatigue. He finishes with a .278 average over seven big league seasons.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Pujols talks not in high gear[/h3]
8:58AM ET

[h5]Albert Pujols | Cardinals [/h5]


Putting a dollar figure on http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4574http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4574Albert Pujols may be the baseball equivalent of establishing a price for the Sistine Chapel, and that is the dilemma facing the St. Louis Cardinals.

The buzz earlier this month had talks of a contract extension beginning on a "positive" tone, but Joe Strauss cautions in Wednesday's Post Dispatch that reality has set in with talks failing to reach a "higher gear." Strauss cautions that neither party will fully know Pujols' true market value unless he reaches free agency.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark wrote Tuesday that Pujols and agent Dan Lozano started their negotiations at 10 years and $300 million, but also cites industry sources that don't believe Pujols will end up anywhere but St. Louis.

GM John Mozeliak said earlier this month that has notified the team that an extension must be completed by the start of spring training. With three-plus weeks left, the Cards may be getting nervous.

Pujols said last season that he did not want contract talks to leak into spring training or impact the regular season. The Cardinals' first baseman is set to become a free agent next winter at the end of a deal that paid him $111 million over eight years.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney wrote earlier this month that Pujols is serious about the deadline. Olney adds that the Cardinals have gotten some feelers from other teams on Pujols' availability in the past year but haven't acted on any of that. Presumably, their efforts will be focused entirely on signing Pujols until the start of spring training.

- Doug Mittler

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[h5]Jayson Stark[/h5]
Impact of Pujols' new deal
"If Sir Albert really does get his $30 million a year, he changes the baseball landscape -- in more ways than one. But who feels the impact? First off, the Cardinals will be feeling it for a decade -- but especially in the near term. If they pick up their 2012 options on their biggest stars and pay Pujols 30 million bucks, they would owe nearly $100 million in 2012 to just seven players (Pujols, Matt Holliday, Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook, Yadier Molina and Kyle Lohse). So they'd be looking, said an official of one team, at one of the most top-heavy payroll models of modern times."
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[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Pujols situation is serious
"Logic tells us that the Cardinals and Albert Pujols will work out their differences, because the first baseman is to St. Louis what Stan Musial used to be, and Stan The Man has been omnipresent around the Cardinals in the half-century since he reached the end of his career. The folks who run the Cardinals know how much Pujols means to the franchise, and what his departure would mean. But the deadline that Pujols had given them to work out a long-term deal is very real, and if that passes without a contract in place, then all bets are off. Because the talks will shift from a nice one-on-one conversation between the Cardinals and their star player to being a straight bidding war."
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http://[h3]Extension or trade for Jays' Bautista?[/h3]
8:37AM ET

[h5]Jose Bautista | Blue Jays [/h5]


UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox explored a deal for Bautista before signing Carl Crawford.

We have to wonder if the Sox could rekindle their interest next winter when Bautista could hit the free agent market. J.D. Drew, Boston's right fielder, will be a free agent, too, leaving a vacancy Bautista could fill.

...

Jose Bautista could be set for a large raise this season after leading all of baseball with 54 long balls in 2010. He's requested more than $10 million via the arbitration process, while the Blue Jays countered with $7.5 million.

The 30-year-old Bautista is in his final year of arbitration, making him a free agent after 2011. And while the player is open to a multi-year pact, the Blue Jays have not made such an offer to date.

Bautista could point to the new deals signed by Jay Bruce and Joey Votto as starting points or base lines for any multi-year deal. The Jays appear to prefer to make sure his 2010 was not a fluke before committing long term, likely another sound decision among many for the organization's relatively new front office.

- Jason A. Churchill

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[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Bautista's case
"Bautista's request for $10.5 million is interesting, because there were rival executives who thought last July that the Blue Jays might be looking at an eight-figure arbitration number and would be more likely to trade Bautista because of that. But the Blue Jays appear comfortable with their number of $7.5 million. This will be an interesting decision, given that Bautista hadn't had much success until the second half of the 2009 season -- before putting up staggering numbers in 2010."
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http://[h3]Could Cashman leave?[/h3]
8:28AM ET

[h5]New York Yankees [/h5]


New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been surprisingly candid in recent weeks.

First Cashman admitted that he overruled on the decision to sign reliever Rafael Soriano, leading to an awkward press conference at Yankee Stadium. Fast forward to Tuesday, and Cashman commented that if Derek Jeter doesn't last at shortstop for the length of his new four-year contract, the 36-year-old would best suited for a switch to center field.

Cashman insisted afterwards that he was simply answering a hypothetical question from a fan, but the comment regarding the future of a franchise icon generated the expected firestorm.

John Harper of the Daily News writes that Cashman seems more and more determined to do things his way, which could lead to the GM leaving when his contract is up next winter.

Bill Madden wondered Sunday if there is more to the public spat between Cashman and owners Hank and Hal Steinbrenner.

"Cashman would never have dared to get involved in a public hissing match with the late Yankee Boss - the road is still littered with carcasses of those who did - but the very fact he would run the risk of annoying his son, Hal, tells me that Cashman is not very happy in his job," Madden writes.

Madden would not be surprised if the GM would walk away and seek a job with a small-market team that would give him a free hand.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Could Vlad land in Toronto?[/h3]
8:03AM ET

[h5]Vladimir Guerrero | Rangers [/h5]

p>Rangers president Nolan Ryan had been dropping hints that the American League champions might still be willing to bring back Vladimir Guerrero, but those chances may have dimmed significantly with Tuesday?s deal that brought Mike Napoli to Arlington.
The Blue Jays appeared to be out of the mix after making acquiring Napoli and Juan Rivera last week in the deal for Vernon Wells, but the subsequent deal with the Rangers could leave an opening for Guerrero north of the border. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday he's considering ways of bolstering his team's depth, but didn't specifically address Guerrero.

Tampa Bay and Minnesota were linked to Guerrero, but those teams came off the board with the signings of Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome, respectively.

The most logical suitors remain the Angels and Orioles, but Baltimore VP Andy MacPhail denied earlier reports that Guerrero is nearing a one-year deal to play in Maryland.

As it stands, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6229Luke Scott is slated to be the regular DH with http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6475Felix Pie and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28974Nolan Reimold sharing left field. If Guerrero signs, he's going to take up at-bats somewhere, likely DH and perhaps a few in the outfield as well.

Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes that Guerrero is worth the risk.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]Effect of Wandy's deal[/h3]
7:33AM ET

[h5]Wandy Rodriguez | Astros [/h5]


Wandy Rodriguez would have become a free agent after the 2011 season, but the Houston Astros have agreed to a three-year extension with the southpaw worth $34 million.

The deal gives Houston plenty of stability in the rotation. The Astros have four starting pitchers under team control for at least the next two seasons -- Brett Myers is signed through 2012, while Bud Norris and J.A. Happ have yet to reach arbitration eligibility.

Rodriguez's new deal could impact the dollars it takes for the Texas Rangers to extend C.J. Wilson or Chicago White Sox to lock up John Danks. Cincinnati's reported agreement with Johnny Cueto -- four years and about $30 million -- may have influenced the Rodriguez negotiations.

Edinson Volquez, Cueto's rotation mate, is also seeking a multi-year extension in lieu of going year-to-year via arbitration, and could point to the deals of both Cueto and Rodriguez.

- Doug Mittler

http://[h3]M's GM: Bradley to compete[/h3]
7:15AM ET

[h5]Milton Bradley | Mariners [/h5]


UPDATE: On the subject of Bradley's status with the team, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told Dave Mahler of Sportsradio 950 KJR in Seattle that "we're planning on him coming into spring training and competing for a job."

...

There was legitimate question as to whether Milton Bradley would play a single game for the Seattle Mariners in 2011 prior to the news Tuesday, with Eric Wedge taking over as manager and the Mariners looking to get Michael Saunders and Jack Cust into the lineup as much as possible. But now there's a chance Bradley doesn't step foot on the field ever again after being arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats against an unidentified woman in Southern California.

Bradley is out on bail but is due back in court early next month. No matter the result of the proceedings, the Mariners may simply prefer to cut ties with the outfielder, who has one year and $12 million remaining on his contract. But there is a chance the M's could void the contract, or at least recoup some of it, especially when taking a look at similar situations that took place around the league recently, as Larry Stone writes in the Seattle Times.

Saunders is penciled in as the left fielder for 2011, and Cust at DH, but Bradley was expected to see time at both positions, since he can switch hit and when he's right, he can produce, which is something the hapless Mariners lineup sorely needs.

One has to wonder whether last summer's debacle with right-hander Josh Lueke, acquired in the Cliff Lee trade with Texas. Lueke plead no contest to a charge involving a rape accusation, later changed to false imprisonment. The organization boasts a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence, and the front office claims they were unaware of Lueke's situation prior to the trade.

Bradley's latest antics may be the straw that breaks the camel's back, as GM Jack Zduriencik isn't exactly playing with house money in Seattle these days.
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Welcome to the fourth annual edition of my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball. With a slew of impressive debuts from top prospects in 2010, including the top five prospects from this list last year (Jason Heyward, Stephen Strasburg, Buster Posey, Carlos Santana, and Mike Stanton), the top of the rankings has an entirely different look to it, with most of the high-upside minor leaguers still working in A ball last year.

The rankings are limited to players who still have rookie eligibility; that means they have yet to exceed 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the majors and have not yet spent 45 days on the active roster of a major league club, excluding call-ups during the roster expansion period after Sept. 1. (One player affected by this is the Mets' Jenrry Mejia, who no longer qualifies as a rookie.) Only players who have signed professional contracts are eligible. When ranking players, I consider scouting reports on players -- usually my own, supplementing with conversations with other scouts and front-office executives as needed -- as well as performance, adjusted for age and context. I've made one adjustment in my ranking philosophy, favoring higher-upside prospects over lower-ceiling prospects who are closer to the majors. This better reflects how these players are valued now by front offices and scouting departments and gives me a chance to deliver more information on prospects whose names or scouting reports might be new to you.

I use the 20-80 grading scale in these comments to avoid saying "average" and "above average" thousands of times across the 100 player comments. On that scale, a grade of 50 equals major league average; 55 is above-average, 60 is plus, 45 is fringy or below-average, and so on. Mike Stanton has 80 raw power. Bengie Molina has 20 speed. An average fastball for a right-hander is 90-92, with 1-2 mph off for a lefty.

I've included last year's rank for players who appeared in the top 100 last offseason. An "ineligible" player (IE) was still an amateur at this time last January, whereas an "unranked" player (UR) was eligible but didn't make the cut. I've also tagged players who were on last year's sleepers list or list of 10 players who just missed the cut.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Mike Trout[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 7, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: A (Rancho Cucamonga)
2010 ranking: 49[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_trout_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM131
  • AB600
  • HR10
  • RBI58
  • SB56
  • SO85
  • BB73
  • AVG.341
  • OBP.428
  • SLG.490

If MLB ordered a do-over on the 2009 draft, Mike Trout, the 25th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels, would likely be the second overall selection after Stephen Strasburg, even ahead of some of the other top-shelf prospects who've come out of that draft. Trout was a young high school senior, turning 18 two months after graduation, and was the youngest position player to play all year in full-season leagues, destroying the Midwest League and then performing way above expectations in the Cal League. No qualifying player in low-A had an OBP within 20 points of Trout's .454 figure for Cedar Rapids, and only three beat his .526 slugging percentage; his OBP in 50 games in high-A would rank 15th among qualifiers at that level as well.

Trout's performance reflects his outstanding tools. He's an 80 runner, not just fast underway but explosively quick out of the box. That speed, combined with good instincts, gives him good range in centerfield. At the plate, he's an intelligent, disciplined hitter, with very good hand-eye coordination and a direct path to the ball. He has good leverage in his swing with a well-timed weight transfer to his front foot, and strong follow-through, so he should hit for above-average power as well as high batting averages. And Trout consistently gets the highest marks from the Angels for makeup, work ethic, and ability to take instruction.

It defies belief that the Angels fired Eddie Bane, the scouting director who made the Trout selection, just 16 months after the pick; they'll enjoy the fruits of his labor for many years to come, as Trout should see the majors within the next two years, and has the potential to become one of the best players in the game by his mid-20s.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]Bryce Harper[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: Oct. 16, 1992)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization:Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: Fall instructional (Scottsdale)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 FALL STATS[/h4]
  • GM9
  • AB35
  • HR1
  • RBI7
  • SB1
  • SO11
  • BB4
  • AVG.343
  • OBP.410
  • SLG.629

The No. 1 overall pick and consensus top player in the 2010 draft, Harper has as much raw power as any teenage prospect in recent memory and put on an absolute clinic while playing against older competition for the College of Southern Nevada this past spring, rewriting the school and conference record books along the way.

Harper's calling card is the absurd leverage in his swing, generating that enormous raw power even out to centerfield. He's aggressive at the plate and needs to work on his recognition of pro-quality offspeed stuff. Playing twice a week in the Arizona Fall League, he showed he could turn on any fastball but was often out in front of breaking balls and changeups. He can go the other way if that's where he's pitched, and despite the extraneous movement in his swing can make late adjustments when he recognizes pitches.

Harper is still learning to play the outfield after catching for most of his academic career, but he has the plus arm for right field and is probably fast enough to handle center if the Nationals wanted to challenge him. (If anything, it might be easier for him to go to center, where he'll still view the field from the middle as he did from behind the plate, as opposed to learning the angles involved in an outfield corner.) Playing a full year in 2011 at age 18, Harper has MVP upside, but his race to the majors will be timed by sliders and curveballs.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Domonic Brown[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Sept. 3, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: Majors (Philadelphia)
2010 ranking: 14[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM93
  • AB343
  • HR20
  • RBI68
  • SB17
  • SO74
  • BB37
  • AVG.327
  • OBP.391
  • SLG.589

Brown demolished Double-A and Triple-A in 2010, yet still has a lot of raw aspects to his game. He may just be the rare, special talent who has to complete most of his baseball development in the majors because minor league pitching isn't a sufficient challenge for him.

Brown has all five natural tools, and shows some refinement at the plate, where he works the count reasonably well and never had an issue with making contact until he reached Philadelphia. His swing can be a little long, but he accelerates his hands so quickly that, in the long run, I don't expect him to be a significant swing-and-miss hitter and he has the hip rotation and leverage to hit for above-average to plus power. His reads in right field still need work and despite a strong arm he tends to throw off the wrong foot, but those are problems that can be fixed with time and better instruction in the majors.

He's not likely to fill Jayson Werth's offensive shoes right away, but if the Phillies are patient Brown can be that kind of hitter when he peaks after a few years in the big leagues.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Jesus Montero[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Nov. 28, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AAA (Scranton Wilkes-Barre)
2010 ranking: 10[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_montero_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM123
  • AB453
  • HR21
  • RBI75
  • SB0
  • SO91
  • BB46
  • AVG.289
  • OBP.353
  • SLG.517

We can all agree on one thing about Montero: He's going to hit. And by that, I mean he's going to hit for average, get on base and have huge power -- the type of offensive profile that plays anywhere on the field and in the lineup. Montero is a physical beast, the rare front-foot hitter who can generate big-time power, reminiscent of Frank Thomas who was, himself, also a patient and disciplined hitter.

Of course, the question on Montero since the Yankees signed him has been his ultimate position. He has the arm strength to remain a catcher, but takes way too long to get rid of the ball. He's not a bad athlete, but his bulk has always made it hard for him to get his body moving quickly the way a catcher has to move to block balls or jump out of the crouch to throwing position. There's also a concern about the long-term effects that catching will have on Montero's knees. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, and only five players in MLB history have caught 200 games at or above those numbers, three of them (Joe Mauer, Chris Snyder, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia) have had knee and/or back problems.

With a bat this potentially strong, why risk injury or give up the 20-25 games a year when your catcher has to rest? Montero could solve the Yankees' DH problem for the next 10 years if they commit to it, a move they are unlikely to ever regret.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Eric Hosmer[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 24, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: First Base[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (Northwest Arkansas)
2010 ranking: 34[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_hosmer_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM137
  • AB520
  • HR20
  • RBI86
  • SB14
  • SO66
  • BB59
  • AVG.338
  • OBP.406
  • SLG.571

Hosmer's 2009 season was a lost year between vision problems and a broken bone in his hand, but with both issues corrected, he took off in 2010, launching himself to Double-A and reestablishing himself as an elite prospect on both sides of the ball.

At the plate, Hosmer has great hip rotation and is strong enough to drive balls out of the zone, especially when he can get his arms extended on pitches down. He's always had strong pitch recognition, even in his off year in 2009, and has shown both patience and high contact rates that allow him to project to get on base while also hitting for power.

He's a good athlete with a 60 arm or better, and could handle right field if moved there, but the Royals have him locked in at first for the long haul. In a loaded system, he's the top dog right now.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Julio Teheran[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Jan. 27, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: AA (Mississippi)
2010 ranking: 63[/td][td]
atl.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_teheran_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP142.2
  • W9
  • L8
  • ERA2.59
  • SO159
  • BB40
  • H108
  • HR9
  • BAA.208

Signed out of Colombia for $850,000 in 2007, Teheran is already making that figure look like a bargain, establishing himself not just as a future No. 1 starter but as the best pitching prospect in baseball.

Teheran has a loose arm and easy velocity, pitching at 92-95 mph but touching higher than that with a plus changeup with good fade and tailing action in the low 80s. His curveball remains his third pitch, with a vertical break but soft rotation, and the pitch can get a little sloppy at times. Teheran's arm action is a bit long but otherwise is easy and repeatable; he takes a long stride to the plate and pronates his elbow nice and early. The breaking ball still needs some work -- or he might switch to a slider eventually -- but that fastball/changeup combo with that arm and a body that's still projectable make him a potential ace.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]Dustin Ackley[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Feb. 26, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Second base[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: AAA (Tacoma)
2010 ranking: 8[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_ackley_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM134
  • AB501
  • HR7
  • RBI51
  • SB10
  • SO79
  • BB75
  • AVG.267
  • OBP.368
  • SLG.439

Ackley's shift to second base was and in some ways still is a risky one, but the early returns are promising on both glove and bat. In the field, Ackley is surviving right now largely on quickness and athleticism, showing excellent range at the position but struggling with too many routine plays and transfers on twin killings, but overall is ahead of where I expected him to be when I first heard they were committing to the position switch.

At the plate, Ackley started horribly when the Mariners chose to be aggressive and start him in Double-A, but he redeemed himself and the organization by the All-Star break. After a doubleheader on May 3, Ackley was hitting .139/.292/.215 for Double-A West Tenn. He went 3-for-5 the next day, and .310/.425/.448 with 40 walks and just 25 strikeouts until his mid-July promotion to Tacoma. He's always had a smooth, easy swing, but is keeping his weight back better than he was in 2009 and should have average to above-average power when he reaches his peak. He should be ready for the majors by the middle of 2011.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]Wil Myers[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Dec. 20, 1990)
Bats: Right    Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: A (Wilmington)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
kc.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_myers_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM126
  • AB447
  • HR14
  • RBI83
  • SB12
  • SO94
  • BB85
  • AVG.315
  • OBP.429
  • SLG.506

The performance put in by Myers would have received more general notice if there hadn't been a similar player a year younger than he is, Mike Trout, doing essentially the same thing by destroying A-ball pitching.

Myers' .453 OBP in about a half a season in the Carolina League would have led the entire high-A classification by more than 20 points if he'd qualified, and he showed similarly strong on-base skills in low-A, a level for which he was also a little young. Myers has superb hand-eye coordination and a very pretty, classic swing from the right side. He can start out in the bucket at times and needs to keep his front side firm, but the swing itself is sound and both his hip rotation and weight transfer are good.

He has been a catcher so far in the Royals' system, but the team tried him out in right field during instructional league and were encouraged by how he played. Because of the injury risk associated with catching and the fact that catchers just don't get as many at bats each year as players at other positions do, Myers' bat may actually make him too good to leave at catcher. The Royals haven't made any firm decisions on his position, but wherever he plays he's headed for stardom.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]Shelby Miller[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Oct. 10, 1990)
Bats: Right    Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: A (Quad Cities)
2010 ranking: 38[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_miller_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP104.1
  • W7
  • L5
  • ERA3.62
  • SO140
  • BB33
  • H97
  • HR7
  • BAA.243

Miller dominated the Midwest League in his first full year in pro ball, and the Cardinals have to be doing cartwheels to have landed him with the 19th overall pick in 2009.

He will pitch at 92-95 but can run the fastball up to 98 mph, and his command of the pitch has improved by leaps and bounds over where it was in high school. The biggest change for him in 2010 was his changeup, a pitch he rarely used as an amateur because he rarely needed it, but regular use and help from the Cardinals' coaches has made it a viable weapon, to the point that he held left-handed hitters in 2010 to a .194/.259/.274 line.

He still has an out-pitch curveball in the 76-80 range with good depth, but has been more of a flyball pitcher than expected despite getting good downhill plane from his delivery. He's probably two to three years away but projects as the frontline starter the Cardinals will need to replace Chris Carpenter in the long run.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]Aaron Hicks[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 2, 1989)
Bats: Both   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: A (Beloit)
2010 ranking: 19[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_hicks_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM115
  • AB423
  • HR8
  • RBI49
  • SB21
  • SO112
  • BB88
  • AVG.279
  • OBP.401
  • SLG.428

Hicks took a step forward in 2010 by converting his tools into baseball performance. He's a true five-tool player, with an 80 arm in the outfield, above-average speed, future plus power and excellent bat speed. He's much smoother hitting right-handed, with better balance and weight transfer, and it showed this year in his platoon split, as he hit just .248/.383/.339 against right-handers even though he was repeating the level.

His plate discipline continues to improve, and there's plenty of leverage in there for power when he fills out, but the inability to hit right-handed pitching is a major concern that will have to be addressed, perhaps by having him give up switch-hitting if it doesn't improve. On tools alone, Hicks is a top-5 prospect in the game, and I still expect him to become a star, but there's some risk here and I can understand why the Twins are taking it a little slow with him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]11[/td][td]Zach Britton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Dec. 22, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Top '10 Level: AAA (Norfolk)
2010 ranking: 25[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_britton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP153.1
  • W10
  • L7
  • ERA2.70
  • SO124
  • BB51
  • H139
  • HR7
  • BAA.237

Britton opened a lot of eyes at the Futures Game this year as a left-hander with power stuff who didn't enter the game with much hype. Britton is a true sinker/slider guy -- meaning his fastball actually sinks -- and at 91-94 it's very hard for hitters to elevate successfully. His low-80s slider is very sharp with great tilt and gives him a swing-and-miss weapon, especially against left-handed hitters.

Between the ability to get groundballs and a solid-average changeup, he showed virtually no platoon split at either level where he pitched in 2010. Britton accelerates his arm very quickly with a solid stride, good leverage in back and moderate hip rotation, all of which also means he's pitching with his lower half as well as with his upper. His command is fair, and he doesn't have a pitch that moves away from right-handed hitters, so he's had some trouble with walks in those situations for which he compensates by getting groundballs.

There's at least strong No. 2 starter potential here, but better command would give him more ceiling than that.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]12[/td][td]Manny Banuelos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 13, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: 96[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_banuelos_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP64.2
  • W0
  • L4
  • ERA2.51
  • SO85
  • BB25
  • H54
  • HR3
  • BAA.229

Banuelos was on the prospect radar last year as a competitive, strike-throwing lefthander with a good changeup and a chance to add velocity. Now he's a 19-year-old on the cusp of the majors with a three-pitch mix where all three pitches will at least flash above-average.

Banuelos did pick up some velocity and will now work at 90-94 mph with his fastball; he commands the pitch extremely well to both sides of the plate, and its only flaw is a lack of sink. His changeup in the 78-84 range has both excellent arm speed and tremendous fade, and he showed an improved curveball with two-plane break in the upper 70s.

Banuelos' 2010 season started in June because he had his appendix removed right before the season started, but he had little trouble with high-A hitters and finished strongly in Double-A and in the Arizona Fall League. He'll start 2011 in Double-A, but even though he's 19 he's close to maxed out physically now, so he's just a few refinements away from being able to help the big league club.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]13[/td][td]Kyle Drabek[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Dec. 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 40[/td][td]
tor.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_drabek_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP162
  • W14
  • L9
  • ERA2.94
  • SO132
  • BB68
  • H126
  • HR12
  • BAA.215

Drabek made significant strides this year in the Toronto system, raising his ceiling in the process by refining one pitch he had and adding two more to his repertoire. Drabek has always had the plus fastball, 92-97, and pairs it with an out-pitch curveball, hard in the mid-80s with good depth, but his changeup had lagged behind. That last pitch is more solid-average now, straight with better arm speed, and he can use that or a new cut fastball to get left-handed hitters out, as well as a two-seamer to keep hitters from timing his four-seamer.

Drabek, the son of 1990 NL Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, did miss a year with Tommy John surgery, and he does not have a perfect delivery. He can cut himself off and throw slightly across his body, and despite having a strong lower half he doesn't use his legs enough to generate velocity. He is, however, major league ready right now, with the weapons to miss bats while he works on his command and the development of his lesser pitches.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]14[/td][td]Jeremy Hellickson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 17[/td][td]
tb.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_hellickson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM10
  • IP36.1
  • W4
  • L0
  • ERA3.47
  • SO33
  • BB8
  • H32
  • HR5
  • BAA.232

Hellickson's presence made it easier for the Rays to flip Matt Garza for a package of good prospects from the Cubs this offseason, as the Iowa-born Music Man can step right into Garza's spot in the rotation. Hellickson's repertoire includes a solid-average fastball at 90-94 along, a curveball, a cutter and an out-pitch changeup, with above-average command across the board. The change is his best offspeed pitch, but he has great feel for the breaking ball as well, throwing it for strikes and moving it around as needed. His fastball is pretty true, so he needs to mix his pitches well to avoid becoming too homer-prone.

After missing some time in 2009 with minor shoulder soreness, Hellickson was fully healthy in 2010, throwing a career-high 155 2/3 innings and starting the Futures Game for the U.S. team; his arm works well and there's nothing pointing to more arm trouble. His ceiling is probably still more No. 2 than No. 1, but he's as major league ready as any pitcher on this list, and he should be one of the top rookie pitchers in the game in 2011.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]15[/td][td]Aroldis Chapman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Feb. 28, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 16[/td][td]
cin.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_chapman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MLB STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP13.1
  • W2
  • L2
  • ERA2.03
  • SO19
  • BB5
  • H9
  • HR0
  • BAA.196

So, can he start? Chapman showed he can pitch out of the pen very effectively -- as long as he's on at least a day of rest. In those outings, Chapman could really air it out, hitting 104 on my gun once in a late-September outing at San Diego and sitting around 98-101 with a slider at 90 mph that is unhittable to any batter geared up for triple digits. But on back-to-back days Chapman's velocity would drop a little and his stuff was less crisp -- still better than most relievers can manage, but perhaps a sign about the effort required to run the fastball past the century mark.

He has three pitches, is a tremendous athlete and gets very high marks from the Reds for his baseball aptitude. If he's willing to dial it down and pitch around 94-95 he could still be a No. 1 starter, although having a left-hander like this in the pen may be too much to resist.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]16[/td][td]Matt Moore[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: July 18, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: A (Charlotte)
2010 ranking: 81[/td][td]
tam.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_moore_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP144.2
  • W6
  • L11
  • ERA3.36
  • SO208
  • BB61
  • H109
  • HR7
  • BAA.210

For the second year in a row, Moore started slowly, only to see his stuff and results improve as the year went on: After the All-Star break in 2010, he had a 1.39 ERA with 130 strikeouts and 24 walks in 84 innings.

Moore is a big, strong kid with a loose arm that comes from just under a 3/4 slot, and he gets excellent extension out front so the ball jumps in on hitters quickly. His fastball is above-average, sitting 93-94 and touching 97, and his curve really came on this year to the point where it's getting 60-70 grades from scouts. His circle-change is still an above-average pitch and he had no platoon split to speak of this year.

The only major question for Moore is command; he's shown he can throw strikes, so if he can locate the offspeed stuff better, he has top-of-the-rotation potential.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]17[/td][td]Brandon Belt[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 20, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: First base[/td][td]Organization: San Francisco Giants
Top '10 Level: AAA (Fresno)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
sfo.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_belt_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM136
  • AB492
  • HR23
  • RBI112
  • SB22
  • SO99
  • BB93
  • AVG.352
  • OBP.455
  • SLG.620

The Red Sox actually took Belt in the 11th round in 2006 as a pitcher, but he went to junior college and eventually to Texas before signing with the Giants as a fifth-round pick in 2009.

San Francisco, whose 2010 World Series win was fueled by a number of successful high draft picks, selected Belt despite poor results because they thought they could help him by altering his stance and swing. They were right. By getting himself more upright at the plate, Belt became the year's breakout prospect, with a good, balanced swing and excellent hip rotation and weight transfer for future power. He has some extraneous movement while setting up, but once he gets his hands going forward everything is simple and direct.

He's an average runner and an above-average glove at first, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him handle left field well now that he's semi-blocked by Aubrey Huff. He's a potential impact callup for the Giants this year and a middle-of-the-order bat in the near future.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]18[/td][td]Martin Perez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Apr. 4, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Texas Rangers
Top '10 Level: AA (Frisco)
2010 ranking: 7[/td][td]
tex.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_perez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP99.2
  • W5
  • L8
  • ERA5.96
  • SO101
  • BB50
  • H117
  • HR12
  • BAA.290

Perez's performance this year was one of the most disappointing for any player in last year's top 20, even though nothing significant changed in his delivery or stuff. I did have one report of Perez struggling to top 90 mph in a mid-summer start, but he was dealing with a minor back strain at the time and he was 89-93 and flashing higher most of the season. His changeup is slightly ahead of his breaking ball, but both project as above-average-to-plus pitches.

The delivery remains clean and efficient, although he showed a little more effort last year as the Rangers tried to fine-tune the arm action; he fought the back issue as well as a cracked fingernail, both of which could easily affect a pitcher's command. Had Perez rolled out a 3.00 ERA and peripherals to match in Double-A this year, he'd still be in the top ten overall, but the poor results mean he's not quite the sure thing he appeared to be a year ago, and he's probably further from major league production than we thought.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]19[/td][td]Casey Kelly[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 4, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 18[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_kelly_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP95.0
  • W3
  • L5
  • ERA5.31
  • SO81
  • BB35
  • H118
  • HR10
  • BAA.307

Kelly's season didn't match his hype, although he spent a good chunk of the year pitching with a badly cracked fingernail on his right hand that caused him trouble into the fall. Kelly's velocity was sound, 89-94, with good arm speed on his changeup and a sharp curveball with excellent depth. His command, when his finger is intact, is well above-average and has been so since he was in high school. He was a solid defensive shortstop who had a long way to go with the bat, and was also a star quarterback in high school. He's taken that fielding ability and athleticism to the mound, with an easy delivery he repeats extremely well.

The 2010 season was Kelly's first as a full-time pitcher, and he'll probably return to Double-A to a great pitchers' park in San Antonio before the Padres slide him up to the hitters' environment in Tucson. If he never adds another mile an hour to his fastball, he'll still likely pitch as a solid No. 2 behind Mat Latos for many years, with a chance to be better than that if he picks up a little velocity.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]20[/td][td]Desmond Jennings[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Oct. 30, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 6[/td][td]
tb.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_jennings_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM109
  • AB399
  • HR3
  • RBI36
  • SB37
  • SO67
  • BB47
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.362
  • SLG.393

The heir apparent to Carl Crawford's roster spot, Jennings scuffled in 2010 with injuries that cost him playing time but also affected his swing as he tried to compensate.

His ceiling remains the same -- a plus runner and centerfielder with excellent plate discipline and the ability to turn on good fastballs -- but he now has to prove he can adjust his swing back to its 2009 state, and, more importantly, that he can stay healthy for a full season, something he's only done once in four full years in Tampa Bay's system.

He's had nagging shoulder and back problems, and in spring training last year he jammed his wrist on a slide and missed the start of the year. Jennings gets huge marks for his makeup, particularly his instincts all over the field, something you can see in his 89 percent success rate on stolen bases over the last two years. A healthy Jennings should be an on-base machine at the top of Tampa's lineup.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]21[/td][td]Michael Pineda[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Jan. 18, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: AAA (Tacoma)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
sea.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_pineda_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM25
  • IP139.1
  • W11
  • L4
  • ERA3.36
  • SO154
  • BB34
  • H121
  • HR10
  • BAA.227

Pineda missed a huge chunk of 2009 with an elbow injury (not the kind that requires Tommy John surgery), but had a full, healthy season in 2010 and saw his velocity and offspeed stuff improve substantially. Pineda was skinny to the point of scrawny before the 2009 injury, but has grown a little and added 20-25 pounds while seeing his fastball jump to the mid-to-upper 90s, touching 100 at times.

He can locate the fastball extremely well, and it sets up the mid-80s split-change, with the slider becoming tighter as the 2010 season went on, until the Mariners shut him down for precautionary reasons. On the right night you could grade either offspeed pitch as above-average to plus, and if one of those becomes more consistent -- and he stays healthy -- he could be No. 1a to King Felix's No. 1 in Seattle's rotation.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]22[/td][td]Jacob Turner[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: May 21, 1991)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Detroit Tigers
Top '10 Level: A (Lakeland)
2010 ranking: 80[/td][td]
det.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_turner_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP115.1
  • W6
  • L5
  • ERA3.28
  • SO102
  • BB23
  • H106
  • HR7
  • BAA.238

Turner has one of the fastest arms I've seen on a teenager and would light up guns in high school, hitting 97-98 in a number of late-spring starts in 2009 that pushed him up into that draft's top 10. He didn't boast that same velocity throughout 2010, pitching around an early season bout of forearm tightness, but was 91-95 when healthy with an improved hard curveball and surprisingly good control. His changeup lags behind the other two pitches and he'll need to improve it or mix in more two-seam fastballs to keep hitters off the four-seamer.

He finished very strongly in high-A Lakeland, going 35 2/3 innings in his last seven starts while allowing just six runs, 20 hits and six walks while punching out 33, his best stretch of pitching all year. The forearm tightness seems to be behind him and the only potential red flag in his delivery is that he generates a lot of his arm speed from his upper half rather than his legs. If his arm is healthy for a full year in 2011, I expect him to shoot up to Double-A or higher and into the top echelons on this list.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]23[/td][td]Mike Moustakas[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 20, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AAA (Omaha)
2010 ranking: 69[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_moustakas_mike_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM118
  • AB484
  • HR36
  • RBI124
  • SB2
  • SO67
  • BB34
  • AVG.322
  • OBP.369
  • SLG.630

I said last January that 2010 would determine whether Moustakas projected as an impact bat or just as solid-average, and I think he answered that question pretty clearly, even with the knocks on his performance this year. Moustakas destroyed Double-A, in part courtesy of a home park very friendly to left-handed power hitters, and maintained his power with a promotion to Triple-A but lost some selectivity and struggled against left-handed pitching.

He has one of the best-looking swings on any prospect in the minors, and has big line-drive power, including power out to left-center. At third base, his best tool remains his plus-plus arm; he'll make the plays there but won't show much range, and I doubt he'll be more than average even with his work ethic. Even a grade-45 glove at third with his bat is a very good player who'll make All-Star teams and hit in the middle of the Royals' lineup for years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]24[/td][td]Tyler Matzek[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: October 19, 1990)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: A (Asheville)
2010 ranking: 22[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_matzek_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • IP89.1
  • W5
  • L1
  • ERA2.92
  • SO88
  • BB62
  • H62
  • HR6
  • BAA.204

Matzek's full-season debut was well below expectations for someone who was the top prep arm in the previous year's draft, but between his youth and some extenuating circumstances, it's more speed bump than real obstacle.

The lefty went through some changes to his mechanics, including one coach's attempt to get him to throw with a more windmill-style delivery, and by mid-summer he'd lost his mechanics to the point that he couldn't easily return to his old arm action. Between instructional league and offseason work with his high school coach, however, Matzek is back to where he was coming out of high school, and has also worked on conditioning to get stronger and leaner so he can hold up for a full year.

Matzek will pitch with a full repertoire including four- and two-seam fastballs, sitting in the 90-94 range, and his main objective in 2011 will be to throw more quality strikes, as the return to the old delivery should reduce or eliminate the control problems he had last year. I'm still very bullish on Matzek's future, and he'll be very young for the Cal League if he starts there this year.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]25[/td][td]Jarrod Parker[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 24, 1988)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: AA (Mobile)
2010 ranking: 37[/td][td]
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mlb_g_parker_65.jpg
[h4] 2009 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP78.1
  • W4
  • L6
  • ERA3.68
  • SO74
  • BB34
  • H82
  • HR2
  • BAA.272
*Missed 2010 season

Parker missed the entire 2010 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but the operation was completely successful and he showed in rehab and in instructional league that his arm is as good as ever. Parker has always been 92-97 with a four-pitch mix, including a potential out-pitch slider and a changeup that showed above-average before he got hurt.

While rehabbing, Parker worked hard on conditioning and on strengthening his lower half, while the Diamondbacks' player development group worked on having him stay over the rubber longer and repeating it more consistently. Parker earns high marks for baseball intelligence, and worked hard enough that he could have come back a month early had the minor league season not ended in early September, so look for him to be back at full strength (though on an innings limit) in 2011.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]26[/td][td]Manny Machado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: July 6, 1992)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: SS[/td][td]Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Top '10 Level: A (Aberdeen)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_machado_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM9
  • AB36
  • HR1
  • RBI5
  • SB0
  • SO3
  • BB3
  • AVG.306
  • OBP.359
  • SLG.472

Machado was the best high school hitter in a thin 2010 Rule 4 draft, going third overall to the Orioles, but likely would have been a top-10 pick even in a more typical draft class. Machado is tall and athletic, with an excellent chance to hit in pro ball. He has strong, quick wrists, good rotation and excellent extension through his swing, clearing a slight bat wrap quickly once he gets his hands started. It's line-drive power now, but he's going to have more power down the road as he gets stronger.

Machado has a 70 arm and good hands at shortstop, but his frame is so big that he might outgrow the position in a few years, although I think he has the raw ability to stay there if his body cooperates. He will need help with his footwork and needs to quiet down his game, both of which can come with pro instruction and will help him realize his potential to be an All-Star hitter who plays somewhere on the left side of the infield.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]27[/td][td]Jonathan Singleton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 18, 1991)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: 1B/LF[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: NR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_singleton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM104
  • AB376
  • HR14
  • RBI77
  • SB9
  • SO74
  • BB62
  • AVG.290
  • OBP.393
  • SLG.479

Singleton started out like a house on fire in low A, cooled off a little in July, then hit the wall in August as the length of the season caught up to him. He's put together physically, listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, but probably stronger than that already. Given experience, he should have no trouble going 150-160 games without fading.

His swing is one of the best in the minors, with good hand speed, balance and rhythm at the plate, along with excellent hip rotation for future plus power. He can get out on his front foot too much, which will rob him of a little juice, but he gets great extension through the zone and, if he keeps his weight back, he should be a 25-30 homer guy at worst. He recognizes balls and strikes well but has a little trouble with offspeed stuff, especially from left-handed pitchers.

He is an athletic defender at first base and probably will be well above average there in time, but the Phillies will test him in left field this year, a position he probably can handle but where he might be more of an average glove. Singleton should start 2011 in Clearwater, but between the gorgeous swing and patient eye at the plate, he is primed to head to Double-A by midyear if he gets off to the start I expect from him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]28[/td][td]Mike Montgomery[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: July 1, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (NW Arkansas)
2010 ranking: 75[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_montgomery_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP20
  • W7
  • L5
  • ERA2.61
  • SO88
  • BB31
  • H76
  • HR4
  • BAA.228

Montgomery started slowly this past year and missed time with two stints on the DL for elbow soreness. But he showed huge stuff in the Arizona Fall League that might just mean those elbow problems are nothing to worry about.

Montgomery will pitch around 92-95 mph and hits 97 frequently, but his fastball command comes and goes and he has a tendency to try to dial it up more often than he needs to, especially given the downhill plane he gets on the pitch. His changeup remains his best offspeed pitch, a plus offering with excellent arm speed and one he moves around the zone easily. His curve has improved substantially since March, up to the mid-70s with a little better definition, but it can get slurvy and he's still refining his feel for it. Montgomery's delivery generates good arm acceleration and he gets great extension out front, so while you can never be sure, it doesn't appear that his arm action is causing the elbow issues.

Get him healthy and up to 150-plus innings this year, and he'll be on track to head up the Royals' rotation in a few years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]29[/td][td]Miguel Sano[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 17 (DOB: May 11, 1993)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 3B[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Gulf Coast)
2010 ranking: 97[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_sano_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM61
  • AB212
  • HR7
  • RBI29
  • SB4
  • SO60
  • BB24
  • AVG.307
  • OBP.379
  • SLG.491

Sano won't turn 18 until May, but his hitting tools would make him a top-five pick if he were just coming out of an American high school, with consideration for the top overall spot. He's a natural hitter, with very good balance and plus bat speed, and there will be power not too far down the road because he gets great leverage from his lower half.

He has started to fill out quickly and is big enough that there's zero chance he remains at shortstop. And despite a 70 or better arm, there's a rapidly declining chance he sticks at third base, because he easily could end up at 240 pounds or more by the time he's in his mid-20s. He is a below-average runner but is agile enough that he'll work out somewhere in the field, perhaps right field because of his arm strength, and his bat will profile anywhere he plays, with average and potentially big-time power.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]30[/td][td]Jameson Taillon[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Nov. 18, 1991)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Top '10 Level: High school
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 HIGH SCHOOL STATS[/h4]
  • GM12
  • IP62.2
  • W8
  • L1
  • ERA1.78
  • SO114
  • BB21
  • H42
  • HR5
  • BAA.201

Taillon was the top high school arm in the 2010 draft by a pretty healthy margin -- when you sit at 93-97 mph and flash better as an 18-year-old with a starter's build, you're probably going to be the best prep pitcher in your draft class. Taillon is very physically advanced for a teenager, with a workhorse build and stuff to match, as his 83-87 mph slider has good tilt and gives him a swing-and-miss pitch right out of the chute.

In high school, he had a tendency to overthrow by rushing through his delivery, pulling himself offline, flattening out his fastball, and making his slider finish up in the zone instead of down and away from right-handed hitters. The rushing is fixable, and even if he loses a little velocity, he can pitch at 92-95 and still project as an ace. He'll also have to develop his changeup, a pitch he didn't need often in high school, and he'll have to work on general command and make better use of his height to drive the ball down in the zone. He's raw in a number of ways, but the pure stuff and physicality are extremely exciting.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]31[/td][td]Devin Mesoraco[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: June 19, 1988)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: C[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: AAA (Louisville)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_mesoraco_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM113
  • AB397
  • HR26
  • RBI75
  • SB3
  • SO80
  • BB43
  • AVG.302
  • OBP.377
  • SLG.587

Mesoraco went into 2010 as a busted first-round pick, with a composite .240/.311/.368 (BA/OBP/SLG) line across 2½ minor league seasons without ever being especially young for his level. That's out the window now after he mashed through two levels, repeating one from 2009, and ended the year with two weeks in Triple-A despite playing much of the second half with a badly bruised index finger.

Mesoraco has above-average to plus power already, with strong hands and good hip rotation despite a slight hip drift before his hands get started. Behind the plate, Mesoraco struggled late in the year with receiving, although that might have been because of the finger issue -- he doesn't like to wear a glove or padding inside his catcher's mitt, so his left index finger took a beating -- while his arm strength is good enough to make up for a slow release.

He profiles as an offensive catcher but one who clearly stays behind the plate even with fringy defense. He easily could see the big leagues by the end of the summer.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]32[/td][td]Kyle Gibson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Oct. 23, 1987)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: AAA (Rochester)
2010 ranking: 89[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_gibson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP152.0
  • W11
  • L6
  • ERA2.96
  • SO126
  • BB39
  • H136
  • HR7
  • BAA.242

Gibson is not the exciting top-of-the-rotation type of arm that most pitchers this high on the list represent, but he is extremely high-probability and could pitch above the level of his stuff because of his command and feel. He will show three solid-average pitches most nights and pounds the strike zone with all three. His fastball tops out at 94 mph or so, but his slider flashes above average and he can get ground balls with both pitches, keeping the ball out of the air on 57 percent of balls he allowed in play in 2010.

Gibson is tall and still looks like he could pack some weight on his shoulders, perhaps adding a mile an hour or two to the fastball, and his arm action is easy and repeatable, which probably explains a lot of his above-average command and control. He is a midrotation starter with a No. 2 ceiling but is so close to major league-ready that he should get the call in 2011 and could have an effect down the stretch.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]33[/td][td]Derek Norris[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Feb. 14, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: A (Potomac)
2010 ranking: 31[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_norris_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM94
  • AB298
  • HR12
  • RBI49
  • SB6
  • SO94
  • BB89
  • AVG.235
  • OBP.419
  • SLG.419

Norris has gotten something of a bad rep as a catcher, which could be the Nichols Law of Catcher Defense (the worse a catcher's bat, the better his defensive reputation) working in reverse, as Norris is fine behind the plate and won't have to move unless he gets hurt.

He has an above-average arm with a quick enough release, and he's agile enough to block balls and be at least an average receiver. And that's all good news, because Norris can hit. He's always had outstanding plate discipline, and he pairs that with a sound swing with excellent rotation and upper-body strength that should produce above-average or better power down the road.

His performance suffered in 2010 as he recovered from a broken hamate bone that occurred during instructional league the previous fall, an injury that can sap power for 12 to 18 months. Look for Norris to move up to Double-A this year and pick up where he left off in 2009, getting on base and hitting for power while playing adequate or better defense behind the dish.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]34[/td][td]Jarred Cosart[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: May 25, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
phi.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_cosart_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP71.1
  • W7
  • L3
  • ERA3.79
  • SO77
  • BB16
  • H60
  • HR3
  • BAA.224

Cosart has one of the best pure fastballs among minor league starters and was busy dismantling the South Atlantic League when his elbow started barking in June, leading the Phillies to shut him down and handle him very conservatively. His only game innings the remainder of the year came in the instructional league, where his velocity was intact, 95-98 mph with no arm trouble reported. When healthy, Cosart also throws a plus curveball with tight rotation and good depth, and his changeup projects as an average pitch although it's not there yet.

His control is ahead of his command, especially when it comes to the two offspeed pitches, but his delivery shouldn't be an obstacle and he has the frame to be a 200-inning pitcher when he fills out. It's a pretty special package overall, with the potential to be in the top 10 this time next year if he has a full season without any more scares from his arm. Not bad for a 38th-round pick.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]35[/td][td]Jean Segura[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: March 17, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 2B[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: A (Cedar Rapids)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_segura_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM130
  • AB515
  • HR10
  • RBI79
  • SB50
  • SO72
  • BB45
  • AVG.313
  • OBP.365
  • SLG.464

Segura has a chance to be a special bat, perhaps the player we thought Howie Kendrick would be, and might even do it as a shortstop if the Angels' attempt to shift him there sticks.

Segura is a plus runner with a short, compact swing and excellent bat control, and he improved as the 2010 season went on, hitting .338/.390/.545 (BA/OBP/SLG) in the Midwest League after its all-star break. He needs to stay in his swing and avoid letting his back side collapse when trying to hit for power. He's an above-average runner who was still a work in progress at second. Since he wasn't set at that position, the Angels have experimented with him at shortstop, for which he has the feet and quickness but not the instincts.

Perhaps the best news for Segura in 2010 was that he stayed healthy, more than doubling his career total in plate appearances after two injury-scarred seasons in the U.S. His ability to put the bat on the ball gives him a chance to advance as quickly as his glove will let him, and he should be a contributor with his legs as well.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]36[/td][td]Zack Wheeler[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: May 30, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Francisco Giants
Top '10 Level: A (Augusta)
2010 ranking: 84[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_wheeler_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP58.2
  • W3
  • L3
  • ERA3.99
  • SO70
  • BB38
  • H47
  • HR26
  • BAA.218

Wheeler missed a chunk of the first half of 2010 with a badly cracked fingernail that forced him to slightly alter the way he grips the baseball and hurt his control, but it had no effect on the quality of his stuff. Wheeler will sit at 90-94 mph and show 96 or better with a big, slow, but tight curveball in the low to mid-70s; he has been mixing in an above-average slider in the 85-89 range and will flash an average changeup, the one pitch for which he doesn't show great feel yet.

Wheeler still is filling out physically and should have the workhorse, 220-inning build we expect from No. 1 starters, although I'm a little concerned about the stress his arm action might put on his shoulder. Overall he's an elite arm, with the potential for four average or better pitches including a plus fastball and the body to handle a big workload.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]37[/td][td]Brett Lawrie[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Jan. 18, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 2B[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (Huntsville)
2010 ranking: 47[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lawrie_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM135
  • AB554
  • HR8
  • RBI63
  • SB30
  • SO118
  • BB47
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.346
  • SLG.451

Lawrie has one of the best right-handed swings in the minors, and he has added strength and power since last offseason while wearing out his welcome in Milwaukee and changing addresses in the Shaun Marcum trade.

His swing is clean, and he has good hand speed. He uses his lower half well with good leverage and above-average raw power already at age 20. He's also an above-average runner who plays all-out all the time, so no one questions his work ethic. At second base, Lawrie is a hitter, and there's a better than even chance he will end up in the outfield, but the Blue Jays will see whether their outstanding infield coach, Brian Butterfield, can make second or even third base work.

Lawrie did acquire a reputation as a difficult player who didn't like to take instruction in Milwaukee, but the slate is clean for him in Toronto, a club that coveted him since it missed out on him in the 2008 draft. The Blue Jays believe they now have the Canadian-born star they've been seeking.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]38[/td][td]Anthony Rizzo[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 8, 1989)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: 1B[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 53[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_rizzo_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM136
  • AB531
  • HR25
  • RBI100
  • SB10
  • SO132
  • BB61
  • AVG.260
  • OBP.334
  • SLG.480

Rizzo is a plus-fielding, plus-makeup, power-hitting first baseman, a potential Adrian Gonzalez Lite kind of player if he can improve his performance against left-handed pitching. Rizzo is still quite young and will play most of 2011 at age 21, but he already has handled Double-A pitching well, showing increasing power as he gets older and stronger after missing most of 2008 while fighting Hodgkin's lymphoma.

At the plate, Rizzo has a simple, easy stroke that generates mostly line drives, although he's showing more ability to stay back and drive the ball out to right. His plate discipline remains borderline before you consider his age, and he'll have to close the gap between his performances against left- and right-handed pitchers. But there's still a lot of development time for Rizzo with the ultimate long-term ceiling of a fringe All-Star at first base.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]39[/td][td]Lonnie Chisenhall[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Oct. 4, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: AA (Akron)
2010 ranking: 26[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_chisenhall_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM117
  • AB460
  • HR17
  • RBI84
  • SB3
  • SO77
  • BB46
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.351
  • SLG.450

Chisenhall started slowly with a troublesome shoulder that put him on the DL in May, but after his return, he hit more in line with expectations, putting up a .284/.359/.493 (BA/OBP/SLG) line in 401 plate appearances the rest of the way, excellent numbers for a 21-year-old in Double-A.

He has one of the prettiest swings in the minors, along with Mike Moustakas, with a direct path, easy hip rotation and above-average power already. His hand-eye coordination is good, leading to lots of hard line-drive contact. Chisenhall's pitch recognition is noticeably worse against left-handers, and he struggled with major league velocity when I saw him in March (possibly the result of the shoulder problem), so odds are he's a year-plus away from major league production. Chisenhall has a special swing and he's going to be very productive with an average glove at third.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]40[/td][td]Chris Archer[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 6, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: AA (Tennessee)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_archer_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP142.1
  • W15
  • L3
  • ERA2.34
  • SO149
  • BB65
  • H102
  • HR6
  • BAA.200

Acquired in the Matt Garza trade along with fellow top-100 prospect Hak-Ju Lee, Archer has been through this before, going from the Cleveland organization to the Cubs in the Mark DeRosa trade.

After a breakout year in Chicago's system, he projects as a No. 2 starter or power reliever depending on how well his changeup develops. He'll pitch at 93-95 mph in the rotation, holding it for seven-plus innings. And despite a high arm slot that looks more conducive to a curveball, he throws a plus-plus 85-88 mph slider that has helped him rack up strikeouts in the minors. He gets great downhill plane on the fastball but has generated only moderate ground ball rates. His main issues now are a fringe-average changeup and below-average control, although nearly a third of his walks at Double-A came in just two disastrous starts.

If the command doesn't improve or left-handed hitters start hitting him because he doesn't have an average third pitch, he'll go to the bullpen, but he's young and athletic enough to continue his recent improvement.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]41[/td][td]John Lamb[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: July 10, 1990)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (Northwest Arkansas)
2010 ranking: Sleepers[/td][td]
kan.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_lamb_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP147.2
  • W10
  • L7
  • ERA2.38
  • SO159
  • BB45
  • H122
  • HR5
  • BAA.226

Lamb sits above all other top Kansas City prospects as a testament to the Royals' amateur scouting staff. His senior year of high school was ruined by a car accident that kept him off the mound and pushed down his draft stock. The Royals stuck with him, took him in the fifth round, paid him less than slot and ended up with a prospect who's pitching like a former first-round pick.

He took a while to get going in 2009, but in 2010 he showed three average to above-average pitches all year, pitching at 90-91 mph and touching 93 with a curve and changeup and above-average command of all three pitches. The change remains his worst pitch, and his platoon split grew as he moved up the ladder. He repeats his delivery very well with a consistent arm slot, and there's no physical reason he can't throw a good straight or circle change given time. He doesn't have Mike Montgomery's ceiling but he has the highest probability of any of the Royals' top arms.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]42[/td][td]Jordan Lyles[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Oct. 19, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Houston Astros
Top '10 Level: AAA (Round Rock)
2010 ranking: 60[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lyles_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP158.2
  • W7
  • L12
  • ERA3.57
  • SO137
  • BB46
  • H181
  • HR12
  • BAA.285

Lyles was the second-youngest pitcher in the Texas League in 2010, six months older than Martin Perez but with an ERA nearly three runs lower. He even slid up to Triple-A to set himself up for a potential call-up late in 2011.

He remains a little under the radar because he is in the Astros' system and doesn't pitch with a big fastball, sitting at 89-92 mph and showing a little better with a curve, a cutter-slider and a plus changeup that had him better against left-handed batters in Double-A than against right-handers. His command of his fastball and changeup is above-average, but he's still working on his feel for the two breaking pitches, and it's hard to project him as a No. 1 with only the change as a potential out pitch.

However, the Astros surely would take him as a future No. 2 who's on the cusp of the majors at age 20, the best pitching prospect their system has produced since the days of Roy Oswalt.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]43[/td][td]http://Freddie Freeman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Sept. 12, 1989)
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Position: 1B[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 67[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_freeman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM124
  • AB461
  • HR18
  • RBI87
  • SB6
  • SO84
  • BB43
  • AVG.319
  • OBP.378
  • SLG.521

Freeman keeps performing even though he is young for his levels and doesn't possess any plus tools to get you excited. He is a big kid with a very good feel for the bat, and he's extremely short to the ball despite long arms; that produces a lot of hard contact without big power, which might require a significant change to how he uses his lower half. He never has been a high-walk guy, either -- 45 is his single-season high in pro ball, excluding intentionals -- although he consistently hits for high enough averages that his OBPs are good.

He is an above-average defensive first baseman and is ready to step in right now as Atlanta's regular first baseman, so the lack of ceiling is mitigated by the fact that he can provide value right away.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]44[/td][td]Zach Stewart[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Sept. 28, 1986)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (New Hampshire)
2010 ranking: 55[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_stewart_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP136.1
  • W8
  • L3
  • ERA3.63
  • SO106
  • BB54
  • H131
  • HR13
  • BAA.255

The industry remains split on whether Stewart is a starter or a power sinker/slider reliever, but I still don't see a good reason to remove him from the future rotation, as he's a four-pitch guy who can miss bats and get groundballs. Stewart will pitch in the low 90 mph range but touches 96, and his fastball has both sink and tail to it. His slider is his best offspeed pitch, tight at 83-87 with good tilt, and he commands the pitch well, throwing it to both sides of the plate. His changeup improved substantially as the year went on, 81-85, straight, but with excellent arm speed. His curve has good depth but he doesn't command it well and it's not as tight as the slider.

He stays over the rubber before driving forward with a long stride, although his arm action is a little long in the back and he pronates relatively late in the delivery. His fastball movement has limited his control, and he'll have to work on cutting down on free passes, but there's No. 2 starter potential here, No. 3 at worst, as long as he can throw enough strikes.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]45[/td][td]Jose Iglesias[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Jan. 5, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 91[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_iglesias_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM70
  • AB261
  • HR0
  • RBI20
  • SB7
  • SO57
  • BB15
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.339
  • SLG.379

Iglesias is the best defensive shortstop prospect I've ever seen. He's not the fastest or most athletic, but he's the one most able to make plays and to take difficult plays and make them look routine.

There's not much flash to Iglesias' fielding; he gets in position, the ball disappears into his glove and it's on its way to first base before your eyes have even adjusted from watching the ball on the ground. His hands and instincts are plus. He is not wide-ranging like an Ozzie Smith but will surprise with how many ground balls he reaches despite average-at-best running speed.

Iglesias' swing is direct with good bat speed, and he has a little pop when he gets his arms extended, although in Fenway that probably will mean lots of doubles off the Monster but few home runs. He needs to avoid barring his lead arm, and so far he hasn't shown much patience although he has shown he can make a lot of contact. If he can draw 50 walks a year or hit .300 regularly, he's an All-Star, and if not, he's still an above-average regular because of the potential value of his defense.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]46[/td][td]Jaff Decker[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Feb. 23, 1990)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: LF/RF[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: A (Lake Elsinore)
2010 ranking: 27[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_decker_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM79
  • AB290
  • HR17
  • RBI58
  • SB5
  • SO80
  • BB47
  • AVG.262
  • OBP.374
  • SLG.500

Decker began 2010 on the DL with a hamstring injury, came back in mid-May, went 4-for-his-first-40 and then got back to his old self, hitting .288/.401/.544 (BA/OBP/SLG) until he broke his hand Aug. 18, ending his season. Decker is just about all bat, even though he's surprisingly athletic for his body type, running average to above-average once he's underway, and he has a grade 55 or 60 arm. He has a compact swing with good bat speed, resulting in loud, hard contact. His plate discipline has been off the charts since his first day in a pro uniform.

He's probably going to end up in left field because he won't be able to cover right field in Petco, although in a smaller park he could handle right field because he has the arm strength for it. Decker will play all of 2011 at age 21, likely in the pitchers' park in Double-A San Antonio, putting him on track for a late 2012 or early 2013 debut, with the upside of a Daric Barton with more pop.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]47[/td][td]Arodys Vizcaino[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Nov. 13, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: A (Rome)
2010 ranking: 43[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_vizcaino_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM17
  • IP85.1
  • W9
  • L4
  • ERA2.74
  • SO79
  • BB12
  • H79
  • HR2
  • BAA.240

Vizcaino was on track to end 2010 in the top 20 before a partially torn elbow ligament knocked him out for two months, although he did return to throw two innings for low A Rome in the season's final week.

When healthy -- and it's not clear whether we can say Vizcaino is right now -- he will show plus velocity up to 96 mph and an above-average curveball, along with outstanding control. He didn't walk a batter in his final 40 innings in low A. He does have great arm speed, but he doesn't use his lower half much to generate it. Vizcaino comes from a slot under three-quarters and tends to get on the side of the ball as well as giving left-handed hitters a slightly better look at it out of his hand. He does have that pesky tear, and while it didn't require surgery last year, further tearing probably will put him on the shelf for at least a half-season if not more.

He's not a huge guy, and between the arm slot and elbow tear, there's at least some reason to think he could head for the bullpen, at which point he'd probably sit mid-90s and profile as a top-tier setup man or closer. If he holds up, however, he has premium starter stuff and would slot in as a No. 1A behind Julio Teheran's No. 1 in a rotation of Atlanta's starting pitching prospects.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]48[/td][td]Wilmer Flores[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 6, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: New York Mets
Top '10 Level: A (St. Lucie)
2010 ranking: 41[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_flores_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB554
  • HR11
  • RBI84
  • SB4
  • SO77
  • BB32
  • AVG.289
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.424

Flores can rake, as you can see from his performance as a true 18-year-old (he didn't turn 19 until four weeks before the end of the season) in two full-season, A-ball leagues in 2010. There's zero chance he remains at shortstop despite a lanky build because his feet aren't quick and overall he's not very athletic. There's a non-zero chance for him at third base, since he has enough arm strength and his hands work well, although right field or first base is probably a safer bet. But his bat should profile at any position because of his quick wrists, short path to the ball and strong follow-through with good loft for future power as he fills out.

He'll eventually need to show more patience, but his 2010 walk total isn't a big concern because of his youth -- the next-youngest position player with more than a handful of at-bats in the Florida State League was 11 months older than Flores.

The most realistic long-term projection for Flores has him in a corner position, hitting for average with plus power and a league-average OBP, but he's young enough to exceed even that level.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]49[/td][td]Hak-Ju Lee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Nov. 4, 1990)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: A (Peoria)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lee_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM122
  • AB485
  • HR1
  • RBI40
  • SB32
  • SO86
  • BB49
  • AVG.282
  • OBP.354
  • SLG.351

The Cubs have committed heavily to scouting Korean amateur players and paying them what it takes to get them to forgo a career in Korea's professional leagues. Lee was the biggest prize they'd landed so far, and they sent him to the Rays in a trade forMatt Garza this January.

Lee is still a lot of projection, but he has the potential for four above-average or better tools with fringe-average to average power once he reaches his mid-20s. At the plate, Lee has outstanding hand speed and bat control, shown in his contact rate, which was well above league average even though he was among the 10 youngest regulars in the Midwest League this past year. He's a 70 runner who shows good instincts on the bases, and those quick feet and a plus arm give him the potential to be an impact glove as well.

He should fill out quite a bit physically, but the swing path is flat and geared for line drives, not power, so I don't see him hitting 20 homers in a season unless that changes. Lee also came into pro ball with less experience than an 18-year-old American kid would have, making his performance to date all the more impressive. He's still several years away from the majors, but I think he's one of the more exciting prospects in the low minors.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]50[/td][td]Randall Delgado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Feb. 9, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Double A (Mississippi)
2010 ranking: 85[/td][td]
atl.gif
[/td][/tr][/table]
mlb_e_delgado_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP161.0
  • W7
  • L12
  • ERA3.30
  • SO162
  • BB52
  • H125
  • HR9
  • BAA.214

Delgado doesn't get the hype of hard-throwing Julio Teheran or former Yankees farmhand Arodys Vizcaino, but he's a solid prospect in his own right, with some serious upside if his breaking ball improves.

He has a loose arm that runs the fastball up to 96 mph, while he'll sit solid-average at 90-94, and he's still very projectable physically. His changeup is above average, but the curveball still lags behind, meaning he lacks a pitch that moves away from right-handed hitters. He's also still working on finding a consistent arm action and with it more consistent command, although he can at least boast of low walk totals. He has a chance to be a No. 2 or 3 starter if the curveball improves, and he's young enough and athletic enough to make that happen, but he won't get there as primarily a two-pitch guy.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]51[/td][td]Billy Hamilton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Sept. 9, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Billings)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_hamilton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM69
  • AB283
  • HR2
  • RBI24
  • SB58
  • SO56
  • BB28
  • AVG.318
  • OBP.383
  • SLG.456

The Reds like Hamilton so much that they brought him over to major league camp a few times last spring, even though he was just 19 and just starting to develop physically.

Hamilton is a 70 or better runner with a plus arm (although he had some arm soreness early in 2010 that faded by the time he got into games) who has good instincts on the bases and is showing aptitude for hitting even though he comes out of the raw high school baseball environment of Mississippi. He's going to end up a four-tool player, lacking only power, but understands that his game will be slap-and-run, putting the ball on the ground, working the count to get on base, bunting to hits and putting his great speed to use.

In the field, he can play shortstop but played some second in 2010 because of that arm issue. If the glove and bat develop as expected, he has a chance to be an All-Star at short, because players at that position who contribute on both sides of the ball are rare.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]52[/td][td]Carlos Matias[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 2, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: Prep
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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XX


Matias' path to this list was an odyssey. He agreed to terms with the Red Sox before the 2009 season as a shortstop, but identity issues torpedoed that deal and he ended up working out for several clubs, including Seattle, Oakland and the Cardinals, as a pitcher several months later. The Cardinals felt comfortable after their own age investigation and gave him a $1.5 million deal that might turn out to be a bargain.

Matias will sit in the mid-90s, touching 98, with an out-pitch curveball, a slider and a changeup that projects as plus. His arm action is simple and easy, and his command is outstanding for his age. I've got Shelby Miller in the top 10 on this list, but Matias has better raw stuff, and he could leapfrog Miller if his full-season debut in 2011 lives up to expectations.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]53[/td][td]Nick Franklin[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 2, 1991)
Bats: Both   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: A (Clinton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
sea.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_franklin_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM130
  • AB516
  • HR23
  • RBI65
  • SB25
  • SO124
  • BB51
  • AVG.283
  • OBP.354
  • SLG.486

Franklin came into the year as a good-glove shortstop who might have a chance to hit, and came out of it as a power-hitting middle infielder who might move to second base. That latter version is still a very good prospect, even if it's hard to figure where all that power comes from.

Franklin is a switch-hitter, but did all his damage hitting left-handed. On that side, he overstrides badly and his back side collapses some, but he generates a lot of torque and has good extension, so there's power there even without keeping his weight back. Right-handed, he also overstrides but isn't as balanced; it's not a disaster swing and I'd give him another year before thinking about having him give up switch-hitting.

He's a solid athlete with an average arm, not flashy at short, but has the instincts to make the plays there; if he moves to second base, it would likely be because the Mariners have someone else at short whose glove is plus and Franklin's bat looks like it will play at the keystone.

I say a lot of players get good points for makeup from their organizations, but in Franklin's case, I can verify it. For example, I saw him come off the field after a round of live BP in spring training, grab the pitcher and tell him how he saw each of the guy's pitches. You won't see many 19-year-olds do that. I admit I'm not fully sold on his newfound power, but there's plenty here to make him a potential impact prospect.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]54[/td][td]Anthony Ranaudo[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 9, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: College (LSU)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
bos.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_ranaudo_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP51.2
  • W5
  • L3
  • ERA7.32
  • SO54
  • BB27
  • H60
  • HR9
  • BAA.287

Ranaudo might have been the second pick in the draft had he been healthy all spring, but he tweaked his elbow at the start of his season at LSU and wasn't 100 percent again until about three weeks before the draft. Boston took him in the sandwich round and watched him dominate in the Cape Cod League all summer, after which the Red Sox gave him a bonus commensurate with a top-five overall selection.

Ranaudo is a horse, built for 220-240 innings a year, and has the aggressive approach to pitching you want to see in a potential front-line guy. He'll pitch with a solid-average fastball at 90-93, reaching back for 94-95 when he needs it, but hitters do not pick up the ball out of his hand and he gets swings and misses up in the zone with the pitch as if it was 97 with life. His curveball is solid-average now, projecting as above-average to plus, 79-82 with varying shape, and he's got a show-me changeup that will probably be a developmental priority for him in 2011. His arm action was unrestricted on the Cape and he was getting great extension out in front; the fact that Boston gave him all that money is a sign that his elbow is in good shape.

He might be more of a strong No. 2 than an ace, but he should move as quickly as his arm's health will allow.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]55[/td][td]Matt Dominguez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 28, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third Base[/td][td]Organization: Florida Marlins
Top '10 Level: AA (Jacksonville)
2010 ranking: 62[/td][td]
fla.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_dominguez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM138
  • AB504
  • HR14
  • RBI81
  • SB0
  • SO96
  • BB56
  • AVG.252
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.411

Dominguez is the best-fielding third base prospect I've seen since I saw Ryan Zimmerman in college, and as good as Zimmerman is, Dominguez might be better than the Nationals' franchise player was at the same age. And Zimmerman's offensive progression in the majors offers some hope for Dominguez, who has stagnated a little because he's primarily a fastball hitter who struggles badly against offspeed stuff. He has good bat speed, but glides as he swings, so he cuts off his power while also reducing his chances to adjust to a breaking ball or changeup.

Right now, he projects as a regular who saves 12-15 runs a year at a minimum with his glove, which means if he makes any positive changes at the plate, he's an All-Star.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]56[/td][td]Jason Kipnis[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 3, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Second base[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: AA (Akron)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_kipnis_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB518
  • HR16
  • RBI74
  • SB9
  • SO107
  • BB55
  • AVG.307
  • OBP.386
  • SLG.492

Cleveland took a risk by converting Kipnis to second base, but the potential reward was high as Kipnis wasn't clearly a regular if he stayed in the outfield -- he was probably a tweener because he wasn't quite good enough in center but his bat didn't appear to profile in a corner.

He's already playable at second with a chance to be better than just average; his main deficiency right now is the pivot on the double play, and he's surprised Cleveland with his athleticism at the position. He starts his swing with a useless bat-wag behind his shoulder, but gets into position in time to hit and whips the bat through the zone with enough hip rotation and upper body strength that he should hit for average power. He's shown good command of the strike zone as well, drawing walks at a consistent clip at all three stops in pro ball.

At worst he's just an everyday guy at second, but there's All-Star potential here as well.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]57[/td][td]Travis d'Arnaud[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Feb. 10, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: A (Dunedin)
2010 ranking: 99[/td][td]
tor.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_darnaud_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM71
  • AB263
  • HR6
  • RBI38
  • SB3
  • SO63
  • BB20
  • AVG.259
  • OBP.315
  • SLG.411

D'Arnaud was -- and still is -- the sleeper from the Roy Halladay trade, a player the Blue Jays coveted since high school and finally landed in the biggest trade of Alex Anthopoulos' career. He's a complete prospect, a plus defender across the board with future plus power and a chance to hit as long as he can stay healthy.

On defense, he's a true catch-and-throw guy with a 60 arm, great hands and good rapport with pitchers. His swing is easy and repeatable and he'll show plus raw power in BP now that he's started to fill out. His 2010 season was a slight disappointment because of minor back trouble that kept him off the field, but he's changed his conditioning routine to increase his core work in the hopes of preventing a recurrence.

Look for him to break out in New Hampshire this year once his back is healthy and he's out of the heavy air of the Florida State League.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]58[/td][td]Grant Green[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Sept. 27, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Oakland Athletics
Top '10 Level: A (Stockton)
2010 ranking: 93[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_green_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM131
  • AB548
  • HR20
  • RBI87
  • SB9
  • SO117
  • BB38
  • AVG.318
  • OBP.363
  • SLG.520

I think Green's stock in the industry has taken a hit because of somewhat unrealistic expectations, but he had a very solid season with the stick and still has the athletic ability and intelligence to figure it out at shortstop, even though he has a ways to go. Green has arm strength and his feet are quick enough for short, but neither his footwork nor his hands are fluid right now. His throwing has been inconsistent since his junior year at USC, and he's better on quick-reaction plays than on slower-developing ones. He could slide to third base, which has been a problem for Oakland since Eric Chavez started having an affair with the disabled list, or to second base, where he'd probably be among the better defenders in the league, with center field always there as a fallback option.

Green showed surprising power in the Cal League, even though he tends to shift his weight early and has a flat, slashing stroke that seems more contact-oriented. I'd like to see him walk more and use his speed more on the bases, but the priority for Green in 2011 is to get his feet, hands and arm all working at the same time at shortstop so he can be a star at one of the toughest positions to fill on the diamond.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]59[/td][td]Yasmani Grandal[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 8, 1988)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Rookie (AZL Reds)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_grandal_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • AB28
  • HR0
  • RBI1
  • SB0
  • SO4
  • BB4
  • AVG.286
  • OBP.394
  • SLG.321

Grandal was one of the steals of the first round of the 2010 draft, as an advanced defensive catcher who rakes from the left side and could develop into a legitimate switch-hitter.

Grandal is plus across the board behind the plate, receiving well, throwing well and accurately (with sub-1.9 pop times) and calling his own games since high school. His left-handed swing is noticeably better than his right; left-handed, he transfers his weight more consistently, rotates his hips well, and has great follow-through. Right-handed, he's more linear, cuts off any loft by turning his wrists over and doesn't have the same bat speed.

Even if he never hits left-handed pitching well, he has more than enough going for him with his glove and his left-handed swing to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues, and he's only a year or so away.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]60[/td][td]Drew Pomeranz[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 22, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: College (Ole Miss)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_pomeranz_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP100.2
  • W9
  • L2
  • ERA2.24
  • SO139
  • BB49
  • H71
  • HR7
  • BAA.195

Pomeranz looks like a No. 1 starter -- 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds -- although concerns about his arm action and command push his ceiling down below that tier.

Pomeranz has pitched in the 89-94 range and should hold that velocity even when working every fifth day. His out pitch is a mid- to upper-70s curveball with excellent depth, and unless his changeup improves the curve will be his weapon against left- and right-handed hitters. He has an unusual arm action, separating his hands high but then bringing his pitching hand straight back, showing the ball to the centerfielder, before quickly flipping his hand over and bringing his arm forward quickly; there's a lot of extra movement involved, and that may be why his command has always been fringy at best.

He's big, left-handed, throws fairly hard and has a potential knockout pitch in the curveball, which adds up to a valuable mid-rotation starter, but my gut feeling is that command will always be an issue.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]61[/td][td]Mike Minor[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 9, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP120.1
  • W6
  • L7
  • ERA3.44
  • SO146
  • BB46
  • H93
  • HR9
  • BAA.217

Minor doesn't have the upside of most guys on this list, but is here because he's major league-ready and could contribute to the parent club this year as its fifth starter.

Minor will show four pitches, nothing plus but nothing worse than fringe-average, and on days when his curveball shows up he'll have solid weapons against left- and right-handed hitters. His best pitch remains his changeup, a pitch for which he has great feel and good arm speed, and while his command in 2010 was very inconsistent, he never had trouble with command or control in the past and that should be a strength for him going forward. Minor's velocity spiked this spring after he put on some muscle in an offseason workout program, but it didn't last, and by August he was back down to solid-average and even complained openly about being tired, which didn't win him many fans in the Atlanta clubhouse.

Look for Minor to pitch at 88-92 and throw quality strikes with three or four pitches, which would make him a potential mid-rotation starter once he's strong enough to go a full season.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]62[/td][td]Hank Conger[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Jan. 29, 1988)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 52[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM108
  • AB387
  • HR11
  • RBI49
  • SB0
  • SO58
  • BB55
  • AVG.300
  • OBP.385
  • SLG.463

Conger is an offensive catcher with a lot of potential as a switch-hitter, who just needs to show his body can hold up for 120-130 games.

He's fringy behind the plate, bringing good arm strength but slow feet and a lot of bulk that limits his receiving; he'll need to work to avoid getting any bigger, which would probably force him off the position. At the plate, it's all small positive steps for Conger, who increased his walk rate for the second year in a row while moving up a level. His swings on both sides of the plate work well, longer on the left side with more loft, more balanced and mechanically clean on the right. He showed a weird platoon split this year, making contact and drawing walks against left-handed pitching, but with a low BABIP that pushed his average under .200 a year after he hit .316 against lefties.

Conger could step in and catch every day for any number of clubs right now, and if he doesn't beat out Jeff Mathis for a roster spot, there's something very wrong with the Angels' decision-making process.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]63[/td][td]Tony Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 2, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: 82[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_sanchez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM59
  • AB207
  • HR4
  • RBI35
  • SB2
  • SO41
  • BB28
  • AVG.314
  • OBP.416
  • SLG.454

Sanchez's regular season ended early when he took a pitch off the jaw, but he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League and showed no fear in the batter's box. He had a few hiccups with throwing in the AFL but it doesn't appear to be a permanent issue for him, and he's steadily improved his blocking and receiving skills.

At the plate, he's firmed up his front side since signing with Pittsburgh, but needs to work on keeping his weight back; when he does so, he's got above-average raw power and would have a chance to hit for average at the same time, making him a fringe All-Star at that position. He's an extremely hard worker who ended up at Boston College without a scholarship but improved his body to the point where he not only made the team, but became its best player. I wouldn't bet against him at this point.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]64[/td][td]Simon Castro[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 9, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AAA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 46[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_castro_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP140.0
  • W7
  • L7
  • ERA3.28
  • SO113
  • BB42
  • H123
  • HR9
  • BAA.233

Castro jumped two levels in 2010 and had a solid but unspectacular year in the pitchers' paradise of San Antonio -- his ERA was almost a run higher and his strikeout rate was 44 percent lower on the road in Double-A.

He'll pitch with a grade 50-55 fastball, 89-92 some games -- a tick higher in other games -- with an above-average slider at 81-85 that he commands very well. His change is fringy without much action, although he had only a moderate platoon split in the Texas League. Castro is tall and loose but not a great athlete, and his best chance to remain a starter may be by maximizing the deception from his gangly delivery; his upside in the rotation is as a No. 3, although he could be a very strong two-pitch reliever, with the fastball and slider both playing up.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]65[/td][td]Yonder Alonso[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 8, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: First base[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 76[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_alonso_yonder_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM132
  • AB507
  • HR15
  • RBI69
  • SB13
  • SO92
  • BB56
  • AVG.290
  • OBP.362
  • SLG.458

Alonso broke his hamate bone in June of 2009, and sure enough, through the first three months of 2010 between Double-A and Triple-A he hit for almost no power -- on July 1, he had just six home runs and a slugging percentage of .361. During the next two months, until his recall on Sept. 1, Alonso hit .347 with nine homers and slugged .592, all against Triple-A pitching.

He's a patient hitter who has above-average pull power and could develop plus power as he ages; his offensive weakness remains left-handed pitching, although he was slightly better in that regard in 2010. He's limited to first base, where he'll be adequate but probably won't win any fielding awards.

Now that he has his strength back, however, he's primed to step in for someone in the big leagues -- although the presence of the reigning NL MVP makes it appear that it won't be for Cincinnati.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]66[/td][td]Trey McNutt[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 2, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Chicago Cubs
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_mcnutt_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM25
  • IP116.1
  • W10
  • L1
  • ERA2.48
  • SO132
  • BB37
  • H93
  • HR5
  • BAA.217

The Cubs took McNutt in the 32nd round in 2009 out of Shelton State Junior College near Tuscaloosa, Ala. That alone is unusual -- few 32nd-round picks reach the majors -- but McNutt's path into the Cubs' organization is even stranger than that.

The club's area scout for the deep South (including Alabama) quit during the spring, leaving the club scrambling for coverage as the season wound down, and to make matters worse the juco schedule ends much earlier than the Division I schedule does. Shelton State's head coach, former Astros and Red Sox pitcher Bobby Sprowl, called scouts that May to let them know he had a freshman pitcher whose velocity was starting to come on -- an unselfish move, since McNutt had another year of eligibility at his school -- but the Cubs didn't have a guy covering the area at that moment.

As it turns out, Shelton State won the state juco championship and headed for the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., where the Cubs' northwest area scout, Al Geddes, saw McNutt at 89-93 with a pretty good curveball, but they had virtually no background info on the kid and couldn't take him in a high round, instead taking that flier in the 32nd round with the intention of following him over the summer. Two more Cubs scouts (Lucas McKnight and Jim "Crawdaddy" Crawford) saw him in June and July as he ticked up to 90-94 and the curveball improved; Crawford realized he could sign McNutt for under the slot limit for guys taken after the fifth round, giving him $115,000. In McNutt's first outing in the Arizona Rookie League after signing, he sat 95 in his first inning of work. A year later, McNutt was sitting 91-95 and touching 97 mph with an improved changeup, smoother mechanics than he had in college, and a bona fide out pitch in the curveball.

There's still some thought he could be a reliever, but this is a starter package from body to arm to repertoire. And it's the result of one coach who put his player before himself and some old-fashioned scouting.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]67[/td][td]Chris Sale[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: March 30, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Chicago White Sox
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
chw.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_sale_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP23.1
  • W2
  • L1
  • ERA1.93
  • SO32
  • BB10
  • H15
  • HR2
  • BAA.185

The White Sox say they want to make Sale a starter, and he was a full-time starter for Florida Gulf Coast last spring, but the consensus around the game is that he'll end up a reliever -- and potentially a good one -- for the next few years.

Sale will sit in the mid-90s in relief from a very tough arm angle, barely above sidearm, with a lot of deception that should make him death to left-handed hitters. He's shown he can turn over a changeup from that slot but his slider tends to flatten out on him if he doesn't lift his slot.

Sale is tall but very slight for a pitcher, and his arm action is much better suited to the bullpen, as most scouts don't see it holding up for 180 innings a year. In relief, however, he can contribute right now to the bullpen of the preseason favorites in the AL Central.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]68[/td][td]Gary Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: Dec. 2, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
nyy.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_sanchez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM47
  • AB173
  • HR8
  • RBI43
  • SB2
  • SO44
  • BB14
  • AVG.329
  • OBP.393
  • SLG.543

The Yankees are loaded with prospects who currently catch, and while they probably won't all pan out at the position, it's a good area in which to have a surplus. Sanchez is the furthest away, and has a chance to replace Jesus Montero at the top of the Yankees' prospect rankings soon. The two are similar overall; Sanchez has a better chance to catch with a slightly lower ceiling at the plate. He's going to be very physical, but has plenty of agility behind the plate with an above-average arm and quick release.

At the plate, his swing is loose and quick and he keeps his weight back well, giving him the potential to hit for both average and power. There's still a lot of projection involved in that evaluation, and he's barely 18 years old at the moment, but his youth and distance from the majors are the only things keeping him out of the top echelon of this list.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]69[/td][td]Wilin Rosario[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Feb. 23, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: AA (Tulsa)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_rosario_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM73
  • AB270
  • HR19
  • RBI52
  • SB1
  • SO57
  • BB21
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.342
  • SLG.552

Hits when healthy; isn't often healthy. An inflamed left wrist ruined Rosario's 2009 season, and a torn ACL ended his 2010 season in early August, potentially putting him out until May of 2011 as well.

Rosario has a strong and accurate arm, nailing 44 percent of runners in his 189 career games behind the plate, so if his knee permits he will stay behind the plate. His power alone would make him a serious prospect given his position; in just 73 games in the hitter-friendly Texas League he smacked 19 home runs, and I think he could hit 30 in Coors Field if he could play something near a full season.

His swing is all hips and biceps and a big finish, without much weight transfer, and he's a see-ball-hit-ball guy with just 80 unintentional walks in 1,169 career PA. But the power is legit, and catchers with strong throwing arms and 25-HR power at sea level are valuable guys.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]70[/td][td]Dee Gordon[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 22, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: AA (Charlotte)
2010 ranking: 39[/td][td]
lad.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_gordon_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB555
  • HR2
  • RBI39
  • SB53
  • SO89
  • BB40
  • AVG.277
  • OBP.332
  • SLG.355

Gordon needs to get stronger, period. Almost everything else is there for him to be a plus shortstop who hits, gets on base, and wreaks havoc with his speed, but he doesn't have a big frame and has to do whatever he can to become strong enough to hit better fastballs with authority and to hold up for a 162-game season.

He's wiry now and has a quick line-drive stroke, and he's strong enough for most minor league pitching. His Double-A line was held down in 2010 because it was a two-level jump for him from 2009. In the field, he's quick, rangy, with an above-average arm, and his reads on balls improved this year. His dad, Tom, has a different body type -- shorter but with broader shoulders -- while Dee is slightly taller but leaner, and a lot of scouts question his long-term strength and durability.

The speed, glove and arm are way too much to ignore, and if the Dodgers let his body catch up to his level in the minors he's got a good chance to become a leadoff hitter at a position of chronic need.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]71[/td][td]Ben Revere[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 3, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Center field[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_revere_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM94
  • AB361
  • HR1
  • RBI23
  • SB36
  • SO41
  • BB32
  • AVG.305
  • OBP.371
  • SLG.363

Revere is a major league-ready center fielder with a chance to hit for average and add value through baserunning, despite having two below-average tools.

Revere is a 70-80 runner who covers a ton of ground in center through his speed, and his reads have improved substantially over the three-plus years he's been in the Twins' organization. He still has a well below-average arm that will probably require middle infielders to head into short center for cutoff throws, but the added range Revere provides should compensate. At the plate, Revere's swing is as short as it gets, slappy and flat, and the way he meets the ball out front means he won't have power, but he has good hand-eye coordination and will make enough contact to have value as a hitter.

I don't see Revere as a star, but that kind of defense makes him a valuable regular.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]72[/td][td]Zack Cox[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 9, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: Arizona fall league
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
stl.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_cox_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 FALL STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • AB65
  • HR2
  • RBI14
  • SB0
  • SO21
  • BB8
  • AVG.262
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.446

Pro scouts' early reviews from the Arizona Fall League on Cox were mostly unkind, both to his defense and his potential to hit for power, although I think his nearly five-month layoff from facing live pitching hurt his stock as well. Cox is an advanced hitter, with strong hands and wrists, and worked last offseason to cut down on his swing in response to criticism that he struck out too much. He can turn on a ball on the inner half, which you'll see in BP from him, but right now sprays the field with line drives during games. He has a good sense of the strike zone and should be able to translate that into a shift in his swing when he gets a ball in that he can drive.

His lower half isn't ideal for third base and he's a below-average runner; his feet work fine and he has a plus arm, so it's a question of his ultimate range. I get the scouts' criticisms, but those who have history with the kid from his time at Arkansas and in the Cape Cod League can vouch for the potential that wasn't always evident in Arizona.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]73[/td][td]Dellin Betances[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Mar. 23, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Starting Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
nyy.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_betances_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM17
  • IP85.1
  • W8
  • L1
  • ERA2.11
  • SO108
  • BB22
  • H53
  • HR4
  • BAA.174

Betances has a big body and a big arm, but still has a lot of work to do as a pitcher. Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, he'll hit 96-97 and pitch in the low 90s, and has a solid-average changeup with both good arm speed and fade. His curveball is wildly inconsistent; I saw it well below-average, and have talked to scouts who saw it the same and scouts who saw it as a grade 55 or better pitch. Despite his size, Betances doesn't get great extension out front and his early release point could be behind the trouble I saw him have with the curve.

He's not a great athlete or fielder. He is also only 22 with just shy of 300 innings total in three-plus years in pro ball, so time is on his side for him to improve his feel or his body control or for the Yankees to continue refining his delivery. There's No. 1 starter potential here, but the probability isn't there yet.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]74[/td][td]Oswaldo Arcia[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: May 9, 1991)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Right Field[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Elizabethton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
min.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM64
  • AB259
  • HR14
  • RBI51
  • SB4
  • SO67
  • BB19
  • AVG.375
  • OBP.424
  • SLG.672

Talk about a guy coming out of nowhere. Arcia screwed up one of his knees in an on-field collision and missed a chunk of the 2009 season, but tore apart the Appalachian League this past year and has jumped onto the pro scouting radar.

Arcia has a very classic left-handed swing and nearly mimics it from the right side, although he did most of his damage (.398/.455/.760) hitting left-handed. The raw power is enormous, again better left-handed, where it's to all fields. He's a 55-60 runner who won the Twins over by improving his conditioning while rehabbing the knee, and he has a plus arm to let him stay in right field once he outgrows center.

The Twins have developed a lot of players in recent years, but not many with this kind of raw power and overall ceiling.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]75[/td][td]Nick Castellanos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: March 4, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Detroit Tigers
Top '10 Level: Rookie
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM7
  • AB24
  • HR0
  • RBI3
  • SB0
  • SO5
  • BB4
  • AVG.333
  • OBP.414
  • SLG.417

Castellanos received the highest bonus ever given to a player taken after the first round when Detroit gave him $3.45 million to sign in August, and I think he'll prove to be well worth it. He played shortstop in high school but the Tigers moved him to third, his most likely ultimate position, right after he signed. He has very strong hands and wrists and shows surprising power for his age. He has a very classic swing with excellent hip rotation and good loft, and I expect doubles power early on with home runs developing as he reaches his 20s.

He's athletic for his size with plenty of arm for third base and should have no problem staying there long-term. He's a good candidate to shoot up to the top 25 if he has the full-season debut I expect in 2011.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]76[/td][td]Brody Colvin[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Aug. 14, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_colvin_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP138.0
  • W6
  • L8
  • ERA3.39
  • SO120
  • BB42
  • H138
  • HR7
  • BAA.258

Colvin spurned the local school, LSU, to sign with Philadelphia in 2009, and has since emerged as their No. 2 pitching prospect behind Jarred Cosart. Right now, he's all about velocity/stuff while his command still lags behind.

Colvin will pitch at 91-95, losing a little velocity from the stretch; he accelerates his arm very quickly and gets good extension out front, so the ball appears to come quickly out of his hand toward the hitter. His downward-fading changeup, about 10 mph slower than his fastball, is ahead of his upper-70s slider, which has some tilt but tends to flatten out on him. Colvin cuts himself off in his delivery and struggles to command the ball to his glove side as a result; it could also explain the trouble getting consistent break on the slider.

He's crude, but strong with a very live arm, with the upside of a No. 2 starter if that breaking ball becomes an above-average weapon for him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]77[/td][td]Alex Torres[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 8, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: AA (Montgomery)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_torres_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP142.2
  • W11
  • L6
  • ERA3.47
  • SO150
  • BB70
  • H136
  • HR9
  • BAA.256

Torres may turn out to be the prize of the Scott Kazmir deal even though his listed height of 5-foot-10 is generous.

He has three above-average pitches right now in a 91-95 mph fastball with a ton of life, a plus curveball with tight rotation and an above-average changeup. He has two things working against him, however: his height and his command. The former is less of an issue for a pitcher who can move or sink the ball, and Torres can, with a good ground-ball rate in Double-A. The latter is a bigger problem, as Torres is 22, and 2010 was the first time he managed to walk fewer than a man every two innings.

He has the stuff to start, but if the command isn't there he could turn into (pre-injury) Mike Gonzalez instead.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]78[/td][td]Tyler Skaggs[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: July 13, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (South Bend)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP98.1
  • W9
  • L5
  • ERA3.29
  • SO102
  • BB25
  • H91
  • HR7
  • BAA.248

The Diamondbacks didn't get a great haul for Dan Haren, but they did land Skaggs as the player to be named later, making him the best part of the package coming back to Arizona.

He already projects as a solid No. 3 starter, trending north of that. He'll pitch right now with an average fastball and shows the ability to throw a swing-and-miss curveball that just needs better velocity; both pitches should improve as he fills out his projectable frame. His changeup is similarly solid-average now, projecting better, and his stuff plays up because he's got a high front side in his delivery that provides a lot of deception.

He may not come quickly, with a good three years of development ahead of him, but you have to love a left-hander with control and a chance for three pitches.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]79[/td][td]Christian Yelich[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Dec. 5, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: 1B/Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Florida Marlins
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM12
  • AB47
  • HR0
  • RBI5
  • SB1
  • SO13
  • BB3
  • AVG.362
  • OBP.400
  • SLG.468

The Marlins broke a couple of clubs' hearts with this surprise pick in the first round, as a number of teams thought Yelich would fall to them after the MLB Scouting Bureau put a very low grade on him coming into the spring. Yelich sets up back in the box with his hands up and lets the ball travel well, with pretty quick hands but a slightly flat finish that may cut off some of his power.

He's an above-average runner who played first base in high school because of a bizarre throwing motion that the Marlins believe they have fixed. He's a good enough athlete to play center and a good enough pure hitter to profile in a corner. In a depleted Florida system, he should be the next breakout star.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]80[/td][td]Chris Carter[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Dec. 18, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Oakland Athletics
Top '10 Level: AAA (Sacramento)
2010 ranking: 33[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_carter_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM125
  • AB465
  • HR31
  • RBI94
  • SB1
  • SO138
  • BB73
  • AVG.258
  • OBP.365
  • SLG.529

Carter's 2010 was a year of slow starts, one in Triple-A and another in the big leagues, raising a question along the way of how much contact he'll ultimately make against major league pitching.

Unlike teammate Michael Taylor, Carter didn't lose his swing in 2010, so his projection hasn't dropped by much even with the off-year. He still has plus raw power and showed in Triple-A that he'll run deep counts, so even if he settles in as a .240 hitter because of low contact rates, he should provide value through his OBP and slugging.

First base is locked down by Daric Barton at the moment, so the A's will continue to work him out in left field, although DH remains his most likely destination. His major league tenure began with an 0-for-33 streak featuring 13 punchouts and just one walk, but he did go .342/.422/.605 in his final 45 plate appearances against late-September pitching if you're looking for a sign of hope.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]81[/td][td]Jurickson Profar[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 17 (DOB: Feb. 20, 1993)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Texas Rangers
Top '10 Level: A (Spokane)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_profar_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM63
  • AB252
  • HR4
  • RBI23
  • SB8
  • SO46
  • BB28
  • AVG.250
  • OBP.323
  • SLG.373

Profar has been getting rave reviews since appearing in the Rangers' instructional league in September of 2009, a few months after they broke with the rough industry consensus and made him a position player instead of putting him on the mound.

Profar is toolsy, not off-the-charts like fellow Rangers farmhand Luis Sardinas, but is more mature than most 17-year-olds and shows outstanding instincts that separate him from his peers. Profar is an average runner who projects to stay at shortstop as he fills out, with great hands, a plus arm and outstanding reads for positioning and first-step reactions. At the plate he's a natural hitter with good hand-eye coordination, and should grow into average power as he fills out.

He's a long way off, but comfortably projects as an above-average regular with a lot of star potential.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]82[/td][td]J.P. Arencibia[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 25 (DOB: Jan. 5, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM104
  • AB412
  • HR32
  • RBI85
  • SB0
  • SO85
  • BB38
  • AVG.301
  • OBP.359
  • SLG.626

Arencibia does two things well -- throw and hit home runs -- and given the state of catching in the majors right now, that makes him a pretty good prospect.

He's not a disciplined hitter, doesn't work the count, and tends to pull off the ball because he's trying to pull it out, but he'll run into enough mistakes every year to make up for the low OBP. Behind the plate, he's worked to maximize his agility but he's held back by slow feet, which also limit some of the gains from his arm strength. He debuted with a bang, hitting two home runs, a single and a double in his first major-league game, and then went 1-for-30 in irregular playing time. (I'm not sure the mishandling of Arencibia is Exhibit A in why Cito Gaston needed to go, but it's near the top of the pile of screw-ups from a manager who was overmatched by the task at hand.)

I don't see Arencibia as a star, but there's enough bat that he can play every day while the Jays hope that either Travis d'Arnaud or Carlos Perez becomes an above-average replacement for him in two or three years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]83[/td][td]Matt Harvey[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Mar. 27, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Mets
Top '10 Level: College (UNC)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_harvey_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP96
  • W8
  • L3
  • ERA3.09
  • SO102
  • BB35
  • H80
  • HR6
  • BAA.234

Harvey's college career was strange: Awful for two springs and two summers, he showed up for his junior year with 4-5 extra mph, good sink on the fastball and the cleanest delivery he'd ever had, going from a Day 1 afterthought to a top-10 pick.

He hit 97 repeatedly this spring and would pitch at 91-94 deep into games, driving the pitch down in the zone to generate a lot of ground balls. His best secondary pitch is a 79-84 mph changeup with some fading action, and he'll show a curve and slider. His arm works better than it did before 2010, but he still lands on a stiff front leg and drifts rather than driving off the rubber.

The fact that he was able to implement changes to his delivery before gives me hope that he can continue to improve it with the Mets' coaches helping him, and he did at one point show a curveball that projected as plus, so there's reason to believe he can stick as a starter. ... But 95-97 at the knees with a good changeup would be a pretty dominant reliever, too.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]84[/td][td]Chris Owings[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 12, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (South Bend)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM62
  • AB252
  • HR5
  • RBI28
  • SB1
  • SO50
  • BB9
  • AVG.298
  • OBP.323
  • SLG.477

Owings is a highly instinctive player with a potential plus glove at short and an impact bat, all of which is several years away.

In the field, he's got great lateral range despite a lack of running speed, reads the ball very well off the bat, and has a 70 arm. His main weakness is coming in on the ball in front of him, something he'll have to improve to stay at the position.

At the plate, he has surprising power for his size, more noticeable in BP right now where he'll drive the ball out to right-center, and the short path to the ball should help him maintain good contact rates. His walk rate was unacceptable, but he was just 18 in a full-season league, turning 19 only after the injury ended his summer.

This is an aggressive ranking but there is a lot to like in Owings for the future.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]85[/td][td]Jordan Walden[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Nov. 16, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_walden_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP15.1
  • W0
  • L1
  • ERA2.35
  • SO23
  • BB7
  • H13
  • HR1
  • BAA.224

Walden's 2009 season was ruined by a forearm strain that probably also explains his sudden loss of command that season, but in 2010, he moved to the bullpen and showed himself to be a potential front-line closer. He's always had arm strength, but in relief was touching triple digits, and gets so much downhill plane on the pitch that hitters have to try to lift a bowling ball to square it up. He made a lot of progress with his slider this year to the point that it flashed plus, but continues to work off the fastball, leaving the slider as the put-away pitch.

The Angels feel like he took another step forward when he reached the majors and Mike Scioscia and Rob Butcher could work with him on driving that fastball down in the zone, and a reliever who throws even 97-98 with that kind of sink and a swing-and-miss breaking ball could have a few vintage Troy Percival or Brad Lidge seasons in him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]86[/td][td]Matt Davidson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 26, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third Base[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (Visalia)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
ari.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM134
  • AB486
  • HR18
  • RBI90
  • SB0
  • SO134
  • BB55
  • AVG.272
  • OBP.360
  • SLG.469

I had Davidson as a first-round bat in 2009, but slow feet and the likelihood he'd move from third base to first pushed down his stock to the point that Arizona grabbed him in the sandwich round. He's already passed first-rounder Bobby Borchering on the Arizona depth chart, improving his defense to the point that Arizona has no doubt he'll remain at the hot corner.

Davidson has one of my favorite right-handed swings in the minors, with a short path to the ball, great balance, and a willingness to let the ball travel on him. He'll show big raw power in BP and already has at least average power in games.

If third base is Davidson's permanent position and he hits for the average and power I expect from, he's at least an above-average regular. Odd stat note: He drew just one walk from Opening day to May 6, then drew 39 unintentionals in 316 PA until he was promoted to high-A in August.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]87[/td][td]Christian Friedrich[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: July 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: 36[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_friedrich_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • IP87.1
  • W3
  • L6
  • ERA5.05
  • SO78
  • BB35
  • H100
  • HR10
  • BAA.293

I love Friedrich's four-pitch mix and aggressiveness, but 2010 marked the second year in a row in which he missed time with a tender elbow, and I'm concerned about his ability to go through a full season in a rotation. When he's right, Friedrich will pitch with a 55 fastball, touching 93-94, with a hammer 12-6 curveball, a cutter and a changeup. He's tall but not that physical, and he has a long arm action which gets his back elbow up -- all potential warning signs. A four-pitch lefty with multiple weapons has to be a starter until his arm proves otherwise, and 2011 will be a huge year for him in proving he can develop into a 32-start-a-year pitcher for Colorado.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]88[/td][td]Andrew Brackman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 25 (DOB: Dec. 4, 1985)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
nyy.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_brackman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP140.2
  • W10
  • L11
  • ERA3.90
  • SO126
  • BB39
  • H144
  • HR8
  • BAA.264

Brackman started out slow in 2010, but it was a steady build over the course of the year, with improvement each month, even with a midyear promotion to Double-A. His velocity and command steadily increased, and by the second half he was pretty close to where he was before originally hurting his elbow.

I say "pretty close" because the Yankees had him on a very tight innings/pitch limit -- in 15 Double-A outings, he faced only 16 batters after the sixth inning -- so it's not clear whether he can maintain this performance over the longer outings required of a starter.

He may be a bullpen guy, but at least now that's his floor. A year ago the floor was more of a crawl space. And now the ceiling of an above-average starter is back in play.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]89[/td][td]Alex Colome[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 31, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Offseason leagues
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
tb.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_colome_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP118
  • W6
  • L6
  • ERA3.89
  • SO126
  • BB45
  • H103
  • HR14
  • BAA.237

Colome took one step forward this year, and needs one or two more to establish himself as a clear rotation prospect instead of a guy with a chance to start but with a bullpen floor. He has two above-average pitches now in a 91-95 mph fastball with good life but not much sink and a sharp, biting curveball 76-80. His changeup right now is way too hard, consistently above 85 mph, and he doesn't have great feel for it. His command overall is below average and he didn't always hold his velocity, but he threw more strikes this year and continues to get stronger.

That bullpen floor comes from his chance for two knockout pitches, but he has the frame to start if the changeup improves and he works on keeping the curve and fastball down in the zone.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]90[/td][td]Drake Britton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: May 22, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP75.2
  • W2
  • L3
  • ERA2.97
  • SO78
  • BB23
  • H69
  • HR5
  • BAA.240

Britton missed almost all of 2009 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but came back strongly in 2010 and saw his velocity move upward as well. Britton worked in the low 90s all year but would touch 95-97 within outings at the end of the summer. His curveball and changeup both improved as well, although he still needs to refine his curve. He's also worked on his tendency to rush through the end of his delivery, which the Red Sox hope will lead to improved command.

He's aggressive and will throw strikes, if not always the quality strikes he needs, and his arm works well. He threw only about 90 to 95 innings in 2010, including work in spring training, so he'll remain on a fairly low innings cap in 2011 and is probably a good three years out, with the chance that he's a Jon Lester Lite down the road.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]91[/td][td]Zach Lee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 13, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: Prep
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_zlee_65.jpg


One of the best athletes in the 2010 Rule 4 draft, Lee told scouts all spring he wasn't signable, even turning down hypothetical offers of $5-6 million because he wanted to play football at LSU. The Dodgers took him in the first round, a pick widely seen as a deliberate punt because of their shaky finanical situation in the midst of the McCourt divorce, then shocked everyone (myself included) by signing Lee to a pretty team-friendly deal in August.

Now that it's clear that Lee is committed to baseball, the Dodgers got one of the steals of Day 1 along with Toronto (Aaron Sanchez) and St. Louis (Zack Cox). His arm action is simple and clean and he repeats it well, and he has the great body control you'd expect of a multi-sport athlete. He's already strong at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, but he's still projectable, so his present fastball of 89-94 or so should creep upward. He'll show an average or better changeup with good arm speed and just needs to settle on a breaking ball, as he was caught between a curve and slider in instructional league.

There is a ton to like here. And if the rumor about why Lee changed his mind -- that he went to LSU for an orientation weekend, only to realize he'd be way down the QB depth chart -- the Dodgers should send Les Miles a fruit basket.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]92[/td][td]Nolan Arenado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: April 16, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: A (Asheville)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
arenado_nolan.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM92
  • AB373
  • HR12
  • RBI65
  • SB1
  • SO52
  • BB19
  • AVG.308
  • OBP.338
  • SLG.520

Arenado wins scouts over with his energy and feel for the game, but they also walk away talking about the quality of his swing, and questions about his position.

He has a great swing plane, short to the ball with good loft. There's not a lot of torque involved but he extends really well through contact and has good balance throughout. He's more "baseball athlete" than "true athlete," a below-average runner with good hands and a strong arm but thick legs and slightly slow feet. To stay at third base, he'll have to do everything right with his upper body to make up for what his lower half prevents him from getting, but he seems to have the work ethic and makeup to do it.

Arenado should hit for average and 20-plus home run power, but doesn't seem likely to walk or strike out very often. If he has to move to first base, his bat might still be enough to make him an average regular there.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]93[/td][td]Trevor May[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Sept. 23, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A+ (Clearwater)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP135.0
  • W12
  • L8
  • ERA4.00
  • SO182
  • BB81
  • H104
  • HR10
  • BAA.213

May started out fine in the Florida State League. But as he started to struggle he began to try to do too much and lost command of both his fastball and breaking ball. As a result, he had to go back down a level to right himself, which he did, dominating the level where he'd been so-so in 77 innings the year before.

May has an above-average fastball, 91-95, with good life but no ability to generate ground balls. His curve shows average and has improved slightly each year, while his changeup grades out as average but resulted in reverse platoon splits (a good sign) at both levels this year.

May is physical and looks like he should be leading someone's rotation, with a fairly easy delivery from a 3/4 slot that lets him get on top of the ball. The results need to match the promise this year, but his finish at Lakewood is a very positive sign in that direction.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]94[/td][td]Rubby de la Rosa[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: March 4, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: AA (Chattanooga)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM22
  • IP110.1
  • W7
  • L2
  • ERA2.37
  • SO94
  • BB38
  • H87
  • HR4
  • BAA.219

I happened to catch de la Rosa in his first spring training in the U.S. in 2009, but he didn't break out until 2010, when he jumped into full-season ball and moved up two levels to Double-A.

Right now he's a two-pitch guy with a fastball at 91-97, which he can hold into the sixth or seventh inning, and an above-average changeup in the mid-80s with some fade. His breaking ball is now a low-80s slurve that will show some bite but is mostly caught between a curve and slider.

He's a skinny kid who could stand to add some muscle, and he'll need to find a breaking ball of some sort, but this is a special arm. He's one of the only power arms in L.A.'s system who took a step forward this year.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]95[/td][td]Wilson Ramos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Aug. 10, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 42[/td][td]
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mlb_ramos_wilson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM22
  • AB79
  • HR1
  • RBI5
  • SB0
  • SO12
  • BB2
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.305
  • SLG.405

Ramos had a tough start to 2010, failing to hit for the first time in his pro career and then finding himself traded to Washington for a middle reliever masquerading as a closer (Matt Capps).

The change of scenery seemed to agree with Ramos and he's on track to at least share the catching duties with the washed-up Ivan Rodriguez in 2011. Ramos is an outstanding throwing catcher who came into 2010 with a career 45 percent success rate and then beat it by nailing half of opposing base stealers in Triple-A. His receiving is average and he needs work on game-calling, something he's not likely to learn from the guy with the reputation for calling for fastball after fastball.

At the plate, he has strong hands and excellent hand-eye coordination with average power but needs to improve his patience, another thing he's not going to learn from Pudge. The real concern with Ramos is health; he has never caught 100 games in a single season, mostly because of injuries, and has to maintain his conditioning so he doesn't outgrow the position horizontally. Catchers are scarce, and with Ramos showing two above-average tools (hit and arm) and average or slightly better power, he should be at least a solid regular if he can play 120 or so games a year.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]96[/td][td]Adeiny Hechavarria[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Apr. 15, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (New Hampshire)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_hechavarria_adeiny_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM102
  • AB414
  • HR4
  • RBI41
  • SB13
  • SO65
  • BB17
  • AVG.242
  • OBP.272
  • SLG.333

Hechavarria is a flashy shortstop who can play the position but has a ways to go with the bat. The Jays obviously think highly of him having given the Cuban a $10 million contract last April. He's a long, loose, fast-twitch player who does just about everything in the field with panache, like there are 20 cameras on him. His hands and range are undeniable; his arm is above-average but he tends to sling it from a slot somewhere south of sidearm, putting some tail on his throws to first that could cause a first baseman trouble.

At the plate, he has a long swing and struggles with pitch recognition, and probably should have spent the whole year in A-ball -- he was pushed to Double-A because of his glove. He had good contact rates despite his overall difficulty at the plate, and he had less experience than a typical 21-year-old in Double-A who had three years in college or in the low minors under his belt. I don't think Hechavarria is a star, but could see him hitting in the .260-.280 range with 10-12 homers and plus defense.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]97[/td][td]Jake McGee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Aug. 6, 1986)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization:Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_mcgeej_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM30
  • IP105.2
  • W4
  • L8
  • ERA3.07
  • SO127
  • BB36
  • H90
  • HR3
  • BAA.230

McGee was No. 26 on the 2008 rankings, then blew out his elbow midway through that season and didn't return to full strength until 2010. Prior to the injury, there were enough questions about his offspeed stuff that it wasn't clear that he could remain a starter, but the surgery seems to have made that decision for Tampa Bay, and McGee is now ticketed for the bullpen, where he looks like he'll be an elite setup man or closer.

He is mostly fastball/slider, with the fastball mostly 92-96 and the slider showing hard tilt, a combination that allows him to dominate lefties. In the rotation, the lack of an average change or split made him vulnerable to right-handed hitters, but in the pen his fastball and slider play up enough to mitigate that issue.

The Rays are open-minded with their young players and if McGee misses bats in 2011 as he did in relief in 2010 they'll give him more and more leveraged work.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]98[/td][td]Danny Duffy[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 21, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP62.1
  • W5
  • L3
  • ERA2.74
  • SO69
  • BB17
  • H52
  • HR5
  • BAA.229

Duffy had an unusual 2010 season, tweaking his elbow in February, retiring, unretiring, then showing inconsistent stuff all summer and into the Arizona Fall League. When everything is right with Duffy, he'll pitch at 91-94 as a starter with an action changeup around 80 mph that he trusts as his go-to offspeed pitch. His curveball is slow with almost vertical break, but the tightness comes and goes and he's still working on finding his feel for the pitch.

I've never loved Duffy's long arm action and wasn't shocked when he came up sore, but at this point the bigger concern is his mental approach to the game -- between retiring unexpectedly in February and an almost distracted look in Arizona, he doesn't seem fully committed to baseball right now. The Royals reported that he was better in that regard after he returned from his hiatus, and there's mid-rotation potential here if Duffy works out his off-field issues.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]99[/td][td]Aaron Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: July 1, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: A (Auburn)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM10
  • IP25.0
  • W0
  • L3
  • ERA2.16
  • SO37
  • BB17
  • H23
  • HR1
  • BAA.250

Sanchez was one of the cleanest, most projectable high school arms in this past Rule 4 draft, yet for no reason anyone can understand, he slid out of the first round. (My theory: He indicated to teams he was signable in the sandwich round, so some clubs figured they could wait on him and concentrate first on players who would take only first-round money.)

He was 91-93 in the spring but up to 95 regularly in instructional league, and has good feel for an average curveball in the mid-to-upper 70s. He'll need to use his changeup more to develop the same feel for that pitch, but otherwise just has to get stronger. His delivery already works well (with a nice long stride to the plate) and he's going to command the fastball well in time.

Pro scouts who caught him in September couldn't believe he slid out of the first round, and the Blue Jays must have downed an extra clam eye or two after they got him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]100[/td][td]James Jones[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 24, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
sea.gif
[/td][/tr][/table]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM132
  • AB491
  • HR12
  • RBI65
  • SB24
  • SO122
  • BB62
  • AVG.269
  • OBP.356
  • SLG.432

Give the Mariners a ton of credit for this pick -- Jones was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher at Long Island University who hit only as a part-time DH, and most clubs looked at him in that light. The Mariners took him as an outfielder and the early returns are exciting.

In 18 months in pro ball, Jones has shown himself to be a quick study, dramatically improving his pitch recognition and his reads in the outfield between spring training of 2010 and the second half of the year. He hit .205/.319/.364 before the All-Star Break, but .321/.387/.487 after it as he continued to make adjustments at the plate. He's one of the most athletic hitting prospects around with a plus-plus arm and easy power, even the other way, from good torque and hip rotation in his swing.

Jones will play all of 2011 at age 22, but given his experience level he has more upside than even that age would indicate, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him light up the hitter-friendly California League as he continues to learn.
Click to expand...
 
Welcome to the fourth annual edition of my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball. With a slew of impressive debuts from top prospects in 2010, including the top five prospects from this list last year (Jason Heyward, Stephen Strasburg, Buster Posey, Carlos Santana, and Mike Stanton), the top of the rankings has an entirely different look to it, with most of the high-upside minor leaguers still working in A ball last year.

The rankings are limited to players who still have rookie eligibility; that means they have yet to exceed 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the majors and have not yet spent 45 days on the active roster of a major league club, excluding call-ups during the roster expansion period after Sept. 1. (One player affected by this is the Mets' Jenrry Mejia, who no longer qualifies as a rookie.) Only players who have signed professional contracts are eligible. When ranking players, I consider scouting reports on players -- usually my own, supplementing with conversations with other scouts and front-office executives as needed -- as well as performance, adjusted for age and context. I've made one adjustment in my ranking philosophy, favoring higher-upside prospects over lower-ceiling prospects who are closer to the majors. This better reflects how these players are valued now by front offices and scouting departments and gives me a chance to deliver more information on prospects whose names or scouting reports might be new to you.

I use the 20-80 grading scale in these comments to avoid saying "average" and "above average" thousands of times across the 100 player comments. On that scale, a grade of 50 equals major league average; 55 is above-average, 60 is plus, 45 is fringy or below-average, and so on. Mike Stanton has 80 raw power. Bengie Molina has 20 speed. An average fastball for a right-hander is 90-92, with 1-2 mph off for a lefty.

I've included last year's rank for players who appeared in the top 100 last offseason. An "ineligible" player (IE) was still an amateur at this time last January, whereas an "unranked" player (UR) was eligible but didn't make the cut. I've also tagged players who were on last year's sleepers list or list of 10 players who just missed the cut.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Mike Trout[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 7, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: A (Rancho Cucamonga)
2010 ranking: 49[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_trout_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM131
  • AB600
  • HR10
  • RBI58
  • SB56
  • SO85
  • BB73
  • AVG.341
  • OBP.428
  • SLG.490

If MLB ordered a do-over on the 2009 draft, Mike Trout, the 25th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels, would likely be the second overall selection after Stephen Strasburg, even ahead of some of the other top-shelf prospects who've come out of that draft. Trout was a young high school senior, turning 18 two months after graduation, and was the youngest position player to play all year in full-season leagues, destroying the Midwest League and then performing way above expectations in the Cal League. No qualifying player in low-A had an OBP within 20 points of Trout's .454 figure for Cedar Rapids, and only three beat his .526 slugging percentage; his OBP in 50 games in high-A would rank 15th among qualifiers at that level as well.

Trout's performance reflects his outstanding tools. He's an 80 runner, not just fast underway but explosively quick out of the box. That speed, combined with good instincts, gives him good range in centerfield. At the plate, he's an intelligent, disciplined hitter, with very good hand-eye coordination and a direct path to the ball. He has good leverage in his swing with a well-timed weight transfer to his front foot, and strong follow-through, so he should hit for above-average power as well as high batting averages. And Trout consistently gets the highest marks from the Angels for makeup, work ethic, and ability to take instruction.

It defies belief that the Angels fired Eddie Bane, the scouting director who made the Trout selection, just 16 months after the pick; they'll enjoy the fruits of his labor for many years to come, as Trout should see the majors within the next two years, and has the potential to become one of the best players in the game by his mid-20s.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]Bryce Harper[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: Oct. 16, 1992)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization:Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: Fall instructional (Scottsdale)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_harper_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 FALL STATS[/h4]
  • GM9
  • AB35
  • HR1
  • RBI7
  • SB1
  • SO11
  • BB4
  • AVG.343
  • OBP.410
  • SLG.629

The No. 1 overall pick and consensus top player in the 2010 draft, Harper has as much raw power as any teenage prospect in recent memory and put on an absolute clinic while playing against older competition for the College of Southern Nevada this past spring, rewriting the school and conference record books along the way.

Harper's calling card is the absurd leverage in his swing, generating that enormous raw power even out to centerfield. He's aggressive at the plate and needs to work on his recognition of pro-quality offspeed stuff. Playing twice a week in the Arizona Fall League, he showed he could turn on any fastball but was often out in front of breaking balls and changeups. He can go the other way if that's where he's pitched, and despite the extraneous movement in his swing can make late adjustments when he recognizes pitches.

Harper is still learning to play the outfield after catching for most of his academic career, but he has the plus arm for right field and is probably fast enough to handle center if the Nationals wanted to challenge him. (If anything, it might be easier for him to go to center, where he'll still view the field from the middle as he did from behind the plate, as opposed to learning the angles involved in an outfield corner.) Playing a full year in 2011 at age 18, Harper has MVP upside, but his race to the majors will be timed by sliders and curveballs.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Domonic Brown[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Sept. 3, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: Majors (Philadelphia)
2010 ranking: 14[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_dbrown_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM93
  • AB343
  • HR20
  • RBI68
  • SB17
  • SO74
  • BB37
  • AVG.327
  • OBP.391
  • SLG.589

Brown demolished Double-A and Triple-A in 2010, yet still has a lot of raw aspects to his game. He may just be the rare, special talent who has to complete most of his baseball development in the majors because minor league pitching isn't a sufficient challenge for him.

Brown has all five natural tools, and shows some refinement at the plate, where he works the count reasonably well and never had an issue with making contact until he reached Philadelphia. His swing can be a little long, but he accelerates his hands so quickly that, in the long run, I don't expect him to be a significant swing-and-miss hitter and he has the hip rotation and leverage to hit for above-average to plus power. His reads in right field still need work and despite a strong arm he tends to throw off the wrong foot, but those are problems that can be fixed with time and better instruction in the majors.

He's not likely to fill Jayson Werth's offensive shoes right away, but if the Phillies are patient Brown can be that kind of hitter when he peaks after a few years in the big leagues.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Jesus Montero[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Nov. 28, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AAA (Scranton Wilkes-Barre)
2010 ranking: 10[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_montero_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM123
  • AB453
  • HR21
  • RBI75
  • SB0
  • SO91
  • BB46
  • AVG.289
  • OBP.353
  • SLG.517

We can all agree on one thing about Montero: He's going to hit. And by that, I mean he's going to hit for average, get on base and have huge power -- the type of offensive profile that plays anywhere on the field and in the lineup. Montero is a physical beast, the rare front-foot hitter who can generate big-time power, reminiscent of Frank Thomas who was, himself, also a patient and disciplined hitter.

Of course, the question on Montero since the Yankees signed him has been his ultimate position. He has the arm strength to remain a catcher, but takes way too long to get rid of the ball. He's not a bad athlete, but his bulk has always made it hard for him to get his body moving quickly the way a catcher has to move to block balls or jump out of the crouch to throwing position. There's also a concern about the long-term effects that catching will have on Montero's knees. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, and only five players in MLB history have caught 200 games at or above those numbers, three of them (Joe Mauer, Chris Snyder, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia) have had knee and/or back problems.

With a bat this potentially strong, why risk injury or give up the 20-25 games a year when your catcher has to rest? Montero could solve the Yankees' DH problem for the next 10 years if they commit to it, a move they are unlikely to ever regret.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Eric Hosmer[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 24, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: First Base[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (Northwest Arkansas)
2010 ranking: 34[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_hosmer_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM137
  • AB520
  • HR20
  • RBI86
  • SB14
  • SO66
  • BB59
  • AVG.338
  • OBP.406
  • SLG.571

Hosmer's 2009 season was a lost year between vision problems and a broken bone in his hand, but with both issues corrected, he took off in 2010, launching himself to Double-A and reestablishing himself as an elite prospect on both sides of the ball.

At the plate, Hosmer has great hip rotation and is strong enough to drive balls out of the zone, especially when he can get his arms extended on pitches down. He's always had strong pitch recognition, even in his off year in 2009, and has shown both patience and high contact rates that allow him to project to get on base while also hitting for power.

He's a good athlete with a 60 arm or better, and could handle right field if moved there, but the Royals have him locked in at first for the long haul. In a loaded system, he's the top dog right now.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Julio Teheran[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Jan. 27, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: AA (Mississippi)
2010 ranking: 63[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_teheran_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP142.2
  • W9
  • L8
  • ERA2.59
  • SO159
  • BB40
  • H108
  • HR9
  • BAA.208

Signed out of Colombia for $850,000 in 2007, Teheran is already making that figure look like a bargain, establishing himself not just as a future No. 1 starter but as the best pitching prospect in baseball.

Teheran has a loose arm and easy velocity, pitching at 92-95 mph but touching higher than that with a plus changeup with good fade and tailing action in the low 80s. His curveball remains his third pitch, with a vertical break but soft rotation, and the pitch can get a little sloppy at times. Teheran's arm action is a bit long but otherwise is easy and repeatable; he takes a long stride to the plate and pronates his elbow nice and early. The breaking ball still needs some work -- or he might switch to a slider eventually -- but that fastball/changeup combo with that arm and a body that's still projectable make him a potential ace.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]Dustin Ackley[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Feb. 26, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Second base[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: AAA (Tacoma)
2010 ranking: 8[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_ackley_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM134
  • AB501
  • HR7
  • RBI51
  • SB10
  • SO79
  • BB75
  • AVG.267
  • OBP.368
  • SLG.439

Ackley's shift to second base was and in some ways still is a risky one, but the early returns are promising on both glove and bat. In the field, Ackley is surviving right now largely on quickness and athleticism, showing excellent range at the position but struggling with too many routine plays and transfers on twin killings, but overall is ahead of where I expected him to be when I first heard they were committing to the position switch.

At the plate, Ackley started horribly when the Mariners chose to be aggressive and start him in Double-A, but he redeemed himself and the organization by the All-Star break. After a doubleheader on May 3, Ackley was hitting .139/.292/.215 for Double-A West Tenn. He went 3-for-5 the next day, and .310/.425/.448 with 40 walks and just 25 strikeouts until his mid-July promotion to Tacoma. He's always had a smooth, easy swing, but is keeping his weight back better than he was in 2009 and should have average to above-average power when he reaches his peak. He should be ready for the majors by the middle of 2011.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]Wil Myers[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Dec. 20, 1990)
Bats: Right    Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: A (Wilmington)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_myers_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM126
  • AB447
  • HR14
  • RBI83
  • SB12
  • SO94
  • BB85
  • AVG.315
  • OBP.429
  • SLG.506

The performance put in by Myers would have received more general notice if there hadn't been a similar player a year younger than he is, Mike Trout, doing essentially the same thing by destroying A-ball pitching.

Myers' .453 OBP in about a half a season in the Carolina League would have led the entire high-A classification by more than 20 points if he'd qualified, and he showed similarly strong on-base skills in low-A, a level for which he was also a little young. Myers has superb hand-eye coordination and a very pretty, classic swing from the right side. He can start out in the bucket at times and needs to keep his front side firm, but the swing itself is sound and both his hip rotation and weight transfer are good.

He has been a catcher so far in the Royals' system, but the team tried him out in right field during instructional league and were encouraged by how he played. Because of the injury risk associated with catching and the fact that catchers just don't get as many at bats each year as players at other positions do, Myers' bat may actually make him too good to leave at catcher. The Royals haven't made any firm decisions on his position, but wherever he plays he's headed for stardom.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]Shelby Miller[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Oct. 10, 1990)
Bats: Right    Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: A (Quad Cities)
2010 ranking: 38[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_miller_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP104.1
  • W7
  • L5
  • ERA3.62
  • SO140
  • BB33
  • H97
  • HR7
  • BAA.243

Miller dominated the Midwest League in his first full year in pro ball, and the Cardinals have to be doing cartwheels to have landed him with the 19th overall pick in 2009.

He will pitch at 92-95 but can run the fastball up to 98 mph, and his command of the pitch has improved by leaps and bounds over where it was in high school. The biggest change for him in 2010 was his changeup, a pitch he rarely used as an amateur because he rarely needed it, but regular use and help from the Cardinals' coaches has made it a viable weapon, to the point that he held left-handed hitters in 2010 to a .194/.259/.274 line.

He still has an out-pitch curveball in the 76-80 range with good depth, but has been more of a flyball pitcher than expected despite getting good downhill plane from his delivery. He's probably two to three years away but projects as the frontline starter the Cardinals will need to replace Chris Carpenter in the long run.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]Aaron Hicks[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 2, 1989)
Bats: Both   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: A (Beloit)
2010 ranking: 19[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_hicks_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM115
  • AB423
  • HR8
  • RBI49
  • SB21
  • SO112
  • BB88
  • AVG.279
  • OBP.401
  • SLG.428

Hicks took a step forward in 2010 by converting his tools into baseball performance. He's a true five-tool player, with an 80 arm in the outfield, above-average speed, future plus power and excellent bat speed. He's much smoother hitting right-handed, with better balance and weight transfer, and it showed this year in his platoon split, as he hit just .248/.383/.339 against right-handers even though he was repeating the level.

His plate discipline continues to improve, and there's plenty of leverage in there for power when he fills out, but the inability to hit right-handed pitching is a major concern that will have to be addressed, perhaps by having him give up switch-hitting if it doesn't improve. On tools alone, Hicks is a top-5 prospect in the game, and I still expect him to become a star, but there's some risk here and I can understand why the Twins are taking it a little slow with him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]11[/td][td]Zach Britton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Dec. 22, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Top '10 Level: AAA (Norfolk)
2010 ranking: 25[/td][td]
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mlb_u_britton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP153.1
  • W10
  • L7
  • ERA2.70
  • SO124
  • BB51
  • H139
  • HR7
  • BAA.237

Britton opened a lot of eyes at the Futures Game this year as a left-hander with power stuff who didn't enter the game with much hype. Britton is a true sinker/slider guy -- meaning his fastball actually sinks -- and at 91-94 it's very hard for hitters to elevate successfully. His low-80s slider is very sharp with great tilt and gives him a swing-and-miss weapon, especially against left-handed hitters.

Between the ability to get groundballs and a solid-average changeup, he showed virtually no platoon split at either level where he pitched in 2010. Britton accelerates his arm very quickly with a solid stride, good leverage in back and moderate hip rotation, all of which also means he's pitching with his lower half as well as with his upper. His command is fair, and he doesn't have a pitch that moves away from right-handed hitters, so he's had some trouble with walks in those situations for which he compensates by getting groundballs.

There's at least strong No. 2 starter potential here, but better command would give him more ceiling than that.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]12[/td][td]Manny Banuelos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 13, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: 96[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_banuelos_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP64.2
  • W0
  • L4
  • ERA2.51
  • SO85
  • BB25
  • H54
  • HR3
  • BAA.229

Banuelos was on the prospect radar last year as a competitive, strike-throwing lefthander with a good changeup and a chance to add velocity. Now he's a 19-year-old on the cusp of the majors with a three-pitch mix where all three pitches will at least flash above-average.

Banuelos did pick up some velocity and will now work at 90-94 mph with his fastball; he commands the pitch extremely well to both sides of the plate, and its only flaw is a lack of sink. His changeup in the 78-84 range has both excellent arm speed and tremendous fade, and he showed an improved curveball with two-plane break in the upper 70s.

Banuelos' 2010 season started in June because he had his appendix removed right before the season started, but he had little trouble with high-A hitters and finished strongly in Double-A and in the Arizona Fall League. He'll start 2011 in Double-A, but even though he's 19 he's close to maxed out physically now, so he's just a few refinements away from being able to help the big league club.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]13[/td][td]Kyle Drabek[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Dec. 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 40[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_drabek_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP162
  • W14
  • L9
  • ERA2.94
  • SO132
  • BB68
  • H126
  • HR12
  • BAA.215

Drabek made significant strides this year in the Toronto system, raising his ceiling in the process by refining one pitch he had and adding two more to his repertoire. Drabek has always had the plus fastball, 92-97, and pairs it with an out-pitch curveball, hard in the mid-80s with good depth, but his changeup had lagged behind. That last pitch is more solid-average now, straight with better arm speed, and he can use that or a new cut fastball to get left-handed hitters out, as well as a two-seamer to keep hitters from timing his four-seamer.

Drabek, the son of 1990 NL Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, did miss a year with Tommy John surgery, and he does not have a perfect delivery. He can cut himself off and throw slightly across his body, and despite having a strong lower half he doesn't use his legs enough to generate velocity. He is, however, major league ready right now, with the weapons to miss bats while he works on his command and the development of his lesser pitches.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]14[/td][td]Jeremy Hellickson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 17[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_hellickson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM10
  • IP36.1
  • W4
  • L0
  • ERA3.47
  • SO33
  • BB8
  • H32
  • HR5
  • BAA.232

Hellickson's presence made it easier for the Rays to flip Matt Garza for a package of good prospects from the Cubs this offseason, as the Iowa-born Music Man can step right into Garza's spot in the rotation. Hellickson's repertoire includes a solid-average fastball at 90-94 along, a curveball, a cutter and an out-pitch changeup, with above-average command across the board. The change is his best offspeed pitch, but he has great feel for the breaking ball as well, throwing it for strikes and moving it around as needed. His fastball is pretty true, so he needs to mix his pitches well to avoid becoming too homer-prone.

After missing some time in 2009 with minor shoulder soreness, Hellickson was fully healthy in 2010, throwing a career-high 155 2/3 innings and starting the Futures Game for the U.S. team; his arm works well and there's nothing pointing to more arm trouble. His ceiling is probably still more No. 2 than No. 1, but he's as major league ready as any pitcher on this list, and he should be one of the top rookie pitchers in the game in 2011.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]15[/td][td]Aroldis Chapman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Feb. 28, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 16[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_chapman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MLB STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP13.1
  • W2
  • L2
  • ERA2.03
  • SO19
  • BB5
  • H9
  • HR0
  • BAA.196

So, can he start? Chapman showed he can pitch out of the pen very effectively -- as long as he's on at least a day of rest. In those outings, Chapman could really air it out, hitting 104 on my gun once in a late-September outing at San Diego and sitting around 98-101 with a slider at 90 mph that is unhittable to any batter geared up for triple digits. But on back-to-back days Chapman's velocity would drop a little and his stuff was less crisp -- still better than most relievers can manage, but perhaps a sign about the effort required to run the fastball past the century mark.

He has three pitches, is a tremendous athlete and gets very high marks from the Reds for his baseball aptitude. If he's willing to dial it down and pitch around 94-95 he could still be a No. 1 starter, although having a left-hander like this in the pen may be too much to resist.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]16[/td][td]Matt Moore[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: July 18, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: A (Charlotte)
2010 ranking: 81[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_moore_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP144.2
  • W6
  • L11
  • ERA3.36
  • SO208
  • BB61
  • H109
  • HR7
  • BAA.210

For the second year in a row, Moore started slowly, only to see his stuff and results improve as the year went on: After the All-Star break in 2010, he had a 1.39 ERA with 130 strikeouts and 24 walks in 84 innings.

Moore is a big, strong kid with a loose arm that comes from just under a 3/4 slot, and he gets excellent extension out front so the ball jumps in on hitters quickly. His fastball is above-average, sitting 93-94 and touching 97, and his curve really came on this year to the point where it's getting 60-70 grades from scouts. His circle-change is still an above-average pitch and he had no platoon split to speak of this year.

The only major question for Moore is command; he's shown he can throw strikes, so if he can locate the offspeed stuff better, he has top-of-the-rotation potential.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]17[/td][td]Brandon Belt[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 20, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: First base[/td][td]Organization: San Francisco Giants
Top '10 Level: AAA (Fresno)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_belt_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM136
  • AB492
  • HR23
  • RBI112
  • SB22
  • SO99
  • BB93
  • AVG.352
  • OBP.455
  • SLG.620

The Red Sox actually took Belt in the 11th round in 2006 as a pitcher, but he went to junior college and eventually to Texas before signing with the Giants as a fifth-round pick in 2009.

San Francisco, whose 2010 World Series win was fueled by a number of successful high draft picks, selected Belt despite poor results because they thought they could help him by altering his stance and swing. They were right. By getting himself more upright at the plate, Belt became the year's breakout prospect, with a good, balanced swing and excellent hip rotation and weight transfer for future power. He has some extraneous movement while setting up, but once he gets his hands going forward everything is simple and direct.

He's an average runner and an above-average glove at first, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him handle left field well now that he's semi-blocked by Aubrey Huff. He's a potential impact callup for the Giants this year and a middle-of-the-order bat in the near future.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]18[/td][td]Martin Perez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Apr. 4, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Texas Rangers
Top '10 Level: AA (Frisco)
2010 ranking: 7[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_perez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP99.2
  • W5
  • L8
  • ERA5.96
  • SO101
  • BB50
  • H117
  • HR12
  • BAA.290

Perez's performance this year was one of the most disappointing for any player in last year's top 20, even though nothing significant changed in his delivery or stuff. I did have one report of Perez struggling to top 90 mph in a mid-summer start, but he was dealing with a minor back strain at the time and he was 89-93 and flashing higher most of the season. His changeup is slightly ahead of his breaking ball, but both project as above-average-to-plus pitches.

The delivery remains clean and efficient, although he showed a little more effort last year as the Rangers tried to fine-tune the arm action; he fought the back issue as well as a cracked fingernail, both of which could easily affect a pitcher's command. Had Perez rolled out a 3.00 ERA and peripherals to match in Double-A this year, he'd still be in the top ten overall, but the poor results mean he's not quite the sure thing he appeared to be a year ago, and he's probably further from major league production than we thought.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]19[/td][td]Casey Kelly[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Oct. 4, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 18[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_kelly_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP95.0
  • W3
  • L5
  • ERA5.31
  • SO81
  • BB35
  • H118
  • HR10
  • BAA.307

Kelly's season didn't match his hype, although he spent a good chunk of the year pitching with a badly cracked fingernail on his right hand that caused him trouble into the fall. Kelly's velocity was sound, 89-94, with good arm speed on his changeup and a sharp curveball with excellent depth. His command, when his finger is intact, is well above-average and has been so since he was in high school. He was a solid defensive shortstop who had a long way to go with the bat, and was also a star quarterback in high school. He's taken that fielding ability and athleticism to the mound, with an easy delivery he repeats extremely well.

The 2010 season was Kelly's first as a full-time pitcher, and he'll probably return to Double-A to a great pitchers' park in San Antonio before the Padres slide him up to the hitters' environment in Tucson. If he never adds another mile an hour to his fastball, he'll still likely pitch as a solid No. 2 behind Mat Latos for many years, with a chance to be better than that if he picks up a little velocity.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]20[/td][td]Desmond Jennings[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Oct. 30, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 6[/td][td]
tb.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_jennings_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM109
  • AB399
  • HR3
  • RBI36
  • SB37
  • SO67
  • BB47
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.362
  • SLG.393

The heir apparent to Carl Crawford's roster spot, Jennings scuffled in 2010 with injuries that cost him playing time but also affected his swing as he tried to compensate.

His ceiling remains the same -- a plus runner and centerfielder with excellent plate discipline and the ability to turn on good fastballs -- but he now has to prove he can adjust his swing back to its 2009 state, and, more importantly, that he can stay healthy for a full season, something he's only done once in four full years in Tampa Bay's system.

He's had nagging shoulder and back problems, and in spring training last year he jammed his wrist on a slide and missed the start of the year. Jennings gets huge marks for his makeup, particularly his instincts all over the field, something you can see in his 89 percent success rate on stolen bases over the last two years. A healthy Jennings should be an on-base machine at the top of Tampa's lineup.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]21[/td][td]Michael Pineda[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Jan. 18, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: AAA (Tacoma)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
sea.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_pineda_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM25
  • IP139.1
  • W11
  • L4
  • ERA3.36
  • SO154
  • BB34
  • H121
  • HR10
  • BAA.227

Pineda missed a huge chunk of 2009 with an elbow injury (not the kind that requires Tommy John surgery), but had a full, healthy season in 2010 and saw his velocity and offspeed stuff improve substantially. Pineda was skinny to the point of scrawny before the 2009 injury, but has grown a little and added 20-25 pounds while seeing his fastball jump to the mid-to-upper 90s, touching 100 at times.

He can locate the fastball extremely well, and it sets up the mid-80s split-change, with the slider becoming tighter as the 2010 season went on, until the Mariners shut him down for precautionary reasons. On the right night you could grade either offspeed pitch as above-average to plus, and if one of those becomes more consistent -- and he stays healthy -- he could be No. 1a to King Felix's No. 1 in Seattle's rotation.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]22[/td][td]Jacob Turner[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: May 21, 1991)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Detroit Tigers
Top '10 Level: A (Lakeland)
2010 ranking: 80[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_turner_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM24
  • IP115.1
  • W6
  • L5
  • ERA3.28
  • SO102
  • BB23
  • H106
  • HR7
  • BAA.238

Turner has one of the fastest arms I've seen on a teenager and would light up guns in high school, hitting 97-98 in a number of late-spring starts in 2009 that pushed him up into that draft's top 10. He didn't boast that same velocity throughout 2010, pitching around an early season bout of forearm tightness, but was 91-95 when healthy with an improved hard curveball and surprisingly good control. His changeup lags behind the other two pitches and he'll need to improve it or mix in more two-seam fastballs to keep hitters off the four-seamer.

He finished very strongly in high-A Lakeland, going 35 2/3 innings in his last seven starts while allowing just six runs, 20 hits and six walks while punching out 33, his best stretch of pitching all year. The forearm tightness seems to be behind him and the only potential red flag in his delivery is that he generates a lot of his arm speed from his upper half rather than his legs. If his arm is healthy for a full year in 2011, I expect him to shoot up to Double-A or higher and into the top echelons on this list.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]23[/td][td]Mike Moustakas[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 20, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AAA (Omaha)
2010 ranking: 69[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_moustakas_mike_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM118
  • AB484
  • HR36
  • RBI124
  • SB2
  • SO67
  • BB34
  • AVG.322
  • OBP.369
  • SLG.630

I said last January that 2010 would determine whether Moustakas projected as an impact bat or just as solid-average, and I think he answered that question pretty clearly, even with the knocks on his performance this year. Moustakas destroyed Double-A, in part courtesy of a home park very friendly to left-handed power hitters, and maintained his power with a promotion to Triple-A but lost some selectivity and struggled against left-handed pitching.

He has one of the best-looking swings on any prospect in the minors, and has big line-drive power, including power out to left-center. At third base, his best tool remains his plus-plus arm; he'll make the plays there but won't show much range, and I doubt he'll be more than average even with his work ethic. Even a grade-45 glove at third with his bat is a very good player who'll make All-Star teams and hit in the middle of the Royals' lineup for years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]24[/td][td]Tyler Matzek[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: October 19, 1990)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: A (Asheville)
2010 ranking: 22[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_matzek_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • IP89.1
  • W5
  • L1
  • ERA2.92
  • SO88
  • BB62
  • H62
  • HR6
  • BAA.204

Matzek's full-season debut was well below expectations for someone who was the top prep arm in the previous year's draft, but between his youth and some extenuating circumstances, it's more speed bump than real obstacle.

The lefty went through some changes to his mechanics, including one coach's attempt to get him to throw with a more windmill-style delivery, and by mid-summer he'd lost his mechanics to the point that he couldn't easily return to his old arm action. Between instructional league and offseason work with his high school coach, however, Matzek is back to where he was coming out of high school, and has also worked on conditioning to get stronger and leaner so he can hold up for a full year.

Matzek will pitch with a full repertoire including four- and two-seam fastballs, sitting in the 90-94 range, and his main objective in 2011 will be to throw more quality strikes, as the return to the old delivery should reduce or eliminate the control problems he had last year. I'm still very bullish on Matzek's future, and he'll be very young for the Cal League if he starts there this year.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]25[/td][td]Jarrod Parker[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 24, 1988)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: AA (Mobile)
2010 ranking: 37[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table]
mlb_g_parker_65.jpg
[h4] 2009 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP78.1
  • W4
  • L6
  • ERA3.68
  • SO74
  • BB34
  • H82
  • HR2
  • BAA.272
*Missed 2010 season

Parker missed the entire 2010 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but the operation was completely successful and he showed in rehab and in instructional league that his arm is as good as ever. Parker has always been 92-97 with a four-pitch mix, including a potential out-pitch slider and a changeup that showed above-average before he got hurt.

While rehabbing, Parker worked hard on conditioning and on strengthening his lower half, while the Diamondbacks' player development group worked on having him stay over the rubber longer and repeating it more consistently. Parker earns high marks for baseball intelligence, and worked hard enough that he could have come back a month early had the minor league season not ended in early September, so look for him to be back at full strength (though on an innings limit) in 2011.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]26[/td][td]Manny Machado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: July 6, 1992)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: SS[/td][td]Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Top '10 Level: A (Aberdeen)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_machado_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM9
  • AB36
  • HR1
  • RBI5
  • SB0
  • SO3
  • BB3
  • AVG.306
  • OBP.359
  • SLG.472

Machado was the best high school hitter in a thin 2010 Rule 4 draft, going third overall to the Orioles, but likely would have been a top-10 pick even in a more typical draft class. Machado is tall and athletic, with an excellent chance to hit in pro ball. He has strong, quick wrists, good rotation and excellent extension through his swing, clearing a slight bat wrap quickly once he gets his hands started. It's line-drive power now, but he's going to have more power down the road as he gets stronger.

Machado has a 70 arm and good hands at shortstop, but his frame is so big that he might outgrow the position in a few years, although I think he has the raw ability to stay there if his body cooperates. He will need help with his footwork and needs to quiet down his game, both of which can come with pro instruction and will help him realize his potential to be an All-Star hitter who plays somewhere on the left side of the infield.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]27[/td][td]Jonathan Singleton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 18, 1991)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: 1B/LF[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: NR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_singleton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM104
  • AB376
  • HR14
  • RBI77
  • SB9
  • SO74
  • BB62
  • AVG.290
  • OBP.393
  • SLG.479

Singleton started out like a house on fire in low A, cooled off a little in July, then hit the wall in August as the length of the season caught up to him. He's put together physically, listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, but probably stronger than that already. Given experience, he should have no trouble going 150-160 games without fading.

His swing is one of the best in the minors, with good hand speed, balance and rhythm at the plate, along with excellent hip rotation for future plus power. He can get out on his front foot too much, which will rob him of a little juice, but he gets great extension through the zone and, if he keeps his weight back, he should be a 25-30 homer guy at worst. He recognizes balls and strikes well but has a little trouble with offspeed stuff, especially from left-handed pitchers.

He is an athletic defender at first base and probably will be well above average there in time, but the Phillies will test him in left field this year, a position he probably can handle but where he might be more of an average glove. Singleton should start 2011 in Clearwater, but between the gorgeous swing and patient eye at the plate, he is primed to head to Double-A by midyear if he gets off to the start I expect from him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]28[/td][td]Mike Montgomery[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: July 1, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (NW Arkansas)
2010 ranking: 75[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_montgomery_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP20
  • W7
  • L5
  • ERA2.61
  • SO88
  • BB31
  • H76
  • HR4
  • BAA.228

Montgomery started slowly this past year and missed time with two stints on the DL for elbow soreness. But he showed huge stuff in the Arizona Fall League that might just mean those elbow problems are nothing to worry about.

Montgomery will pitch around 92-95 mph and hits 97 frequently, but his fastball command comes and goes and he has a tendency to try to dial it up more often than he needs to, especially given the downhill plane he gets on the pitch. His changeup remains his best offspeed pitch, a plus offering with excellent arm speed and one he moves around the zone easily. His curve has improved substantially since March, up to the mid-70s with a little better definition, but it can get slurvy and he's still refining his feel for it. Montgomery's delivery generates good arm acceleration and he gets great extension out front, so while you can never be sure, it doesn't appear that his arm action is causing the elbow issues.

Get him healthy and up to 150-plus innings this year, and he'll be on track to head up the Royals' rotation in a few years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]29[/td][td]Miguel Sano[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 17 (DOB: May 11, 1993)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 3B[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Gulf Coast)
2010 ranking: 97[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_sano_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM61
  • AB212
  • HR7
  • RBI29
  • SB4
  • SO60
  • BB24
  • AVG.307
  • OBP.379
  • SLG.491

Sano won't turn 18 until May, but his hitting tools would make him a top-five pick if he were just coming out of an American high school, with consideration for the top overall spot. He's a natural hitter, with very good balance and plus bat speed, and there will be power not too far down the road because he gets great leverage from his lower half.

He has started to fill out quickly and is big enough that there's zero chance he remains at shortstop. And despite a 70 or better arm, there's a rapidly declining chance he sticks at third base, because he easily could end up at 240 pounds or more by the time he's in his mid-20s. He is a below-average runner but is agile enough that he'll work out somewhere in the field, perhaps right field because of his arm strength, and his bat will profile anywhere he plays, with average and potentially big-time power.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]30[/td][td]Jameson Taillon[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Nov. 18, 1991)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Top '10 Level: High school
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_taillon_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 HIGH SCHOOL STATS[/h4]
  • GM12
  • IP62.2
  • W8
  • L1
  • ERA1.78
  • SO114
  • BB21
  • H42
  • HR5
  • BAA.201

Taillon was the top high school arm in the 2010 draft by a pretty healthy margin -- when you sit at 93-97 mph and flash better as an 18-year-old with a starter's build, you're probably going to be the best prep pitcher in your draft class. Taillon is very physically advanced for a teenager, with a workhorse build and stuff to match, as his 83-87 mph slider has good tilt and gives him a swing-and-miss pitch right out of the chute.

In high school, he had a tendency to overthrow by rushing through his delivery, pulling himself offline, flattening out his fastball, and making his slider finish up in the zone instead of down and away from right-handed hitters. The rushing is fixable, and even if he loses a little velocity, he can pitch at 92-95 and still project as an ace. He'll also have to develop his changeup, a pitch he didn't need often in high school, and he'll have to work on general command and make better use of his height to drive the ball down in the zone. He's raw in a number of ways, but the pure stuff and physicality are extremely exciting.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]31[/td][td]Devin Mesoraco[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: June 19, 1988)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: C[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: AAA (Louisville)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_mesoraco_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM113
  • AB397
  • HR26
  • RBI75
  • SB3
  • SO80
  • BB43
  • AVG.302
  • OBP.377
  • SLG.587

Mesoraco went into 2010 as a busted first-round pick, with a composite .240/.311/.368 (BA/OBP/SLG) line across 2½ minor league seasons without ever being especially young for his level. That's out the window now after he mashed through two levels, repeating one from 2009, and ended the year with two weeks in Triple-A despite playing much of the second half with a badly bruised index finger.

Mesoraco has above-average to plus power already, with strong hands and good hip rotation despite a slight hip drift before his hands get started. Behind the plate, Mesoraco struggled late in the year with receiving, although that might have been because of the finger issue -- he doesn't like to wear a glove or padding inside his catcher's mitt, so his left index finger took a beating -- while his arm strength is good enough to make up for a slow release.

He profiles as an offensive catcher but one who clearly stays behind the plate even with fringy defense. He easily could see the big leagues by the end of the summer.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]32[/td][td]Kyle Gibson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Oct. 23, 1987)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: AAA (Rochester)
2010 ranking: 89[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_gibson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP152.0
  • W11
  • L6
  • ERA2.96
  • SO126
  • BB39
  • H136
  • HR7
  • BAA.242

Gibson is not the exciting top-of-the-rotation type of arm that most pitchers this high on the list represent, but he is extremely high-probability and could pitch above the level of his stuff because of his command and feel. He will show three solid-average pitches most nights and pounds the strike zone with all three. His fastball tops out at 94 mph or so, but his slider flashes above average and he can get ground balls with both pitches, keeping the ball out of the air on 57 percent of balls he allowed in play in 2010.

Gibson is tall and still looks like he could pack some weight on his shoulders, perhaps adding a mile an hour or two to the fastball, and his arm action is easy and repeatable, which probably explains a lot of his above-average command and control. He is a midrotation starter with a No. 2 ceiling but is so close to major league-ready that he should get the call in 2011 and could have an effect down the stretch.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]33[/td][td]Derek Norris[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Feb. 14, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: A (Potomac)
2010 ranking: 31[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_norris_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM94
  • AB298
  • HR12
  • RBI49
  • SB6
  • SO94
  • BB89
  • AVG.235
  • OBP.419
  • SLG.419

Norris has gotten something of a bad rep as a catcher, which could be the Nichols Law of Catcher Defense (the worse a catcher's bat, the better his defensive reputation) working in reverse, as Norris is fine behind the plate and won't have to move unless he gets hurt.

He has an above-average arm with a quick enough release, and he's agile enough to block balls and be at least an average receiver. And that's all good news, because Norris can hit. He's always had outstanding plate discipline, and he pairs that with a sound swing with excellent rotation and upper-body strength that should produce above-average or better power down the road.

His performance suffered in 2010 as he recovered from a broken hamate bone that occurred during instructional league the previous fall, an injury that can sap power for 12 to 18 months. Look for Norris to move up to Double-A this year and pick up where he left off in 2009, getting on base and hitting for power while playing adequate or better defense behind the dish.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]34[/td][td]Jarred Cosart[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: May 25, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
phi.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_cosart_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP71.1
  • W7
  • L3
  • ERA3.79
  • SO77
  • BB16
  • H60
  • HR3
  • BAA.224

Cosart has one of the best pure fastballs among minor league starters and was busy dismantling the South Atlantic League when his elbow started barking in June, leading the Phillies to shut him down and handle him very conservatively. His only game innings the remainder of the year came in the instructional league, where his velocity was intact, 95-98 mph with no arm trouble reported. When healthy, Cosart also throws a plus curveball with tight rotation and good depth, and his changeup projects as an average pitch although it's not there yet.

His control is ahead of his command, especially when it comes to the two offspeed pitches, but his delivery shouldn't be an obstacle and he has the frame to be a 200-inning pitcher when he fills out. It's a pretty special package overall, with the potential to be in the top 10 this time next year if he has a full season without any more scares from his arm. Not bad for a 38th-round pick.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]35[/td][td]Jean Segura[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: March 17, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 2B[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: A (Cedar Rapids)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
laa.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_segura_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM130
  • AB515
  • HR10
  • RBI79
  • SB50
  • SO72
  • BB45
  • AVG.313
  • OBP.365
  • SLG.464

Segura has a chance to be a special bat, perhaps the player we thought Howie Kendrick would be, and might even do it as a shortstop if the Angels' attempt to shift him there sticks.

Segura is a plus runner with a short, compact swing and excellent bat control, and he improved as the 2010 season went on, hitting .338/.390/.545 (BA/OBP/SLG) in the Midwest League after its all-star break. He needs to stay in his swing and avoid letting his back side collapse when trying to hit for power. He's an above-average runner who was still a work in progress at second. Since he wasn't set at that position, the Angels have experimented with him at shortstop, for which he has the feet and quickness but not the instincts.

Perhaps the best news for Segura in 2010 was that he stayed healthy, more than doubling his career total in plate appearances after two injury-scarred seasons in the U.S. His ability to put the bat on the ball gives him a chance to advance as quickly as his glove will let him, and he should be a contributor with his legs as well.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]36[/td][td]Zack Wheeler[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: May 30, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Francisco Giants
Top '10 Level: A (Augusta)
2010 ranking: 84[/td][td]
sfo.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_wheeler_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP58.2
  • W3
  • L3
  • ERA3.99
  • SO70
  • BB38
  • H47
  • HR26
  • BAA.218

Wheeler missed a chunk of the first half of 2010 with a badly cracked fingernail that forced him to slightly alter the way he grips the baseball and hurt his control, but it had no effect on the quality of his stuff. Wheeler will sit at 90-94 mph and show 96 or better with a big, slow, but tight curveball in the low to mid-70s; he has been mixing in an above-average slider in the 85-89 range and will flash an average changeup, the one pitch for which he doesn't show great feel yet.

Wheeler still is filling out physically and should have the workhorse, 220-inning build we expect from No. 1 starters, although I'm a little concerned about the stress his arm action might put on his shoulder. Overall he's an elite arm, with the potential for four average or better pitches including a plus fastball and the body to handle a big workload.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]37[/td][td]Brett Lawrie[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Jan. 18, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: 2B[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (Huntsville)
2010 ranking: 47[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lawrie_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM135
  • AB554
  • HR8
  • RBI63
  • SB30
  • SO118
  • BB47
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.346
  • SLG.451

Lawrie has one of the best right-handed swings in the minors, and he has added strength and power since last offseason while wearing out his welcome in Milwaukee and changing addresses in the Shaun Marcum trade.

His swing is clean, and he has good hand speed. He uses his lower half well with good leverage and above-average raw power already at age 20. He's also an above-average runner who plays all-out all the time, so no one questions his work ethic. At second base, Lawrie is a hitter, and there's a better than even chance he will end up in the outfield, but the Blue Jays will see whether their outstanding infield coach, Brian Butterfield, can make second or even third base work.

Lawrie did acquire a reputation as a difficult player who didn't like to take instruction in Milwaukee, but the slate is clean for him in Toronto, a club that coveted him since it missed out on him in the 2008 draft. The Blue Jays believe they now have the Canadian-born star they've been seeking.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]38[/td][td]Anthony Rizzo[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 8, 1989)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: 1B[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 53[/td][td]
sdg.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_rizzo_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM136
  • AB531
  • HR25
  • RBI100
  • SB10
  • SO132
  • BB61
  • AVG.260
  • OBP.334
  • SLG.480

Rizzo is a plus-fielding, plus-makeup, power-hitting first baseman, a potential Adrian Gonzalez Lite kind of player if he can improve his performance against left-handed pitching. Rizzo is still quite young and will play most of 2011 at age 21, but he already has handled Double-A pitching well, showing increasing power as he gets older and stronger after missing most of 2008 while fighting Hodgkin's lymphoma.

At the plate, Rizzo has a simple, easy stroke that generates mostly line drives, although he's showing more ability to stay back and drive the ball out to right. His plate discipline remains borderline before you consider his age, and he'll have to close the gap between his performances against left- and right-handed pitchers. But there's still a lot of development time for Rizzo with the ultimate long-term ceiling of a fringe All-Star at first base.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]39[/td][td]Lonnie Chisenhall[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Oct. 4, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: AA (Akron)
2010 ranking: 26[/td][td]
cle.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_chisenhall_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM117
  • AB460
  • HR17
  • RBI84
  • SB3
  • SO77
  • BB46
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.351
  • SLG.450

Chisenhall started slowly with a troublesome shoulder that put him on the DL in May, but after his return, he hit more in line with expectations, putting up a .284/.359/.493 (BA/OBP/SLG) line in 401 plate appearances the rest of the way, excellent numbers for a 21-year-old in Double-A.

He has one of the prettiest swings in the minors, along with Mike Moustakas, with a direct path, easy hip rotation and above-average power already. His hand-eye coordination is good, leading to lots of hard line-drive contact. Chisenhall's pitch recognition is noticeably worse against left-handers, and he struggled with major league velocity when I saw him in March (possibly the result of the shoulder problem), so odds are he's a year-plus away from major league production. Chisenhall has a special swing and he's going to be very productive with an average glove at third.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]40[/td][td]Chris Archer[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 6, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: AA (Tennessee)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
tam.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_archer_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP142.1
  • W15
  • L3
  • ERA2.34
  • SO149
  • BB65
  • H102
  • HR6
  • BAA.200

Acquired in the Matt Garza trade along with fellow top-100 prospect Hak-Ju Lee, Archer has been through this before, going from the Cleveland organization to the Cubs in the Mark DeRosa trade.

After a breakout year in Chicago's system, he projects as a No. 2 starter or power reliever depending on how well his changeup develops. He'll pitch at 93-95 mph in the rotation, holding it for seven-plus innings. And despite a high arm slot that looks more conducive to a curveball, he throws a plus-plus 85-88 mph slider that has helped him rack up strikeouts in the minors. He gets great downhill plane on the fastball but has generated only moderate ground ball rates. His main issues now are a fringe-average changeup and below-average control, although nearly a third of his walks at Double-A came in just two disastrous starts.

If the command doesn't improve or left-handed hitters start hitting him because he doesn't have an average third pitch, he'll go to the bullpen, but he's young and athletic enough to continue his recent improvement.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]41[/td][td]John Lamb[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: July 10, 1990)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: AA (Northwest Arkansas)
2010 ranking: Sleepers[/td][td]
kan.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_lamb_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP147.2
  • W10
  • L7
  • ERA2.38
  • SO159
  • BB45
  • H122
  • HR5
  • BAA.226

Lamb sits above all other top Kansas City prospects as a testament to the Royals' amateur scouting staff. His senior year of high school was ruined by a car accident that kept him off the mound and pushed down his draft stock. The Royals stuck with him, took him in the fifth round, paid him less than slot and ended up with a prospect who's pitching like a former first-round pick.

He took a while to get going in 2009, but in 2010 he showed three average to above-average pitches all year, pitching at 90-91 mph and touching 93 with a curve and changeup and above-average command of all three pitches. The change remains his worst pitch, and his platoon split grew as he moved up the ladder. He repeats his delivery very well with a consistent arm slot, and there's no physical reason he can't throw a good straight or circle change given time. He doesn't have Mike Montgomery's ceiling but he has the highest probability of any of the Royals' top arms.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]42[/td][td]Jordan Lyles[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Oct. 19, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Houston Astros
Top '10 Level: AAA (Round Rock)
2010 ranking: 60[/td][td]
hou.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lyles_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP158.2
  • W7
  • L12
  • ERA3.57
  • SO137
  • BB46
  • H181
  • HR12
  • BAA.285

Lyles was the second-youngest pitcher in the Texas League in 2010, six months older than Martin Perez but with an ERA nearly three runs lower. He even slid up to Triple-A to set himself up for a potential call-up late in 2011.

He remains a little under the radar because he is in the Astros' system and doesn't pitch with a big fastball, sitting at 89-92 mph and showing a little better with a curve, a cutter-slider and a plus changeup that had him better against left-handed batters in Double-A than against right-handers. His command of his fastball and changeup is above-average, but he's still working on his feel for the two breaking pitches, and it's hard to project him as a No. 1 with only the change as a potential out pitch.

However, the Astros surely would take him as a future No. 2 who's on the cusp of the majors at age 20, the best pitching prospect their system has produced since the days of Roy Oswalt.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]43[/td][td]http://Freddie Freeman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Sept. 12, 1989)
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Position: 1B[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 67[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_freeman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM124
  • AB461
  • HR18
  • RBI87
  • SB6
  • SO84
  • BB43
  • AVG.319
  • OBP.378
  • SLG.521

Freeman keeps performing even though he is young for his levels and doesn't possess any plus tools to get you excited. He is a big kid with a very good feel for the bat, and he's extremely short to the ball despite long arms; that produces a lot of hard contact without big power, which might require a significant change to how he uses his lower half. He never has been a high-walk guy, either -- 45 is his single-season high in pro ball, excluding intentionals -- although he consistently hits for high enough averages that his OBPs are good.

He is an above-average defensive first baseman and is ready to step in right now as Atlanta's regular first baseman, so the lack of ceiling is mitigated by the fact that he can provide value right away.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]44[/td][td]Zach Stewart[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Sept. 28, 1986)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (New Hampshire)
2010 ranking: 55[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_stewart_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP136.1
  • W8
  • L3
  • ERA3.63
  • SO106
  • BB54
  • H131
  • HR13
  • BAA.255

The industry remains split on whether Stewart is a starter or a power sinker/slider reliever, but I still don't see a good reason to remove him from the future rotation, as he's a four-pitch guy who can miss bats and get groundballs. Stewart will pitch in the low 90 mph range but touches 96, and his fastball has both sink and tail to it. His slider is his best offspeed pitch, tight at 83-87 with good tilt, and he commands the pitch well, throwing it to both sides of the plate. His changeup improved substantially as the year went on, 81-85, straight, but with excellent arm speed. His curve has good depth but he doesn't command it well and it's not as tight as the slider.

He stays over the rubber before driving forward with a long stride, although his arm action is a little long in the back and he pronates relatively late in the delivery. His fastball movement has limited his control, and he'll have to work on cutting down on free passes, but there's No. 2 starter potential here, No. 3 at worst, as long as he can throw enough strikes.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]45[/td][td]Jose Iglesias[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Jan. 5, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: AA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 91[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_iglesias_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM70
  • AB261
  • HR0
  • RBI20
  • SB7
  • SO57
  • BB15
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.339
  • SLG.379

Iglesias is the best defensive shortstop prospect I've ever seen. He's not the fastest or most athletic, but he's the one most able to make plays and to take difficult plays and make them look routine.

There's not much flash to Iglesias' fielding; he gets in position, the ball disappears into his glove and it's on its way to first base before your eyes have even adjusted from watching the ball on the ground. His hands and instincts are plus. He is not wide-ranging like an Ozzie Smith but will surprise with how many ground balls he reaches despite average-at-best running speed.

Iglesias' swing is direct with good bat speed, and he has a little pop when he gets his arms extended, although in Fenway that probably will mean lots of doubles off the Monster but few home runs. He needs to avoid barring his lead arm, and so far he hasn't shown much patience although he has shown he can make a lot of contact. If he can draw 50 walks a year or hit .300 regularly, he's an All-Star, and if not, he's still an above-average regular because of the potential value of his defense.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]46[/td][td]Jaff Decker[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Feb. 23, 1990)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Position: LF/RF[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: A (Lake Elsinore)
2010 ranking: 27[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_decker_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM79
  • AB290
  • HR17
  • RBI58
  • SB5
  • SO80
  • BB47
  • AVG.262
  • OBP.374
  • SLG.500

Decker began 2010 on the DL with a hamstring injury, came back in mid-May, went 4-for-his-first-40 and then got back to his old self, hitting .288/.401/.544 (BA/OBP/SLG) until he broke his hand Aug. 18, ending his season. Decker is just about all bat, even though he's surprisingly athletic for his body type, running average to above-average once he's underway, and he has a grade 55 or 60 arm. He has a compact swing with good bat speed, resulting in loud, hard contact. His plate discipline has been off the charts since his first day in a pro uniform.

He's probably going to end up in left field because he won't be able to cover right field in Petco, although in a smaller park he could handle right field because he has the arm strength for it. Decker will play all of 2011 at age 21, likely in the pitchers' park in Double-A San Antonio, putting him on track for a late 2012 or early 2013 debut, with the upside of a Daric Barton with more pop.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]47[/td][td]Arodys Vizcaino[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Nov. 13, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: A (Rome)
2010 ranking: 43[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_vizcaino_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM17
  • IP85.1
  • W9
  • L4
  • ERA2.74
  • SO79
  • BB12
  • H79
  • HR2
  • BAA.240

Vizcaino was on track to end 2010 in the top 20 before a partially torn elbow ligament knocked him out for two months, although he did return to throw two innings for low A Rome in the season's final week.

When healthy -- and it's not clear whether we can say Vizcaino is right now -- he will show plus velocity up to 96 mph and an above-average curveball, along with outstanding control. He didn't walk a batter in his final 40 innings in low A. He does have great arm speed, but he doesn't use his lower half much to generate it. Vizcaino comes from a slot under three-quarters and tends to get on the side of the ball as well as giving left-handed hitters a slightly better look at it out of his hand. He does have that pesky tear, and while it didn't require surgery last year, further tearing probably will put him on the shelf for at least a half-season if not more.

He's not a huge guy, and between the arm slot and elbow tear, there's at least some reason to think he could head for the bullpen, at which point he'd probably sit mid-90s and profile as a top-tier setup man or closer. If he holds up, however, he has premium starter stuff and would slot in as a No. 1A behind Julio Teheran's No. 1 in a rotation of Atlanta's starting pitching prospects.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]48[/td][td]Wilmer Flores[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 6, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: New York Mets
Top '10 Level: A (St. Lucie)
2010 ranking: 41[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_flores_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB554
  • HR11
  • RBI84
  • SB4
  • SO77
  • BB32
  • AVG.289
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.424

Flores can rake, as you can see from his performance as a true 18-year-old (he didn't turn 19 until four weeks before the end of the season) in two full-season, A-ball leagues in 2010. There's zero chance he remains at shortstop despite a lanky build because his feet aren't quick and overall he's not very athletic. There's a non-zero chance for him at third base, since he has enough arm strength and his hands work well, although right field or first base is probably a safer bet. But his bat should profile at any position because of his quick wrists, short path to the ball and strong follow-through with good loft for future power as he fills out.

He'll eventually need to show more patience, but his 2010 walk total isn't a big concern because of his youth -- the next-youngest position player with more than a handful of at-bats in the Florida State League was 11 months older than Flores.

The most realistic long-term projection for Flores has him in a corner position, hitting for average with plus power and a league-average OBP, but he's young enough to exceed even that level.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]49[/td][td]Hak-Ju Lee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Nov. 4, 1990)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: A (Peoria)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_lee_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM122
  • AB485
  • HR1
  • RBI40
  • SB32
  • SO86
  • BB49
  • AVG.282
  • OBP.354
  • SLG.351

The Cubs have committed heavily to scouting Korean amateur players and paying them what it takes to get them to forgo a career in Korea's professional leagues. Lee was the biggest prize they'd landed so far, and they sent him to the Rays in a trade forMatt Garza this January.

Lee is still a lot of projection, but he has the potential for four above-average or better tools with fringe-average to average power once he reaches his mid-20s. At the plate, Lee has outstanding hand speed and bat control, shown in his contact rate, which was well above league average even though he was among the 10 youngest regulars in the Midwest League this past year. He's a 70 runner who shows good instincts on the bases, and those quick feet and a plus arm give him the potential to be an impact glove as well.

He should fill out quite a bit physically, but the swing path is flat and geared for line drives, not power, so I don't see him hitting 20 homers in a season unless that changes. Lee also came into pro ball with less experience than an 18-year-old American kid would have, making his performance to date all the more impressive. He's still several years away from the majors, but I think he's one of the more exciting prospects in the low minors.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]50[/td][td]Randall Delgado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Feb. 9, 1990)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Double A (Mississippi)
2010 ranking: 85[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table]
mlb_e_delgado_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • IP161.0
  • W7
  • L12
  • ERA3.30
  • SO162
  • BB52
  • H125
  • HR9
  • BAA.214

Delgado doesn't get the hype of hard-throwing Julio Teheran or former Yankees farmhand Arodys Vizcaino, but he's a solid prospect in his own right, with some serious upside if his breaking ball improves.

He has a loose arm that runs the fastball up to 96 mph, while he'll sit solid-average at 90-94, and he's still very projectable physically. His changeup is above average, but the curveball still lags behind, meaning he lacks a pitch that moves away from right-handed hitters. He's also still working on finding a consistent arm action and with it more consistent command, although he can at least boast of low walk totals. He has a chance to be a No. 2 or 3 starter if the curveball improves, and he's young enough and athletic enough to make that happen, but he won't get there as primarily a two-pitch guy.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]51[/td][td]Billy Hamilton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 20 (DOB: Sept. 9, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Billings)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_hamilton_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM69
  • AB283
  • HR2
  • RBI24
  • SB58
  • SO56
  • BB28
  • AVG.318
  • OBP.383
  • SLG.456

The Reds like Hamilton so much that they brought him over to major league camp a few times last spring, even though he was just 19 and just starting to develop physically.

Hamilton is a 70 or better runner with a plus arm (although he had some arm soreness early in 2010 that faded by the time he got into games) who has good instincts on the bases and is showing aptitude for hitting even though he comes out of the raw high school baseball environment of Mississippi. He's going to end up a four-tool player, lacking only power, but understands that his game will be slap-and-run, putting the ball on the ground, working the count to get on base, bunting to hits and putting his great speed to use.

In the field, he can play shortstop but played some second in 2010 because of that arm issue. If the glove and bat develop as expected, he has a chance to be an All-Star at short, because players at that position who contribute on both sides of the ball are rare.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]52[/td][td]Carlos Matias[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 2, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: Prep
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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XX


Matias' path to this list was an odyssey. He agreed to terms with the Red Sox before the 2009 season as a shortstop, but identity issues torpedoed that deal and he ended up working out for several clubs, including Seattle, Oakland and the Cardinals, as a pitcher several months later. The Cardinals felt comfortable after their own age investigation and gave him a $1.5 million deal that might turn out to be a bargain.

Matias will sit in the mid-90s, touching 98, with an out-pitch curveball, a slider and a changeup that projects as plus. His arm action is simple and easy, and his command is outstanding for his age. I've got Shelby Miller in the top 10 on this list, but Matias has better raw stuff, and he could leapfrog Miller if his full-season debut in 2011 lives up to expectations.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]53[/td][td]Nick Franklin[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 2, 1991)
Bats: Both   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: A (Clinton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_franklin_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM130
  • AB516
  • HR23
  • RBI65
  • SB25
  • SO124
  • BB51
  • AVG.283
  • OBP.354
  • SLG.486

Franklin came into the year as a good-glove shortstop who might have a chance to hit, and came out of it as a power-hitting middle infielder who might move to second base. That latter version is still a very good prospect, even if it's hard to figure where all that power comes from.

Franklin is a switch-hitter, but did all his damage hitting left-handed. On that side, he overstrides badly and his back side collapses some, but he generates a lot of torque and has good extension, so there's power there even without keeping his weight back. Right-handed, he also overstrides but isn't as balanced; it's not a disaster swing and I'd give him another year before thinking about having him give up switch-hitting.

He's a solid athlete with an average arm, not flashy at short, but has the instincts to make the plays there; if he moves to second base, it would likely be because the Mariners have someone else at short whose glove is plus and Franklin's bat looks like it will play at the keystone.

I say a lot of players get good points for makeup from their organizations, but in Franklin's case, I can verify it. For example, I saw him come off the field after a round of live BP in spring training, grab the pitcher and tell him how he saw each of the guy's pitches. You won't see many 19-year-olds do that. I admit I'm not fully sold on his newfound power, but there's plenty here to make him a potential impact prospect.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]54[/td][td]Anthony Ranaudo[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 9, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: College (LSU)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_ranaudo_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM15
  • IP51.2
  • W5
  • L3
  • ERA7.32
  • SO54
  • BB27
  • H60
  • HR9
  • BAA.287

Ranaudo might have been the second pick in the draft had he been healthy all spring, but he tweaked his elbow at the start of his season at LSU and wasn't 100 percent again until about three weeks before the draft. Boston took him in the sandwich round and watched him dominate in the Cape Cod League all summer, after which the Red Sox gave him a bonus commensurate with a top-five overall selection.

Ranaudo is a horse, built for 220-240 innings a year, and has the aggressive approach to pitching you want to see in a potential front-line guy. He'll pitch with a solid-average fastball at 90-93, reaching back for 94-95 when he needs it, but hitters do not pick up the ball out of his hand and he gets swings and misses up in the zone with the pitch as if it was 97 with life. His curveball is solid-average now, projecting as above-average to plus, 79-82 with varying shape, and he's got a show-me changeup that will probably be a developmental priority for him in 2011. His arm action was unrestricted on the Cape and he was getting great extension out in front; the fact that Boston gave him all that money is a sign that his elbow is in good shape.

He might be more of a strong No. 2 than an ace, but he should move as quickly as his arm's health will allow.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]55[/td][td]Matt Dominguez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 28, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third Base[/td][td]Organization: Florida Marlins
Top '10 Level: AA (Jacksonville)
2010 ranking: 62[/td][td]
fla.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_dominguez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM138
  • AB504
  • HR14
  • RBI81
  • SB0
  • SO96
  • BB56
  • AVG.252
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.411

Dominguez is the best-fielding third base prospect I've seen since I saw Ryan Zimmerman in college, and as good as Zimmerman is, Dominguez might be better than the Nationals' franchise player was at the same age. And Zimmerman's offensive progression in the majors offers some hope for Dominguez, who has stagnated a little because he's primarily a fastball hitter who struggles badly against offspeed stuff. He has good bat speed, but glides as he swings, so he cuts off his power while also reducing his chances to adjust to a breaking ball or changeup.

Right now, he projects as a regular who saves 12-15 runs a year at a minimum with his glove, which means if he makes any positive changes at the plate, he's an All-Star.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]56[/td][td]Jason Kipnis[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 3, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Second base[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: AA (Akron)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_kipnis_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB518
  • HR16
  • RBI74
  • SB9
  • SO107
  • BB55
  • AVG.307
  • OBP.386
  • SLG.492

Cleveland took a risk by converting Kipnis to second base, but the potential reward was high as Kipnis wasn't clearly a regular if he stayed in the outfield -- he was probably a tweener because he wasn't quite good enough in center but his bat didn't appear to profile in a corner.

He's already playable at second with a chance to be better than just average; his main deficiency right now is the pivot on the double play, and he's surprised Cleveland with his athleticism at the position. He starts his swing with a useless bat-wag behind his shoulder, but gets into position in time to hit and whips the bat through the zone with enough hip rotation and upper body strength that he should hit for average power. He's shown good command of the strike zone as well, drawing walks at a consistent clip at all three stops in pro ball.

At worst he's just an everyday guy at second, but there's All-Star potential here as well.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]57[/td][td]Travis d'Arnaud[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Feb. 10, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: A (Dunedin)
2010 ranking: 99[/td][td]
tor.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_darnaud_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM71
  • AB263
  • HR6
  • RBI38
  • SB3
  • SO63
  • BB20
  • AVG.259
  • OBP.315
  • SLG.411

D'Arnaud was -- and still is -- the sleeper from the Roy Halladay trade, a player the Blue Jays coveted since high school and finally landed in the biggest trade of Alex Anthopoulos' career. He's a complete prospect, a plus defender across the board with future plus power and a chance to hit as long as he can stay healthy.

On defense, he's a true catch-and-throw guy with a 60 arm, great hands and good rapport with pitchers. His swing is easy and repeatable and he'll show plus raw power in BP now that he's started to fill out. His 2010 season was a slight disappointment because of minor back trouble that kept him off the field, but he's changed his conditioning routine to increase his core work in the hopes of preventing a recurrence.

Look for him to break out in New Hampshire this year once his back is healthy and he's out of the heavy air of the Florida State League.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]58[/td][td]Grant Green[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Sept. 27, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Oakland Athletics
Top '10 Level: A (Stockton)
2010 ranking: 93[/td][td]
oak.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_green_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM131
  • AB548
  • HR20
  • RBI87
  • SB9
  • SO117
  • BB38
  • AVG.318
  • OBP.363
  • SLG.520

I think Green's stock in the industry has taken a hit because of somewhat unrealistic expectations, but he had a very solid season with the stick and still has the athletic ability and intelligence to figure it out at shortstop, even though he has a ways to go. Green has arm strength and his feet are quick enough for short, but neither his footwork nor his hands are fluid right now. His throwing has been inconsistent since his junior year at USC, and he's better on quick-reaction plays than on slower-developing ones. He could slide to third base, which has been a problem for Oakland since Eric Chavez started having an affair with the disabled list, or to second base, where he'd probably be among the better defenders in the league, with center field always there as a fallback option.

Green showed surprising power in the Cal League, even though he tends to shift his weight early and has a flat, slashing stroke that seems more contact-oriented. I'd like to see him walk more and use his speed more on the bases, but the priority for Green in 2011 is to get his feet, hands and arm all working at the same time at shortstop so he can be a star at one of the toughest positions to fill on the diamond.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]59[/td][td]Yasmani Grandal[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 8, 1988)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Rookie (AZL Reds)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
cin.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_grandal_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM28
  • AB28
  • HR0
  • RBI1
  • SB0
  • SO4
  • BB4
  • AVG.286
  • OBP.394
  • SLG.321

Grandal was one of the steals of the first round of the 2010 draft, as an advanced defensive catcher who rakes from the left side and could develop into a legitimate switch-hitter.

Grandal is plus across the board behind the plate, receiving well, throwing well and accurately (with sub-1.9 pop times) and calling his own games since high school. His left-handed swing is noticeably better than his right; left-handed, he transfers his weight more consistently, rotates his hips well, and has great follow-through. Right-handed, he's more linear, cuts off any loft by turning his wrists over and doesn't have the same bat speed.

Even if he never hits left-handed pitching well, he has more than enough going for him with his glove and his left-handed swing to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues, and he's only a year or so away.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]60[/td][td]Drew Pomeranz[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Nov. 22, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Cleveland Indians
Top '10 Level: College (Ole Miss)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_u_pomeranz_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP100.2
  • W9
  • L2
  • ERA2.24
  • SO139
  • BB49
  • H71
  • HR7
  • BAA.195

Pomeranz looks like a No. 1 starter -- 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds -- although concerns about his arm action and command push his ceiling down below that tier.

Pomeranz has pitched in the 89-94 range and should hold that velocity even when working every fifth day. His out pitch is a mid- to upper-70s curveball with excellent depth, and unless his changeup improves the curve will be his weapon against left- and right-handed hitters. He has an unusual arm action, separating his hands high but then bringing his pitching hand straight back, showing the ball to the centerfielder, before quickly flipping his hand over and bringing his arm forward quickly; there's a lot of extra movement involved, and that may be why his command has always been fringy at best.

He's big, left-handed, throws fairly hard and has a potential knockout pitch in the curveball, which adds up to a valuable mid-rotation starter, but my gut feeling is that command will always be an issue.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]61[/td][td]Mike Minor[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 9, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Atlanta Braves
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP120.1
  • W6
  • L7
  • ERA3.44
  • SO146
  • BB46
  • H93
  • HR9
  • BAA.217

Minor doesn't have the upside of most guys on this list, but is here because he's major league-ready and could contribute to the parent club this year as its fifth starter.

Minor will show four pitches, nothing plus but nothing worse than fringe-average, and on days when his curveball shows up he'll have solid weapons against left- and right-handed hitters. His best pitch remains his changeup, a pitch for which he has great feel and good arm speed, and while his command in 2010 was very inconsistent, he never had trouble with command or control in the past and that should be a strength for him going forward. Minor's velocity spiked this spring after he put on some muscle in an offseason workout program, but it didn't last, and by August he was back down to solid-average and even complained openly about being tired, which didn't win him many fans in the Atlanta clubhouse.

Look for Minor to pitch at 88-92 and throw quality strikes with three or four pitches, which would make him a potential mid-rotation starter once he's strong enough to go a full season.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]62[/td][td]Hank Conger[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Jan. 29, 1988)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 52[/td][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM108
  • AB387
  • HR11
  • RBI49
  • SB0
  • SO58
  • BB55
  • AVG.300
  • OBP.385
  • SLG.463

Conger is an offensive catcher with a lot of potential as a switch-hitter, who just needs to show his body can hold up for 120-130 games.

He's fringy behind the plate, bringing good arm strength but slow feet and a lot of bulk that limits his receiving; he'll need to work to avoid getting any bigger, which would probably force him off the position. At the plate, it's all small positive steps for Conger, who increased his walk rate for the second year in a row while moving up a level. His swings on both sides of the plate work well, longer on the left side with more loft, more balanced and mechanically clean on the right. He showed a weird platoon split this year, making contact and drawing walks against left-handed pitching, but with a low BABIP that pushed his average under .200 a year after he hit .316 against lefties.

Conger could step in and catch every day for any number of clubs right now, and if he doesn't beat out Jeff Mathis for a roster spot, there's something very wrong with the Angels' decision-making process.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]63[/td][td]Tony Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 2, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: 82[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_sanchez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM59
  • AB207
  • HR4
  • RBI35
  • SB2
  • SO41
  • BB28
  • AVG.314
  • OBP.416
  • SLG.454

Sanchez's regular season ended early when he took a pitch off the jaw, but he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League and showed no fear in the batter's box. He had a few hiccups with throwing in the AFL but it doesn't appear to be a permanent issue for him, and he's steadily improved his blocking and receiving skills.

At the plate, he's firmed up his front side since signing with Pittsburgh, but needs to work on keeping his weight back; when he does so, he's got above-average raw power and would have a chance to hit for average at the same time, making him a fringe All-Star at that position. He's an extremely hard worker who ended up at Boston College without a scholarship but improved his body to the point where he not only made the team, but became its best player. I wouldn't bet against him at this point.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]64[/td][td]Simon Castro[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 9, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: San Diego Padres
Top '10 Level: AAA (Portland)
2010 ranking: 46[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_castro_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM26
  • IP140.0
  • W7
  • L7
  • ERA3.28
  • SO113
  • BB42
  • H123
  • HR9
  • BAA.233

Castro jumped two levels in 2010 and had a solid but unspectacular year in the pitchers' paradise of San Antonio -- his ERA was almost a run higher and his strikeout rate was 44 percent lower on the road in Double-A.

He'll pitch with a grade 50-55 fastball, 89-92 some games -- a tick higher in other games -- with an above-average slider at 81-85 that he commands very well. His change is fringy without much action, although he had only a moderate platoon split in the Texas League. Castro is tall and loose but not a great athlete, and his best chance to remain a starter may be by maximizing the deception from his gangly delivery; his upside in the rotation is as a No. 3, although he could be a very strong two-pitch reliever, with the fastball and slider both playing up.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]65[/td][td]Yonder Alonso[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Apr. 8, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: First base[/td][td]Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 76[/td][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM132
  • AB507
  • HR15
  • RBI69
  • SB13
  • SO92
  • BB56
  • AVG.290
  • OBP.362
  • SLG.458

Alonso broke his hamate bone in June of 2009, and sure enough, through the first three months of 2010 between Double-A and Triple-A he hit for almost no power -- on July 1, he had just six home runs and a slugging percentage of .361. During the next two months, until his recall on Sept. 1, Alonso hit .347 with nine homers and slugged .592, all against Triple-A pitching.

He's a patient hitter who has above-average pull power and could develop plus power as he ages; his offensive weakness remains left-handed pitching, although he was slightly better in that regard in 2010. He's limited to first base, where he'll be adequate but probably won't win any fielding awards.

Now that he has his strength back, however, he's primed to step in for someone in the big leagues -- although the presence of the reigning NL MVP makes it appear that it won't be for Cincinnati.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]66[/td][td]Trey McNutt[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Aug. 2, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Chicago Cubs
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_mcnutt_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM25
  • IP116.1
  • W10
  • L1
  • ERA2.48
  • SO132
  • BB37
  • H93
  • HR5
  • BAA.217

The Cubs took McNutt in the 32nd round in 2009 out of Shelton State Junior College near Tuscaloosa, Ala. That alone is unusual -- few 32nd-round picks reach the majors -- but McNutt's path into the Cubs' organization is even stranger than that.

The club's area scout for the deep South (including Alabama) quit during the spring, leaving the club scrambling for coverage as the season wound down, and to make matters worse the juco schedule ends much earlier than the Division I schedule does. Shelton State's head coach, former Astros and Red Sox pitcher Bobby Sprowl, called scouts that May to let them know he had a freshman pitcher whose velocity was starting to come on -- an unselfish move, since McNutt had another year of eligibility at his school -- but the Cubs didn't have a guy covering the area at that moment.

As it turns out, Shelton State won the state juco championship and headed for the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., where the Cubs' northwest area scout, Al Geddes, saw McNutt at 89-93 with a pretty good curveball, but they had virtually no background info on the kid and couldn't take him in a high round, instead taking that flier in the 32nd round with the intention of following him over the summer. Two more Cubs scouts (Lucas McKnight and Jim "Crawdaddy" Crawford) saw him in June and July as he ticked up to 90-94 and the curveball improved; Crawford realized he could sign McNutt for under the slot limit for guys taken after the fifth round, giving him $115,000. In McNutt's first outing in the Arizona Rookie League after signing, he sat 95 in his first inning of work. A year later, McNutt was sitting 91-95 and touching 97 mph with an improved changeup, smoother mechanics than he had in college, and a bona fide out pitch in the curveball.

There's still some thought he could be a reliever, but this is a starter package from body to arm to repertoire. And it's the result of one coach who put his player before himself and some old-fashioned scouting.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]67[/td][td]Chris Sale[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: March 30, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Chicago White Sox
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_sale_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP23.1
  • W2
  • L1
  • ERA1.93
  • SO32
  • BB10
  • H15
  • HR2
  • BAA.185

The White Sox say they want to make Sale a starter, and he was a full-time starter for Florida Gulf Coast last spring, but the consensus around the game is that he'll end up a reliever -- and potentially a good one -- for the next few years.

Sale will sit in the mid-90s in relief from a very tough arm angle, barely above sidearm, with a lot of deception that should make him death to left-handed hitters. He's shown he can turn over a changeup from that slot but his slider tends to flatten out on him if he doesn't lift his slot.

Sale is tall but very slight for a pitcher, and his arm action is much better suited to the bullpen, as most scouts don't see it holding up for 180 innings a year. In relief, however, he can contribute right now to the bullpen of the preseason favorites in the AL Central.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]68[/td][td]Gary Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: Dec. 2, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_sanchez_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM47
  • AB173
  • HR8
  • RBI43
  • SB2
  • SO44
  • BB14
  • AVG.329
  • OBP.393
  • SLG.543

The Yankees are loaded with prospects who currently catch, and while they probably won't all pan out at the position, it's a good area in which to have a surplus. Sanchez is the furthest away, and has a chance to replace Jesus Montero at the top of the Yankees' prospect rankings soon. The two are similar overall; Sanchez has a better chance to catch with a slightly lower ceiling at the plate. He's going to be very physical, but has plenty of agility behind the plate with an above-average arm and quick release.

At the plate, his swing is loose and quick and he keeps his weight back well, giving him the potential to hit for both average and power. There's still a lot of projection involved in that evaluation, and he's barely 18 years old at the moment, but his youth and distance from the majors are the only things keeping him out of the top echelon of this list.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]69[/td][td]Wilin Rosario[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Feb. 23, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: AA (Tulsa)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_rosario_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM73
  • AB270
  • HR19
  • RBI52
  • SB1
  • SO57
  • BB21
  • AVG.285
  • OBP.342
  • SLG.552

Hits when healthy; isn't often healthy. An inflamed left wrist ruined Rosario's 2009 season, and a torn ACL ended his 2010 season in early August, potentially putting him out until May of 2011 as well.

Rosario has a strong and accurate arm, nailing 44 percent of runners in his 189 career games behind the plate, so if his knee permits he will stay behind the plate. His power alone would make him a serious prospect given his position; in just 73 games in the hitter-friendly Texas League he smacked 19 home runs, and I think he could hit 30 in Coors Field if he could play something near a full season.

His swing is all hips and biceps and a big finish, without much weight transfer, and he's a see-ball-hit-ball guy with just 80 unintentional walks in 1,169 career PA. But the power is legit, and catchers with strong throwing arms and 25-HR power at sea level are valuable guys.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]70[/td][td]Dee Gordon[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Apr. 22, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: AA (Charlotte)
2010 ranking: 39[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_gordon_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM133
  • AB555
  • HR2
  • RBI39
  • SB53
  • SO89
  • BB40
  • AVG.277
  • OBP.332
  • SLG.355

Gordon needs to get stronger, period. Almost everything else is there for him to be a plus shortstop who hits, gets on base, and wreaks havoc with his speed, but he doesn't have a big frame and has to do whatever he can to become strong enough to hit better fastballs with authority and to hold up for a 162-game season.

He's wiry now and has a quick line-drive stroke, and he's strong enough for most minor league pitching. His Double-A line was held down in 2010 because it was a two-level jump for him from 2009. In the field, he's quick, rangy, with an above-average arm, and his reads on balls improved this year. His dad, Tom, has a different body type -- shorter but with broader shoulders -- while Dee is slightly taller but leaner, and a lot of scouts question his long-term strength and durability.

The speed, glove and arm are way too much to ignore, and if the Dodgers let his body catch up to his level in the minors he's got a good chance to become a leadoff hitter at a position of chronic need.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]71[/td][td]Ben Revere[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 3, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Center field[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_revere_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM94
  • AB361
  • HR1
  • RBI23
  • SB36
  • SO41
  • BB32
  • AVG.305
  • OBP.371
  • SLG.363

Revere is a major league-ready center fielder with a chance to hit for average and add value through baserunning, despite having two below-average tools.

Revere is a 70-80 runner who covers a ton of ground in center through his speed, and his reads have improved substantially over the three-plus years he's been in the Twins' organization. He still has a well below-average arm that will probably require middle infielders to head into short center for cutoff throws, but the added range Revere provides should compensate. At the plate, Revere's swing is as short as it gets, slappy and flat, and the way he meets the ball out front means he won't have power, but he has good hand-eye coordination and will make enough contact to have value as a hitter.

I don't see Revere as a star, but that kind of defense makes him a valuable regular.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]72[/td][td]Zack Cox[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: May 9, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Top '10 Level: Arizona fall league
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_cox_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 FALL STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • AB65
  • HR2
  • RBI14
  • SB0
  • SO21
  • BB8
  • AVG.262
  • OBP.333
  • SLG.446

Pro scouts' early reviews from the Arizona Fall League on Cox were mostly unkind, both to his defense and his potential to hit for power, although I think his nearly five-month layoff from facing live pitching hurt his stock as well. Cox is an advanced hitter, with strong hands and wrists, and worked last offseason to cut down on his swing in response to criticism that he struck out too much. He can turn on a ball on the inner half, which you'll see in BP from him, but right now sprays the field with line drives during games. He has a good sense of the strike zone and should be able to translate that into a shift in his swing when he gets a ball in that he can drive.

His lower half isn't ideal for third base and he's a below-average runner; his feet work fine and he has a plus arm, so it's a question of his ultimate range. I get the scouts' criticisms, but those who have history with the kid from his time at Arkansas and in the Cape Cod League can vouch for the potential that wasn't always evident in Arizona.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]73[/td][td]Dellin Betances[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Mar. 23, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Starting Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_betances_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM17
  • IP85.1
  • W8
  • L1
  • ERA2.11
  • SO108
  • BB22
  • H53
  • HR4
  • BAA.174

Betances has a big body and a big arm, but still has a lot of work to do as a pitcher. Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, he'll hit 96-97 and pitch in the low 90s, and has a solid-average changeup with both good arm speed and fade. His curveball is wildly inconsistent; I saw it well below-average, and have talked to scouts who saw it the same and scouts who saw it as a grade 55 or better pitch. Despite his size, Betances doesn't get great extension out front and his early release point could be behind the trouble I saw him have with the curve.

He's not a great athlete or fielder. He is also only 22 with just shy of 300 innings total in three-plus years in pro ball, so time is on his side for him to improve his feel or his body control or for the Yankees to continue refining his delivery. There's No. 1 starter potential here, but the probability isn't there yet.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]74[/td][td]Oswaldo Arcia[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: May 9, 1991)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Right Field[/td][td]Organization: Minnesota Twins
Top '10 Level: Rookie (Elizabethton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
min.gif
[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM64
  • AB259
  • HR14
  • RBI51
  • SB4
  • SO67
  • BB19
  • AVG.375
  • OBP.424
  • SLG.672

Talk about a guy coming out of nowhere. Arcia screwed up one of his knees in an on-field collision and missed a chunk of the 2009 season, but tore apart the Appalachian League this past year and has jumped onto the pro scouting radar.

Arcia has a very classic left-handed swing and nearly mimics it from the right side, although he did most of his damage (.398/.455/.760) hitting left-handed. The raw power is enormous, again better left-handed, where it's to all fields. He's a 55-60 runner who won the Twins over by improving his conditioning while rehabbing the knee, and he has a plus arm to let him stay in right field once he outgrows center.

The Twins have developed a lot of players in recent years, but not many with this kind of raw power and overall ceiling.
[/td][/tr][/table]
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]75[/td][td]Nick Castellanos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: March 4, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Detroit Tigers
Top '10 Level: Rookie
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM7
  • AB24
  • HR0
  • RBI3
  • SB0
  • SO5
  • BB4
  • AVG.333
  • OBP.414
  • SLG.417

Castellanos received the highest bonus ever given to a player taken after the first round when Detroit gave him $3.45 million to sign in August, and I think he'll prove to be well worth it. He played shortstop in high school but the Tigers moved him to third, his most likely ultimate position, right after he signed. He has very strong hands and wrists and shows surprising power for his age. He has a very classic swing with excellent hip rotation and good loft, and I expect doubles power early on with home runs developing as he reaches his 20s.

He's athletic for his size with plenty of arm for third base and should have no problem staying there long-term. He's a good candidate to shoot up to the top 25 if he has the full-season debut I expect in 2011.
Law's complete top 100: Index
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| 1-25
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| 26-50
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| 51-75
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| 76-100
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​
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]76[/td][td]Brody Colvin[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Aug. 14, 1990)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A (Lakewood)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_colvin_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP138.0
  • W6
  • L8
  • ERA3.39
  • SO120
  • BB42
  • H138
  • HR7
  • BAA.258

Colvin spurned the local school, LSU, to sign with Philadelphia in 2009, and has since emerged as their No. 2 pitching prospect behind Jarred Cosart. Right now, he's all about velocity/stuff while his command still lags behind.

Colvin will pitch at 91-95, losing a little velocity from the stretch; he accelerates his arm very quickly and gets good extension out front, so the ball appears to come quickly out of his hand toward the hitter. His downward-fading changeup, about 10 mph slower than his fastball, is ahead of his upper-70s slider, which has some tilt but tends to flatten out on him. Colvin cuts himself off in his delivery and struggles to command the ball to his glove side as a result; it could also explain the trouble getting consistent break on the slider.

He's crude, but strong with a very live arm, with the upside of a No. 2 starter if that breaking ball becomes an above-average weapon for him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]77[/td][td]Alex Torres[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 8, 1987)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: AA (Montgomery)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_torres_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP142.2
  • W11
  • L6
  • ERA3.47
  • SO150
  • BB70
  • H136
  • HR9
  • BAA.256

Torres may turn out to be the prize of the Scott Kazmir deal even though his listed height of 5-foot-10 is generous.

He has three above-average pitches right now in a 91-95 mph fastball with a ton of life, a plus curveball with tight rotation and an above-average changeup. He has two things working against him, however: his height and his command. The former is less of an issue for a pitcher who can move or sink the ball, and Torres can, with a good ground-ball rate in Double-A. The latter is a bigger problem, as Torres is 22, and 2010 was the first time he managed to walk fewer than a man every two innings.

He has the stuff to start, but if the command isn't there he could turn into (pre-injury) Mike Gonzalez instead.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]78[/td][td]Tyler Skaggs[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: July 13, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (South Bend)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP98.1
  • W9
  • L5
  • ERA3.29
  • SO102
  • BB25
  • H91
  • HR7
  • BAA.248

The Diamondbacks didn't get a great haul for Dan Haren, but they did land Skaggs as the player to be named later, making him the best part of the package coming back to Arizona.

He already projects as a solid No. 3 starter, trending north of that. He'll pitch right now with an average fastball and shows the ability to throw a swing-and-miss curveball that just needs better velocity; both pitches should improve as he fills out his projectable frame. His changeup is similarly solid-average now, projecting better, and his stuff plays up because he's got a high front side in his delivery that provides a lot of deception.

He may not come quickly, with a good three years of development ahead of him, but you have to love a left-hander with control and a chance for three pitches.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]79[/td][td]Christian Yelich[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Dec. 5, 1991)
Bats: Left   Throws: Right
Position: 1B/Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Florida Marlins
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM12
  • AB47
  • HR0
  • RBI5
  • SB1
  • SO13
  • BB3
  • AVG.362
  • OBP.400
  • SLG.468

The Marlins broke a couple of clubs' hearts with this surprise pick in the first round, as a number of teams thought Yelich would fall to them after the MLB Scouting Bureau put a very low grade on him coming into the spring. Yelich sets up back in the box with his hands up and lets the ball travel well, with pretty quick hands but a slightly flat finish that may cut off some of his power.

He's an above-average runner who played first base in high school because of a bizarre throwing motion that the Marlins believe they have fixed. He's a good enough athlete to play center and a good enough pure hitter to profile in a corner. In a depleted Florida system, he should be the next breakout star.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]80[/td][td]Chris Carter[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Dec. 18, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Oakland Athletics
Top '10 Level: AAA (Sacramento)
2010 ranking: 33[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_carter_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM125
  • AB465
  • HR31
  • RBI94
  • SB1
  • SO138
  • BB73
  • AVG.258
  • OBP.365
  • SLG.529

Carter's 2010 was a year of slow starts, one in Triple-A and another in the big leagues, raising a question along the way of how much contact he'll ultimately make against major league pitching.

Unlike teammate Michael Taylor, Carter didn't lose his swing in 2010, so his projection hasn't dropped by much even with the off-year. He still has plus raw power and showed in Triple-A that he'll run deep counts, so even if he settles in as a .240 hitter because of low contact rates, he should provide value through his OBP and slugging.

First base is locked down by Daric Barton at the moment, so the A's will continue to work him out in left field, although DH remains his most likely destination. His major league tenure began with an 0-for-33 streak featuring 13 punchouts and just one walk, but he did go .342/.422/.605 in his final 45 plate appearances against late-September pitching if you're looking for a sign of hope.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]81[/td][td]Jurickson Profar[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 17 (DOB: Feb. 20, 1993)
Bats: Switch   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Texas Rangers
Top '10 Level: A (Spokane)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_profar_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM63
  • AB252
  • HR4
  • RBI23
  • SB8
  • SO46
  • BB28
  • AVG.250
  • OBP.323
  • SLG.373

Profar has been getting rave reviews since appearing in the Rangers' instructional league in September of 2009, a few months after they broke with the rough industry consensus and made him a position player instead of putting him on the mound.

Profar is toolsy, not off-the-charts like fellow Rangers farmhand Luis Sardinas, but is more mature than most 17-year-olds and shows outstanding instincts that separate him from his peers. Profar is an average runner who projects to stay at shortstop as he fills out, with great hands, a plus arm and outstanding reads for positioning and first-step reactions. At the plate he's a natural hitter with good hand-eye coordination, and should grow into average power as he fills out.

He's a long way off, but comfortably projects as an above-average regular with a lot of star potential.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]82[/td][td]J.P. Arencibia[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 25 (DOB: Jan. 5, 1986)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM104
  • AB412
  • HR32
  • RBI85
  • SB0
  • SO85
  • BB38
  • AVG.301
  • OBP.359
  • SLG.626

Arencibia does two things well -- throw and hit home runs -- and given the state of catching in the majors right now, that makes him a pretty good prospect.

He's not a disciplined hitter, doesn't work the count, and tends to pull off the ball because he's trying to pull it out, but he'll run into enough mistakes every year to make up for the low OBP. Behind the plate, he's worked to maximize his agility but he's held back by slow feet, which also limit some of the gains from his arm strength. He debuted with a bang, hitting two home runs, a single and a double in his first major-league game, and then went 1-for-30 in irregular playing time. (I'm not sure the mishandling of Arencibia is Exhibit A in why Cito Gaston needed to go, but it's near the top of the pile of screw-ups from a manager who was overmatched by the task at hand.)

I don't see Arencibia as a star, but there's enough bat that he can play every day while the Jays hope that either Travis d'Arnaud or Carlos Perez becomes an above-average replacement for him in two or three years.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]83[/td][td]Matt Harvey[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Mar. 27, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Mets
Top '10 Level: College (UNC)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_harvey_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 COLLEGE STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP96
  • W8
  • L3
  • ERA3.09
  • SO102
  • BB35
  • H80
  • HR6
  • BAA.234

Harvey's college career was strange: Awful for two springs and two summers, he showed up for his junior year with 4-5 extra mph, good sink on the fastball and the cleanest delivery he'd ever had, going from a Day 1 afterthought to a top-10 pick.

He hit 97 repeatedly this spring and would pitch at 91-94 deep into games, driving the pitch down in the zone to generate a lot of ground balls. His best secondary pitch is a 79-84 mph changeup with some fading action, and he'll show a curve and slider. His arm works better than it did before 2010, but he still lands on a stiff front leg and drifts rather than driving off the rubber.

The fact that he was able to implement changes to his delivery before gives me hope that he can continue to improve it with the Mets' coaches helping him, and he did at one point show a curveball that projected as plus, so there's reason to believe he can stick as a starter. ... But 95-97 at the knees with a good changeup would be a pretty dominant reliever, too.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]84[/td][td]Chris Owings[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Aug. 12, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (South Bend)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM62
  • AB252
  • HR5
  • RBI28
  • SB1
  • SO50
  • BB9
  • AVG.298
  • OBP.323
  • SLG.477

Owings is a highly instinctive player with a potential plus glove at short and an impact bat, all of which is several years away.

In the field, he's got great lateral range despite a lack of running speed, reads the ball very well off the bat, and has a 70 arm. His main weakness is coming in on the ball in front of him, something he'll have to improve to stay at the position.

At the plate, he has surprising power for his size, more noticeable in BP right now where he'll drive the ball out to right-center, and the short path to the ball should help him maintain good contact rates. His walk rate was unacceptable, but he was just 18 in a full-season league, turning 19 only after the injury ended his summer.

This is an aggressive ranking but there is a lot to like in Owings for the future.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]85[/td][td]Jordan Walden[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Nov. 16, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Angels
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_g_walden_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM16
  • IP15.1
  • W0
  • L1
  • ERA2.35
  • SO23
  • BB7
  • H13
  • HR1
  • BAA.224

Walden's 2009 season was ruined by a forearm strain that probably also explains his sudden loss of command that season, but in 2010, he moved to the bullpen and showed himself to be a potential front-line closer. He's always had arm strength, but in relief was touching triple digits, and gets so much downhill plane on the pitch that hitters have to try to lift a bowling ball to square it up. He made a lot of progress with his slider this year to the point that it flashed plus, but continues to work off the fastball, leaving the slider as the put-away pitch.

The Angels feel like he took another step forward when he reached the majors and Mike Scioscia and Rob Butcher could work with him on driving that fastball down in the zone, and a reliever who throws even 97-98 with that kind of sink and a swing-and-miss breaking ball could have a few vintage Troy Percival or Brad Lidge seasons in him.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]86[/td][td]Matt Davidson[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Mar. 26, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third Base[/td][td]Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
Top '10 Level: A (Visalia)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
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[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM134
  • AB486
  • HR18
  • RBI90
  • SB0
  • SO134
  • BB55
  • AVG.272
  • OBP.360
  • SLG.469

I had Davidson as a first-round bat in 2009, but slow feet and the likelihood he'd move from third base to first pushed down his stock to the point that Arizona grabbed him in the sandwich round. He's already passed first-rounder Bobby Borchering on the Arizona depth chart, improving his defense to the point that Arizona has no doubt he'll remain at the hot corner.

Davidson has one of my favorite right-handed swings in the minors, with a short path to the ball, great balance, and a willingness to let the ball travel on him. He'll show big raw power in BP and already has at least average power in games.

If third base is Davidson's permanent position and he hits for the average and power I expect from, he's at least an above-average regular. Odd stat note: He drew just one walk from Opening day to May 6, then drew 39 unintentionals in 316 PA until he was promoted to high-A in August.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]87[/td][td]Christian Friedrich[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: July 8, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: 36[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_a_friedrich_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM18
  • IP87.1
  • W3
  • L6
  • ERA5.05
  • SO78
  • BB35
  • H100
  • HR10
  • BAA.293

I love Friedrich's four-pitch mix and aggressiveness, but 2010 marked the second year in a row in which he missed time with a tender elbow, and I'm concerned about his ability to go through a full season in a rotation. When he's right, Friedrich will pitch with a 55 fastball, touching 93-94, with a hammer 12-6 curveball, a cutter and a changeup. He's tall but not that physical, and he has a long arm action which gets his back elbow up -- all potential warning signs. A four-pitch lefty with multiple weapons has to be a starter until his arm proves otherwise, and 2011 will be a huge year for him in proving he can develop into a 32-start-a-year pitcher for Colorado.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]88[/td][td]Andrew Brackman[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 25 (DOB: Dec. 4, 1985)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: New York Yankees
Top '10 Level: AA (Trenton)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_brackman_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP140.2
  • W10
  • L11
  • ERA3.90
  • SO126
  • BB39
  • H144
  • HR8
  • BAA.264

Brackman started out slow in 2010, but it was a steady build over the course of the year, with improvement each month, even with a midyear promotion to Double-A. His velocity and command steadily increased, and by the second half he was pretty close to where he was before originally hurting his elbow.

I say "pretty close" because the Yankees had him on a very tight innings/pitch limit -- in 15 Double-A outings, he faced only 16 batters after the sixth inning -- so it's not clear whether he can maintain this performance over the longer outings required of a starter.

He may be a bullpen guy, but at least now that's his floor. A year ago the floor was more of a crawl space. And now the ceiling of an above-average starter is back in play.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]89[/td][td]Alex Colome[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 31, 1988)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Offseason leagues
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_e_colome_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM23
  • IP118
  • W6
  • L6
  • ERA3.89
  • SO126
  • BB45
  • H103
  • HR14
  • BAA.237

Colome took one step forward this year, and needs one or two more to establish himself as a clear rotation prospect instead of a guy with a chance to start but with a bullpen floor. He has two above-average pitches now in a 91-95 mph fastball with good life but not much sink and a sharp, biting curveball 76-80. His changeup right now is way too hard, consistently above 85 mph, and he doesn't have great feel for it. His command overall is below average and he didn't always hold his velocity, but he threw more strikes this year and continues to get stronger.

That bullpen floor comes from his chance for two knockout pitches, but he has the frame to start if the changeup improves and he works on keeping the curve and fastball down in the zone.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]90[/td][td]Drake Britton[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: May 22, 1989)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Boston Red Sox
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM21
  • IP75.2
  • W2
  • L3
  • ERA2.97
  • SO78
  • BB23
  • H69
  • HR5
  • BAA.240

Britton missed almost all of 2009 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but came back strongly in 2010 and saw his velocity move upward as well. Britton worked in the low 90s all year but would touch 95-97 within outings at the end of the summer. His curveball and changeup both improved as well, although he still needs to refine his curve. He's also worked on his tendency to rush through the end of his delivery, which the Red Sox hope will lead to improved command.

He's aggressive and will throw strikes, if not always the quality strikes he needs, and his arm works well. He threw only about 90 to 95 innings in 2010, including work in spring training, so he'll remain on a fairly low innings cap in 2011 and is probably a good three years out, with the chance that he's a Jon Lester Lite down the road.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]91[/td][td]Zach Lee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: Sept. 13, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: Prep
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_zlee_65.jpg


One of the best athletes in the 2010 Rule 4 draft, Lee told scouts all spring he wasn't signable, even turning down hypothetical offers of $5-6 million because he wanted to play football at LSU. The Dodgers took him in the first round, a pick widely seen as a deliberate punt because of their shaky finanical situation in the midst of the McCourt divorce, then shocked everyone (myself included) by signing Lee to a pretty team-friendly deal in August.

Now that it's clear that Lee is committed to baseball, the Dodgers got one of the steals of Day 1 along with Toronto (Aaron Sanchez) and St. Louis (Zack Cox). His arm action is simple and clean and he repeats it well, and he has the great body control you'd expect of a multi-sport athlete. He's already strong at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, but he's still projectable, so his present fastball of 89-94 or so should creep upward. He'll show an average or better changeup with good arm speed and just needs to settle on a breaking ball, as he was caught between a curve and slider in instructional league.

There is a ton to like here. And if the rumor about why Lee changed his mind -- that he went to LSU for an orientation weekend, only to realize he'd be way down the QB depth chart -- the Dodgers should send Les Miles a fruit basket.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]92[/td][td]Nolan Arenado[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 19 (DOB: April 16, 1991)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Third base[/td][td]Organization: Colorado Rockies
Top '10 Level: A (Asheville)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
arenado_nolan.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM92
  • AB373
  • HR12
  • RBI65
  • SB1
  • SO52
  • BB19
  • AVG.308
  • OBP.338
  • SLG.520

Arenado wins scouts over with his energy and feel for the game, but they also walk away talking about the quality of his swing, and questions about his position.

He has a great swing plane, short to the ball with good loft. There's not a lot of torque involved but he extends really well through contact and has good balance throughout. He's more "baseball athlete" than "true athlete," a below-average runner with good hands and a strong arm but thick legs and slightly slow feet. To stay at third base, he'll have to do everything right with his upper body to make up for what his lower half prevents him from getting, but he seems to have the work ethic and makeup to do it.

Arenado should hit for average and 20-plus home run power, but doesn't seem likely to walk or strike out very often. If he has to move to first base, his bat might still be enough to make him an average regular there.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]93[/td][td]Trevor May[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Sept. 23, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
Top '10 Level: A+ (Clearwater)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM27
  • IP135.0
  • W12
  • L8
  • ERA4.00
  • SO182
  • BB81
  • H104
  • HR10
  • BAA.213

May started out fine in the Florida State League. But as he started to struggle he began to try to do too much and lost command of both his fastball and breaking ball. As a result, he had to go back down a level to right himself, which he did, dominating the level where he'd been so-so in 77 innings the year before.

May has an above-average fastball, 91-95, with good life but no ability to generate ground balls. His curve shows average and has improved slightly each year, while his changeup grades out as average but resulted in reverse platoon splits (a good sign) at both levels this year.

May is physical and looks like he should be leading someone's rotation, with a fairly easy delivery from a 3/4 slot that lets him get on top of the ball. The results need to match the promise this year, but his finish at Lakewood is a very positive sign in that direction.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]94[/td][td]Rubby de la Rosa[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: March 4, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers
Top '10 Level: AA (Chattanooga)
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM22
  • IP110.1
  • W7
  • L2
  • ERA2.37
  • SO94
  • BB38
  • H87
  • HR4
  • BAA.219

I happened to catch de la Rosa in his first spring training in the U.S. in 2009, but he didn't break out until 2010, when he jumped into full-season ball and moved up two levels to Double-A.

Right now he's a two-pitch guy with a fastball at 91-97, which he can hold into the sixth or seventh inning, and an above-average changeup in the mid-80s with some fade. His breaking ball is now a low-80s slurve that will show some bite but is mostly caught between a curve and slider.

He's a skinny kid who could stand to add some muscle, and he'll need to find a breaking ball of some sort, but this is a special arm. He's one of the only power arms in L.A.'s system who took a step forward this year.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]95[/td][td]Wilson Ramos[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 23 (DOB: Aug. 10, 1987)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Catcher[/td][td]Organization: Washington Nationals
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: 42[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_ramos_wilson_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MAJORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM22
  • AB79
  • HR1
  • RBI5
  • SB0
  • SO12
  • BB2
  • AVG.278
  • OBP.305
  • SLG.405

Ramos had a tough start to 2010, failing to hit for the first time in his pro career and then finding himself traded to Washington for a middle reliever masquerading as a closer (Matt Capps).

The change of scenery seemed to agree with Ramos and he's on track to at least share the catching duties with the washed-up Ivan Rodriguez in 2011. Ramos is an outstanding throwing catcher who came into 2010 with a career 45 percent success rate and then beat it by nailing half of opposing base stealers in Triple-A. His receiving is average and he needs work on game-calling, something he's not likely to learn from the guy with the reputation for calling for fastball after fastball.

At the plate, he has strong hands and excellent hand-eye coordination with average power but needs to improve his patience, another thing he's not going to learn from Pudge. The real concern with Ramos is health; he has never caught 100 games in a single season, mostly because of injuries, and has to maintain his conditioning so he doesn't outgrow the position horizontally. Catchers are scarce, and with Ramos showing two above-average tools (hit and arm) and average or slightly better power, he should be at least a solid regular if he can play 120 or so games a year.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]96[/td][td]Adeiny Hechavarria[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 21 (DOB: Apr. 15, 1989)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Shortstop[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: AA (New Hampshire)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_hechavarria_adeiny_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM102
  • AB414
  • HR4
  • RBI41
  • SB13
  • SO65
  • BB17
  • AVG.242
  • OBP.272
  • SLG.333

Hechavarria is a flashy shortstop who can play the position but has a ways to go with the bat. The Jays obviously think highly of him having given the Cuban a $10 million contract last April. He's a long, loose, fast-twitch player who does just about everything in the field with panache, like there are 20 cameras on him. His hands and range are undeniable; his arm is above-average but he tends to sling it from a slot somewhere south of sidearm, putting some tail on his throws to first that could cause a first baseman trouble.

At the plate, he has a long swing and struggles with pitch recognition, and probably should have spent the whole year in A-ball -- he was pushed to Double-A because of his glove. He had good contact rates despite his overall difficulty at the plate, and he had less experience than a typical 21-year-old in Double-A who had three years in college or in the low minors under his belt. I don't think Hechavarria is a star, but could see him hitting in the .260-.280 range with 10-12 homers and plus defense.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]97[/td][td]Jake McGee[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 24 (DOB: Aug. 6, 1986)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization:Tampa Bay Rays
Top '10 Level: Majors
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
mlb_i_mcgeej_65.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM30
  • IP105.2
  • W4
  • L8
  • ERA3.07
  • SO127
  • BB36
  • H90
  • HR3
  • BAA.230

McGee was No. 26 on the 2008 rankings, then blew out his elbow midway through that season and didn't return to full strength until 2010. Prior to the injury, there were enough questions about his offspeed stuff that it wasn't clear that he could remain a starter, but the surgery seems to have made that decision for Tampa Bay, and McGee is now ticketed for the bullpen, where he looks like he'll be an elite setup man or closer.

He is mostly fastball/slider, with the fastball mostly 92-96 and the slider showing hard tilt, a combination that allows him to dominate lefties. In the rotation, the lack of an average change or split made him vulnerable to right-handed hitters, but in the pen his fastball and slider play up enough to mitigate that issue.

The Rays are open-minded with their young players and if McGee misses bats in 2011 as he did in relief in 2010 they'll give him more and more leveraged work.
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[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]98[/td][td]Danny Duffy[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Dec. 21, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Kansas City Royals
Top '10 Level: Double-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM14
  • IP62.1
  • W5
  • L3
  • ERA2.74
  • SO69
  • BB17
  • H52
  • HR5
  • BAA.229

Duffy had an unusual 2010 season, tweaking his elbow in February, retiring, unretiring, then showing inconsistent stuff all summer and into the Arizona Fall League. When everything is right with Duffy, he'll pitch at 91-94 as a starter with an action changeup around 80 mph that he trusts as his go-to offspeed pitch. His curveball is slow with almost vertical break, but the tightness comes and goes and he's still working on finding his feel for the pitch.

I've never loved Duffy's long arm action and wasn't shocked when he came up sore, but at this point the bigger concern is his mental approach to the game -- between retiring unexpectedly in February and an almost distracted look in Arizona, he doesn't seem fully committed to baseball right now. The Royals reported that he was better in that regard after he returned from his hiatus, and there's mid-rotation potential here if Duffy works out his off-field issues.
[/td][/tr][/table]

[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]99[/td][td]Aaron Sanchez[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 18 (DOB: July 1, 1992)
Bats: Right   Throws: Right
Position: Pitcher[/td][td]Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Top '10 Level: A (Auburn)
2010 ranking: IE[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]
sanchez_aaron.jpg
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM10
  • IP25.0
  • W0
  • L3
  • ERA2.16
  • SO37
  • BB17
  • H23
  • HR1
  • BAA.250

Sanchez was one of the cleanest, most projectable high school arms in this past Rule 4 draft, yet for no reason anyone can understand, he slid out of the first round. (My theory: He indicated to teams he was signable in the sandwich round, so some clubs figured they could wait on him and concentrate first on players who would take only first-round money.)

He was 91-93 in the spring but up to 95 regularly in instructional league, and has good feel for an average curveball in the mid-to-upper 70s. He'll need to use his changeup more to develop the same feel for that pitch, but otherwise just has to get stronger. His delivery already works well (with a nice long stride to the plate) and he's going to command the fastball well in time.

Pro scouts who caught him in September couldn't believe he slid out of the first round, and the Blue Jays must have downed an extra clam eye or two after they got him.
[/td][/tr][/table]
[table][tr][th=""]Rank[/th][th=""]Player[/th][/tr][tr][td]100[/td][td]James Jones[/td][/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Age: 22 (DOB: Sept. 24, 1988)
Bats: Left   Throws: Left
Position: Outfield[/td][td]Organization: Seattle Mariners
Top '10 Level: Single-A
2010 ranking: UR[/td][td]
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[/td][/tr][/table]
XX
[h4] 2010 MINORS STATS[/h4]
  • GM132
  • AB491
  • HR12
  • RBI65
  • SB24
  • SO122
  • BB62
  • AVG.269
  • OBP.356
  • SLG.432

Give the Mariners a ton of credit for this pick -- Jones was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher at Long Island University who hit only as a part-time DH, and most clubs looked at him in that light. The Mariners took him as an outfielder and the early returns are exciting.

In 18 months in pro ball, Jones has shown himself to be a quick study, dramatically improving his pitch recognition and his reads in the outfield between spring training of 2010 and the second half of the year. He hit .205/.319/.364 before the All-Star Break, but .321/.387/.487 after it as he continued to make adjustments at the plate. He's one of the most athletic hitting prospects around with a plus-plus arm and easy power, even the other way, from good torque and hip rotation in his swing.

Jones will play all of 2011 at age 22, but given his experience level he has more upside than even that age would indicate, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him light up the hitter-friendly California League as he continues to learn.
Click to expand...
 
Because the prospect depth in the minors right now is shallow compared to the last three years in which I compiled my Top 100 ranking, I changed this year's list more times than I remember doing in any previous year. Some names on early drafts just didn't add up once I reviewed notes and video and made some calls, while I also added names of players I overlooked. A handful of players hung around the revisions until the very end, including eight of the names here. It wasn't by design, but four different Cubs prospects fit in the near-miss category, including two players who were on last year's top 100 but fell off because of their 2010 seasons.

[+] Enlarge
Darryl Dennis/Icon SMIA star at Cal, Brett Jackson is a mixed bag thus far.

Here they are, the near-misses for the Top 100:
[h3]Position players[/h3]

Brett Jackson, CF, Chicago Cubs: In effect, Jackson is player No. 101 this year, as he was for the last cut. He projects as an average big league regular at this point, solid across the board but lacking a plus tool. He tore apart the Florida State League and hit the ground running in Double-A, but after those first four games in the Southern League he hit .258/.352/.426 the rest of the way, striking out in more than a quarter of his at-bats. He's a big leaguer, and a prospect, but I have always swung this list toward higher-risk upside guys.

Austin Romine, C, NY Yankees: He can throw and hit for power, but has struggled with basic receiving tasks every time I've seen him in the past six months, something I've confirmed with other pro scouts. And I'm not sold on the hit tool.

Josh Vitters, 3B, Chicago Cubs: Swing is still beautiful, and in the Fall League he played third base as well as I've ever seen him play. But he doesn't walk or even work the count -- he sees a pitch he likes and lets 'er rip -- which won't work in the big leagues. And he's not making any progress on that front.

Jared Mitchell, OF, Chicago White Sox: He missed the year with an ankle injury and looked rusty (but in excellent physical shape) in the Fall League. He has to show how much of his pre-injury speed he retained after the injury to see how well he projects, because his legs were a significant part of his game.
[h3]Pitchers[/h3]

Chris Carpenter, RHP, Chicago Cubs: If I was sure he could start, he'd have been on the list, and not in the 90s. It's big stuff, up to 99 mph in relief in the Fall League and in the low to mid-90s as a starter with a four-pitch mix including a slider that flashes above-average. He has been healthy for two-plus years, but the Cubs have kept him that way by being cautious with his workload, and he may not be able to handle 180 innings a year. In relief, though, he could have an impact this year as a setup man or seventh-inning guy.

Chris Dwyer, LHP, Kansas City: Pretty strong consideration not just for the Top 100 (he'd be No. 102 after Jackson) but also to put over Danny Duffy within the Royals' system; his changeup improved this year and the high walk total masks a tweak to his delivery that saw him walk nine men in his past 50 innings in high-A. Dwyer finished the year with a minor back issue and he's topped out around 100 innings each of the past two years.

Jay Jackson, RHP, Chicago Cubs: One of my favorite starter prospects before 2010, Jackson saw his velocity dip at the end of the summer, a malady that also helped knock Dodgers prospect Chris Withrow off the list.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City: Athletic and projectable with a very clean delivery, but lack of a solid-average breaking ball kept him off the list.

Alex White, RHP, Cleveland: Two-pitch starters end up as relievers more often than not. White could miss a ton of bats in relief with just the splitter, but I don't see an average breaking ball yet and am not certain that it's coming.

Luis Heredia, RHP, Pittsburgh: Heredia received a $2.6 million bonus from Pittsburgh, a record for a Mexican amateur player, and will sit in the low 90s already with a good feel for the fastball. He's very well-developed physically for a 16-year-old, with a big frame and the potential to get heavy, which is more of a long-term concern, but the lack of pro experience and questions about the quality of the off-speed stuff kept him off the list.
Click to expand...
 
Because the prospect depth in the minors right now is shallow compared to the last three years in which I compiled my Top 100 ranking, I changed this year's list more times than I remember doing in any previous year. Some names on early drafts just didn't add up once I reviewed notes and video and made some calls, while I also added names of players I overlooked. A handful of players hung around the revisions until the very end, including eight of the names here. It wasn't by design, but four different Cubs prospects fit in the near-miss category, including two players who were on last year's top 100 but fell off because of their 2010 seasons.

[+] Enlarge
Darryl Dennis/Icon SMIA star at Cal, Brett Jackson is a mixed bag thus far.

Here they are, the near-misses for the Top 100:
[h3]Position players[/h3]

Brett Jackson, CF, Chicago Cubs: In effect, Jackson is player No. 101 this year, as he was for the last cut. He projects as an average big league regular at this point, solid across the board but lacking a plus tool. He tore apart the Florida State League and hit the ground running in Double-A, but after those first four games in the Southern League he hit .258/.352/.426 the rest of the way, striking out in more than a quarter of his at-bats. He's a big leaguer, and a prospect, but I have always swung this list toward higher-risk upside guys.

Austin Romine, C, NY Yankees: He can throw and hit for power, but has struggled with basic receiving tasks every time I've seen him in the past six months, something I've confirmed with other pro scouts. And I'm not sold on the hit tool.

Josh Vitters, 3B, Chicago Cubs: Swing is still beautiful, and in the Fall League he played third base as well as I've ever seen him play. But he doesn't walk or even work the count -- he sees a pitch he likes and lets 'er rip -- which won't work in the big leagues. And he's not making any progress on that front.

Jared Mitchell, OF, Chicago White Sox: He missed the year with an ankle injury and looked rusty (but in excellent physical shape) in the Fall League. He has to show how much of his pre-injury speed he retained after the injury to see how well he projects, because his legs were a significant part of his game.
[h3]Pitchers[/h3]

Chris Carpenter, RHP, Chicago Cubs: If I was sure he could start, he'd have been on the list, and not in the 90s. It's big stuff, up to 99 mph in relief in the Fall League and in the low to mid-90s as a starter with a four-pitch mix including a slider that flashes above-average. He has been healthy for two-plus years, but the Cubs have kept him that way by being cautious with his workload, and he may not be able to handle 180 innings a year. In relief, though, he could have an impact this year as a setup man or seventh-inning guy.

Chris Dwyer, LHP, Kansas City: Pretty strong consideration not just for the Top 100 (he'd be No. 102 after Jackson) but also to put over Danny Duffy within the Royals' system; his changeup improved this year and the high walk total masks a tweak to his delivery that saw him walk nine men in his past 50 innings in high-A. Dwyer finished the year with a minor back issue and he's topped out around 100 innings each of the past two years.

Jay Jackson, RHP, Chicago Cubs: One of my favorite starter prospects before 2010, Jackson saw his velocity dip at the end of the summer, a malady that also helped knock Dodgers prospect Chris Withrow off the list.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City: Athletic and projectable with a very clean delivery, but lack of a solid-average breaking ball kept him off the list.

Alex White, RHP, Cleveland: Two-pitch starters end up as relievers more often than not. White could miss a ton of bats in relief with just the splitter, but I don't see an average breaking ball yet and am not certain that it's coming.

Luis Heredia, RHP, Pittsburgh: Heredia received a $2.6 million bonus from Pittsburgh, a record for a Mexican amateur player, and will sit in the low 90s already with a good feel for the fastball. He's very well-developed physically for a 16-year-old, with a big frame and the potential to get heavy, which is more of a long-term concern, but the lack of pro experience and questions about the quality of the off-speed stuff kept him off the list.
Click to expand...
 
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