Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for the 2008-2009 Fantasy Season

Baseball Prospect Rankings for Late 2008 and 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is different than other prospect lists: we're not in a bubble, and we never sit still. We show you not just our own rankings, but also rankings from some of the other major ranking lists for each player. You can now sort, for example, by Baseball America's rankings, or view the top prospects as chosen by the wizards at Baseball Prospectus, or compare our rankings to those from Sports Illustrated. Also, unlike most lists, we don't publish a book! Our lists are updated often during the offseason, and updated daily during the pre-season to show the latest situations and adjusted for spring results. This means we're always a work in progress. We also think this means our lists are much more useful for fantasy draft purposes. If you notice a mistake or have a suggestion feel free to let us know by mailing mistakes (at) our domain name. For more on our methods, see this blog entry.

Baseball's Top Prospects for Late 2008 and 2009

1. David Price

LHP, TB

Before the Rays made him the first pick of the 2007 Amateur Draft, David Price had already run up a polished resume, beginning with the 0.43 ERA he posted as a high school senior. The Dodgers drafted him in the 19th round in 2004, but Price chose to attend Vanderbilt on scholarship instead, where he became the anchor to the school's very strong rotation.

While his fastball has been clocked at 94mph a few times, he works more in the 90-91 range, relying on a high quality, high-80's slider with a very sharp bite. He has a good changeup, and rather than relying on power, he adds and subtracts with consistent, solid arm action. While he has always been able to throw strikes, Price has always had command problems within the strike zone, and has been known to tip his changeup by dropping his arm angle. If this flaw sticks while he faces major leaguers -- or even high minor leaguers -- look for some very very long moonshots in Price's future. But if the Rays manage to polish these shortcomings, he could be a front-line starter as early as April 2009.

In the short term, look for Tampa fans to be clamoring for Price, though it seems more likely he'll spend the entire year in the minors, as the Rays work to develop his complete game and build up his stamina. If they move him up the ladder wth care all year, challenging him as needed, he'll be in line for a look-see in September and a rotation spot for 2009. If the MLB rotation stumbles, though, or the rotation is hit hard by injuries, we could see Price pushed harder and sooner than that, and he could end up working out of the bullpen.

More Scouting Book Info on David Price >

SB #1 | BA #10 | BP #6 | ML #11 | SN #24 | ES #16

2. Matt Wieters

C, BAL

A product of Georgia Tech, Wieters might have been drafted out of high school but instead chose college. As it is, he's developed his defense and game-calling skills to the point where he's ready for a shot in pro ball.

Wieters is a switch-hitting catcher with good plate discipline who can hit for both average and power. His extra experience also helped develop his already natural leadership skills, which should help him with a young pitching staff like Baltimore's.

Of course, if Baltimore's bullpen keeps falling apart the way it has for the last few years, the Orioles may look to Wieters other abilities. In college, he served double duty as GT's closer, taking off his catching gear for the ninth inning and bringing a 98mph fastball to the table.

More Scouting Book Info on Matt Wieters >

SB #2 | BA #12 | BP #12 | ML #21 | SN #46 | ES #14

3. Matt LaPorta

OF, CLE

He might have been better off going to an AL team in the first place, but now that he's an Indian at least he'll soon have a chance to settle in as a DH for the next 20 years. LaPorta should produce big numbers in MLB in the near future, and Cleveland's interest solved the blocking problem he had back in Milwaukee. The fact the Indians pursued him so hard also shows how little confidence they have in Travis Hafner's ability to return to effectiveness.

One of college ball's best sluggers the last couple of years, he wasn't the shiniest prospect in the bin, but LaPorta's ridiculous .579 OBP in college is impossible to ignore. A power hitter who also has an exceptional batting eye, he ended the college season last year in the country's top 20 in almost every category, from batting average to homers, slugging percentage to runs scored.

He's really 2009 or 2010 tinder, but he does also stand a chance of making a Jack Cust-like breakout at midseason sometime.

More Scouting Book Info on Matt LaPorta >

SB #3 | BA #23 | BP #31 | ML unranked | SN #43 | ES #37

4. Cameron Maybin

OF, FLA

He might not be the second coming of Ken Griffey Jr., but this potential five-tooler has a place in the everyday lineup in the very near future. Look for a good mix of average, steals and power to continue to grow, if slowly, as he nears the big lights.

Since being acquired by Florida, Maybin stands a better chance of playing regularly, though the lineup around him won't produce quite as much, and the park won't help his numbers.

More Scouting Book Info on Cameron Maybin >

SB #4 | BA #6 | BP #10 | ML #3 | SN #3 | ES #13

5. Andrew McCutchen

OF, PIT

McCutchen has done nothing but hit since his debut in the summer of 2005 and he jumped on the fast track with an impressive leap to Double-A at the end of this season. His power has come faster than people expected, too, which means he has a shot in the deep but talent-poor Pittsburgh field.

In 2008, with the Pirates in the midst of what might be a sincere rebuilding attempt for the first time in a generation, McCutchen could get a long look, and plenty of chances to fail. The Pirates won't win this year, and McCutchen won't hit .300, but he may be allowed to rack up the ABs and experience needed to get to that level in the years to come.

More Scouting Book Info on Andrew McCutchen >

SB #5 | BA #14 | BP #24 | ML #8 | SN #8 | ES #12

6. Clayton Kershaw

LHP, LAD

He spent most of his young career being compared to his neighbor Kyle Drabek, but Kershaw is respectable in his own right. A tall southpaw with a long, smooth delivery, Kersh impresses scouts with his work ethic, and he projects as a good middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater in the near future. He's probably behind Scott Elbert, but not by much once you factor in Elbert's detour through rehab.

A power curve is his out pitch, and while Dodger coaches would dearly love to see a third pitch, he may not need one, especially if his future is in medium relief, which is where he's now penciled in for the short term. While expecting Kershaw to arrive in 2008 is a little optimistic, LA is known to bring up a lot of pitchers during the year, if only for a look.

More Scouting Book Info on Clayton Kershaw >

SB #6 | BA #7 | BP #5 | ML #4 | SN #23 | ES #6

7. Travis Snider

OF, TOR

Snider is a very young, very strong, and very promising prospect in the Blue Jays system. Sniders rise through the Toronto system is impressive: at Lansing (Low-A) in 2007 he hit .313 with 16 home runs in 118 games, and he looked even better in the Fall League, hitting .316 and slugging .541 in Arizona.

He's still very young, and if his defense develops a little more he could be a viable OF or 1B. More likely, though, he'll enter MLB as part of the new generation of young, full-time DHs. He could start to contribute big numbers by 2010. No private notes.

More Scouting Book Info on Travis Snider >

SB #7 | BA #11 | BP #7 | ML #15 | SN #37 | ES #7

8. Colby Rasmus

OF, STL

While often lost among the Prince Fielders and Cameron Maybins of hitting peers, Rasmus possesses a polish that few have at his level, a refinement that extends to his offensive approach, baserunning and defense. He strikes out a bit too much, but when he makes contact it's almost always solid contact: he's often compared to J.D. Drew. Of course, the Cardinals hope he comes with a less fragile set of bones.

By letting Jim Edmonds go, and bringing in no clear replacement (yet), the Cards seem to be signalling that they feel Rasmus is ready. It could be an exciting spring in St Lou.

More Scouting Book Info on Colby Rasmus >

SB #8 | BA #5 | BP #8 | ML #7 | SN #17 | ES #5

9. Carlos Carrasco

RHP, PHI

An under-the-radar phenom, Carrasco is a good long bet this season.

With a 1.38 ERA (not to mention only allowing a single home run) at home last year, Carrasco did everything he could get the big club's attention, but to no avail. There's not much more he can do other than wait: he's already got three solid big-league ready pitches, he's shown durability and endurance needed to be a front-line starter, and he's got the brains to outsmart sluggers from outing to outing and at-bat to at-bat. If Philly gives the kid a shot, expect some highlight-reel performances. He was a real sleeper-pick special for 2007; in 2008, he'll be a much more visible and safe selection.

More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Carrasco >

SB #9 | BA #54 | BP #68 | ML #28 | SN unranked | ES #53

10. Reid Brignac

SS, TB

Brignac should be ready to play shortstop in Tampa sometime in 2008. While one has to be careful with the way Tampa manages their prospects (it seems that most of them stay in the minors until they're thirty), it's possible we'll see Brignac on opening day, especially now that Upton seems to have stuck as an outfielder.

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for Late 2008 and 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for Late 2008 and 2009

1. David Price

2. Matt Wieters

3. Matt LaPorta

4. Cameron Maybin

5. Andrew McCutchen

6. Clayton Kershaw

7. Travis Snider

8. Colby Rasmus

9. Carlos Carrasco

10. Reid Brignac

Dunn Just Right for Prospects

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

And One More Thing...

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

Batters Up!

As the Second Half Starts, New Top Prospects Emerge

Second Half Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Midseason Cleanup Underway for Second Half Prospects

Harden Traded for Prospects

In trading Rich Harden, the A's continue to load up on prospects

Many Prospects for One Big Pitcher

CC is Traded, We Survey the Prospects Included

Closer... Closer... Almost There...

In the NL, a Number of Closer Situations in Flux

Closer... Closer...

A Number of AL Relievers are Almost Ready...

First Rounders of 2008, Part II

We round out our survey of the first round with an eye to possible early impact

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Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for Late 2008 and 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for Late 2008 and 2009

1. David Price

2. Matt Wieters

3. Matt LaPorta

4. Cameron Maybin

5. Andrew McCutchen

6. Clayton Kershaw

7. Travis Snider

8. Colby Rasmus

9. Carlos Carrasco

10. Reid Brignac

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

As the Second Half Starts, New Top Prospects Emerge

Midseason Cleanup Underway for Second Half Prospects

In trading Rich Harden, the A's continue to load up on prospects

CC is Traded, We Survey the Prospects Included

In the NL, a Number of Closer Situations in Flux

A Number of AL Relievers are Almost Ready...

We round out our survey of the first round with an eye to possible early impact

ScoutingBook's Top Early 2009 Prospects