Baseball's Top Prospects for 2009
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
C, BAL
Last year it was Geovany Soto. This year, another catcher could run away with Rookie of the Year honors, at least if the minor league track record and buzz are any indicators. Baseball America's 2008 Minor League Player of the Year, Wieters can hit for both average and power, and he seems to be showing the defensive skills necessary to remain behind the plate long-term. His award-winning minor league season also helped further polish his already natural leadership skills, which should help him with a young pitching staff like Baltimore's.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Wieters >
1
LHP, TB
Even 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 a powerful (if overworked) anchor to the school's very strong rotation. A surprise star during the last weeks of Tampa's championship run in 2008, Price was used primarily in long relief from the bullpen, though his future is in the starting rotation. Since he remains eligible, he has Rookie of the Year potential for 2009. out of the rotation.
More Scouting Book Info on David Price >
2
RHP, WAS
One of the best college pitchers of the 2009 class, righthander Stephen Strasburg mixes a high-90's (and low-100's) fastball with a highly-effective (and unusual) curveball/slider type pitch for a devastating 1-2 punch. He wasn't a strikeout pitcher early in his college career, instead focusing on pitching to contact, but his K rate has been rising steadily since 2008. While his college coach (Tony Gwynn) claims he's 'special' and could pitch in MLB immediately, most scouts would prefer he spend at least half a season in the minors before taking on the bright lights with his 103mph heat and 'ungodly breaking stuff'.
More Scouting Book Info on Stephen Strasburg >
3
RHP, OAK
Oakland's second round pick in 2006, righthander Trevor Cahill is one of a dozen strong pitching prospects in the Oakland system. He might also be the best one. He delivers a sinking 92mph fastball with command and authority, but his loopy curveball is even better. After a nice showing at the 2008 Olympics, Cahill should get a chance to audition in Oakland sometime sometime in 2009.
More Scouting Book Info on Trevor Cahill >
4
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, perhaps even this spring: he has the kind of leadoff tools that could finally knock Hanley Ramirez down in the batting order. Look for a good mix of average, steals and power to continue to grow, if slowly, as he nears the big lights.
More Scouting Book Info on Cameron Maybin >
5
OF, ATL
Say Heyward, but don't say it just yet. A real treasure for the Braves as 2007's 14th overall pick, the left-handed Heyward has been lauded for his developing plate discipline and 30-homer power potential for a couple of years now.
More Scouting Book Info on Jason Heyward >
6
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. They received a lot of heat for leaving Rasmus in the minors last year, but the youngster really didn't put up the numbers to show he deserved a big-league position. He'll enter 2009 with the determination he needs to get over the last hump, though his refusal to participate in off-season conditioning probably doesn't bode for a hot start.
More Scouting Book Info on Colby Rasmus >
7
OF, PIT
One of the best outfield prospects still in the minors, Pirate super-youth Andrew McCutchen has done nothing but hit since his debut in the summer of 2005. He jumped on the fast track with an impressive leap to Double-A at the end of 2007, and pressed hard during 2008 for a big league opportunity, spending the whole year as a 21-year old at AAA while hitting .283, swatting nine homers and stealing 34 bases. His power has come faster than people expected, which means he has a shot in the deep but talent-poor Pittsburgh field right now. Like the similar Dexter Fowler, he could break in two directions: as a top-of-the-order speed threat, or a middle-of-the-order power bat as he continues to refine his approach at the plate. If his MLB career follows his minor league ascent, expect some early struggles in the majors followed by a relentless rise to greatness.
More Scouting Book Info on Andrew McCutchen >
8
RHP, BAL
Seattle's second round pick in the 2006 draft, Tillman was the Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2007, when he rung up 139 strikeouts in 135 innings split between low-A Wisconsin and high-A High Desert. A tall, hard-thrower with a smooth, carbon-copy motion, Tillman complements a mid-90's fastball with a plus 12-to-6 curve that he uses as his out pitch.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Tillman >
9
LHP, SF
A tall, strong lefthander, Bumgarner is one of two pitchers most likely to follow Cain and Lincecum to the Bay.
More Scouting Book Info on Madison Bumgarner >
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1. Matt Wieters
2. David Price
3. Stephen Strasburg
4. Trevor Cahill
5. Cameron Maybin
6. Jason Heyward
7. Colby Rasmus
8. Andrew McCutchen
10. Madison Bumgarner
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