Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for 2008 (Sleepers Too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2008

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 Spring 2008

101. Shelley Duncan

1B, NYY

As if all the Duncan boys aren't already confusing sportswriters, how difficult is it to juggle the two first-base prospects on the Yankees?

Shelley has never been scout-ranked as highly as cousin Eric, but his late season performance in 2007 cannot be ignored. In 34 injury-fill-in games, Duncan slugged .554 with 7 home runs. (That's 35-homers in a full season.) Against a full season, his average of one home run every 10.5 at bats in 2007 would rank him higher than Carlos Pena (10.7), Alex Rodriguez (10.9), Ryan Howard (11.3) and Prince Fielder (11.5).

Most memorably, his OPS in Yankee Stadium was an eye-popping 1.055, making him Manhattan's favorite media darling until Joba came to town.

Where the Yanks find a place for Duncan next season is anyone's guess, but he's versatile enough to slot in easily. In addition to his native 1B and his frequent DH gigs, he also appeared in a dozen games in left and right field.

More Scouting Book Info on Shelley Duncan >

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102. Jonathan Meloan

RHP, LAD

It's almost impossible to imagine, but the Dodgers might have a second Broxton on their hands in the 99mph flamethrower Meloan.

While he lacks the polish of that other Jon, this one mowed down minor league batters with similar zest in 2007, striking out 91 in 67 combined AA-AAA innings while only walking 27.

With a strong bullpen already in place, the Dodgers can be patient with Meloan and keep him brewing in the minors for a bit longer, but he's likely to be a factor in 2009, if he isn't traded for a big bat sooner than that.

More Scouting Book Info on Jonathan Meloan >

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103. Chris Tillman

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. He was traded to Baltimore as part of the 2008 package deal that sent Erik Bedard out west.

While his durability and work ethic remain untested, Tillman's build and easy motion means he still projects as a middle of rotation starter somewhere, though there is some bullpen potential.

More Scouting Book Info on Chris Tillman >

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SB #103 | BA #67 | BP #44 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

104. Hank Conger

C, LAA

Though he played in only 19 games last season (319/.382/.522) Hyun Choi 'Hank' Conger is already making a name for himself. (We're thinking that 'Hammering Hyun Choi' did not exactly roll off the tongue.)

The young whatever-his-name-is is known was one of the best HS bats in the 2006 class, and he's done nothing to tarnish that perception since, making consistent hard contact in his brief Arizona experience. Most important, he's doing that from the catching position, which makes him of special interest to fantasy owners dying for some extra value from that dead-dry place in their lineup.

With none of Anaheim's young catchers living up to their early billing, Conger might be one to grab now, before the Angels get frustrated with their current platoon and bring the kid up to the bigs.

More Scouting Book Info on Hank Conger >

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SB #104 | BA #79 | BP #89 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #87

105. Troy Patton

LHP, BAL

Yet another in a wide field of pitching prospects developed by the Astros before being shipped elsewhere, Patton has demonstrated remarkable consistency, maintaining a 2.75 ERA in almost 300 minor league innings with very few blowouts or meltdowns. His walks are a bit high, but during stretches last year he showed improved command and an ability to adjust mid-game. If he maintains that ability this season, expect Baltimore to give him a hard look for the rotation.

More Scouting Book Info on Troy Patton >

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106. Austin Jackson

OF, NYY

Another very young Yankees prospect who's frustrated scouts by only showing flashes of his tremendous potential, Jackson remains the brightest potential bat in the New York stable.

Promoted from the South Atlantic League to the Florida State League in 2007, he started to show the ability to hit to all fields, but he's still not ready for the big-time. A natural gap hitter, if his bat can catch up to his speed and defense, he'll have a future with the Yankees, or in one of their ever-looming trade packages.

More Scouting Book Info on Austin Jackson >

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SB #106 | BA #41 | BP #47 | ML #49 | SN #44 | ES #24

107. Hector Gomez

SS, COL

Gomez's development is pushing him into a competition with fellow Rockie prospect Chris Nelson for the title of most-promising SS in the system.

A fast runner with decent base-stealing ability, and a solid defender with a plus arm, Gomez remains held back only by his lack of plate discipline. If he can learn to tone down the strikeouts and stop trying to pull every pitch to deep left, he'll be a solid contributor somewhere down the line. With Tulo anchoring shortstop in Colorado for now, though, either Gomez or Nelson may need to move to 2B... or to another franchise... before they get a real shot.

More Scouting Book Info on Hector Gomez >

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108. Dexter Fowler

OF, COL

Models do it. Actors do it. Why don't baseball players with impossibly unfortunate names just change them? It's not that hard. In any case, Fowler's a highly-regarded kid -- comparisons abound to other lanky outfielders with power (Andruw Jones, Andre Dawson, Torii Hunter), and he's shown flashes of five-tool greatness. Today, the most useful comparison might be between Fowler and Cubs youngster Felix Pie. While the Cubs prospect entered Low-A at 18, two years younger than Fowler, the two showed similarly raw skill sets at the same level. Both have fantastic speed and good contact skills, but neither proved polished at baserunning or defense immediately. In coming years, Fowler's role will need to be determined, whether he's a middle-of-the-order hitter with power to come, or an improved baserunner destined for gap power and the top of the order. He's already very strong for his size.

More Scouting Book Info on Dexter Fowler >

108

SB #108 | BA #74 | BP #92 | ML #50 | SN #45 | ES unranked

109. Jesus Montero

C, NYY

The Yankees are committed to Jorge Posada for another couple of years, but after that they're hoping that a precocious rookie can take over their young pitching staff. Universally regarded as the best available international free agent, Jesus Montero was signed in the summer of 2006, instantly becoming New York's best catching prospect. While some want to see him move to first base or a corner outfield spot, the Yankees are so far committed to continuing his development as a catcher.

At 6-3 and 230 (and still growing), Montero's definitely got the muscle for New Yankee Stadium. According to a Yankee scout, Montero 'looked like Travis Hafner already, at age 16.' Most scouts peg his power rating as a perfect 80 on the 80 point scale.

More Scouting Book Info on Jesus Montero >

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110. David Murphy

OF, TEX

A Texas local boy who barely qualifies as a rookie for 2008 (just three ABs short of the cutoff), Murphy is a well-rounded lefthanded hitter with solid, but non-spectacular tools. He's old for a prospect, but he could play a useful role with this year's version of the Rangers, who are lacking in solid left-handed bats.

More Scouting Book Info on David Murphy >

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