Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is a Combined List, a calculated summary of the overall valuations of the entire prospect universe.

Remember: this page is the result of an automatic process that re-sorts and re-ranks players often. If you think you have found a mistake, please read this blog entry before telling us. Then tell us.

Alex Meyer

RHP

Currently

101

First drafted by the Red Sox way back in 2008, righthander Alex Meyer passed on an alleged $2M signing bonus to go attend U Kentucky, in order to reenter the draft in 2011. Apparently, he spent his time in school eating well: the youngster now tips the scales at 6-10 and 230lbs.

A power pitcher (no kidding) with a high-90's fastball and a wicked slider, he's got stuff to burn, but a sometimes-wonky delivery and spotty command have plagued him through his young career. The Nats will be cautious with him, because he's one of those extremely high-ceiling types who's only a nudge or two from superstardom... or disaster. At least one fraction of the Nats organization wants to see him converted to closing duties, as the path to the majors could be much quicker and less risky with only two pitches needed along the way.

Full Scouting Report for Alex Meyer

SB 101BA SC BP SN ES ML 83

Josh Bell

OF

Currently

102

Nobody expected young Josh Bell to sign in 2011, which is probably why he fell to the Pirates in round two of the draft. But one should never underestimate the allure of five million shiny dollars, and young Bell shocked other managers by inking with the Pirates and passing on the University of Texas. Bell immediately became the biggest bat in a Pirate system that's very lacking in offensive muscle, but his primo status doesn't only come from relative dearth: he's a valid top prospect all on his own merit. The switch-hitter who's carrying so many Pirate hopes will open 2012 at West Virginia.

Full Scouting Report for Josh Bell

SB 102BA SC 97BP SN ES ML 69

Deck McGuire

RHP

Currently

103

Blessed with a name that would be right at home in a Steve McQueen movie, Georgia Tech's Deck McGuire is a bulldog indeed: an imposing 6-6, 220lb righthanded power pitcher whose mound presence and smarts earn him top marks. McGuire is a workhorse pitcher who mixes in three above-average pitches that aren't spectacular on their own, but are more than good enough to get hitters out in a variety of ways, especially when he commands them so well. His 'pitchability' has been cited by many coaches as off the scale. He's the type of polished college pitcher who could move very quickly.

Full Scouting Report for Deck McGuire

SB 103BA SC BP SN ES ML

Jedd Gyorko

3B

Currently

104

Drafted by the Padres after winning the 2010 Brooks Wallace Award as the best shortstop in NCAA Division I, Jedd Gyorko is officially regarded as a third basemen by the organization, despite his smallish stature. Of course, his bat has been nothing small since joining the Friars: In 119 games this year between High-A Lake Elsinore and AA San Antonio, Gyorko slashed a very shiny .323/.392/.518 line, including 47 doubles and 25 homers. With numbers like that, the Padres won't mind if they have to fudge his height in the official program. He should be ready by the end of 2012, if not sooner.

Full Scouting Report for Jedd Gyorko

SB 104BA SC 86BP SN ES ML 71

Yoenis Cespedes

OF

Currently

105

The son of an Olympic softball pitcher who grew up playing in the infield dirt, Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes rose to US attention as that nation's centerfielder during 2009's World Baseball Classic. In the tournament, he slashed .458/.480/1.000 with two homers in six games. He also went a scintillating 11-for-22 with four homers in six games of the World University Baseball Championship the following year. Back in the Cuban National League for the regular 2010-11 season, Cespedes racked up a .333/.472/.667 line in 85 games.

Of course, his brightest spotlight so far probably came in the offseason with two self-promotional YouTube videos (Google them yourself, lazy reader!) in which he showed off his skills, training and abs.

Cespedes has fast hands and generates good power with a little natural loft from the right side of the plate. In the field he's got good speed and range enough for center, with an average-to-strong arm. In his fielding routes and baserunning, he shows a little of stereotypical lack-of-polish usually assigned to young Cuban ballplayers, but once he learns to play with a cooler head and calmer hands, he's very likely to be a success in MLB. Since he's only 26 entering 2012, he could be around for a long time, too. He's close enough to a total package that he should see major league action in 2012. Undocumented in much of baseball thanks to his late defection, he's a great sleeper.

Full Scouting Report for Yoenis Cespedes

SB 105BA SC BP SN ES ML

Tommy Joseph

1B

Currently

106

A high-school catcher with a tantalizing power bat (15 homers in 27 games in his senior year), the double-named Tommy Joseph was scooped up by the Giants in 2009. In addition to his terrific raw power, Joseph displays a very strong throwing arm and shows signs of excellent leadership and discipline on the field. While the catcher's position in San Francisco would seem to be locked up for the foreseeable future, the Giants are looking for cheap meidcal insurance as much as any team, especially after the ESPN highlight (lowlight?) injury suffered by Mr. Posey in 2011.

ToJo can also play a reasonable first base, and is athletic enough to learn third if necessary. He's still a bit away away from the big leagues, but he shows every sign of being well-equipped to get there in the not-too-distant future.

Full Scouting Report for Tommy Joseph

SB 106BA SC BP SN ES ML

Nick Castellanos

3B

Currently

107

A high-profile 2010 pick for the Tigers, high-schooler Nick Castellanos was one of the best bats available in the draft. He shows very quick wrists and great natural hitting ability already, which means as he grows and fills out, he could become a certifiable monster. He has surprising speed for a big guy, too. He played shortstop in high school, but Scouting Book readers know that we were pretty sure he would be a third baseman or corner outfielder as a pro from the moment the Tigers signed him. In a full season of A-ball in West Michigan, he was indeed primarily deployed at third base (we're so smart), and he raked to the tune of .312/.367/.436 while popping seven homers over 500+ at-bats.

Full Scouting Report for Nick Castellanos

SB 107BA SC 69BP SN ES ML 51

Mason Williams

OF

Currently

108

Even with the departure of Sweet Jesus Montero, Mason Williams remains in the Yankee stable providing the promise of offense-to-come. Mason, son of former NFL receiver Derwin, has already shamed the teams that passed him over four or five times each, as the fourth-round pick has turned out to be a fiery aggressive hitter and baserunner, with plus speed and solid defense in center. He's already looking like a better leadoff hitter and all around player than Brett Gardner... and Curtis Granderson can play right field, can't he?

Full Scouting Report for Mason Williams

SB 108BA SC 96BP SN ES ML 73

Starling Marte

OF

Currently

109

He might be the most talented everyday player in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, but if you haven't heard of him yet, don't feel too bad. An under-the-radar international signee from 2008, Marte is pure projection: a fast, powerful, graceful athlete with great range in the outfield and a plus arm. He has an easy, natural swing and projects to deliver at least average power down the road. He could bump Andrew McCutchen to a corner (or to another ballclub) in another couple of years.

Full Scouting Report for Starling Marte

SB 109BA SC 87BP SN ES ML 40

Marcell Ozuna

OF

Currently

110

A part of the low-A Greenboro team that captured a championship, right fielder Marcell Ozuna was a pleasant surprise for a Marlins organization that's very poor in prospect talent. While he's always been a top-tier power hitter, 2011 was the season in which he seemed to grow a patience gland, as he cut his strikeout rate by 50% while almost doubling his walks. A well-tooled all around player entering 2012, the Marlins are hoping to see cleaner defense and a continued approach to smart baseball from Ozuna. If he improves even half as much as he did last season, he should sniff AA ball for the first time by the end of the year.

Full Scouting Report for Marcell Ozuna

SB 110BA SC BP SN ES ML

101 to 110 of 525 Prospects

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

Prospect Notes

Recent Player News

Roman Hernandez, KC

2/7/2012: Roman Hernandez has signed with the Royals, and will be sending a half-million dollar signing bonus back to his family in Cuba, one way or the other. Hernandez projects as a bench player with some power right now, and looks best in a corner outfield slot. At only 23, he still has room to grow, too.
More on Hernandez >

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

CloserWatch Notes

Recent Closer News

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

Seattle took a flier on the sometimes dominant lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo today, signing him to an incentive-laden 1-year deal. Kuo, one of baseball's best lefthanders the last decade or so, struggled with both physical and emotional turmoil in his last year as a Dodger.

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Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

RHP

Currently

101

OF

Currently

102

RHP

Currently

103

3B

Currently

104

OF

Currently

105

1B

Currently

106

3B

Currently

107

OF

Currently

108

OF

Currently

109

OF

Currently

110

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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150	160	170	180	190
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250	260	270	280	290
300	310	320	330	340
350	360	370	380	390
400	410	420	430	440
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