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

11. Jacoby Ellsbury

OF, BOS

Anyone who follows baseball knows that Coco Crisp was supposed to replace Johnny Damon in Boston: a speedster centerfielder with high contact and game-making smarts. But anyone who follows Sox baseball also knows this: Coco Crisp ain't no Johnny Damon.

Enter Ellsbury, a base-stealing machine who infuriates defenses by hitting or bunting to all fields. On defense, he might have enough range to cover center and left field together, extending the career of Manny Ramirez even further.

After his performance in the postseason of 2007, he's certain to open 2008 on the Sox roster, and probably in their starting lineup. Expect some bumps along the way, but once he settles in he should be a solid contributor in the steals and runs categories, at least. Of course, his standout postseason will also ensure that he goes about 10 rounds too early in most offseason drafts, so if someone in your league is willing to overbid... let them.

More Scouting Book Info on Jacoby Ellsbury >

SB #11 | BA #13 | BP #16 | ML #13 | SN #6 | ES #19

12. Hiroki Kuroda

RHP, LAD

One of the premium starting pitchers available to MLB teams in 2008, Kuroda is a workhorse starter: he's thrown 74 (!) complete games in his 12 year Central League career. At age 32, he's also in his prime. He won the League's ERA title with a 1.85, despite playing in a park that strongly favors hitters.

He may lack the sex appeal and mystery Matsuzaka brought to Boston, but he's a comparable talent, and he should be a reliable and solid pitcher in Los Angeles.

More Scouting Book Info on Hiroki Kuroda >

13. 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 #13 | BA #12 | BP #12 | ML #21 | SN #46 | ES #14

14. 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 #14 | BA #14 | BP #24 | ML #8 | SN #8 | ES #12

15. Daric Barton

1B, OAK

A mediocre defender recovering from elbow surgery, and he's a top 50 prospect? That shows you how well he can hit, and in the AL, hitting is all that matters.

Keep in mind that his elbow injury was more bad luck than weakness, remember that his swing has always been thought of as moneyball-perfect, and consider the A's other prospects for 1B, and you'll realize that Oakland will give him every chance to succeed at 1B in the very very near future.

More Scouting Book Info on Daric Barton >

SB #15 | BA #48 | BP #22 | ML unranked | SN #14 | ES #38

16. Josh Vitters

3B, CHC

The Chicago Cubs made Vitters the third overall pick in the 2007 draft. He should move quickly for a high school player, and the hope is that he'll develop 25-homer power. A cause for concern is that he might need to move from third base to left field, but if he continues to develop as fast as he seems to be developing, the Cubs will find room for him. Soon.

More Scouting Book Info on Josh Vitters >

SB #16 | BA #43 | BP #45 | ML #30 | SN unranked | ES #17

17. 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 #17 | BA #7 | BP #5 | ML #4 | SN #23 | ES #6

18. 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.

More Scouting Book Info on Reid Brignac >

SB #18 | BA #39 | BP #25 | ML #32 | SN #33 | ES #49

19. Jarrod Parker

RHP, ARZ

Jarrod Parker, one of the most highly-touted prospects in the 2007 draft, fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 9th overall pick, and they did not hesitate. While he's still young, he shows exceptional character and makeup, which means he may be destined for the big leagues sooner than most.

He draws comparisons to last year's super-phenom Tim Lincecum, since he produces tremendous power from a smaller-than-average build. He'll likely follow a similar path, as Arizona's farm managers decide quickly whether they're dealing with a future ace or future closer, and move him along accordingly.

More Scouting Book Info on Jarrod Parker >

SB #19 | BA #46 | BP #20 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #36

20. Jason Heyward

OF, ATL

A 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. He could have a future in right field for Atlanta, but with Jeff Francoeur locked in there for a long time to come, it's more likely that he'll go to left field or first base, both positions where the Braves lack a long-term prospect.