Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, SD
Karsten Whitson is a teenage pitching prospect who might have the highest ceiling of any of the 2010 draft class participants. Unlike most pitching prospects, who lack for a serious gap or two in their toolset, Whitson already has a near-ideal mix of stuff, polish, pitchability and projection. His fastball is an MLB-ready 92-94 version with sink, and his slider, a hard 84mph version, shows real plus break. His third pitch is a straight change that, while still below MLB caliber, is already leaps and bounds better than what one usually sees in such a young player. He seems ideally positioned to be the next 'surprise' pitching phenom.
More Scouting Book Info on Karsten Whitson >
111
C, TEX
Max is a professional hitter with a career .314/.414/.521 line in the minors. He's athletic enough to play first, third or even the outfield, but his size and skill set is still best-suited to receiving, where he has a good arm and has proven to be a reliable game-caller. He should get at least a few looks in 2010, but his real future is in 2011 and beyond.
More Scouting Book Info on Max Ramirez >
112
LHP, FLA
A tall and lanky power pitcher in the Jon Lester mold, Chad James was a first round selection who signed with the Marlins in 2009. In addition to moving fastball that he commands well, James has a fantastic (if erratic) curve and a developing change that will dictate his future as he matures. He signed too late to sample pro ball in 2009, but he'll be a bright dot to follow on the radar in 2010.
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113
OF, CHC
A toolsy centerfielder pushing his way up the Cubs ladder, Brett Jackson is a well-rounded player without a single defining skill, but with the right mix for a top-of-the-order role in the future. A .318/.418/.488 hitter across three levels of minor-league ball in 2009, Jackson's mix of plus speed and mature plate discipline portends a leadoff role. His 87% success rate on the basepaths won't hurt either.
More Scouting Book Info on Brett Jackson >
114
RHP, LAD
The Dodgers' first round pick in 2007, righty Chris Withrow went 8-8 over 22 starts in 2009, split between high A Inland Empire and AA Chattanooga. With 131 strikeouts in 114 innings, he's looking like a power pitcher, and that's exactly what the Dodgers are looking for, here. His fastball lives around 93 but can hit 98 with good movement. His improving curve is a strikeout pitch, an 11-5 hammer that he's comfortable throwing in almost any count. A middle-rotation candidate who's already showing superior makeup, Withrow could move quickly, especially if the Dodgers suffer injuries in 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Withrow >
115
RHP, CHC
Texas Christian's ex-closer, Andrew Cashner has that perfect mix of electric 98mph fastball and nasty low-90's slider that everyone wants to see in a ninth-inning specialist. Of course, the Cubs already have two or three of those on staff, so it's possible that Cashner could be stretched into starting duty: he's already got the workable changeup and innings-eating frame to do that if needed. There was talk of looking at him as a Wrigley fill-in artist in late 2009, but that didn't pan out. For now, look for him to get an audition sometime in 2010.
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116
SS, TB
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 2010, especially now that BJ Upton seems to have stuck as an outfielder.
More Scouting Book Info on Reid Brignac >
117
3B, SEA
Seattle's always been one of the most aggressive clubs when it comes to international signings, and they continued that tradition by signing Italian infielder Alex Liddi in 2005. Two years after his .303 debut in Rookie ball, Liddi slashed .345/.411/.594 at high-A, high-altitude High Desert in 2009, adding 23 homers and 44 doubles to that MiLB batting title performance. Even if you adjust that line for the offensive boost that High Desert tends to provide, he still had a standout season, and his MVP trophy was well-earned. His validity as a productive bat will be tested in 2010 at AA West Tennessee, which shouldn't be quite as forgiving of his long swing or impatience at the plate. If he can come through that crucible still looking like a top prospect, he should be serving in Seattle by 2012.
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118
OF, CHW
The White Sox first round pick out of LSU, outfielder Jared Mitchell is a fully-equipped toolbox on high-performance legs. A plus-plus runner with great instincts on the basepaths, he's also a developing bat with the type of body that could grow into significant power. There's some question about his polish in the outfield, but he'll have a couple of years to develop the skills necessary to patrol the South Side lawn.
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119
C, CLE
A defensively strong catcher who's made a fast rise through the system, Lou Marson went from being one of a half-dozen decent system backstops to the likely catcher of the future in Philadelphia, mainly on the back of his hard-nosed and 'Phillies-style' attitude. He was traded to the Indians at the 2009 deadline in the package that netted Cliff Lee for the Phillies.
More Scouting Book Info on Lou Marson >
120
111. Karsten Whitson
112. Max Ramirez
113. Chad James
114. Brett Jackson
115. Chris Withrow
117. Reid Brignac
118. Alex Liddi
119. Jared Mitchell
120. Lou Marson
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