Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
C, PIT
A native of Miami, Jorge 'Tony' Sanchez is an offensive-minded catcher in the style of Matt Wieters (though with less power) or Buster Posey (but with less defensive prowess). He does show enough skill to stick at catcher, though, and his bat is legitimate: He hit .346/.443/.614 at Boston College in 2009. He's seen as nearly major league ready today.
More Scouting Book Info on Tony Sanchez >
111
OF, LAA
The Angels' roster included Chone Figgins, Reggie Willits and Erick Aybar in 2009, but it was 2005 draftee Peter Bourjos who Mike Scoscia called 'the fastest guy in camp' at spring training.
More Scouting Book Info on Peter Bourjos >
112
LHP, KC
With all the focus on Aroldis Chapman, will anyone remember Noel Arguelles? Like Chapman, Arguelles is a young Cuban lefthander who signed a surprise contract with a smaller market club. In Noel's case, the deal was a five-year, $7 million contract with the KC Royals. A 6-foot-4 athlete from head to toe, Arguelles came to international attention pitching the gold medal game for Cuba in the Pan American Junior Championships in 2007.
More Scouting Book Info on Noel Arguelles >
113
3B, FLA
A high-school shortstop drafted at #12 by the Marlins in 2007, Dominguez's size and strength -- not to mention the presence of Hanley Ramirez -- prompted a move to third base last season. A raw power threat with a long but strong swing, Dominguez slugged a Sally League .513 in the second half of 2008, but he's not a one-dimensional talent: he also brings a plus arm and very, very good defensive ability to the field. He won't be making anyone forget Miguel Cabrera anytime soon, but he has the potential to be a solid MLB contributor and perennial gold-glover: he could probably reach the bigs on the strength of his glove alone.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Dominguez >
114
LHP, TB
With three plus-pitches, one of them a plus-plus curve, this is a left-hander with a very bright future. While you probably did not hear his name much, McGee led his AA league in strikeouts in 2006, adding six double-digit strikeout finishes to the morning papers. He slid a bit in 2007 and spent most of 2008 recovering from surgery, but he's still a smart money bet for the future. There is some concern over his stamina, however, so he may be in line for the bullpen in TB this year. Still, a left-handed strikeout artist is a nice pickup, no matter which inning it is when he takes the mound. If Tampa uses him as a five-inning starter too soon, he won't be worth much in fantasy play, but if he's brought up as a setup man, watch out: he could be a super-LOOGY or exceptional setup man very quickly.
More Scouting Book Info on Jake McGee >
115
RHP, LAD
No relation to Russ, though the righthanded pitcher does have at least one other thing in common with the catcher: both are viable backups at third base. The Dodgers are looking at Ethan as a pitcher and only a pitcher, however, and that might be more than enough. The powerful, savvy righthander projects a lot like the Giants' young Tim Lincecum, with a pinpoint fastball and a nasty hard slider coming from a compact frame. He's not close to ready, but when he does add some experience to his talent, he should be yet another in a long string of powerful home-grown Dodger arms.
More Scouting Book Info on Ethan Martin >
116
C, TOR
You have to give the Blue Jays some credit. Even with their backs to the wall and the necessity of trading away the best pitcher in franchise history, they managed to come out ahead by completely restocking their depleted farm system with high-talent players like D'Arnaud. Not to be confused with infielder Chase, Travis is an offensively gifted catcher who recently hit 13 homers in 126 games at A-level Lakewood, the Phillies Sally League affiliate. He's got above-average speed for a catcher and a developing eye for the strike zone that should allow him to hit high in a future Blue Jays batting order.
More Scouting Book Info on Travis D'Arnaud >
117
1B, FA
When Jose Julio Ruiz defected from Cuba in 2009 at age 25, he was ranked as one of the league's top-rated hitters. A pure offensive threat, the fireplug-shaped Ruiz will likely be relegated to 1B or DH duties in the USA, but his bat should be able to play at the major league level very soon. A gap hitter with decent but not great power, he has a smooth, quick swing from the left side that should allow him to maintain an average similar to the .300 he traditionally posted in Cuba. While the lack of plus power might hold him back from a top tier position, his overall path should be similar to slow-burning Angel Kendry Morales, who simmered for a couple of years before breaking out in 2009.
More Scouting Book Info on Jose Ruiz >
118
RHP, CLE
A relatively unknown pitcher hidden in the Cleveland system, righthander Hector Rondon blew through AA last year and landed at AAA for season's end. He went 7-5, 2.75 at AA Akron, striking out 73 batters in 74 innings while walking only 15. His build and delivery concern some scouts, and his ceiling might not be as high as some of the bigger names on the farm, but his darting 93mph fastball and MLB-ready breaking ball are highly effective when he commands them... which is most of the time. He could sneak into the Cleveland bullpen sometime in 2010, or even into the depleted rotation.
More Scouting Book Info on Hector Rondon >
119
LHP , TEX
A first-round selection by the Giants in 2006, Kiker has been up and down during his development as a Ranger. He has a real plus fastball, which once touched 97 but today lives closer to 94, and a better than average changeup. His conditioning has been a question in the past, but he seems to be showing a new commitment to taking care of his body enough to put in the long season. The Rangers want to see him focus and sharpen his command before promoting him, but that shouldn't be seen as a sign of ill-confidence.
More Scouting Book Info on Kasey Kiker >
120
111. Tony Sanchez
112. Peter Bourjos
113. Noel Arguelles
114. Matt Dominguez
115. Jake McGee
116. Ethan Martin
117. Travis D'Arnaud
118. Jose Ruiz
119. Hector Rondon
120. Kasey Kiker
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