Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, CHC
A two-way player drafted by the Cubs as a pitcher in 2008, Randy 'Jay' Jackson is a sturdy righthander with a heavy 93mph fastball and an average curve. He posted a healthy 4-2, 2.88 half-season in A ball after that, but most eye-opening were the 72 strikeouts in 50 innings. He probably won't duplicate that success against higher-quality hitters, but he should get the opportunity soon enough. He's got some 2012 sleeper potential, but if the Cubs need a power righthanded arm in the bullpen sooner than that, the kid they (should) call 'Dawg' could get a look-see a lot sooner than that.
More Scouting Book Info on Jay Jackson >
131
LHP, SD
A late first round pick in 2007 out of the University of San Francisco, Padres lefty Aaron Poreda is a favorite of ours here at Scouting Book. The big, 240-pound hurler boasts one of the best fastballs in the minors (up to 97mph and sinking) with an improving slider that may grow to be his best pitch if he can learn to control it more effectively.
More Scouting Book Info on Aaron Poreda >
132
RHP, TOR
Already blessed with the best fastball in the Blue Jays system, ex-Red Zach Stewart is a compact righthander who's being fast-tracked to future closing duties in Toronto. That is, it looks an awful lot like that's how the Blue Jays want him to arrive. Should they change their minds, Stewart's high heat and nasty, nasty slider could also do some damage in a starting role.
More Scouting Book Info on Zach Stewart >
133
SS, HOU
The first round pick of the Houston Astros (21st overall) in 2009, Jiovanni James Mier was universally acclaimed as the best 'pure' shortstop in the draft class. A superior defender with good range, soft hands and a strong arm, he seems very likely to stick at the position. JJ's bat isn't quite as beyond question just yet, but he did hit .276 while launching 7 home runs in only 50 games for Rookie level Greeneville late in the year. He'll start working his way up the minor league ladder, and could be an everyday fixture in Houston as early as 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Jiovanni Mier >
134
SS, CLE
A mature prospect who will be angling for playing time in Cleveland soon, shortstop Jason Donald is an all-around quality player who's nearly ready for a shot at the Bigs. While he's likely destined for third base, most of his time has been spent at shortstop so far, including three standout college seasons at Arizona.
More Scouting Book Info on Jason Donald >
135
RHP, PHI
The depleted Phillies farm system has provided an opportunity for a few mid-level prospects who can now break into the top levels. Pitcher Trevor May is one of those who will be getting a lot more attention in the near future. May brings three good pitches to the plate every time out, and he's already had some pretty stunning success at low levels of minor league ball, most recently striking out 95 hitters in only 77 innings of work at A-level Lakewood. May's fastball is a standard 92-94 offering with heavy sink, and his secondary pitches (a hammer curve and a straight change) are almost ready for more advanced hitters. He's a pitcher to watch in 2010, though any big-league effectiveness is still a couple of years away.
More Scouting Book Info on Trevor May >
136
LF , STL
The Cardinals' minor league player of the year in 2008 when he hit .383 across two levels of play, ex-football standout Jones is a rising star in St. Louis. The best speed threat in the system, Jones has begun to turn on his batting eye, raising his average by almost 200 points while learning to be more selective and choose which balls to drive into the gaps.
More Scouting Book Info on Daryl Jones >
137
C, STL
He's slipped in the prospect standings over the last season or two, but the slugging left-handed catcher who hit .302 as a 19-year old A-baller and .298 as a 20-year old in AA is still seen as the catcher of the near future in St Louis. Assuming he can right himself, he should get a look late in the season, and be competing for a 2011 roster spot.
More Scouting Book Info on Bryan Anderson >
138
RHP, HOU
A raw gem of a righthander from Hartsville High School in South Carolina, Lyles is the sort of big strong power pitcher that the Astros always love to gamble on. And gamble they did when they took him so high in the 2008 draft (38th player overall). He's got incredible stuff, including a hot and lively fastball that should burn through the lower minor leagues, but he's going to need to improve his offspeed pitches to move beyond that. He has front-line starter potential, but it'll be a couple of years before we know how likely he is to reach it.
More Scouting Book Info on Jordan Lyles >
139
C, NYY
The younger brother of infielder Andrew, Austin Romine was a two way player in the Buster Posey fashion, acting as his high school closer as well as everyday catcher. As you might expect, he has one of the best cannons to second of any catcher in the minors today. At the plate he has doubles power and an easy swing, which looks projectable to 20-30 homer power someday. He's quite a way away from Yankee Stadium, but he's a hard worker with enough raw talent to get there sooner or later.
More Scouting Book Info on Austin Romine >
140
131. Jay Jackson
132. Aaron Poreda
133. Zach Stewart
134. Jiovanni Mier
135. Jason Donald
136. Trevor May
137. Daryl Jones
140. Austin Romine
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