Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, ATL
The Yankees top international signee back in 2007, righthander Arodys Vizcaino was one of the team's top prospects when he moved to Atlanta as part of the trade that sent Javier Vazquez back to the Bronx. His fastball hovers in the low 90s, but should get harder as he matures. He complements that with an already-superb curve and a developing change. His development over the next year in Atlanta's pitching labs will determine whether he's starter or bullpen material, but he's already proven he can pitch rather than just throw: in 2009, he posted a 1.16 WHIP and a 2.13 ERA in 42 innings of work at short-season Staten Island.
More Scouting Book Info on Arodys Vizcaino >
141
RHP, TB
A righthanded pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, DR (his parents must have missed the shortstop delivery truck came by), Alexander Colome is a right-handed pitcher in the Rays system. He zipped onto the prospect radar last year after going 7-4 with a scintillating 1.66 ERA in fifteen starts for low-A Hudson Valley in the NY-Penn League, enough to land him the league MVP award. The definition of 'raw stuff', Colome out 94 and walked 32 in only 74 innings of work, working almost exclusively with his high-90's fastball. His second pitch is a power curve he's still learning to control, but even if he only half-masters it, he could see time in an MLB uniform before his 22nd birthday.
More Scouting Book Info on Alex Colome >
142
RHP, OAK
Inoa, the child of two accomplished ballplayers, is a towering, flame throwing teenager who already has a mid-90s fastball and an advanced changeup. He's several years away from breaking into big-league ball, but if he can stay healthy, he'll be something special come 2012 or so. The only question is how the A's will manage to squeeze all their hot young talent into the rotation in time for their 2013 championship run.
More Scouting Book Info on Michael Inoa >
143
RHP, SD
A huge, daunting figure who can touch 99mph with his heater, Padres righthander Simon Castro is one of the most promising pitchers in a system that's focused on developing big strong arms for the next decade. (For another example, see Pelzer, Wynn) As a 21 year old at A-level Fort Wayne in 2009, Castro went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, but most eye-poppingly, he struck out 157 opponents in only 140 innings of work while walking a meagre 37. His slider is probably his best pitch, and when he's locating the fastball at the same time, he's nearly unhittable. Some scouts see a closer in Castro, but for now the Padres will keep pushing him as a rotation member, and since he's got the frame necessary to carry 200 innings, they're probably wise to do so.
More Scouting Book Info on Simon Castro >
144
SS, COL
A fast runner from the City of Shortstops (San Pedro de Macoris, DR), Rockies prospect Hector Gomez is gifted with better than average base-stealing ability, and a plus arm that makes him a solid defneder. Gomez remains held back only by his lack of plate discipline. If he can learn to tone down the strikeouts and stop trying to pull every pitch deep, he'll be a solid contributor somewhere down the line. With Tulo anchoring shortstop in Colorado for now, though, Gomez may need to move to 2B... or to another franchise... before he gets a real shot.
More Scouting Book Info on Hector Gomez >
145
RHP, LAD
A smallish righthander who once threw a perfect game at Floosmoore (FL) High School, John Ely is a professional pitcher with significant upside who moved from the White Sox to the Dodgers system in 2009. Ranked second among career strikeout artists for his stint at U Miami (284 in only three years), the young pitcher already has major league guile, and has shown the ability to perform in big-game situations. While he's primarily a fastball-change pitcher, using his 90mph-ish heater to set up a real plus change, his curve is solid enough that it could be a viable third pitch if he ever begins to use it regularly. There are concerns about his mechanics and small stature, but if the Dodgers stick to him as a starter, he could make the pitching-thin roster soon, while a couple of years more could make him a viable middle-rotation starter.
More Scouting Book Info on John Ely >
146
OF, COL
An all-around outfielder with no one standout skill, Tim Wheeler was universally regarded as one of the safest 'college hitters' available in the 2009 draft. With plus speed and a good set of instincts for the outfield, he looks like a solid defender, while his high-contact, high-smarts approach to hitting looks like it could fit right into the top of the Rockies order soon enough.
More Scouting Book Info on Tim Wheeler >
147
1B, WAS
Marrero was Washington's top pick in the 2006 draft, and rated a perfect 80 on the scouting power scale, which is tremendous in someone so young. He has a knack for missing some breaking balls by a mile, but he's still very young, so give him some time to learn a little discipline. To make up for his lack of speed, the Nats have converted the onetime OF to full time first-base status, which should also let him concentrate on hitting.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Marrero >
148
OF, PIT
A 4th round 2007 pick out of Newberry Park (Los Angeles) high school, first baseman Andrew Lambo fell lower than his talent dictated due to character concerns, but now that he's maturing, he's a civilized monster waiting to happen. The Dodgers preferred to use his all-around athletic ability in the outfield, but his new owners in Pittsburgh may reopen the question of Lambo as a future first baseman. At the plate, Lambo slashed .288/.346/.462 at A level Great Lakes in 2008, and nearly .400 in a two week callup to AA Jacksonville at the end of the season.
More Scouting Book Info on Andrew Lambo >
149
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 >
150
141. Arodys Vizcaino
142. Alex Colome
143. Michael Inoa
144. Simon Castro
145. Hector Gomez
146. John Ely
148. Chris Marrero
149. Andrew Lambo
150. Bryan Anderson
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