Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is a Combined List, a calculated summary of the overall valuations of the entire prospect universe.

Remember: this page is the result of an automatic process that re-sorts and re-ranks players often. If you think you have found a mistake, please read this blog entry before telling us. Then tell us.

Jake Sisco

RHP

Currently

151

A prep pitcher drafted last year by the Indians, righthander Jake Sisco went 11-1 with a 1.66 ERA in 15 games as a JC starter. He led all state JuCo pitchers in strikeouts, victories and innings pitched. He harnesses a low-to-mid-90s fastball well, and is developing three complementary pitches that show promise, according to scouts.

More Scouting Book Info on Jake Sisco

SB 151BA SC BP SN ES ML

Dan Klein

RHP

Currently

152

Drafted twice by the Orioles (with three years at UCLA in between proposals), righthander Dan Klein is a near-MLB ready pitcher stuck in a somewhat clogged Orioles system. He's got a nice sinking fastball that comes in at about 92mph and a near-plus change that arrives about 10mph slower. His slider and curve are works in progress, but he didn't need to use them much during his UCLA career, most of which was spent as the team's closer. 2011 will be his first season of pro ball, and the Orioles will try him as a starter first. He'll need to make a very strong impression to have much of a future in an organization so stacked with young pitching. In 39 innings of relief work in Baltimore's high-A and AA care, Klein racked up 47 strikeouts and walked only 7, so he should be a good bet to succeed in a full year of double-A this season.

More Scouting Book Info on Dan Klein

SB 152BA SC BP SN ES ML

Bobby Borchering

OF

Currently

153

A switch-hitting third baseman with line-to-line power, Bobby Borchering has attracted comparisons Chipper Jones comparisons since way back in high school. Recently moved to the outfield, he remains a viable offensive force for the near future, and should get an opportunity to show off his smooth swing in Arizona before 2012 is through.

More Scouting Book Info on Bobby Borchering

SB 153BA SC BP SN ES ML

Todd Frazier

3B

Currently

154

An offensive-minded shortstop who might play better in a corner, Rutgers alum Todd Frazier looks like he could be one of the next wave of hard hitting infielders. He's adequate at almost any position, which is why we expected he might see time in Cincinnati as a utilityman in 2011, and the team certainly listened to our instincts: Frazier actually played 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and LF during only 112 at-bats for the Reds in 2011. The Toddfather should see more time as a 2012 utilityman on the big team, and on a club this full of opportunity, play himself into a full-time role rather easily.

More Scouting Book Info on Todd Frazier

SB 154BA SC BP SN ES ML

Eduardo Sanchez

RHP

Currently

155

A fastball and slider specialist, Sanchez is a lights-out reliever who's clearly fully cooked in the St. Louis system. The young Venezuelan ended his 2011 with 35 strikeouts in his first 30 big-league innings. If he stays healthy, he will be a nasty late-inning weapon for the Cardinals in 2012, and probably for many years to come.

More Scouting Book Info on Eduardo Sanchez

SB 155BA SC BP SN ES ML

Brad Peacock

RHP

Currently

156

One of the prospects acquired at Christmas 2011 for Gio Gonzalez, Peacock gained attention when he served up only a single run in 12 innings of work for the depleted Nationals last season, though he's unlikely to look quite that good with a larger sample size.

More Scouting Book Info on Brad Peacock

SB 156BA SC 85BP SN ES ML 75

Jonathan Pettibone

RHP

Currently

157

Righthander Jon Pettibone, signed out a Yorba Linda high school back in 2008's third round, looked awfully well-composed for a young player at high-A Clearwater last year, quietly notching a 2.96 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP across 27 consecutive and low-drama starts. He's not much of a strikeout arm, but he's not prone to walk hitters either, which means his success should ride on the quality of the defense that plays behind him. Philadelphia might consider some infield upgrades before he arrives in 2014. They might also want to turn the lefty-hitting Pettibone around at the plate, if they're concerned at all about protecting their investment.

More Scouting Book Info on Jonathan Pettibone

SB 157BA SC BP SN ES ML

Michael Taylor

OF

Currently

158

A 6-6, 250lb monster back in high school, Taylor avoided an early draft by committing to Stanford. When he emerged from college, he was gobbled up by the Phillies in the same 5th round selection that netted them Ryan Howard six years earlier. Scouts saw similar things in the two sluggers.

After ditching his 'Stanford Swing' for a bigger and more wide open hammer, Taylor started to tear up the minors in 2009. He strikes out a bit too much, especially on quality breaking pitches, but his new owners in Oakland have never been afraid of that kind of hitter as long as the production averages out. As an outfielder, he has limited range, though his speed is probably average, or even a bit better than average. His strong throwing arm that suggests right field is his natural position. While his approach at the plate looks crude, he's actually a pretty polished product: until the A's added extra outfield depth via trade, he was a decent odds favorite to win a starting job with the MLB club. Now, he looks more like a bench or AAA option, at least for April.

More Scouting Book Info on Michael Taylor

SB 158BA SC BP SN ES ML

Brian Dozier

SS

Currently

159

Brian Dozier is a hard-hitting shortstop prospect in the Twins system who could be making the move to the big leagues very soon. Drafted by Minnesota in the 8th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, Dozier has been scaling the minors ever since, slashing a composite .307/.382/.420 across three full seasons and winding up at AA New Britain last fall.

A classic Ripken-style shortstop with a winning smile and a great attitude, this Tupelo honey has shown steady improvement in the field, too, and looks competent enough to perform on a big league infield right now. Even more promising, his coaches have already commended him for the leadership and class he shows in the clubhouse. He'll open the season back in AA, but he should be one of the first baby Twins called upon if the big team struggles.

More Scouting Book Info on Brian Dozier

SB 159BA SC BP SN ES ML

Alfredo Silverio

OF

Currently

160

A talented and multi-tooled outfielder who homered in the 2011 Futures Game, Dodger prospect Alfredo Silverio looks like he might be the latest in a long line of home grown fielders to grace Dodger Stadium. Signed by the Dodgers at age 16 out of LaRomana in the Dominican Republic, Silverio has made steady progress in the system, gaining eyebrows-raised attention for his 2011 performance in particular: the wiry athlete slashed .306 .340 .542 in 132 games at AA Chattanooga while stroking 16 homers, 18 triples (!) and 42 doubles. He also stole 11 bases, though his skill in the baserunning department is pretty much absent to date. Given another year or so, he should be ready for a Dexter Fowler-style debut in LA.

More Scouting Book Info on Alfredo Silverio

SB 160BA SC BP SN ES ML

151 to 160 of 525 Prospects

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

Prospect Notes

Recent Player News

Roman Hernandez, KC

2/7/2012: Roman Hernandez has signed with the Royals, and will be sending a half-million dollar signing bonus back to his family in Cuba, one way or the other. Hernandez projects as a bench player with some power right now, and looks best in a corner outfield slot. At only 23, he still has room to grow, too.
More on Hernandez >

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

1+	10	20	30	40
50	60	70	80	90
100	110	120	130	140
150	160	170	180	190
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450	460	470	480	490

1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

CloserWatch Notes

Recent Closer News

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

Seattle took a flier on the sometimes dominant lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo today, signing him to an incentive-laden 1-year deal. Kuo, one of baseball's best lefthanders the last decade or so, struggled with both physical and emotional turmoil in his last year as a Dodger.

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Scouting Book

Tools and Lists for Finding Better Baseball Prospects, Closers and More!

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

RHP

Currently

151

RHP

Currently

152

OF

Currently

153

3B

Currently

154

RHP

Currently

155

RHP

Currently

156

RHP

Currently

157

OF

Currently

158

SS

Currently

159

OF

Currently

160

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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