Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, MLW
A big right-hander who projects as an innings-eating workhorse down the road, Brewer prospect Eric Arnett throws a 94mph fastball with heavy sink, and complements it with a still-erratic low-80's slider. A still-developing splitter and changeup are also in the quiver, though he doesn't use either with confidence just yet.
More Scouting Book Info on Eric Arnett >
181
3B, MIN
One of the Twins' most promising bats, ex-Miami Hurricane third baseman Danny Valencia could get a shot at the majors this year, after slashing .284/.373/.482 with the AA Rock Cats last year. His arm is decent, his speed is about average, and his glove won't win any awards. But the boy can hit. A long but quick swing helped him pull 14 homers last year in just over 500 at-bats, and he looks like a future 30-homer, 150-strikeout guy from here. He could get a shot in Minnesota by the end of the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Danny Valencia >
182
C, SEA
A big, strong catcher drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round of 2006, Adam Moore is the proud owner of a lifetime .301 average across four minor league seasons and five levels of play. While his cup of coffee with Seattle in 2009 wasn't all that hot and fresh (.217, seven strikeouts in 23 at-bats), his long term future is sound. The obvious successor to Kenji Johjima, he's won't be winning any MVP awards, but he should provide decent production from a weak position, and he won't hurt the Mariners much. He's penciled in as Rob Johnson's backup for 2010, though another year of daily reps in AA or even AAA might be better for his long-term development.
More Scouting Book Info on Adam Moore >
183
OF, NYY
A powerful lefthanded outfielder, Yankee prospect Slade Heathcott looks like a future offensive monster, especially if he remains on a path leading to New Yankee Stadium. A professional hitter, Heathcott has plus contact and power skills, not to mention superior baserunning ability. He's more than adequate in the field, and while he can play center, his body type might be better-suited to a corner outfield position. All told, he's a legitimate 30-30 candidate as long as he stays focused on development. Mumblings about possible off-field issues seem to be more smoke than substance, but even if there's something to them, the button-down Yankees system is a good place to straighten out any young man looking for discipline and guidance.
More Scouting Book Info on Slade Heathcott >
184
SS, BOS
A toolsy infielder with good bat speed, Tejada is a high-quality prospect with no obvious path in the Boston system. A smart player with a good attitude for learning and development, he possesses the raw skills to play almost any position. In Boston, that means it's possible he may be moved to third base if he develops a bit more power. At his current projection, he's more of a 10-15 homer guy than a major longball threat.
More Scouting Book Info on Oscar Tejada >
185
OF, PIT
He might be the most talented youngster in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, but if you haven't heard of him yet, don't feel too badly. An under-the-radar international signee from 2008, Marte is pure projection: a fast, powerful, graceful athlete with great range in the outfield and a plus arm. He has an easy, natural swing and projects to deliver at least average power down the road. Low-A was a bit of a joke for him as a 20 year old in 2009 (.377/.439/.816), so his goal in 2010 will be to reach AA ball by the end of the season. He'll have to start at high-A Lynchburg.
More Scouting Book Info on Starling Marte >
186
RHP, OAK
When a pitcher blows through five teams in a few months, you have to figure he's a pretty dominant reliever on a hot streak. But when that pitcher blows through by changing uniforms four times, something must be very wrong. A dominant minor league reliever two years ago when the Dodgers packaged him up with catcher Carlos Santana for a three month rental of Casey Blake (!) from the Indians, Meloan has since changed teams many more times: Since the end of 2008, he's been a Dodger, an Indian, a Pirate, a Ray and an Athletic.
More Scouting Book Info on Jonathan Meloan >
187
2B, DET
Since the Tigers emptied the farm for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in the winter of 2007, Scott Sizemore has risen to be one of the team's top remaining prospects.
More Scouting Book Info on Scott Sizemore >
188
2B , COL
A small, fast, potent hitter who looks every inch his father, Eric Young Jr. is even lined up take over second base in Colorado, a position his father inaugurated for the expansion Rockies franchise. A very fast and smart base-stealer, he needs to get on base more to make that speed work, and since his patience at the plate has been improving, he's probably ready for a test at the next level. The Rockies have him working in the outfield as well as second to maximize his chances.
More Scouting Book Info on Eric Young Jr. >
189
RHP, OAK
A sandwich pick from 2007, righthander Clay Mortensen zoomed up the Cardinal chart until being bundled off to Oakland for Matt Holliday. The sinker-specialist also features a hard slider, a two-pitch punch that induces plenty of ground balls. Like many young pitchers, his offspeed pitches are a bit raw, and he's been developing a straight change that should make his hard-movers more effective. A move to pitcher-happy environment in Oakland could help Mortensen flourish soon.
More Scouting Book Info on Clayton Mortensen >
190
181. Eric Arnett
182. Danny Valencia
183. Adam Moore
184. Slade Heathcott
185. Oscar Tejada
186. Starling Marte
187. Jonathan Meloan
188. Scott Sizemore
189. Eric Young Jr.
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