Top Baseball Prospects for 2013
Now updated for 2013'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.
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The Dodgers' first round pick in 2007, righty Chris Withrow has been growing into a premium power arm, and that's exactly what the Dodgers are looking for. His fastball, the best in the Dodger system, still lives around 93 but can hit 98 on occasion and always comes in with good movement. His improving curve is a potential strikeout pitch, an 11-5 hammer that he's comfortable throwing in almost any count. A onetime middle-rotation candidate who's recently been seeing more action from the bullpen Withrow went 3-3, 4.65 at Chattanooga in his third full year of AA ball, but if he's really a reliever now, the important numbers are the ones that show he struck out more than a batter per inning. He should get a test in LA this season.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Withrow
SB 191BA SC BP SN ES ML
A devasting lefthander who has struck out more than one batter per inning throughout his college career, Texan Matt Purke signed with the Nats after being drafted in 2011's third round. The man who went 16-0 as a college freshman is one of several Nats youngsters who could rise to dominate as a closer, though his lefthandedness should tempt the Nationals to at least explore using him in longer outings before committing him to a 9th inning future. Short action in 2012 showed the filthiness of Purke's stuff but also the risks inherent in banking on young pitchers: the youngster was shut down after only three starts due to shoulder problems that eventually required surgery. He'll be kid-gloved for the next little while, making him an easy-to-forget-about sleeper for 2015 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Purke
SB 192BA SC BP SN ES ML
A 14th round pick in the 2010 draft who was also coveted by the Red Sox a year earlier, Texas righthander Nick Tepesch is a big, strong, powerful pitcher who could sling his way into the Ranger roster sooner than some think. His AA debut season came mainly in the form of 14 starts, and he was capable enough with five and a half innings of work per week. But the Rangers have also tested him as a reliever, and that might be where his high-control fastball and wipeout slider combination will be most effective in the future. Watch closely.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Tepesch
SB 193BA SC BP SN ES ML
Ryan 'Scooter' Gennett is a fast-rising middle infielder in the Milwaukee Brewers system. A small-framed fireplug, the lefty-swinging Gennett destroyed high-A Brevard County last year just the way he chewed up low-A Wisconsin the year before. His .334/.406/.740 performance probably merits another promotion, but his sloppy baserunning and lack of power might necessitate a little more training time in high-A first. In the field he played second base exclusively, leaving shortstop in his past, and while his glovework isn't exceptional, it should be good enough to get his bat into play. If he can round the rough edges of his game, he will be ready for the two-hole in the Milwaukee order sometime in 2013.
More Scouting Book Info on Scooter Gennett
SB 194BA SC BP SN ES ML
A smart ballplayer who makes up for iffy tools with good skills and a hard-working approach to the game, Cleveland outfielder Tyler Naquin has a pretty lefthanded swing that can already pepper the gaps, with the potential for more power to come as he grows into his body a little. In the field he has a good glove and a strong arm, good enough for a corner spot already.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyler Naquin
SB 195BA SC BP SN ES ML
The best outfield prospect in Texas that you may not have heard of yet, Florida teenager Lewis Brinson is a five tool talent with a burning desire to play in big league baseball. Signed to little fanfare at the tail end of 2012's first round, 'LL Bean' Brinson quickly dispatched rookie ball pitchers with a .283/.345/.523 line with seven homers and 22 doubles, and proved he's all that on the bases by swiping 14 of 16 over 54 games, too. In the field, Brinson has played center, exclusively for the Rangers and that's how he'll be pushed, in order that his plus speed and good glove can be used to maximum effect. He needs a couple of years for his skills to catch up to his tools, but if he keeps hitting in A-ball, watch out.
More Scouting Book Info on Lewis Brinson
SB 196BA SC BP 99SN ES ML
A tree-trunk of a young man, Cubs prospect Dan Vogelbach won't win any sprints or high-jumping contests, but lordy, lordy, the boy can hit baseballs. Plus contact, plus-plus power to all fields, and a bucketful of moon-shots every day in batting practice: these are the things young Vogelbach is made of. In the NL, a man this large (the Cubs list him at 250lbs, but they're being very polite) is destined for first base, like it or not, and thankfully Vogelbach does show good hands and footwork around the bag.
More Scouting Book Info on Dan Vogelbach
SB 197BA SC BP SN ES ML
A strong, squat hitter with a wide open stance and plus bat speed, Cal-Poly's Mitch Haniger looks like a solid part of a future Brewer offense. With accolades from all sides concerning his athleticism and professional demeanor, Hanny's only real shortcoming is a lack of speed, though good instincts and a strong arm have served him well in outfield duty to date. While there's never a shortage of possible road bumps on the way to MLB, he sure looks like a future star from here.
More Scouting Book Info on Mitch Haniger
SB 198BA SC BP SN ES ML
A sixth round selection by the O's in 2011, catcher and third baseman Nick Delmonico probably has the best pure power bat in the Baltimore system, but it'll be a year or two before we know that for sure. Most intriguing is the reflection that his success in high school came mainly on the strength of his patience and selectivity at the plate: if that kind of discipline can be nurtured in pro ball, he could be a very powerful offensive force indeed. He's a few years away.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Delmonico
SB 199BA SC BP SN ES ML
A high-school catcher blessed with a B-movie monicker, Stryker Trahan was drafted by the Diamondbacks at the tail end of 2012's first round. While the final call is more than half a decade away, the early returns suggest that the tallish Trahan may be able to stick at catcher, as he possesses more than the usual strong arm requirement. If he shows aptitude for game-calling, he'll move quickly, but 'quickly' in this context still means 2016 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Stryker Trahan
SB 200BA SC BP SN ES ML
Prospects
Top Prospects 2013
Combined Ranking
190 to 200 of 650 Prospects
