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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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.
Full Scouting Report for Matt Purke
SB 201BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Scooter Gennett
SB 202BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Tyler Naquin
SB 203BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Lewis Brinson
SB 204BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Dan Vogelbach
SB 205BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Mitch Haniger
SB 206BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Nick Delmonico
SB 207BA 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.
Full Scouting Report for Stryker Trahan
SB 208BA SC BP SN ES ML
A big, strong lefthander who has already mastered the don't-mess-with-me look so important to mound presence, the Angels' own Nick Maronde found college success after transforming into a closer at the University of Florida. After being drafted by the Angels, he rocketed through the minors and wound up as a surprise LOOGY specialist in Anaheim before the end of year. He's the best lefty prospect in the Angels system today. If he returns to starting duty, he could be very good in another year or so. If the team leaves him in the bullpen, on the other hand, he could be great.
Full Scouting Report for Nick Maronde
SB 209BA SC BP SN ES ML
Another product of the Mets' Latin American prospecting machine, Dominican righthander Rafael Montero is yet another hard thrower coming up fast through the minor league system. Montero has a lean and mean mound presence, not unlike the young Pedro Martinez, and he has the electric stuff to live up to that comp. Montero brings a mid-90's fastball that's solid and accurate, but it's the advanced nature of his secondary pitches (especially the wicked slider and sometimes-plus change) that frustrates hitters.
Full Scouting Report for Rafael Montero
SB 210BA SC BP SN ES ML
Prospects
Top Prospects 2013
Combined Ranking
200 to 210 of 750 Prospects
