Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, STL
A fastball and slider specialist, Sanchez is a lights-out reliever simmering in the St. Louis system. The young Venezuelan ended his 2009 with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, and now projects as a nasty late-inning weapon for the Cardinals, perhaps as soon as 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Eduardo Sanchez >
201
OF, PIT
After a brief stint in the Atlanta system, onetime Tiger prospect Gorkys Hernandez was shipped to the Pirates for Nate McLouth in 2009 before ever getting a real shot with the Braves. Still, he's is a quality prospect who hit .316/.361/.387 with 10 steals for Double-A Mississippi (Braves) in 2009, followed by an adjustment-impacted .262/.312/.340 with 9 more swipes at Pittsburgh's own AA Altoona. He shows no real signs of power, at least not yet, but he's fast and talented with exceptional defensive range. He could get a look in Pittsburgh in 2010, though any significant impact should be in 2011 or later.
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202
3B, CHW
A third-round pick in 2008, corner prospect Brent Morel is blessed with a potent power-speed combination that should play well in US Cellular sooner or later: In 2009, Morel hit .281/.335/.453 at high-A Winston-Salem while swatting 16 homers and swiping 25 bases. He's played both third base and the outfield in the minors, but the White Sox are looking at Morel as a corner outfielder for the moment.
More Scouting Book Info on Brent Morel >
203
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.
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204
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 >
205
RHP, BOS
A huge righthanded power pitcher from Texas, Brandon Workman is probably best known for striking out 10 batters while throwing a no-hitter in March of 2009. A sturdy innings-eater, Workman's fastball and cutter live around 92-94mph, and he can throw his 12-6 curve for strikes on command at any time. He's still developing a straight change, but he's already looking pretty polished, and he's probably almost ready to step into an MLB rotation right now.
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206
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.
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207
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.
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208
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 >
209
RHP, LAA
Regarded as the best high school prospect of the 2006 draft, righthander Walden took his time to eventually sign a midnight deal with the Angels in 2007.
More Scouting Book Info on Jordan Walden >
210
201. Eduardo Sanchez
202. Gorkys Hernandez
203. Brent Morel
204. Eric Arnett
205. Danny Valencia
206. Brandon Workman
207. Adam Moore
208. Slade Heathcott
210. Jordan Walden
201 to 210 of 484
