Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
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 >
201
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.
More Scouting Book Info on Brandon Workman >
202
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 >
203
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 >
204
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 >
205
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 >
206
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 >
207
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 >
208
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. >
209
RHP, MIN
The ex-Miami Hurricanes closer throws a 98mph fastball that could get even faster as he comes back from TJ surgery. His breaking ball is still a bit sub-par, but if any coaching staff can coax secondary pitches from power arms, its the wizard's guild in Minnesota. Gutierrez is still a year or two away from being completely ready, but the Twins work in mysterious ways, which means he could see opportunities as a setup man as early as 2010, with the closer's mantle for Minnesota's post-Nathan days still within reach.
More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Gutierrez >
210
LHP, SEA
A tall, athletic Canadian lefthander who rose to national attention at U Kentucky, James Paxton was selected in the 2009 Draft's supplemental round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not sign, however, and quickly became embroiled in a hubbub and eventual lawsuit when it was revealed that his 'adviser' Scott Boras may have negotiated with the Blue Jays on his behalf, which is against NCAA rules. He thus became ineligible to play NCAA ball in 2010, and instead parked himself in independent ball to await the next draft, when he was selected by the Mariners much later, at #132nd overall. His mid-nineties stuff and sick breaking ball didn't get much challenge in Grand Prairie, but at least it kept him in shape. He remains an attractive young arm, despite the money-hungry image he's already attained.
More Scouting Book Info on James Paxton >
211
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 >
212
LHP, ARZ
Texas A&M's ace in 2009 and 2010 and a Big Twelve All-Star, righthander Barret Loux was drafted sixth overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2010 First Year Player Draft. A mature pitcher with advanced smarts for the game, Loux leans heavily on his 95mph fastball, which is so good he's seldom needed other pitches to succeed. That will change in pro ball, of course, and the development of his breaking ball should track his progress through the Arizona system.
More Scouting Book Info on Barret Loux >
213
RHP, LAD
A dominating college closer drafted in the second round of 2008, ex-Boilermaker Josh Lindblom is being developed by the Dodgers as a future starter. In nine short starts (remember, he's just learning), he turned in a shimmering 2.12 ERA and held batters to .157 average over 34 innings. His 37-5 K-BB ratio over that stretch looks a lot like he's still using his closer's stuff, too. He'll spend the year in the minors, probably at AA, but he's a great candidate to zip up to the top of the prospect charts for 2010-2011.
More Scouting Book Info on Josh Lindblom >
214
OF, CIN
A 17th round pick from an obscure college, Reds outfielder Chris Heisey has made slow but relentless progress through the system, playing solid defense and hitting better and better at each higher level of play. At AA Carolina lasyt year, Helsey rocked a .347/.426/.572 line, for an eye-popping OPS of .998. He held his own in AAA during the end of the year, too, opening the question about when he'll get his first taste of big league ball. We're betting the end of 2010, or sooner if injuries strike the Reds' outfield.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Heisey >
215
RHP, TEX
A two-way player and 2004 Little League star who some prefer as an infielder, righthander Jurickson Profar was signed as an international free agent in 2009. Blessed with a 94mph heater and a slider that could mature into a real plus pitch, the teenager is an ideal late reliever right now, but could go in any direction in the years to come. If he moves to the field, he has the hands and arm strength to work at shortstop, though his hitting ability isn't looking quite as promising just yet. A deep talent in the Rangers system, Jurickson is one to watch in the years to come.
More Scouting Book Info on Jurickson Profar >
216
C, STL
A converted pitcher, Robert Stock is getting a chance behind the plate for the Cardinals in order to mainstream his plus batting eye and lefthanded power bat, so that's how we'll treat him for now.
More Scouting Book Info on Robert Stock >
217
LHP, SD
Pick number 63 in the 2007 Draft, Cory Luebke went 11-4 with a 2.78 ERA and a shimmering 1.10 WHIP at two levels of play in 2009. His 112-32 strikeout to walk ratio is another number worth some yellow highlighter. A tall, lanky pitcher who lives in the low 90s with great two-seam movement, he leans on a reasonable change and a real plus slider as his strikeout pitch. He also shows off one of the best pickoff moves to first base seen in the minors since the days Andy Pettitte pitched at Columbus. He lacks some of the explosive upside of other Padre starters, but his mix of quality pitches and overall polish probably put him closer to the Bigs. He'll open 2010 in AA ball but could see at least a look-see start in San Diego before the end of the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Cory Luebke >
218
SS, SEA
A big, strong middle infielder with soft hands and an offensive mindset, Gabriel Noriega came to Seattle by way of his native Venezuela and childhood Mexico. In his first taste of pro ball, he slashed .311/.360/.456 in 206 Rookie League at-bats. Scouts have been impressed by his exceptional hand-eye coordination, and most expect him to hit for a high average even if he never develops real power. His defensive chops have already arrived, though, and his combination of soft hands, quick feet and a strong arm suggest that he can stick at shortstop. He'll need to learn to take a walk sooner or later, but once he sees a few more years of pro pitching, he'll be ready to make in impact in the bigs.
More Scouting Book Info on Gabriel Noriega >
219
RHP, CLE
Where does Tampa find these kids? Over a statistically significant 500 innings pitched, Talbot's strikeout ratio is over 4, his WHIP is under 1.3, and his potential to break into a major league rotation is very very high, especially for such a young pitcher. His recent trade to Cleveland only accelerates his likely arrival, though the less-magical coaching and development staff could hinder his potential.
More Scouting Book Info on Mitch Talbot >
220
201. Danny Valencia
202. Brandon Workman
203. Adam Moore
204. Slade Heathcott
206. Jordan Walden
207. Starling Marte
208. Jonathan Meloan
209. Eric Young Jr.
213. Barret Loux
214. Josh Lindblom
215. Chris Heisey
216. Jurickson Profar
217. Robert Stock
218. Cory Luebke
220. Mitch Talbot
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