Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012
Now updated for 2012'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.
Remember: this page is the result of an automatic process that re-sorts and re-ranks players often.
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An undrafted free agent signing from Venezuela, teenage lefty Martin Perez was one of the Rangers' best-kept secrets until he blew away half the minor leagues in 2009. He's impressive, and slowly getting closer to MLB-ready. The skinny 20 year old turns into a wiry 21 year old this spring, and until some late-season trips in 2011, he hadn't failed to strike out a batter per inning at any point in his young career. That bounce between AA and AAA last year was part of a very aggressive promotion schedule that we have to hope at least seasoned the youngster. He should start 2012 back in AA with hopes of a midseason callup. His prime won't arrive until 2014 or so, however.
Full Scouting Report for Martin Perez
SB 21BA SC 15BP SN ES ML 29
A 6-foot-4, solidly-built athlete, Marlin prospect Christian Yelich is a left-handed hitter with a picturesque swing that's a thing of beauty. Yelich is already showing good power, and as he grows into his body, that power should grow along with him.
Full Scouting Report for Christian Yelich
SB 22BA SC 75BP SN ES ML 35
A toolsy centerfielder pushing his way up the Cubs ladder, Brett Jackson is a well-rounded player without a single defining skill, but with the right mix for a top-of-the-order role in the future. A .297/.388/.551 hitter at AAA Iowa in 2011, Jackson's mix of plus speed and mature plate discipline portends a leadoff role, though his developing power (from 12 to 20 homers last year) might make him slot into the three hole just fine, too. He's primed and equipped for an opportunity in MLB, probably the only Cubs prospect really ready to do so, so he should get a chance in 2012.
Full Scouting Report for Brett Jackson
SB 23BA SC 34BP SN ES ML 33
A powerful young bat getting a lot of attention in the Rockies system, Nolan Arenado is looking like a viable corner bat in the very near future. He slashed a ridiculous .308/.338/.520 line during his first taste of A-ball at Asheville in 2010, showing that he's a contact hitter and not just a slugger, and backed it up with a very similar .298/ .349/.487 performance at higher-level Modesto last season. He's a line-drive hitter now, but he has real developing power that could catapult him to elite status very soon. His defensive ability, while improving, is still a big question mark, though, so it's very possible that he'll be limited to first base or left field in the National League.
Full Scouting Report for Nolan Arenado
SB 24BA SC 18BP SN ES ML 22
The number two overall pick in 2011, Seattle pitching prospect Danny Hultzen is a solid lefthander who draws more than his share of Cliff Lee comparisons. With a fastball that drops in around 94mph, the comparison isn't far off base, either. In three seasons of duty at the University of Virginia, Hultzen went 32-5 with a 2.08 ERA. The Cavs ace also struck out a nasty 148 batters in 103 innings last season. Unlike some of the sexier prospects in baseball, that majority of Hultzen's ability is probably already on display: in 19 1/3 fall league innings for Seattle he posted a tidy 1.60 ERA in six starts. In addition to the well-advertised pinpoint fastball, he showed advanced ability to find and locate a nifty cutter, a decent change, and an occasionally-wicked slider, though he may back-shelf that one for awhile. His contract guarantees him a Spring Training spot, but we should see him in Seattle by midseason. Of course, if the team somehow manages to hold him back all year, it could save some money for a competitive window a few years down the road. Tough choice, Jack.
Full Scouting Report for Danny Hultzen
SB 25BA SC 13BP SN ES ML 16
The fastest legs in red stockings, infielder Billy Hamilton should soon get a shot at locking down a long-term infield job in CIncinnati's young lineup. The Pioneer League's player of the year in 2010 just kept on running wild at A-ball in 2011, stealing 103 (not a typo) bases in 130 games with Dayton, and doing so at an 84% success rate. The switch-hitting Hamilton really does look like a prototypical leadoff hitter thanks to his wheels and on-base skills. In the field, he's capable of shortstop, but more likely to land at second base come 2013 or so. If he gets a callup in late-2012, expect to see dust fly.
Full Scouting Report for Billy Hamilton
SB 26BA SC 70BP SN ES ML 34
He's clearly no shortstop anymore, as Scouting Book readers knew to expect, but that doesn't stop Miguel Sano from stepping into the number one prospect room in Minnesota. The biggest Latin American signing of 2009, Sano was a coup of sorts for the small market Minnesota Twins. A coveted athlete pursued by all the usual big-market teams, it was Minnesota's relentless (one might say 'piranha-like') tenacity that finally landed the youngster. city Cities.
Full Scouting Report for Miguel Sano
SB 27BA SC 24BP SN ES ML 23
Originally drafted out of high school by the Oakland A's back in 2007, outfielder Gary Brown chose college instead before entering the 2010 draft, when he was selected 24th overall by the San Francisco Giants. A plus-plus runner with a centerfielder's natural graces, Brown's bat has been bad but improving, giving him the right mix of tools for an MLB leadoff slot in another couple of years.
Full Scouting Report for Gary Brown
SB 28BA SC 57BP SN ES ML 48
Nobody noticed in all the hubbub about Aaron Crow, but KC's third round pick in 2009 was another steal: the high-potential catcher William (Will) Myers. 'Wumbly' is a hard-nosed grinder who some call a throwback to a dirtier era, a ballplayer's ballplayer who can perform well at almost any position. He was treated as a catcher until 2011, when the Royals started using him exclusively in the outfield as an experiment. It's a shame if he loses out on a catching career, since he certainly has the smarts for it, but it's possible that the move to a simpler position, not to mention one of greater need for the Royals. might work out for the best. Another half season of squinting at fly balls and he'll probably be ready for MLB; that's a full two years sooner than he'd be ready behind the plate.
Full Scouting Report for Wil Myers
SB 29BA SC 17BP SN ES ML 19
In addition to having the best name in the 2008 draft class, Yonder Alonso is also one of the strongest power hitters of his generation. While his bat is certainly impressive, the Cincinnati Reds draft choice was an odd selection, since they already had young MVP-caliber Joey Votto just settling in for the next decade. The Reds seemed to realize this eventually, and moved him to San Diego in 2011's offseson. Despite the crippling effects of Petco, he should still be one of a handful of premium rookie bats in 2012, especially in the power department. He's adequate but no gold-glover in the field, which means he's probably locked at first base.
Full Scouting Report for Yonder Alonso
SB 30BA SC 98BP SN ES ML 39
Prospects
Top Prospects 2012
Combined Ranking
21 to 30 of 525 Prospects
