Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
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 >
211
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 >
212
RHP, NYY
A 2006 international signee who impressed scouts with a big fastball, Dominican righthander Ivan Nova has had a rocky road through the minor leagues, despite showing exceptional talent at all levels. His fastball can be a plus pitch with easy 94mph power, and his size and delivery give him good motion with a sinking two-seamer, as well. His curveball comes and goes in its effectiveness, but his changeup usually looks like a real plus offering. A combination of reports on poor work ethic and an inability to concentrate on the mound stops scouts from ranking him higher, but in terms of raw talent he should be a top tier contender. His time to make a big step forward is now, because if he continues to scuffle and underperform with his toolset, he'll be in the 'ex-prospect' bin by the end of 2011.
More Scouting Book Info on Ivan Nova >
213
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. >
214
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 >
215
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 >
216
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 >
217
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 >
218
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 >
219
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 >
220
211. Starling Marte
212. Jonathan Meloan
213. Ivan Nova
214. Eric Young Jr.
215. Carlos Gutierrez
216. James Paxton
218. Barret Loux
219. Josh Lindblom
220. Chris Heisey
211 to 220 of 484
