Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for 2008 (Sleepers Too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2008

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is different than other prospect lists: we're not in a bubble, and we never sit still. We show you not just our own rankings, but also rankings from some of the other major ranking lists for each player. You can now sort, for example, by Baseball America's rankings, or view the top prospects as chosen by the wizards at Baseball Prospectus, or compare our rankings to those from Sports Illustrated. Also, unlike most lists, we don't publish a book! Our lists are updated often during the offseason, and updated daily during the pre-season to show the latest situations and adjusted for spring results. This means we're always a work in progress. We also think this means our lists are much more useful for fantasy draft purposes. If you notice a mistake or have a suggestion feel free to let us know by mailing mistakes (at) our domain name. For more on our methods, see this blog entry.

Baseball's Top Prospects for Spring 2008

221. Ryan Kalish

OF, BOS

Boston's ninth-round pickup in the 2007 first-year player draft, Ryan Kalish is a toolsy outfielder from New Jersey who projects as a good leadoff or top-of-order hitter once he develops a bit more. If he enters the a Boston lineup that looks like the current one, of course, that'd mean he'd be more likely be hitting seventh or eighth, so his current value is limited without a trade to a team more desperate for OF help.

He has good patience at the plate and a bat that is fast to enter attack angle, if a bit light on power. His defense is adequate but not spectacular. He is still growing into his frame, so his power may develop, and if it does, he'll be worth serious consideration in late 2009 or 2010.

More Scouting Book Info on Ryan Kalish >

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SB #221 | BA #96 | BP #60 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

222. Kyle Drabek

RHP, PHI

The son of Drabek has sky high expectations but needs a year or two of seasoning before being thrown into the fire of the NL East. Still, he will be ready, and when he is he will be a good one.

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223. Kazumi Saitoh

RHP, FA

Saitoh is a tall, lanky pitcher who, like many Japanese pitchers, makes use of his lower body to generate most of his velocity.

Saitoh's fastball is in the mid-90's, and has been clocked as high as 95 mph. He also throws a slider, curveball, excellent forkball, cutter and changeup.

Most of the time, Saitoh works with a darting fastball and tricky forkball, but he sometimes throws a sharp, biting curve to keep hitters off-balance. Saitoh's style on the mound is aggressive, and he has a reputation as a hard-driven competitor who wears his emotions on his jersey sleeve.

With a year left on his Hawk's contract, Saitoh will need to be posted if he's to appear in the USA before 2009 (and it'll likely cost a team $30M plus to do so) but he might be worth the cost. Unlike some of the pitchers who have flamed out early in America, Saito looks to have the fire, drive and smarts to succeed. He definitely has the stuff.

More Scouting Book Info on Kazumi Saitoh >

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224. Manny Acosta

RHP, ATL

The 26-year-old Acosta, who was released by the Yankees in 2003, turned himself into a prospect last year and will make his major league debut now after amassing a 2.26 ERA in 59 2/3 innings for Richmond. His stuff is plenty good enough for the majors, but he is wild, possibly too much so for him to succeed right now.

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225. Andrew Brackman

RHP, NYY

Brackman was drafted out of high school by the Yankees as the last pick of 2007's first round, signed to a major-league contract, and promptly sent for Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament in his throwing elbow. Whether this is a setback or just a step along the road to producing an even more dominant pitcher is anyone's guess, but Brackman, who has yet to throw a professional pitch, is certainly an interesting prospect. Standing almost seven feet tall, tipping the scales at 245 and bringing a fastball that impressed the Yankees enough to take a huge chance on him, Brackman is a textbook example of a signing for potential.

He won't pitch in 2008, but he's a fascinating long-term story to watch.

More Scouting Book Info on Andrew Brackman >

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226. Jorge Campillo

RHP, ATL

A mature rookie who spent parts of the last three years up and down in the Seattle Mariners system, Mexican righthander Jorge Campillo is one of very few genuine screwball artists in baseball today. He's never been given a legitimate shot in the rotation (the Mariners lived up to their reputation for poor pitching management by using Campillo's 90mph fastball in 17 short relief innings), but he projects much better as a starter. When he's on, his screwball can be near-unhittable, while his change and curve are also above average servings. It should be interesting to see how the much-smarter Atlanta brain trust handles Campillo. He could be a dark horse to break out.

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227. Ike Davis

1B, NYM

Ike is a legitimate threat to hit 40 homers in the big leagues, and the Mets are one of the best places for a young first baseman to be right now. His refined college approach to the strike zone means he should do it without Howardesque strikeout numbers. One of the 2008 draft's most polished picks, Davis could be ready as soon as 2009.

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228. Kila Ka'aihue

1B, KC

If the two Diamondback first basemen named Chris Carter confused you last year, get ready for Kila and Kala Ka'aihue. The two brothers, both first basemen, also share the same birthdate (one year apart). Kila (full name Micah Kilakila Ka'aihue) is the older, bigger and stronger player, and he's the better prospect bet so far. The lefthanded slugger is one of the Royals hardest-hitting youngsters, bashing .304 with 31 doubles, 20 homers and 90 RBIs at High Desert in 2007. He could challenge Ryan Shealy for a 1B-DH-OF spot in 2009, and he probably deserves an extended chance to keep the job.

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229. Taylor Green

3B, MLW

A smallish shortstop currently working as a third baseman, Taylor 'Red' Green was a draft and follow pick who broke out as the surprise Minor League Player of the Year for Milwaukee in 2007. A smart player with gap power and great plate discipline, Green is a Casey Blake-style player who will need to work hard to stay on top of the prospect lists.

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230. Brett Gardner

OF, NYY

Jackson and Tabata get all the press, but Brett Gardner might be the best of the Yankee outfield prospects when his entire game is considered, rather than just his bat. A prototypical leadoff hitter with plus speed and great range. He went all the way to AAA Scranton in 2007, hitting .289 overall with 39 steals 99 games. He could be the long-term centerfielder in New York soon.

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