Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, PIT
The 49th overall selection in the 2009 draft, high schooler Zachary Von Rosenberg was a high-upside pick for the Pirates, who went well over their usual budget to sign him and keep him away from LSU. A big, strong player with good overall athleticism, he projects as an innings-eating workhorse, as long as he can stay healthy. He's already quite well-developed, with three pitches that look like they could play in the majors quite soon: a 90mph fastball with movement that should get harder as he grows, an already-advanced curve, and a changeup that's quite a bit ahead of average. Don't press too hard just yet, but you can pencil him into the middle of the Pirate rotation come 2014 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Zack Von Rosenberg >
231
OF, MLW
A compact and powerful outfielder with great raw athleticism, Kentrall Davis is a member of a rich prospect stable on the Milwaukee farm. He makes up for his fireplug frame with superior raw power and above average speed. While he's currently viewed as a corner outfielder, a move to third or second base is possible in the future.
More Scouting Book Info on Kentrail Davis >
232
RHP, MLW
A big, strong righthander from Illinois, Brewer pitcher Cody Scarpetta is one of a half-dozen cogs grinding away in the minors while working his way higher in the prospect machine. He doesn't look much like his wiry teammate Wily Peralta, but his results at A-level Wisconsin were near identical: a 3.43 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts versus 55 walks in 105 innings.
More Scouting Book Info on Cody Scarpetta >
233
OF, MIN
He might have a name from the generic baseball player naming machine, but Twins outfielder Angel Morales isn't your typical prospect. After hitting .266/.329/.455 last year in the Midwest League, the teenager will move to high A-ball in 2010, and expectations couldn't be much higher. He's small but still growing, fast and getting faster, a plus fielder who's sharpening his skills every game, and did we mention the bat? He's only 19, and he'll lurk in the shadows of Revere and Hicks for a bit longer, but his 40 extra-base hits homers in 376 at-bats last year are already opening eyes. With a shot at being a truly elite five-tool player, he's one of the highest-ceiling speed-power threats in the Twins' stable. But keep your horses in check: with all the talent ahead of him, he probably won't see Minnesota before 2013.
More Scouting Book Info on Angel Morales >
234
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 >
235
OF, CHW
Jordan (yes, John's brother) is a prospective centerfielder of the future in Chicago. Drafted by the White Sox in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Danks projects as a quality defender in center, with plus speed and a solid arm. At the plate, he has a quick bat and what the White Sox hope is developing power. He popped eyes at Winston-Salem in 2009, raking to a .322/.409/.525 clip, but stumbled a bit when promoted to AA Birmingham. He'll probably get a shot to play everyday there again in 2010. He's still a year or two away from joining his brother, if he can keep on developing and refine his strike-zone discipline.
More Scouting Book Info on Jordan Danks >
236
SS, MLW
The best overall athlete in the Milwaukee system, Brent Brewer turned down a football scholarship (wide receiver) for baseball when he was drafted by the Brewers in 2006's second round. He must have considered it fate.
More Scouting Book Info on Brent Brewer >
237
RHP, Japan
Righthander Naoyuki Shimizu is a starting pitcher from NPB, where he played 10 seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines before signing last winter with the Yokohama BayStars on a one-year deal. He also played with Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Naoyuki's fastball can touch 94mph, but he works most of the time in the 86-90mph range, relying on deceptive delivery and late motion to befuddle hitters. He works both sides of the plate and mixes in a change in the low to mid-70's to keep hitters perpetually off-balance. While he's only got a few more peak years left, he could be a good fit on any number of MLB ballclubs.
More Scouting Book Info on Naoyuki Shimizu >
238
C, ATL
Signed as a sixteen year old out of Panama back in 2008, catcher Christian Bethencourt is a toolsy ballplayer dripping with all-around talent. Competing with much older players in 2009, the 17-year old posted an OPS of .819 at Rookie Level Danville, showing flashes of power and above-average speed to complement his advanced bat control skills. Since he's a catcher with the entire universe of game calling and defense to master, he's many years away, but he's such a shining star that he's a near-lock to rise through the prospect ranks every year for the next four or five before taking over in Atlanta. He's just that talented.
More Scouting Book Info on Christian Bethancourt >
239
RHP, SD
Adis (or sometimes, inexplicably, Adys) Portillo is a hard-throwing right-hander who shows more polish than most Venezuelan prospects. Portillo exhibits a dominating mound presence and great composure, featuring a moving fastball that tops out at about 94mph. It's the raw stuff he wields with three possible plus pitches, though, that puts him into the upper ranks of pitching prodigies.
More Scouting Book Info on Adis Portillo >
240
231. Zack Von Rosenberg
232. Kentrail Davis
234. Angel Morales
235. Josh Lindblom
236. Jordan Danks
238. Naoyuki Shimizu
239. Christian Bethancourt
240. Adis Portillo
231 to 240 of 445
