Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for 2008-2009 (Sleepers Too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

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 Early 2009

231. Kevin Ahrens

3B, TOR

Drafted as a shortstop, the switch-hitting Ahrens has since been moved to 3B due to his lack of speed and fielding quickness.

His bat is solid, though, especially from the right side, from which he can hit for both power and average at a near-MLB level, despite his young age. He'll move through the A system this year, after 48 disappointing games of Rookie ball in 2006, when he posted a weak line of .230/.321/.339. He's a couple of years away.

More Scouting Book Info on Kevin Ahrens >

231

232. Jaff Decker

OF, SD

A two-way star in high school, Jaff has a beautiful swing from the left side of the plate to go with a 94mph darting fastball... also from the left side. The Padres are viewing him as a centerfielder for now, though, and he has the bat and the range to hold that position down. He's young and still growing, but his best comparison might be to the Indians Grady Sizemore right now.

More Scouting Book Info on Jaff Decker >

232

233. Steve Hammond

LHP, SF

A sixth-round pick for Milwaukee out of Long Beach State in 2005, Steve Hammond posted an ERA under three in every stop he made in the Brewers farm system until he took a nosedive in 2007 (4.69 at AA Hunstville). He looks to be running out of chances, but he could still have value as a lefty setup specialist.

More Scouting Book Info on Steve Hammond >

233

234. Scott Sizemore

2B, DET

Since the Tigers emptied the farm for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in the winter of 2007, Scott Sizemore (no relation) has risen to be one of the team's top remaining prospects.

A strong, right-handed, offensive-minded middle-infielder, Sizemore was an NCAA all-star in 2005 and 2006. He's defensively average, which means the quickness of his bat and developing eye will determine whether his future is as an everyday second-baseman or a utility player. The Tigers, and the rest of us, should know by the end of 2009 or so.

More Scouting Book Info on Scott Sizemore >

234

235. Mark Rogers

RHP, MLW

Before he got banged up, Rogers looked like he was starting to figure out how to pitch (not just throw). His raw stuff is still majestic, but he needs to show a lot more polish and smarts to make it in 2007-2008.

Recovering from a full year of post-op recovery, Rogers began throwing again in the October Instructional League.

More Scouting Book Info on Mark Rogers >

235

236. Darren Ford

OF, SF

Darren Ford is speed-demon. One of the fastest players in A ball, his base-stealing ability, defense and range in center is top-notch and unquestioned. There's a shortage of optimism regarding his bat, however. Unless he turns it up a notch, his future looks like the role of a pinch-running, defensive replacement fourth outfielder.

More Scouting Book Info on Darren Ford >

236

237. Johnny Giavotella

2B, KC

A small but scrappy infielder who was a fan favorite at the University of New Orleans, Johnny Giavotella won his Royals blue uniform with a .354 batting average that led the Privateers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. He can play any infield position, but his lack of plus range or power makes him most suited to second base.

More Scouting Book Info on Johnny Giavotella >

237

238. Carlos Guevara

RHP, SD

A screwball specialist, Guevara had strong success in the Reds system before being left unprotected in the 2007 Rule Five Draft. While he doesn't show much in terms of endurance, his raw stuff and effort promise a decent future in middle relief.

More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Guevara >

238

239. Aaron Bates

1B, BOS

A third-round pick from the 2006 draft class, the 6-4 and 240lb Bates is a big, strong hitter with solid plate discipline. Aaron has plus power that's near big-league ready, but not much else. His bat-speed is suspect, which means he may flounder at higher levels if he keeps trying to hit every pitch 600ft. He'll start 2007 with the AA Sea Dogs, and he's likely to end the year in the same place: at this point he's too far down the depth chart to have much impact before 2010 or later. Because of the depth in the Sox system, Bates is a likely trade candidate, especially within the AL.

More Scouting Book Info on Aaron Bates >

239

240. Jacob Odorizzi

RHP, MLW

A supplemental first round pick for the Brewers, this tall righthander has a smooth and easy delivery that portends well for his future in the system. He's a few years away from serious attention, but he's worth keeping an eye on.

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for Early 2009

231. Kevin Ahrens

232. Jaff Decker

233. Steve Hammond

234. Scott Sizemore

235. Mark Rogers

236. Darren Ford

237. Johnny Giavotella

238. Carlos Guevara

239. Aaron Bates

240. Jacob Odorizzi

Shutting Down, Starting Up

Closing the Book on 2008 and Looking Ahead to Next Year

Closing Time: Wait 'Til Next Year!

Seven Teams are Taking an Early Look at 2009 Closer Options

Dunn Just Right for Prospects

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

And One More Thing...

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

Batters Up!

As the Second Half Starts, New Top Prospects Emerge

Second Half Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Midseason Cleanup Underway for Second Half Prospects

Harden Traded for Prospects

In trading Rich Harden, the A's continue to load up on prospects

Many Prospects for One Big Pitcher

CC is Traded, We Survey the Prospects Included

Closer... Closer... Almost There...

In the NL, a Number of Closer Situations in Flux

< Older Features

< Back to Home Page

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2009

Now updated for 2009's Most Likely Top Prospects

Baseball's Top Prospects for Early 2009

231. Kevin Ahrens

232. Jaff Decker

233. Steve Hammond

234. Scott Sizemore

235. Mark Rogers

236. Darren Ford

237. Johnny Giavotella

238. Carlos Guevara

239. Aaron Bates

240. Jacob Odorizzi

Closing the Book on 2008 and Looking Ahead to Next Year

Seven Teams are Taking an Early Look at 2009 Closer Options

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

As the Second Half Starts, New Top Prospects Emerge

Midseason Cleanup Underway for Second Half Prospects

In trading Rich Harden, the A's continue to load up on prospects

CC is Traded, We Survey the Prospects Included

In the NL, a Number of Closer Situations in Flux

Rising and Falling

Recently-Changed Rankings

ScoutingBook's Top Early 2009 Prospects