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. If you think you have found a mistake, please read this blog entry before telling us. Then tell us.

Kyle McPherson

RHP

Currently

231

A polished prep pitcher who should provide some 'veteran' balance to the very very young core that Pittsburgh is building, the University of Mobile's Kyle McPherson is not surprisingly closer to the majors than most of that deservedly-hyped talent.

Not that he's a slouch: after striking out 131 batters in 121 2/3 innings in 2010, the burly righthander moved up to AA Altoona and struck out 82 more, though it took him 89 innings and 16 starts to do it. In two and a half seasons of minor league ball, he's now racked up 444 K's versus only 92 walks, pretty impressive numbers that should propel him to the big leagues very soon. He'll probably open 2012 back in Altoona, but he'll also probably be the first Pirate pitching prospect to get a look in Pittsburgh later this year.

Full Scouting Report for Kyle McPherson

SB 231BA SC BP SN ES ML

Rafael Dolis

RHP

Currently

232

A big, strong pitcher secured as an international free agent in 2004, Rafael Dolis has developed slowly but surely on the Chicago farm, and today can throw a triple digit sinking fastball that screams of MLB-readiness. His second-best pitch is a nasty slider, and even though his third pitch (a straight change) is still sub-par, the Cubs don't seem too concerned, as they seem to see a shutdown reliever in the near future here: he made forty-five relief appearances and only four starts for the AA Smokies in 2011.

As a reward for a good season (3.22 ERA, 48:35 K:BB), Dolis was allowed to face four San Diego Padres in a September game. He survived his MLB baptism without surrendering a hit, striking out one hitter and walking another. He should be back in AA to start 2012, but he'll probably end the year in Theo's bullpen.

Full Scouting Report for Rafael Dolis

SB 232BA SC BP SN ES ML

Vinnie Catricala

3B

Currently

233

He might not really be a third baseman, but his good eye and plus contact mean he should play at almost any position, and his versatility means that the M's will find a place for him when necessary. The M's Minor League Player of the Year on the strength of a .349, 25 homer season. Catricala vaulted into a leadership role immediately upon joining the system, pacing the organization with 106 RBIs split across A and AA. It's starting to look like Seattle realy stole him in 2009's 10th round. The Mariners don't really have many offensive threats on the farm, but Catricala is a good one.

Full Scouting Report for Vinnie Catricala

SB 233BA SC BP SN ES ML

Alex Liddi

3B

Currently

234

Seattle's always been one of the most aggressive clubs when it comes to international signings, and they continued that tradition by signing Italian (yes, Italian) infielder Alex Liddi in 2005. He might not have looked ready yet during 40 at-bats in Seattle, but his full-season .259/.332/.488 30 homer line at Tacoma is probably his real value, especially the 30-homer part. His defense at third isn't as bad as some fear, either, he's just a big guy who doesn't always look so elegant in the way he does his business. Still, with better options available, he's probably a 1B/DH in the majors sooner or later.

Full Scouting Report for Alex Liddi

SB 234BA SC BP SN ES ML

Tyler Thornburg

RHP

Currently

235

A slight righthander who gained a lot of attention with a blisteringly hot first half of 2011, Thornburg outgassed the low-A Midwest League (7-0, 1.57) before finding his feet in high-A Brevard County, which is probably where he'll open 2012 as well.

Full Scouting Report for Tyler Thornburg

SB 235BA SC BP SN ES ML

Beau Mills

1B

Currently

236

One of the best hitting prospects in the 2007 Amateur Draft, Beau Mills went to the Indians, who conveniently enough had no long-term 1B or 3B solution in their system. He's turned out to be pretty much as-expected, a lumbering slow slugger with so-so contact skills but plus power. The .300/.358/.522 line he posted in AA Akron in 2011 was validated by a month-long tour with the AAA Clippers in which he turned in similar numbers while homering seven times in 35 games. He's really due for a look at the big club, and he should get an opportunity in 2012.

Full Scouting Report for Beau Mills

SB 236BA SC BP SN ES ML

Justin Nicolino

LHP

Currently

237

A finessey lefty in the Tom Glavine fashion, Toronto prospect Justin Nicolino can dial his fastball up to 92 or 93, but not much more than that. It's more than enough, though. Nicolino had what might be the best debut by a Jays prospect ever, as he went 61 innings of low-A and A ball, striking out 73 hitters in only 61 innings while posting an ERA of 1.33 and a tiny little WHIP of 0.83. He'll move up to high-A in 2012 for certain, and he'll do it on the strength of an easy, repeatable throwing motion (balls will come down, down, down on hitters from his tall frame and overhand motion) and a propensity to throw strikes, strikes and more strikes.

Full Scouting Report for Justin Nicolino

SB 237BA SC BP SN ES ML

Yamaico Navarro

SS

Currently

238

A tweener talent from the Red Sox system, Pirate shortstop Yamaico Navarro is a native of The Land of Shortstops, San Pedro de Macoris, and he shows every sign of following in the footsteps of so many who came before. A bit bulkier than most, he might be best suited for second or third base, but for now he's an offensive-minded middle infielder with a powerful, aggressive approach at the plate. His bat is quick, and he adds some natural loft to most of his line drives, which means he could be a threat in a couple more years. In the field, he's a bit clumsy around the bag, but has a plus arm and slick glove, with a penchant for turning in dazzling plays at least once a week.

Full Scouting Report for Yamaico Navarro

SB 238BA SC BP SN ES ML

Cody Scarpetta

RHP

Currently

239

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. Scarpetta still lacks a true third pitch, leaning hard (maybe too hard) on a fastball he can usually control, and falling back on a curve that has enough bite to be a plus pitch. The fastball isn't on fire, but it has enough late movement and sink to be very effective, especially against righthanders. He's getting a lot of swing-and-miss strikes on balls out of the zone thanks to this movement, which is something that higher-level hitters will probably be able to lay off. With his style, demeanor, body type and skillset, though, he should power through his problems, even if his walk rate rises a little. He looks a lot like a Joe Blanton-style workhorse from here.

Full Scouting Report for Cody Scarpetta

SB 239BA SC BP SN ES ML

Jake Smolinski

OF

Currently

240

The best batting eye in the Marlins' system, ex-National Jake 'The Choirboy' Smolinski is a slow-growing outfield prospect that a few scouts seem to have forgotten about, though not for any good reason. While it's true that his .245/.342/.364 line in 2011 mirrored his 2010 performance, no improvement is actually pretty impressive considering it was his first experience with AA pitching.

Smolinksi's lack of stature (it's not hard to guess what his detractors call him) or of a standout tool might also bore scouts, but he does pretty much everything well, with a mix of average-to-better tools across the board, including tasty morsels of both power and speed that you just know future manager Ozzie Guillen will adore. He should build on his AA success this season, then poke and squint his way onto the Marlin's roster the following season.

Full Scouting Report for Jake Smolinski

SB 240BA SC BP SN ES ML

231 to 240 of 525 Prospects

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

Prospect Notes

Recent Player News

Roman Hernandez, KC

2/7/2012: Roman Hernandez has signed with the Royals, and will be sending a half-million dollar signing bonus back to his family in Cuba, one way or the other. Hernandez projects as a bench player with some power right now, and looks best in a corner outfield slot. At only 23, he still has room to grow, too.
More on Hernandez >

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

CloserWatch Notes

Recent Closer News

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

Seattle took a flier on the sometimes dominant lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo today, signing him to an incentive-laden 1-year deal. Kuo, one of baseball's best lefthanders the last decade or so, struggled with both physical and emotional turmoil in his last year as a Dodger.

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Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

RHP

Currently

231

RHP

Currently

232

3B

Currently

233

3B

Currently

234

RHP

Currently

235

1B

Currently

236

LHP

Currently

237

SS

Currently

238

RHP

Currently

239

OF

Currently

240

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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