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.

Nick Maronde

LHP

Currently

241

A big, strong lefthander who has already mastered the don't-mess-with-me look so important to mound presence, the Angels' own Nick Maronde found college success after transforming into a closer at the University of Florida. After being drafted by the Angels, he flew across the country in time to go 5-0, 2.14 with a 1.10 WHIP in the (usually) hitter-friendly Pioneer League, proving that he hadn't forgotten how to pitch six innings at a time. He's already the best lefty prospect in the Angels system, and if he can stick as a starter, his fastball-change-slider mix will be a good one.

More Scouting Book Info on Nick Maronde

SB 241BA SC BP SN ES ML

Ehire Adrianza

SS

Currently

242

One possible shortstop of the future in San Francisco, Venezuelan Ehire Enrique Adrianza is an Alexei Ramirez-shaped live wire who's rising steadily through the system. Adrianza has a good eye at the plate, and should be able to hold his own as he moves up the ladder. His glovework also tightened up remarkably between 2009 and 2011 as he cut his errors in half while showing great range at shortstop.

More Scouting Book Info on Ehire Adrianza

SB 242BA SC BP SN ES ML

Ethan Martin

RHP

Currently

243

No relation to Russ, though the righthanded pitcher does have at least one other thing in common with the catcher: both are viable backups at third base. Despite a disappointing 2011, the Dodgers are still looking at Ethan as a pitcher first, though, and results notwithstanding, the powerful, savvy righthander still looks a lot like the Giants' young Tim Lincecum, with a usually-straight fastball and a nasty hard slider coming from a compact frame. He's still not close to ready, and really needs to get his walks under control, but when he does add some experience to his talent, he could be yet another in a long string of powerful home-grown Dodger arms.

More Scouting Book Info on Ethan Martin

SB 243BA SC BP SN ES ML

Kyle Parker

OF

Currently

244

One of baseball's top college hitters in 2010 (.344/.481/.656 at Clemson, with a homer every 12 at-bats), outfielder Kyle Parker is a big part of the Rockies plan to pump up their offense as they return to contention in the years to come. Parker has plus power that will only look better in Coors, and soon.

More Scouting Book Info on Kyle Parker

SB 244BA SC BP SN ES ML

John Lamb

LHP

Currently

245

A fifth-round pick by the Royals back in 2008, lefty John Lamb scrambled up the ladder quickly before plateauing at AA last season. He no longer ranks among the minor league leaders in ERA and strikeouts, but he remains a cool-headed professional on the mound and seems able to succeed even when balls aren't falling his way.

Scouts rave about Lamb's cool demeanor, in fact, along with his work ethic and mound presence, and while he doesn't have a single overpowering pitch, he has three above-average ones that he can command almost at will. His fastball tops out around 94mph with good movement, and while he hasn't been throwing his high-school slider much lately, his change and curve are near major-league ready.

More Scouting Book Info on John Lamb

SB 245BA SC BP SN ES ML

Sammy Solis

LHP

Currently

246

The Nats' second round pick in 2010, lefthander Sammy Solis brings a competent fastball and reasonable curve from a delivery that's almost sidearm, but it's his straight change that is his best, and that's the plus offering that should be his ticket to MLB success. He took a solid step toward that future in 2011, when he worked his way up from A-ball into high-A Potomac, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.72 ERA and a nice 1.28 WHIP at the higher level.

More Scouting Book Info on Sammy Solis

SB 246BA SC BP SN ES ML 86

Reymond Fuentes

OF

Currently

247

The lithe and wiry Reymond Fuentes shares a lot in common with his famous cousin, fellow outfielder Carlos Beltran. A superior defender who makes great reads and uses his plus plus speed to reach even the deepest gappers, Fuentes also brings a sharp and compact line-drive swing to the park. If he has weak spots, they're his lack of power and relatively weak throwing arm, but the highlight-reel catches he'll be making in expansive Petco should make those shortcomings easy to overlook. He's on a quick track to a 2013 debut, with 2012 a serious possibility despite his young age.

More Scouting Book Info on Reymond Fuentes

SB 247BA SC BP SN ES ML

Wilmer Flores

SS

Currently

248

It was once very frustrating to be a shortstop prospect in the Mets system, but now that the Jose Reyes era is over, Wilmer Flores is probably having trouble holding in his glee. Flores's 2011 was a full-season grind of 133 games at high-A Port St. Lucie, in which the 19 year old swatted .269/.309/.380 with nine homers and a couple of stolen bases thrown in for good measure. He's still a year or two away from Flushing, and it's possible he could outgrow shortstop, but right now all you need to remember is that this is the kind of kid the word 'elite' should be reserved for.

More Scouting Book Info on Wilmer Flores

SB 248BA SC BP SN ES ML

James Baldwin

OF

Currently

249

A baby star in the outfield, James Baldwin (the Third) is the son of the former pitcher, but more importantly he's his own super athelete in search of hitting prowess. He already knows how to use his plus plus speed well on the bases, so if Baldwin can add some OBP and a little pop to his improving toolset, he'll be an showcase player in Dodgertown next season. If not, he could still bounce around as a bench player, pinch runner, and defensive backup in the not-too-distant future. Signs are good so far: in 2011 he was one of the Arizona Dodgers' (Rookie) two best hitters, stroking a .261 average with surprising power: 10 homers in only 375 ABs.

More Scouting Book Info on James Baldwin

SB 249BA SC BP SN ES ML

Yorman Rodriguez

OF

Currently

250

A highly-prized prospect for his combination of power and speed, Rodriguez was a free-agent prize when he was stolen by the Reds as a Latin American free agent in 2008. A very young and very raw talent, he probably has the highest ceiling of any hitter in the Reds' system... but he's a long way from polished or proven. Before he can move up through the minors, he'll need to learn to hit breaking balls, and to stop swinging at everything he can reach. He slugged .393 in A-level Dayton, clubbing 7 homers and stealing 20 bases in 79 starts. That's 15/40 in a full season, which is just about right for a modern centerfielder. He's still a few years away from the Bigs, though, so hold your horses.

More Scouting Book Info on Yorman Rodriguez

SB 250BA SC BP SN ES ML

241 to 250 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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Scouting Book

Tools and Lists for Finding Better Baseball Prospects, Closers and More!

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

LHP

Currently

241

SS

Currently

242

RHP

Currently

243

OF

Currently

244

LHP

Currently

245

LHP

Currently

246

OF

Currently

247

SS

Currently

248

OF

Currently

249

OF

Currently

250

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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