Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
LHP, CIN
Travis Wood is a rising lefty in the Reds system. He won the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher award in 2009 by dominating AA hitters to the tune of a 9-3, 1.21 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, he was moved up to AAA Louisville to finish the summer. He held his own at the highest level, and looks ready to take a shot at the Reds rotation sometime in 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Travis Wood >
251
C, MLW
A smart, careful student of the game, Kottaras is an offensive catcher with very good plate discipline and 20-homer potential. His body is still filling out, but he's expected to be able to perform to MLB levels while remaining behind the plate.
More Scouting Book Info on George Kottaras >
252
OF, TB
A mature prospect who recently defected from Cuba, Leslie Anderson (Stephens) is a plus-contact hitter with a high level of patience and discipline that's uncharacteristic of most Latin American exports. In Cuba, he has been experienced at both infield and outfield corners, and he even subbed in at centerfield for the power-laden Cuban National team in 2008. A natural lefthander in the field and at the plate, he projects as an MLB corner with better defense and less power than most, and since he turns 28 in 2010, he doesn't have much room left to develop: his ceiling is probably that of an idealized Kosuke Fukudome.
More Scouting Book Info on Leslie Anderson >
253
RHP, NYY
Newly a Yankee, look for Sanchez to work in the bullpen, at least initially. Long-term, the big man might be better as an innings-eating starter, as his fastball control and work ethic make him a viable 200 inning guy in short order. Worth a flier, at the very least.
More Scouting Book Info on Humberto Sanchez >
254
3B, CLE
One of the best hitting prospects in the 2007 Amateur Draft, Beau Mills went to the Indians, who conveniently enough have no long-term 3B solution in their system. This means he'll likely be pushed hard to enter the Bigs early, which is great news for impaient fantasy owners.
More Scouting Book Info on Beau Mills >
255
RHP, TEX
Acquired from the Royals at the tail end of the 2009 season, pitcher Danny Gutierrez jumped onto the prospect boards in 2008 as a 96mph monster in the Midwest League. Since then, his curve and change have developed to complement the fastball, and he looks like a promising future starter in MLB. He posted a 1.65 ERA in 27.3 High-A innings in 2009. Gutierrez works with his fastball closer to 94mph most of the time, along with a slow curveball and an impressive low-80's change. His mechanics and release point are sound and fairly consistent, with an easy, repeatable motion that leaves hitters guessing.
More Scouting Book Info on Danny Gutierrez >
256
OF, TEX
Stolen from the Red Sox when the Rangers shipped Eric Gagne, Beltre is now one of the Rangers' best power prospects, though not one without holes in his game. Beltre is a lithe ballplayer with a strong arm, good speed, and projectable power but only average range, making him a natural corner fielder. At the plate, he has a smooth swing that's still a bit long, which means at higher levels, he becomes vulnerable to tight fastballs or offspeed pitches away: note his drop from .283/.308/.403 at low-A Clinton in 2008 to just .227/.281/.317 at high-A Bakersfield last year. But Beltre is still a potent mix of power and wheels, and he has the right kind of attitude to keep learning and adjusting as he grows. He's still a long way from a finished product, but he remains a nice longshot slugger or deep keeper.
More Scouting Book Info on Engel Beltre >
257
RHP, OAK
A scout's favorite, righthander Tyson Ross was coveted by the Oakland A's for a few years, even before he rose to prominence as a Golden Spike finalist in 2008. The righthander is 6-7 and still growing, and his 97mph fastball may not have reached its top limit yet, either. His unorthodox delivery scares some, but teams are a lot more willing to see where strange mechanics take them ever since the success of Tim Lincecum. A definite sleeper for Oakland, and maybe the steal of their 2008 draft.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyson Ross >
258
RHP, HOU
A slight Dominican righthander with good pitching sense, one of the nastiest sliders in the system, and an unforgettable setup, young Sammy Gervacio is one of the few bright spots in a dark Houston minor league system. With a 3.11 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across four and a half minor league seasons and the proud owner of a strikeout to walk ratio near four, he earned a shot in the Astro bullpen in 2009. He performed well enough, giving up only five runs in 29 bullpen appearances, to earn consideration for a full-time role in 2010. A lifetime reliever, he has closer potential if the Astros have the guts to let someone with an 88mph fastball into the ninth inning.
More Scouting Book Info on Sammy Gervacio >
259
LHP, PHI
Drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2007 Draft and signed with a $1.4M gift basket, Savery made 24 starts for high-A Clearwater in 2008. His line wasn't impressive (9-10, 4.13 ERA) but he did strike out 122 in 150 innings. His control was iffy (he walked 60) just as it was during his college career, but his composure and command were good. Assuming he avoids serious injury and refines his control a bit, he could join the pitching-thin Phillies rotation as early as 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Joe Savery >
260
251. Travis Wood
252. George Kottaras
253. Leslie Anderson
254. Humberto Sanchez
255. Beau Mills
256. Danny Gutierrez
258. Tyson Ross
259. Sammy Gervacio
260. Joe Savery
251 to 260 of 484
