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

Baseball Prospect Rankings for Late 2008 and 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 Late 2008 and 2009

251. Zach Jackson

LHP, CLE

A first round draft pick (Blue Jays) back in 2004, Jackson went from being one of Toronto's best prospects to a mediocre one in Milwaukee. He did some service time in 2007, posting a 5.40 ERA in seven starts for the Brewers, but the team recast him as a long bullpen arm last year, though there's no good reason he couldn't return to starting given the right situation. While he still seems to have the tools that made him so coveted a few years ago, he's been a bit of a late-bloomer who could probably benefit from a change of scenery or a different approach.

More Scouting Book Info on Zach Jackson >

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252. Daniel McCutchen

RHP, PIT

The Yankees selected Daniel McCutchen in round 13 of the 2006 Draft. A product of the University of Oklahoma, McCutchen's rapid rise to the bigs was derailed by a 50-game steroids suspension near the beginning of his pro career. Following that interruption, he burned through A-level ball and was promoted to AA in the summer. He posted a combined 2.45 ERA while going 14-4, with 103 K's to only 33 walks.

Some see him as bullpen-bound, but McCutchen's lethal combination of a high-control 92mph fastball and knee-buckling curve/splitter, as well as his penchant to change speeds often, make him look like a better starting prospect to us. He's a bit of a sleeper for 2008, and he's unlikely to contribute, but if he has another strong showing in the minors, he will be high on most prospect lists come next winter.

More Scouting Book Info on Daniel McCutchen >

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253. Kala Ka'aihue

1B, ATL

The younger of the two Ka'aihue brothers, Kala (full name Isaiah Kala Ka'aihue) is the righthanded half of the matching Hawaiian sluggers. Kala was originally drafted by Boston, but declined and was later drafted by the Braves. He's one of Atlanta's best power prospects, drawing comparisons to Andres Galarraga. He crushed Myrtle Beach pitching in 2007 (22 homers in only 89 games) and was moved up to AA Mississippi for 2008. He's a great sleeper, especially for as long as he quietly develops in his older brother's shadow.

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254. Conor Gillaspie

3B, SF

High school bats are risky picks, but the Giants jumped early, taking Gillaspie in the first supplemental round of the 2008 amateur draft. He's a high-average hitter with projectable power, but he'll have to show more than that if he's going to last.

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255. Matt Dominguez

3B, FLA

A high-school shortstop drafted at #12 by the Marlins in 2007, Dominguez size and strength -- not to mention the presence of Hanley Ramirez -- prompted a move to third base last season. A raw power threat with a long but strong swing, Dominguez also brings a plus arm and very, very good defensive ability to the field. He won't be making anyone forget Miguel Cabrera anytime soon, but he has the potential to be a solid MLB contributor and perennial gold-glover: he could probably reach the bigs on the strength of his glove alone.

To help him get to the majors, the Marlins are working to shorten his swing and help him be more selective. While he's a very bright and quick learner, he's still a couple of years away from making a serious impact.

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256. Tom Shearn

RHP, MIN

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257. 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.

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258. 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.

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259. 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 >

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260. 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.