Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, MLW
Another good thing/bad thing pitching prospect. Jeffress lights up radar guns with three-figure readings almost every night (that's a good thing), but needs work on his control (bad thing). His 50 game substance abuse suspension last year can be overlooked (marijuana isn't exactly a performance enhancer), but it's tougher to ignore his lack of solid secondary pitches. If the Brewers need a righthander with near triple digits in their bullpen this year, he could see action, but the more conservative minds will want to keep developing his arsenal for a 2011 or 2012 rotation debut.
More Scouting Book Info on Jeremy Jeffress >
261
3B, SD
John (Logan) Forsythe is a hard-hitting prospect drafted by the Padres in 2008's second round. A third baseman in college, he can probably play any position. He was a fan favorite and coaches' darling at U Arkansas for his hard-hitting, gritty play. After a half-season raking at high-A Lake Elsinore in 2009 (.322/.472/.504), he was promoted to AA San Antonio at midseason, and scarcely missed a beat (.279/.384/.377) adjusting to the higher level of play. He'll return to San Antonio in 2010, and we expect his usual .300ish average to follow soon thereafter.
More Scouting Book Info on Logan Forsythe >
262
RHP, TEX
An intriguing prospect, Main was drafted as a two-way player (starter and right fielder) out of high school, thanks to his best-of-class right arm. He's been clocked at 98mph with his fastball, and his hard curve is developing so fast that it's already his go-to pitch.
More Scouting Book Info on Michael Main >
263
LHP, CIN
A minor leaguer best known for being traded for Kyle Lohse at 2007's deadline, Matt Maloney is a promising ex-Phillies lefthander now in the Cincinnati Reds system. As a 24-year old, Maloney went 11-5 with a 4.68 ERA for AAA Louisville in 2008. Impressively, he struck out 132 while walking only 39, a rate he'll have to maintain if he's going to succeed as the fly-ball pitcher he appears to be. He could be one of the next wave of young Reds' pitchers given a shot at the bright lights and scary fences at Great American.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Maloney >
264
1B, KC
If the two Diamondback first basemen named Chris Carter confused you last year, get ready for Kila and Kala Ka'aihue. The two brothers, both first basemen, also share the same birthdate (one year apart). Kila (full name Micah Kilakila Ka'aihue) is the older, bigger and stronger player, and he's the better prospect bet so far.
More Scouting Book Info on Kila Ka'aihue >
265
RHP, TOR
A mature prospect on the cusp of big-league play, righthander Josh Roenicke is a power pitcher who came to the Blue Jays from the Reds in 2009. He's had mixed results in his brief time in the majors to date, but his stuff is significant, and he projects as one of the best best to take over closing duties for Toronto in the years to come.
More Scouting Book Info on Josh Roenicke >
266
LHP, MLW
Once a tip-top prospect, lefthander Chuck Lofgren hit a wall in AAA last year after dominating AA hitters in spring. Still, Lofgren is an increasing-polished lefthander who could bring some solid innings-eating ability to the big leagues as early as 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Chuck Lofgren >
267
RHP, LAA
A righthanded smoke-monster with two plus pitches, Garrett Richards might have the best stuff in the Anaheim system today, at least if a single season of A-ball is any indication. The question with Richards is his command. In 2009 he put up an 11-6 record with Oklahoma, striking out 85 batters in 75 innings. But he also walked 38 of them on his way to an ugly 6.00 ERA and even uglier 1.55 WHIP. He looked a lot better in a Pioneer League stint at the end of year, 3-1 , 1.53, 1.16 with a ridiculous 30-4 ratio of strikesouts to walks, but that was only 35 innings of work, and, well... it was the Pioneer League.
More Scouting Book Info on Garrett Richards >
268
LHP , WAS
A smart control lefty with a 91mph fastball and better than average change, McGeary is committed to Stanford through 2010, but he's already signed with Washington and will continue to work in their minor league system whenever classes are out. McGeary won't overpower anyone, but he has shown advanced, Glavine-like command of his pitches and can add and subtract with professional acumen. He's a tasty tease to debut in the Washington rotation come 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Jack McGeary >
269
3B, PIT
Once identified as the best catcher in the 2004 draft, Walker has had a bumpy road to pro ball. Now a full-time third baseman, he still shows the switch-hitting power stroke that brought him to the Pirate's attention years ago.
More Scouting Book Info on Neil Walker >
270
261. Jeremy Jeffress
262. Logan Forsythe
263. Michael Main
264. Matt Maloney
265. Kila Ka'aihue
266. Josh Roenicke
268. Garrett Richards
269. Jack McGeary
270. Neil Walker
261 to 270 of 445
