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.

Michael Taylor

OF

Currently

281

Not to be confused with the older Oakland outfielder, this Michael ('Anthony') Taylor is a centerfielder in the Nationals organization. The Nats, who drafted him out of high school in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, have a shortage of true centerfield prospects in the system, which makes Taylor one to watch.

His great mix of power (13 homers in 126 Sally League games) and speed (23 steals) profiles really well into a future Washington roster that seems to have more power than it knows what to do with. Taylor's eye at the plate and defense need some work, and he's still really raw with his baserunning ability, but give him another couple of years and you should see him patrolling the outfield grass in DC.

Full Scouting Report for Michael Taylor

SB 281BA SC BP SN ES ML

Andrew Susac

C

Currently

282

After the knee-crunching scare Buster Posey took in 2011, it's no wonder the Giants went looking for more catchers in the draft. Andrew Susac is a prototype power hitting catcher, 6-1 and 205lbs of fast-twitch muscle from the right side of the plate. He's a couple of years from earning any sort of meaningful role on the Giants, but he combines a good work ethic with all the raw tools any catcher needs to succeed, so he should be around awhile. If he sticks at catcher, the Giants might even feel inspired to move Buster Posey to somewhere much, much safer for the rest of his career, like third or first base.

Full Scouting Report for Andrew Susac

SB 282BA SC BP SN ES ML

Dan Fields

SS

Currently

283

The Tigers' sixth round pick in 2009, high school shortstop Dan Fields is the son of former Tigers' hitting coach Bruce Fields, which might explain his allegedly-advanced hitting ability as well as the reach that the team took in selecting him so early. Big and strong for a real shortstop, even in this post-Ripken era, Fields might be moved to third base or a corner outfield spot eventually, but it shouldn't matter: he'll rise or fall on his bat, which we have to assume will get a lot of careful coaching in the years to come. It'll need some, too: in his repeat of high-A ball in 2011, his batting average actually dropped from .240 to .220. Dad can't be pleased.

Full Scouting Report for Dan Fields

SB 283BA SC BP SN ES ML

Tyler Austin

3B

Currently

284

While it was not surprise to see him blow away lesser Rookie leaguers, Austin also looked pretty darn good at low-A Staten Island last year, dinging out a solid 323/.402 /.542 line and swiping seven bases in seven attempts.

Full Scouting Report for Tyler Austin

SB 284BA SC BP SN ES ML

Adis Portillo

RHP

Currently

285

Adis (or sometimes, inexplicably, Adys) Portillo is a hard-throwing right-hander who shows more polish than most Venezuelan prospects. Portillo exhibits a dominating mound presence and great composure, featuring a moving fastball that tops out at about 94mph. It's the raw stuff he wields with three possible plus pitches, though, that puts him into the upper ranks of pitching prodigies.

Full Scouting Report for Adis Portillo

SB 285BA SC BP SN ES ML

Matt Lipka

OF

Currently

286

A nominal shortstop with a great all-around toolset, Atlanta native Matt Lipka was bumped to the outfield thanks to the plethora of infield prospects zooming through the Braves system. Of course, we always thought that his plus-plus speed was wasted at shortstop anyway. Toolsy and athletic, Lipka was a quality wide receiver in high school before deciding to focus on the safer baseball route to a professional career. He'll be an under-the-radar type in 2012 thanks to the position change, but should reappear on the top of prospect lists come 2013. Don't forget about him.

Full Scouting Report for Matt Lipka

SB 286BA SC BP SN ES ML

Yadiel Rivera

SS

Currently

287

A power-hitting teenager, shortstop Yady Rivera started 2011 in rookie ball but ended it in the Midwest (A) League, where he stumbled but seemed to find himself by the end of the year. He's still a few years from relevant.

Full Scouting Report for Yadiel Rivera

SB 287BA SC BP SN ES ML

Marc Krauss

OF

Currently

288

A lumbering slugger, 1B/OF Marc Krauss is one of many corner bats simmering in the Arizona farm system. While his power has proven legit, his batting eye remains in question. He very much needs to keep lighting up scoreboards in order to get past some of the team's brighter and more decorated prospects.

Full Scouting Report for Marc Krauss

SB 288BA SC BP SN ES ML

Edwar Cabrera

LHP

Currently

289

A lefty reliever with a knee-buckling change, Dominican pitcher Edwar Cabrera has already racked up 149 strikeouts in 118 minor league innings. He'll start 2012 in AA, but could get work in the Rockies bullpen as early as this season.

Full Scouting Report for Edwar Cabrera

SB 289BA SC BP SN ES ML

Roman Hernandez

OF

Currently

290

A hard-hitting Cuban expat who's been lingering in the Dominican since the end of the Series Nacional's 2010 season, Matanzas native Roman Hernandez (Jorrin) is a corner power bat who probably ends up as a right field option in MLB, especially if he gives up on his self-image as a speed threat and sticks to spraying balls all over the field, which is his real strength.

A near-mature prospect who will be 24 years old this season, Hernandez has a good eye at the plate (unusual in Cuban youngsters) and a sweet line-drive stroke that should clear at least a few outfield fences. He looks like he could be a viable bench player today, though a year pushing through the high minors might better acclimate him to the US game.

Full Scouting Report for Roman Hernandez

SB 290BA SC BP SN ES ML

281 to 290 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

1+	10	20	30	40
50	60	70	80	90
100	110	120	130	140
150	160	170	180	190
200	210	220	230	240
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450	460	470	480	490

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

OF

Currently

281

C

Currently

282

SS

Currently

283

3B

Currently

284

RHP

Currently

285

OF

Currently

286

SS

Currently

287

OF

Currently

288

LHP

Currently

289

OF

Currently

290

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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