Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, TOR
A control artist with a plus changeup, Venezuelan righthander Henderson Alvarez will only be 19 years old at the start of 2010, but he's already a strong candidate for a rotation spot in Toronto.
More Scouting Book Info on Henderson Alvarez >
281
LHP, OAK
A nasty lefty with stuff to spare, Dominican Pedro Figueroa is looking to break into the rich ranks of top Oakland pitching prospects. He's struck out 145 hitters in 152 minor league innings to date, though he's been doing that without much finesse, as his 1.46 WHIP and high walk rate demonstrate. A couple of more years of careful coaching should coax some discipline from the young firebrand, and thanks to the depth of the Oakland system, he should have that time to develop.
More Scouting Book Info on Pedro Figueroa >
282
LHP, ATL
The Braves very last draft-and-follow player, Rohrbough is a sturdy lefthander with a moving fastball and a deadly hammer curve that shuts down left-handed hitters. Rohrbough's still developing both his command and control, and needs to add a third quality pitch to be viable as an MLB starter. If he stays healthy he could be a lights-out lefty reliever for the Braves in the near future, or a solid starter a little later down the road. He should play in AA this year, and if the Braves fail to restock their rotation before Opening Day 2010, Rohrbough will once again have good odds as a midseason callup.
More Scouting Book Info on Cole Rohrbough >
283
1B, SEA
The M's chose Poythress in round two of the 2009 draft based on his ability to hit baseballs very, very hard. He proved a bit too much for Rookie ball in 2009, so the Mariners bumped him all the way to AA, where he'll stay until he can develop enough of a batting eye to accompany his strength. His defensive shortcomings limit him to first base or DH.
More Scouting Book Info on Rich Poythress >
284
LHP, Japan
The highest paid pitcher in Japan last year, Iwase became a free agent after the 2007 season, and is probably the best relief pitcher available from Japan. While he's a very strong closer candidate, many teams may look at him in a setup role due to his left-handedness.
More Scouting Book Info on Hitoki Iwase >
285
OF, CHW
The Sox second-round pick in 2009 out of high school, outfielder Trayce Thompson is a 6-4, 200 pound righthanded masher from Rancho Santa Margarita, California. The son of ex-NBA player Mychal Thompson, Trayce is a high-quality athlete with a solid set of tools. Both his power and speed project as possible plus tools. Still very young, he'll need to percolate for a few instructional years before he's ready to be an impact player in Chicago.
More Scouting Book Info on Trayce Thompson >
286
RHP, PIT
The 26th overall selection in the 2006 draft, Pirate righthander Avery (Bryan) Morris was acquired by the Pirates as part of the multi-team deal that moved Jason Bay. He spent all of 2007 recovering from TJ surgery, much of 2008 recovering from toe surgery, and most of 2009 just re-finding his delivery. But he remains one of Pittsburgh's better long-term pitching prospects. Morris has a high-90's fastball and a plus curve, and frustrates batters with an unorthodox delivery. While his name might have been forgotten by many, he should be moving up the ranks again now that he's healthy, two full years after receiving his fancy new elbow.
More Scouting Book Info on Bryan Morris >
287
RHP, NYY
With a WHIP under 1.00 and a scary-good strikeout rate, Betances has been one of the many weapons being sharpened in the Yankee labs. His lightning stuff has been sidelined a bit too often by minor injuries, sadly, and he underwent a bit of surprise surgery in late 2009 that could put most of his 2010 season in doubt. Still, he remains a high-ceiling if risky long-term asset: guys with stuff this wicked always seem to find their way onto MLB rosters sooner or later.
More Scouting Book Info on Dellin Betances >
288
LHP, TEX
A Kentucky-grown pitcher stolen in round two of the 2008 amateur draft, Texas lefty Robbie Ross is one of the lesser-known prospects on a pitching-rich Texas farm. Ross works both sides of the plate with a 92mph that can sniff 95mph from time to time, and his complementary pitches (a hard slider and a mature change) come to him with near-effortless command. He can work the entire strike zone, and his five-to-one ratio of strikeouts to walks is one of the best in the Texas system. His 2009 year at low-A Spokane (2.66 ERA / 1.14 WHIP) looks like enough to earn Ross a ticket to high-A Bakersfield in 2010, though perhaps not right away.
More Scouting Book Info on Robbie Ross >
289
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 >
290
281. Henderson Alvarez
282. Pedro Figueroa
283. Cole Rohrbough
284. Rich Poythress
285. Hitoki Iwase
286. Trayce Thompson
287. Bryan Morris
288. Dellin Betances
289. Robbie Ross
281 to 290 of 445
