Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
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 >
290
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. He needs a changeup or another off-speed pitch, and his control isn't all there yet, but scouts are in love with his smooth, carbon-copy pitching mechanics. If he can stay healthy while picking up secondary pitches and improved control, he'll be a valuable major leaguer in the near future. He's looking like a middle-of-rotation starter right now, but as his control improves he could morph into an ace.
More Scouting Book Info on Michael Main >
291
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.
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292
OF, FLA
The FSL's 'Most Exciting Player' of 2008, outfielder Scott Cousins is the best defensive outfielder in today's system, and one who could be patrolling center for the Miami Marlins of the near future, since it's starting to look like he'll be blocked by Mike Stanton in right. His arm will be the best in the outfield no matter which slot he takes up, though, and his combination of baserunning chops and improving batting suggests future-leadoff-threat to us.
More Scouting Book Info on Scott Cousins >
293
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. The lefthanded slugger is one of the Royals hardest-hitting youngsters. He slugged .433 for Triple-A Omaha last year while waiting for a call that never came, also launching 17 home runs in a bid for attention. The Royals have no shortage of big young bats, but 'Killer' could challenge for a 1B-DH-OF spot in 2010 and he probably deserves an extended chance to keep the job.
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294
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.
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295
OF, STL
A 2006 draft pick out of the University of Miami, outfielder Jon Jay is a stocky fireplug with a plus bat but below-average power and speed. While he's no superstar, he has all the tools needed to be a significant bench asset in MLB, and his bat could help him work his way into a starting lineup soon thereafter.
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296
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 >
297
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. The Angels are great at coaxing peak performance from even their flawed pitchers, though, so Richards is in the right place at the right point in his career. If he can start pitching within himself (and within the strike zone), the California native could be a certified ace.
More Scouting Book Info on Garrett Richards >
298
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 >
299
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