The Best 17 2B Prospects for 2010
Showing 1 to 17 of 17. Overall SB ranking for 2010 shown in parentheses.
2B, MLW (#68 overall)
It's a bit cheap comparing Canadian slugger Brett Lawrie to fellow Canucks Larry Walker and Justin Morneau, but in this case the comparison is about more than nationality: Lawrie can flat-out rake, though he does it from the right side of the plate and hasn't shown the power potential of those two other lumberjacks. An all-around baseball talent with no ceiling in sight, the fact that he's played both shortstop and catcher well enough to make it onto both position lists tells you something about the special youngster. With both of those positions pretty locked down in Milwaukee, he's also been asked to learn second base, which might be his quickest path to the majors right now.
More Scouting Book Info on Brett Lawrie >
2B, DET (#188 overall)
Since the Tigers emptied the farm for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in the winter of 2007, Scott Sizemore has risen to be one of the team's top remaining prospects.
More Scouting Book Info on Scott Sizemore >
2B , COL (#189 overall)
A small, fast, potent hitter who looks every inch his father, Eric Young Jr. is even lined up take over second base in Colorado, a position his father inaugurated for the expansion Rockies franchise. A very fast and smart base-stealer, he needs to get on base more to make that speed work, and since his patience at the plate has been improving, he's probably ready for a test at the next level. The Rockies have him working in the outfield as well as second to maximize his chances.
More Scouting Book Info on Eric Young Jr. >
2B, OAK (#200 overall)
Baseball America's High School Player of the Year for 2006 is still a bit raw, but his development has been very strong. As a 20 year old in 2008, Cardenas blew through three levels of the minors, hitting .278, .308, .279 in Stockton, Clearwater and Midland. He's hitting an even .300 across his two full minor league seasons, and has maintained great discipline with a career 108 walks against only 174 strikeouts.
More Scouting Book Info on Adrian Cardenas >
2B, Japan (#203 overall)
The Hiroshima Toyo Carp's number one draft pick in 1999, infielder Akihiro Higashide finished in the top ten among Central League hitters in 2009 with a .295 average. A versatile infielder who has played most of his career at second base, Aki is a free agent eligible player who has contemplated a move to the USA for some time. He has seen interest from a number of MLB teams, including the San Francisco Giants.
More Scouting Book Info on Akihiro Higashide >
2B, CHC (#252 overall)
A small-framed midwestern shortstop drafted in the 21st round back in 2008, Vincent Logan Watkins has pulled himself up to the top tier of Cubs prospects on the strength of his steady bat. After blowing off rookie ball in 2008, he posted a .326/.389/.391 line at A-level Boise and peppered it with 14 doubles and 14 steals. Obviously, the Cubs would like to see a little more pop, but if he can add just a little power to his already-impressive eye and sweet batting stroke, he has all the makings of an MLB regular-in-waiting.
More Scouting Book Info on Logan Watkins >
2B, OAK (#256 overall)
He's not just Rickie's little brother, he's a different kind of player. He's not the strong masher that Weeks is, but Jemile is more patient at the plate and faster on the bases. Like number one pick Tim Beckham, Weeks could see a move to centerfield sometime, where his plus speed would be more of an asset and his so-so glovework wouldn't be a problem.
More Scouting Book Info on Jemile Weeks >
2B, SEA (#306 overall)
An on-again/off-again prospect, Crabbe's chances of breaking into major league ball increased slightly with his pickup by Seattle, who could probably benefit from some infield depth.
More Scouting Book Info on Callix Crabbe >
2B, SEA (#324 overall)
The son of ex-major leaguer Tim Hulett, junior is an offensive-minded second baseman in the Dustin Pedroia fashion. While he lacks serious power, he has shown excellent discipline and occasional pop while maintaining an OBP over .400 for most of his young career. He's also been a team leader and is considered a good clubhouse personality, which bodes well for his future.
More Scouting Book Info on Tug Hulett >
2B, FA (#328 overall)
Not much of a rookie following eight years in the Twins system. Maza is still a valuable spare part who can play all seven fielding positions. He may finally break into MLB, at least for a time, in 2010, but he's probably already peaked as a prospect.
More Scouting Book Info on Luis Maza >
2B, SF (#346 overall)
A solid contact hitter with good speed, Noonan is one of many Giants' prospects who will fight over middle infield duties in the years to come. He's a bit raw, and he'll need to add a lot of polish in high and double-A over the next two years, but right now he has the tools and makeup of an everyday second baseman with the good power that the modern position seems to require.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Noonan >
2B, ARZ (#368 overall)
A college shortstop who looks more like the Diamondbacks second-baseman of the future, Hallberg has enough grit and determination to make up for his limited power ceiling. The scrappy army brat smashed .362 as a Fantasy Islander in 2008, landing him the Hawaiian League MVP award and making him look like a viable starter in Arizona -- or at least a super-bench player -- very, very soon.
More Scouting Book Info on Mark Hallberg >
2B, SF (#403 overall)
A smallish, versatile infielder who's already bounced around a few ballclubs, Denker won't win any home run competitions. He can, however, spray hits all over the field with abandon: he's put up .300ish averages at every minor league stop since 2005. Already an ex-Dodger, Red Sox and Giant, he's now providing some depth in the Mariner system. He needs to find a higher gear if he's ever going to break out of AAAA status.
More Scouting Book Info on Travis Denker >
2B, OAK (#421 overall)
A sixth round pick by the Rockies, switch-hitting Corey Wimberly slashed an impressive .291/.370/.345 in his second year at AA Tulsa in 2008. He also led the league with 59 steals last season. A player who reminds coaches of Chone Figgins, his speed could play well in the majors, but he lacks the defensive versatility to be a real plus bench asset, and his bat isn't really up to starter level. He'll need to add power or start hitting .350 to have a real shot at the bigs.
More Scouting Book Info on Corey Wimberly >
2B, TOR (#425 overall)
A polished infield prospect via Tulane, Brad Emaus projects as a solid major league second baseman in the near future. His .302 average and 12 homers in 463 at-bats at high-A Dunedin helped propel him to the top of the Blue Jays' prospect chart. If his line-drive swing can keep up with more advanced pitching, he could get a look in Toronto at the end of the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Brad Emaus >
2B, SD (#433 overall)
Antonelli is a little-known but quality athlete who could have a bright future at almost any fielding position in San Diego.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Antonelli >
2B, KC (#436 overall)
A small but scrappy infielder who was a fan favorite at the University of New Orleans, Johnny Giavotella won his Royals blue uniform with a .354 batting average that led the Privateers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. He can play any infield position, but his lack of plus range or power makes him most suited to second base. In a 2009 season at Wilmington, he hit .304/.366/.440 with 19 steals. His upside is as a three-hold hitter, though he might not reach that for another couple of seasons. Even if his development stalls, he's looking like a heck of a utility player.
More Scouting Book Info on Johnny Giavotella >
1 to 17 of 17
1. Brett Lawrie
2. Scott Sizemore
3. Eric Young Jr.
4. Adrian Cardenas
5. Akihiro Higashide
6. Logan Watkins
8. Callix Crabbe
10. Luis Maza
11. Nick Noonan
12. Mark Hallberg
15. Brad Emaus
16. Matt Antonelli
17. Johnny Giavotella
