Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
SS, DET
Dominican shortstop Gustavo Nunez, in the words of manager Dave Dombrowski, is 'a switch hitter who can run and made some outstanding defensive plays.' While he's a bit raw at the plate, his bat looks like a viable asset as well. Playing for West Michigan (A) last year, Nunez hit .315 with 5 homers and 10 triples while stealing 45 bases in 112 games. His skills on the bases weren't the greatest, however, as he was caught stealing more than one third of the time.
More Scouting Book Info on Gustavo Nunez >
321
RHP, TEX
Beavan is a huge, powerful righthander who at the tender age of 20 is already showing a 96mph fastball. He also brings a polished slider that acts more like a slurve, with big, loose movement that keeps batters off balance. Even his third pitch, a more traditional changeup, is better than average. (His arsenal resembles no one as much as Francisco Rodriguez, and that's a pretty good comp.)
More Scouting Book Info on Blake Beavan >
322
LHP, BAL
Yet another in a wide field of pitching prospects developed by the Astros before being shipped elsewhere, Patton has demonstrated remarkable consistency, maintaining a 2.75 ERA in almost 300 minor league innings with very few blowouts or meltdowns. His walks are a bit high, but during stretches last year he showed improved command and an ability to adjust mid-game. If he maintains that ability this season, expect Baltimore to give him a hard look for the rotation.
More Scouting Book Info on Troy Patton >
323
2B, SEA
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 >
324
1B, DET
A huge, hulking lumberjack of a first baseman, right-handed slugger Ryan Strieby made pretty short work of AA Erie in 2009, mashing 19 homers in 86 games and posting a .303/427/.565 line on the season (that's a .992 OPS). The average may take a bit of a dive as he moves up to the big leagues, but the power should play in Comerica. He's more than a little blocked by Miguel Cabrera in Detroit right now, so the Tigers have him working out in left field. Time will tell if he's got the skills to stick there. A hot start this spring could get him a full-time MLB job before the end of the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Ryan Strieby >
325
OF, PHI
A tall, projectable hitter with a long but easy swing, Domican Domingo Santana has right field written all over him. An average runner and a strong-armed thrower, he's still learning to handle breaking pitches, but for such a young talent, he's already looking like one of the best athletes in the Philly system.
More Scouting Book Info on Domingo Santana >
326
3B, CIN
Puerto Rican prospect Neftali Soto is a toolsy infielder who's growing up fast in the Reds' power-packed farm system. After embarassing rookie ballers, he was moved up to A-level Dayton last year, and promptly slashed .326/.343/.500 with seven homers in just over 200 at-bats.
More Scouting Book Info on Neftali Soto >
327
2B, FA
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 >
328
RHP, MLW
A supplemental first round pick for the Brewers, this tall righthander has a smooth and easy delivery that portends well for his future in the system. He's a few years away from serious attention, but he's worth keeping an eye on.
More Scouting Book Info on Jacob Odorizzi >
329
C, FLA
Buster Posey got a lot of attention in the 2008 draft, but Skippy might be a better bet, at least offensively. A left-handed and more power-hitting type of catcher, he lags behind Posey in the defensive and especially game-calling parts of the game, which means he might end up a bigger producer, but not right away. Of course, if his bat stays as hot as it's been in recent years, it'll be impossible to keep him in the minors for long.
More Scouting Book Info on Kyle Skipworth >
330
321. Gustavo Nunez
322. Blake Beavan
323. Troy Patton
324. Tug Hulett
326. Domingo Santana
327. Neftali Soto
328. Luis Maza
329. Jacob Odorizzi
330. Kyle Skipworth
321 to 330 of 445
