Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, PIT
The Yankees selected Daniel McCutchen in round 13 of the 2006 Draft. A product of the University of Oklahoma, McCutchen's rapid rise to the bigs was derailed by a 50-game steroids suspension near the beginning of his pro career. Following that interruption, he burned through A-level ball and was promoted to AA in the summer. In 2009, he went 13-6 with a 3.47 ERA and a 22 WHIP at AAA Indy.
More Scouting Book Info on Daniel McCutchen >
331
LHP, PIT
The latest in a long line of lefthanders grown on the Atlanta farm, willowy Jeff Locke's 94mph fastball is a definite plus pitch, with late movement that he can command at will. His curve ball is also well under control and projects as a second plus pitch. Acquired by the pitching-poor Pirates in June 2009, 'The Redstone Rocket' has a terrific opportunity to step up as a rotation candidate in the very near future.
More Scouting Book Info on Jeff Locke >
332
3B, ATL
Campbell doesn't walk much, but his power is significant, and he projects to whiff less than 17% of the time, so that'll help the old averages. He looks like a younger Rocco Baldelli, which is not a bad similarity to have.
More Scouting Book Info on Eric Campbell >
333
OF, MIN
A combination OF-1B bat who will probably end up at DH, Parmelee has been one of the best pure power hitters in the minor leagues for more than a couple of seasons now. He has a smooth, lofty swing that puts breaking pitches into the bleachers as fast as pitchers can curse. He's got a plus arm, but lacks the speed or range to hold down right field. A definite work-in-progress, Parmelee today is a sort of poor man's Lars Anderson: a big barrel of booming potential, with underdeveloped collateral skills. The bat is so monstrous, though, that the Twins are unlikely to move him or abandon his training: the Twins refuse to lose another David Ortiz.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Parmelee >
334
1B, ATL
A player who showed unmatchable power at the high school level, John Johnson Jr. is a raw but fascinating prospect in the Braves system who scouts call a southern version of Justin Morneau. As a prospect, he fits into the Lars Anderson / Chris Parmalee frame of reference: a player who could be a superstar if he learns the finer points of the game, but who might also fade into obscurity if he relies on nothing but home run swings.
More Scouting Book Info on Cody Johnson >
335
OF, OAK
A mature graduate of San Diego State who enjoyed a breakout minor league year in 2009, Oakland's Grant Desme is a tough and multi-talented right-handed hitter. Splitting the 2009 season between A-level Kane County and and High-A Stockton, Desme found his potential, swatting 31 home runs and stealing 40 bases. He was the only such 30/40 player in the minor leagues that year. To top off his breakthrough, he was awarded the AFL MVP award for an Autumn in which he added 10 more home runs in 11 AFL games between October 14th and 28th.retiring from baseball in order to enter the Catholic priesthood. Should he decide to return to the Church of Baseball in the future, we think he'll find the Oakland flock more than accommodating, starting with the congregation in AA Midland, who would dearly love to watch his outfield sermons all season long.
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336
RHP, NYY
Originally signed by the Dodgers, Dominican Romulo Sanchez made a stop in Pittsburgh on his way to the Yankee bench in 2009. Once seen as a future closer despite his so-so strikeout numbers, he's more of a swingman in Yankee plans. To succeed at high levels, he still needs to learn how to refine his control a little while not losing too much of his velocity. His secondary pitches still grade out as average.
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337
RHP, BOS
The Red Sox best Latin American pitching prospect, righthander Stolmy Pimentel is only 19 this year, but he's already showing signs of a solid four pitch arsenal. His 94mph fastball has good late life, and he uses it well, balanced against a curve, change and developing sinker that could all be serious pitches in another couple of years. The change, in particular, is nightmarish when delivered on target, and has the potential to embarrass a lot of AL hitters come 2013 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Stolmy Pimentel >
338
RHP, STL
A tall, lanky righthander with a nice moving fastball and a deceptive delivery, pitcher PJ Walters is one of the high-upside but low-spotlight players developing in the Cards' system. St Louis's 2007 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, he slipped a bit in 2008 and 2009, when his ERA and WHIP jumped sharply. On the other hand, he also seemed to rediscover his strikeout pitch, increasing his K/9 to almost exactly 9.0. He's not the best raw talent in St. Louis, and he looked positively overmatched in a late season cup of coffee, but he might be the most big-league ready pitcher available, and opportunity can do wonders for a young man.
More Scouting Book Info on PJ Walters >
339
OF, TOR
Toronto outfield prospect Jake Marisnick is a multitalented athlete with real defensive prowess: the plus range and strong arm he brings to center field is exactly what the Blue Jays need, and with his quick wrists and quicker feet, he could blossom into a serious on-base and steals threat. A late signee, he'll start his pro career in the GCL in 2011. He's a few years away, but he could rise to the top of the prospect pool as early as next season.
More Scouting Book Info on Jake Marisnick >
340
331. Daniel McCutchen
333. Eric Campbell
334. Chris Parmelee
336. Grant Desme
337. Romulo Sanchez
338. Stolmy Pimentel
339. PJ Walters
340. Jake Marisnick
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