Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for 2008 (Sleepers Too!)

MLB Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2008

As always, our Prospect Rankings change very often, to reflect the latest and most promising prospects for the new season.

The Best 22 3B Prospects for 2008

Showing 1 to 22 of 22. Overall SB ranking for 2008 shown in parentheses.

1. Evan Longoria

3B, TB (#5 overall)

The Rays have so much talent in their system that it was impossible for Longoria to get a chance in 2007, and even 2008 might be asking too much for someone so young. There may be no in-between with Longoria: Tampa may open the season with the very raw prospect as their primary third baseman, in which case anything from an overmatched .131 to a red-hot .351 is possible... but if they don't, expect the opposite extreme, as he languishes in the minors until September once again, so that the thrifty Rays don't start his MLB salary clock any sooner than they have to. Anyone who remembers Delmon Young's outburst knows that Tampa will be in no hurry to promote someone to the (more expensive) majors until they're sure they will use him, and use him a lot.

More Scouting Book Info on Evan Longoria >

SB #5 | BA #2 | BP #3 | ML #2 | SN #5 | ES #1

2. Josh Vitters

3B, CHC (#16 overall)

The Chicago Cubs made Vitters the third overall pick in the 2007 draft. He should move quickly for a high school player, and the hope is that he'll develop 25-homer power. A cause for concern is that he might need to move from third base to left field, but if he continues to develop as fast as he seems to be developing, the Cubs will find room for him. Soon.

More Scouting Book Info on Josh Vitters >

SB #16 | BA #43 | BP #45 | ML #30 | SN unranked | ES #17

3. Andy LaRoche

3B, LAD (#28 overall)

The Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year for 2005, LaRoche has done nothing in the two years since except hit, hit and hit. This still lesser-known LaRoche did half-time between AA and AAA last year, and he hit well at each level, breaking .300 each time while knocking 19 homers in 400 at-bats. While his disappointing audition with the 2007 Dodgers (he hit only .220) will scare away some people, scouts universally see him as a future stud in the mold of Ryan Braun.

LaRoche should compete for a starting job with LA during Spring Training. If he starts hot, he'll be locked into the lineup for the next ten years.

More Scouting Book Info on Andy LaRoche >

SB #28 | BA #31 | BP #14 | ML #33 | SN #10 | ES #25

4. Mike Moustakas

3B, KC (#42 overall)

The prodigy of Chatsworth high-school was drafted in the first round of the 2007 amateur draft by Kansas City. A line-drive hitting third-baseman, he's projected to be a solid middle-of-the-order bat after some seasoning in the minors.

He's a bit blocked in KC, since they're stacked in young bats and already have premium rookie Alex Gordon at third, so look for him to arrive in late 2009 or 2010, unless the Royals open up space by trading some of their other heralded prospects.

More Scouting Book Info on Mike Moustakas >

SB #42 | BA #18 | BP #19 | ML #22 | SN unranked | ES #47

5. Angel Villalona

3B, SF (#45 overall)

He's seventeen. He's seventeen and Baseball Prospectus ranks him higher than such hitters as Ian Stewart, Josh Fields and Javier Herrera. Villalona is a serious, middle of the order power threat with 30-30 potential. Or at least he will be, once he gets old enough to shave. He's a nice sleeper for 2011 or so, but if you are a fantasy owner, don't get oversold on the hype and lock him up too soon. It's a long road to San Francisco.

More Scouting Book Info on Angel Villalona >

SB #45 | BA #33 | BP #29 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #20

6. Neil Walker

3B, PIT (#49 overall)

Once identified as the best catcher in the 2004 draft, Walker has had a bumpy road to pro ball. Now a full-time third baseman, he still shows the switch-hitting power stroke that brought him to the Pirate's attention years ago.

Older and wiser, he may see time on his hometown Pirates this year, and if so, don't be surprised if he puts up some impressive offensive numbers. He's been simmering in the background so long that he's bound to bust loose one of these days.

More Scouting Book Info on Neil Walker >

SB #49 | BA #61 | BP #94 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #89

7. Ian Stewart

3B, COL (#52 overall)

In 2004, Stewart shocked a lot of people by putting up numbers almost identical to the much-higher-rated Delmon Young, and ever since then stories about one player invariably mention the other. Bad news for Stewart owners: Ian Stewart is not Delmon Young. Still, his swing is solid and his future seems secure in Colorado, so the hope is that he will keep developing and find his place on the permanent roster soon. While the .350 average was an illusion, an OPS around .820 is likely, and that's a pretty good number to put up from a middle infielder.

More Scouting Book Info on Ian Stewart >

SB #52 | BA #38 | BP unranked | ML #41 | SN #34 | ES #70

8. Chase Headley

3B, SD (#57 overall)

A power hitter with a disciplined eye, Headley's high on-base approach and professional demeanor evokes a younger Kevin Youkilis. While he can also play in the outfield, he's best at third base, which raises questions about the future of Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Impressive during his cup of coffee in 2007, Headley's on an inside track to win a full-time position with the Padres in 2008. If he falls short, he'll be close at hand and ready to step up in midseason.

More Scouting Book Info on Chase Headley >

SB #57 | BA #32 | BP #23 | ML #29 | SN #28 | ES #43

9. Chris Davis

3B, TEX (#60 overall)

A dead-pull lefty swinger with plus power, Davis is a nominal third baseman who's more likely to end up at first base or designated hitter if he continues to rise the Rangers system. In 2007 he demolished high-A pitching in Bakersfield (24 homers in 386ABs, .907 OPS) before moving up and destroying AA pitchers in Frisco (12HR/126AB, 1.067 OPS).

While his plate discipline is nonexistent, that won't slow him down as long as he keeps producing at such a legendary pace. He projects, not surprisingly, as an Adam Dunn-esque slugger.

More Scouting Book Info on Chris Davis >

SB #60 | BA #65 | BP #74 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #69

10. Beau Mills

3B, CLE (#69 overall)

One of the best hitting prospects in the 2007 Amateur Draft, Beau Mills went to the Indians, who conveniently enough have no long-term 3B solution in their system. This means he'll likely be pushed hard to enter the Bigs early, which is great news for his fantasy owners.

He'll be 21 entering the season, and 22 in high summer, which is just about right for a cup of coffee, or more. Look for him to start in A ball, be promoted quickly, and see action in Cleveland before the year is over.

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11. Nate Schierholtz

3B, SF (#77 overall)

The Giants outfield is a battered mess, but hope is on the horizon, with both Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz (who also plays third) likely to get significant playing time in 2008. Of the two, Lewis is the more polished, but Schierholtz shows flashes of a bigger upside.

In 112 ABs with the big club at the tail end of a wasted 2007, Schierholtz turned in a .304 average and stole three of four bases. His long-promised power did not appear, however, as he failed to homer in 40 games, and it's that power he needs to find to stick in SF for good.

More Scouting Book Info on Nate Schierholtz >

12. Pedro Alvarez

3B, PIT (#112 overall)

A left-handed power hitting third baseman, Alvarez has a very very high ceiling and is almost big-league ready. He could be a big part of a devastating future Pittsburgh lineup. He's recovering from a hamate bone he broke in 2007, but all reports are positive so his strength should be back soon. An offensive sleeper for late 2009 and likely to be playing every day by 2010.

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13. Billy Rowell

3B, BAL (#115 overall)

After a nasty 11-game hitless start last year, this pride of New Jersey somehow managed to slug .563 in his last 42 games while adding muscle and accelerating his swing even during the season. Scouts are all over the board on this one: some describe the next Barry Bonds, others caution that he may be the next Barry Bonds. Still, if he keeps moving up the system, the Orioles can't help but give him a shot in the near future... and hopefully he can stick.

More Scouting Book Info on Billy Rowell >

14. Matt Tuiasosopo

3B, SEA (#163 overall)

Yes, Matt Tuiasosopo, the baseball player.

A third-round pick way back in the 2004 draft, Tuiasosopo has been developing slowly but steadily in the Mariner system. In his first season with the affiliated West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (AA), Matt the Batt produced a respectable .774 OPS while slugging .404. His strikeout rate remains high, though (113 in 550 PAs), which will prevent him from moving up very quickly. Still, he's on the radar in a deep Seattle system, and if he continues to grow, he'll have a shot at the big club for 2009.

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15. Joel Guzman

3B, TB (#175 overall)

A one-time Dodger hot prospect, Guzman was shipped to the Rays in the trade for Julio Lugo, which shows you how far he's fallen. While his bat still shows big-league pop, he's a long way away in the discipline department, and Tampa doesn't seem like the sort of place where he'll get much opportunity, either. On the other hand, it is the sort of organization that will leave him to 'develop' in the minors for the next few years, so maybe that'll be good for him, in a bitter pill sort of way.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Dominican has a body that screams 'corner', and the power bat to match, but he's actually adept enough at shortstop to be worth considering there too... if Tampa didn't already have two better prospects in their system.

More Scouting Book Info on Joel Guzman >

16. Mat Gamel

3B, MLW (#189 overall)

One of the last of the recent wave of slugging third basemen to arrive, Milwaukee's Mat Gamel deserves a little more attention than he receives. A polished pro hitter, Gamel has all-fields line drive swing with developing power. He's a bit of a liability at third base, but the Brewers seem determined to keep him there for now. He's a bit weak against offspeed pitches, but he should work his way through that with good coaching and increased patience.

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17. Brett Wallace

3B, STL (#200 overall)

Much like Texas selecting Smoak in the 2008 draft or Houston taking Castro, the Cardinals move to take Brett Wallace is a bit of a head scratcher. A power hitting third baseman with slow feet, most scouts seem to think he'll need to be moved to first base sooner rather than later. And don't the Cardinals already have a pretty good first baseman? Maybe St Louis just couldn't pass up his bat, which some think is better than any other hitter in the draft other than Alonso. Talent first, need second.

More Scouting Book Info on Brett Wallace >

18. Eric Campbell

3B, ATL (#204 overall)

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.

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19. Wes Hodges

3B, CLE (#208 overall)

Drafted as a shortstop out of Georgia Tech in the 2nd round of the 2006 draft, Hodges is a professional line-drive hitter with a very quick bat and an explosive, level swing. He has good hands and a plus arm at third base, with acceptable range for the corner, which means he's likely to stay there as the Indians continue to groom him for the MLB duty that was once Andy Marte's destiny.

At high-A last year he posted a 288/.367/.473 line, with 15 homers in 104 games. He strikes out a bit too much (90 times in that same season), especially for a player at his stage of development, but he's a good student and has been working to improve his pitch discretion. He'll start 2008 at AA, but if he keeps slamming the ball, it's possible the Indians will give him a late-season look upstairs.

More Scouting Book Info on Wes Hodges >

20. Taylor Green

3B, MLW (#229 overall)

A smallish shortstop currently working as a third baseman, Taylor 'Red' Green was a draft and follow pick who broke out as the surprise Minor League Player of the Year for Milwaukee in 2007. A smart player with gap power and great plate discipline, Green is a Casey Blake-style player who will need to work hard to stay on top of the prospect lists.

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21. Matt Dominguez

3B, FLA (#287 overall)

A high-school shortstop drafted at #12 by the Marlins in 2007, Dominguez size and strength -- not to mention the presence of Hanley Ramirez -- prompted a move to third base last season. A raw power threat with a long but strong swing, Dominguez also brings a plus arm and very, very good defensive ability to the field. He won't be making anyone forget Miguel Cabrera anytime soon, but he has the potential to be a solid MLB contributor and perennial gold-glover: he could probably reach the bigs on the strength of his glove alone.

To help him get to the majors, the Marlins are working to shorten his swing and help him be more selective. While he's a very bright and quick learner, he's still a couple of years away from making a serious impact.

More Scouting Book Info on Matt Dominguez >

22. Kevin Ahrens

3B, TOR (#289 overall)

Drafted as a shortstop, the switch-hitting Ahrens has since been moved to 3B due to his lack of speed and fielding quickness.

His bat is solid, though, especially from the right side, from which he can hit for both power and average at a near-MLB level, despite his young age. He'll move through the A system this year, after 48 disappointing games of Rookie ball in 2006, when he posted a weak line of .230/.321/.339. He's a couple of years away.