Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
RHP, BAL
A stocky righthander with good fundamentals, the oddly-named Chorye ('Corey') has four good pitches, including a mid-nineties four-seamer, and a low-nineties two-seam fastball with good sink. His curve and change are still works in progress, but show signs of becoming plus offerings in the near future. His mound presence is intense, though he does seem to get rattled and thrown off his game on occasion. He still needs to improve the command of his off-speed pitches, and the control of all four. If he doesn't make it as a middle-rotation big league starter, he's got a decent future in middle relief, where his ground-ball tendencies could eat up innings. He spent 2009 recovering from off-season shoulder surgery; he remains an interesting name for 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Chorye Spoone >
401
1B, LAA
Kendry Morales will do his very best to help Angels' fans forget the brief glory days of Mark Teixeira, but if he can't hold up, a big slugging local boy named Mark Trumbo should be ready to step up soon. After smashing fifteen homers at AA Arkansas in 2009, he should be along pretty soon.
More Scouting Book Info on Mark Trumbo >
402
2B, SF
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 >
403
RHP, CIN
A big, strong Canadian signed by the Reds in 2007's supplemental round, righthander Kyle Lotzkar is one of the most promising arms in the Cincinnati stable. Like most of the Reds' best farm talent, he's awhile away from big-league action, but he's already showing the poise and polish necessary to succeed in pro ball. While he's still wrestling with his control, he looks like he could bring a plus change and curve to bear consistently soon, which could be devastating when combined with his existing 94mph fastball. Thanks to his control problems, his walk rate is way too high, but if he manages to start pitching within himself, look out. Only 20 entering 2010, he's definitely a name to highlight for the next couple of seasons.
More Scouting Book Info on Kyle Lotzkar >
404
LF, WAS
Washington loves to collect powerful hitters, and Hood probably has more raw power than any player of his draft class. A three-sport star in high-school, Hood's linebacker physique certainly looks the part of big league slugger already.
More Scouting Book Info on Destin Hood >
405
C, DET
One of the best hitting youngsters in the Tiger system, Ryan looked good in a September 2008 callup. He'll have to wait, though, as the Tigers signed Gerald Laird to be their everyday catcher for 2009. Expect Ryan's low-average, high-power bat to join the team as an injury fillin, part-time C/1B/DH later in the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Dusty Ryan >
406
OF, SF
Darren Ford is speed-demon. One of the fastest players in A ball, his base-stealing ability, defense and range in center is top-notch and unquestioned. There's a shortage of optimism regarding his bat, however. Unless he turns it up a notch, his future looks like the role of a pinch-running, defensive replacement fourth outfielder.
More Scouting Book Info on Darren Ford >
407
OF, CHC
The Cubs first round pick in 2006, Colvin has developed quickly, reaching AA in his first full season of pro ball. He has good speed and solid defense, which projects to be useful in Wrigley, and raw but developing power. While he's still very young, and the plans have him in the minors for another year or two, it's possible that injuries or disappointments in Chicago could offer him an opportunity sooner. He's a great sleeper pick.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyler Colvin >
408
LHP, Japan
35 year old lefthander Koji 'Kit-kat' Mitsui was 36-19 over the past eight seasons with Japan's Seibu Lions, with a career 4.41 ERA overall. Once a top-flight starter, he's been used exclusively in relief since early 2005, and in the two years 2006 and 2007, his all-bullpen ERA was under two. He's only an average strikeout pitcher (6.6K/9) who will probably be tried out as a lefty-specialist reliever by an MLB team, but since lefty-specialists are so seldom seen by hitters, he could be quite successful at confounding them.
More Scouting Book Info on Koji Mitsui >
409
LHP, ATL
A high-school lefty drafted by the Braves for his 'pitchability', DeVall is a project being developed inside the secret mountain labs of the Braves Brain Trust. He won't be ready for display for a couple of years.
More Scouting Book Info on Brett DeVall >
410
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