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

Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2008

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is different than other prospect lists: we're not in a bubble, and we never sit still. We show you not just our own rankings, but also rankings from some of the other major ranking lists for each player. You can now sort, for example, by Baseball America's rankings, or view the top prospects as chosen by the wizards at Baseball Prospectus, or compare our rankings to those from Sports Illustrated. Also, unlike most lists, we don't publish a book! Our lists are updated often during the offseason, and updated daily during the pre-season to show the latest situations and adjusted for spring results. This means we're always a work in progress. We also think this means our lists are much more useful for fantasy draft purposes. If you notice a mistake or have a suggestion feel free to let us know by mailing mistakes (at) our domain name. For more on our methods, see this blog entry.

Baseball's Top Prospects for Spring 2008

41. Justin Masterson

RHP, BOS

With Buchholz likely in the majors to stay, the title of top Red Sox pitching prospect falls to Justin Masterson, a hard-throwing right-hander.

While the Sox began testing him as a starter in 2007, his combination of a three-quarters arm motion and nasty sinker-slider stuff still makes him look a lot more like a relief pitcher. But if he's destined to be a reliever, he could be an exceptional one. His sinker is plus-plus, with the potential to match those of Webb and Carmona, and he can throw it at any speed from 84-94 mph. It's that sinker that has teams asking for him, and he's the frequent subject of trade rumors.

If he remains with the Sox, Masterson might get a look in September, or be used to bolster the bullpen if it's dragged down by a few injuries. If he gets a chance in the bullpen late in the year, he could bring the same benefits and boost that Joba Chamberlain did to the Yankees in 2007. He's definitely something special.

More Scouting Book Info on Justin Masterson >

SB #41 | BA #64 | BP #53 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #58

42. Mike Moustakas

3B, KC

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

43. Elvis Andrus

SS, TEX

The mercurial Andrus has been confusing to watchers: on some days, he looked ready for the big leagues, as Brave-watchers were calling for him even before the team acquired Edgar Renteria. On other days, he looks like a one-trick pony, a slick fielder who looks overmatched by breaking balls.

Traded to Texas in the 2007 deal that brought Mark Teixeira to Atlanta, Andrus is showing a developing bat. If Elvis can ever put up consistent offensive numbers, he'll be an MLB fixture for decades.

More Scouting Book Info on Elvis Andrus >

SB #43 | BA #19 | BP #58 | ML #38 | SN #36 | ES #31

44. Jed Lowrie

SS, BOS

Lowrie is an bright, quick shortstop with a strong arm and decent range. While not the most acrobatic infielder, he is reliable enough. Some project him as a better second baseman, due to his only-adequate mobility, but the Sox love the kid's character and work ethic, so don't be surprised if he sticks at shortstop.

With above-average speed and decent gap power, he looks to be a contributor in the Youkilis-Pedroia mold that Sox cherish: a smart, disciplined switch-hitter who wears pitchers out by working deep into counts before cashing in on the inevitable mistakes.

If you don't see the Red Sox overpaying for an A-list shortstop this offseason, or if they take a veteran on a short-term rental, it means they're counting on Lowrie to fill the hole in the near future.

More Scouting Book Info on Jed Lowrie >

SB #44 | BA #73 | BP #57 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #55

45. Angel Villalona

3B, SF

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

46. Carlos Gomez

OF, MIN

Gomez is a burner (training partner Jose Reyes not only claimed Gomez has feet faster than his own, he claims it's 'not even close.') and unlike some no-bat wonders, he's a burner who can also bring the hurt. While he stumbled a bit in his premature major league debut with the Mets in 2007 (.232/.288/.304), he has the tools, and his minor league numbers provide a better indicator of his worth: .278/.336/.400. He does strike out too much (about once per 5 ABs, on average), but that might be a sign of youth more than ability.

Gomez is a legitimate top of the order threat already, and if he can learn a bit more patience and increase that OBP a little, he could be one the best in the league.

More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Gomez >

SB #46 | BA #52 | BP #65 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #35

47. Lars Anderson

1B, BOS

It won't be 2008, and it probably won't be 2009 either, but someday, Manny will be Manny somewhere else. Not long after that, Papi will go out for a pack of smokes and never come home to Boston again. When that happens, who will bring home the bacon? Don't worry, Red Sox nation: Lars will take be your new daddy.

A product of Jesuit High School (Carmichael, CA), the former Mr. Goettlicher earned letters in baseball, football and basketball, hitting .489 as a freshman on his way to being named MVP. At Lancaster, in his first season, he produced at a .343-.489-.486 clip.

While he's only 20 years old, Anderson's power stroke would already be very happy in Fenway... or any other park in baseball. It may take a few summers for the rest of his game to catch up to his bat, but his 40-homer potential will be on display sooner or later.

More Scouting Book Info on Lars Anderson >

SB #47 | BA #40 | BP #100 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #28

48. Ross Detwiler

LHP, WAS

A powerful left-handed fireballer who can also control multiple offspeed pitches, Detwiler is one of the best lefthanded pitching prospects in baseball. His mid-nineties fastball is electric, and he's shown a superior ability to work both sides of the plate with it. He's added more than four inches to his height since his days dominating college ball, which means we've officially decided it's time to stop calling him 'smallish.'

The Nationals, who took Detwiler in the first round, sixth overall in 2006, seem very serious about moving the developing ace forward on an accelerated schedule. After only 33 1/3 innings in the minors, Detwiler was granted a callup to injury-riddled Washington in late 2008, giving the major league staff a look at their developing young ace. He threw just one MLB inning in a live game, but the fact the Nationals were interested so soon shows that they're dying to get him onto their staff. There's no word what they think of his right-handed hitting, however.

More Scouting Book Info on Ross Detwiler >

SB #48 | BA #51 | BP #35 | ML #37 | SN #41 | ES #51

49. Neil Walker

3B, PIT

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

50. Jair Jurrjens

RHP, ATL

One of two intriguing prospects moved from Detroit to Atlanta in exchange for Edgar Renteria, Jurrjens is a power pitcher, a strikeout machine who has not yet quite put it together in terms of control and gamesmanship. He has stuff, but no coach has yet harnessed it effectively.

Jurrjens had a 3.20 ERA in 19 starts in Double-A and a 4.70 ERA in seven starts for the MLB Tigers in 2007. He projects as a number two or number three starter. He may also be effective as a reliever, once the Braves spend some time figuring out his mechanics.