Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

Scouting Book's Top Prospects list is a Combined List, a calculated summary of the overall valuations of the entire prospect universe.

Remember: this page is the result of an automatic process that re-sorts and re-ranks players often. If you think you have found a mistake, please read this blog entry before telling us. Then tell us.

Jared Mitchell

OF

Currently

421

The White Sox first round pick out of LSU, outfielder Jared Mitchell is a fully-equipped toolbox on high-performance legs. A plus-plus runner with great instincts on the basepaths, he's also a developing bat with the type of body that could grow into significant power. His first look at high-A in 2011 didn't go so well (.222/.304/.377) but he's still young and will get another crack at it after a restful winter. There's still some question about his polish in the outfield, but he'll have a couple of years to develop the skills necessary to patrol the South Side lawn.

Full Scouting Report for Jared Mitchell

SB 421BA SC BP SN ES ML

Jack McGeary

LHP

Currently

422

A smart control lefty with a 91mph fastball and better than average change, McGeary won't overpower anyone, but he has shown advanced, Glavine-like command of his pitches and can add and subtract with professional acumen. He's a tasty tease to debut in the Washington rotation come 2014 or so, but first he'll need to work his way back through high and double-A ball after suffering injuries and setbacks the last two season.

Full Scouting Report for Jack McGeary

SB 422BA SC BP SN ES ML

LeVon Washington

OF

Currently

423

Originally drafted but not signed by the Rays, Boston native LeVon Washington was secured by the Indians the following season. He has superior bat speed and surprising power for his small frame. Coupled with above-average speed he could be a solid all-around offensive threat. While he's generally played as an outfielder, his below-average arm might mean a move to second base is in the offing, and coaches to date haven't exactly been impressed with his hustle or focus. He's a few years away from becoming an impact player, and his ceiling is still an open question. He'll be an A-ball player the next couple of years.

Full Scouting Report for LeVon Washington

SB 423BA SC BP SN ES ML

Robbie Ray

LHP

Currently

424

An thin but athletic southpaw with a nasty breaking ball to complement a well-controlled fastball, Nationals prospect Robbie Ray projects as a potent bullpen weapon once he builds up his strength a bit. A 12th round draft selection, Ray has looked a lot better than that, striking out 95 A-level hitters in 89 innings of work at Hagerstown last season. He's a few years away from any potential dominating performances in Washington, but he's certainly a valuable asset, considering how quality lefty relievers are so hard to come by in MLB.

Full Scouting Report for Robbie Ray

SB 424BA SC BP SN ES ML

Seth Lintz

RHP

Currently

425

A righthanded high-schooler, Lintz attracted attention with a 9-0 record and 0.57 ERA in his senior year, though he's failed to show much in his rookie league career since. He's a deep prospect in the Milwaukee system, and likely destined for bullpen work.

Full Scouting Report for Seth Lintz

SB 425BA SC BP SN ES ML

Cutter Dykstra

OF

Currently

426

Cutter Dykstra has a great baseball name and terrific genetics (yes, he's Lenny's son) but he's been an inconsistent hitter who will need to develop a lot more plate discipline to go with his big bat before he's ready to step into his father's very gritty shoes. Traded to the Nats when they severed relations with Tony Plush himself, Dykstra might get a shot at a bench job in 2012 with Washington, but 2013 or even '14 looks a lot more likely from here.

Full Scouting Report for Cutter Dykstra

SB 426BA SC BP SN ES ML

John Shelby

OF

Currently

427

John Shelby III is a mature prospect in the Rays system who nonetheless provides significant depth for the team, and more than a little upside. He's hit a combined .269 in his five year minor league career and has never hit fewer than 10 home runs in a season, topping out with 16 last year in AA ball. He's not the most dazzling prospect you'll see, but he has a good mix of speed and power, and has respectable defensive skills all over the diamond. He'll be back in Montgomery to open 2012, but don't forget about him: an injury here or a hot streak there, and he could be a plug-in component of the Tampa Bay bench on short notice.

Full Scouting Report for John Shelby

SB 427BA SC BP SN ES ML

Michael Kirkman

LHP

Currently

428

Michael Kirkman is a big lefty wgo should see work in Texas again in 2012, probably from the bullpen. He's still a bit rough (49 walksin 100 innings is more than the Nolan Ryan system should tolerate), but the Rangers have already shown how highly they think of him, which means he'll probably be back in Arlington regardless.

Full Scouting Report for Michael Kirkman

SB 428BA SC BP SN ES ML

Bryan Anderson

C

Currently

429

He's slipped in the prospect standings over the last season or two, but the slugging left-handed catcher who hit .302 as a 19-year old A-baller and .298 as a 20-year old in AA is still seen as a possible catcher of the near future in St Louis, even if his can't-miss gleam has worn off some. If he can add just a little bit to his overall game and continue to contribute across the board in the minors, he should get a look again in 2012, if only as Yadier's backup and occasional relief corp.

Full Scouting Report for Bryan Anderson

SB 429BA SC BP SN ES ML

Tyson Gillies

OF

Currently

430

Tyson Gillies is a Canadian center fielder who came to the Phillies as part of the wild winter trading season of 2009. Most noticed him when he stole two bases in the Futures Game that year, and those who did were seeing the best part of his game: he's a very fast player without any other plus tools at present. An important thing to note, though, is that he lost a lot of development time in 2010 and 2011 due to recurring but minor injuries, which means he's still in learning mode, and could still grow enough to develop quite a bit further. Even if it takes until 2014 to see MLB, he's likely to do so sooner or later. If he does make the majors as a reserve, he'll also provide an extra valuable benefit to the team: as a hearing-impaired player, he's an excellent lip-reader, which could come in awfully handy when on the field.

Full Scouting Report for Tyson Gillies

SB 430BA SC BP SN ES ML

421 to 430 of 525 Prospects

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

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1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

Prospect Notes

Recent Player News

Roman Hernandez, KC

2/7/2012: Roman Hernandez has signed with the Royals, and will be sending a half-million dollar signing bonus back to his family in Cuba, one way or the other. Hernandez projects as a bench player with some power right now, and looks best in a corner outfield slot. At only 23, he still has room to grow, too.
More on Hernandez >

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

Combined Ranking

1+	10	20	30	40
50	60	70	80	90
100	110	120	130	140
150	160	170	180	190
200	210	220	230	240
250	260	270	280	290
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350	360	370	380	390
400	410	420	430	440
450	460	470	480	490

1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
C	LHP	RHP	Matrix

CloserWatch Notes

Recent Closer News

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

Seattle took a flier on the sometimes dominant lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo today, signing him to an incentive-laden 1-year deal. Kuo, one of baseball's best lefthanders the last decade or so, struggled with both physical and emotional turmoil in his last year as a Dodger.

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Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2012

Now updated for 2012's Top Prospects

OF

Currently

421

LHP

Currently

422

OF

Currently

423

LHP

Currently

424

RHP

Currently

425

OF

Currently

426

OF

Currently

427

LHP

Currently

428

C

Currently

429

OF

Currently

430

Top Prospects 2012

Prospect Notes

Also In The News...

Top Prospects 2012

CloserWatch Notes

Update: SEA: 2/6/2012

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