Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
LHP, ATL
A skilled lefthander from Vanderbilt, Michael 'Spike' Minor is a polished all-around pitcher who could add three above-average to plus pitches into the back end of a major league rotation sometime in 2010. His fastball tops out around 92mph, but its his breaking balls that will get him to the big-leagues anyway. He's not the uber-talent that schoolmate David Price was, but he's a product of the same system and it shows in his plus makeup and advanced feel for pitching. He should be ready to step into the Braves rotation come 2011 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Mike Minor >
51
RHP, NYM
An international signee who immediately jumped to the top of the Mets' pitching prospect chart, young Jenrry Meija is one of the few bright spots in a downtrodden farm system. The righthander is the proud owner of easy heat in the form of a mid-90s fastball and a very good, deceptive change. Jenrry's control has been better than expected for such a young player, and despite an 0-5, 4.47 looksee in 2009, he looks ready to tackle a full season of AA ball in 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Jenrry Mejia >
52
LHP, COL
A smart value-pick from the 2008 draft by the Rockies, Friedrich was one of the two or three best lefthanders in the pool, as well as one of the best prep pitchers available, making him a steal at the 25th overall pick. He didn nothing but move up the charts in his first year of pro ball, either, finishing second in all of minor league baseball in strikeouts per nine innings with an obscene 12.0. In addition to crazy heat, Friedrich shows off a 12 to 6 curve and a hard, biting slider that could blossom into true plus pitches in the majors. If he has a weakness, it's his so-so changeup, but if he can refine that in the first half of 2010, he could be with the Rockies (as a backend starter or temporary relief help) before the end of the year.
More Scouting Book Info on Christian Friedrich >
53
LHP, KC
A flamethrowing lefthander, Montgomery was grabbed early by the Royals in the 2008 draft. So far, he's looking pretty legitimate, as he's assembled a 2.19 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP in 30 minor league starts, with a 48:132 ratio of walks to strikeouts. He's only 20 years old as 2010 begins, and he's a long way away from the Bigs, but any lefthander who throws 96mph is worth keeping tabs on.
More Scouting Book Info on Mike Montgomery >
54
RHP, KC
A righthander with three quality pitches and middle of the rotation capability, Aaron Crow was a nice fit for a patient Nationals team that's good at developing overlooked pitching talent. Sadly, the Nats couldn't sign him before the deadline in 2008, and so he went back into the draft for 2009, when he was selected by his local Kansas City Royals. Don't forget about him.
More Scouting Book Info on Aaron Crow >
55
LHP, CLE
A big, strong lefthander, Nick Hagadone was the Red Sox first draft pick (a sandwich pick) in 2007. Hagadone's fastball is hard for a lefty: it ticks as high as 96mph and shows good movement. He complements it with a good slider and an above-average straight change. He was Tim Lincecum's closer in college, also making a few spot starts for the Huskies, but the Red Sox were grooming him as a starter as recently as 2008, at least until he was shut down for TJ surgery in June. Now an Indian thanks to the trade that sent Victor Martinez to Boston, he spent most of 2009 on the shelf, but came back at the end of 2009 to start nine games at Class AA Greenville. He posted a solid 2.86 ERA, striking out 30 in 22 innings. He's not yet showing his pre-surgery stuff, but as far as high risks and high ceilings go, Hagadone's name has to be right on top of the actuarial chart.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Hagadone >
56
SS, OAK
One of the best position players available in the 2009 Amateur Draft, USC shortstop Grant Green had a chance to be the #1 overall pick until Stephen Strasburg's moment carried him into the top ranking. Green has an above average arm and plus range, which means he should be able to stick at shortstop, where he could become a premium player in the Majors one day. He reminds scouts of White Sox prospect Gordon Beckham: a big but agile fielder with leadership skills, superior plate discipline and the makings of real power.
More Scouting Book Info on Grant Green >
57
RHP, STL
The Cardinals first round pick in 2009, pitcher Shelby Miller is a raw but talented prospect with a wicked-hot fastball that has excellent and natural late movement. The Cards will probably start him out at A-level Quad Cities in 2010, but he could move up a notch or two soon after that, since his raw stuff is probably good enough to overpower lesser hitters. At higher levels, he'll need to lean on his 12-6 curve and the extra sink he can put on his two-seam fastball to succeed. With a projectable body that could probably add muscle in the years to come, he looks like a good workhorse candidate in St. Louis come 2014 or so, though he'll probably get a look-see a bit sooner than that.
More Scouting Book Info on Shelby Miller >
58
RHP, CIN
A two way player who can turn in above average range and defense in the outfield, Arizona righthander Mike Leake is more appealing to MLB scouts as a pitcher. While he lacks a classic plus pitch, he has four above-average ones, which is remarkable in such a young player, and the baseball smarts to infuriate batters. Some scouts see Leake as too small-bodied for 220-inning seasons, but ever since the rise of Tim Lincecum, smaller pitchers have been getting the benefit of the doubt. The Reds will likely develop Leake as a starter until something changes their mind.
More Scouting Book Info on Mike Leake >
59
OF, MIN
When the Twins let Torii Hunter go, maybe they knew something.
More Scouting Book Info on Ben Revere >
60
51. Mike Minor
52. Jenrry Mejia
53. Christian Friedrich
54. Mike Montgomery
56. Nick Hagadone
57. Grant Green
58. Shelby Miller
59. Mike Leake
60. Ben Revere
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