Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
OF, CLE
The Player to be Named Later in the trade of CC Sabathia to Milwaukee, Michael is the son of Mickey Brantley, a Mariner from 1986-89 and the Blue Jay hitting coach from 2005-07. A gap hitter with good overall athletic ability, he has one of the best batting eyes in the minors (thanks, Dad), and has shown flashes of plus speed. In AA Huntsville last season, Brantley hit from the leadoff spot most of the time, recording a .319 average and logging 28 stolen bases in 36 attempts. He's played all three outfield positions and also a little first base. His floor seems to be as a multitalented fourth outfielder, but if he shows he can maintain his high OBP as pitching improves, could fit into the Indians roster as a poor man's Grady Sizemore come 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Michael Brantley >
81
OF, WAS
A very strong athlete who could make many prospect lists as a power pitcher (his fastball is 92mph), Burgess is more likely to develop as a corner outfield bat. He's a bit young, but since Washington is in hardcore rebuilding mode, he could contribute sooner than he might on other teams. Right now he's all power and no discipline, but that power is special enough -- Jim Bowden called it 'thunderous' -- that he's worth keeping an eye on.
More Scouting Book Info on Michael Burgess >
82
RHP, TEX
A hot prospect before the 2008 draft, Scheppers fell to the Pirates (and, after not signing, the Rangers in 2009) due to concerns about an unusual (but non-structural) shoulder injury. He has big upside, but as he'll now be two years older than most college draftees before even starting pro play, his prospect status has taken a hit.
More Scouting Book Info on Tanner Scheppers >
83
1B, ATL
A two-way player converted to full-time hitter by the Braves, second round (2007) draft pick Freddie Freeman is an underrated hitting talent. He hit a first-half .285/.339/.484 in the Sally League last year, but cranked that up to .349/.418/.562 for the second half, ending up among the top ten SAL hitters in most offensive categories. He's still more of a doubles hitter than a lightstand-artist, and his defense at first base (a new position for him) is only average, but with a huge frame and quick hands he could turn into a 30-homer man in short order. He'll be in the minors awhile, probably spending 2010 in AA, but in terms of raw talent he's one of the most promising Braves prospects right now. A nice sleeper for late 2011.
More Scouting Book Info on Freddie Freeman >
84
SS, WAS
A third-round pick from 2004, infielder Ian Desmond gained a reputation as a slow learner in the minors, but he seems to have arrived in 2009. Now a strong hitter with soft enough hands to play a capable shortstop or second base, Desmond could get a crack at the thin MLB roster in Washington for 2010. He hit .330/.401/.477 with seven homers and 21 steals in a 2009 season split between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. and he actually hit better (.354) at the higher level.
More Scouting Book Info on Ian Desmond >
85
3B, CHW
Dayan Viciedo, one of Cuba's best young ballplayers, defected to the USA last summer and started negotiating and trying out for ballclubs immediately. After some scuffling about whether or not he would be draft-eligible, he was deemed a free agent, and the White Sox moved quickly to bring the young slugger into the fold with the help of very-satisfied South-sider Alexei Ramirez.
More Scouting Book Info on Dayan Viciedo >
86
LHP, TB
How many scary-good pitching prospects does any franchise need? If you're Tampa Bay, the answer appears to be 'all of them', and lefty Matt Moore fits right in with that master plan. After blowing through rookie ball while learning how to shave, he finally found enough competition to provide some traction last year, when he went 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in the Sally League. Of course, he also struck out 176 opponents in only 123 innings, so maybe he hasn't found his level just yet. Moore works with easy 93mph heat that has been clocked as high as 96, but it's the plus curve that makes hitters look foolish. Even his third and least mature pitch, a fading change, is much better developed than any changeup A-level hitters are accustomed to dealing with. The Rays don't usually push their prospects very hard, but until someone manages to figure out Mr. Moore, they're going to be forced to promote him further. Look for him to spend at least a large chunk of 2010 as one of the youngest players in AA.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Moore >
87
RHP, CHC
Texas Christian's ex-closer, Andrew Cashner has that perfect mix of electric 98mph fastball and nasty low-90's slider that everyone wants to see in a ninth-inning specialist. Of course, the Cubs already have two or three of those on staff, so it's possible that Cashner could be stretched into starting duty: he's already got the workable changeup and innings-eating frame to do that if needed. There was talk of looking at him as a Wrigley fill-in artist in late 2009, but that didn't pan out. For now, look for him to get an audition sometime in 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Andrew Cashner >
88
RHP, CLE
An under-the-radar phenom last year, Carrasco can't sneak past anyone now, and when the Indians went looking for a prospect haul in exchange for Cliff Lee, he was on top of their wish list. He's now one of baseball's top pitching prospects, and he's essentially ready for MLB today: he's already got three solid big-league ready pitches, he's shown durability and endurance needed to be a front-line starter, and he's got the brains to outsmart sluggers from outing to outing and at-bat to at-bat. The AL won't be easy on him, and he's bound to get lit up like a pinball machine at times, but if Cleveland gives the kid an early shot, expect some highlight-reel performances.
More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Carrasco >
89
C, CHW
A Georgia native who many saw as the Braves catcher of the future, Tyler Flowers was part of the prospect package sent to Chicago to net veteran Javier Vazquez for the Braves in the winter of 2008. He shares a similar skill set, makeup and question marks as another ex-Braves catching prospect: Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyler Flowers >
90
81. Michael Brantley
82. Michael Burgess
83. Tanner Scheppers
84. Freddie Freeman
86. Dayan Viciedo
87. Matt Moore
88. Andrew Cashner
81 to 90 of 445
