Baseball's Top Prospects for 2010
Remember: This list evolves and changes daily.
1B, KC
He's a little older, a little wiser, and a little less powerful than Pedro Alvarez (who was, fairly, drafted two spots higher), but Eric Hosmer is probably a more advanced hitter with better fundamentals.
More Scouting Book Info on Eric Hosmer >
81
RHP, SF
A flame-throwing righthander from Georgia, Zack Wheeler mixes his 96mph fastball with a curve ball that's already a plus pitch. He's adding a changeup, and if he can make it even a league-average offering he can be a middle-rotation starter anywhere. Even without one, his fastball-curve combination is good enough for a major league bullpen today. He'll need some seasoning, of course, and scouts would like to see his pitcher-perfect body take on a starter's workload.
More Scouting Book Info on Zack Wheeler >
82
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 >
83
C, WAS
A catching prospect who'll be big-league ready sometime in the next year or two, Wilson Ramos should have a clear opportunity now that he's with an organization who doesn't have an MVP ahead of him on the depth chart. Ramos is a 21-year old who slashed .288/.346/.434 at high-A Fort Myers in 2009, maintaining the same offensive shine he showed at two lower levels of play. Especially promising are his power numbers: his quick, strong line-drive swing produced 13 homers in 452 at-bats last year, a 60% increase over the year before. Since he's still growing into his frame, that number could increase even more in the future. Behind the plate he's already a plus defender, with a strong arm that gunned down 40% of baserunners last season.
More Scouting Book Info on Wilson Ramos >
84
RHP, WAS
A righthander who worked as both a starter and a reliever for Stanford, Drew Storen is a smallish pitcher with a good mix of raw stuff and polished command. As a sophomore draftee, he's a bit rougher than most college pitchers and will likely need more time in the minors than most, but he's a solid all around ballplayer with an excellent future, whether it's in the middle of the rotation or the bullpen. With the recent locking-in of Matt Capps to close in Washington for 2010 and 2011, it looks like Storen's future is a little further away than some had hoped, which might give the Nats time to examine his potential as a starter, too.
More Scouting Book Info on Drew Storen >
85
3B, FLA
An all-conference catcher at the University of Miami, Sanchez was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft by the Marlins. In his first pro season, Sanchez led the New-York Penn League with a .355 average. The next year, Sanchez hit .317 in his first full-season and posted a 55-game OPS of 1.050. He finished with a .288 average, 15 HR and 50 RBIs in 74 games. At high-A Jupiter in 2007, Gaby slammed 9 home runs while maintaining a solid .279 average.
More Scouting Book Info on Gaby Sanchez >
86
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 >
87
RHP, WAS
AJ Cole is a six-foot-five, lanky righthander who can already touch 95mph with his fastball. Cole also mixes in a power curve and passable changeup that could develop into plus pitches with good coaching and support. He's already drawing comparisons to Justin Verlander, who was a similar pitcher at the same age.
More Scouting Book Info on AJ Cole >
88
RHP, COL
A rail-thin flamethrower from Venezuela, Chacin is on the fast track in Colorado, especially as some of the other Rockie options have slid from their earlier grace. His 94mph fastball has good location and late movement, and his curve and change show plus promise, though does have a bad habit of hanging that curve a bit too often. 'Joolie' does seems to have the character and work ethic to be a middle-to-front starter, but he could be adapted to the bullpen as well. Either way, he's a good 2011 option for the Rockies right now, and might even see limited action sooner than that.
More Scouting Book Info on Jhoulys Chacin >
89
LHP, DET
The son of offensive lineman and ESPN commentator Mark Schlereth, Daniel is a power lefty with a strikeout curve who most see as a relief specialist. Acquired by the Tigers during 2009's Winter meetings, he could be converted to starting duty. Either way, he's a young power arm with a bright future.
More Scouting Book Info on Daniel Schlereth >
90
81. Eric Hosmer
82. Zack Wheeler
83. Jenrry Mejia
84. Wilson Ramos
86. Gaby Sanchez
89. Jhoulys Chacin
90. Daniel Schlereth
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