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.
The Best Southpaw Prospects for 2012
Overall SB ranking for 2012 shown in parentheses.
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. 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 minor leaguers 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 fast. He should see Tampa Time in 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Moore
SB 3BA SC 1BP SN ES ML 1
With a nickname that sounds like something out of a Radical Feminist Manifesto, Manny Banuelos is a young and tiny lefthander signed out of Mexico who's already being heralded as a shining success story for the Yankee's international scouting team. Man-Ban's fastball is an easy 92mph, while his changeup already looks like a plus pitch, remarkable in such a young player. He's been working on adding a curve and/or slider to his mix, which would silence those calling him a bullpen-only piece, but even his existing two-pitch arsenal has been effective so far. He'll be brought along slowly, as the ever-conservative Yankees have no need to rush him, but if his next year is as good as his last, he'll have to be considered one of the top young arms in the minor leagues.
More Scouting Book Info on Manny Banuelos
SB 14BA SC 9BP SN ES ML 13
The main return for the departing Dan Haren, Arizona's Tyler Skaggs is almost ready to compete at the major league level, and should contend for a rotation spot in early 2012. Skaggs was 8-6 with an ERA of 2.99 across 25 starts last year, including a 2.51 ERA in eight starts at the higher-level stop in Mobile. If he doesn't break camp with the Diamondbacks, he'll join them before the year is up.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyler Skaggs
SB 17BA SC 26BP SN ES ML 21
Originally drafted by the Indians, the latest junior ace from Ole Miss was also the latest top pitching prospect to be traded between rebuilding teams last year, something of a leitmotif for MLB in 2011. In fact, ex-Indian and current Rockie Thomas (Andrew) Pomeranz was probably the best lefty of the 2010 draft class, so his arrival in Colorado wasn't insignificant in any way.
More Scouting Book Info on Drew Pomeranz
SB 19BA SC 14BP SN ES ML 24
An undrafted free agent signing from Venezuela, teenage lefty Martin Perez was one of the Rangers' best-kept secrets until he blew away half the minor leagues in 2009. He's impressive, and slowly getting closer to MLB-ready. The skinny 20 year old turns into a wiry 21 year old this spring, and until some late-season trips in 2011, he hadn't failed to strike out a batter per inning at any point in his young career. That bounce between AA and AAA last year was part of a very aggressive promotion schedule that we have to hope at least seasoned the youngster. He should start 2012 back in AA with hopes of a midseason callup. His prime won't arrive until 2014 or so, however.
More Scouting Book Info on Martin Perez
SB 20BA SC 15BP SN ES ML 29
The number two overall pick in 2011, Seattle pitching prospect Danny Hultzen is a solid lefthander who draws more than his share of Cliff Lee comparisons. With a fastball that drops in around 94mph, the comparison isn't far off base, either. In three seasons of duty at the University of Virginia, Hultzen went 32-5 with a 2.08 ERA. The Cavs ace also struck out a nasty 148 batters in 103 innings last season. Unlike some of the sexier prospects in baseball, that majority of Hultzen's ability is probably already on display: in 19 1/3 fall league innings for Seattle he posted a tidy 1.60 ERA in six starts. In addition to the well-advertised pinpoint fastball, he showed advanced ability to find and locate a nifty cutter, a decent change, and an occasionally-wicked slider, though he may back-shelf that one for awhile. His contract guarantees him a Spring Training spot, but we should see him in Seattle by midseason. Of course, if the team somehow manages to hold him back all year, it could save some money for a competitive window a few years down the road. Tough choice, Jack.
More Scouting Book Info on Danny Hultzen
SB 25BA SC 13BP SN ES ML 16
Two years from now, the Seattle Mariners might just have one of the very best rotations in all of baseball. Yes, really. In addition to solid and near-ready Danny Hultzen and phenom Taijuan Walker, the Mariners also own James Paxton, a tall, athletic Canadian lefthander. Paxton rose to national attention at U Kentucky, and was selected in the 2009 Draft's supplemental round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not sign, however, and quickly became embroiled in a hubbub and eventual lawsuit when it was revealed that his 'family adviser' Scott Boras may have negotiated with the Blue Jays on his behalf, which is against NCAA rules. He thus became ineligible to play NCAA ball in 2010, and instead parked himself in independent ball to await the next draft, when he was selected by the Mariners much later, at #132nd overall.
More Scouting Book Info on James Paxton
SB 47BA SC 71BP SN ES ML 77
A flamethrowing lefthander, Montgomery was grabbed early by the Royals in the 2008 draft. So far, he's looking pretty legitimate, if unspectacular. He's assembled a 3.47 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and a 349/148 collection of strikeouts versus walks. He's only 22 years old, and he could probably use another year of polish after his stumbles in AAA last season, but the nothing-to-lose Royals might take a look at him sooner than that.
More Scouting Book Info on Mike Montgomery
SB 50BA SC 32BP SN ES ML 31
A devasting lefthander who has struck out more than one batter per inning throughout his college career, Texan Matt Purke signed with the Nats in late August after being drafted in 2011's third round. The man who went 16-0 as a college freshman is one of several Nats youngsters who could rise to dominate as a closer, though his lefthandedness should tempt the Nationals to at least explore using him in longer outings before committing him to a 9th inning future.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Purke
SB 71BA SC BP SN ES ML
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 until he was shut down for TJ surgery in mid-2008.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Hagadone
SB 97BA SC BP SN ES ML
A college ace at Georgia Tech, lefthander Jedidiah Custer Bradley compiled a three year record of 18-11, 4.62, though it was his 7-3, 3.49 final season that got him a ticket to the first round of the MLB draft, when he was selected 15th overall by Milwaukee. While his 94mph heater isn't anything special, his advanced command of the changeup is what moved him to the highest levels of the draft, and it's that same change that will get him to MLB sooner or later. Probably sooner.
More Scouting Book Info on Jed Bradley
SB 115BA SC 73BP SN ES ML 97
The rare kind of lefty who can hit the upper 90's, Tigers prospect Casey Crosby has been blossoming in the shadow of super-prospect Rick Porcello, who gets most of the attention. Crosby has a live curve and a developing change, but his command isn't ready for the majors just yet, as evidenced by the iffy ratios he displayed in AA ball last season: 122 hits, 77 walks and 121 strikeouts in 132 innings. If he sharpens his touch a bit, he could step in as a strong number two or three in the Tigers rotation by the end of 2013. He already has good mound presence, great baseball smarts and instincts, and the competitiveness to succeed, so it really does look like a simple accumulation' of time and experience is all that's missing.
More Scouting Book Info on Casey Crosby
SB 121BA SC BP SN ES ML
A big, strong strikeout artist with significant control issues, homegrown Phillies lefty Jesse Biddle still gets a very high nod thanks to his crazy-good stuff. He struck out a batter per inning at low-A Lakewood last year, which is enough to give him a pass (for now) on the fact that he also walked exactly one batter per odd inning. More positively, he proved durable over 24 starts, and should be ready for a high-A assignment in 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Jesse Biddle
SB 129BA SC BP SN ES ML 78
Yet another promising lefthander in the Detroit system, University of Arkansas alum Drew Smyly has been impressing coaches since he signed back in 2010. A 4-3 record in his first sample of AA ball might not look like much, but that's why we have fancy sabermetrics these days: Smyly somehow went only 4-3 while notching a tiny 1.18 ERA and an even more ridiculous 1.03 WHIP. That's some bad luck.
More Scouting Book Info on Drew Smyly
SB 136BA SC BP SN ES ML 82
A slightly built lefty from Venezuela with powerful stuff, pitcher Alexander Torres made 27 starts for AAA Durham last year, ringing up a 9-7 record with a 3.08 ERA but a scary 1.49 WHIP. Still, his crazy strikeout rate (156 in 146) were enough to get attention, and he threw eight relief innings with the big club in September, giving up three earned runs. He's obviously short on polish, but he's a hot and rising prospect who 'only' lacks enough control to dominate at the highest levels of play.
More Scouting Book Info on Alex Torres
SB 140BA SC 72BP SN ES ML
He's not overpowering and his stuff is only a bit above average, but lefty Sean Gilmartin is already exceeding expectations by pitching smarter and with more cunning than anyone in the Braves organization. A first round selection out of Florida State in 2011, his command and control looked good during his short time in Rome and even better in Fall league play, where his changeup looked more advanced than his experience would suggest. Can smarts and touch get him all the way to The Show? The organization that built an empire around Glavine and Maddux thinks so.
More Scouting Book Info on Sean Gilmartin
SB 147BA SC BP SN ES ML
A tall and lanky power pitcher in the Jon Lester mold, Chad James was a first round selection who signed with the Marlins in 2009. In addition to moving fastball that he commands well, James has a fantastic (if erratic) curve and a developing change that will dictate his future as he matures. He should be parked in the back of the Marlins rotation come 2013, or sooner if the big veterans break down.
More Scouting Book Info on Chad James
SB 161BA SC BP SN ES ML
A control artist with a devastating changeup, California native Tom Milone is also an eminently likeable player who coaches enjoy working with. In 12 games with AAA Syracruse last season, he went 12-6 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP, striking out 155 in 148 innings, some of them on his high-80's fastball that looks a lot nastier when it follows his terrific change. He made five fill-in starts for the Nats when their rotation suffered injury in 2011 (1-0, 3.81, 1.23) and looked like a contender for a fifth starter spot in 2012 until he was summarily bundled up as a forgotten (especially by us) part of the Gio Gonzalez trade.
More Scouting Book Info on Tom Milone
SB 162BA SC BP SN ES ML
With 41 MLB innings under his belt entering 2012, southpaw strikeout machine Rex Brothers gets scant attention in a system with so many live lefty arms, but he should be a mainstay in the Rockies bullpen this season. 59 strikeouts in 41 major league innings is really the only number you need to know, here.
More Scouting Book Info on Rex Brothers
SB 167BA SC BP SN ES ML
If the Pirates have collected one thing in the last few years, it's pitchers with high ceilings. The latest from a long line of lefthanders grown on the Atlanta farm, willowy Jeff Locke's 94mph fastball is a definite plus pitch, with late movement that he can command at will. His curve ball is also well under control and projects as a second plus pitch. Acquired by the pitching-poor Pirates in June 2009, 'The Redstone Rocket' has a terrific opportunity to step up as a rotation candidate in the very near future.
More Scouting Book Info on Jeff Locke
SB 187BA SC BP SN ES ML
A smallish lefty drafted in 2009's third round and traded to San Diego in mid-2011, Erlin has risen very quickly through the farm system and could even get to the majors as early as 2012. Working through three levels of play in 2011, Erlin did the bulk of his work at AA Frisco after outclassing A hitters in the Carolina League. His AA numbers (5-2, 4.32, 1.20 and 61K in 67 innings) are nice but not great, but it was the 20 year old's first trip to AA, so give him some slack here.
More Scouting Book Info on Robbie Erlin
SB 188BA SC 83BP SN ES ML
A lefty who can touch 96mph with a sizzling fastball, Toronto's Daniel Norris is a bit of a sleeper who should be gaining a lot more attention in the months and years to come. Norris already complements his heat with a hammer curve that can be devastating, and if he manages to get a third pitch up to even major-league average, he'll be an ace on a team known for discovering gems.
More Scouting Book Info on Dan Norris
SB 190BA SC 90BP SN ES ML
The Dodgers first-round pick (16th overall) in 2011, Chris Reed is a big, strong lefty with a solid 94mph fastball and a polished breaking ball. His stuff is electric, especially his strikeout slider: he could be a powerful piece of an MLB bullpen at any time. The Dodgers are thus-far more inclined to let him develop as a starter, though, and given the dodgy state of their rotation, they're probably wise to do so. Reed's physique and mentality do look ideal for a rotation-anchor. Give him a year or two.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Reed
SB 194BA SC BP SN ES ML
Cuban lefthander Gerardo Concepcion is a young phenom who's been quiet all winter, while arranging his citizenship in Mexico, working out in the Dominican Republic and generally getting ready for his new life in America. That life will have a North Side address, now, as the new Cubs brain trust scooped him up when nobody else was looking. almost fair. Concepcion can't come close to Chapman's heat, and he's even less polished, but he does bring similarly wicked stuff from a similarly tall, wiry frame. Using a deceptive sweeping delivery that makes him look a little like a slinger, Concepcion's arm action restricts his fastball to a maximum of about 92-94mph right now and probably impairs his command somewhat, but he's still got room to grow, and it's quite possible the Cubs will break his mechanics down and rebuild them in a different way, too.
More Scouting Book Info on Gerardo Concepcion
SB 195BA SC BP SN ES ML
A stocky lefthander, ex-Brave prospect Brett Oberholtzer is a raw, high-ceiling arm in a system known for maximizing pitching talent. A smart pitcher who lacks great stuff but makes up for it with significant pitchability, his developing curve has the potential to be a devastating pitch. If he masters it, he should be ready for some AL-style ball in the reinvented Astros organization come 2013 or 2014.
More Scouting Book Info on Brett Oberholtzer
SB 197BA SC BP SN ES ML
A Kentucky-grown pitcher stolen in round two of the 2008 amateur draft, Texas lefty Robbie Ross is one of the lesser-known prospects on a pitching-rich Texas farm. Ross works both sides of the plate with a 92mph that can sniff 95mph from time to time, and his complementary pitches (a hard slider and a mature change) come to him with near-effortless command. He can work the entire strike zone, and his five-to-one ratio of strikeouts to walks is one of the best in the Texas system, or anywhere in the minors.
More Scouting Book Info on Robbie Ross
SB 202BA SC BP SN ES ML
A huge Venezuelan lefthander now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, the Indians' Elvis Araujo works with a fastball in the low 90's that can reach 96 on occasion. His secondary pitches aren't there yet, but he hasn't exactly been able to sharpen his twists and torques while nursing his tendons, so give the kid some time to get back on track. We'll know a lot more about his future by 2012's winter.
More Scouting Book Info on Elvis Araujo
SB 207BA SC BP SN ES ML
The proud owner of the best slider in the Miami system, smallish lefty Rob Rasmussen was selected by Florida in the second round of the 2010 First Year player draft. As a four-year starter at Pasadena Polytechnic before his UCLA days, Rasmussen struck out two batters per inning (seriously).
More Scouting Book Info on Rob Rasmussen
SB 215BA SC BP SN ES ML
A finessey lefty in the Tom Glavine fashion, Toronto prospect Justin Nicolino can dial his fastball up to 92 or 93, but not much more than that. It's more than enough, though. Nicolino had what might be the best debut by a Jays prospect ever, as he went 61 innings of low-A and A ball, striking out 73 hitters in only 61 innings while posting an ERA of 1.33 and a tiny little WHIP of 0.83. He'll move up to high-A in 2012 for certain, and he'll do it on the strength of an easy, repeatable throwing motion (balls will come down, down, down on hitters from his tall frame and overhand motion) and a propensity to throw strikes, strikes and more strikes.
More Scouting Book Info on Justin Nicolino
SB 237BA SC BP SN ES ML
A big, strong lefthander who has already mastered the don't-mess-with-me look so important to mound presence, the Angels' own Nick Maronde found college success after transforming into a closer at the University of Florida. After being drafted by the Angels, he flew across the country in time to go 5-0, 2.14 with a 1.10 WHIP in the (usually) hitter-friendly Pioneer League, proving that he hadn't forgotten how to pitch six innings at a time. He's already the best lefty prospect in the Angels system, and if he can stick as a starter, his fastball-change-slider mix will be a good one.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Maronde
SB 241BA SC BP SN ES ML
A fifth-round pick by the Royals back in 2008, lefty John Lamb scrambled up the ladder quickly before plateauing at AA last season. He no longer ranks among the minor league leaders in ERA and strikeouts, but he remains a cool-headed professional on the mound and seems able to succeed even when balls aren't falling his way.
More Scouting Book Info on John Lamb
SB 245BA SC BP SN ES ML
The Nats' second round pick in 2010, lefthander Sammy Solis brings a competent fastball and reasonable curve from a delivery that's almost sidearm, but it's his straight change that is his best, and that's the plus offering that should be his ticket to MLB success. He took a solid step toward that future in 2011, when he worked his way up from A-ball into high-A Potomac, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.72 ERA and a nice 1.28 WHIP at the higher level.
More Scouting Book Info on Sammy Solis
SB 246BA SC BP SN ES ML 86
One of the best available veteran pitcher available from Japan this year, Softbank Hawks lefthander Wada is the all-time record holder for college strikeouts in Japan, ringing up 476 younsters in three years. More recently, he Wada registered a 1.51 ERA in 184 2/3 innings for Fukuoka last season, with a nice with 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. As is typical of Japanese pitchers, his fastball only brushes 90mph on occasion, but he also brings good control of a confusing array of other pitches, including a plus change and a good slider. Now in Baltimore, won't be an ace, but he could be a solid contributor.
More Scouting Book Info on Tsuyoshi Wada
SB 253BA SC BP SN ES ML
Playing for a less-known school caused Miley to slide to the 2008 draft's second round, but the lefthander was one of college ball's leading strikeout artists in his time. He looked like one heck of a steal for the Diamondbacks last year, as his 2010 line at AA Mobile was 5-2 in 13 starts with a 1.98 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 72 innings. He's still underrated by many, but he should work his way into the Arizona rotation, or at least the bullpen, before 2012 is through.
More Scouting Book Info on Wade Miley
SB 255BA SC BP SN ES ML
The Tigers second round pick in 2009, lefty Andy Oliver fits the pattern of big, intimidating power pitchers so loved by the Detroit brass. In his three years at OSU, he went 18-9 with a 4.02 ERA, and he's been a strong if unspectacular workhorse as a pro ever since, racking up a 17-20, 4.12, 1.43 line in two full seasons that even included seven so-so starts in Detroit.
More Scouting Book Info on Andy Oliver
SB 257BA SC BP SN ES ML
With all the focus on Aroldis Chapman, will anyone remember Noel Arguelles? Like Chapman, Arguelles is a young Cuban lefthander who signed a surprise contract with a smaller market club. In Noel's case, the deal was a five-year, $7 million contract with the KC Royals. A 6-foot-4 athlete from head to toe, Arguelles came to international attention pitching the gold medal game for Cuba in the Pan American Junior Championships in 2007.
More Scouting Book Info on Noel Arguelles
SB 273BA SC BP SN ES ML
The lesser of the spare parts returned for the Dan Haren trade, lefty Pat Corbin is no throw-in. A textbook lefty, Corbin is a smary and wiry craftsman with three solid pitches and good command, he won't break radar guns but should frustrate more than his fair share of MLB hitters very soon. The 4.21 ERA and 4:1 strikeout to walk rate notched in a full season of AA ball last year means he's knocking on the door in Phoenix. We should see him in 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Patrick Corbin
SB 278BA SC BP SN ES ML
A lefty reliever with a knee-buckling change, Dominican pitcher Edwar Cabrera has already racked up 149 strikeouts in 118 minor league innings. He'll start 2012 in AA, but could get work in the Rockies bullpen as early as this season.
More Scouting Book Info on Edwar Cabrera
SB 289BA SC BP SN ES ML
Lefthander Hector Santiago started 2011 in high-A Winston Salem, but finished it with the major league White Sox. A polished and well-rounded player, Santiago has struggled with his control from time to time, but has usually managed to strike out 9+ batters per game, and that's the usual measure of a top pitcher. His few innings with the White Sox were uninspiring, but they won't be his last. Look for him sometime during 2012's midseason.
More Scouting Book Info on Hector Santiago
SB 291BA SC BP SN ES ML
A lefty with a classic fastball-change combination, Red Sox prospect Felix Doubront has worked his way up the prospect ladder with slow, steady development. He's been slowed by a few non-arm injuries, and his third pitch (a curve) isn't yet reliable, but he's still looking like a poised and polished prospect. His best function is in the rotation, but the way Boston is stacked, he may be relegated to another year in the bullpen, or idling in the Pawtucket rotation while waiting for injury or opportunity to strike.
More Scouting Book Info on Felix Doubront
SB 304BA SC BP SN ES ML
A big lefty from Boston College, Arizona's Mike Belfiore was selected 45th overall by the Diamondbacks in 2009. A closer and first baseman in college, he combines easy heat with a plus slider: the perfect combination for a relief pitcher. While his big body and strong bat could play in the field, the Diamondbacks looked at Belfiore as a starting pitcher first, and so far they're sticking to that. Belfiore posted a 3.99 ERA in 25 starts for A-level South Bend in 2010, but slid to earth in 2011, with an ERA of 5.92 in 79 innings, most of them from the bullpen. This might be seen as a step back, but as long as he keeps up his strikeout rate (an even one per inning), he's got a bright future somewhere on a major league roster.
More Scouting Book Info on Mike Belfiore
SB 319BA SC BP SN ES ML
A ground ball pitcher who seems to handle lefties just as well as right-handed batters, Robertson is just one of another out-machine to come from the Twins pitching factory. The combination of his strong K-BB ratio, nasty repertoire and odd delivery have gained him a few 'left-handed Lincecum' comparisons, but nobody will mistake his 6-6 frame for the diminutive Giant. After dominating the lower levels, he stumbled a bit in AA two years ago, but seems to have found his feet now, as his 88 strikeouts in 89 AA innings last season was right in line with his excellent career pattern. He's probably not a legit starting candidate anymore, but he sure looks like a strong bullpen option for the Twins in 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Tyler Robertson
SB 327BA SC BP SN ES ML
One of the top high-school pitchers available in 2007, Smoker unexpectedly slipped to the supplemental round, where he was gobbled up by the Nationals. His long arm and easy, slinging action let him throw a low to mid-90's fastball with the same apparent motion as his slider, splitter and change. The net result of all that? Filthy.
More Scouting Book Info on Josh Smoker
SB 342BA SC BP SN ES ML
With three plus-pitches, one of them a plus-plus curve, Jack McGee should have a very bright future. There is some concern over his stamina, however, so he's probably looking at a career in the bullpen. Still, a left-handed strikeout artist is a nice pickup, no matter which inning it is when he takes the mound. He scuffled a bit in 2011, but Tampa should stick with him, at least until he shows that he can handle a little failure mixed in with all that success.
More Scouting Book Info on Jake McGee
SB 347BA SC BP SN ES ML
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 did 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, and his return to AA Tulsa in 2011 did little to alleviate this, as he turned in a near carbon-copy of his 2010 performance: lots of strikeouts but too many hits and runs on the board. If he can stay healthy and develop his change a little further, his main pitches will be a whole lot more effective at fooling hitters, though, and he could still blossom into a front-of-rotation starter.
More Scouting Book Info on Christian Friedrich
SB 367BA SC BP SN ES ML
A so-so season in NW Arkansas (AA) didn't do much to increase Dwyer's stock, but he's still young enough that his undeniable strikeout stuff could play out to KC's benefit. Like so many young flamethrowers, he just needs to harness it. As a lefty, he'll be given extra patience.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Dwyer
SB 380BA SC BP SN ES ML
Drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2007 Draft and signed with a $1.4M gift basket, Joe Savery finally started to show the talent that merited that bonus in 2011. He didn't play all that much, so the sample size is small, but he did take the mound for four different organization teams, including the major league club (three innings, one hit). A starter who many scouts prefer as a late-inning specialist, his 2012 role is still uncertain, and the Phils might very well want to see if he can nail his progress down over a longer period of time before committing too much more to his short-term future. That said, the team doesn't have a plethora of LOOGY options, especially if the flier the team took on Dontrelle Willis doesn't pan out.
More Scouting Book Info on Joe Savery
SB 382BA SC BP SN ES ML
Kelvin de la Cruz is a skeletal left-handed strike machine buried in the Indians' farm system. A fastball specialist who rose through three levels of minor league play iback in 2008, he found some floor since, most recently posting a pedestrian 5-6, 4.19, 1.48 line in 86 AA innings (16 starts and 7 bullpen gigs) for Akron. He's still got crazy-good stuff, but he's running out of time to show that he can harness it and make it do what he needs it to do: hit the strike zone. 95 strikeouts in those 86 innings last year sounds great, until you factor in the 57 walks.
More Scouting Book Info on Kelvin de la Cruz
SB 389BA SC BP SN ES ML
A very big, sturdy lefthander from California, Hobgood is a fastball-curve pitching machine who projects as an innings-eating workhorse someday. He's a few years away, though, and he'll definitely need to develop a changeup before he can be set loose on advanced hitters. His velocity, a concern in 2010, improved in 2011, though he's still struggling with command issues. Since he's still got all the stuff he ever showed before, a new coach or a random light bulb could turn him into a top prospect overnight.
More Scouting Book Info on Matt Hobgood
SB 390BA SC BP SN ES ML
A power pitcher with a three-quarter delivery and a wicked 96mph fastball who's zoomed up the charts in the last year, lefthander Drake Britton was once one of the Red Sox's top pitching prospects before being dreailed by injury. Working his way back in 2011, he had a troubled year in high-A Salem, posting a nasty 6.91 ERA and hard to look at 1.70 WHIP, all of which resulted in a glaring 1-13 record. He works a plus curve from that fastball, but he seems to have lost the ability to throw his once devastating 80mph change reliably, which will keep him from advancing in the system.
More Scouting Book Info on Drake Britton
SB 398BA SC BP SN ES ML
Top Prospects 2012
Combined Ranking
