Scouting Book: The Best Baseball Prospects for 2008 (Sleepers Too!)

MLB Baseball Prospect Rankings for 2008

As always, our Prospect Rankings change very often, to reflect the latest and most promising prospects for the new season.

The Best 154 P Prospects for 2008

Showing 1 to 154 of 154. Overall SB ranking for 2008 shown in parentheses.

1. Joba Chamberlain

RHP, NYY (#2 overall)

Joba, Joba, Joba. Nothing can stop Joba (okay, except maybe a few bugs.)

A late-round, high-risk draft pick that some scouts called 'insightful' and others labeled 'insane', Joba turned out to be all that the Yankees imagined in 2007. In 2008, he'll be rushed into the rotation. While we'd like to see how he'd react to a full-season of regular use, it's unlikely the Yankees will indulge us: the early rumblings from Florida suggest that he may be used in the bullpen to start the year, or 'rested' there during the heat of summer, in an attempt to keep his innings down. While we love Joba as a reliever, we don't like the idea of shuffling him back and forth. Joba as a starter would be a different kind of pitcher (for one thing, we might see some more offspeed pitches), and until we see that pitcher for awhile, it'll be hard to evaluate. For now, we're a bit bearish on Joba's 2008, because of the risk of Yankee mishandling, multiple adjustment periods for his evolving role, and the near-guarantee that he won't be used enough to rank among the league's best pitchers.

Of course, should the Yankees reverse field again and give Joba one role to stick to all season, and then actually stick to that plan, we'll be higher on the boy.

More Scouting Book Info on Joba Chamberlain >

SB #2 | BA #3 | BP #4 | ML #5 | SN #4 | ES #3

2. Clay Buchholz

RHP, BOS (#3 overall)

Boston, seeing stars in the future, modeled their development of Buchholz after their previous success with the similar Jon Papelbon. While Dice-K got all the early press last year, it was Buchholz who turned heads with his late-season no-hitter. While talk of a possible six-man Boston rotation for 2008 has fantasy players worried, even a small number of starts from Buchholz will be a good thing to have in 2008. A wider rotation may help keep Buchholz's innings down, of course, which may be a good thing: he's still a couple of good years away from real workhorse status.

More Scouting Book Info on Clay Buchholz >

SB #3 | BA #4 | BP #2 | ML #6 | SN #2 | ES #4

3. Johnny Cueto

RHP, CIN (#8 overall)

A stunning ERA and WHIP in the minors booked Johnny on his way to the Show in Cincy. With a solid four-pitch selection (fastball, slider, sinker and change) he's got some of the best young stuff in baseball, but if his offspeed stuff develops just a bit more, that 97mph fastball should be all he needs to rack up the K's.

More Scouting Book Info on Johnny Cueto >

SB #8 | BA #34 | BP #41 | ML #47 | SN #25 | ES #30

4. Hiroki Kuroda

RHP, LAD (#12 overall)

One of the premium starting pitchers available to MLB teams in 2008, Kuroda is a workhorse starter: he's thrown 74 (!) complete games in his 12 year Central League career. At age 32, he's also in his prime. He won the League's ERA title with a 1.85, despite playing in a park that strongly favors hitters.

He may lack the sex appeal and mystery Matsuzaka brought to Boston, but he's a comparable talent, and he should be a reliable and solid pitcher in Los Angeles.

More Scouting Book Info on Hiroki Kuroda >

5. Clayton Kershaw

LHP, LAD (#17 overall)

He spent most of his young career being compared to his neighbor Kyle Drabek, but Kershaw is respectable in his own right. A tall southpaw with a long, smooth delivery, Kersh impresses scouts with his work ethic, and he projects as a good middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater in the near future. He's probably behind Scott Elbert, but not by much once you factor in Elbert's detour through rehab.

A power curve is his out pitch, and while Dodger coaches would dearly love to see a third pitch, he may not need one, especially if his future is in medium relief, which is where he's now penciled in for the short term. While expecting Kershaw to arrive in 2008 is a little optimistic, LA is known to bring up a lot of pitchers during the year, if only for a look.

More Scouting Book Info on Clayton Kershaw >

SB #17 | BA #7 | BP #5 | ML #4 | SN #23 | ES #6

6. Jarrod Parker

RHP, ARZ (#19 overall)

Jarrod Parker, one of the most highly-touted prospects in the 2007 draft, fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 9th overall pick, and they did not hesitate. While he's still young, he shows exceptional character and makeup, which means he may be destined for the big leagues sooner than most.

He draws comparisons to last year's super-phenom Tim Lincecum, since he produces tremendous power from a smaller-than-average build. He'll likely follow a similar path, as Arizona's farm managers decide quickly whether they're dealing with a future ace or future closer, and move him along accordingly.

More Scouting Book Info on Jarrod Parker >

SB #19 | BA #46 | BP #20 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #36

7. Nick Adenhart

RHP, LAA (#21 overall)

The most successful of many Anaheim rebuilding projects, Adenhart now shows great control of his mid-90s two-seamer and has mixed in two new offspeed pitches. The Angels projected him to blossom into an ace last year, and this year he may get his chance. If you can only have one prospect in your draft this year, consider Adenhart. No right-hander (other than the Twins' Garza) has shown the makeup to survive being tossed into the fire at a young age. He may go down as one of the all-time draft steals.

More Scouting Book Info on Nick Adenhart >

SB #21 | BA #24 | BP #27 | ML #18 | SN #38 | ES #23

8. Ian Kennedy

RHP, NYY (#25 overall)

A late first round pick from the 2006 amateur draft, Kennedy is not an overpowering strikeout artist, but a polished, intelligent player who excels with his guile and determination. In his first full season in professional ball, Kennedy went 12-3 with a 1.91 ERA with stops in Tampa, Trenton, and Scranton.

Kennedy has a full selection of pitches, with a capable fastball, deceptive curve, developing changeup and functional slider. While his arm tops out at about 92mph, power is not his strength. Instead, he uses pinpoint control to infuriate batters, falling back on his changeup to put away batters who finally see what appears to be a hittable ball.

He's not Hughes, and he's not Joba, but that just means he doesn't get as much attention. As long as he keeps nibbling at the corners the way he's done in the minors, he's got a solid career ahead of him. That said, he's the most likely of the three youngsters to spend time in the minors in 2008, since it's unlikely the Yankees will enter the season as desperate for starters as they were in 2007. But don't let this scare you: because of the all the young pitching New York has to juggle, it's quite likely that each of their three youngsters will be handled with kid gloves. Starting one or two in the minors, or in the bullpen, might just be an inning-saving tactic. Long-term, Kennedy's combination of skills and smarts is viable and attractive. Don't be shy.

More Scouting Book Info on Ian Kennedy >

SB #25 | BA #45 | BP #34 | ML #26 | SN #13 | ES #45

9. Carlos Carrasco

RHP, PHI (#26 overall)

An under-the-radar phenom, Carrasco is a good long bet this season.

With a 1.38 ERA (not to mention only allowing a single home run) at home last year, Carrasco did everything he could get the big club's attention, but to no avail. There's not much more he can do other than wait: 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. If Philly gives the kid a shot, expect some highlight-reel performances. He was a real sleeper-pick special for 2007; in 2008, he'll be a much more visible and safe selection.

More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Carrasco >

SB #26 | BA #54 | BP #68 | ML #28 | SN unranked | ES #53

10. David Price

LHP, TB (#27 overall)

Before the Rays made him the first pick of the 2007 Amateur Draft, David Price had already run up a polished resume, beginning with the 0.43 ERA he posted as a high school senior. The Dodgers drafted him in the 19th round in 2004, but Price chose to attend Vanderbilt on scholarship instead, where he became the immediate anchor to a strong rotation.

While his fastball has been clocked at 94mph a few times, he works more in the 90-91 range, relying on a high quality and high-80's slider with a very sharp bite. He has a good changeup, and rather than relying on power, he adds and subtracts with consistent, solid arm action. While he has always been able to throw strikes, Price has always had some command problems within the strike zone, and has been known to tip his changeup by dropping his arm angle. If this flaw sticks while he faces major leaguers -- or even high minor leaguers -- look for some very very long moonshots in Price's future.

In the short term, look for Price to be an early darling for a rotation spot in Tampa, though it seems more likely he'll spend the entire year in the minors, as the Rays work to develop his gamesmanship and stamina. If they bring him to the majors early, he's likely to end up as a closer or setup man, rather than the starter he could be with another year or two of development.

More Scouting Book Info on David Price >

SB #27 | BA #10 | BP #6 | ML #11 | SN #24 | ES #16

11. Chuck Lofgren

LHP, CLE (#30 overall)

Lofgren is an increasing-polished lefthander who could bring some solid innings-eating ability to the Indians rotation as early as 2008. He led the minor leagues in wins in 2006, then continued to develop in 2007 while bouncing between levels.

Of course, Cleveland is a club already jammed with left-handers, which means if he has a place on the club in the short term, it's probably going to be in the bullpen. Still, if you're looking for Tribe weapons, Lofgren (along with mate Scott Lewis) are fine picks that won't let you down in time.

More Scouting Book Info on Chuck Lofgren >

12. Wade Davis

RHP, TB (#31 overall)

Jacob McGee's old rotation partner in the Midwest League, he's the proud owner of a 3:1 K:BB ration and a 1.30 WHIP. And since Tampa runs its team on young pitchers, good luck and gasoline fumes, he's bound to get a shot sometime this year. We like him as a starter, but some may prefer the fastball in the pen.

More Scouting Book Info on Wade Davis >

SB #31 | BA #17 | BP #15 | ML #12 | SN #29 | ES #15

13. Max Scherzer

RHP, ARZ (#32 overall)

A first round pick by KC in 2006, Scherzer ended up going to Arizona due to signability problems, where he promptly struck out 30 batters in his first three starts. He's a phenom with a plus fastball (some say plus-plus) and a slider so nasty that he rode it all the way to Double-A in his first season after cutting through single-A hitters as though they were little-leaguers.

Scherzer's ERA in single-A ball? An impossible 0.53, with a 15:1 (sic) strikeout to ball ratio. He had a bit of a more human time in double-A, but he outclassed those hitters as well, racking up 76 strikeouts in only 73 innings.

While he has the durability to start and go deep, and he's still working on a changeup and curve to complement his nasty pitches, he may not need them: the combination of his already-effective power stuff and max-effort approach could probably make him an effective MLB closer tomorrow.

More Scouting Book Info on Max Scherzer >

SB #32 | BA #66 | BP #90 | ML #35 | SN #40 | ES #81

14. Gio Gonzalez

LHP, OAK (#33 overall)

The White Sox thought so little of him that they practically gave him away in the Jim Thome trade. On the other hand, they liked him enough to bring him back a year later... and then they thought so little a second time that they packed him off in a deal for Nick Swisher. So what gives?

Well, he's got a 3:1 K to BB ratio and has maintained a WHIP under 1.4 for the last two years, which is quite impressive considering the ramped up batting he faced. Oh, and he's left-handed. This should make him a solid guy for the A's (?) in the near future, probably a solid number three or four starter... with an outside shot at being a viable number one or two guy.

Unless, of course, Chicago knows something the rest of us don't.

More Scouting Book Info on Gio Gonzalez >

SB #33 | BA #26 | BP #56 | ML #24 | SN #27 | ES unranked

15. Scott Elbert

LHP, LAD (#36 overall)

The Dodgers passed up Phil Hughes for Elbert -- maybe foolishly -- but there's nothing foolish about Elbert. One of the minors' best left-handed pitchers, the first round pick Elbert has power stuff with an exploding 93-95 mph fastball and a sinker/slider that's best in class.

However, Elbert's delivery is unconventional, often leading to some disastrous walk numbers in 2006 and a few fingers pointing him to the Instructional League. His control looked more in hand before his 2007 season was shut down for some (minor) cleanup surgery, which makes him an intriguing prospect for 2008. He may be ranked much too low on many lists because of his lost season.

Elbert's arm quality is very very high, and he seems to have the mental makeup to survive some bumps along his path to the majors. Since the combination of the surgery flag and his odd delivery may scare too many people into ranking him quite low, he's an excellent sleeper candidate for 2009. Chad Billingsley and Clay Kershaw might get a lot of the attention in LA, but Elbert just might be the real future ace of the Dodgers.

More Scouting Book Info on Scott Elbert >

SB #36 | BA #88 | BP #66 | ML #36 | SN unranked | ES unranked

16. Homer Bailey

RHP, CIN (#40 overall)

The next Nolan Ryan? The next Roger Clemens? Or the next Kerry Wood? No matter what the comparisons, the young pitcher with the unfortunate name is definitely under pressure to perform, and soon, for his ballclub. After going 7-1 with a 1.59 ERA at AA in 2006, and suffering some nasty growing pains during his brief time in the majors last year, he doesn't have much room to move.

Still, he will likely get a good look in Spring Training as a presumed starter before being sent down to AAA once again to begin the year. The Reds would like to keep him on a regular schedule there, but given the topsy-turvy situation in Cincinnati, whose rotation goes from 'Arroyo-and-Harang' to 'Other', a midseason or earlier callup is likely.

When this happens, expect him to get hammered hard in the bandbox ballpark again, just like in 2007, before figuring out how to win there. While the pressure and obstacles will make for a rough ride, as long as he shows the mental character to match his physical makeup, he could be a name to be mentioned among the greats. Just not... quite... yet.

More Scouting Book Info on Homer Bailey >

SB #40 | BA #9 | BP #9 | ML #9 | SN #7 | ES #9

17. Justin Masterson

RHP, BOS (#41 overall)

With Buchholz likely in the majors to stay, the title of top Red Sox pitching prospect falls to Justin Masterson, a hard-throwing right-hander.

While the Sox began testing him as a starter in 2007, his combination of a three-quarters arm motion and nasty sinker-slider stuff still makes him look a lot more like a relief pitcher. But if he's destined to be a reliever, he could be an exceptional one. His sinker is plus-plus, with the potential to match those of Webb and Carmona, and he can throw it at any speed from 84-94 mph. It's that sinker that has teams asking for him, and he's the frequent subject of trade rumors.

If he remains with the Sox, Masterson might get a look in September, or be used to bolster the bullpen if it's dragged down by a few injuries. If he gets a chance in the bullpen late in the year, he could bring the same benefits and boost that Joba Chamberlain did to the Yankees in 2007. He's definitely something special.

More Scouting Book Info on Justin Masterson >

SB #41 | BA #64 | BP #53 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #58

18. Ross Detwiler

LHP, WAS (#48 overall)

A powerful left-handed fireballer who can also control multiple offspeed pitches, Detwiler is one of the best lefthanded pitching prospects in baseball. His mid-nineties fastball is electric, and he's shown a superior ability to work both sides of the plate with it. He's added more than four inches to his height since his days dominating college ball, which means we've officially decided it's time to stop calling him 'smallish.'

The Nationals, who took Detwiler in the first round, sixth overall in 2006, seem very serious about moving the developing ace forward on an accelerated schedule. After only 33 1/3 innings in the minors, Detwiler was granted a callup to injury-riddled Washington in late 2008, giving the major league staff a look at their developing young ace. He threw just one MLB inning in a live game, but the fact the Nationals were interested so soon shows that they're dying to get him onto their staff. There's no word what they think of his right-handed hitting, however.

More Scouting Book Info on Ross Detwiler >

SB #48 | BA #51 | BP #35 | ML #37 | SN #41 | ES #51

19. Jair Jurrjens

RHP, ATL (#50 overall)

One of two intriguing prospects moved from Detroit to Atlanta in exchange for Edgar Renteria, Jurrjens is a power pitcher, a strikeout machine who has not yet quite put it together in terms of control and gamesmanship. He has stuff, but no coach has yet harnessed it effectively.

Jurrjens had a 3.20 ERA in 19 starts in Double-A and a 4.70 ERA in seven starts for the MLB Tigers in 2007. He projects as a number two or number three starter. He may also be effective as a reliever, once the Braves spend some time figuring out his mechanics.

More Scouting Book Info on Jair Jurrjens >

SB #50 | BA #49 | BP #86 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

20. Rick Porcello

RHP, DET (#53 overall)

The 27th pick of the 2007 Amateur Draft, Porcello fell to the Tigers due to signability issues. Most believe he has the talent to succeed. He is only nineteen, of course, and young pitchers are the riskiest of all prospects, but his combination of size and strength, coming from the south side of the mound, makes him a worthy gamble.

Though he's always been a starter, his fantasy skill comparisons line up closest with JJ Putz and Jose Valverde. If you combine that with Detroit's decimated relief corps and conclude that Porcello's future might be in the Tiger bullpen... you might be right. We'd still rather see him starting, of course, but it's worth hedging your bets if you're banking on him for the near future.

More Scouting Book Info on Rick Porcello >

SB #53 | BA #21 | BP #11 | ML #14 | SN unranked | ES #22

21. Masahide Kobayashi

RHP, CLE (#54 overall)

A prospect only in the sense he's a gamble with no MLB experience, Masahide Kobayashi joins the majors this year as a 34 year old rookie. Kobayashi is one of just three pitchers in the history of Japanese baseball to record over 200 saves, which includes a record 20 or more saves seven straight years. In 2007, he maintained a 3.61 ERA with 27 saves in 49 relief appearances. He also spent time on the DL in September with a neck injury.

Kobayashi's a gamble in the style of the Red Sox Okajima: he may confound MLB hitters for a time, and he may have backup-closer potential that blossoms if he gains the opportunity.

More Scouting Book Info on Masahide Kobayashi >

22. Will Inman

RHP, SD (#55 overall)

Everyone who sees the kid loves his makeup, and while the pitching staff in Milwaukee could have used the boost, they were so confident in their other options that they sent him to the Padres without hesitation. While this pushes him down on the depth chart a bit, it also brings him into the realm of an organization known for pitching development, and a better pitcher's park, should he make the majors soon.

Look for this quirky right handed in the Padre bullpen mix soon. As the older Padre starters move on in the next couple of years, he could move right in and be a happy cog for years to come.

More Scouting Book Info on Will Inman >

23. Luke Hochevar

RHP, KC (#56 overall)

The 2006 1st overall pick is probably a year or three away from any possible ace-hood, but he's worth a look this year anyway. While they've parked him in the minors for now, the Royals have a deep belief in the raw quality of Hochevar's right arm, his live mid-90s fastball and quality curve make him better than most pitchers his age. His big problem seems to be the lack of a quality off-speed pitch. If the Royals can teach him one, he looks to be a factor in 2009 or even 2008.

More Scouting Book Info on Luke Hochevar >

SB #56 | BA #63 | BP #72 | ML #40 | SN #19 | ES unranked

24. Michael Bowden

RHP, BOS (#58 overall)

Bowden's statistics, impressive as they are for a teen-ager in A-ball, fall short of reflecting how dominant the right-hander was last season. Expecting endurance for players of Bowden's maturity is asking a lot, so it's hard to blame Bowden for three bad starts that dilute his overall statistics. If not for poor starts on April 15, July 9 and Aug. 26, Bowden's season ERA drops to 2.71. Bowden also allowed 22 hits, five walks and three home runs in these starts, so you can imagine his dominance during the other 88 percent of his season.

More Scouting Book Info on Michael Bowden >

SB #58 | BA #94 | BP #95 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

25. Franklin Morales

LHP, COL (#61 overall)

One of several live arms currently making their way through the Colorado system, left-hander Franklin Morales might someday be the best of the bunch... one thing is for sure, he's the most exciting. Able to dial his fastball up to 98 mph while pitching mostly at 94-95, Morales also features a well above average curveball and a much improved changeup over a year ago. Of course, he also has the kind of control that makes it easy to imagine him leading the league in walks, and working with runners on base is not the easiest thing for a young pitcher to deal with. Keep an eye on him, but be thinking about 2009 while doing so.

More Scouting Book Info on Franklin Morales >

SB #61 | BA #8 | BP #13 | ML #16 | SN #15 | ES #8

26. Chris Volstad

RHP, FLA (#62 overall)

One of five (five!) pitchers the Marlins took in the first two rounds of 2005, Volstad is overshadowed by Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez, who also act as cast-iron doors blocking his future in Floriday.

Volstad's just as good a prospect, though. A 1.29 WHIP at Greensboro held up over 152 innings, showing he has the stamina to start, and an ERA right around 3 has been on his sheet throughout his young career.

Volstad works with a heavy, low 90's fastball and good control. As a lanky, knees-and-elbows type of pitcher, he's had some hiccups with his delivery, but Florida's instructional system is the right place to work on that. He remains a solid prospect.

More Scouting Book Info on Chris Volstad >

SB #62 | BA n/a | BP #88 | ML #39 | SN #42 | ES #88

27. Brett Anderson

LHP, OAK (#65 overall)

Anderson, who went 8-4 with a 2.21ERA in 81 double-A innings last year, was projected to be a part of the Diamondback rotation in 2008. His trade the much deeper Oakland system, however, makes a rotation spot less likely in the spring.

A lefty with a hammer curve to complement his low-90s fastball, Anderson uses the deuce to frightening effect: his K-BB ratio in AA ball was over eight.

While he's still very very young, Anderson really has nothing much left to prove in AA, which means that while he'll start in the minors, it's possible he will see action in Oakland sometime before 2008 is over, even though he'll be only 20 years old. A permanent roster spot is unlikely until 2009 or 2010, though.

More Scouting Book Info on Brett Anderson >

SB #65 | BA #36 | BP #50 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

28. Madison Bumgarner

LHP, SF (#67 overall)

A tall, strong lefthander, Bumgarner is one of two pitchers most likely to follow Cain and Lincecum to the Bay.

A fireballer with decent control, Bumgarner's been clocked as high as 96mph, and since he's still growing, triple digits seem within reach. His breaking pitches are not as well-developed, but they're coming, and he'll be given plenty of time and assistance with them down on the farm. A flame-throwing lefty like this is worth the time and investment.

The name is hard to forget. He's worth keeping an eye on.

More Scouting Book Info on Madison Bumgarner >

29. Edinson Volquez

RHP, CIN (#71 overall)

Fighting for a rotation spot, Volquez showed flashes of brilliance last year. We're not sure how he'll react to working in the cozy confines of his new home in Cincinnati, but he's still one to keep an eye on. His raw stuff can be incredible, and his long-term success will only come down to his durability and maturity.

More Scouting Book Info on Edinson Volquez >

30. Jeff Niemann

RHP, TB (#73 overall)

Along with David Price, Niemann is the best college pitcher with a shot at the bigs this year. Sadly, it's also with Tampa Bay, which means a season of frustration and false hope for Niemann and his owners.

Niemann's star rose during his sophomore year at Rice, when he delivered what will always be remembered as a legendary college season: 17-0, 1.70 ERA, 156 strikeouts while carrying a workload that would make Tony LaRussa's head ache. Niemann is know for reaching 99mph on his fastball, and the improving stuff he shows on his curveball projects to a high number of MLB strikesouts, soon.

More Scouting Book Info on Jeff Niemann >

SB #73 | BA #99 | BP unranked | ML unranked | SN #48 | ES unranked

31. Adam Miller

RHP, CLE (#74 overall)

Miller, formerly known as 'Mr. 101' stemming from a late-season velocity reading before an arm injury in 2004, has dialed down his fastball since his teenage years, but still hits the mid nineties, working his two-seam fastball down, down, and down in the zone. His slider is one of the best in the minors, while his change is also above average.

After high expectations for 2007, Miller spent most of the season crippled by a series of minor hand and elbow injuries, which means we're still waiting to see how he handles big league pitching.

If he can stay healthy, he could be a very good starter in a year or two. If the Indians are very worried about that elbow, however, we may see him moved into a relief role. If so, his value will sink.

More Scouting Book Info on Adam Miller >

SB #74 | BA #29 | BP #52 | ML #10 | SN #9 | ES #29

32. Eric Hurley

RHP, TEX (#76 overall)

Hurley is one of a handful of Ranger pitching prospects with a shot at the big leagues in 2008. He's developed fast over the last few seasons.

Hurley uses a hard, sinking fastball as well as the traditional two and four-seam varieties. Yes, this means his three best pitches are all fastballs. His slider and change, on the other hand, are average, workable pitches, but not yet polished enough to rely upon, and that's the reason he's still in the minors.

With apologies to new arrival Matt Harrison, though, Hurley has to be considered the the Rangers' top pitching prospect. He's unlikely to break camp with Texas, but he'll probably see action around midseason.

More Scouting Book Info on Eric Hurley >

SB #76 | BA #77 | BP #49 | ML #25 | SN #20 | ES #60

33. Jaime Garcia

LHP, STL (#78 overall)

The Cardinals stole Garcia in the 22nd round of the 2005 amateur draft on the whim of a scout who saw his curveball while with the Mexican junior national team. His fastball never leaves the low-90s, but the complementary pitches give him a good career potential.

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34. Joey Devine

RHP, OAK (#80 overall)

Devine spent three full years as the Braves 'closer of the future', and was given three different opportunities to crack the MLB roster, before the front office gave up on the promising righthander, shipping him to Oakland during the 2008 preseason.

Devine is a powerful pitcher with a lights-out 96mph heater and a strikeout slider, but his control and confidence has always been iffy. If the A's provide enough patience, though, he could return to the top of many prospect lists in the very near future.

More Scouting Book Info on Joey Devine >

35. Brandon Erbe

RHP, BAL (#81 overall)

Young and unpolished, Erbe still shows signs of greatness, chief among them the 98 mph fastball that got him a nice contract to begin with. He shows flashes of dominance, but has never demonstrated that he can hold down a job for a full season, tiring in the summer months and usually stumbling to a poor finish. This all projects 'relief pitcher', if you haven't been paying attention. While it's a longshot for 2008, he's a possible backup plan at closer during Chris Ray's absence if less radical options don't pan out.

More Scouting Book Info on Brandon Erbe >

36. Deolis Guerra

RHP, MIN (#82 overall)

A tall, powerful strikeout artist, Guerra has been considered in both starting and bullpen roles for the last couple of years. He's easy to lock up in the late rounds of a draft this year, but he promises to be much more attractive (and widely known) next year. With electric stuff but not much pro experience under his belt yet, Guerro could be one of those guys who blows through the league, Jared Weaver-like, at least once.

More Scouting Book Info on Deolis Guerra >

SB #82 | BA #35 | BP #79 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #80

37. Aaron Laffey

LHP, CLE (#83 overall)

While his 'blazing' fastball won't often break 90, this often-overlooked lefty has slipped past Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers on the depth chart. That means of all Cleveland's young arms, he'll have the best chance to make as many starts as he can handle in 2008, probably at the major league level. While he might not have as much upside as Lofgren or Miller, he has the distinct advantage of looking the most prepared for a major league career right now.

Laffey throws a 90mph sinking fastball with good command, and uses a functional slider as his main breaking ball. He's not a strikeout pitcher, and his change is still a work in progress, but he'll keep the ball in the park. Laffey's history of durability suggests he could be a good innings eater as long as he can stay in the rotation.

More Scouting Book Info on Aaron Laffey >

38. Matt Walker

RHP, TB (#84 overall)

Maybe Tampa overpaid for this one, but if he's shown anything, the young right-hander has been consistent and right on the line of what it takes to be a front-line MLB starter. (Last year, a solid 143 IP produced a nice 144:67 K to BB ratio and an acceptable 1.41 WHIP). With a 95mph fastball already potent, he only needs a second top-flight pitch to succeed in Tampa.

More Scouting Book Info on Matt Walker >

39. Jason Windsor

RHP, OAK (#86 overall)

The third Oakland A to have a College World Series award for Most Outstanding Player on his mantle (Street, Kotsay) Windsor is a either one of the next wake of Oakland aces, or a bargaining chip that will be used to help the team rebuild. It all depends who you talk to.

Windsor is a big, strong righthander with a serviceable fastball and a knee-buckling curve that's clearly his best pitch. He also works in a slider and change with mixed results.

According to his college catcher Kurt Suzuki (it really is a small world), Windsor is very similar to A's colleague Joe Blanton, though based on his minor league numbers, Windsor's strikeout skills seem a notch better.

With not much depth in the Oakland system, expect Windsor to see action, and plenty of it, in 2008.

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40. Radhames Liz

RHP, BAL (#93 overall)

A fascinating blip on the prospect radar for a few years now, Liz is one of the Orioles' most interesting prospects. While he has a solid moving fastball in the upper-90s, it's his devastating slider that has scouts buzzing. If he can learn to rein in the walks and keep his pitches near the zone, he'll be dominant. If he can't, he'll flame out quickly once he starts facing more patient batters.

Despite his lanky frame and long arms, Liz uses a simple overhand pitching motion rather than the slingshot that some coaches have tried to teach him. As such, he's having difficulty disguising his otherwise-quality changeup.

While he's listed as a starter, a number of scouts would rather see his nasty 1-2 combination in the bullpen, where he could give max effort for an inning or two rather than grind through an entire game with iffy control.

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SB #93 | BA #69 | BP #85 | ML #45 | SN #16 | ES unranked

41. Sean Gallagher

RHP, CHC (#96 overall)

While he struggled some at AA, he has solid career numbers, and projects to be a significant piece in the Cubs future. His 1.29 WHIP and 361:142 K to BB ration come from more than 350 minor league innings, so he's the real thing.

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SB #96 | BA #82 | BP unranked | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #71

42. Tyler Robertson

LHP, MIN (#97 overall)

A ground ball pitcher who seems to handle lefties just as well as right-handed batters, Robertson is just the latest out machine to come from the Twins pitching factory. While some bemoan his awkward delivery, nobody minded the way he used his 92mph fastball, nasty curve and excellent slider to finish second in league ERA for the low-A Beloit Snappers.

To go with that 2.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, Roberston struck out 123 batters (in only 102 innings) while walking only 33. The combination of his insane K-BB ratio, nasty repetoire and odd delivery have gained him a few 'left-handed Lincecum' comparisons, but nobody will mistake his 6-5 frame for the diminutive Giant.

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43. Phillippe Aumont

RHP, SEA (#99 overall)

The rising wave of Canadian pitchers continued when Seattle chose Quebec native Philipe Aumont with their first-round pick in 2007. With visions of Randy Johnson dancing in their heads, the Mariners are definitely looking to a strong future.

A 6-7 righthander with a 92-95 MPH sinking fastball, Aumont has an imposing mound presence that endears him to scouts and coaches alike. While he's only 18, he's already raising eyebrows with a precocious ability to pound the lower part of the zone and work both sides of the plate. While he has a slider and changeup, neither is a plus pitch, which means he'll rise or fall on his sinker.

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44. Glen Perkins

LHP, MIN (#100 overall)

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45. Jonathan Meloan

RHP, LAD (#102 overall)

It's almost impossible to imagine, but the Dodgers might have a second Broxton on their hands in the 99mph flamethrower Meloan.

While he lacks the polish of that other Jon, this one mowed down minor league batters with similar zest in 2007, striking out 91 in 67 combined AA-AAA innings while only walking 27.

With a strong bullpen already in place, the Dodgers can be patient with Meloan and keep him brewing in the minors for a bit longer, but he's likely to be a factor in 2009, if he isn't traded for a big bat sooner than that.

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46. Chris Tillman

RHP, BAL (#103 overall)

Seattle's second round pick in the 2006 draft, Tillman was the Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2007, when he rung up 139 strikeouts in 135 innings split between low-A Wisconsin and high-A High Desert. A tall, hard-thrower with a smooth, carbon-copy motion, Tillman complements a mid-90's fastball with a plus 12-to-6 curve that he uses as his out pitch. He was traded to Baltimore as part of the 2008 package deal that sent Erik Bedard out west.

While his durability and work ethic remain untested, Tillman's build and easy motion means he still projects as a middle of rotation starter somewhere, though there is some bullpen potential.

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SB #103 | BA #67 | BP #44 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES unranked

47. Troy Patton

LHP, BAL (#105 overall)

Yet another in a wide field of pitching prospects developed by the Astros before being shipped elsewhere, Patton has demonstrated remarkable consistency, maintaining a 2.75 ERA in almost 300 minor league innings with very few blowouts or meltdowns. His walks are a bit high, but during stretches last year he showed improved command and an ability to adjust mid-game. If he maintains that ability this season, expect Baltimore to give him a hard look for the rotation.

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48. James McDonald

RHP, LAD (#116 overall)

One of a bevy of talented young Dodger arms, McDonald cruised through high-A and double-A last year, splitting time between Inland Empire and Jacksonville. The wiry right-hander went 7-2 with a 1.71 at the higher level, striking out 64 and walking only 16 in ten starts thanks to his plus control.

There's some concern about his durability, and his build isn't one that looks able to carry 220 innings of work, but as a finesse pitcher with a killer curve ball, that might not matter. He's a nice option for the L.A. bullpen in the near future, with an outside shot at a rotation spot after that.

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49. Yasuhiko Yabuta

RHP, KC (#117 overall)

Bobby Valentine's favorite setup man will move from the Chiba Lotte Marines to Major League Baseball in 2008. In Japan he excelled in the setup role, with a 2.73 ERA and 34 holds last season. He won the league's award for best middle-relief pitcher, which is an award that MLB should probably consider adding, if only to deflate the heads of a few 'closers' around the league.

Americans may remember Yabuta from the World Baseball Classic game against the US, when he was summoned into a tie game and struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the seventh inning. Returning in the eighth, he disposed of Chipper Jones on a dribbler, then struck out Derrek Lee and Johnny Damon to end the inning.

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50. Manny Parra

LHP, MLW (#118 overall)

A broken thumb in September aborted what should have been Parra's major league debut, but he'll probably be given a chance to open 2008 with the MLB team. Parra made two starts and seven other appearances for the Brewers, posting a respectable 1.41 WHIP, before breaking his thumb on a botched bunt attempt.

The thumb was only the latest hardship for Parra, though, as the young lefty has been unable to avoid injury throughout his career, losing part of each of the previous three seasons to recurring shoulder woes.

Before his brief time with Milwaukee in '07, Parra put together an impressive minor league showing, posting a combined 2.45 ERA in 17 starts between Double- and Triple-A while avoiding the DL. He projects as a long-term starter, but the Brewers may prefer to use him in long or middle relief as they evaluate his durability and major-league smarts.

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SB #118 | BA n/a | BP #42 | ML unranked | SN unranked | ES #41

51. Nick Blackburn

RHP, MIN (#121 overall)

Minnesota's young rotation is already full of talent, and Blackburn looks likely to be among the Next Generation in Minnesota. A tall, wiry right-hander, Blackburn is one of the best pitchers left in the system now that Garza, Bonser and Slowey have graduated into MLB.

Originally drafted by Tampa Bay out of high school, he chose to attend Seminole State instead. He was drafted by the Twins deep in the 29th round of the next year's draft. He blew through the Twins system in 2005 and 2006, being called up to triple-A Rochester after only seven starts in AA ball (two of those were complete games, one was a shutout, and he laughed his way to a 1.84 ERA in the course of a month). In 2007 he was tested in Minnesota bullpen with poor results, giving up 10 runs in only six relief appearances.

Despite his height, Blackburn is a 'stuff' pitcher without overpowering heat. He works confidently with a good assortment of breaking balls, and has also shown good control with two very good fastballs, which he can locate on either side of the plate.

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52. Donald Veal

LHP, CHC (#123 overall)

Not yet recovered from labrum sugery and showing no signs of the curve that once made scouts rave. Add in the fact that he's a one-pitch flame-thrower who will be working under the 'care' of the Cubs trainers, and you have a recipe for a very fantastic, and very short, major league career. He's got stuff (or at least he did pre-surgery) so take him if you need a lefty, but proceed with extreme caution: he's delicate and under pressure. A definite B pick.

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53. Jacob McGee

LHP, TB (#124 overall)

With three plus-pitches, one of them a plus-plus curve, this is a left-hander with a very bright future. While you probably did not hear his name, much McGee led his AA league in strikeouts in 2006, adding six double-digit strikeout finishes to the morning papers. He slid a bit in 2007, but he's still a smart money bet for the future.

There is a strong concern over his stamina, however, so he may be in line for the bullpen in TB this year. Still, a left-handed strikeout artist is a nice pickup, no matter which inning it is when he takes the mound. If Tampa uses him as a five-inning starter, he won't be worth much in fantasy play, but if he's brought up as a setup man, watch out: he could be super-LOOGY or exceptional setup man very quickly.

More Scouting Book Info on Jacob McGee >

SB #124 | BA #15 | BP #40 | ML #20 | SN #30 | ES #26

54. Brian Matusz

LHP, BAL (#125 overall)

One of the best left-handers available in the 2008 draft, Matusz is an experienced and clever strongman with four quality pitches. His fastball isn't overpowering, though, and his numbers showed some decline last season, so he won't be having a big impact on Baltimore's rotation (assuming the sign him) anytime soon. It'll be fun watching his use his guile along with his stuff to go after better pro hitters, though.

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55. Humberto Sanchez

RHP, NYY (#126 overall)

Newly a Yankee, look for Sanchez to work in the bullpen, at least initially. Long-term, he might be better as an innings-eating starter, as his fastball control and work ethic make him a viable 200 inning guy in short order. Worth a pick.

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56. Adam Ottavino

RHP, STL (#128 overall)

Selected 30th overall by the Cardinals in the 2006 draft, Ottavino dominated hitters at Northwestern University with a K/9 rate over 10 and a notable ability to handle tough left-handed hitters. He projects a promising mix of confidence and stuff, and scouts see him as a future front-of-rotation starter.

Ottavino's main pitch is a heavy 95mph fastball that he throws more than half of the time. He combines it with a plus slider and a developing change that will launch him into super-prospect status if he can master it.

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57. James Hoey

RHP, BAL (#129 overall)

A towering right-hander with lights-out potential, Hoey rode a brief rollercoaster in 2007, performing well in the minors and looking unhittable during his first week in Baltimore before crashing to earth. He ended the season with as many big-league walks as strikeouts (18 of each) and looks to need some more time in the minors before he can be seriously considered a future closer.

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58. Jeremy Hellickson

RHP, TB (#130 overall)

A career 107:17 K to BB ratio is frighteningly good, and a 0.94 WHIP shows that he's not a one-act pitcher. A real sleeper in deep leagues, Hellickson is the sort of pitcher who can set a league on fire, especially his first time through. His low 3/4 delivery is deceptive, and his darting 94mph fastball is a deadly strikeout pitch. Still, unless he can get better and more consistent results with his breaking balls, he's likely to end up in the bullpen sooner or later.

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59. Daniel Bard

RHP, BOS (#131 overall)

Boston will be watching this college pitcher closely as he makes his pro debut. A 100mph fastball and some baseball smarts might be enough to dominate the low minors, making a midseason callup -- and his first real test -- a strong possibility.

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60. Jeremy Jeffress

RHP, MLW (#133 overall)

Another good thing/bad thing pitching prospect. Jeffress lights up radar guns with three-figure readings almost every night (that's a good thing), but needs work on his control (bad thing). He's also lacking solid pitches to combine with the heater, though coaches are working on that.

If you're one of those owners who must own every 100mph hurler, you should grab Jeffress now. The rest of us will wait until 2009 or 2010.

More Scouting Book Info on Jeremy Jeffress >

SB #133 | BA n/a | BP #76 | ML #43 | SN unranked | ES unranked

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