The Best 40 SS Prospects for 2010
Showing 1 to 40 of 40. Overall SB ranking for 2010 shown in parentheses.
SS, MLW (#12 overall)
The Brewer's top everyday prospect, shortstop Alcides Escobar shows plus speed and range, and has demonstrated a very strong throwing arm. His bat has always been iffy, but that's been improving, and he looks to have a future as a leadoff with plus speed. With JJ Hardy out of the way, in fact, it looks like he'll have to stumble hard in order to miss the 2010 everyday roster.
More Scouting Book Info on Alcides Escobar >
SS, CHC (#29 overall)
A darling prospect in the Cubs system, Dominican teenager Starlin Castro is seen by many scouts as Chicago's future franchise shortstop. He has a soft glove, strong arm and plus range, so he should stick at the position. Meanwhile, he has the bat control and discipline to hit near-.300 while slashing line drives to all fields. His speed is above-average, but like all aspects of his game, he needs a lot of practice and polish before he can really use it effectively. He's a couple of years away from Wrigley, but he's definitely a kid to keep an eye on.
More Scouting Book Info on Starlin Castro >
SS, TB (#31 overall)
A classic 'tools' player, BA's 2007 Youth Player of the Year Tim Beckham was a safe pick for Tampa Bay as the #1 overall pick of the 2008 draft. While he's a couple of years from breaking into the big leagues, there should be no place for him to break in quicker than Tampa Bay. He shows the hands and footwork needed to stick at short, too, unless he physically outgrows the position. If that happens, though, his bat will carry him anyway: Beckham has very quick wrists and an effortless-looking swing that should translate to 'easy power' down the road.
More Scouting Book Info on Tim Beckham >
SS, CIN (#42 overall)
An offensive-minded shortstop, Rutgers alum Todd Frazier looks like he could be one of the next wave of hard hitting middle infielders. He slashed .290/.350/.481 at AA-level Carolina in 2009. He's a sure bet to hit, but very unlikely to stick at shortstop. He's adequate at almost any position, though, so he could see time in 2010 as a junior utilityman in Cincinnati, especially if a starter goes down to injury.
More Scouting Book Info on Todd Frazier >
SS, OAK (#57 overall)
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 >
SS, MIN (#61 overall)
The biggest Latin American signing of 2009 (sorry, Aroldis Chapman fans), 17-year old Miguel Angel Sano Jean, heretofore known as simply Miguel Sano, was a coup of sorts for the small market Minnesota Twins. Sano was a coveted athlete pursued by all the usual big-market teams, but it was Minnesota's relentless (one might say piranha-like) tenacity that finally landed the youngster. He's got the glove and arm to stick at shortstop, but as a teenager who's already 6 foot 3, he might outgrow the position, making a move to third base or the outfield necessary. He hasn't shown much power yet, but that's not exactly a red mark: for such a young player, what matters is raw talent and work ethic, and Sano seems to have both of those in spades. He'll be on the back burner for a few years, but he should be a good one once he's properly stewed.
More Scouting Book Info on Miguel Sano >
SS, CLE (#75 overall)
Originally drafted out of high school by the Pirates, Chisenhall was chosen again three years later, this time by the Indians. While questions of character are going to dog Lonnie for years to come thanks to a college misunderstanding about a missing big-screen TV and Playstation 3, at least we know he's got game. He's also got bat: Chisenhall is a plus hitter with a short and sweet stroke and solid power to all fields. His position is up in the air, but wherever the Indians put him he's likely to produce. A bit of a sleeper to watch.
More Scouting Book Info on Lonnie Chisenhall >
SS, WAS (#85 overall)
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 >
SS, LAD (#95 overall)
Devaris ('Dee') Strange-Gordon is a shortstop with a bright future in the Dodger organization, and the likely heir apparent to a declining Rafael Furcal. After fighting off critics who first claimed he was riding his father's name (pitcher Tom Gordon) as well as those who claimed he was too small to be a major leaguer, Gordon has blossomed into one of LA's most promising prospects. A bundle of raw talent, he lacks the usual polish expected from a shortstop -- a move to the outfield is possible -- but his raw talent gives him a very very high ceiling. After hitting .301 and stealing 73 bases (!) in A ball during 2009, he seems to have the offensive potential to be a leadoff hitter, no matter whether it says 'shortstop' or 'center field' next to his name in the program. His likely arrival is sometime in 2011.
More Scouting Book Info on Devaris Gordon >
SS, TB (#100 overall)
While one has to be careful with the way Tampa manages their prospects (it seems that most of them stay in the minors until they're thirty), it's possible we'll see Brignac on opening day 2010, especially now that BJ Upton seems to have stuck as an outfielder.
More Scouting Book Info on Reid Brignac >
SS, NYM (#107 overall)
It must be frustrating to be a shortstop prospect in the Mets system. Wilmer Flores probably keeps his bags packed full-time. Lucky for him, he's likely to grow out of shortstop and into a third-baseman soon. Which is also a problem in New York. Well, at the rate his very-young body is still developing, Flores could end up at first base or even left field by the time he's ready for Citi Field. The youngster was ranked 12th in the Appy League in 2008 with an. 842 OPS... as a 6-foot-3 17 year old. He has a high ceiling but also a long road. He's a guy to keep an eye on for the next four or five years, though, to see if the skills can keep pace with the raw athleticism.
More Scouting Book Info on Wilmer Flores >
SS, BOS (#110 overall)
A young Cuban superstar, Inglesias signed with Boston for $8M in the summer of 2009. He might just be the long-term answer that Fenway's faithful have been seeking at shortstop ever since Nomah left the building. Inglesias's fielding has been described as 'Ozzie Smith-style slick', already meriting a perfect 80 on the scouting scale. His speed is at least above-average and close to a real plus tool. His bat isn't there yet, but most scouts feel he can contribute as an everyday regular once he develops a bit more. At 5-10 and 180lbs, he won't be hitting many light poles, but with Dustin Pedroia around to provide pointers, he should be able to launch a few rockets now and again.
More Scouting Book Info on Jose Iglesias >
SS, COL (#125 overall)
A fast runner from the City of Shortstops (San Pedro de Macoris, DR), Rockies prospect Hector Gomez is gifted with better than average base-stealing ability, and a plus arm that makes him a solid defneder. Gomez remains held back only by his lack of plate discipline. If he can learn to tone down the strikeouts and stop trying to pull every pitch deep, he'll be a solid contributor somewhere down the line. With Tulo anchoring shortstop in Colorado for now, though, Gomez may need to move to 2B... or to another franchise... before he gets a real shot.
More Scouting Book Info on Hector Gomez >
SS, HOU (#134 overall)
The first round pick of the Houston Astros (21st overall) in 2009, Jiovanni James Mier was universally acclaimed as the best 'pure' shortstop in the draft class. A superior defender with good range, soft hands and a strong arm, he seems very likely to stick at the position. JJ's bat isn't quite as beyond question just yet, but he did hit .276 while launching 7 home runs in only 50 games for Rookie level Greeneville late in the year. He'll start working his way up the minor league ladder, and could be an everyday fixture in Houston as early as 2012.
More Scouting Book Info on Jiovanni Mier >
SS, CLE (#135 overall)
A mature prospect who will be angling for playing time in Cleveland soon, shortstop Jason Donald is an all-around quality player who's nearly ready for a shot at the Bigs. While he's likely destined for third base, most of his time has been spent at shortstop so far, including three standout college seasons at Arizona.
More Scouting Book Info on Jason Donald >
SS, CHC (#156 overall)
A big, powerful shortstop from Korea, Cubs prospect Hak-Ju Lee is a polished hitter (.330/.399/.420 as an 18 year old at low-A Boise) who seems to have the footwork and arm to stick at shortstop. His 25 steals in 68 games is also a highlight. He should move quickly, and could reach AA by the end of 2010.
More Scouting Book Info on Hak-Ju Lee >
SS, NYM (#175 overall)
A successful shortstop in college whose range is a bit of a question in pro ball, South Carolina graduate David (Reese) Havens could make a heck of a second baseman for a future Mets infield that already includes two All Stars and the player picked just before him in the 2008 Draft, first baseman Ike Davis.
More Scouting Book Info on Reese Havens >
SS, BOS (#185 overall)
A toolsy infielder with good bat speed, Tejada is a high-quality prospect with no obvious path in the Boston system. A smart player with a good attitude for learning and development, he possesses the raw skills to play almost any position. In Boston, that means it's possible he may be moved to third base if he develops a bit more power. At his current projection, he's more of a 10-15 homer guy than a major longball threat.
More Scouting Book Info on Oscar Tejada >
SS, SEA (#197 overall)
A big, strong middle infielder with soft hands and an offensive mindset, Gabriel Noriega came to Seattle by way of his native Venezuela and childhood Mexico. In his first taste of pro ball, he slashed .311/.360/.456 in 206 Rookie League at-bats. Scouts have been impressed by his exceptional hand-eye coordination, and most expect him to hit for a high average even if he never develops real power. His defensive chops have already arrived, though, and his combination of soft hands, quick feet and a strong arm suggest that he can stick at shortstop. He'll need to learn to take a walk sooner or later, but once he sees a few more years of pro pitching, he'll be ready to make in impact in the bigs.
More Scouting Book Info on Gabriel Noriega >
SS, FA (#199 overall)
The Red Sox's Cuban shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias gets a lot of ink, but 2009 defectee Hechevarria (pronounced and sometimes spelled Echevarria) is probably the superior player. In MLB terms, Hechevarria is an 'offensive-minded' shortstop in the Cal Ripken mode: a high-average hitter with above-average power. At the plate, his spray chart looks a little more like Ichiro Suzuki: he has a knack for finding infield holes and hitting behind runners. He'll command a high signing bonus and start in the minor leagues, with 2012 or 2013 looking like a possible MLB arrival date.
More Scouting Book Info on Adeiny Hechevarria >
SS, FA (#202 overall)
A mature prospect who'll be 26 (or so) later this year, Cuban Yadil Mujica is a contact hitter with plus speed, good range and a plus arm from shortstop. In his last year in Cuba, he hit .358/.432/.440, that average enough for twelfth-best in the league (modern Cuban baseball is hitter-friendly, which explains why so few Cuban pitchers stick in MLB.)
More Scouting Book Info on Yadil Mujica >
SS, ATL (#205 overall)
A Dominican phenom who's been attached to Yankee and Indian rumors for years now, young Edward Salcedo finally signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves in the spring of 2010. A big, strong infielder with soft hands and a quick bat, Salcedo is currently a gap-to-gap line drive hitter, though his size and strength project out to meaningful power in the future. The (certified) 19 year old will probably move off shortstop as he develops, but for now he has to be considered one of Atlanta's premium prospects.
More Scouting Book Info on Edward Salcedo >
SS, ARZ (#214 overall)
A slight shortstop with plus instincts, Arizona prospect Chris Owings could see a move to second base in the near future. Signed out of high school in South Carolina after being selected 41st overall in the 2009 draft, Owings is a gap-to-gap hitter with a bit of pop. He's solid defensively, and shows above average speed on the bases.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Owings >
SS, PIT (#218 overall)
A quality shortstop prospect in a weak Pittsburgh system, California native Chase D'Arnaud hit .295/.402/.481 at high-A Lynchburg in 2009, contributing 14 steals and 4 dingers in 54 games as a Hillcat. Despite that performance, there are still questions about his plate discipline and batting eye that he'll need to address in order to make the leap to the next level of play.
More Scouting Book Info on Chase D'Arnaud >
SS, MLW (#238 overall)
The best overall athlete in the Milwaukee system, Brent Brewer turned down a football scholarship (wide receiver) for baseball when he was drafted by the Brewers in 2006's second round. He must have considered it fate.
More Scouting Book Info on Brent Brewer >
SS, LAD (#245 overall)
The Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year for 2008, DeJesus doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. Apparently inspired by Baseball America's description of him as a 'below average' hitter, DeJesus took the Southern League to task in 2008, when he swatted an eye-opening .324/.419/.423 at AA Jacksonville. The young infielder led the entire Southern League with a .419 OBP in his first AA season, testimony to his disciplined plate approach. When he makes contact, he's a hitter in the Howie Kendrick style: gap to gap line drives with excellent bat control. In the field, he has soft hands and excellent (inherited?) baseball instincts.
More Scouting Book Info on Ivan DeJesus >
SS, SEA (#278 overall)
A solid, gritty shortstop without a single stand-out tool in his bag, Florida grad Nick Franklin projects as 'a switch-hitting Michael Young' according to at least one scout. He's an above-average fielder with decent range, a solid line-drive hitter with a discerning eye, and a faster-than-slow baserunner. He didn't have much time in 2009 to show off, but in a handful of Rookie and A-ball games, he slashed .332/.354/.476 while adding a homer and a single stolen base in 16 starts. If everything falls just right, he could be a decent starter for most MLB clubs, but the odds are stacked more in favor of a backup/utility role at this point.
More Scouting Book Info on Nick Franklin >
SS, DET (#321 overall)
Dominican shortstop Gustavo Nunez, in the words of manager Dave Dombrowski, is 'a switch hitter who can run and made some outstanding defensive plays.' While he's a bit raw at the plate, his bat looks like a viable asset as well. Playing for West Michigan (A) last year, Nunez hit .315 with 5 homers and 10 triples while stealing 45 bases in 112 games. His skills on the bases weren't the greatest, however, as he was caught stealing more than one third of the time.
More Scouting Book Info on Gustavo Nunez >
SS, CLE (#352 overall)
A native of the same city as Phillies pitcher Carlos Carrasco, Rivero is the kind of hitter you expect from a shortstop, a line-drive hitter with hustle. Carlos hit .282 .342 .411 last year at high-A Kinston, striking out 84 times in 411 but also drawing 36 walks, which suggests he already has the patience, if not the eye, to be a high-percentage player. He's a less-than-average runner, though, and he won't ever have the power numbers to be any kind of elite player. He might be a better fit in a pirahna-style Twins offense, he does give the Indians some extra depth for the future.
More Scouting Book Info on Carlos Rivero >
SS, COL (#356 overall)
A power-hitting infielder whose development was hampered by Tommy John surgery, Nelson is back to mashing balls and eyeing the roster in Colorado. Since he's blocked by phenom Troy Tulowitzki upstairs and by the rapidly-developing Hector Gomez from below, Nelson is a likely candidate to be moved to second base in the near future. If this happens, he'll become the Rockies best 2B prospect for the years to come.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Nelson >
SS, Japan (#367 overall)
The Pacific League rookie of the year in 1996, shortstop Makoto Kaneko is a premium infielder who could fit onto many MLB rosters tomorrow. The winner of two golden glove awards and a part of Japan's bronze medal winning 2004 Olympic team, he's a plus defender, and that's where his strength lies: while a talented overall athlete, his career hitting line in Japan is a pedestrian .256/.309/.345.
More Scouting Book Info on Makoto Kaneko >
SS, SF (#370 overall)
A big, lefty-hitting shortstop from UCLA, Giants' prospect Brandon Crawford had an illustrious career with the Bruins, starting each and every of the 179 games the team played during his tenure. He hit over .300 each year, helping to lead the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament each season. As a Giant progeny, he didn't have much trouble at high-A in 2009 (.371/.445/.600), but found his floor at AA Connecticut later in the year, where he slashed .258/.294/.365. He might not stick at short, but he projects to be a solid MLB regular come 2012 or so.
More Scouting Book Info on Brandon Crawford >
SS, BOS (#376 overall)
A sleeper talent in the Red Sox system, Yamaico Navarro is a native of The Land of Shortstops, San Pedro de Macoris, and he shows ever sign of following in the footsteps of so many who came before. A bit bulky for a shortstop, he might be best suited for second or third base, but for now he's an offensive-minded middle infielder with a powerful, aggressive approach at the plate. His bat is quick, and he adds some natural loft to most of his line drives, which means he could be a serious Miguel Tejada type threat in a couple more years. In the field, he's a bit clumsy around the bag, but has a plus arm and slick glove, with a penchant for turning in dazzling plays at least once a week. Navarro isn't much more than a dark horse option on the Red Sox depth chart, but if he continues to grow and develop, he'll force management to start considering him as a viable long-term option for Fenway. For now, he'll open the season in AA.
More Scouting Book Info on Yamaico Navarro >
SS, CIN (#379 overall)
The Cincinnati Reds' Minor League Player of the Year for 2008, infielder Chris Valaika hit .317 in the FSL with 18 HR, 81 RBI and nine stolen bases. He looks like a long-term shortstop, with good hands and quick feet. At the plate, he has an aggressive approach that's working well so far, with good line-drive power that could blossom into 20-homer pop in the future. He'll start the year back at AA, but he could get a look on a shallow Reds' bench before 2010 is over.
More Scouting Book Info on Chris Valaika >
SS, TB (#386 overall)
While lost in the sea of Tampa prospects, Andy Cannizaro deserves a look as an up-and-coming middle infielder, even though he's of advanced age for a prospect.
More Scouting Book Info on Andy Cannizaro >
SS, Japan (#387 overall)
Nioka, a free agent since 2008, is a slick fielding shortstop and quality hitter who may help many major league teams.
More Scouting Book Info on Tomohiro Nioka >
SS, CHC (#392 overall)
A big and strong shortstop from Vanderbilt, Ryan 'Flash' Flaherty seems blocked at short (Starlin Castro) and third (Josh Vitters), but as a hard-hitting all-around ballplayer he should find a place somewhere sooner or later. He doesn't have great raw tools, and his speed of development (just .276/.343/.470 as a 23 year old at A-level Peoria) hasn't yet lived up to his nickname, but he does have great baseball skills and resolve. He could appear as a utility infielder by mid-2011.
More Scouting Book Info on Ryan Flaherty >
SS, DET (#393 overall)
After forsaking the Church of Baseball to go on a year-long Mormon mission in Portugal (which apparently has some kind of shortage of Christians?) Canadian Cale Iorg is back on the prospect lists as the up-and-coming shortstop in Detroit, where management has all but anointed him as the long-term Tiger six. A true five-tool player with a great feel for the game thanks to his lineage (he's Garth's son), Cale hit .251/.329/.405 at high-A Lakeland in 2008, respectable but not jaw-dropping, and slid even further when pushed to AA Erie in 2009. He'll need to develop a lot more pop over the next couple of years if he's going to live up to the high expectations. He'll be back in AA come 2010, but high-A is probably more his speed right now.
More Scouting Book Info on Cale Iorg >
SS, TOR (#396 overall)
A true five-tool talent, Blue Jays prospect Justin Jackson could play any position on the field, but looks right at home at shortstop, where is plus range, fast feet and absolute cannon of an arm could make him a gold glove candidate someday. At the plate, he shows exceptional discipline and strike zone judgement for such a young player, and his easy swing makes solid contact more often than not. While he won't be a true power threat, 15-20 homer potential is likely. His swing can get a bit long, which better pitchers will exploit, but if he can shorten his stroke and learn to handle hard stuff inside, he'll be a star in a few years.
More Scouting Book Info on Justin Jackson >
SS, DET (#414 overall)
The Tigers' sixth round pick in 2009, high school shortstop Daniel Fields is the son of former Tigers' hitting coach Bruce Fields, which might explain his advanced hitting ability. Big and strong for a real shortstop, even in this post-Ripken era, Fields might be moved to third base or a corner outfield spot eventually, but it shouldn't matter: he'll rise or fall on his bat, which we have to assume will get a lot of careful coaching in the years to come.
More Scouting Book Info on Dan Fields >
1 to 40 of 40
1. Alcides Escobar
2. Starlin Castro
3. Tim Beckham
4. Todd Frazier
5. Grant Green
6. Miguel Sano
7. Lonnie Chisenhall
8. Ian Desmond
9. Devaris Gordon
11. Wilmer Flores
12. Jose Iglesias
13. Hector Gomez
14. Jiovanni Mier
19. Gabriel Noriega
20. Adeiny Hechevarria
22. Edward Salcedo
23. Chris Owings
24. Chase D'Arnaud
28. Gustavo Nunez
31. Makoto Kaneko
32. Brandon Crawford
39. Justin Jackson
