I thought I'd get to work
on 2008's top prospect report. I've compiled my top prospects list and not surprisingly,
Tampa Bay blows everyone out of the water in terms of quantity.
Obviously these are subjective, so there is going to be disagreements.
Note,
I am not using rookie guidelines, my restrictions are the following. If
you have had greater than 130 at bats, then you’re discredited. If they
have more than 45 innings pitched, they are also discredited.
1. Cameron Maybin – OF Detroit Tigers. His
big league debut was rather unspectacular at best. However, he has the
raw tools to become one of the best outfielders of the last 20 years.
He is very capable of 30/30 seasons down the line. His arm is best
suited for right field, his likely final position. A true 5-tool player.
MLB Comparison: Andre Dawson 2. Evan Longoria – 3B Tampa Bay Devil Rays Longoria
possesses a very even swing that translates well into the majors. His
OPS is regularly 800+ which projects him to a solid middle of the order
hitter with a league average glove.
MLB Comparison: Alex Gordon
3. Jay Bruce – OF Cincinnati Reds Talk
about rapid rise to ascension, Bruce moved to Triple A temporarily and
his numbers actually improved from Double A. Bruce has all the tools to
challenge for All-Star status year in and year out. He has above
average speed but fails to run the bases well.
MLB Comparison: Larry Walker
4. Nick Adenhart – RHP Los Angeles Angels Adenhart
came into 2007 with a lot of expectations after blowing away Single A
hitters. His numbers are impressive for Double A, but more impressive
considering the Texas League was the best minor league in the country.
Was the best high schooler in a class including Mark Rogers, Homer
Bailey, Phil Hughes and Yovani Gallardo before getting injured.
MLB Comparison: Greg Maddux
5. Clayton Kershaw – LHP Los Angles Dodgers Kerhsaw
truly let the world know who he was in 2007 pitching across three
levels. He features a dominant fastball and developing change and
curve. Both project as plus to plus-plus pitches in the bigs. Is 19 and
in Double A already, projects to debut as a 20 year old.
MLB Comparisson: Cole Hamels
6. Clay Bucholtz – RHP Boston Red Sox Bucholtz
certainly opened a lot of eyes throwing a no-hitter in his second
start. He throws in the mid 90’s with 2 sharp breaking balls, a 12-6
curve and a 10-4 slider. His changeup is big league quality. He
certainly helped demonstrate his mental prowess in his no-hitter.
MLB Comparison: Tom Seaver
7. Colby Rasmus – OF St. Louis Cardinals Rasmus
dominated the minors like few players before him. He has a plus bat and
is a solid centerfielder defensively. His bat will carry him in the
majors though. He is a player who will likely be overlooked in the big
leagues but will more than compensate on his own team.
MLB Comparison: Jim Edmonds
8. Brandon Wood INF – Los Angeles Angels Wood
has never had a problem making believers when making contact. However,
one of his problems has been making solid contact in the minors which
doesn’t project well to success at the major league level. He’ll likely
sit in the 250/400/450 level which is tremendous for a team who can
rely on the long ball. His final position will likely be left-field.
MLB Comparison: Pat Burrell
9. David Price – LHP Tampa Bay Rays Price,
the number one overall pick in 2007, features two plus pitches, a
fastball and a changeup and a plus-plus slider. However, throwing a lot
of sliders at a young age is known to cause significant elbow problems.
If he can stay healthy, he’s a number one starter.
MLB Comparison: Francisco Liriano
10. Matt Wieters – C Baltimore Orioles Wieters
was the best college hitter two years running and plays a premium
position. He may outgrow catcher but has the bat to play anywhere on
the diamond. A true blue-chip prospect.
MLB Comparison: Jason Varitek
11. Jacoby Ellsbury – OF Boston Red Sox Ellsbury
projects favorably to those who embrace SABR as the new way of player
analysis. He will put up solid numbers across the board and is a threat
on the basepaths. Looks to be Boston’s primary centerfielder moving
forward, or left-fielder if they elect to move Manny Ramirez.
MLB Comparison: Johnny Damon
12. Rick Porcello – RHP Detroit Tigers Porcello
was the most celebrated player in the 2007 draft possessing 4 plus
pitches at an extremely young age. He is one of the few players drafted
in the past 7 years who has true ace potential. He’s the 5th best high
school pitcher I have ever seen.
MLB Comparison: Josh Beckett
13. Chris Volstad – RHP Florida Marlins Volstad
projects as a heavy sinker ball pitcher capable of striking out men
when needed. Volstad is the future of the Marlins’ staff and has a
chance to be one of the best pitchers in the league. His only issue
will be command, when he’s on he’ll dominate but when he’s off, he’ll
be out of the game by the second inning.
MLB Comparison: Tim Hudson
14. Reid Brignac – SS Tampa Bay Rays Brignac
is without a doubt the best shortstop prospect in the minors. He has a
plus bat and a better glove, likely projecting to a number two hitter
in the bigs. He already demonstrates an incredible patience at the
plate, something that’s desperately needed in Tampa Bay.
MLB Comparisson: JJ Hardy
15. Scott Elbert – RHP Los Angles Dodgers Elbert
has the best swing and miss stuff in the minors and projects as a top
of the rotation starter who can single handedly dominate a game. When
his stuff is on, there’s very few who are going to hit him. He has
averaged over 10 K’s per 9 in the minors, and in his 3 Double A starts,
he fanned 15/9. The only concern here is a lingering shoulder injury.
MLB Comparison: Kerry Wood
16. Bill Rowell – 3B/1B Baltimore Orioles Rowell
has transitioned well across each level of play since his drafting in
2005. His bat translates well to the bigs, but his defense does not.
He’ll likely outgrow third base and have to move to first or a corner
outfield spot. He projects as a solid 3-5 hitter with gap power to all
fields.
MLB Comparison: Scott Rolen
17. Andrew McCutchen – OF Pittsburgh Pirates McCutchen
has demonstrated the ability to hit to all fields in the minors and
reached Double A faster than any of his counterparts from 2005. He
projects as a top of the lineup hitter with occasional power and great
speed on the basepaths.
MLB Comparison: Shane Victorino
18. Carlos Gonzalez - OF Arizona Diamondbacks Think
the D-Backs need another 5 tool outfielder? He’ll be their
center-fielder in 2008 likely if Chris Young is moved for pitching. He has the bat to play anywhere in the outfield if need be. MLB Comparison: Grady Sizemore
19. Andy LaRoche – 3B Los Angeles Dodgers
LaRoche
is a strong, all around type of player who will help contribute
offensively and defensively. His glove is major league quality and his
bat is catching up. He’s another piece to the Dodgers’ rebuilding
process.
MLB Comparison: Ryan Zimmerman
20. Madison Bumgarner – LHP San Francisco Giants This
is very much a stretch the rank Bumgarner this highly already. However,
from a pure stuff standpoint, few players can even come close to
matching Bumgarner. He is a 6’6” lefty who throws 98 with a nasty 11-5
slurve. His secondary pitches weren’t really worked on in throughout
his youth, which bodes extremely well for durability. He is in the
right system to develop into a true stud.
