Top 10 MLB Prospects
With Spring Training right around the corner and the free agency period winding down, it is time to mention Class Act Sports’ top 10 MLB prospects for the upcoming 2010 season. Last year Chris Coghlan from the Florida Marlins and Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics were awarded Rookie of the Year honors. Who will be next? Let’s take a closer look at some of baseball’s bright young stars.
1. Stephen Strasburg- Washington Nationals (P)
By this time everybody who follows the game of baseball should be familiar with Stephen Strasburg. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound flame thrower was selected first overall in this past year’s MLB draft out of San Diego State University. Strasburg is most known for his fastball that has been clocked in the 100s. Strasburg is probably the most Major League-ready prospect in baseball and has the upside of being a potential ace. Aside from his blistering fastball, Strasburg also possesses a curve ball that clocks between 85 and 87 mph. On the down side, Strasburg is still a raw talent and possesses only two dominant pitches. At times he tends to push his pitches, and needs to learn how to stay on top, and needs to work on generating more movement with his fastball. The sky is the limit for this kid, but he still has a lot to learn, as all major league hitters can turn on any fastball with little movement right down the middle of the plate.
2. Jason Heyward- Atlanta Braves (RF)
Heyward has been recognized as one of Major League Baseball’s top prospects for the upcoming season. Last season at age 18, Heyward compiled a .323 batting average with a .408 on-base percentage, while slugging 17 homers and driving in 65 runs. Heyward was awarded player of the year honors, while being selected to play in the MLB futures games. He has a big, strong, athletic frame and an excellent left handed stroke, as well as demonstrating excellent patience at the plate. He possesses excellent speed for his size (6’4”, 220 pounds). Defensively, Heyward covers a ton of ground in right field, as well as having an above average throwing arm. Heyward still may need a little time to develop fully, but, according to scouts, this young kid has the potential to be a perennial all-star on the big league level for many years to come.
3. Madison Bumgarner- San Francisco Giants (P)
Bumgarner was drafted tenth overall in 2007 by the San Fransisco Giants. In his first professional big league season in the minors, Bumgarner won 15 games, pitched to an impressive 1.46 ERA and was third in strikeouts with 164. The left hander possesses a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and is currently working on perfecting his curve and slider, as well as a changeup. He commands his pitches extremely well to both sides of the plate. Like Strasburg, the sky is the limit for Bumgarner, as he has potentially to be a big league ace. His work ethic and demeanor should have him on the fast track to the majors.
4. Justin Smoak- Texas Rangers (1B)
Smoak was drafted out of South Carolina in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. Smoak has been compared to players like Adrian Gonzalez (a player who can hit the ball all over the field) and Mark Texiera (for his switch hitting abilities). This past season in Double-A, Smoak batted .325 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI in only 151 plate appearances. His patience and command of the strike zone are very rare in a player of his age (23). The power numbers have not been there yet, but will continue to increase with more experience.
5. Buster Posey- San Francisco Giants (C)
Posey was drafted number one overall in 2008 by the San Francisco Giants. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound catcher possesses incredibly fast hands with an inside-out approach. He has excellent strike zone knowledge and all the makings of a professional hitter. Posey, a former shortstop, is extremely athletic behind the plate with a well above-average throwing arm. This past season, in his 128 at bats (split between rookie-level ball and advanced-level Single-A ball), Posey batted .325 with 18 home runs, 80 RBI and posted an on-base percentage of .416. He was recognized as the Topps Minor League Player of the Year in October. Posey will look to reach the majors quickly and be around for a very long time.
6. Mike Moustakas- Kansas City Royals (SS/3B)
Moustakas was drafted second overall in the 2007 MLB Draft. He has incredible bat speed with power to all fields. Last year, at 19, he led the Midwest League with 22 home runs. He is a very young, raw talent who only batted .250 on the season (although he batted .321 in the second half after the All-Star break). Last year, after being a life-long shortstop, he made an excellent transition to third base where he displayed an above-average glove and throwing arm. Regardless of where he ends up playing in the field, look for his excellent bat to move him through the minor league system quickly into the major leagues.
7. Mike Stanton- Florida Marlins (RF/CF)
Stanton was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2007 MLB draft. The three-sport star in high school possesses well above-average and tremendous size at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. Scouts say that he has a tremendous work ethic and everything a big league team looks for, but is still a raw talent. He covers a great deal of ground in center and right field with an extremely strong arm. Last year with Jupiter and Jacksonville (advanced Single-A and Double-A), Stanton hit .255 with 28 home runs and 92 RBI. He has drawn many comparisons to Dave Winfield and should be an impact player on the big league level who hits in the middle of the order.
8. Tim Beckham- Tampa Bay Rays (SS)
In 2008, Beckham was the highest ranked high school player and was drafted first overall by the Rays. This 19-year-old has all the potential to be a very special player. Although his numbers don’t jump off the page, you can clearly see that he has made progress each month. In 17 at-bats in June, he hit .176. He went for .227 in July and batted .271 in August. He was drafted first overall in 2008 because he can do it all. He has incredible bat speed that will lead to increased power numbers. He can run and excels in the field. Most young players who are drafted as shortstops out of college usually end up switching positions, but not this kid. He has amazing range, incredible foot work and a well above-average arm. It may take some time for Beckham to reach the big leagues, but when he does he is really going to be a joy to watch.
9. Austin Jackson- Detroit Tigers (CF)
Jackson was considered to be one of the New York Yankees top prospects. He was drafted in the eighth round of the 2005 MLB draft. The former high school basketball standout is a very athletic, defensive center fielder with well above-average range and throwing arm. Currently, Jackson does not possess much power, but hit to a .300 average with Triple-A Scranton, as well as driving in 65 runs and stealing 24 bases. After being dealt from the Yankees as a key piece in the Granderson deal, the upside for Jackson is that he can be an everyday defensive outfielder in Detroit who hits for a good average while increasing his power numbers over time. The Tigers could look to bring Jackson to the big leagues sometime this season if he continues to progress.
10. Yonder Alonso- Cincinnati Reds (1B)
Alonso was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. He is said to already be a “pro” at the plate based on his approach to hitting. He has excellent plate discipline. He drives in runs and hits for power. In college he displayed most of his power the opposite way and up the middle, but will learn to pull the ball. He is a slow runner and plays average defense at first base. Last year he split time with three different teams, where he batted .292 with nine home runs and 52 RBI in just 84 games. Alonso has a tremendous amount of potential and will be a middle of the order run producer for the Reds for many years to come.
