1. Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays- This pick is more than obvious, it's painfully obvious. Longoria mashed all year and then through the playoffs nearly ending up with 40 homeruns by Thanksgiving. He's the new Mike Schmidt and the best thing since Cracker Jacks.
.300, 35hr, 110rbi, 110runs
2. Matt Wieters, C, Baltimore Orioles- Its hard to believe, but the Orioles finally did something right regarding a prospect. Their farm system has been coughing up what looks like...pitchers?...for quite some time, pitchers without a clue of what to do in the Majors. Wieters on the other hand, looks like Joe Mauer and hits like a young Ivan Rodriguez. He doesn't strike out, at all, he hits for really really high averages, .345 and .365 over the past two seasons and he has great power--hitting 15 homeruns in only a third of a season in 2007. The only thing that has kept Matt form being atop this list is the fact that he hasn't had a single Major League at bat. When he does, watch out AL, a few MVP seasons are coming his way.
.305, 15hr, 75rbi, 85 runs
3. Jay Bruce, OF, Cincinnatti Reds- Bruce is generally mentioned in the same breath as Evan Longoria. The young man in Cinci completely overshadowed Delmon Young a year later with the show he put on when he was called up. He made his first week a homerun derby, and then slumped, but again picked it up again at the end of the season. The taste we had last year tells us that he'll be popping .300 and 30 homeruns in no time. Matt Holliday deux.
.310, 30 hr, 95 rbi, 100 runs
4. Lars Anderson, 1B, Boston Redsox- The beast in the east is a tall lanky, funny looking individual with a sweet, long, swing. For a guy that has had an OPS regularly hovering around .950 in the minors, its comforting to see that he doesn't strike out that much. He gets the edge over Snider and LaPorta, because simply put, he's a more rounded hitter. He isn't a huge power guy, yet, but he makes great contact and has a line drive cut. When he adds some more bulk to his 6'4" frame he'll start sniffin 40 homers in the majors. Oh, and a .320 avg to go with it.
.285, 25 hr, 80 rbi, 75 runs
5. Chris Davis, 3B/1B, Texas Rangers- Davis strikes out a lot, not just a lot, A LOT a lot. He's no Mark Reynolds 200 k's, but he is what Scott Rolen should've been. His power could reach 40-45 homers in a full season, and his average wouldn't lag behind that badly. With more time he'll cut out on his strikeouts and add some more walks, but for now, hes a pretty damn good stick at the hot corner.
.280, 30 hr, 90 rbi, 80 runs
6. Jesus Montero, C, New York Yankees- The fact that Montero isn't even legally able to drink in the U.S. yet still makes this list says a lot about this guy's talent. He's been hyped as an A-ROD bat playing catcher--enough said. At age 18 he hit 17 homers in 526 at bats in single A, and was given an 80 (the maximum) for his power on the scouting scale. The fact that he can barely buy cigarettes but is hitting bombs into New Jersey suggests that he'll be a very special player when he hits his prime in a few years. 45-55 homeruns? It could happen.
.310, 20 hr, 80 rbi, 80 runs
7. Angel Salome, C, Milwaukee Brewers- Okay, okay, whats with all the catchers on this list? Its really not because I like catchers, and I do, its because there are just so many good hitting catchers ready to break in to the MLB. Salome is often overlooked by other top hitting catchers but his batting title and .362 batting average in AA in 2008 is hard to miss. The fact that he outbatted Matt Wieters, the top prospect in the game, tells a lot about Salome. He's a quiet guy, more stocky than short, and he plays a solid dish. The Brewers have Jason Kendall barely hanging on to the job, so Salome will make a push to take over catcher in 2009.
.320, 10 hr, 70 rbi, 70 runs
8. Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds- Votto is a very good hitter. None of the statistical categories really stick out on his baseball card, but thats a good thing, it shows that J.V. is a very well-rounded player. He hit over .300 in his first MLB season and managed to belt 24 home runs. He'll never be a 40 home run guy, but .315 with 30 homers yearly, kind of a Justin Morneau for the NL, sounds about right.
.290, 25 hr, 100 rbi, 90 runs
9. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Boston Red Sox- Ellsbury really shouldn't be on this list, he's already played more than a full season with the Sox, but what the hell, he just barely missed the cut. Ellsbury is super fast--Jose Reyes fast. His bat stalled in 2008, but still shows the makings of a good contact hitter. He doesn't strike out, and he takes enough walks. If Ellsbury can find some more plate discipline theres no reason why he can't hit .300 and steal 60 bases annually. Probalbly the best part about the young player is his all around game--he really doesn't have a flaw. His arm may not be a cannon, but its a heck of a lot better than Johnny Damon. His power isn't godly, but 15-20 homeruns is very possible in his prime. He''ll be in the MVP voting by 2011.
.290, 12 hr, 60 sb, 75 rbi, 110 runs
10. Elijah Dukes, OF, Washington Nationals- Dukes has always had the tools to be a Vladamir Guerrero, the only thing that has stopped him from being one, and the only thing that got him thrown out of Tampa on a screaming Greyhound is his temper. The guy freaks out with the best of 'em, kind of like a Jack Nicholas meets Shaquille O'Neil type guy. If he can get a full season in, 30-30 is in reach. He has a cannon of an arm to go along with that bat by the way.
.270, 25 hr, 15 sb, 80 rbi, 70 runs
11. Matt, LaPorta, OF/DH, Cleveland Indians- LaPorta beats out the other top ten outfield prospect travis Snider with his more consistent play. The fact of the matter is, though, Snider and LaPorta are nearly the same player. They both hit for a ton of power, a decent average, can't field, and get on base at a decent clip. The Brewers were playoff crazy when they traded LaPorta to rent Sabathia for a half a season, and now they'll pay for it when another midwest team slots in a guy that could win ROY in 2009.
.260, 20 hr, 75 rbi, 70 runs
12. Travis Snider, OF/DH, Toronto Bluejays- What scares me is Snider's build. His frame isn't all that big, but he seems packed to the brim with bulk and muscle--traditionally this Brad Fullmer-Barry Bonds look means injury city. Still, Snider has power that nobody can argue against. 30-40 homers in his primse sounds about right, with Nick Markakis periferals.
.250, 20 hr, 75 rbi, 70 runs
13. Cameron Maybin, CF, Florida Marlins- Maybin has been waiting for the better part of the last two seasons for his shot at the show--he got that shot in 2009. He burst on to the scene with a roar and a .400 batting average over the last quarter of the season. The guy isn't superman, and he was overrated a bit too much, but .300, 20-30 is very attainable for Killa Cam.
.290, 15 hr, 30 sb, 65 rbi, 90 runs
14. Pablo Sandoval, 1B/3B/C- Sandoval wasn't a big name before 2008. That changed quickly by season's end after hitting .350 over two levels in the minors and another .350 in the majors. His bad is brilliant, and he can make contact with the best of them. The only issue with Sandy is his position--he really doesn't have one. Fantasy owners would love to see him playing catcher, but more than likely he'll end up playing in either corner of the infield--more likely first base than third.
.295, 15 hr, 70 rbi, 80 runs
15. Travis Buck, OF, Oakland Athletics- Other A's prospects generally get more hype than Buck did, but frankly, you can get more bang for your Buck with this guy (insert chuckle here). He hits for average, a lot of average, and has good but not great power. After his career at ASU, Buck was chosen in the first round by the Oakland A's, and since then has compiled a .326 batting average in the minor leagues throughout four seasons. His play in 2007 looked extremely promising, but then a concussion in 2008 halted his development. Still, in the fall of 2008 Buck really caught fire, and ended the season on a good note after a good September.
.285, 15 hr, 70 rbi, 75 runs
No comments:
Post a Comment