Saturday, January 14, 2012

2012 Top 100 Prospects (#1-#25)

We are at the end of the my four part Top 100 Prospects analysis. As with all lists, these rankings are a compilation of hands-on scouting, dialogs with scouts and industry experts, as well as statistical analysis. As always, I welcome your feedback.

The final installment of our podcast will occur on BlogTalkradio, Thursday, January 19 at 10pm EST. Last night's podcast will have over 5,000 downloads and is ranked as the top Blogtakradio baseball podcast and is in the Top 5 at iTunes in the same category. This broadcast is on the same feed as our weekly Fantasy Baseball show, which airs every Sunday at 10pm.

Thanks for your support. Here you go...
 
1. Bryce Harper – OF (Washington Nationals)

I had Harper listed at #2 in June’s 2011 Top 50 list, but the more I see Harper, the more I’m realizing that we are looking at a very special player. Harper has true 80 grade raw power that could translate into 40+ home runs in the majors. He’ll have decent speed initially (10-15 stolen bases per year) but as the body fills out, the speed will diminish. There has also been a lot of discussion about Harper’s make-up. What I’ve seen and experienced is an intense competitor that has a great relationship with his teammates and works extremely hard. Is he going to be an arrogant megastar? Possibly, but I’ll take that and the great make-up any day of the week.

2. Mike Trout – OF (Los Angeles Angels)

Everyone got a chance to see Trout display his skills in the Majors last season. While the production was not there, a careful observer could see the plate discipline, bat speed, and raw 80 speed that will make him a potential all-star for years. A scary comp is Carl Crawford with more power or Grady Sizemore (circa 2008) with a .300 batting average. His make-up is off the charts as is illustrated by his participation in the AFL. After a long season that included significant playing time in the majors, Trout was there.

3. Matt Moore - LHP (Tampa Rays)

Matt Moore came into his own over the 2011 season, culminating in an impressive 7.0 IP, 2 hit, and 6 strikeout performance in the ALDS. The scary thing about the performance was Moore’s stuff was not at it’s best that afternoon. When you see Matt Moore pitch, it’s hard to believe that he’s hitting the upper 90’s with his fastball. The delivery is free and easy with great movement. His curve is a plus-plus tool and his change-up has moved to a 55-60 pitch. Throw in great control and you’ve got a future Ace. The only question left is will the Rays put him in the starting rotation out of Spring Training or hold him back ala Desmond Jennings? Bet on the former.

4. Julio Teheran – RHP (Atlanta Braves)

The Braves have been very aggressive with Julio Teheran’s development, moving him quickly through the organization and even starting him three times in the majors during the 2011 season. All three of those starts were sub-optimal and illustrates while Teheran is very advanced at age 20, he still has room for improvement. Some have even started to sour on Teheran’s upside and while his breaking ball is average at best, his fastball, change-up and command are all plus.

5. Shelby Miller – RHP (St. Louis)

Recently promoted to Double A, Miller has a 93-95 MPH fastball with an above average curve. The command is still developing. There’s a lot to like with Miller and along with Julio Teheran, is the best right-handed pitching prospect in the minors.

6. Jesus Montero – DH (New York Yankees)

The Yankees are a veteran team that takes delicate managing of the many egos on the team. That style of managing led to Jorge Posada playing DH in 2011, forcing one of the best hitting prospects in the minors to continue to hone his craft down on the farm. The reports of Montero being bored are well known. But once he got a chance, he showed the 70 hit tool and power that will make Montero an absolute beast in the Majors. I have Montero listed as a DH and playing for the Yankees, that is what his position will be. If he gets traded, don’t expect him to play catcher, but instead, be moved to 1B.

7. Anthony Rendon – 3B (Washington Nationals)

The Washington Nationals have two of the top 7 prospects in the minor leagues. That’s impressive. While listed second on the Nationals depth chart, Rendon has future star written all over him. He has a very quick bat that moves fast and level through the hitting zone with great plate discipline. That approach should make Rendon a .300 hitter with plus power (20-25) at full maturity. Rendon is also a very nice defender and has the tools to stay at 3B. If the Nationals make a long-term commitment to Ryan Zimmerman, Rendon has the quickness to move to 2B. The speed is only average given his multiple ankle surgeries over the past two years.

8. Jurickson Profar – SS (Texas Rangers)

Everybody talked about how young Bryce Harper was in the Sally League, but Jurickson Profar, the young shortstop prospect from the Texas Rangers, was even younger and wound up as the MVP of the league. Profar has five average to above average tools with no apparent weakness but also no true elite skill. In Low-A, Profar hit 12 home runs, stole 23 bases with a 65/63 strikeout to walk ratio. He defense is also excellent with an above average lateral movement and arm. Scott Boras and Elvis Andrus might equal Jurickson Profar in 2014.

9. Gerrit Cole – RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Cole was the 2011 #1 overall pick in the amateur draft out of UCLA. He has elite stuff with an upper 90's fastball, a nasty change-up and an improving slider. He was being compared at the beginning of the college season to Stephen Strasburg, but scouts quickly realized that while the stuff is there, the command is lacking. A 6-4 and 220lbs, Cole should have the body to endure 200+ innings at the major league level. In his highly anticipated AFL debut, Cole did not disappoint; lighting up the radar with several triple digit readings.

10. Devin Mesoraco – C (Cincinnati Reds)

With Jesus Montero destined to be a designated hitter, Devin Mesoraco is now clearly the #1 catching prospect in the minors and has an excellent chance to break Spring Training with the Cincinnati Reds. Mesoraco is primarily an offensive catcher, although his defensive skills have improved in the last year. While he has a big hard swing, he makes great contact at 81% and also is walking at a clip of 11%. The power in Triple-A yielded 15 home runs but as he matures, Mesoraco should be able to contribute 20+ home runs annually. Wrap it all up and you have a first division catcher with all-star potential.

11. Manny Machado – SS (Baltimore Orioles)

Taken as the #3 overall pick in the 2010 Rule 4 draft, Machado had a terrific 1st year in professional ball given his age. Machado’s combines strong wrist and a quick bat to go along with above average power and speed to form a scary package of a future all-star shortstop. He also has shown nice plate discipline and approach with an 81% contact rate and a 12% walk rate between Low-A and High-A.

12. Jacob Turner – RHP (Detroit Tigers)

Tall projectable pitcher with smooth mechanics with great velocity (94MPH-96MPH) and the ability to spin a curve. Change-up is improving and while only 20, look for the Tigers to break camp with him as the #5 pitcher in the starting rotation.

13. Wil Myers – OF (Kansas City Royals)

A nasty knee infection slowed the development for Wil Myers in 2011, but the hit tool remains solid. While the move to the outfield will accelerate his path to the majors, the dream of an elite hitting prospect behind the plate is gone. In many 2011 pre-season list, Myers was a top 20 prospect but based on his 2011 season, his ranking could very well fall. However, don’t be fooled, Myers has tremendous upside and all-star potential.

14. Dylan Bundy – RHP (Baltimore Orioles)

One of the more advanced high school pitchers to be drafted in quite a while, Bundy sits 94-96MPH with a clean delivery and an advanced change-up for an 18 year-old. Many scouts believe that he has the highest ceiling of any pitcher taken in the 2011 draft. Expect Bundy to start in Low-A or even High-A to start the 2012 season.

15. Trevor Bauer – RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)

In February, scouts initially went to UCLA games to see Gerrit Cole, but stayed for the Saturday game and saw the emergence of Trevor Bauer. Bauer is an advanced pitcher that led Division I in strikeouts with a 92-95MPH fastball and two above average breaking balls. He signed quickly and excelled in 25.2 innings in High-A and Double-A striking out 43 and walking 12. He does have a funky delivery that turned some scouts off but reminded others of Tim Lincecum. Bauer is on a fast track and could make his major league debut in 2012 with a #2 ceiling.

16. Taijuan Walker – RHP (Seattle Mariners)

Taijuan Walker has as much talent as any pitcher on this list. His fastball sits in the mid 90’s touching higher with a plus power curve. He’s still working on his change-up, but it projects to also be an above average pitch. Even after tiring in August, Walker managed to strikeout 113 batters in 96.2 innings while walking only 39 in the Midwest League (Low-A). At 6-4 and 195 lbs, Walker has the body that can handle the 200 innings that a staff ace eventually will have to log, particularly after he fills out. He’ll move up to the difficult CAL League (High-A) next spring.

17. Jameson Taillon – RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Pirates took it very easy with their prized prospect, the #2 pick in the 2010 draft by limiting his starts to a maximum of 5 IP pitched per outing. At 6’ 6” and 220lbs, sitting in the mid-90’s with a plus curve ball already, Taillon has future Ace written all over him. In 2012, he should be promoted to High-A and have the training wheels lowered a bit to start working on his change-up, a pitch that Pittsburgh rarely let him throw in 2011.

18. Martin Perez – RHP (Texas Rangers)

Martin Perez has some of the best stuff in the minor leagues with three plus pitches and great mechanics. His fastball sits 92-95MPH with good movement while his curve rates plus and his change-up even better. While he has smooth mechanics, it has not manifested itself into great results as the command has been lacking (120K/56BB). He is still rated very high in part because he will only turn 21 at the start of next season and has already made it to Triple-A. The future is still very bright.

19. Travis d’Arnaud – C (Toronto Blue Jays)

d’Arnaud quietly had a nice season in Double-A New Hampshire showing a 77% contact rate, 8% walk rate while hitting 311, slugging .542, and hitting 21 home runs. He doesn’t have the raw power of major league incumbent J.P Arencibia, but his hit tool is superior. d’Arnaud should start 2012 in Triple-A Las Vegas and the positive hitting environment should play well for him. It will be interesting to see what Toronto does long-term as they now have two legitimate catchers in Travis d’Arnaud and J.P. Arencibia.

20. Tyler Skaggs – RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Taken as the player to be named later in the Dan Haren trade, there’s a lot to dream on with Skaggs. He has size at 6-4 as well as plus velocity at 92-94MPH. To complement the fastball, Skaggs also has a plus classic 12-6 curve that he can control with a change-up that has now ticked up to above average. The best news is that he’s still very young at 20 years-old and may wind up being the best of an elite minor league crop of Diamondback pitchers.

21. Danny Hultzen – LHP (Seattle Mariners)

Danny Hultzen was taken with the #3 pick in the 2011 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners. He possess a 91-94MHP fast ball with a good slider and change-up. The thing that sets Hultzen apart is his excellent command and polished approach to pitching. While his ceiling might not be as high as some of other standout pitchers in the 2011 draft, he should quickly work his way through the Mariners system with a 2012 major league appearance in the cards.

22. Hak-Ju Lee – SS (Tampa Bay Rays)

Chris Archer was supposed to be the center piece of the 2011 Matt Garza trade, but Hak-Ju Lee has surpassed him and is now the shortstop of the future in Tampa Bay. Lee has nice plate discipline and patience to go with plus speed and defensive ability. Across two levels in 2011, Lee had a 94K/53BB in 500 at bats resulting in a .292 average. This profile should play very well once Lee is promoted to the big leagues. While Lee stole 33 bases, he was thrown out 16 times and will need to improve in order to be considered an elite base stealer.

23. Carlos Martinez – RHP (St. Louis Cardinals)

Incredible young talented 20-year old with an explosive fastball that reaches the upper 90’s with late movement. Improving curve and an emerging change-up have scouts excited about the potential. Command is not there yet and as the Futures Game showed, Martinez can get amped up and overthrow. The stuff and velocity says “Ace”, the body at 6-0 at 170 have scouts unsure on whether he’s a starter or a late inning reliever.

24. Jean Segura – SS (Los Angeles Angels)

Hamstring problems hindered the explosive Jean Segura this year but there is a lot of talent in the 21-year old Dominican shortstop. He has a very wide batting stance with little lower body movement that allows him to have great balance through his swing and produce hard line drives to all fields. Segura posses plus speed and his 50 stolen bases in 2010 should be able to project once he arrives in the majors. Barring another physical setup, Segura will start the year in Double-A with a September call-up not out of the question.

25. Manny Banuelos – LHP (New York Yankees)

Manny Banuelos was all the talk a year ago as he exploded on the scene with an impressive 85K/25BB ratio in 62.2 innings showing a fastball sitting 93-95 and touching 97 with a great 12-6 curve. In 2011, the stuff remained the same but the command was not nearly as good as he progressed to the upper minors. Now people are questioning his size at 5-11 and 170. While not a star, I think a great comp is Wandy Rodriguez. The pitching style and delivery is very similar.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

2012 Top 100 Prospects (#26-#50)

We are half way done with the list and we now move up to prospects #26 to #50. As with all lists, these rankings are a compilation of hands-on scouting, dialogs with scouts and industry experts, as well as statistical analysis.
Markus Potter and I will be doing a special podcast on BlogTalkradio, Thursday, January 12 at 9pm EST. http://tinyurl.com/86pcyhj. This broadcast is on the same feed as our weekly Fantasy Baseball show, which airs every Sunday at 10pm and is the #1 Sports Show on BTR.

26. Nolan Arenado - 3B (Colorado Rockies)

Arenado turned a lot of heads in the 2011 Arizona Fall League, batting .388 with a 1.059 OPS while winning MVP honors. Drafted in the second round in 2008, Arenado has a plus hit tool with gap power that should eventually translate into 20-25 home run power. In High-A Modesto, he demonstrated an elite 88% contact rate and a passable 8% walk rate. Assuming Arenado continues to mash in Double-A, he will be rising very quickly on everyone’s prospect list.

27. Arodys Vizcaino – RHP (Atlanta Braves)

The centerpiece of the Javier Vazquez trade in 2010 to the Yankees is starting to pay-off for the Braves. Vizcaino combines plus velocity that sits 93-94 and hitting 97 MPH with the ability to command the fastball. His breaking ball is now above average and continues to improve while the change-up is still emerging. There is still debate among scouts and baseball executives on whether Vizcaino is a starter or late inning reliever but all agree that the young Dominican has got great stuff and a bright future.

28. Zack Wheeler – RHP (New York Mets)

Wheeler was traded from San Francisco to the New York Mets in the Carlos Beltran trade and immediately went to the top of the prospect list for the Mets. He throws a nasty 92-94MPH two-seam fastball with natural sink. The results in High-A across both the Mets and Giants were 129K/55BB in 115 innings. While the walks are on the high side, this is very typical for a sinker-baller and should correct over time.

29. Gary Brown – OF (San Francisco Giants)

If you’re looking for a future MLB steal champion, it could very well be Gary Brown. Brown has blazing 80-grade speed and amassed 53 steals on 72 attempts in High-A in 2011. His batting approach has turned out to better than scouts predicted showing decent plate discipline (8.0 BB rate). His speed and defensive ability will fit nicely in the cavernous PacBell Park. A small blip could be his departure from the Arizona Fall League with mononucleosis. This could slow him early in 2012 as he starts in Double-A.

30. Mike Montgomery – LHP (Kansas City Royals)

Montgomery is a tall 6-4 lefty that was christened as the pitching ace of the Kansas City rebuilding program, possibly starting in 2011. The stuff is excellent with a fastball that sits 92-94MPH and hitting as high as 97 with late life as well a plus curve and an improving change-up. However, the command left Montgomery as he struggled for most of the year repeating his mechanics. The results were a less than stellar 69 walks in 150.2 innings in Triple-A. There were reports of better command in August as Montgomery finished the month with a nice line of 19.2 and 21K/3BB. Don’t give up on Montgomery as lefties with the stuff that he has do not grow on trees.

31. Jarrod Parker – RHP (Oakland A’s)

The Diamondbacks took it very slowly with Jarrod Parker in 2011 as he recovered from Tommy John Surgery. Parker was basically limited to 5.0 innings per game with his plus velocity returning by May. As is typical, the command took a while but by mid-season, Parker had a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio. With his trade to the A’s, Parker has an excellent chance to break camp with club for the 2012 season with an upside of a #2 starter.

32. Drew Pomeranz – LHP (Colorado Rockies)

Pomeranz was the first college pitcher taken in the 2010 draft by Cleveland, and then found himself a year later, traded to Colorado for Ubaldo Jimenez. Pitching in Colorado instead of Cleveland for a guy who is more of a flyball pitcher than a ground pitcher is clearly a setback (GA/OA was 0.83). Pomeranz does have good stuff as his fastball sits 93-95MPH to go along with a plus curve. His change-up is still below average and he rarely throws it. Pomeranz did make four starts in the majors in 2012 but unless he improves the change-up and starts to keep the ball down, success will be difficult. There’s a lot to like in Pomeranz, but more development is needed.

33. Jonathan Singleton – 1B (Houston Astros)

Christmas came early for Jonathan Singleton as he was stuck behind Ryan Howard in Philadelphia but is now behind a combination of Carlos Lee and Brett Wallace in Houston. Singleton posses great raw strength with quick hands and nice plate discipline for a 19-year old - walking 70 times in 449 at bats in 2011. While the 13 home runs he hit didn’t challenge any record, he’s still very young and raw and should grow into his power.

34. James Paxton – LHP (Seattle Mariners)

Drafted in the fourth round in 2010, Paxton has very good stuff with his fastball sitting 90-94MHP with good life and sink as well as one of the better curves in the minors. The change-up is still a work in progress but is beginning to flash as an above average offering. He does have a long delivery which can sometimes lead to inconsistent command as is evidence by his 43 walks in 95 innings in 2011. However, the ground ball rate is excellent with a 1.53 GO/AO rate. Paxton will start 2012 in Double-A.

35. Matt Harvey – RHP (New York Mets)

The concerns of overuse in college have subsided and the Mets look like they’ve gotten an excellent front of the rotation arm in the 2010 draft. Harvey sits 93-95 with nice spin on his breaking ball. His change-up is not there yet but should develop as he moves through the Mets organization. Harvey should continue back in Double-A to start the 2012 season, but a mid-season promotion to Triple-A or Flushing is probably in the cards.

36. Zach Lee – RHP (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The Dodgers #1 pick in 2010 had a very good first year in professional ball, striking out 91 in 109 innings while only walking 32. A very athletic hard thrower who sits 91-94MPH with a lot of late life, Lee has better secondary pitches than scouts originally thought. The Dodgers have a history of moving top pitching prospects quickly through their system and Zach Lee should continue that tradition.

37. Miguel Sano -3B (Minnesota Twins)

Candidly, I’m a little uncomfortable putting an 18 year-old player this high on the list, particularly when the highest level he has played in is the short season Appy League, but there’s too much talent in Miguel Sano to ignore. Sano was signed by the Twins in 2009 out of the D.R. for $3.15M. He posses plus-plus power and when fully actualized in the majors, could hit 30-35 home runs. He still is learning how to hit as is evidence by his high swing and miss ratio (77K in 267 at bats) but scouts believe his quick hands and decent batting eye will lead to a plus hit tool.

38. Dellin Betances – RHP (New York Yankees)

Not only is Dellin Betances a very large human at 6-8 and 260 lbs, he’s also has nasty stuff with his fastball sitting in the mid 90’s and a nasty power curveball. In 2011 across Double-A and Triple-A, he’s struck out 142 in 126.1 innings but he also walked 70 indicating that his command is trailing his stuff. Betances still has some development left but given the status of the Yankees rotation, he could very well make the starting rotation out of camp in 2012. If he does, expect him to struggle a bit but remember, the upside is still there.

39. Brad Peacock – RHP (Oakland A’s)

Not many prospect saw their stock rise in the 2011 season more than Brad Peacock. Across Double-A and Triple-A, Peacock struck out 177 in 146.2 innings while walking only 47. This resulted in a September callup where Peacock won his first two major league starts, although he didn’t pitch all that effective. Peacock stuff is legitimate as he combines a 91-94MPH four seam fastball that with a lot of late life with a plus 12-6 curve that produces a lot of swing and misses. His change-up is still a work in progress and if the A’s are smart, they would give Peacock another 12-15 starts in Triple-A to refine the pitch. Peacock has strong #3 potential with #2 upside.

40. Neil Ramirez – RHP(Texas Rangers)

Promoted from Single-A to Triple-A in 2011, Ramirez has started to show why he was a supplemental pick in the 2007 draft. Ramirez put things together last year with a fastball that sits 93-94MPH, a plus curve and an above average change-up, although some shoulder problems hampered his second half development. With the addition of Darvish and Feliz to the rotation, Ramirez timeframe has been delayed. However, the talent is there and Texas has never been shy about trading talent to help their major league ball club.

41. Yasmani Grandal - C (San Diego)

The Reds had depth at catching and decided to trade Grandal to the Padres in the Mat Latos deal. While the path to the majors is now clear, Grandal will be faced with a massive Petco Park instead of the small confines of "The Great American" Park in Cincinnati. While Grandal doesn’t have the upside of Mesoraco, he still has the offensive skill set to become an elite backstop and hit in the middle of the lineup. Plus power and a great approach to hitting were demonstrated over three stops in 2011 (14 home runs, 16% walk rate, and a 75% contact rate).

42. Wilin Rosario – C (Colorado Rockies)

Rosario was having a breakout year in 2010, when knee surgery cut his season short in Double-A. In 2011, he repeated Double-A and continued to show considerable power by hitting 21 home runs in 405 at bat but also demonstrated a lack of plate discipline by only walking 19 times. Defensively, Rosario has a plus arm and handles pitchers very well. Whether we like to admit it or not, this is becoming a typical profile of a major league catcher - some pop with a poor batting average.

43. Michael Choice - OF (Oakland A’s)

Oakland has searched for a long-time for a middle of the order power bat and may have found one in Michael Choice. Taken as the #10 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Choice dominated the CAL league by hitting 30 home runs and batting .285. While his strikeout rate was high at 28%, Choice did shorten his swing throughout the year and dropped his strikeout rate significantly without loosing power. He does swing with maximum effort causing noticeable backside collapse ala Adrian Beltre.

44. Leonys Martin – OF (Texas Rangers)

I’ve gone back and forth on Leonys Martin. Originally, I didn’t believe the hype surrounding his signing, but the success in 302 at-bats in the minors changed my mind as he had an 88% contact rate to go along with a 9% walk rate. He also managed to steal 19 bases but did get thrown out 11 times. I’m still not totally sold on the hit-tool and could very well see him flame out

45. Yonder Alonso – 1B (San Diego Padres)

In 2010, Yonder Alonso batted .296, had 12 home runs and 56 RBI at Triple-A. In 2011 in Triple-A, he batted .296, had 12 home runs and 56 RBI. Talk about consistency! Alonso has a nice lefty swing that profiles as a plus hit-tool and above average power. He is ready for the major leagues and while the trade to San Diego moved him away from MVP Joey Votto, he will now be competing with Anthony Rizzo for playing time. There has been talk of moving him to the outfield, but I don’t believe the speed and athleticism is there to warrant the move.

46. Aaron Hicks – OF (Minnesota Twins)

Scouts fall in love with tools and Aaron Hicks has a ton of them. The problem is his ability to hit has yet to catch up to his athleticism. Part of the problem is the 78 walks he took in 443 at-bats this year in the Class-A Florida State League. Scouts look for aggressive hitters with a good eye but Hicks is just passive at the plate. He doesn’t swing at good pitches and then gets himself into poor hitting counts resulting in weak contact. In the final two months of the season, Hicks batted a paltry .195. At 22 years-old and likely to repeat Single-A, Hicks needs to start figuring things out.

47. Jake Marisnick – OF (Toronto Blue Jays)

At 6-4 and 220lbs, Jake Marisnick looks like a ballplayer. He has the size, speed, and athleticism to profile as a true center fielder. He has quick hands and prenatural ability to barrel the ball. In Low-A, he batted .320 with a great contact rate of 80% and walk rate of 9% while adding 37 steals in 45 attempts and hitting 14 home runs. He’ll start the year in High-A and if all goes well, should progress very quickly through the Toronto organization.

48. Anthony Rizzo – 1B (San Diego Padres)

The cutoff for prospect eligibility for positional players is 130 major league at bats. Anthony Rizzo makes it under the wire at 128 after an unforgettable major league debut in 2011. How unforgettable? He had one more stolen base than home runs. It’s clear that Rizzo has plus raw power but he also has a very long swing that major league pitchers were able to find holes resulting in 46 strikeouts in 128 at bats. The question is will he adjust? He makes the list because of the power and the dream but could easily fall into obscurity if he doesn’t shorten up the stroke.

49. Bubba Starling – OF (Kansas City Royals)

Committed to play quarterback at the University of Nebraska, a $7.5M signing bonus by the Royals in 2011 draft quickly swayed Bubba Starling to try baseball as a career. Starling is blessed with great physical skills – a 6-5 195lbs frame, great raw power and plus arm strength. He profiles as a slugging right fielder. The big question will be, can he hit? The high-school competition he faced was pretty weak but scouts like his bat speed but do see his swing getting long. Player development will be the key.

50. Gary Sanchez – C (New York Yankees)

Gary Sanchez performance in 2010 as a 17 year-old in Rookie ball had scouts buzzing and commenting that very over-used phrase, "the ball just sounds different coming off his bat". In 2011, as an 18-year in Low-A, things were not as rosy. Sanchez still demonstrated the bat speed and strength that excited scouts, but some make-up issues surfaced that eventually sent him back to extended spring training. In the end, Sanchez played well, hitting 17 home runs with a 93K/36BB over 301 at bats but clearly there is work left to be done. The upside, particularly at the catching position, is still very high for the young Gary Sanchez.