Top 100 Prospects

This list was comprised by studying several player ranking lists such as Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, The Scouting Book, and a few other independent lists to come up with numeric vales for each prospect. Players were ranked in the order of their average rank, with the exception of 3-5 spots by using my knowledge and judgment. In my opinion, this list is a great combination of credible minor league prospect ranking sheets that assess their potential impact in the majors. Please note that players have been removed if they are in, or have made at least one appearance in the majors this season.

Green = New Prospect

Red = Hot or moved up

Blue = Cold or moved down

Yellow = Disabled List 

1. Tommy Hanson: Atlanta Braves (Starting Pitcher) – Another prospect that’s calling is any day now. If Medlen faulters, Hanson may take his place and never look back.

2. Andrew McCutchen: Pittsburgh Pirates (Outfielder) – If only the Pirates could run an organization, they would realize that this kid needs to be up and starting RIGHT NOW!

3. Madison Bumgarner: San Francisco Giants (Starting Pitcher) – Was one of the minors top K guys last season with 164. Has a very slight possibility of pitching this season, should G-Men be out of the hunt come September.

4. Gordon Beckham: Chicago White Sox (Shortstop) – With the Sox struggling mightily, he may get his shot very soon.

5. Jason Heyward: Atlanta Braves (First Base/Outfielder) – Combine Ryan Howard and Derrek Lee, and you have Mr. Heyward. I love what this kid is going to bring to the Braves, but he’s probably too young to get a crack in Hot-lanta this season. Maybe in 2010?

6. Chris Tillman: Baltimore Orioles (Starting Pitcher) – Tillman is carving hitters up like Samurai. Expect the O’s to figure things out by All-Star Break and insert the kid accordingly.

7. Justin Smoak: Texas Rangers (First Base) – Smoak is living up to his name in the minors more and more every day. He’s dominated minor pitchers and needs to be given a shot in the big’s; especially with Davis slumping. I’m not sure if they’ll have a spot for him anytime soon, but he deserves one.

8. Neftali Feliz: Texas Rangers (Starting Pitcher) – Strong righty with Pedro-like essence. Too bad he calls his home Arlington, however, it should only have a minor impact on his stats. He’s that good.

9. Pedro Alvarez: Pittsburgh Pirates (Third Base) – Could have been the top pick in last year’s draft had he not endured an injury. He’s one of the best pure hitters not in the majors, and will be a Pirate once they figure out that Andy LaRoche is not the answer.

10. Tim Beckham: Tampa Bay Rays (Shortstop) – Beckham was the first pick in last year’s draft, and he’s done an outstanding job in his first full year of professional ball.

11. Mike Moustakas: Kansas City Royals (Third Base/Shortstop) – Moosy may see time in KC in September, but if the Royals are still in the playoff hunt, it’s looking more likely that it will be another year or two down the road.

12. Kyle Blanks: San Diego Padres (First Base/Outfielder) – Another player that is blocked at the one bag. It looks like the Padres will have to move him to the outfield; Chase Headley style.

13. Lars Anderson: Boston Red Sox (First Base) – Slugging first base man, with the potential to hit over .300. If Lowell falls to injury at some point, don’t be surprised if they move Youk to third and display one of the greatest young infields in the majors (Youk, Lowrie, Pedroia, and Anderson).

14. Buster Posey: San Francisco (Catcher) – Plays any position he’s asked of, and is seen as a durable Joe Mauer; can’t go wrong there.

15. Austin Jackson: New York Yankees (Outfielder) – He’s hitting at a great clip so far this season in the minors, but until Melky cools off and Gardiner shows he’s incapable, the Yanks won’t call him up, which is very unfortunate for them because this kid can rake.

16. Jarrod Parker: Arizona Diamondbacks (Starting Pitcher) – The sky is the limit for Parker, who will have great mentors in Webb and Haren; let’s not forget Scherzer either.

17. Brian Matusz: Baltimore Orioles (Starting Pitcher) – Shown a lot of promise in the minors last season and could be an O earlier than thought. I’m smelling a mid-season call-up.

18. Mike Stanton: Florida Marlins (Outfielder) – Great young outfielder in the Fish system, who may not see the majors this season, but has a great shot next year. He could wind up in the top 10 by season’s end.

19. Tim Alderson: San Francisco Giants (Starting Pitcher) – Big strong arm that could complete a very nice Giant rotation (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner & Alderson) come 2011. His numbers are even stronger after his promotion to Double AA.

20. Carlos Carrasco: Philadelphia Phillies (Starting Pitcher) – Being a top prospect on the defending champs usually doesn’t give one hope to pitch, but he may get into the rotation this season.

21. Wade Davis: Tampa Bay Rays (Starting Pitcher) – Should see time in relief if there are no openings in the rotation.

22. Yonder Alonso: Cincinnati Reds (First Base) – Great hitter, who may be too tough to pass up. The Reds have a great young team and could move Votto to left in order to get Alonso in at first.

23. Alcides Escobar: Milwaukee Brewers (Shortstop) – Now that Rickie Weeks has been told he will miss the rest of the season; this may be Escobar’s shot at being an everyday Brewer.

24. Jeremy Hellickson: Tampa Bay Rays (Starting Pitcher) – Powerful young starter that has drawn comparisons to Timmy Lincecum. The Rays have so many pitching prospects, I don’t know how they’ll all pitch for them?

25. Logan Morrison: Florida Marlins (First Base) – Logan has a decent shot at making the move up to the Fish this season, but Gaby Sanchez is probably the first prospect they’ll call on.

26. Josh Vitters: Chicago Cubs (Third Base) – Should benefit from another season’s in the minors, but is tearing it up and forcing the Cubs brass to at least take a strong look at him for a September call up.

27. Aaron Poreda: Chicago White Sox (Starting Pitcher) – Big lanky lefty has the stuff to mystify hitters on a nightly basis. He could jump right in, if given the chance. He almost got dealt for Peavy, does that give you an indication of what he’s capable of?

28. Carlos Gonzalez: Colorado Rockies (Outfielder) – Blessed with 5-tool talent, this kid has sort of been under the radar since he’s been dealt to Colorado. Given another year in the minors, this kid could be a star come 2010.

29. Dayan Viciedo: Chicago White Sox (Third Base) – This pudgy Sox is getting his first taste of professional ball in America this season and will need to exercise some patience if he wants to move up in the system.

30. Phillippe Aumont: Seattle Mariners (Relief/Starting Pitcher) – Young Canadian arm that throws heat, so let’s hope he’s a little more durable than the rest of the Canuck arms. Currently pitching out of the pen, maybe the Mariners see him as a closer?

31. Angel Villalona: San Francisco Giants (First Base/Third Base) – The kid has a great bat and a bright future, but might not get a chance to show his worth until the versatile Pablo is moved to another position.

32. Chris Marrero: Washington Nationals (First Base/Outfielder) – Marrero is a youthful bat that makes good contact, but struggles sometimes against breaking balls. Currently in Advanced A ball, Marrero has a ways to go, but if the Nats continue their losing ways we may see him come September.

33. Jhoulys Chacin: Colorado Rockies (Starting Pitcher) – This Rockie can blow’em away with his heat. I’d love to see him throw back-to-back with Ubaldo…Yikes!

34. Troy Patton: Baltimore Orioles (Starting Pitcher) – Making his return from an injury last year, Patton has been untouchable at Double AA Bowie.

35. Eric Hosmer: Kansas City Royals (First Base) – Hosmer is a youthful bat that is seen to be the face of the Royals infield in the coming years. Look for him to reach the big’s sometime in 2010 or 2011, but make sure he’s on your radar before then.

36. Jake Arrieta: Baltimore Orioles (Starting Pitcher) – Arrieta has the gas and the tools to be an effective 2nd or 3rd starter in the O’s rotation. The baby O’s are looking mighty strong on the hill these days.

37. Ben Revere: Minnesota Twins (Outfielder) – This Kenny Lofton type of center fielder has the gift of speed and the knack for contact. The Twins obviously knew Torri Hunter was expendable when they let him walk.

38. Chris Carter: Oakland Athletics (First Base) – Not to be confused with the other Chris Carter in the Red Sox system. This guy can mash with the best of them, and could bump out the competition if they aren’t producing.

39. Wilmer Flores: New York Mets (Shortstop) – This guy is a child, but remember his name because he is projected to be a star. He’s at least a few years away from having any impact at the major league level, but think of a young Miguel Cabrera.

40. Jesus Montero: New York Yankees (Catcher) – The Yanks have a prized young catcher in Montero. However, he’s still very young to be inserted in a high pressure situation in New York, but the future looks bright for this kid.

41. Junichi Tazawa: Boston Red Sox (Starting Pitcher) – This Japanese import has been tremendous in his first year of pitching in North America. The Red Sox just seem to churn out great young hurlers, and Tazawa isn’t even the next one in line. Therefore, his promotion may take a year or two, or a trade to a different team.

42. Bud Norris: Houston Astros (Starting Pitcher) – Should an injury hit the Houston rotation; this guy could get the call. He’s been rather effective in the minors and looks to be knocking on the door.

43. Aaron Hicks: Minnesota Twins (Outfielder) – The Twins first round pick last season did a fantastic job last year when he got in 45 games with the GCL Twins. Look for him to pick up right where he left off when the GCL Twins begin again this season.

44. Bradley Meyers: Washington Nationals (Starting Pitcher) – This kid has sort of come out of the woodwork this season and drawn a lot of attention in the Nats system. Not seen to have an impact as a front of the rotation pitcher, Meyers could get the call sometime late this season to show the Nats he belongs on their staff.

45. Carlos Triunfel: Seattle Mariners (Shortstop) – A very young shortstop that could be given a shot with the big club should they drop out of contention this season.

46. Carlos Santana: Cleveland Indians (Catcher) – Not only does he have the same name as the famous musician, but he possesses great power from the catcher position. Think Soto numbers if he’s ever given the chance, but both V-Mart and Shoppach have been sufficient for the Indians thus far.

47. Chuck Lofgren: Cleveland Indians (Starting Pitcher) – Lofgren ripped it up at Double AA Akron early this year. His recent promotion to Triple AAA will allow him the chance to show off his wicked stuff at Columbus.

48. Matt Dominguez: Florida Marlins (Third Base) – A solid prospect with a top tier bat and a slick glove. Still needs some minor league tweaking, so look for him to reach the majors in a year or two.

49. Brandon Erbe: Baltimore Orioles (Starting/Relief Pitcher) – Erbe throws with solid heat and will more than likely be used out of the pen to ease him into the majors. He has a B.J. Ryan type of essence on the mound.

50. Brett Wallace: St. Louis Cardinals (Third Base) – Recently promoted to Triple AAA, the Cardinals may feel he’s ready to take over at the hot corner. Given his past success, he should do just fine.

51. Kila Ka’aihue: Kansas City Royals (First Base)

52. Casey Kelly: Boston Red Sox (Starting Pitcher/Shortstop)

53. Desmond Jennings: Tampa Bay Rays (Outfielder)

54. Michael Saunders: Seattle Mariners (Outfielder)

55. Mat Latos: San Diego Padres (Starting Pitcher)

56. Michael Taylor: Philadelphia Phillies (Outfielder)

57. Tyler Flowers: Chicago White Sox (Catcher)

58. Wade LeBlanc: San Diego Padres (Starting Pitcher)

59. Hank Conger: Los Angeles Angels (Catcher)

60. Michael Burgess: Washington Nationals (Outfielder)

61. Todd Frazier: Cincinnati Reds (Outfielder/Shortstop)

62. Kevin Pucetas: San Francisco Giants (Starting Pitcher)

63. Eric Young: Colorado Rockies (Second Base)

64. Oscar Tejada: Boston Red Sox (Shortstop)

65. Will Inman: San Diego Padres (Starting Pitcher)

66. Jose Tabata: Pittsburgh Pirates (Outfielder)

67. Greg Halman: Seattle Mariners (Outfielder)

68. Bryan Anderson: St. Louis Cardinals (Catcher)

69. Freddie Freeman: Atlanta Braves (First Base)

70. Jason Donald: Philadelphia Phillies (Second Base/Shortstop)

71. Gorkys Hernandez: Atlanta Braves (Outfielder)

72. Brett Lawrie: Milwaukee Brewers (First Base/Catcher)

73. J.P. Arenciba: Toronto Blue Jays (Catcher)

74. Neil Walker: Pittsburgh Pirates (Third Base)

75. Jeremy Jeffress: Milwaukee Brewers (Starting Pitcher)

76. Adrian Cardenas: Oakland Athletics (Shortstop)

77. Ike Davis: New York Mets (First Base)

78. Jason Castro: Houston Astros (Catcher)

79. Bradley Holt: New York Mets (Starting Pitcher)

80. Billy Rowell: Baltimore Orioles (Outfielder)

81. Mike Carp: Seattle Mariners (First Base)

82. Drew Sutton: Houston Astros (Second Base/Third Base/Shortstop)

83. Hector Gomez: Colorado Rockies (Shortstop)

84. Andrew Lambo: Los Angeles Dodgers (Outfielder)

85. Beau Mills: Cleveland Indians (Third Base)

86. Jacob McGee: Tampa Bay Rays (Starting/Relief Pitcher)

87. Max Ramirez: Texas Rangers (Catcher)

88. Jordan Walden: Los Angeles Angels (Starting Pitcher)

89. Engel Beltre: Texas Rangers (Outfielder)

90. Ethan Martin: Los Angeles Dodgers (Starting/Relief Pitcher)

91. Matt Antonelli: San Diego Padres (Second Base)

92. Nick Weglarz: Cleveland Indians (Outfielder)

93. Kasey Kiker: Texas Rangers (Starting/Relief Pitcher)

94. Josh Reddick: Boston Red Sox (Outfielder)

95. Angel Salome: Milwaukee Brewers (Catcher)

96. Wes Hodges: Cleveland Indians (Third Base)

97. David Cooper: Toronto Blue Jays (First Base)

98. Wilin Rosario: Colorado Rockies (Catcher)

99. Christian Friedrich: Colorado Rockies (Starting Pitcher)

100. James Simmons: Oakland Athletics (Starting Pitcher)