Baseball America’s Top-50 Prospect and My Ramblings

MIDSEASON TOP 50 PROSPECTS
1. Bryce Harper, of, Nationals 2011 Bowman Paper: Easily the best player in the minors and just got the promotion to AA.
2. Mike Trout, of, Angels 2009 Bowman Chrome: Realistically, considering his speed and defense, he’s not all that far behind Harper.
3. Matt Moore, lhp, Rays 2010 Donruss Elite: All he does is lead the minors in strike-outs and then came within a few outs of his second no-hitter of 2010. About damn time.
4. Julio Teheran, rhp, Braves 2010 Bowman Chrome: Some Scouts actually see flaws in his game and peg his ceiling a bit lower than expected.
5. Manny Machado, ss, Orioles 2010 Bowman Chrome: A-Rod comps won’t go away. Kid can hit.
6. Martin Perez, lhp, Rangers 2010 Bowman Chrome: Finally putting results with stuff.
7. Shelby Miller, rhp, Cardinals 2010 Bowman Chrome: Big ol’ texas righty with ace potential. Personally, I’d switch him and Teheran.
8. Jesus Montero, c, Yankees 2008 Bowman Chrome: Yup, he started out slow last year too. No one knows what the hell’s going on with him in the longterm though.
9. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates 2010 Bowman Chrome: Absolutely dominating. Showing better control than I personally expected. Elite.
10. Brett Lawrie, 3b, Blue Jays 2008 Razor Metal: Currently on the shelf, but should be up with the Blue Jays as soon as he’s healthy. Destroyed AAA-Vegas, but it’s pretty hitter friendly.
11. Jacob Turner, rhp, Tigers 2009 Donruss Elite: That 2009 Draft was pretty friendly on the pitchers, eh?
12. Jurickson Profar, ss, Rangers 2011 Bowman Chrome: Most of the value doesn’t come from the bat, but he’s really proving people wrong by hitting dingers.
13. Manny Banuelos, lhp, Yankees 2011 Bowman Chrome NON-AUTO: He’s a Yankee and he’s actually underwhelmed me this year. All sorts of stuff and a smart kid though.
14. Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Indians 2010 Bowman Chrome: Really surprising me in terms of ratios and results and just… stuff at this point. K/9 north of 11 (but BB/9 still a bit of a concern)
15. Devin Mesoraco, c, Reds 2007 Bowman Chrome: Absolutely, Positively, Completely RAKING.
16. Arodys Vizcaino, rhp, Braves 2010 Bowman Chrome: A lot of people on both sides of the fence with this kid. Personally, I like him more than most and agree with BA’s spot.
17. Wil Myers, of, Royals 2010 Bowman Chrome: Great bat. No longer a catcher. He’ll play fine at a corner outfield spot. One of the few guys on this list with the potential to be a blow you out of the water superstar (at least in my opinon). This list is pretty stacked with front of the rotation pitchers, but hitters are a bit different.
18. Carlos Martinez, rhp, Cardinals NADA
19. Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Diamondbacks 2009 Donruss Elite: Who doesn’t like stellar projectible lefties with 11K/9 in High-A
20. Desmond Jennings, of, Rays 2007 Bowman Chrome: Impressing with power in 2011. C’mon Tampa.
21. Dee Gordon, ss, Dodgers 2011 Bowman Chrome: Wobbled a bit in the MLB. Speed and D.
22. Hak-Ju Lee, ss, Rays 2010 Bowman Chrome NON-AUTO: Cubs got Garza, but Lee is carving out a name for himself. Good eye. Good contact profile. Good D.
23. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Royals 2008 Bowman Chrome NON-AUTO: Showing that 2010 wasn’t a fluke by posting a ridiculous 11+K/9 and a great BB/9 to back it up in A+.
24. Aaron Hicks, of, Twins 2008 Razor Metal: Tools. Tools. Tools. Results not there yet, but don’t overlook his batter’s eye. The BA may be south of .300 but the OBP has hovered around .400 for a while now.
25. Leonys Martin, of, Rangers NADA
26. Dellin Betances, rhp, Yankees 2007 Bowman Chrome: Not a fan. I have a huge problem with his control. Big body, though. Real big body.
27. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals 2008 Bowman Chrome: Regressed a bit this year, but like Skaggs, he’s just one of those lefties that you can dream on.
28. Wilin Rosario, c, Rockies 2010 Bowman Chrome: Does everything except walk. Huge potential from the catcher’s spot. Great with the bat, could limit the Ks and increase the BBs though. Lots of room to improve.
29. Travis d’Arnaud, c, Blue Jays 2007 Bowman Chrome: Really coming on strong. D’s always been there but his isolated power north of .200 at AA is huuuuge.
30. Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets 2010 Bowman Chrome: Absolutely love me some Harvey. All sorts of potential and the results to match.
31. Jason Kipnis, 2b, Indians 2010 Bowman Chrome: Good BB%, Quick with Bat, Showing great power from a premium position.
32. Brett Jackson, of, Cubs 2010 Bowman Chrome: Lots of tools and walks enough to get past the High K-Rate.
33. Gary Brown, of, Giants 2010 Bowman Chrome: Got shafted in 2010 by a low-BABIP. Absolutely crazy speed and has really shown well with the bat in A+, answering many questions.
34. Robbie Erlin, lhp, Rangers 2010 Bowman Chrome: He’s growing on absolutely everyone. Kid just knows how to pitch. He isn’t as projectible as some of the big boys, but he’s put up a great K-Rate and a crazy-good BB-Rate. He’s got stuff and knows how to use it.
35. Zack Wheeler, rhp, Giants 2009 Bowman Chrome: Coming around after a mediocre, injury plagued start. Stuff’s there, but questions of control still linger.
36. Kyle Gibson, rhp, Twins 2010 Bowman Chrome: Love him. He’s a typical twins starter but with upside.
37. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Red Sox 2010 Donruss Elite: Simply being healthy and getting the bump to A+ has earned him this spot.
38. Taijuan Walker, rhp, Mariners 2010 Bowman Sterling: Killing it. All sorts of stuff and 11.57K/9 across two levels.
39. Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers 2010 Bowman Chrome: How’d the Dodgers sign Lee again?
40. Jarrod Parker, rhp, Diamondbacks 2008 Bowman Chrome: Slowly regaining form.
41. Jonathan Singleton, of/1b, Phillies 2010 Bowman Sterling: Great Eye and his power’s coming around after early season questions.
42. Brad Peacock, rhp, Nationals 2008 Bowman Chrome NON AUTO: 2010 Improvements seem legit. He’s really getting that fastball up there and striking out almost 12 batters per 9.
43. Jarred Cosart, rhp, Phillies 2011 Bowman Chrome: Hasn’t impressed with results in 2011 A+, but he’s slowly coming around. Absolutely electric.
44. Randall Delgado, rhp, Braves 2010 Bowman Chrome: Managed 4 big league innings.
45. Anthony Gose, cf, Blue Jays 2010 Bowman Chrome: In AA he’s showing some power to go with his 70-80 raw speed.
46. Nolan Arenado, 3b, Rockies 2010 Bowman Chrome: Great with the bat. Doesn’t strike out. Hits for pop.
47. Allen Webster, rhp, Dodgers 2011 Bowman Chrome: Struggled a bit since the promotion to AA but dominated high-A. Looks good.
48. Matt Szczur, of, Cubs NADA
49. Jedd Gyorko, 3b, Padres 2011 Bowman Chrome: 18 HR/11 SB/10% BB-Rate in A+ before the promotion. Great times.
50. Paul Goldschmidt, 1b, Diamondbacks 2011 Bowman Chrome: Best player in the minors so far. I guess everyone still thinks he has holes in his swing and are worried about him being a righty first baseman? 25 HR in AA.