Top Prospects Revisited
-Dexter Sports
10:13 AM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
The half way point is near us. Later on today, I'll take a look at the Futures game Roster with a breakdown, but first I want to revisit Baseball's top 25 Prospects as of today. Mind you, this will not include draftees of this season. Part one will look at My top Ten Prospects.
1.) Matt Wieters, C Baltimore - Three months ago, If you would have asked me if this Oriole stud was going to prove doubters wrong, I probably would have said no. I did not see this coming. After a promotion to AA Bowie, Wieters has tallied 3 homers and 8 RBIs while hitting .354. His performance in HiA Fredrick earlier in the season put him on everyone's radar. I wouldn't be surprised to see a call up in August and a permanent stay in 2009.
Baseball America's #1 Prospect: Clayton Kershaw
2). Clayton Kershaw, SP Los Angeles - His performance in the big leagues has been a bit of a dissapointment, but I don't think it is something to worry about. When it comes down to it, at the end of the day, Kershaw has two amazing major league pitches. Once he can harness his fastball to set up his devastating curve, he will be able to baffle hitters. Remember, this kid is still young. He has a sharp growing curve to work with, and if it weren't for being rushed to the majors, he would be my number one prospect.
Baseball America's #2 Prospect: David Price
3). David Price, SP Tampa Rays - Price has made the climb to double a already this season after a great spring training showing. After getting to the field late this season, Price has only put up an average of over nine strikeouts per nine innings in his time at Vero Beach and Montgomery. At age 22, Price already has two years experience on number two prospect Clayton Kershaw. Price could be the fifth starter in Tampa next year if he continues to pitch to his capability.
Baseball America's #3 Prospect: Matt Wieters
4). Matt LaPorta, OF Cleveland Indians - Though it might be a bit high to put LaPorta fourth on this list, I have fallen in love with his at bat. His potential at the major league level is beyond measure. LaPorta had 66 RBIs before being traded to Cleveland. The Indians have decided to start Laporta in AA Akron. He should be up in AAA before August and if he excels there, a callup in September should be in order.
Baseball America's #4 Prospect: Colby Rasmus
5). Jason Heyward, OF Atlanta Braves - Heyward has the best projectability of anyone in the top ten. At 19, he already has a big bat, great glove and a knack to get on base. He has a major league body. With a .497 slugging percentage in loA it is clear this kid can hit. Hopefully, with the outfield depth in the Braves system, Atlanta will not rush Heyward to the Majors.
Baseball America's #5 Prospect: Jason Heyward
6). Colby Rasmus, OF St. Louis Cardinals - After a more than horrid start in 2008, Rasmus has began to pick it up a notch. What I like about Rasmus, is even though he is hitting .249 so far this season, he has made the adjustments to get on base. His .351 OBP is astonishing considering his other numbers. Rasmus is still on track for 2009 I believe, just in a different way than most prospects.
Baseball America's #6 Prospect: Cameron Maybin
7.) Cameron Maybin, OF Florida Marlins - Maybin is one of my favorite prospects becuase of his lanky frame that continues to build muscle and his obvious ability. But what disappoints me about him is his lack of production and character. Maybin has continued to be known as someone that gets hot early in the season and then falls off the map. Though many thought Florida was idiotic for not keeping him on the major league roster, it has proven to be a good thing. Maybin is only hitting .265 in AA and 1/3 of his at bats.
Baseball America's #7 Prospect: Matt LaPorta
8). Andrew McCutchen, OF Pittsburgh Pirates - Yet another outfielder makes the top ten. McCutchen brings it all, the glove, bat and now even a bit of pop after making the move to AAA this season. I believe McCutchen is the most major league ready of anyone in the top ten, but most likely wont get a look until September. McCutchen could be the first called up if either Jason Bay or Xavier Nady are dealt.
Baseball America's #8 Prospect: Rick Porcello
9). Rick Porcello, SP Detroit Tigers - Porcello is only the Second pitcher to make the list, but that doesn't mean diddly wap. Porcello could be the number one prospect by this time next year if he keeps up his tear. The Tigers have kept him in HiA Lakeland all season, because they feel their best staff is there. Porcello has 49 strikeouts in 90 innings, and though the wins aren't there, his performance has been very consistent.
Baseball America's #9 Prospect: Andrew McCutchen
10). Travis Snider, DH Toronto Blue Jays - When you think of kids that can downright mash the ball, Travis Snider is one of the first that comes to mind. At the Age of 20, he has shown tremendous power to both sides of the field. Once he figures out how to manage the strike zone and take more pitches to create better power oppurtunities, Snider will be well on his way to the major leagues.
10:13 AM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
The half way point is near us. Later on today, I'll take a look at the Futures game Roster with a breakdown, but first I want to revisit Baseball's top 25 Prospects as of today. Mind you, this will not include draftees of this season. Part one will look at My top Ten Prospects.
1.) Matt Wieters, C Baltimore - Three months ago, If you would have asked me if this Oriole stud was going to prove doubters wrong, I probably would have said no. I did not see this coming. After a promotion to AA Bowie, Wieters has tallied 3 homers and 8 RBIs while hitting .354. His performance in HiA Fredrick earlier in the season put him on everyone's radar. I wouldn't be surprised to see a call up in August and a permanent stay in 2009.
Baseball America's #1 Prospect: Clayton Kershaw
2). Clayton Kershaw, SP Los Angeles - His performance in the big leagues has been a bit of a dissapointment, but I don't think it is something to worry about. When it comes down to it, at the end of the day, Kershaw has two amazing major league pitches. Once he can harness his fastball to set up his devastating curve, he will be able to baffle hitters. Remember, this kid is still young. He has a sharp growing curve to work with, and if it weren't for being rushed to the majors, he would be my number one prospect.
Baseball America's #2 Prospect: David Price
3). David Price, SP Tampa Rays - Price has made the climb to double a already this season after a great spring training showing. After getting to the field late this season, Price has only put up an average of over nine strikeouts per nine innings in his time at Vero Beach and Montgomery. At age 22, Price already has two years experience on number two prospect Clayton Kershaw. Price could be the fifth starter in Tampa next year if he continues to pitch to his capability.
Baseball America's #3 Prospect: Matt Wieters
4). Matt LaPorta, OF Cleveland Indians - Though it might be a bit high to put LaPorta fourth on this list, I have fallen in love with his at bat. His potential at the major league level is beyond measure. LaPorta had 66 RBIs before being traded to Cleveland. The Indians have decided to start Laporta in AA Akron. He should be up in AAA before August and if he excels there, a callup in September should be in order.
Baseball America's #4 Prospect: Colby Rasmus
5). Jason Heyward, OF Atlanta Braves - Heyward has the best projectability of anyone in the top ten. At 19, he already has a big bat, great glove and a knack to get on base. He has a major league body. With a .497 slugging percentage in loA it is clear this kid can hit. Hopefully, with the outfield depth in the Braves system, Atlanta will not rush Heyward to the Majors.
Baseball America's #5 Prospect: Jason Heyward
6). Colby Rasmus, OF St. Louis Cardinals - After a more than horrid start in 2008, Rasmus has began to pick it up a notch. What I like about Rasmus, is even though he is hitting .249 so far this season, he has made the adjustments to get on base. His .351 OBP is astonishing considering his other numbers. Rasmus is still on track for 2009 I believe, just in a different way than most prospects.
Baseball America's #6 Prospect: Cameron Maybin
7.) Cameron Maybin, OF Florida Marlins - Maybin is one of my favorite prospects becuase of his lanky frame that continues to build muscle and his obvious ability. But what disappoints me about him is his lack of production and character. Maybin has continued to be known as someone that gets hot early in the season and then falls off the map. Though many thought Florida was idiotic for not keeping him on the major league roster, it has proven to be a good thing. Maybin is only hitting .265 in AA and 1/3 of his at bats.
Baseball America's #7 Prospect: Matt LaPorta
8). Andrew McCutchen, OF Pittsburgh Pirates - Yet another outfielder makes the top ten. McCutchen brings it all, the glove, bat and now even a bit of pop after making the move to AAA this season. I believe McCutchen is the most major league ready of anyone in the top ten, but most likely wont get a look until September. McCutchen could be the first called up if either Jason Bay or Xavier Nady are dealt.
Baseball America's #8 Prospect: Rick Porcello
9). Rick Porcello, SP Detroit Tigers - Porcello is only the Second pitcher to make the list, but that doesn't mean diddly wap. Porcello could be the number one prospect by this time next year if he keeps up his tear. The Tigers have kept him in HiA Lakeland all season, because they feel their best staff is there. Porcello has 49 strikeouts in 90 innings, and though the wins aren't there, his performance has been very consistent.
Baseball America's #9 Prospect: Andrew McCutchen
10). Travis Snider, DH Toronto Blue Jays - When you think of kids that can downright mash the ball, Travis Snider is one of the first that comes to mind. At the Age of 20, he has shown tremendous power to both sides of the field. Once he figures out how to manage the strike zone and take more pitches to create better power oppurtunities, Snider will be well on his way to the major leagues.
