For the next week, I'm going to try and give my readers a little relief from all the rumors. So I'm going to start my "Top 50 Prospects" series with a little twist from my last one. Instead of just examining the Twins minor leagues, I'm going to give my top 50 prospects throughout the entire league. And incase any of you are wondering, I figure to have my "Top 50 Prospect" list for the Twins finished sometime next month, but it'll definitely be up before the start of Spring Training.
And just a clarification, the ages I list are going to be for the Twins opening day which is on 3-31-08. The reason I chose that date is because everyone knows that's when the baseball season "officially" begins! So lets get started!
Top 50 MiLB Prospects for 2008
#50 | Scott Elbert | Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Pitcher
Age: 22
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 190 lbs.
Elbert had a rough 2007 season. He developed tendinitis in his left(throwing) shoulder in May and ended up having surgery on is in June. He's been going throw rehab without any setbacks, and could be a possible option to start the '08 season with the Double-A Jacksonville Suns. He and pitcher Clayton Kershaw (who you'll definitely be hearing about later) figure to give the Diamondbacks two of baseballs best two southpaw pitchers. Hopefully for the Dodgers and Elbert, both can make it to the big leagues without any more injuries so they can see that dynamic duo at work.
ETA: 20092007 G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 3 0 1 3.86 14.0 24 10 15.43
#49 | Jason Heyward | Atlanta Braves
Position: Outfield
Age: 18
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'4''
Wt: 220 lbs.
Heyward was selected by the Braves with the 14th pick of the 2007 draft. His frame for his age is remarkable considering that he already has a great deal of power in his bat. He'll only get better as long as he can stay healthy. His speed and glove skills are average, which may limit him to becoming a first baseman in the majors. But he definitely has a big powerful bat which will only get better with age. He'll likely start the 2008 season with the Class-A Rome Braves.
ETA: 20122007 G PA AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIR 8 27 .296 .355 .556 .910 1 5R 4 16 .313 .353 .375 .728 0 1
#48 | Matt LaPorta | Milwaukee Brewers
Position: First Base/Outfield
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 212 lbs.
LaPorta was drafted by the Brewers with the 7th pick in the first round of the 2007 draft. He played college baseball with he Florida Gators and his .328/.438/.696 with 28 home runs and 79 RBI helped powered the Gators to the College World Series, but they lost to the Texas Longhorns in the Championship game. LaPorta was injured in his junior season at Florida and decided to come back for his senior season, which proved to be the right move. His position isn't exactly known just yet, but he did play catcher and first base in college. His knee injuries make him a likely DH or first baseman, but without the DH in the NL and with Prince Fielder already set to cover first base for what they hope is the next 10-15 years, it looks like LaPorta will be forced to find another position. Right now, the Brewers have him in the outfield, but we'll see how his knees hold up. He may be a candidate to move to first base at some point, as the Brewers are not high on Ryan Braun's defense at the hot corner. He'll probably be with the Advanced-A Brevard County Manatees to start the '08 season.
ETA: Late 20092007 G PA AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIR 7 27 .259 .286 .519 .804 2 4A- 23 88 .318 .392 .750 1.142 10 27
#47 | Max Scherzer | Arizona Diamondbacks
Position: Pitcher
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 190 lbs.
Scherzer was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2006 draft. After being the last first rounder to sign, he didn't get any experience of professional baseball in '06. But that didn't faze him in '07 as he started in Advanced-A and was quickly moved up to Double-A. Scherzer is a good strikeout pitcher, but he struggled in Double-A by walking 4.89 batters per 9 innings. But he is definitely on the fast track to the Majors. He could start in Triple-A with the Tucson Sidewinders or in Double-A with the Mobile BayBears. It's really a toss-up where he'll start.
ETA: Late 20082007 G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 3 2 0 0.53 17.0 30 2 15.88AA 14 4 4 3.91 73.2 76 40 9.29
#46 | Tyler Robertson | Minnesota Twins
Position: Pitcher
Age: 20
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Ht: 6'5''
Wt: 220 lbs.
Robertson had a fantastic season for the Class-A Beloit Snappers. The 19-year-old southpaw had a fantastic 3.7 K/BB ratio in just his second season of professional baseball. Robertson was a third round for the Twins in 2006 pick out of Bella Vista High School in California. He figures to start the 2008 campaign in Advanced-A Ft. Myers Miracle.
ETA: 20102007 G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A- 18 9 5 2.29 102.1 123 33 10.82
#45 | Chris Marraro | Washington Nationals
Position: Outfield
Age: 19
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 210 lbs.
This 2006 draft pick has started to become a recognized prospect throughout baseball. At just 19 years-old, some think he could already have enough time at Advanced-A to justify a start to the 2008 season in Double-A with the Harrisburg Senators. His young age and raw power potential make him a great young prospect. He does have bad plate discipline, but that's not unusual for a player his age, especially at his level. He should probably start the 2008 season in Advanced-A with the Potomac Nationals, but that's not a certainty. But with the Nationals acquiring both Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes in the last week, I don't think they need to rush him.
ETA: 20102007 G PA AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIA- 57 222 .293 .337 .545 .882 14 53A+ 68 255 .259 .338 .431 .769 9 35
#44 | Jose Tabata | New York Yankees
Position: Outfield
Age: 19
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 5'11''
Wt: 160 lbs.
This name should be familiar with readers, as I've mentioned his name in some of the (you know who) rumors recently. Tabata is a very young, athletic outfielder who could develop all 5-tools to become a future All-Star in the majors. He's been moved slowly through the Yankees system as he learns both the game and the new country. The Yankees signed him as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela. He has pretty consistent numbers from the Rookie League up through Advanced-A. He'll likely start the 2008 season with the Double-A Trenton Thunder.
ETA: 20102007 G PA AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIA+ 103 411 .307 .371 .392 .763 5 54
#43 | Daric Barton | Oakland Athletics
Position: First Base
Age: 22
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'0''
Wt: 225 lbs.
Barton is one of the best all-around hitting prospects in baseball. He was originally drafted as a catcher by the St. Louis Cardinals, and later was traded with a couple players, most notable Dan Haren, to the Athletics in the Mark Mulder trade. Barton had limited time in the majors in '07, but he really made the most of it in his late-season call-up. He'll likely be with the Athletics come opening day. Where he'll be playing is another question.
ETA: 20082007 G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAAA 136 516 .293 .389 .438 .827 9 70MLB 18 72 .347 .426 .639 1.067 4 8
#42 | Anthony Swarzak | Minnesota Twins
Position: Pitcher
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'3''
Wt: 195 lbs.
Swarzak had a very bad start to the 2007 season. After a miserable first 2 starts for the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, Swarzak was suspended for 50 games after testing positive to a drug of abuse (it was not steroids). After he returned, he made 3 starts with the Advanced-A Fort Myers Miracle and he dominated his opposition in those three starts which warranted his call-up back to New Britain. He continued his late season success by going 5-2 at New Britain with a sub 2.69 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 76 innings. He's a potential #2 starter, but with the Twins, he may never be more than a #3 pitcher, because of the depth the Twins have in the minors, which is a good thing for Twins fans. He'll likely be the staff "Ace" for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to start the 2008 season.
ETA: Late 20082007 G W L ERA IP K BB K/9A+ 3 0 0 2.30 15.2 18 5 10.34AA 15 5 4 3.23 86.1 76 23 7.92
#41 | Wladimir Balentien | Seattle Mariners
Position: Outfielder
Age: 23
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ht: 6'2''
Wt: 190 lbs.
Balentien has been a very underrated player in terms of "Top Prospects" since he was assigned to the Mariners Rookie League in 2003 as an 18 year old. The Mariners originally signed him in 7 days after his 16th birthday back in 2000. But through 2007 or 5 seasons in the Mariners organization, Balentien already has hit 104 home runs in 1898 at bats. That's extreme power. Of course he has some flaws which include a very bad K/BB ratio which would make Adam Dunn look like Joe Morgan. But even with that, he has a respectable .274 average and .344 on-base percentage throughout the minors. He's likely going to be with the Mariners to start the '08 campaign. But whether it's as a starter or on the bench, will remain to be seen.
ETA: 20082007 G AB AVG OBP SLG OPS HR RBIAAA 124 477 .291 .362 .509 .871 24 84MLB 3 3 .667 .500 2.000 2.500 1 4
Let me know what you think!
0 comments:
Post a Comment