Keith Law's first 2010 Top 100
(sorry for the formatting, Insider so had to cut & paste)
Keith Law's first 2010 Top 100
By Keith Law
ESPN.com
Archive
Here's my first ranking of the top 100 prospects for the 2010 Rule 4 draft, based on what I've seen and what I've heard from scouts thus far this spring. It's not a projection of where these players will be selected, but my assessment of their values as players. I also don't consider signability, which is largely an unknown factor at this point anyway. This list was compiled in consultation with Jason A. Churchill, who is my main co-contributor to the almost-daily MLB draft blog on Insider.
The best by position
Want to look at the top prospects in a whole new way? Keith has broken the top 100 down by position, showing the top five by what position they are expected to play in the pros.
Bryce Harper remains No. 1 on my list, and I don't see anyone close enough right now to potentially unseat him. Manny Machado has a pretty strong grip on the No. 2 position over prep right-handers Jameson Taillon and Karsten Whitson, as well as big-performing left-hander Drew Pomeranz.
It's a strong draft for right-handed pitching and for catching, and weak in the middle infield and in college bats. It's a good year to draft in the top 5, but not a great year to draft 6-20 unless some more top players pop up between now and the draft. And that may very well happen, so look for these names and the order to change quite a bit over the next seven weeks, with changes more likely as you head farther from the top of the list.
1
Bryce Harper
C
6-3
205
Analysis: Destroying a JC conference as a 17-year-old, he's an impact bat with a plus arm. My video scouting of Harper is located here. Feb. 19: No. 1
2
Manny Machado
SS
6-2
180
Analysis: Tall, athletic shortstop with a quick bat and a 70 arm. Feb. 19: No. 22
3
Drew Pomeranz
LHP
6-5
235
Analysis: Big lefty with subpar mechanics but a strong track record of missing bats. Feb. 19: No. 18
4
Jameson Taillon
RHP
6-5
215
Analysis: Unusual arm strength, up to 98 mph as a starter, but hitters see his fastball. Feb. 19: No. 3
5
Karsten Whitson
RHP
6-4
195
Analysis: The best command of the premium prep arms in the class, with a chance for four pitches. Feb. 19: No. 15
6
Zack Cox
3B
6-0
215
Analysis: Shortened up his swing to make more contact. Still needs to prove he can stay at third base. Feb. 19: No. 11
7
Josh Sale
3B
6-0
205
Bishop-Blanchett H.S.
Analysis: An absolute monster physically, with hit and power tools. He plays third base now, but is probably destined for the outfield. Feb. 19: No. 9
8
Deck McGuire
RHP
6-6
218
Analysis: Polished college performance guy without a knockout pitch; low-risk, moderate-reward. Feb. 19: No. 4
9
Dylan Covey
RHP
6-2
205
Maranatha H.S.
Analysis: May be trending down after showing reduced stuff in two recent outings. Feb. 19: No. 14
10
Anthony Ranaudo
RHP
6-7
230
Analysis: Performance vs. Ole Miss on Friday didn't help assuage concerns about his elbow. Feb. 19: No. 2
11
Yasmani Grandal
C
6-2
210
Analysis: Switch-hitting catcher with plus defense and some power potential. Scouting video of Grandal is here. Feb. 19: No. 23
13
Bryce Brentz
OF
6-0
185
Analysis: Returned early from foot injury and is reestablishing himself as the most well-rounded college outfielder in the class. Here's scouting video of Brentz. Feb. 19: No. 7
14
James Paxton
LHP
6-4
220
Analysis: Will pitch for the independent Grand Prairie AirHogs in May. Feb. 19: No. 13
15
Nick Castellanos
SS
6-4
190
Archbishop McCarthy H.S.
Analysis: Among the top hitting tools among prep bats, but he'll have to move at least to third base from his current SS position. Feb. 19: No. 20
12
Austin Wilson
OF
6-4
210
Harvard-Westlake H.S.
Analysis: Looks the part, with a solid swing and good makeup, but has yet to wow scouts this spring. You can check scouting video of Wilson by clicking here. Feb. 19: No. 5
16
Kaleb Cowart
SS
6-3
190
Cook County H.S.
Analysis: Two-way guy (RHP/SS) has scouts looking at him on the mound and at bat, with the latter becoming more likely. Feb. 19: No. 21
17
Aaron Sanchez
RHP
6-3
170
Barstow H.S.
Analysis: Quick-armed righty has steadily improved all spring, even in front of big crowds of scouts. Feb. 19: UN
18
Mel Rojas Jr.
OF
6-3
200
Wabash Valley CC
Analysis: Son of the former Expo, Mel Jr. is a potential five-tool outfielder at a hard-to-see junior college. Feb. 19: UN
19
A.J. Cole
RHP
6-0
215
Oviedo H.S.
Analysis: Tall, highly projectable right-hander who already touches 96 on good days. You can check video I shot of Cole by clicking here. Feb. 19: No. 6
20
Marcus Littlewood
SS
6-3
200
Pine View H.S.
Analysis: Switch-hitting shortstop with outstanding hands, although some teams fear he'll have to change positions. Feb. 19: No. 25
21
Brandon Workman
RHP
6-5
220
Analysis: Power right-hander has seen his stuff tick back up in recent weeks, and his control has been plus this year. Feb. 19: No. 16
22
Alex Wimmers
RHP
6-2
195
Analysis: Curveball artist on the Cape now sporting a plus change, but will his slight build hold up as a starter? Feb. 19: No. 8
23
Matt Harvey
RHP
6-4
225
Analysis: One of the best college fastballs this year, but lack of a breaking ball makes him a probable reliever. Feb. 19: UR
25
Michael Choice
OF
6-1
190
Analysis: Big raw power, maybe best among college bats, but body probably pushes him to left field. Feb. 19: No. 47
6
Austin Wates
OF
6-1
174
Analysis: Can hit and run and play left field; he'll only go in the first round to a team that thinks he can play center. Feb. 19: UR
KEITH LAW'S TOP 100: NO. 26-100
Rank Player Pos. School VIDEO
26 Christian Colon SS Cal State Fullerton
27 Christian Yelich 1B/OF Westlake HS (CA)
28 Asher Wojciechowski RHP The Citadel
29 Kris Bryant SS/3B Bonanza HS (NV)
30 Kolbrin Vitek 2B Ball State
31 Kellin Deglan C Langley HS (BC)
32 Chevez Clarke OF Marietta HS (GA)
33 Jesse Hahn RHP Virginia Tech
34 Kevin Gausman RHP Grandview HS (CO)
35 Justin O'Conner C/SS/RHP Cowan HS (IN)
36 Tyrell Jenkins RHP Henderson HS (TX)
37 Jake Hernandez C Los Osos HS (CA) Watch
38 DeAndre Smelter RHP Tattnall Square Academy (GA)
39 Justin Grimm RHP Georgia
40 Micah Gibbs C LSU
41 Yordy Cabrera 3B/RHP Lakeland HS (FL)
42 Robert Brantly C UC Riverside
43 Mike Foltyniewicz RHP Minooka HS (IL)
44 Gary Brown OF Cal State Fullerton
45 Jedd Gyorko 2B West Virginia
46 Brett Eibner RHP Arkansas
47 Griffin Murphy LHP Redland East Valley HS (CA)
48 Stetson Allie 3B/RHP St. Edwards (OH)
49 Dixon Anderson RHP California
50 Chris Sale LHP Florida Gulf Coast
51 Michael Kvasnicka C Minnesota
52 Levon Washington OF Chipola JC
53 Taylor Lindsey SS/C Desert Mountain HS (AZ)
54 Barret Loux RHP Texas A&M
55 Andrew Smith RHP Roswell HS (GA)
56 Kevin Munson RHP James Madison
57 Ty Linton OF Charlotte Christian (NC)
58 Vincent Velazquez RHP/C Garey HS (CA)
59 Adam Plutko RHP Glendora HS (CA)
60 AJ Vanegas RHP Redwood Christian (CA)
61 Stefan Sabol C Aliso Niguel HS (CA)
62 Seth Blair RHP Arizona State
63 Rob Rasmussen LHP UCLA
64 Chad Bettis RHP Texas Tech Watch
65 Cody Buckel RHP Royal HS (CA)
66 Will Swanner C Temecula Valley HS (CA)
67 Chance Ruffin RHP Texas
68 Tyler Thornburg RHP Charleston Southern
69 Cam Bedrosian RHP East Coweta HS (GA)
70 Leon Landry OF LSU
71 Jordan Swagerty RHP Arizona State
72 Mike Kickham LHP Missouri State
73 Ryne Stanek RHP Blue Valley HS (KS)
74 Peter Tago RHP Dana Mills HS
75 Chad Lewis 3B Marina HS (CA)
76 Kevin Jordan OF Northside Columbus (GA)
77 Cole Cook RHP Pepperdine
78 Kellen Sweeney OF Jefferson HS (IA)
79 Dan Klein RHP UCLA
80 Sam Dyson RHP South Carolina
81 John Gast LHP Florida State
82 Derek Dietrich SS Georgia Tech
83 Jacoby Jones SS/RHP Richton HS (MS)
84 Jordan Shipers LHP South Harris HS (MO)
85 Robbie Aviles RHP Suffern HS (NY)
86 Drew Cisco RHP Wando HS (SC)
87 Donn Roach RHP College of Southern Nevada
88 Jason Adams RHP Blue Valley NW HS (MO)
89 Cody Wheeler LHP Coastal Carolina
90 Kevin Ziomek LHP Amherst Regional (MA)
91 Scott Frazier RHP Upland HS (CA)
92 Tommy Kahnle RHP Lynn
93 Gabriel Encinas RHP Saint Paul HS (CA)
94 Luke Jackson RHP Calvary Christian HS (FL)
95 Matt Lipka SS McKinney HS (TX)
96 Dave Filak RHP SUNY-Oneonta
97 Seth Rosin RHP University of Minnesota
98 Pat Dean LHP Boston College
99 Tyler Burgoon RHP Michigan
100 Garin Cecchini IF Barbe HS (LA)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by dshawg1
