Prospects - I'm Not Reinventing the Wheel Here

"Some days, we're ripped and town away. From the shore, and tossed to a watery grave. Set adrift, and the depths in the hands of the gods we curse."
- Chuck Ragan 'The Boat'

In the first of a three part series, I defined what makes a prospect. Part Two will take a look at the top prospect by organization. Part Three will discuss the top ten prospects in all of baseball.

I am not reinventing the wheel here, nor am I claiming to know something that a person who studies baseball day and night does. However, I do know how irritating it is going from website to website trying to figure out who the best player in each organization is. I take the majority of the fun out of that in listing off my top prospect by organization.

The ‘Lets Give Hope to Everyone’ List

Arizona Diamondbacks – M. Scherzer (RHP) Love the strikeouts hate the control, watch him dominate out of the pen for years to come.

Atlanta Braves – J. Schafer (OF) Young and no road blocks ahead. How about 74 extra base hits in 2007?

Baltimore Orioles – M. Wieters (C) Should be the O’s Opening Day catcher in 2010. And immediately a solid one.

Boston Red Sox – C. Buchholz (RHP)

Chicago Cubs – J. Ceda (RHP) If he can harness his stuff, watch out!

Chicago White Sox – J. Shelby (OF) Displayed some solid power at a low level while being old.

Cincinnati Reds – J. Bruce (OF)

Cleveland Indians – C. Lofgren (LHP) I will go at length about Lofgren in my Indians top 5. Short answer, lefty with stuff.

Colorado Rockies – F. Morales (LHP) Unfortunately he plays for the Rockies and has gotten worse. I think 2007 was an anomaly.

Detroit Tigers – R. Porcello (RHP) Rated as having plus stuff all over the place and should have been the second pitcher taken. People who argue for a salary cap should start at the draft.

Florida Marlins – C. Maybin (OF) Toolsy with a nice walk rate. The Tigers will be wishing they did not trade for Cabrera in 2 or 3 years.

Houston Astros – J. Towles (C) The Astros actually have no one worth mentioning. This is a pathetic system and Towles would be a marginal prospect in any other system.

Kansas City Royals – L. Hochevar (RHP)/M. Moustakas (3B) This is Hochevar’s make or break year. Most have already written him off but I feel as though he is worth a shot. Moustakas is all hype right now.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – N. Adenhart (RHP) I have given up on Anaheim prospects and so should you. Somehow he rates as a five star by Goldstein.

Los Angeles Dodges – C. Kershaw (LHP)

Milwaukee Brewers – Z. Braddock (LHP) Hold me to this one. Braddock is not listed on anyone’s prospect list. If he can manage to be healthy, he will be one of the best in the minors in 2008. LaPorta, sorry colleague, you don’t have a position on this team.

Minnesota Twins – D. Guerra (RHP) I had Swarzak here pre-trade. I still like Swarzak, but something about Guerra smells like Liriano. The good parts. 2008 should be the season the 19 year old takes serious strides.

New York Mets – F. Martinez (OF) The Mets are starting to be the Mariners of the National League. Why are they rushing these prospects before they master the appropriate level? I see Martinez developing into a Mike Cameron-this is not a bad thing.

New York Yankees – J. Tabata (OF)

Oakland Athletics – D. Barton (1B)

Philadelphia Phillies – C. Carrasco (RHP) Yet another pathetically shallow organization. Carrasco might not even make the Phillies top 10 list entering 2009. Mediocre stuff, nice control, another maybe pick.

Pittsburgh Pirates – A. McCutchen (OF) Far and away the most exciting prospect the Pirates have seen in a long time. I thought about using Pearce but went with McCutchen as a poor mans Tabata/Martinez.

San Diego Padres – C. Headley (3B) His future is in a pitchers park however his high on base skills creates interest and intrigue. Being more athletic then Kouzmanoff the Padres should just move him to the outfield right now.

San Francisco Giants – A. Villalona (3B) Everybody loves him. Although he is yet to be a legal adult, has power promise and should be the face of the Giants before he is legal to drink.

Seattle Mariners – J. Clement (C)

St. Louis Cardinals – C. Rasmus (OF)

Tampa Bay Rays – E. Longoria (3B)

Texas Rangers – E. Andrus (SS) One of the most promising prospects entering the 2007 season, Andrus is a guy who really turned it on after he was traded to the Rangers. This kid will be something special sometime soon.

Toronto Blue Jays – T. Snider (OF)

Washington Nationals - C. Marrero (1B) Despite having a weak minor league resume, I believe his power is legit and he will be a league leader in home runs for Washington before his 25th birthday.


Stay tuned for Part Three which will look at the top 10 prospects in all of baseball.