Top 25 Prospect List

by Project Prospect
May 31, 2009
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Rk   Player   Pos   Comments   Age   Org   Lvl   Pre
1   Matt Wieters   C   Recovered from a slow April (25.0% K) to catch fire in May (.252 IsoP); Now he's in the big show   23.0   BAL   MLB   1 ↔
2   Jason Heyward   RF   Plus power, solid contact skills, and walks more than most; potential above-average MLB outfielder   19.8   ATL   A+   9 ↑
3   Tommy Hanson   RHP   The best power pitching prospect in the minors; Great K and BB rates -- 39% GB rate is a concern   22.8   ATL   AAA   10 ↑
4   David Price   LHP   Looking more like a 2-3 than ace due to poor MLB/upper minors command (9.8% BB, 501 TBF)   23.8   TB   MLB   2 ↓
5   Carlos Santana   C   A level higher than Posey and walking WAY more; power down from April (.361 IsoP vs. .130)   23.2   CLE   AA   23 ↑
6   Justin Smoak   1B   Who needs High-A? 17.1% BB is excellent; like Posey and Santana, power was down a lot in May   22.5   TEX   AA   12 ↑
7   Buster Posey   C   Weak May after blazing April; power/walks way down (.149 IsoP vs. .280; 11.7% BB vs. 6.8)    22.2   SF   A+   5 ↓
8   Mike Stanton   RF   Could be 2010's No. 1 prospect; awesome power hitter, great walk rate, but just OK contact hitter   19.6   FLA   A+   18 ↑
9   Jordan Zimmermann RHP   Stellar transition to the majors: 7.0% BB, 23.5% K; CB progress will determine if he becomes an ace 23.0   WAS   MLB   24 ↑
10   Brett Anderson   LHP   His 6.8% BB through 192 MLB batters is elite -- so is 53% GB; 12.5% K could mean limited ceiling   21.3   OAK   MLB   8 ↓
11   Chris Tillman   RHP   MASN is reporting that he'll return to the mound on 6/2 (strained groin); 28.0% K, 8.3% BB, 157 TBF   21.1   BAL   AAA   28 ↑
12   Jarrod Parker   RHP   Has hit a speed bump in Double-A (22.5% K, 11.3% BB); needs to improve his fastball command   20.5   ARI   AA   14 ↑
13   Madison Bumgarner LHP   Strong command of 91-93 FB; straight changeup + inconsistent breaking ball = challenges ahead   19.8   SF   AA   7 ↓
14   Matt LaPorta   OF/1B   He's going to be an above-average MLB power hitter, but he may not bring much else to the table   24.4   CLE   MLB   11 ↓
15   Derek Holland   LHP   Has allowed 15 hits in MLB starts (10.2 IP); strong MLB command (7.8% BB), decent K rate (14.6%) 22.7   TEX   MLB   16 ↑
16   Brian Matusz   LHP   Went from strong April to outstanding May (30.5% K, 7.8% BB); expect Double-A promotion soon   22.3   BAL   A+   26 ↑
17   Dominic Brown   RF   Another guy who should be in Double-A soon: 13.3% BB, .232 IsoP, 17.2% K -- note (.386 BABIP)   21.8   PHI   A+   NR ↑
18   Fernando Martinez   OF   Not a CF or a high OBP-guy, but he has as much power as anyone on this list and OK contact skills   20.7   NYM   MLB   NR ↑
19   Jesus Montero   C/DH   Hasn't slowed but falls slightly due to others catching fire; below-average BB% may limit his ceiling   19.5   NYY   A+   17 ↓
20   Mat Gamel   3B   Awesome line-drive hitter should reach base frequently, though K rate is up a lot in '09 (23.4%)   23.9   MIL   MLB   22 ↑
21   Carlos Carrasco   RHP   Potential No. 1-2 starter appears to finally be harnessing his command (6.1% BB through 245 TBF)   22.2   PHI   AAA   NR ↑
22   Desmond Jennings   CF   One of the hottest hitters in the minors: .227 IsoP, 10.0% BB, 12.4% K; looking close to MLB-ready   22.6   TB   AA   NR ↑
23   Yonder Alonso   1B   Think he wasn't good un April? Note his .217 BABIP (17% LD); strong all-around offensive talent   22.2   CIN   A+   27 ↑
24   Pedro Alvarez   3B   Amateur contact problem surfacing in pro ball (25.1% K); .221 IsoP and 14.1% BB are impressive   22.3   PIT   A+   19 ↓
25   Gerardo Parra   OF   Strong contact hitter w/ a decent amount of power; walk rate has been all over the place since '08   22.1   ARI   A+   NR ↑
Honorable Mentions: Andrew McCutchen (CF), Tim Alderson (RHP), Michael Saunders (LF/CF), Eric Hosmer (1B), Neftali Feliz (RHP).                
Dropped out: Mike Moustakas (15) and Lars Anderson (25).                
Graduated: Colby Rasmus (3), Dexter Fowler (4), Travis Snider (6), Rick Porcello (13), Tevor Cahill (20), and Jordan Schafer (21).                
* Ages are as of June 1st, 2009.                
** Lvl is the highest level the player has reached.                
*** Our rankings combine a player's ceiling with the odds that he'll reach it and favor recent production.                
                             
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Additional questions about this list can be directed toward Adam Foster at adamf@projectprospect.com.