Top 25 Prospect List

by Project Prospect
May 31, 2009
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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