#1: Jason Castro
C - 2006 Anchorage Bucs MLB Org: Houston
Drafted: 2008, Rd. 1
Scouting Video: Farmsystem
Scouting Report: Jason Castro is the top prospect in the Astros organization and is in the top handful of prospects in all of pro baseball. MLB.com ranked Castro in their top 50 for 2010. As for his abilities, Castro has a strong and accurate throwing arm, great patience and power that is a bit above average. The current catcher situation in the major leagues is kind of blah. It seems that after the "Three M's" (McCann, Mauer and Martinez) there isn't a lot of star-power at the position, which means that Castro should make a big splash when he breaks into the show here in a year or two.
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| Photo Credit: Tom Clifton |
OF - 2005 Mat-Su Miners
MLB Org: Oakland
Drafted: 2007, Rd. 5
Scouting Video: ESPN
Scouting Report: Michael Taylor was one of the better prospects in the Phillies' farm system before ending up in Oakland via Toronto. In the A's minor league hierarchy he's really blossomed into a top 50 prospect. He looks a lot like he could have the power to be a cleanup guy, but he's better suited in the #3 hole; while he'll likely be an above-average home run hitter, he is just an all around great contact guy who can spatter balls all around the ballpark, with the speed to stretch hits for extra bases and swipe a few. A very well-rounded hitter. Also to his advantage are a strong outfield arm and tough mentality.
MLB Org: NY Mets
Drafted: 2008, Rd. 1
Scouting Video: Project Prospect
Scouting Report: Ike Davis has already forced his way into the big leagues by a Mets club hoping that he would be the spark to get them going after a disappointing start. Since being called up this spring, Ike has proven that he's the real deal, hitting a respectable .273 and 4 homers. Besides his potent bat, Davis has already proven to be a big play-maker with the glove, making several fearless defensive stops. He's definitely got a potent bat and a hard-nosed style of play that should keep him around the big leagues for a while.
#4: Garrett Richards
SP - 2008 Mat-Su MinersMLB Org.: LA Angels
Drafted: 2009, Rd. 1C
Scouting Video: MLB.com
Scouting Report: Garrett Richards is a hard-throwing young pitcher who could go far in the big leagues -- if he can put it all together. Right now he's definitely got the arm, and he's got a highly developed four-pitch repertoire, but he's still very raw. Frankie Piliere at MLB Fanhouse has a very detailed scouting report on Richards, which you should read, but the basic idea is that Garrett will need to find a more consistent delivery if he wants to go all the way. Other than that, all the pieces are there. He'll need some more time in the minors to iron it all out, but once he does, watch out. Richards is going to be a impact player in the bigs a few years from now.
#5: Danny Valencia
3B - 2005 Anchorage Glacier PilotsMLB Org.: Minnesota
Drafted: 2006, Rd. 19
Scouting Video: Josh's Thoughts
Scouting Report: Valencia was not taken in the first 300 players of the 2006 draft, which makes him an interesting prospect. It's notable that a guy who was drafted as late as round 19 could rank so high on this list. But nonetheless, Valencia has the talent to be here. He's kind of a "grip & rip" guy, not a lot of patience at the plate, but he's been successful at every level and can hit for power. The Twins are kind of nursing him along, letting him take his time through the minors. However, considering that Punto and Harris aren't exactly awe-inspiring players on the left side of Minnesota's infield, he should be getting a push toward MLB. He's hitting .287 at AAA Rochester this year; but with a 28/7 BB/K ratio and no homers, he's going to have to prove something at that level if we're going to see him in the big leagues this year.
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| Photo: Goldpanners.com |
#6: Beau Mills
1B/3B - 2006 Alaska Goldpanners of FairbanksMLB Org.: Cleveland
Drafted: 2007, Rd. 1
Scouting Video: Indians Prospect Insider
Scouting Report: When Mills was drafted by Cleveland in the first round in 2007, he was supposed to be on the fast track to major-league superstardom. Along the way he's hit a few bumps in the road -- particularly with injuries -- but although his star has fallen a little bit, he's still a legitimate prospect. Originally drafted as a third basemen, nagging injuries to Mills' throwing shoulder resulted in a move across the diamond to first. He's definitely a free-swinger, but when he makes contact he can drive the ball all over, and out of, the ballpark. He's got great instincts and smarts, which he uses to make up for a lack of speed and natural athleticism. I think that prospect watchers are a little jaded on Mills because they expect a first round pick to be completely polished and ready to go, but if he's handled right he could still be something very special. The key will be whether or not he can develop enough patience at the plate and not try to do too much in every at-bat.
#7: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
OF - 2007 AIA Fire
MLB Org.: NY Mets
Drafted: 2008, Rd. 3
Scouting Report: Nieuwenhuis is one of several promising prospects that the Mets have out of the ABL. He's got a good mix of assets to help him out, such as his defense. He's got a pretty solid glove; he would probably be serviceable to center field but may be better suited as a corner outfielder and occasional CF sub. He has also come on strong as of late with the bat. He's a little too aggressive at the plate, and he's racked up the strikeouts, but he can handle the ball and has decent power. He'll make the bigs for sure, the only question is how high his ceiling is.
#8: Tyson Ross
RP/SP - 2006 Anchorage Bucs
MLB Org.: Oakland
Drafted: 2008, Rd. 2
Scouting Report: Tyson Ross turned some heads this spring when he completely bypassed AAA and made the Oakland bullpen right out of spring training, never having pitched above the double-a level. He's proven that he can hang with the big boys, though, nailing down his bullpen job and forcing his way into the A's rotation. He's got pitching mechanics that don't endear him to many, with a short stride and a delivery that some call "all arm", but he's got a lot of pitches that can get pretty nasty. Obviously he's already made the show; let's see if he can stick around for a while, and whether or not he'll settle in as a starter or be delegated back to the relief corps.
#9: Blake Wood
RP - 2004 Anchorage Bucs
MLB Org.: Kansas City
Drafted: 2006, Rd. 3
Scouting Report: After excelling in his season-opening stint at AAA Omaha, Wood was promoted to the Royals' big league bullpen earlier this month and has made the most of the opportunity. He's a big stout guy, and although he had some injury problems in college it seems like he's put those behind him. It would be nice to see him pick up another pitch if he's going to stick around the majors for a while, but so far his performance hasn't given me any reason to complain. Wood is one of the most exciting prospects in the Kansas City organization, and being a reason to get excited about the Royals is saying a lot.
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| Photo: Goldpanners.com |
1B - 2005 Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks
MLB Org.: San Diego
Drafted: 2008 (Rd. 1)
Scouting Video: Farmsystem
Scouting Report: Dykstra is the kind of guy who has the quintessential power-hitting 1B written all over him, but it seems like he just can't catch a break. When the Padres drafted him, Dykstra had to renegotiate his signing bonus in order to get the team to agree to terms with him after a bum hip from high school raised some eyebrows (and it hasn't been a problem since). Since then, they've been working with him to iron out some wonky features of his approach at the plate. It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Dykstra, but he's coming around. I would say that as of 2010, all the ingredients are there but he's still pretty raw. If he can get things cookin', we'll see his name again a few years down the road.
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