We have added a few new things, under the picture of Tim Lincecum we have added our respective top 10 prospect lists which we will update and debate about throughout the season.
Here are my reasons for the rankings on my list...
1. Matt Wieters - I don't think there is much debate about this one, switch hitting catchers with the ability to put up 30/100/.300 numbers regularly and above average defense don't come along that often.
2. David Price - The first overall pick in the 2007 draft broke into the majors mostly as a reliever this year, however, he should be entrenched in the Tampa Bay rotation next year and for years to come with the makings of 2 plus pitches (fastball and slider), and the ability to induce a large amount of ground balls while striking out a lot of batters.
3. Travis Snider - Snider flew through the minors in 2008, starting at single-A and working his way up the the majors--as a 20 year old! He should hit for lots of power down the line, however there are some concerns about his batting and strikeouts.
4. Colby Rasmus - The Cardinals top prospect was expected to make the team out of spring training last year, but he was sent back to AAA where he struggled for the first two months of the season, then injured his knee. He rebounded nicely in the second half of the season and is a legitimate 5- tool stud who should break into St. Louis early next year.
5. Pedro Alvarez - The second overall pick in the 2008 draft did not play pro ball at all last year due to a signing complication. He should start in A+ next year and move through the minors quickly. Alvarez has the ability to hit for high average and lots of power when he breaks into the MLB.
6. Dayan Viciedo - Viciedo defected from Cuba (where he started playing in their top professional league at 16) in the spring of '08 and signed with the Whitesox about three weeks ago. Despite being only 19 years old, the Whitesox have said that he could make the team out of spring training. He is somewhat unpolished yet should hit for both power and average with very good defense down the road.
7. Rick Porcello - He finished his first pro season with a 2.66 ERA as a 19 year old in A+, that alone in somewhat amazing, but it gets even better, he had a 65% ground ball rate and even though he only struck out about 5 batters per 9 innings, he has electric stuff (mid 90's fastball, power curve) and should become a better strikeout pitcher as he gets older.
8. Trevor Cahill - Cahill had a great season split between A+ and AA last year and is expected to be called up early in 2009 if he doesn't make the rotation out of spring training. Cahill throws a low 90's fastball with good sink (63% ground ball rate) and a sharp curve ball which rates as his best pitch. Cahill has an optimistic combination of ground balls and strikeouts (10 per 9 innings last year) which could help him become Oakland's ace in a few years.
9. Mike Moustakas - The second overall pick in '07, Moustakas has big time power which could help him break into Kansas City as either a shortstop or third baseman (though 3B is more likely). He could eventually develop into a 40/100/.280 hitter.
10. Cameron Maybin - He would be much higher if he didn't strike out so much. Either way, there is no refuting that Maybin has a combination of power and speed that could make him a regular all-star and statistical freak. He is a 5-tool stud who could eventually do 30-30's with ease if he gets his plate discipline under control.
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