Top 100 Prospects: 100-90

Over the next few months, will begin releasing our top 100 prospect list over the next 10 Saturdays. Today we will start with 100-90 and work backwards, without further ado...

#100 Chris Nelson, SS, COL - After having a breakout season in A+, Nelson struggled with AA throughout his injury riddled 2008 season. At the Arizona Fall League this October, a healthy Nelson showed the ability to hit for power and average, compiling a line 6/17/.321 in 84 at-bats. Look for him to reach the majors by 2011.

#99 Hak Ju Lee, SS, CHC - The 17 year old Lee has not played an inning of baseball in America yet however, he projects to rate at an 80 in speed (on the 20-80 scouting scale). It's unknown how well he will stack up against players in America, but he should hit for a solid average when he reaches the majors (probably not before 2013).

#98 Kyle Drabek, P, PHI - He could be ranked in the top 10 if not for his injuries and questionable character. Drabek, the son of former major league pitcher, Doug Drabek, possesses a mid-90's fastball and a hard-breaking curveball which sits in the low 80's. He had Tommy John Surgery last year and won't be ready until June.

#97 Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL - Reimold has hit for power at every minor league stop, he has also been old for his level most of the time(24 years old in AA). If he can break into the majors sometime in 2009, Reimold should be able to hit for power right away, the rest of his game lags behind.

#96 Cory Scarpetta, P, MIN - Scarpetta is still young and somewhat raw, however he shows potential to generate a lot of groundballs and strike batters out. Keep an eye on the 19 year-old this season in A-.

#95 Jeremy Hellickson, P, TB - The 21 year-old had a good season in AA, his biggest problem is the lack of big league rotation spots. Unless there is an injury in Tampa's rotation in '09, he might have to break into the majors as a reliever.

#94 Bryan Anderson, C, STL - The heir-apparent to Yadier Molina had another solid season in AAA. When he reaches the majors Anderson should hit for high average and minimal power with average to below-average defense.

#93 Ross Detwiler, P, WAS - Detwiler got a taste of the majors in '07, even though he spent most of the season in A+. In 2008, the flame-throwing lefty repeated A+ and struggled mightily with control and giving up the long ball. His stuff has never been questioned, if Detwiler can regain the poise he had in '07 he should move through the system quickly.

#92 Michael Almanzar, 3B, BOS - Almanzar reached A- at 17 years old last year, but he probably won't reach the majors until 2013. As a big leaguer, Almanzar should hit for both power and average.

#91 Jason Donald, SS, PHI - Donald could start in the majors at 2B in '09 if Chase Utley has setbacks with hip surgery. At The Arizona Fall League, the Phillies moved Donald around, trying him at both 2B and 3B. Realistically Donald's best chance to break into the majors with a full-time gig would be at 3B, where only Pedro Feliz stands in his way.

#90 Danny Duffy, P, KAN - The 19 year old lefty has an electric arm and absolutely mowed down batters in A- this year. Duffy struck out over 11 batters per 9 innings and had a 4 K/BB rate last year. Even though he is an extreme fly ball pitcher, his stuff is good enough for him to last in the big leagues. Look for Duffy to be in the majors by 2011.

Tune in next Saturday, January 10th, for #'s 89-80

Sources
FirstInning.com
Baseball America