Mid-May Update: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

This list will be updated on a roughly bi-weekly basis to account for changes based on player performance, injuries, and loss/gain of playing opportunity.

Also, as players on the list lose their rookie eligibility, surpass 130 AB or 50 IP in the majors, they will 'graduate' from the list.

Here's the update for mid-May - all stats are through May 15th:

Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009


1. (+2) Clayton Kershaw, LHP, LAD
AA Jacksonville: 2.21 / 1.06 / 36.2-28-13(9)-11-40



2. (+2) Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD
AAA Las Vegas: .300 / 1.108 / 11-4-10-2
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .385 BA



3. (+2) Max Scherzer, RHP, ARI
AAA Tucson: 1.17 / 0.65 / 23-12-3-3-38
ARI: 3.14 / 1.12 / 14.1-13-6(5)-3-18


4. (-3) Cameron Maybin, OF, FLA
AA Carolina: .236 / .771 / 23-5-11-7
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .238 BA

He didn't step it up, he's dropping down this, and many other lists.


5. (-3) Johnny Cueto, RHP, CIN
CIN: 5.91 / 1.25 / 45.2-46-30-11-46


6. (+2) Matt LaPorta, OF, MIL
AA Huntsville: .308 / 1.038 / 32-10-38-0


7. (+3) Chase Headley, 3B/OF, SD
AAA Portland: .289 / .827 / 25-5-17-0
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .349 BA and three home runs


8. (-2) Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .291 / .853 / 25-6-20-12


9. (-2) Jay Bruce, OF, CIN
AAA Louisville: .366 / 1.060 / 27-8-33-7
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .611 BA and three home runs

What else does this guy need to do? The Dusty Baker love for Corey Patterson is ridiculous.


10. (NR) Blake Dewitt, 3B, LAD
LAD: .320 / .892 / 19-3-19-1 (13 K, 12 bb over 103 ABs)

It's time to stop ignoring Dewitt as just a stop-gap 3B, he's producing consistently now and even when the Dodgers decide LaRoche is ready it's not hard to see him sticking and perhaps getting 4-5 starts a week between 3B, 2B and perhaps 1B.


11. (-2) Chris Volstad, RHP, FLA
AA Carolina: 2.58 / 1.09 / 52.1-40-15-17-37


12. (NR) Chris Perez, RHP, STL
AAA Memphis: 2.04 / 1.19 / 17.2-12-4-9-22

The closer of the future is closer to that role much sooner than anyone would have guessed - he could take over the primary closer role as early as July.


13. (-2) Jaime Garcia, LHP, STL
AA Springfield: 2.06 / 1.20 / 35-26-10(8)-16-41
AAA Memphis: 0.69 / 1.00 / 13-12-2(1)-1-12

After an impressive run at Double-A, Garcia has been even more impressive at Triple-A. The only reason for his slight drop is word that the Cardinals have no plans to bring him up before September. However, if he keeps pitching like this it's hard to see him not getting the call sooner.


14. (-2) Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN
AAA Louisville: 3.55 / 1.22 / 50.2-48-21(20)-14-40


15. (-2) Brandon Jones, OF, ATL
AAA Richmond: .271 / .734 / 20-2-15-3


16. (+3) Sean Gallagher, RHP, CHC
AAA Iowa: 3.10 / 1.03 / 29-21-11(10)-9-30
CHC: 6.48 / 1.68 / 8.1-10-6-4-7

Gallagher moved into the Cubs rotation quicker than most had predicted. He's going to have his ups and downs, but if he doesn't show some solid 'ups' quickly he'll find himself replaced.


17. (+3) Ian Stewart, 3B, COL
AAA Colorado Springs: .273 / .982 / 35-11-38-3
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .378 BA and five home runs


18. (-2) Colby Rasmus, OF, STL
AAA Memphis: .189 / .597 / 23-6-15-5


19. (-5) Steven Pearce, 1B/OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .247 / .691 / 17-4-23-2


20. (+1) Carlos Carrasco, RHP, PHI
AA Reading: 3.77 / 1.30 / 43-37-18-19-44


21. (-4) Jon Meloan, RHP, LAD
AAA Las Vegas: 3.73 / 1.59 / 41-42-18(17)-23-40


22. (-4) Brett Carroll, OF, FLA
AAA Albuquerque: .418 / 1.376 / 18-9-23-1 (18 k, 8 bb in 67 AB)
FLA: 1-for-14 with a triple, four Ks and no walks

As hot as he was at Albuquerque you'd think the Marlins would have plugged him in for several straight games to see if he could keep it up. Instead he's rotting on the bench.


23. (-) Dexter Fowler, OF, COL
AA Tulsa: .280 / .847 / 27-5-21-10


24. (+1) Antonio Bastardo, LHP, PHI
Hi-A Clearwater: 1.17 / 0.98 / 30.2-20-4-10-47
AA Reading: 3.06 / 1.19 / 17.2-16-8(6)-5-15

Bastardo (LOVE that name!) was promoted to Double-A Reading on May 3rd and hasn't slowed down yet.


25. (-1) Daryl Thompson, RHP, CIN
AA Chattanooga: 1.28 / 0.91 / 49.1-34-14(7)-11-49
First 3 May starts: 2.50 / 1.17 / 18-14-5-7-13




GRADUATED FROM THE LIST:

Geovany Soto, C, CHC (Highest Rank #3)
CHC: .323 / 1.044 / 19-8-30-0

Joey Votto, 1B, CIN (Highest Rank #4)
CIN: .276 / .887 / 21-8-20-1

Manny Parra, LHP, MIL (Highest Rank #10)
MIL: 5.03 / 1.78 / 39.1-48-25(22)-22-30

Franklin Morales, LHP, COL (Highest Rank #11)
COL: 6.39 / 1.78 / 25.1-28-18-17-9


DROPPED OFF THE LIST:

Chris Marrero, 1B/OF, WAS (Last appeared at #20 on Mid-April Update)

Ross Detwiler, LHP, WAS (Last appeared at #23 on Mid-April Update)

Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL (Last appeared at #16 on April Update)
50 game suspension for violation of the performance enhancing drug policy majorly stunts his 2008 development process.

Chin-Lung Hu, SS, LAD (Last appeared at #22 on April Update)
Development being delayed by extended tenure on the Dodgers active roster with little playing time.


J.R. Towles, C, HOU (Last appeared at #15 on May Update)
HOU: .151 BA / .603 / 8-4-10-0 (Just 1-for-25 from May 1st thru 15th)


Matt Antonelli, 2B, SD (Last appeared at #22 on May Update)
AAA Portland: .183 / .658 / 20-3-8-2
Last 10 games (through May 15th): .182 BA


MAY UPDATE: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

MID-MAY UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

May Update: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

This list will be updated on a roughly bi-weekly basis to account for changes based on player performance, injuries, and loss/gain of playing opportunity.

Also, as players on the list lose their rookie eligibility, surpass 130 AB or 50 IP in the majors, they will 'graduate' from the list.

Here's the update for mid-April - most stats are through April 30th (a few minor leaguers stats run through May 1st):

Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

1. (-) Cameron Maybin, OF, FLA
AA Carolina: .217 BA / .722 OPS - 14 r, 3 HR, 8 rbi, 5 SB, 20 b, 37 K in 92 AB
.132 BA over last 10 games of April

If he doesn't step it up soon he'll be dropping down this, and many other lists.

2. (-) Johnny Cueto, RHP, CIN
CIN: 35 ip, 32 h, 21 er, 6 bb, 33 K - 5.40 ERA / 1.086 WHIP

Horrible start at St. Louis on April 29th - 7 runs (6 earned) over 1.2 innings - this is going to happen from time to time with such a young talent.

3. (+2) Clayton Kershaw, LHP, LAD
AA Jacksonville: 25.2 ip, 17 h, 7 r (4 er), 10 bb, 31 K - 1.40 ERA / 1.05 WHIP / .185 BAA

4. (+2) Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD
Started Rehab Assignment with six games at Double-A Jacksonville in late April, moved to Triple-A Las Vegas on 4/29 and homered on 4/30.

5. (+10) Max Scherzer, RHP, ARI
Triple-A Tucson: 23 ip, 12 h, 3 er, 3 bb, 38 K - 1.17 ERA / 0.65 WHIP
First appearance with Arizona - 4.1 perfect innings with 7 Ks

6. (+2) Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .296 BA / .938 OPS - 20 r, 6 HR, 16 rbi, 5-for-8 on steal attempts
.341 BA over last 10 games in April including 7 bb, 3 K over 41 AB

7. (-) Jay Bruce, OF, CIN
AAA Louisville: .307 BA / .869 OPS - 16 r, 5 HR, 21 rbi, 6 sb

8. (+14) Matt LaPorta, OF, MIL
AA Huntsville: .319 BA / 1.138 OPS - 22 r, 9 HR, 30 rbi, 13 bb, 16 K in 91 AB
.375 BA with 7 HR over his last 40 April ABs

9. (+15) Chris Volstad, RHP, FLA
AA Carolina: 38 ip, 29 h, 11 er, 10 bb, 29 K - 2.61 ERA / 1.03 WHIP / .215 BAA
Last 2 April starts: 14 ip, 6 h, 2 er, 1 bb, 14 K

10. (-1) Chase Headley, 3B/OF, SD
AAA Portland: .242 BA / .712 OPS - 12 r, 2 HR, 10 rbi, 9 bb, 26 K in 91 AB
.216 BA over last 10 April games

11. (NR) Jaime Garcia, LHP, STL
AA Springfield: 29 ip, 21 h, 9 r (7 er), 13 bb, 36 K - 2.17 ERA / 1.17 WHIP / .202 BAA

12. (+5) Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN
AAA Louisville: 39.1 ip, 30 h, 10 er, 9 bb, 32 K - 2.29 ERA / 0.99 WHIP / .213 BAA

13. (+3) Brandon Jones, OF, ATL
AAA Richmond: .264 BA / .693 OPS - 12 r, 0 HR, 9 rbi, 2 sb, 13 bb, 25 K in 91 AB
.289 BA over last 10 April games (38 AB)

14. (-) Steven Pearce, 1B/OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .236 BA / .671 OPS - 7 r, 2 HR, 16 rbi, 1 sb, 2 bb, 20 K in 106 AB

15. (-2) J.R. Towles, C, HOU
HOU: .197 BA / .780 OPS - 7 r, 4 HR, 10 rbi in 61 AB

16. (-4) Colby Rasmus, OF, STL
AAA Memphis: .204 BA / .671 OPS - 17 r, 5 HR, 12 rbi, 4 sb, 17 bb, 19 K in 108 AB
.167 BA over last 10 April games (36 AB), but with excellend 6 bb to 5 K ratio

17. (NR) Jon Meloan, RHP, LAD
AAA Las Vegas: 25.2 ip, 25 h, 8 r (7 er), 12 bb, 25 K - 2.45 ERA / 1.44 WHIP / .269 BAA

18. (NR) Brett Carroll, OF, FLA
AAA Albuquerque: .418 BA / 1.376 OPS - 18 r, 9 HR, 23 rbi, 1 sb, 8 bb, 18 K in 67 AB
.518 BA with 7 HR over last 10 April games (36 AB)

19. (NR) Sean Gallagher, RHP, CHC
AAA Iowa: 29 ip, 21 h, 11 r (10 er), 9 bb, 30 K - 3.10 ERA / 1.03 WHIP / .196 BAA

20. (-2) Ian Stewart, 3B, COL
AAA Colorado Springs: .255 BA / .870 OPS - 23 r, 6 HR, 21 rbi, 13 bb, 27 K in 98 AB

21. (-2) Carlos Carrasco, RHP, PHI
AA Reading: 29 ip, 28 h, 13 er, 12 bb, 32 K - 4.03 ERA / 1.38 WHIP / .264 BAA

22. (-1) Matt Antonelli, 2B, SD
AAA Portland: .195 BA / .711 OPS - 15 r, 2 HR, 6 rbi, 2 sb, 15 bb, 17 K in 82 AB

23. (+2) Dexter Fowler, OF, COL
AA Tulsa: .291 BA / .841 OPS - 17 r, 3 HR, 15 rbi, 7 sb, 11 bb, 20 K in 103AB

24. (NR) Daryl Thompson, RHP, CIN
AA Chattanooga: 31.1 ip, 20 h, 6 r (2 er), 4 bb, 36 K - 0.57 ERA / 0.77 WHIP / .185 BAA

25. (NR) Antonio Bastardo, LHP, PHI
Hi-A Clearwater: 30.2 ip, 20 h, 4 er, 10 bb, 47 K - 1.17 ERA / 0.98 WHIP / .183 BAA
Last 2 April starts: 15 ip, 6 h, 2 er, 1 bb, 25 K - WOW!


GRADUATED FROM THE LIST:

Geovany Soto, C, CHC (Highest Rank #3)
CHC: .330 BA / 1.036 OPS - 12 r, 5 HR, 21 rbi in 91 AB

Joey Votto, 1B, CIN (Highest Rank #4)
CIN: .308 BA / .880 OPS - 14 r, 4 HR, 13 rbi in 78 AB

Manny Parra, LHP, MIL (Highest Rank #10)
MIL: 23.2 ip, 29 h, 13 er, 13 bb, 19 K - 4.94 ERA / 1.77 WHIP / .302 BAA

Franklin Morales, LHP, COL (Highest Rank #11)
COL: 25.1 ip, 28 h, 18 er, 17 bb, 9 K - 6.39 ERA / 1.78 WHIP / .286 BAA


DROPPED OFF THE LIST:

Chris Marrero, 1B/OF, WAS (Last appeared at #20 on Mid-April Update)
High-A Potomac: .216 BA / .667 OPS - 10 r, 2 HR, 8 rbi, 11 bb, 16 K in 88 AB

Ross Detwiler, LHP, WAS (Last appeared at #23 on Mid-April Update)
High-A Potomac: 19 ip, 21 h, 10 er, 13 bb, 17 K - 4.74 ERA / 1.79 WHIP / .280 BAA

Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL (Last appeared at #16 on April Update)
50 game suspension for violation of the performance enhancing drug policy majorly stunts his 2008 development process.

Chin-Lung Hu, SS, LAD (Last appeared at #22 on April Update)
Development being delayed by extended tenure on the Dodgers active roster with little playing time.

MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

MAY UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Mid-April Update: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

This list will be updated on a roughly bi-weekly basis to account for changes based on player performance, injuries, and loss/gain of playing opportunity.

Also, as players on the list lose their rookie eligibility, surpass 130 AB or 50 IP in the majors, they will 'graduate' from the list.

Here's the update for mid-April - all stats are through April 15th:

Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

1. (-) Cameron Maybin, OF, FLA
AA Carolina: .297 BA / .972 OPS - 3B(1), HR(2), 6 r, 4 rbi, 3 SB, 11 b, 18 K in 37 AB

2. (+9) Johnny Cueto, RHP, CIN
CIN: 19.1 ip, 11 h, 8 er, 1 bb, 24 K - 3.72 ERA / 0.62 WHIP / .167 BAA

3. (+9) Geovany Soto, C, CHC
CHC: .289 BA / .910 OPS - 2B(2), 3B(1), HR(2), 4 r, 9 rbi, 7 bb, 9 K in 45 AB

4. (-2) Joey Votto, 1B, CIN
CIN: .300 BA / .700 OPS - HR(1), 4 r, 2 rbi, 0 bb, 5 K in 30 AB

5. (-1) Clayton Kershaw, LHP, LAD
AA Jacksonville: 14 ip, 13 h, 5 r (4 er), 6 bb, 19 K - 2.57 ERA / 1.36 WHIP / .245 BAA

6. (+1) Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD
Extended Spring Training, Rehab Assignment targeted for late April, likely mid-May return

7. (-4) Jay Bruce, OF, CIN
AAA Louisville: .294 BA / .778 OPS - 2B(1), 3B(1), HR(2), 7 r, 7 rbi, 3 sb, 1 bb, 12 K in 51 AB

The signing and success of Corey Patterson is the reason for the drop here.

8. (-) Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .244 BA / .815 OPS - 2B(3), HR(2), 9 r, 7 rbi, 1-for-3 on steal attempts, 7 bb, 6 K in 45 AB

9. (-4) Chase Headley, 3B/OF, SD
AAA Portland: .244 BA / .676 OPS - 2B(2), HR(1), 7 r, 3 rbi, 5 bb, 16 K in 45 AB

10. (+3) Manny Parra, LHP, MIL
MIL: 9.1 ip, 9 h, 5 er, 3 bb, 11 K - 4.82 ERA / 1.29 WHIP / .250 BAA

11. (-1) Franklin Morales, LHP, COL
COL: 10 ip, 9 h, 7 er, 7 bb, 3 K - 6.30 ERA / 1.60 WHIP / .243 BAA

Needs to get the walks down and the Ks up quickly.

12. (-6) Colby Rasmus, OF, STL
AAA Memphis: .192 BA / .576 OPS - 2B(1), HR(1), 6 r, 4 rbi, 2 sb, 9 bb, 11 K in 52 AB

Horrid start for Rasmus, the walks are the only silver lining.

13. (+1) J.R. Towles, C, HOU
HOU: .207 BA / .947 OPS - 2B(1), HR(3), 4 r, 7 rbi, 6 bb, 5 K in 29 AB

14. (-5) Steven Pearce, 1B/OF, PIT
AAA Indianapolis: .264 BA / .676 OPS - 2B(6), 2 r, 8 rbi, 3 bb, 7 K in 53 AB

15. (+7) Max Scherzer, RHP, ARI
AAA Tucson: 12 ip, 5 h, 1 r (0 er), 2 bb, 18 K - 0.00 ERA / 0.58 WHIP / .122 BAA

Off to a blistering start at Tucson!

16. (-) Brandon Jones, OF, ATL
AAA Richmond: .250 BA / .739 OPS - 2B(6), 10 r, 5 rbi, 7 bb, 11 K in 44 AB

17. (NR) Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN
AAA Louisville: 19 ip, 14 h, 3 er, 3 bb, 13 K - 1.42 ERA / 0.89 WHIP / .209 BAA

Command has always been the issue for Homer, the low walk count may mean he's turning the corner.

18. (+1) Ian Stewart, 3B, COL
AAA Colorado Springs: .313 BA / 1.008 OPS - 2B(3), 3B(1), HR(3), 11 r, 13 rbi, 8 bb, 13 K in 48 AB

19. (+5) Carlos Carrasco, RHP, PHI
AA Reading: 11 ip, 8 h, 3 er, 4 bb, 14 K - 2.45 ERA / 1.09 WHIP / .211 BAA

20. (-2) Chris Marrero, 1B/OF, WAS
High-A Potomac: .250 BA / .800 OPS - 2B(3), 3B(1), HR(2), 8 r, 7 rbi, 5 bb, 9 K in 48 AB

21. (-6) Matt Antonelli, 2B, SD
AAA Portland: .200 BA / .860 OPS - 2B(2), 3B(2), HR(2), 9 r, 6 rbi, 8 bb, 10 K in 40 AB

22. (-2) Matt LaPorta, OF, MIL
AA Huntsville: .211 BA / .735 OPS - 2B(2), 3B(1), HR(1), 6 r, 8 rbi, 7 bb, 10 K in 38 AB

23. (-) Ross Detwiler, LHP, WAS
High-A Potomac: 9.1 ip, 8 h, 4 er, 3 bb, 9 K - 3.86 ERA / 1.18 WHIP / .229 BAA

24. (+1) Chris Volstad, RHP, FLA
AA Carolina: 17 ip, 18 h, 5 er, 6 bb, 6 K - 2.65 ERA / 1.41 WHIP / .211 BAA

25. (NR) Dexter Fowler, OF, COL
AA Tulsa: .311 BA / .992 OPS - 2B(1), 3B(3), HR(2), 8 r, 11 rbi, 4 sb, 6 bb, 12 K in 45 AB

Current K-Rate is .261, already a slight improvement over his 2007 K-Rate of .267 at the High-A level. Also, two home runs this season already matches his 2007 total that took 245 ABs to reach.

DROPPED OFF THE LIST:

Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL
50 game suspension for violation of the performance enhancing drug policy majorly stunts his 2008 development process.

Chin-Lung Hu, SS, LAD
Development being delayed by extended tenure on the Dodgers active roster with little playing time.

MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009