Post by Blue Jays GM on Dec 21, 2009 10:52:43 GMT -5
Note: I am only including signed and rostered players on this list. Sonny Gray, Christian Lopes and Kris Bryant would all make this list, but as they are not signed all they will get is an honorable mention.
#1 - Zach Stewart, RHP - Age: 23 - Grade: B+/A- A fast riser from the 2008 draft, Stewart has two plus pitches and continues to develop his changeup. A sinkerball pitcher, Stewart has only given up 3 HRs in 138 pro innings. A former college closer, Stewart profiles as either a frontline starter or a dominant closer.
#2 - Zack Wheeler, RHP - Age: 19 - Grade: B+ Has even more upside than Stewart, but hasn't played professionally yet. He flashes three plus pitches and has a very projectable frame at 6'3" and 180 lbs. Has the potential to be a #1 starter in the majors.
#3 - Trevor May, RHP - Age: 20 - Grade: B Has three solid-average pitches and displayed a good deal of pitchability in his first season of full-season ball. Finished the year with 24 consecutive scoreless innings, leading the Lakewood BlueClaws to the SAL title. Profiles as a #2/#3 starter in the bigs.
#4 - David Cooper, 1B - Age: 22 - Grade: B Struggled a bit in AA this year, but started to put things together towards the end. Cooper is still developing the power scouts say should come to him. He could get a taste of the big leagues in 2010, with his first full season most likely 2011.
#5 - J.P. Arencibia, C - Age: 23 - Grade: B- Is a strong defensive catcher with a power bat. The biggest question with him is whether he can hit for average, though he has the power to hit 20-25 homeruns in a major league season. Could challenge for the starting job as early as 2010.
#6 - Ethan Martin, RHP - Age: 20 - Grade: B Has two potential plus pitches in his fastball and curveball. Struggled with his command, but still posted a 120/60 K/BB ratio (and a 120/100 K/IP). If he stagnates as a pitcher, can try to succeed as a power-hitting 3B, as he was the top two-way talent in the 2008 draft. As a pitcher, profiles as a #2 or a back-end bullpen reliever. Could rise up this list with a strong 2010.
#7 - Anthony Gose, CF - Age: 19 - Grade: B- Can flat-out fly, leading the minor leagues with 76 steals. Earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scale for his arm, defense and speed. Weakest tool at the moment is bat, though he showed signs of improvement and could possibly develop power. Can fall back on pitching if he does not succeed as a CF, as most teams considered him as a LHP prospect in the 2008 draft, with a fastball that reached 97 MPH.
#8 - Sebastian Valle, C - Age: 19 - Grade: B-/C+ Is only an average defensive catcher, but could develop into a plus hitting threat. Has plus raw power and bat speed, excellent timing and he shows an ability to hit to all fields. With the Phillies trade of D'Arnaud, Valle's path to the majors is suddenly wide open, without much standing between him and Carlos Ruiz. He has taken grounders at 3B, however, if he is forced to move out from behind the plate.
#9 - Jared Cosart - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ A sleeper for 2010, Cosart has the potential to develop three plus pitches. He has a great frame for a pitcher at 6'3"/180. If he shows more maturity and improves his work ethic, he has front-of-the-rotation potential. Will begin his first full season in 2010 at Lakewood.
#10 - Henderson Alvarez - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ Alvarez may not have great pure stuff, but he makes up for it with his command. As a 19-year old in low-A ball, he lead the Midwest League in fewest BB/9 (1.4) and HR/9 (0.1). All three of his pitches have the potential to be average or better, though none profile as plus. Projects as a good #4 starter
#11 - Domingo Santana - Age: 17, OF - Grade: C+ Santana is, quite simply, a complete freak of nature. He has a frame that makes scouts drool at 6'5"/200lbs, and yet can run the 60-yard dash in 6'7" (around a 55 on the 20-80 scale). He may lose some of his speed as he fills out, but his bat and defense could carry him to the majors. He has advanced tools for hitting for his age and he has a plus arm from RF. He is a definite sleeper for 2010 and could soar up this list.
#12 - Robinson Lopez - Age: 18, RHP - Grade: C+ Lopez has a powerful raw arm, with a fastball that sits 92-95 and a curveball that could develop into a plus pitch. He dominated the GCL in his first taste of pro ball. If he repeats his success in higher-level leagues, he is another who could rapidly rise up this list.
#13 - John Singleton - Age: 18, 1B - Grade: C+ Another sleeper in the Phillies organization, Singleton showed more patience than was expected in the GCL. Though possessing raw power, he took a balanced approach, and showed an ability to hit for contact as well. If the power develops, he could be a definite threat at the 1B position.
#14 - Brody Colvin - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ You guessed it - another Phillies sleeper! Colvin already has two plus pitches - his fastball and his curve - and only fell in the draft due to signability concerns. He has a very projectable frame at 6'4"/190lbs, and scouts believe his fastball will end up touching 96 after he is finished maturing.
#15 - Carlos Perez - Age: 19, C - Grade: C+ Perez has a contact-oriented approach at the current moment, but could potentially add some power. He has a plus arm for a catcher, and is improving otherwise defensively. Had a fine pro debut in 2009, and showed potential to be a good all-around catcher.
#1 - Zach Stewart, RHP - Age: 23 - Grade: B+/A- A fast riser from the 2008 draft, Stewart has two plus pitches and continues to develop his changeup. A sinkerball pitcher, Stewart has only given up 3 HRs in 138 pro innings. A former college closer, Stewart profiles as either a frontline starter or a dominant closer.
#2 - Zack Wheeler, RHP - Age: 19 - Grade: B+ Has even more upside than Stewart, but hasn't played professionally yet. He flashes three plus pitches and has a very projectable frame at 6'3" and 180 lbs. Has the potential to be a #1 starter in the majors.
#3 - Trevor May, RHP - Age: 20 - Grade: B Has three solid-average pitches and displayed a good deal of pitchability in his first season of full-season ball. Finished the year with 24 consecutive scoreless innings, leading the Lakewood BlueClaws to the SAL title. Profiles as a #2/#3 starter in the bigs.
#4 - David Cooper, 1B - Age: 22 - Grade: B Struggled a bit in AA this year, but started to put things together towards the end. Cooper is still developing the power scouts say should come to him. He could get a taste of the big leagues in 2010, with his first full season most likely 2011.
#5 - J.P. Arencibia, C - Age: 23 - Grade: B- Is a strong defensive catcher with a power bat. The biggest question with him is whether he can hit for average, though he has the power to hit 20-25 homeruns in a major league season. Could challenge for the starting job as early as 2010.
#6 - Ethan Martin, RHP - Age: 20 - Grade: B Has two potential plus pitches in his fastball and curveball. Struggled with his command, but still posted a 120/60 K/BB ratio (and a 120/100 K/IP). If he stagnates as a pitcher, can try to succeed as a power-hitting 3B, as he was the top two-way talent in the 2008 draft. As a pitcher, profiles as a #2 or a back-end bullpen reliever. Could rise up this list with a strong 2010.
#7 - Anthony Gose, CF - Age: 19 - Grade: B- Can flat-out fly, leading the minor leagues with 76 steals. Earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scale for his arm, defense and speed. Weakest tool at the moment is bat, though he showed signs of improvement and could possibly develop power. Can fall back on pitching if he does not succeed as a CF, as most teams considered him as a LHP prospect in the 2008 draft, with a fastball that reached 97 MPH.
#8 - Sebastian Valle, C - Age: 19 - Grade: B-/C+ Is only an average defensive catcher, but could develop into a plus hitting threat. Has plus raw power and bat speed, excellent timing and he shows an ability to hit to all fields. With the Phillies trade of D'Arnaud, Valle's path to the majors is suddenly wide open, without much standing between him and Carlos Ruiz. He has taken grounders at 3B, however, if he is forced to move out from behind the plate.
#9 - Jared Cosart - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ A sleeper for 2010, Cosart has the potential to develop three plus pitches. He has a great frame for a pitcher at 6'3"/180. If he shows more maturity and improves his work ethic, he has front-of-the-rotation potential. Will begin his first full season in 2010 at Lakewood.
#10 - Henderson Alvarez - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ Alvarez may not have great pure stuff, but he makes up for it with his command. As a 19-year old in low-A ball, he lead the Midwest League in fewest BB/9 (1.4) and HR/9 (0.1). All three of his pitches have the potential to be average or better, though none profile as plus. Projects as a good #4 starter
#11 - Domingo Santana - Age: 17, OF - Grade: C+ Santana is, quite simply, a complete freak of nature. He has a frame that makes scouts drool at 6'5"/200lbs, and yet can run the 60-yard dash in 6'7" (around a 55 on the 20-80 scale). He may lose some of his speed as he fills out, but his bat and defense could carry him to the majors. He has advanced tools for hitting for his age and he has a plus arm from RF. He is a definite sleeper for 2010 and could soar up this list.
#12 - Robinson Lopez - Age: 18, RHP - Grade: C+ Lopez has a powerful raw arm, with a fastball that sits 92-95 and a curveball that could develop into a plus pitch. He dominated the GCL in his first taste of pro ball. If he repeats his success in higher-level leagues, he is another who could rapidly rise up this list.
#13 - John Singleton - Age: 18, 1B - Grade: C+ Another sleeper in the Phillies organization, Singleton showed more patience than was expected in the GCL. Though possessing raw power, he took a balanced approach, and showed an ability to hit for contact as well. If the power develops, he could be a definite threat at the 1B position.
#14 - Brody Colvin - Age: 19, RHP - Grade: C+ You guessed it - another Phillies sleeper! Colvin already has two plus pitches - his fastball and his curve - and only fell in the draft due to signability concerns. He has a very projectable frame at 6'4"/190lbs, and scouts believe his fastball will end up touching 96 after he is finished maturing.
#15 - Carlos Perez - Age: 19, C - Grade: C+ Perez has a contact-oriented approach at the current moment, but could potentially add some power. He has a plus arm for a catcher, and is improving otherwise defensively. Had a fine pro debut in 2009, and showed potential to be a good all-around catcher.