Top United States Prospects in the National League
After the United States loss to Japan, maybe these prospects will bring back the glory of baseball to the United States. The current group of major leaguers have certainly been an embarrassment, and not those who played and tried their best, but those who chose not to play because of a perceived injury or lack of interest.
1. Jason Heyward OF (Braves) - Jason is a big boy that kind of reminds you of an Andre Dawson. At 6′4″ he has some exceptional tools. He can hit for average, draw walks, does not appear to be susceptible to the strikeout, should develop some power, has a strong right field arm, good character and makeup, decent speed with good instincts on the bases. What doesn’t he have? A major league job right now, but that shouldn’t last long. He only hit 11 homeruns in 470 at bats, but with his tools those balls should start clearing a path over the fence.
2. Madison Bumgarner LHP (Giants) - They already have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez in their rotation. That’s three solid young pitchers to build a rotation around. Soon you may add Madison’s name to that list. His first year in the minor leagues he finishes 15-3, 1.46. Tell me it won’t always be so easy. He won’t turn 20 until August of this year and he already hums the fastball in at 97, but is currently more comfortable with his command at 93-94. His changeup and breaking ball are lightyears away from his fastball and he needs to improve his command of those pitches if he wants to eventually unseat Tim Lincecum as the Giants number one starter.
3. Colby Rasmus OF (Cardinals) - He failed in his first attempt last year to make the Cardinals opening day 25-man roster. After that failure it is said he sulked his way to a disappointiing .251 average in AAA. He did get a late callup with the Cardinals and had enough in him to hit for a .556 average. The Cardinals wanted him to particpate in winter league to get some work but he nixed that becuase he wanted to work out to sculpt his body, He’s got plus speed, good patience for a young player, excellent strengths that should increase with time and an arm that makes right field a possibility. He can get too pull happy at times, which leads to lowered averages and he isn’t the type of go getter that goes out of his way to work out.
4. Cameron Maybin OF (Marlins) - He was one of the players that signed originally with the Tigers, but they traded him and other prospects when there was an opportunityh to get Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Maybin may lead the Marlins to a World Series before the Tigers make it to the playoffs. He’s another 5-tool player that needs to improve his plate discipline. The one tool that is far better at this point is his speed. If he develops his power he could end up a 30/30 man. After hitting .500 for the Marlins in 32 at bats he should be ready to patrol centerfield.
5. Tommy Hanson RHP (Braves) - Hanson was lights out in winter ball, winning the MVP award there, a pretty high accomplishment for the hitter friendly Arizona Fall League. The last pitcher in the AFL to win that award was - well, nobody. At 6′6′ he’s a big kid with an exploding mid-90s fastball. He also has a slider that travels in the upper 80’s and a good curveball. His changeup is solid, but doesn’t meet his other pitchers as far as deception is concerned. That is five pitches and Tommy mixes them well. He is a future ace, but the Braves don’t have any room for him at the moment. They’ll allow him to toil a bit in AAA until an injury or ineffectiveness make an opportunity just waiting to happen.
6. Buster Posey C (Giants) - The second Giant on this list, and the number one draft pick by the Giants in 2008. Buster is a hitting machine that catches, leading the NCAA in hitting at .463, OBA at a Bondslike .566 and slugging at .879. All those numbers resulted in him winning the college player of the year award and the Golden Spikes award. His $6.2 million was the largest draft bonus in history, until Boras filed a grievance for Pedro Alvarez, then placed a value of his renegotiated contract at $6.3 million. He’s got the arm to catch, having been a reliever in college, and good, soft hands. Some question whether he’ll hit for homerun power in the major leagues or just be a gap hitter.
7. Dexter Fowler OF (Rockies) - The centerfield job is open for him to take. The Rockies may want him to develop a little more in AAA after he hit only .154 in his 26 at bat trial with the Rockies. He played for the United States Olympic team that ended up beating Japan for the Bronze medal in 2004. He covers ground in center like a gazelle and has a good arm for a centerfielder. He has yet to hit into double figures in homeruns in his four years in the minors, but many say he will gain strength and the power will come. Dexter will probably be more a 20/20 man than a 30/30 man. He has stolen 101 bases in his four years in the minors.
8. Andrew McCutchen OF (Pirates) - Another player with excellent middle of the diamond tools that should take over in center field once he shows he’s ready. Last year was one of his more consistent years, hitting .283 with 9 homeruns and 34 stolen bases. He’s already toiled four years in the minors, two of them in AAA, so there is no doubt he is ready. Andrew has outstanding speed and Gold Glove defense in center field. He is not a big man, so his lack of power and his arm is only average, making him a 3-tool player. But the two tools, speed and defense are extraordinary.
9. Josh Vitters 3b (Cubs) - The Cubs weren’t too worried when Josh Vitters only got six hits in his first 51 at bats in the minor leagues, none of them extra bases. They would give a player they drafted in the first round for $3.2 million a lot of patience. Josh made that patience pay off by hitting .328 the next year. Right now, his power is restricted to the doubles category, but those should translate into homeruns as he gains strength. He won’t be the best of defenders at third base, but he will give you a solid effort, and with the potential his bat has to offer, you’ll find room for him somewhere.
10. Mike Stanton OF (Marlins) - There is some discussion that Mike Stanton will start in centerfield for the Marlins this year, but he is a better fit in right. Mike has light tower power which comes with a lot of swing and miss capability. His 39 homeruns last year at low A Greensboro was accompanied by 153 strikeouts. In all liklihood he needs a couple more development years in the minors to further enhance his tools. He doesn’t cover a lot of ground in center, but he won’t hurt you. With his arm you’d prefer to see Cameron in center. If he doesn’t improve those strikeout numbers he may struggle for average as he rises up the chain.