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June 5, 2007

Future Shock

Top 50 Draft Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

The following rankings are based on discussions with scouts, scouting directors, other team personnel, and agents. They are based purely on projectable pro talent, with no consideration given to actual draft status, which often involves signability and/or perceived bonus demands.

1. David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt
Pros: Nearly perfect power-pitcher’s frame; excellent mechanics; plus-to-plus-plus velocity; outstanding slider; solid change; cerebral, calm and soft spoken off the mound, aggressive on it.
Cons: Lists “Coming To America” as his favorite film; on a baseball level, anything is nitpicking.

2. Rick Porcello, RHP, Seton Hall Prep (NJ)
Pros: Big, projectable frame, touches 98 and sits in mid-90s; excellent arm action in terms of both speed and smoothness; mature changeup for age; excellent athlete who fields position very well.
Cons: Breaking ball flashes as plus at times, but can flatten out at others. the short season in the Northeast leaves unanswered questions about durability.

3. Josh Vitters, 3B, Cypress HS (CA)
Pros: Best hitter in the draft in terms of bat speed and hand-eye coordination--then adds plus raw power on top of it; shows no weakness in terms of pitch type or location.
Cons: Not a defensive stalwart, but most think he can at least stay at the position.

4. Matt Wieters, C, Georgia Tech
Pros: Big switch-hitting catcher with plus power from both sides; professional approach at the plate; outstanding arm strength.
Cons: Performance this year has simply been good, not lights-out as some expected; most scouting directors think he can stay at catcher, but not all do; play seems lackadaisical at times.