Notice: Trying to get property 'display_name' of non-object in /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-seo/src/generators/schema/article.php on line 52
keyboard_arrow_uptop
searchcloseSEARCH

Prospects Will Break Your Heart: Top 101 Prospects

and
January 27, 2014

Previous Rankings: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

2014 Top 101 Prospects Breakdown by Position, Organization, Age, and Tools: Link

Chat with Jason Parks About the Top 101 (1:00 PM ET) | Read the list with full commentary in Baseball Prospectus 2014

With a successful debut season notched on our collective belts, the Baseball Prospectus Prospect Staff entered the offseason rankings process with the arrogance of kings and virility of after-hours thespians; that is, until we started our first prospect debates and discussions and realized the enormity of the task at hand and responsibilities on our plate to produce at the highest possible level. Our process has been detailed several times on this site and is as vital to the finished product as the physical characteristics of the players we evaluate. Our prospect-based Socratic method is the tool that sculpts our results, a lengthy internal debate that weighs the merits and tool-based misfortunes of those we are tasked with studying and sorting. The names are chiseled down into an appealing form, and then outside-the-organization sources are brought into the mix, where their opinions and reports are added to the representational body. Only after the fact are the relevant teams contacted for their thoughts on the list; an opportunity to extract developmental progressions and check the accuracy of the tool-based grades. The finished product is a combination of art and science, a fluid and evolving subject matter that is captured and frozen in the snapshot of a given moment and put on display.

The process for the individual team lists is the same process used to compile the Baseball Prospectus 101, a team of hands shaping a work that I am fortunate enough to put my name on. While I get to reap the rewards of all the hard work, the wealth of scouting talent I get to feed from deserves due credit, and before we get to the meat of the meal, I’d like to shine some light on those who often live in the shadows.

From the original prospect team assembled before the ink on Kevin Goldstein’s Astros contract was dry, Nick J. Faleris, Mark Anderson, and Chris Mellen. Their voices carry substantial weight, and when their fingerprints are found on the work, the finished product is significantly better as a result. Over the last year, the prospect staff has grown, and it will continue to grow as long as teams like the Rays, Cardinals, and Diamondbacks don't stop hiring away our evaluators. We’ve added Jeff Moore, a former college coach who has taken over the Minor League Update and produces quality work for the site on a daily basis. We’ve added several new interns to our already strong stable of up-and-coming young talent, including Ryan Parker and Steffan Segui, two sharp talent evaluators who will eventually make some team stronger when they are hired on as scouts. But please don’t hire them yet.

Finally, our relationship with Perfect Game grants us an invaluable resource when it comes to the evaluation of prospects, as they can provide us with glimpses of what the applicable player looked like before entering the professional fold, the genesis of the developmental process and skeleton of the prospect profile.

Simply put, all the personnel involved elevate the product to a level it would fail to achieve without their influence. We don’t always [read: often] agree, and consensus isn’t the goal. But the information tug-of-war we engage in creates the necessary tension to support the decisions we make and players we choose to stand behind. The following is a byproduct of that collective scouting tension: The Baseball Prospectus 101.

1. Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 8

2. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 12

3. Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 2

4. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 20

5. Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 26

6. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 10

7. Addison Russell, SS, Oakland Athletics
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 22

8. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 9

9. Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Scouting Report (most recent) link
2013 Ranking: 31

10. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 13

11. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 28

12. Yordano Ventura, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent) link
2013 Ranking: 62

13. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 70

14. Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 21

15. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 4

16. Jonathan Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

17. Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent) link
2013 Ranking: N/A

18. Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 19

19. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 11

20. George Springer, OF, Houston Astros
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 55

21. Mark Appel, RHP, Houston Astros
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

22. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 78

23. Jackie Bradley, CF, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 27

24. Gregory Polanco, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 44

25. Albert Almora, CF, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 18

26. Eddie Butler, RHP, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

27. Marcus Stroman, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

28. Chris Owings, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 81

29. Raul Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 58

30. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Miami Marlins
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

31. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 32

32. Alex Meyer, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 88

33. Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 90

34. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 41

35. Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

36. Clint Frazier, CF, Cleveland Indians
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

37. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 37

38. Kyle Crick, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 65

39. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent) link
2013 Ranking: N/A

40. Lucas Sims, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

41. Jorge Alfaro, C, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking:76

42. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

43. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Houston Astros
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

44. Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

45. Jorge Soler, RF, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 36

46. Miguel Almonte, RHP, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

47. Matt Wisler, RHP, San Diego Padres
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

48. Travis d’Arnaud, C, New York Mets
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 15

49. Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: 14

50. Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

51. Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent) Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

52. Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

53. A.J. Cole, RHP, Washington Nationals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

54. Kohl Stewart, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

55. Max Fried, LHP, San Diego Padres
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 61

56. Josmil Pinto, C, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

57. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 25

58. Hunter Harvey, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

59. Reese McGuire, C, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent): link
2013 Ranking: N/A

60. Eddie Rosario, 2B, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

61. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Baltimore Orioles
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

62. Braden Shipley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

63. Phillip Ervin, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

64. Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 38

65. D.J. Peterson, 3B, Seattle Mariners
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

66. Stephen Piscotty, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

67. Erik Johnson, RHP, Chicago White Sox
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

68. James Paxton, LHP, Seattle Mariners
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 92

69. Henry Owens, LHP, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

70. Chi Chi Gonzalez, RHP, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

71. Wilmer Flores, 2B/3B, New York Mets
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

72. Luis Sardinas, SS, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 86

73. Blake Swihart, C, Boston Red Sox
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

74. Colin Moran, 3B, Miami Marlins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

75. Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

76. Alberto Tirado, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

77. Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

78. Sean Manaea, LHP, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

79. Michael Choice, OF, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 82

80. Nick Kingham, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

81. C.J. Edwards, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

82. Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 80

83. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

84. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 87

85. Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 47

86. Brian Goodwin, OF, Washington Nationals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 74

87. Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta Braves
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 93

88. Nick Williams, OF, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

89. Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

90. Enny Romero, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

91. Pierce Johnson, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

92. Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 83

93. Matt Davidson, 3B, Chicago White Sox
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 89

94. Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 67

95. Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

96. Hunter Dozier, SS, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

97. Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

98. Alexander Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

99. Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Kansas City Royals
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

100. David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: 40

101. Lewis Thorpe, LHP, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent): Link
2013 Ranking: N/A

Thank you for reading

This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.

Subscribe now

BP Prospect Staff

 

Jason Parks

 

More about:

Latest Articles

Related Articles

You need to be logged in to comment. Login or Subscribe
mblthd
1/27
How close was Shlabotnik?
Reply to mblthd
cdgarosi
1/27
Excellent list - thanks for all of the hard work!

Who do you see of players in the bottom half and bottom quarter of the list who have the best chance of moving into the top 25 next season if their development continues?
Reply to cdgarosi
tjco1006
1/27
Outstanding work as always crew. Who are a couple of names that didn't make the list now but are poised for huge jumps by midseason? Edwin Diaz possibly in that group?
Reply to tjco1006
carlbrownson
1/27
This list looks exactly like/very different than my own! My favorite team's player is too low/just right! Great/terrible job!
Reply to carlbrownson
moonlightj
1/27
Selfish look - Guerrieri took a tumble from 48 to off the list. Also, kudos to getting the list out nearly a full month earlier than last year.
Reply to moonlightj
mgolovcsenko
1/27
Isn't the gating factor on publishing the list out when the Annual gets shipped? So shouldn't the congrats be pointed towards Sam Miller, et al?

(Received my Annual Saturday ... thanks, all.)
Reply to mgolovcsenko
lyricalkiller
1/27
The Annual is out earlier largely because of the incredible work Parks, Mellen, Faleris, Anderson, and Moore did putting the 101 together as early as they did.
Reply to lyricalkiller
mgolovcsenko
1/27
Seems there's an upside to KG's departure after all ...
Reply to mgolovcsenko
twinstalker
1/27
Not for Timberwolves' fans.
Reply to twinstalker
sporer24
1/28
All of the LOLz... LOOOOOOOOOOOL
Reply to sporer24
jparks77
1/27
A substantial injury and a drug suspension will do that to a prospect.
Reply to jparks77
moonlightj
1/27
Understandable. Not lumping the two pitchers in the same group, but Giolito shot up like a rocket with a serious injury. Does Guerrieri make a top 125, a top 150, or is the drug slap a very heavy anchor?
Reply to moonlightj
jparks77
1/27
Giolito has a better scouting profile, without the makeup concerns that have dogged Guerrieri since his amateur days. The drug suspension only reinforces those concerns. I think he will rebound from the injury and rejoin the 101 very soon. But the makeup issues could slow his rise.
Reply to jparks77
mattseward
1/27
For those asking who could make big moves, Jason has put on twitter that he plans a follow up article later in the week giving guys he sees taking a big step forward
Reply to mattseward
jtwalsh
1/27
Just curious, was Carlos Martinez not eligible due to service time, or did he just not make the list?
Reply to jtwalsh
jadelman
1/27
Service time.
Reply to jadelman
Nathwar
1/27
Great to see Lewis Thorpe at 101. Loved watching him pitch in the ABL this season. A lot of room to improve but hoping to see him well up the list for next year.
Reply to Nathwar
lucasjthompson
1/27
Also like seeing Josmil Pinto so high despite only exploding onto the prospect scene in the last year, and at a relatively advanced age. Pinto and Thorpe both went from guys I'd never heard of (even as a Twins fan who follows prospects) to guys on BP's top 101 in less than a year. Not bad.
Reply to lucasjthompson
rwphillipsstl
1/27
Did Carlos Martinez get his 45 day service time?
Reply to rwphillipsstl
rwphillipsstl
1/27
Way to go BP--found the answer under Transactions--Carlos Martinez logged 73 days MLB service time, though wasn't some of that during roster expansion?
Reply to rwphillipsstl
edman8585
1/27
Called up 9/3, season ended 9/29. That's 27 days in the bigs during roster expansion, leaving 46 days during the 25-man days. He's no longer rookie eligible, but is, as I like to call it, BA Eligible, as they ignore the service time minimums.
Reply to edman8585
Muboshgu
1/27
Great list, great work by all. I'm curious to know who the last cuts were.
Reply to Muboshgu
mgolovcsenko
1/27
Been looking to this for some time ...

1) Had you compiled the list more recently (I'm presuming the list was done last fall for Annual publication reasons), would Polanco, given his winter league exploits, been higher?

2) What combination of science and art will you use to look back in X years to assess this list versus the plethora of other lists out there?

Reply to mgolovcsenko
redguy12588
1/27
I guess complaining about polanco and taillon being so low (relatively) would fall on deaf ears considering the fact that the pirates have 7 guys on the 101.
Reply to redguy12588
delatopia
1/27
People vastly overrate the relative position of players. Once you get out of the top 10 or so, a difference of opinion of 20 and maybe even 30 position spots tends to be blown out of proportion.
Reply to delatopia
bigpete123
1/27
like to see the wilmer flores love.
Reply to bigpete123
DrDooby
1/27
Interesting that Flores gets the nod as the # 3 Met prospect on this list while most other outlets seem to prefer R.Montero, D.Smith, K.Plawecki and at times even B.Nimmo or A.Rosario.

The big question for Flores obviously remains his long term defensive home and whether the bat plays regardless of where that is or not...
Reply to DrDooby
AZMarkS
1/27
Flores is 22 years old and is basically MLB ready. He might not have the ceiling of some of the younger players, but he has a much higher floor. And the problem a lot of people have with Flores is defensive position. Is he a 2B, 3B or 1B. If he can handle 2B, then his bat will definitely make him average or higher player. If he slips all the way over to 1B, then he might not even be average.
Reply to AZMarkS
JusitnG
1/27
Diggin the love for Reese McGuire. Interesting tool package according to the tools chart. 6 hit, arm, and glove, 5+ run, 5 power. Hedges starter kit?

Actually, that kind of sounds like a mini Russ Martin.
Reply to JusitnG
IamRalpho
1/27
Was Dom Smith close to the top 101? I know he's far far away but was there consideration for him? Thanks
Reply to IamRalpho
jparks77
1/27
He was in the mix. I like the kid and I think he will hit. Not sure about the power, and I'm definitely not sure about the body, But he should be able to hit for average. That said, hit tool first prospects that are first-base only types have to REALLY hit to make a splash in the prospect world.
Reply to jparks77
jadelman
1/27
Wild guess for Prospect #102: Allen Webster.
Reply to jadelman
Rockshu
1/27
My wild guess: Dan Norris
Reply to Rockshu
jadelman
1/27
That's a good one, considering how high Jason's team has been on him this winter. J.P. Crawford and Tim Anderson are another pair of guys I suspect are in the next batch.
Reply to jadelman
roarke
1/27
5 SS in the top 7 - while they all might not stick there, the league could use an infusion of young talent at that position.
Reply to roarke
JPinPhilly
1/27
Was J.P. Crawford close to making the list? High draft pick who had a strong pro debut and led the GCL in hitting as a shortstop.
Reply to JPinPhilly
jparks77
1/27
He was in the mix. We will be producing a "Just Missed the Cut" article this week to highlight some of the prospects that were in the 101 mix.
Reply to jparks77
JPinPhilly
1/27
Good to know. Looking forward to it.

I like that there are a lot of differences between this list and the one put out last week by Callis & Mayo. Gives you a little more perspective. Thanks for the hard work.
Reply to JPinPhilly
CJNC1963
1/27
How close was Jose Peraza to making the list?
Reply to CJNC1963
jparks77
1/27
I'm a fan. Was on initial draft. Should jump this season.
Reply to jparks77
CJNC1963
1/27
Thanks!!

Great work on the list.
Reply to CJNC1963
wennodc
1/27
So glad the list is up! Is the younger Mondesi going by "Raul" now, instead of Adalberto? The link on his name doesn't take you to his player page.

Thanks for your continuing hard work!
Reply to wennodc
timber
1/27
He asked the world about a year ago to call him Raul (even though his older brother is also Raul).
Reply to timber
Jquinton82
1/27
Where would guys like abreu and Tanaka rank?
Reply to Jquinton82
jparks77
1/27
They wouldn't. We don't rank players that will completely bypass the minor league developmental system. These are players, not prospects.
Reply to jparks77
huztlers
1/28
key word is "would"... the question has already been sidestepped in the rankings once
Reply to huztlers
Behemoth
1/28
It's not sidestepping. Jason clearly feels there is no value in comparing MLB ready players who haven't gone through the minors system with orthodox prospects. You might as well ask him where David Ortiz would rank if he was a prospect.
Reply to Behemoth
organizedfamine
1/29
Not very highly. Poor physique, makeup issues, lack of any defensive projection.
Reply to organizedfamine
mblthd
1/30
If space is dust, then what is dirty?
Reply to mblthd
pietraynor21
1/27
No Alen Hanson?
Reply to pietraynor21
jparks77
1/27
Was on the initial list. Good prospect; not a SS for me; bat is good but not great. I think he gets overrated a bit, but you can make a case for him in the 75-100 range, along with 20 other prospects that missed the list.
Reply to jparks77
Evanishere
1/27
How close was Domingo Santana to making the list?
Reply to Evanishere
BillJohnson
1/27
Interesting to see Alex Reyes on this list. He has been getting limited play on the Cardinals fan blogs compared to Lee Stoppelman, Zach Petrick, the 2013 first-rounders, and so on, but you're right, he's a real prospect. I do wonder, though: was his inclusion at least partly a nod to the fact that the Cardinals constantly seem to be finding and developing some diamond-in-the-rough pitcher that nobody expects to make it, like Kevin Siegrist last year?
Reply to BillJohnson
mattgioia
1/27
he's a near 7 figure j2 guy - there's pedigree there as well. I'm interested in those grades on his pitches - that's 3 above average (potential) offerings.
Reply to mattgioia
sreczek
1/27
How close was my favorite prospect from making it?
Reply to sreczek
jparks77
1/27
He was #102
Reply to jparks77
70Glove
1/27
Where would Rodon be on this list? Somewhere in the 5-15 range?
Reply to 70Glove
jparks77
1/27
When he signs, I can see him in the top 10.
Reply to jparks77
davejsch
1/27
The Yanks' system only has one guy in the top 100 at #85. I wonder if this drop is due to the change in draft pick price slotting and the cap on international draft money pool. I'm not a Yank fan, but I don't remember any major trades recently that emptied thier system.
Reply to davejsch
shakyhands
1/27
none of the above. injuries and #slack, both on the scouting, and the player development side
Reply to shakyhands
bg2388
1/27
Injuries and #slack def. play a role but I would bet anything if there weren't these spending caps in place Yanks would be far better off than they are with the caps
Reply to bg2388
jfranco77
1/27
Most surprising to me is Sano, I thought he might have been top 5, surely top 10.

The other big surprise is Ventura, I knew he had helium, but 12... wow.

Great job as always.
Reply to jfranco77
jparks77
1/27
Sano is going to struggle (as he did) against better arms. His hit tool will be enough for the power to play, but I'm not sold that his power will play to full potential. He could still end up hitting 30+ bombs, but the power will likely come at the expense of consistent contact. He's still in the top 20 prospects in the game (in an absolutely loaded class), and even though he has weaknesses in his game, the power is so good that it justifies such a high rank. I can't see ranking him in the top 5, though. Too many questions about the hit tool and defensive profile to go that crazy.
Reply to jparks77
justiniodiddly
1/27
Marcus Semien anywhere close? Guessing pretty good across the board doesn't give a high enough ceiling compared to the guys with a few really loud tools?
Reply to justiniodiddly
MarkJLutz
1/27
Your stuff is always a must read. Regarding Gregory Polanco, last year you noted a few questions about his long swing, ability to cover the inner half, and power. Do those same issues remain unsettled? Or do you think he has shown some intrinsic limits that might let him be a solid regular but not an all-star? If you have the time to elaborate, it would be much appreciated.
Reply to MarkJLutz
jparks77
1/27
Those questions remain, but I'm still high on the player. I don;t see an all-star, but a first-division player is absolutely possible--hell, even likely. I don't see a top ten overall player, but he can do just about everything on a field at a solid-average or better level.
Reply to jparks77
tbwhite
1/27
Were Ozuna and Marisnick from the Marlins eligible for the list ? If not, roughly where would they slot ? If so, how much did they miss by ?
Reply to tbwhite
jparks77
1/27
Ozuna was not prospect eligible; Marisnick was right on the bubble.
Reply to jparks77
jonjacoby
1/28
wow seems like a big fall for Marisnick.

What about Rymer Lirano, how do you evaluate a hitter who loses a year to injury?

Also seems like an above average amount of 2013 draftees, is this a fluke or do you think it's because of the earlier signing period allowing them to get professional (wood bat) experience?
Reply to jonjacoby
Iodine
1/27
Jason why am I so #erect?
Reply to Iodine
fawcettb
1/27
So, the Trevor Bauer love is completely gone?
Reply to fawcettb
jparks77
1/27
I never really had any to begin with.
Reply to jparks77
nickgieschen
1/28
It's quite possible I'm misconstruing "love", however a quick google of "jason parks trevor bauer" seems to indicate there was some love:

"Based on stuff and stuff alone, I am very high on Bauer and his potential in professional baseball."

"He might be the most advanced of the college arms..."
Reply to nickgieschen
mgolovcsenko
1/28
In Jason's defense, that paragraph then continues: " Looking at the overall package, I’m hesitant to get too crazy with the projections because of the questions about his delivery."

And the theme of the overall piece (a Cole vs. Bauer scouting report from their college days) is that Bauer's mechanics (a) will impede command/control (spot on), (b) may be artificially elevating his stuff.

Basically, Jason liked Cole much better than Bauer. (Spot on.)
Reply to mgolovcsenko
Daddyboy
1/28
Funny...no response from JP
Reply to Daddyboy
jparks77
1/28
I've been busy. I'm not that high on Bauer. I can recognize the talent, and at times I've given him due credit for the raw stuff. But the approach has been bad from day 1, and not much has changed on that front, which speaks to a larger but concerning issue. It's hard to defend a guy that seems to turn off everybody he comes in contact with on the player developmental front. I don't know what else to say about it. He's not the type of player I want to champion.
Reply to jparks77
tonynelson19
1/27
I'm surprised to see Phillip Ervin ranked almost 30 spots higher than Austin Meadows considering their relatively similar profiles. I always thought Meadows would rate higher, with louder tools and more projection. Any insight into what caused the separation?
Reply to tonynelson19
tonynelson19
1/27
Answered on the chat. Thanks Jason.
Reply to tonynelson19
newsense
1/27
The "most recent" links appear to be to the 2012 team listings, not the 2013
Reply to newsense
lyricalkiller
1/27
With one exception (Bogaerts, which is fixed) that's because the top 10 for the team hasn't been released yet
Reply to lyricalkiller
petelunchbox
1/27
Which 2014 draft prospects would definitely be in the list if eligible? I saw you mentioned Rodon would be top 10, what about Hoffman, Turner, Jackson, Kolek, etc?
Reply to petelunchbox
jadelman
1/27
Jason, I know you're drawn to high ceilings, but I wonder if the process behind WHICH high-ceiling prospects you tend to fixate on has changed (improved) in the past several years. Would you have been more/less bullish on Alfredo Tirado and Raimel Tapia, for example, if Parks circa 2010 had been spearheading this list?
Reply to jadelman
jadelman
1/27
And of course it's Alberto, but I was so pleased with my question that I didn't even notice the mistake!
Reply to jadelman
jasrjohn
1/27
Jason... incredible job... thanks!... where would you seperate tiers on the 101?
Reply to jasrjohn
sbnbaseball
1/27
Jason - great job with the rankings. What is Joc Pederson's power ceiling and what does an average year look like for him once he makes it to the big leagues? Thank you.
Reply to sbnbaseball
suchit13
1/27
Great work on this list and all the team top 10's, but I think a simple line of the tools under each prospect would be nice. The link is obviously helpful, but providing a quick snapshot of the tools on this page would be great, so it would look like this using Buxton as an example:


1. Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
Scouting Report (most recent) link
2013 Ranking: 8
The Tools: 8 run; 6 arm; 7 potential glove; 7 raw; 6 potential hit
Reply to suchit13
lucasjthompson
1/27
Yeah, that would be cool.
Reply to lucasjthompson
richardkr34
1/27
There is no mention of Buxton's mustache in this article.

#slack
Reply to richardkr34
mhmosher
1/27
Professor, which player currently in the 76-101 range has the best chance to be in the top ten in 2015?
Reply to mhmosher
carlbrownson
1/27
Not who you asked, but let me take a shot. Austin Meadows, with Joey Gallo as the first runner-up.
Reply to carlbrownson
tannerg
1/27
Constructive suggestion? In the "2013 Ranking" info, it would be nice if "N/A" was not the designation both for guys who were not ranked and for guys who hadn't been drafted.

How about "Not Ranked" for guys who were eligible for the list last season but fell outside the Top 100?
Reply to tannerg
philly604
1/28
Yeah, I much prefer that too.
Reply to philly604
oakiegu007
1/28
Jason, great work.

If Sonny Gray were still eligible, where would you slot him?
Reply to oakiegu007
hotstatrat
1/28
So, Eddie Rosario has been playing center lately and that has coincided with a recovered bat. Does that move him up or down or remain the same?
Reply to hotstatrat
jparks77
1/28
Defensively, he's a much better fit in the OF, and I always liked the bat. Despite the drug suspension, I'm still on board.
Reply to jparks77
Rockshu
1/28
Guessing 8 of the top 10 (Buxton, Bogaerts, Tavares, Baez, Lindor, Walker, Bradley, Gausman) will graduate. Any early guesses on the players who will jump up and join Correa and Russell in the top 10?

My guess: Giolito, Gray, Bryant, Hedges, Stephenson, Frazier, Alfaro, and Carlos Rodon.

Anything unreasonable there?
Reply to Rockshu
jparks77
1/28
Excellent guesses.
Reply to jparks77
Tom9418
1/28
It would be nice to have a little list of "guys from last 101 to lose eligibility" or "notable guys who aren't eligible". Would answer questions like "Is Webster off because he wasn't that good, or he lost eligibility?" Thanks.
Reply to Tom9418
JohnnyFive
1/28
Your notes after the article last year were a big highlight for me and were one of the reasons that I decided to subscribe to BP in the first place. Any reason that you chose not to do them again this year? Love the off the cuff commentary.
Reply to JohnnyFive
danrnelson
1/28
Do you see any reason that Terry Ryan would announce in January that Kurt Suzuki is the starting catcher in Minny? What could they be hesitant about with Pinto? Suzuki is terrible offensively and doesn't throw out baserunners. I am beyond perplexed.
Reply to danrnelson
jparks77
1/28
I'm confused by that as well. Doesn't make any sense to me.
Reply to jparks77
rzt101
1/30
surprised the top 101 wasn't completely filled with Cubs prospects. Why so down on the system?
Reply to rzt101
jonjacoby
1/30
Prof. Parks: Seems like an above average amount of 2013 draftees, is this a fluke or do you think it's because of the earlier signing period allowing them to get professional (wood bat) experience and pro-scouts to get a look at them against better competition?

Also: where would Billy Zabaka rank?
Reply to jonjacoby
rbtgt3
1/30
I am very happy to see 7 Royals products on this list. That is 7% of the list conrtolled by just one team! Mine!
Reply to rbtgt3