I hope the prospect updates have helped you out in your leagues this year. I know that they've been fun for me to put together. The one guy I really regret not picking up on earlier for you guys is Michael Pineda. I think he has a very good chance at making an impact at some point in the next couple weeks. Big, talented, throws hard, and is still just 21,
This week's prospect updates mark the debut of several 2010 draftees on my top 50s. These are guys who signed just before the August 16 signing deadline. I know I was hitting "refresh" on a couple different websites right up until the deadline. Karsten Whitesen not signing with the Padres is a big setback for that organization. Sure, they get the #10 overall pick next year in a deep draft as compensation, but they also lose a full year of development for a pitcher who could have been in the big leagues sometime in 2011.
Big winners this year are the Nationals, Pirates, and Dodgers. For the Nats, not just for the Bryce Harper deal, but also for shelling out $2 million for 4th round pick A.J. Cole. The Pirates ponied up nearly $9 million for Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, while the Dodgers unexpectedly inked first-round pick Zach Lee while going overslot for 11th round OF Joc Pedeson.
On to this week's 20 updates:
American League
12 Dustin Ackley SEA 2B A- 1.12 EYE, but 5 HR and 8 SB in 408 total at-bats is a disappointment.
17 J.P. Arencibia TOR C B+ 2 HR in first big league game, nothing really since. May find himself back in AAA soon.
18 Wil Myers KC C B+ Just 1 HR in 137 A+ ab, but tough league for hitters and .372 AVG and 1.00 EYE makes up for it.
19 Manny Machado BAL SS B+ 2010 #3 overall pick is surprisingly polished for HS bat. .320 BA and 20+ HR power.
25 Lonnie Chisenall CLE 3B B .287 with 7 HR in 108 ab since ASB. Should get a look at some point in 2011.
34 Wilmer Font TEX SP B Last start came on July 6 and he's still on the DL. Hopefully just precautionary.
35 Manny Banuelos NYY SP B Video game #s this year - 1.66 ERA, 62:17 K:BB in 43.1 IP. LHP stands just 5'10".
38 Drew Pomeranz CLE SP B 2010 #5 overall pick is as polished as they come. Ceiling is as a #2 or at worst, #3 SP.
42 Garrett Richards LAA SP B A+ hasn't been kind, as hitters are batting .375 against him in 3 starts.
45 Tyler Chatwood LAA SP B Solid since the end of June with a 2.34 ERA, but upside limited by 6.5 K/9.
National League
1 Bryce Harper WAS OF A As for his upside, think Justin Upton + 20% or so. Teenage MLB debut seems likely.
3 Domonic Brown PHI OF A Just 1 AB in series vs. Mets over the weekend, so probably AAA-bound.
6 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B A- .404 in August and 8 HR in last 159 ab since end of June. Troy who?
9 Logan Morrison FLA 1B A- Seven-game hit streak has him at .290/.378/.375 in 72 abs. Still looking for HR #1.
15 Brett Jackson CHC OF B+ .314 in last 10 games. 50 XBH, 10 HR, 25 SB, .405 OBP in 418 ab. Very nice line.
14 Jameson Taillon PIT SP A- Nasty stuff compares more
than favorably to former fellow #2 overall pick Josh Beckett.
18 Randall Delgado ATL SP B+ 11 ER in 11 IP over last two starts, and already 18.1 IP over last year's total.
21 Simon Castro SD SP B+ 1.64 ERA in last four startsand a 2.83 mark on the year. 2010 promotion still possible.
25 Zach Lee LAD SP B+ Projectable HS RHP surprisingly passed up LSU football scholaship, though money talks.
31 Matt Harvey NYM SP B 2010 #7 overall pick should move quickly if command holds up as a pro.
Each week we provide over 70 updates to our top 100 prospects (50 hitters and 50 pitchers) as well as our team-by-team top 5s in Prospect Central. Link: http://www.fantistics.com/baseball00/M-Prospect.htm. Not a member? Join today link:www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
