http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2012/2612998.html
Rk. Player Pos., Team Age ETA
1 Bryce Harper of, Nationals Age: 19. ETA: 2012.
He should get to the majors as a teenager; settle in and enjoy it.
2 Matt Moore lhp, Rays Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
He makes it look so easy, and he's so good he'll make David Price a No. 2
starter.
3 Mike Trout of, Angels Age: 20. ETA: 2012.
His signing scout, Greg Mohrhardt, has since been promoted to Angels
crosschecker.
4 Yu Darvish rhp, Rangers Age: 25. ETA: 2012.
It's hard to moderate expectations for proven Japanese ace, but he should
definitely surpass the Dice-K bar.
5 Julio Teheran rhp, Braves Age: 21. ETA: 2012.
There's absolutely no link between his last name and Darvish's Iranian
heritage.
6 Jesus Montero c, Mariners Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
He should face less pressure replacing Miguel Olivo rather than Jorge Posada.
7 Jurickson Profar ss, Rangers Age: 19. ETA: 2013
He should beat out golf, cheesy theme parks as Myrtle Beach's top 2012
attraction.
8 Shelby Miller rhp, Cardinals Age: 21. ETA: 2013
He's looking to become the first big leaguer named Shelby, and it should
happen soon.
9 Trevor Bauer rhp, Diamondbacks Age: 21. ETA: 2012
The unique ones are the hardest to project, and no one's as unique as Bauer.
10 Dylan Bundy rhp, Orioles Age: 19. ETA: 2013.
First goal: Beat big brother Bobby to Baltimore. Next: Make the Orioles
relevant.
11 Manny Machado ss, Orioles Age: 19. ETA: 2013
Power-hitting shortstop can restore honor to the phrase "Manny being Manny."
12 Gerrit Cole rhp, Pirates Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
UCLA's second-best pitcher in 2011 still was good enough to go No. 1 in the
draft.
13 Tyler Skaggs lhp, Diamondbacks Age: 20. ETA: 2012.
He didn't get the 200-strikeout memo in 2011 and thought his 198 would be
enough.
14 Yoenis Cespedes of, Athletics Age: 26. ETA: 2012.
Athletics hope he works out better than their last blockbuster Cuban, Ariel
Prieto.
15 Jameson Taillon rhp, Pirates Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
Ready to throw Pitch 76 as a pro for the first time as Pirates should remove
the bubble wrap in 2012.
16 Devin Mesoraco c, Reds Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
The Punxsutawney, Pa., native expects to deliver at least six more years of
slugging in Cincinnati.
17 Travis d'Arnaud c, Blue Jays Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
Brother Chase beat him to the big leagues, but Travis' ceiling is higher.
18 Miguel Sano 3b/ss, Twins Age: 18. ETA: 2014.
You could see more errors than home runs in his first full season, but over
time homers will go up and errors will come down.
19 Anthony Rendon 3b, Nationals Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Even with one good shoulder, he was the top hitter in last year's draft.
20 Taijuan Walker rhp, Mariners Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Legitimate comparisons to Dwight Gooden (the good, pitching part)? Sign us up.
21 Danny Hultzen lhp, Mariners Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
He's apples to Walker's oranges as a polished college lefty, but he offers
plenty of upside himself.
22 Jacob Turner rhp, Tigers Age: 20. ETA: 2012.
Already a graduate of the Rick Porcello school of accelerated Tigers
timetables.
23 Mike Montgomery lhp, Royals Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
Bauer's former prep teammate has to beat Bauer to the big leagues, doesn't he?
24 Bubba Starling of, Royals Age: 19. ETA: 2015.
Won't even have to reach his ceiling to be baseball's best-ever Bubba (sorry,
Bubba Smith).
25 Archie Bradley rhp, Diamondbacks Age: 19. ETA: 2014
Which Oklahoma prep product will get to the majors Sooner, Bradley or Bundy?
26 Jarrod Parker rhp, Athletics Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
Could be the next great A's pitcher to be traded away in three years.
27 Carlos Martinez rhp, Cardinals Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
No matter what his name is, his fastball's one of the minors' best.
28 Wil Myers of, Royals Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Gets a mulligan for his injury-plagued 2011 after posting a 1.156 OPS in the
AFL.
29 Manny Banuelos lhp, Yankees Age: 21. ETA: 2012.
Yankees player-development boss Mark Newman compared his poise to Whitey Ford
—when Banuelos was 18.
30 Drew Pomeranz lhp, Rockies Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
Walk rate keeps dropping, from college (4.38 BB/9) to minors (3.74) to majors
(2.45).
31 Martin Perez lhp, Rangers Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
His stuff is special enough that he ranks 31st in spite of a career 20-24,
4.22 record, including a 6.43 ERA in Triple-A last year.
32 Brett Jackson of, Cubs Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
Steadily moving up the charts (38th on last year's Top 100) like a Foo
Fighters song.
33 Yonder Alonso of/1b, Padres Age: 24. ETA: 2012.
Must be happy to leave left field and backing up Joey Votto behind, even for
Petco.
34 Jonathan Singleton 1b/of, Astros Age: 20. ETA: 2013.
Will move back to first base now that he's no longer stuck behind Ryan Howard.
35 Zack Wheeler rhp, Mets Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Will have to pay Paul DePodesta to dress up like Dick Tidrow now that he's a
Met.
36 Brad Peacock rhp, Athletics Age: 24. ETA: 2012.
Joined Parker and other trade acquisitions to make over Athletics farm system
in days.
37 Francisco Lindor ss, Indians Age: 18. ETA: 2014.
Shockingly, he's the fifth Francisco in Top 100 history, but the first hitter
(following Cordero, Liriano, Rodriguez and Rosario).
38 Gary Brown of, Giants Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
He has speed and defense to spare. Now he just has to perform outside the
California League.
39 Anthony Gose of, Blue Jays Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Physical dead-ringer for Nyjer Morgan has bigger tools than T-Plush.
40 Arodys Vizcaino rhp, Braves Age: 21. ETA: 2012.
Third trip to the Top 100 for the first Arodys should be the last.
41 Christian Yelich of, Marlins Age: 20. ETA: 2013.
No one cares how you throw when you can hit and run like Yelich.
42 Nolan Arenado 3b, Rockies Age: 20. ETA: 2013.
Should be a better version of former Rockies prospect Ian Stewart—less power
but more contact.
43 Mike Olt 3b, Rangers Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
See, not all the Rangers' top prospects are international signees.
44 Hak-Ju Lee ss, Rays Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Rays might reverse policy of moving prospects slowly, considering their big
league shortstops posted a .539 OPS in 2011.
45 Nick Castellanos 3b, Tigers Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
No one will be more interested in the results of Miguel Cabrera's move back
to third.
46 Randall Delgado rhp, Braves Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
It feels like the mid-1990s with Atlanta's young pitching depth.
47 Anthony Rizzo 1b, Cubs Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
No prospect made as good a ballpark move as Rizzo's in going from Petco to
Wrigley.
48 Billy Hamilton ss, Reds Age: 21. ETA: 2014.
Posted the first 100-steal year in the minors in a decade; can he continue to
do it at higher levels?
49 Rymer Liriano of, Padres Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
The best ratio of talent to hype in the minors will put up loud Cal League
numbers this season.
50 Jarred Cosart rhp, Astros Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Another key trade piece helping to make over the Astros farm system, he seeks
to marry consistency with one of the minors' most electric arms.
51 Will Middlebrooks 3b, Red Sox Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
"Middle"brooks was No. 50 before Yoenis Cespedes signed. Pure coincidence.
52 James Paxton lhp, Mariners Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
Long wait for him to begin his professional career was worth it, as fresh
Canadian arm was better in 2011 than he had ever been as an amateur.
53 Yasmani Grandal c, Padres Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
Sticks with former Hurricanes teammate Yonder Alonso in moving to San Diego,
and likewise avoids a major league roadblock in Mesoraco.
54 Matt Harvey rhp, Mets Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
He has the stuff to outperform recent Tar Heels alumni in a major league
rotation, with the bullpen a good fallback option.
55 Jean Segura ss, Angels Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Premium tools, but just two spots higher than he ranked last year, thanks to
hamstring problems.
56 Wily Peralta rhp, Brewers Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
Best Brewers international signing since Juan Nieves? Maybe, though there's
not much competition for the honor.
57 A.J. Cole rhp, Athletics Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
Projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pounder came over in trade with the Nationals and
now will play the jeans salesman in "Moneyball II."
58 Xander Bogaerts ss, Red Sox Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
An Aruba native, Bogaerts apparently is Papiamento for "jaw-dropping,
precocious power."
59 George Springer of, Astros Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Figures to battle Rangers' Mike Olt for title of best UConn position player
in the big leagues.
60 Josh Bell of, Pirates Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Still waiting for the addendum to his mom's letter to major league clubs that
says, " . . . unless you offer us $5 million."
61 Javier Baez ss, Cubs Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Bat speed, Florida high school shortstop background . . . let the Gary
Sheffield comparisons begin.
62 Zach Lee rhp, Dodgers Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
Would he have made the difference as Les Miles' quarterback against Alabama?
Unfortunately for Louisiana State, he really knows how to pitch.
63 Dellin Betances rhp, Yankees Age: 24. ETA: 2013.
Last year he became the 10th member of New York's 2006 draft class to reach
the majors.
64 Matt Szczur of, Cubs Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Exciting high-risk, high-reward talent who should take off with football in
his rearview mirror.
65 Sonny Gray rhp, Athletics Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Following David Price and Mike Minor, Gray should be next Commodore to sail
on to the majors.
66 Addison Reed rhp, White Sox Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
Making his own way after being known as Stephen Strasburg's closer in college.
67 Jake Marisnick of, Blue Jays Age: 21. ETA: 2014.
Scouts doubted his bat as an amateur, but he's putting those doubts to rest.
68 Jake Odorizzi rhp, Royals Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Part of the Royals' "next wave," which would be really their first wave of
arms.
69 Trevor May rhp, Phillies Age: 22. ETA: 2014.
While he's not a finished product, you just can't ignore 11.88 SO/9 IP over
his career. At least we can't.
70 Taylor Jungmann rhp, Brewers Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
His career 1.85 college ERA could double and he'd still be an effective pro.
71 Jed Bradley lhp, Brewers Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Jungmann's wing man was drafted three spots later and sticks with him in Top
100 as well.
72 Blake Swihart c, Red Sox Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
He'd be on the list even if he couldn't catch thanks to his hitting ability.
73 Starling Marte of, Pirates Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
Good enough defensively to spur talk of pushing Andrew McCutchen to a corner.
74 Oscar Taveras of, Cardinals Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Granted, it was only the Midwest League, but the highest average (.386) in
the loop since 1956 is enough to get your attention.
75 Zack Cozart ss, Reds Age: 26. ETA: 2012.
Big league ready for most of the last two years; just needs to stay healthy.
76 Casey Kelly rhp, Padres Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
No longer young for his age, his stuff is fine, but it's time for him to
produce.
77 Nick Franklin ss/2b, Mariners Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Switch-hitting middle infielder with power needs to show 2011 was the fluke,
not 2010.
78 Cory Spangenberg 2b, Padres Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Athleticism, speed, hitting ability and a strong pro debut make him the
minors' best second-base prospect.
79 Leonys Martin of, Rangers Age: 24. ETA: 2012.
He's likely good enough to beat out Julio Borbon, David Murphy in Texas, but
will he be a star or just solid?
80 Michael Choice of, Athletics Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Presents the classic tradeoff of huge strikeout totals for large home run
totals.
81 Gary Sanchez c, Yankees Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Took hits for his defensive ability and makeup in his first full season, but
dished them out with his bat.
82 Jonathan Schoop inf, Orioles Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
His power potential and infield actions are far beyond his brother Sharlon's.
83 Garrett Richards rhp, Angels Age: 23. ETA: 2012.
He has the stuff for the front of a rotation, if not yet the command or
polish.
84 Cheslor Cuthbert 3b, Royals Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
Hit his way from Nicaragua's Corn Islands to our Top 100; if he stays at
third, he'll be special.
85 Mason Williams of, Yankees Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
Heads up a deep, athletic group of Yankees prospects headed to low Class A
Charleston.
86 Chad Bettis rhp, Rockies Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Tyler Matzek and other premium Colorado draft arms need to figure out what
Bettis is doing.
87 Wilin Rosario c, Rockies Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
His prospect stock took a tumble when his performance slipped post-knee
surgery, but he still offers power and defense.
88 Zack Cox 3b, Cardinals Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Should be a steady performer at third at a minimum, but will need to to show
more power to be a premium player.
89 Chris Archer rhp, Rays Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
Still needs to prove his 2010 breakout wasn't a fluke, and might have more
impact in the bullpen.
90 Taylor Guerrieri rhp, Rays Age: 19. ETA: 2015.
High risk, but brings substantial upside to an organization known for
developing pitchers.
91 Daniel Norris lhp, Blue Jays Age: 18. ETA: 2015.
Toronto has tremendous pitching depth, and even though power lefty Norris
hasn't debuted yet he still tops the list.
92 Andrelton Simmons ss, Braves Age: 22. ETA: 2014.
Age-appropriate Carolina League batting champs who can defend are good bets.
93 Kolten Wong 2b, Cardinals Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Similar profile to Cory Spangenberg, with less speed but perhaps more polish.
94 Tyrell Jenkins rhp, Cardinals Age: 19. ETA: 2014.
One of Jeff Luhnow's parting gifts to St. Louis was drafting this premium
athlete in 2010.
95 Allen Webster rhp, Dodgers Age: 22. ETA: 2013.
Despite low budgets, the Dodgers have scored in the draft with
under-the-radar finds like Webster.
96 Nate Eovaldi rhp, Dodgers Age: 22. ETA: 2012.
Dodgers have intriguing arms to build around, if new ownership gives them the
money to do so.
97 Matt Davidson 3b/1b, Diamondbacks Age: 21. ETA: 2013.
Pushing his way past Diamondbacks draft peer Bobby Borchering as a
power-hitting third baseman.
98 Jedd Gyorko 3b, Padres Age: 23. ETA: 2013.
Could be the best hitter from the state of West Virginia since Nick Swisher
posted a .909 OPS in the minors.
99 Joe Benson of, Twins Age: 24. ETA: 2012.
Ready for his Target Field closeup . . . so he's probably headed to Rochester.
100 Christian Villanueva 3b, Rangers Age: 20. ETA: 2014.
Best Hickory Crawdads third baseman since Jose Bautista in 2002.