SB Nation - Jason Heyward

The Hardball Times Top-10 Braves Prospects

gondeee — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:15:28 -0000

The Hardball Times has published their version of the 2010 Top-10 Braves Prospects. I believe this is the first year they've had prospect rankings, but I could be wrong. It's certainly the first year I've noticed them having any sort of prospect rankings. Here is their top-10 list, no real surprises:

Jason Heyward
Freddie Freeman
Julio Teheran
Mike Minor
Randall Delgado
Zeke Spruill
Craig Kimbrel
Christian Bethancourt
Brett DeVall
Cody Johnson

It's nice to see DeVall get ranked in the top-10, as I think he deserves to be. Check out their site, despite listing us with the Phillies for some reason (?!?) they have some pretty sound and concise analysis of our prospects.

MLB Trade Rumors: Javier Vazquez to the Rockies for Brad Hawpe??

raygu — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:30:14 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

2 months ago: Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe follows the flight of his three-run home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Yesterday, I discussed a trade scenario involving the Braves sending Derek Lowe to the Cubs for Alfonso Soriano. Today, I propose the Braves deal ace starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Rockies for outfielder Brad Hawpe. This deal helps both teams as the Braves get the big bat they need and the Rockies get an ace starting pitcher that could put them over the top in the NL West.

I shudder the thought:)

This deal would also allow the Rockies to give outfielder Seth Smith the everyday job in left field. With Smith in LF, Dexter Fowler in CF and Carlos Gonzalez in RF, the Rockies would have a very young outfield all capable of hitting close to .300, with Smith and Gonzalez capable of hitting 20-25 HRs annually.

Hawpe could play RF till uber prospect Jason Heyward is ready for prime time, which could be in April. Should Heyward be ready, Hawpe could move to LF where he is probably more suited to play, as he is one of the worst fielding right fielders in the league. But Hawpe provides the Braves with the power hitter that they are sorely lacking.

Hawpe went 23-86-.285-.384-.519-.903 in 2009 in 501 ABs, almost identical to his 2008 season where he went 25-85-.283-.381-.498-.879. He is scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2010, with a $10 million club option in 2011.

Vazquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in 32 starts in 2009. He is scheduled to make $11.5 million in 2010, and becomes a free agent after the 2010 season.

Poll

Who hangs up first in the proposed Brad Hawpe-Javy Vazquez deal?

Braves' Kelly Johnson in High Demand

gondeee — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:46:09 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

Atlanta Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson is apparently a coveted commodity this off-season.

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The Winter Meetings are most definitely under way. We've already had our first crazy rumor that lasted less than half a day before another team acquired the player in question. Bobby Cox held a press conference at 2pm today, and despite my hopes they did not show it on-line on the MLB channel. Luckily Bill Shanks is there and knows the value of live-tweeting such an event. Among his updates this one stands out:

Cox: clubs knocking on the door for Kelly Johnson

Bobby doesn't usually give up much in the way of trade or free agent info, so for him to say that must mean that regardless of what he says there's still tons of value on KJ. Suddenly the Braves have a ton of tradeable pieces. Here are some other highlights from Shanks' tweeting of the Cox presser:

Cox: we'll give Heywatd a chance

Cox: Braves not in on Bay

Cox: Wags the closer "no matter what"

Cox: Martin Prado could play anywhere

Some of that is very Bobby Coxian, in that it's just simple praise of his players, like the quotes about Martin Prado and Jason Heyward. Of course Billy Wagner will be the closer, he's the veteran and is a much better closer than Soriano or Saito. The price for Jason Bay seems to be going upwards quickly, so I can see why the Braves took themselves out of the running for him early on.

It was mentioned earlier, but until Rafael Soriano makes his decision, the Braves probably won't make any moves. So while there will still be rumors today, don't expect any moves. Soriano's agents arrived this morning and are expected to meet with all interested parties before conferring with Rafael about whether or not to accept arbitration. My guess is that they will receive enough interest to recommend he reject arbitration.

Down on the Farm: Part 2 of Interview with Adam Foster from Project Prospect

raygu — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:00:16 -0000

Here is the part 2 of the two part interview with Adam Foster from Project Prospect. Foster and the guys over at Project Prospect recently posted their top 15 catching prospects, so head on over to Project Prospect and check out their top 15 rankings.

Fake Teams: Aside from the AFL, what prospects that you have seen this year made the biggest leap forward? Step back?

Adam Foster: James Darnell is a guy who I went well out of my way to see this year. His swing really impressed me at Minor League Spring Training. He's very athletic with a good chance of sticking at third base. And his power potential is outstanding.

Some of my colleagues who are really into college statistics pointed Darnell out as a guy who may have fallen further than he should have in the draft - he wasn't healthy his junior season. Then I bumped into Darnell's Cape Cod League coach in Phoenix one night and he said he wanted Darnell over Justin Smoak on his Cape team.

I'm not saying that Darnell is a lock to become a superstar. But he's one of the best prospects in baseball. And people who aren't giving him that kind of recognition probably haven't done their homework.

As far as guys who took a step back, unfortunately Tim Alderson was a different pitcher this year than last. He lost some movement on his fastball. And his pinpoint accuracy left him. There are guys who chose to give up some velocity to gain movement. Alderson may have gone the opposite direction in 2009, I'm not sure. But even though his curveball is already a plus pitch, he wasn't giving High-A or Double-A hitters much trouble last season. He definitely has elite control. I just don't think he's a big league pitcher without outstanding command.

More after the jump:

Fake Teams: I read in your Rising Stars game chat that you and your colleagues are not as high on the Phillies outfield prospect Domonic Brown. What are your reasons?

Adam Foster: Guys who are outstanding fast-twitch athletes can become overrated in a hurry. People like to assume that they're athletic enough to do things that other players can't. In Brown's case, there's some false information floating around that he's an elite defender. He has a very good arm and he's fast, but he doesn't get good reads or take good routes. Those skills can't really be learned. So it's highly unlikely that he'll be more than an average defensive right fielder.

Additionally, he's really not very coordinated - compared to his peers. My first reaction when I saw him bat was that he looked awkward. He gets in a crouch to try to shrink down his big strike zone (Brown is 6-foot-5). And while he has a lot of bat speed, is patient, and recognizes pitches well, he's not going to be an above-average contact hitter. There's not much he can do about that. He doesn't have very good bat control.

Keep in mind that Brown is an elite prospect. He's in the 99^th percentile for his class. I'm just dissecting the heck out of him here. If you compare him to the other guys who are at the head of the class, I don't think he stands out as one who's going to become a star. He's very good and a likely bet to become an average big leaguer. But there are a dozen or so hitters out there who I see as better prospects than him.

Fake Teams: What players who underwhelmed in 2009 do you expect to jump back into the limelight in 2010?

Adam Foster: Reese Havens is a good one to start with. He moved to second base in the Arizona Fall League and looked solid at the position. He's a polished, well-rounded hitter who can play up-the-middle defense. He was a first rounder. And had a successful junior season in college - I'd be more confident in him if he was better his sophomore year, though. His baseball resume puts him in elite company. I'll be surprised if he doesn't break out in 2010.

Don't sleep on Jon Niese and Kevin Mulvey. They are solid bets to turn into useful big league starters. You could also end up looking like a genius if you snatch up Kellen Kulbacki cheap now that a lot of people have forgotten about him. Nick Noonan was one of the youngest players in High-A and has a lot of potential. Ivan De Jesus may not be a fantasy stud, but if you play in a deep dynasty or sim league, don't forget about him - and I'm sure you haven't ;).

Fake Teams: What prospects do you feel who should be getting more press based on their talent/performance?

Adam Foster: Josh Bell is just starting to get the attention he deserves. I guess you lose some street cred when you get traded for a reliever. But the Dodgers are clearly working under the win-now model, so I wouldn't hold it against him. He can play third base and has a lot of power. If Pedro Alvarez and Brett Wallace can't stick at third - and they probably won't - then Bell starts looking like a pretty good pick for the best "true" third base prospect in the minors. I'll have to compare my video of him and Darnell this offseason, though.

Brandon Snyder is another guy who has the resume to turn into a solid big leaguer. But you don't hear much talk about him. I'm a big Drew Cumberland believer. Matt Sweeney is a breakout guy. Lorenzo Cain has fallen out of the spotlight but I still see a lot of potential in him. Che-Hsuan Lin gets lost in the Red Sox depth of athletic hitters. Jaff Decker gets overlooked largely due to some old scouting biases.

Fake Teams: Who are your top 5 hitting prospects going into 2010? Who are your top 5 pitching prospects going into 2010?

Adam Foster: At the end of the 2009 season, we ranked Jason Heyward, Carlos Santana, Jesus Montero, and Buster Posey as the game's top five hitting prospects with Dustin Ackley, Desmond Jennings, Fernando Martinez and Mike Stanton on the bubble. Those guys will account for the bulk of - if not all - the spots among our top five hitting prospects entering 2010.

We didn't get to see many of baseball's top pitching prospects at the AFL. And I still want to get better reads on some guys. But Stephen Strasburg and Brian Matusz are clearly at the head of this class. Daniel Hudson and Jeremy Hellickson were two of the most impressive pitchers I saw in 2009 - Hudson for his FB and CH movement; Hellickson for his command. Then it's hard not to like Neftali Feliz' stuff. The five guys I've mentioned were our top five pitching prospects when we put together our October top 25 pitching prospect list. Most of them should also be top five on our 2010 list.

I want to thank Adam for taking the time for this interview.

Down on the Farm: Baseball America's 2009 Top 10 AFL Prospects

raygu — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:00:28 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

6 months ago: FILE - In this April 3, 2009, file photo, San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws during a game in San Diego. The Washington Nationals selected Strasburg with the No. 1 overall pick in the baseball draft on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

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Baseball America posted their Top 10 Arizona Fall League prospects yesterday and with a little luck I was able to find the list over at Mets Minor League Blog.

Here are their Top 10 AFL prospects for 2009:

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals
2. Buster Posey, C, Giants
3. Dominic Brown, RF, Phillies
4. Dustin Ackley, OF, Mariners
5. Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles
6. Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Mets
7. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves
8. Yonder Alonso, 1B, Reds
9. Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs
10. Ike Davis, 1B, Mets

With the hype that Starlin Castro received I am surprised there are 8 other guys ahead of him on this list. Mets fans have to be happy about seeing two of their prospects listed in the top 10. Maybe their farm system is turning around. Was it due to Tony Bernazard challenging them to a fight?

This list would be different had the Braves and Marlins not pulled Jason Heyward and Michael Stanton after the first week of games due to minor injuries.

I wonder if Castro would have made the Top 10 had they played the entire AFL season?

MLB Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hot After Mike Cameron or Marlon Byrd??

raygu — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:00:17 -0000

by Luis Alvarez - AP

3 months ago: Milwaukee Brewers' Mike Cameron hits a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in Washington. The Brewers won 11-9. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

View full size photo »

I was flipping back and forth between the XM Radio Grateful Dead station and XM 175 tonight on my drive home and caught some of the interview with Mark Bowman, the Atlanta Braves beat writer for MLB.com. Bowman was interview by Joe Castellano and Jim Bowden.

As I switched over, Bowman was talking about the Braves interest in Mike Cameron and Marlon Byrd. I haven't heard this rumor before, but I was curious where Nate McLouth would play should the Braves sign Cameron or Byrd as they are both centerfielders. I assume McLouth will play right field till Jason Heyward is ready, but I thought the Braves were going to allow Heyward a chance to win the right field job in spring training.

More after the jump:

Bowden and Castellano then asked about Heyward, and Bowman felt that the Braves will have him play a few more months in AAA before bringing him up in June, similar to how they handled Tommy Hanson this year.

Should Heyward get the call in June, and everyone expects that to happen, I assume Matt Diaz would either be trade bait or platoon with McLouth and Heyward, as he crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of .412-.464-.640-1.103 in 136 at bats in 2009.

So who should the Braves sign? Cameron went 24-70-7-.250-..342-.452-.795 with the Brewers in 2009, while Byrd went 20-89-8-.283-.329-.479-.808 with Texas in 2009.

Poll

Who should the Braves sign this offseason: Marlon Byrd or Mike Cameron?

Byrd-he's younger and will be cheaper.

118 votes

Cameron-he's a solid defensive CFer and is a good guy in the clubhouse

136 votes

Neither-Heyward is ready.

112 votes

366 votes | Poll has closed

Dennis Dixon to Start for Steelers

cbwilk — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:15:52 -0000

Instead of a quarterback for Pittsburgh, Dennis Dixon could have been an outfielder for Atlanta. (Photo by Pablo Martinez, Associated Press)

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I know what you're thinking, not only does this not have to do with the Braves, but it doesn't even have anything to do with baseball. Well, as some of you might remember, Dennis Dixon was actually a 5th round pick by the Braves in 2007, selected after current Braves prospects Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Cory Gearrin, and Brandon Hicks, and the right fielder played one season in the Braves system, appearing in 28 games between the GCL Braves and Danville Braves and hitting .176 with a .538 OPS in 90 plate appearances. Those numbers sound terrible, particularly for a 5th rounder, but Dixon hadn't played a game of baseball for three years, since he was in high school, because he was focusing on his football career while in college at Oregon and also because Oregon didn't have a baseball team.

This will be Dixon's first career NFL start and just his 2nd appearance in 2 seasons, as he completed on pass in one attempt in a game last season. But, while he hasn't seen much time on the field, Dixon did get to share in the joy of winning a Super Bowl as a member of the Steelers last season. After his time with the Braves, Dixon returned to Oregon for the 2007 season and many viewed him as a top Heisman trophy candidate, but his senior year finished early as he suffered a severe knee injury with a few games remaining. He didn't return to the Braves for Spring Training in 2008, choosing to focus on rehabbing his knee for the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite the injury, he was still selected in the 5th round (what a coincidence) of the NFL Draft by Pittsburgh.

It seems unlikely that Dixon would have ever made it to the Major Leauges with the Braves, but I personally was amazed that he was able to get any hits at all as a professional considering the long layoff. That was a real testament to his athletic ability and it would have been very interesting to see how he could have developed. Dixon has remained friends with several of the Braves he played with as a member of the organization, including Freeman, so I know they'll be anxiously watching on Sunday to see what he can do in a starting role.

Talking Chop Top-25 Braves Prospects: 1-5

gondeee — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:00:13 -0000

The future of the Atlanta Braves organization, the number-1 prospect in baseball, Jason Heyward (Photo by C.B. Wilkins)

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Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization concludes with the top-5:

1. Jason Heyward, RF :: B/T: L/L Born: 8/9/1989 Ht: 6'4" Wt: 220
Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: 1
The Skinny: The best prospect in baseball, and the Braves' best prospect since Andruw Jones came through the system.
The Good: Heyward hits for average and power, he drives in runs, and runs the bases well. He's a true five tool talent who compares with All-Stars like Fred McGriff and Dave Parker.
The Bad: While Heyward has recorded good stolen base numbers in each of his minor league stops, his speed likely won't translate as stolen base speed in the majors, though he is still an above average baserunner. Heyward's several nagging injuries the last few years are starting to raise questions about durability.
...In a perfect world... he's a perennial All-Star and one of the best middle-of-the-order hitters in baseball.
ETA: He will get his chance in spring training 2010 with the Braves. He could follow the path of Jordan Schafer and make the club out of camp, or he could follow the path of Tommy Hanson and get some triple-A seasoning with an eye towards a mid-year call-up. He should be a lineup mainstay by the end of 2010.
...for a full scouting report, go here.

2. Freddie Freeman, 1B :: B/T: L/R Born: 09/12/1989 Ht: 6'5" Wt: 220

Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: 4
The Skinny: One of the best 1B prospects in baseball and a virtual lock to out 1B of the future.
The Good: He has excellent bat control and a great eye at the plate, especially for someone so young. Scouts rave about his improved defense and he is considered one of the better defenders in the minors.
The Bad: While Jason Heyward was setting the world on fire in AA, Freddie struggled and was eventually shut down with an injury. Despite hitting 19 homers in Rome and leading Myrtle Beach in doubles this season, onlookers continue to question his power
...In a perfect world... he becomes our cleanup hitter behind Jason Heyward and stays there for the next 10 years while winning Gold Gloves and leading the league in RBIs for several years.
ETA: With his injury and struggles in AA (and in the AFL to an extent) Freddie will probably find himself back in AA to start next season but could be the first guy called up if there is the a corner INF shortage in Atlanta. If all goes according to plan he will make his debut next season with an outside shot at the starting job if the Braves let Laroche walk.
...for a full scouting report, go here.

3. Julio Teheran, RHSP :: B/T: R/R Born: 1/27/1991 Ht: 6'2" Wt: 150
Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: 10
The Skinny: Fireballing teenager with an advanced feel for pitching.
The Good: Combines a mid to high 90s fastball with a devastating curveball. Unlike most players his age, he's a thinking pitcher, working batters into counts and situations that suit him.
The Bad: Missed the majority of 2008 with a sore shoulder. Despite his stuff, he hasn't shown himself to be much of a strikeout pitcher. His other pitches, particularly his slider, still need a lot of work.
...In a perfect world...he becomes a top of the rotation Major League starter, competing with Tommy Hanson year in and year out for the Cy Young Award.
ETA: He'll likely begin 2010 back at Rome and if he progresses quickly he could debut in late 2011, but seems likely to be up for good in mid to late 2012.
...for a full scouting report, go here.

4. Mike Minor, LHSP :: B/T: R/L Born: 12/26/1987 Ht: 6'3" Wt: 200
Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: NR
The Skinny: Storied amateur pitcher taken by the Braves with the 7th pick in 2009 much to the chagrin of onlookers.
The Good: Excellent control and command of a 4 pitch repertoire with an advanced understanding of how to get batters out by changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance. He also possesses a frightening pick off move.
The Bad: Underwhelming stuff to go along with a low but achievable ceiling.
...In a perfect world... his stuff plays better than expected and he is Cole Hamels-light for the Braves, reaching the majors in the next year and a half and allowing the Braves to trade surplus pitching for more offensive help.
ETA: Could make his debut in 2010 and no later than 2011 barring injury.
...for a full scouting report, go here.

5. Zeke Spruill, RHSP :: B/T: S/R Born: 9/11/1989 Ht: 6'4" Wt: 184
Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: 23
The Skinny: Lanky teenager led Rome in wins this season.
The Good: Was very effective in an All Star season, primarily using a low 90s fastball and a biting curveball while pitching to contact. Trusts his defense and knows how to pitch. Huge, projectable body.
The Bad: Was punished with a demotion to the GCL for a month for a disciplinary infraction. Hasn't shown himself to be much of a strikeout pitcher. Secondary pitches need work.
...In a perfect world...he develops into a solid, middle of the rotation innings eater who can act like an ace for stretches, like an early-career Kevin Millwood.
ETA: He'll start 2010 at Myrtle Beach and seems likely to debut for Atlanta in 2012, with the possibility of permanent role in 2013.
...for a full scouting report, go here.

Come back tomorrow and post your own top-25 Braves prospects. A new thread will be opened for those submissions.

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospect Lists for 2010

raygu — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:00:13 -0000

In addition to the top 20 Prospect lists that SB Nation's John Sickels is writing up over at Minor League Ball, Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus are working on their top 10, or 11 in the case of BP, prospect lists for 2010.

Today, I give you the Baseball America top 10 prospect lists for 2010 for the National League East teams:

Marlins

1. Mike Stanton, of

2. Logan Morrison, 1b

3. Chad James, lhp

4. Matt Dominguez, 3b

5. Gaby Sanchez, 1b/3b

6. Ryan Tucker, rhp

7. Kyle Skipworth, c

8. Isaac Galloway, of

9. Scott Cousins, of

10. Jhan Marinez, rhp

More after the jump:

Nationals

1. Stephen Strasburg, rhp

2. Derek Norris, c

3. Drew Storen, rhp

4. Ian Desmond, ss

5. Danny Espinosa, ss

6. Chris Marrero, 1b

7. Jeff Kobernus, 2b

8. Justin Maxwell, of

9. Michael Burgess, of

10. Destin Hood, of

Phillies

1. Domonic Brown, of

2. Kyle Drabek, rhp

3. Michael Taylor, of

4. Travis D'Arnaud, c

5. Trevor May, rhp

6. Anthony Gose, of

7. Sebastian Valle, c

8. Jarred Cosart, rhp

9. Antonio Bastardo, lhp

10. Domingo Santana, of

Mets

1. Jenrry Mejia, rhp

2. Wilmer Flores, ss

3. Fernando Martinez, of

4. Ike Davis, 1b

5. Brad Holt, rhp

6. Jon Niese, lhp

7. Reese Havens, 2b/ss

8. Josh Thole, c

9. Ruben Tejada, 2b/ss

10. Juan Urbina, lhp

Braves

1. Jason Heyward, of

2. Freddie Freeman, 1b

3. Julio Teheran, rhp

4. Mike Minor, lhp

5. Craig Kimbrel, rhp

6. Christian Bethancourt, c

7. Randall Delgado, rhp

8. Zeke Spruill, rhp

9. Cody Johnson, of

10. Adam Milligan, of

Part II: Interview with Alex Eisenberg of Baseball-Intellect

Bryan Everson (The Royalty of Roto) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:45:17 -0000

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

3 months ago: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Wade Davis prepares to throw to a Baltimore Orioles batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. The Rays won 3-0. Davis threw a four-hit shutout to earn his first major league win. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Browse more photos »

About three weeks ago, I had a chance to converse with Alex Eisenberg, who's in charge of Baseball-Intellect, focusing scouting young prospects and analysis of player's mechanics. If you want to check out Part I of that interview you can do it right here. With that, I bring you Part II of that interview, which focuses on some prospects that you've probably read in Ray's AFL updates.

TROR: Give me one prospect from each league that you think aren't being talked about or rated highly enough.

Alex: Oh man...I can't limit it to just one.

I don't know where other publications will rate these players, but here are some guys that under the radar, sleepers, and/or aren't household names.

- Nick Hagadone, LHP, Cleveland Indians - He's highly regarded, but people sleep on him. He's coming off TJ surgery and he's a bit old for his level, but he's a lefty with plus stuff who misses bats, keeps the ball on the ground...command is a bit of a question mark, but it projects to be solid enough. The Indians are being very conservative with him. He could be a front of the rotation starter or a multi-inning reliever out of the bullpen.

- Ryan Westmoreland, CF, Boston Red Sox - Not sure he'll be underrated, but he's not a household name. He's got an excellent blend of power and patience and the Red Sox are extremely high on him. Durability is a concern as he suffered a fractured clavical, just a year after tearing his rotator cuff.

- Zach Stewart, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays - He'll be the Blue Jay's No. 1 prospect, so he won't be underrated but he's also not a household name. Potential No. 3 starter or top flight set-up man...two plus pitches, ability to miss bats and get ground balls.

- Paul Demney, RHP, Washington Nationals - Not a lot of buzz surrounding Demney, but he's a sleeper. I don't think he'll be highly rated by other publications, but we'll see. Two good pitches (fastball and curve), but he's inconsistent. Could be a power arm out of the bullpen, but might be able to stick as a starter if he can improve his change-up and command.

- Fautino de los Santos, RHP, Oakland Athletics - Once a top-50 prospect, he fell off the face of the earth after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He came back briefly and his velocity was reportedly excellent. He was a potential front of the rotation starter before going down with an injury, but some felt he might be better suited for the bullpen. Given his age, it wouldn't surprise me if the A's try to fast track him to the majors by putting him in the bullpen.

- Chris Nelson (SS, Colorado Rockies), Jarek Cunningham (INF, Pittsburgh Pirates), Ivan De Jesus Jr. (SS/2b, Los Angeles Dodgers) - All were injured for most of 2009, all will be underrated because of it. Cunningham is the biggest wild card of the group because he's the least experience, has only experienced success in Rookie League ball, and has the most questions about his defense. But he's an excellent athlete and offers a lot of projection.

- Allen Webster (RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers) - Haven't seen him, but there is a lot of buzz surrounding him. Projectable, but already has good fastball velocity, good breaking ball and he throws strikes. He's somebody who could rise up prospect lists very quickly.

- Zach Britton (LHP, Baltimore Orioles) - Extreme ground ball pitcher with an ability to miss bats. Velocity increased over the past year and he's working on being better able to command his better stuff. Has a slider that has also developed well over the past year. He projects as a potential No. 3 or 4 starter.

TROR: Building on that, name one batting and pitching prospect in the AL that you think makes the biggest impact in 2010, and what about for the National League?

Alex: Again, I'm going to break the rules and name a couple for each league:

AL Hitters

- Justin Smoak (1B, Texas Rangers) - Despite a pretty poor Triple-A debut, he's still an elite prospect

- Brett Wallace (3B/1B, Oakland Athletics) - I don't see him as highly as others, but he can still rake and he's an excellent pure hitter

- Desmond Jennings (CF, Tampa Bay Rays) - Prototypical lead off hitter could be Carl Crawford's replacement.

AL Pitchers

- Zach Stewart - Mentioned him earlier, should have an immediate impact if he starts out in the bullpen

- Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis (RHP, Tampa Bay Rays) - Davis gave us a glimpse of what he can do late in the season. Hellickson doesn't have the raw stuff of Davis, but he commands his pitches extremely well and he has an excellent feel for pitching.

- Hector Rondon (RHP, Cleveland Indians) - Quality pitching prospect with a solid repertoire of pitches that he commands well. He should compete for a rotation spot out of Spring Training this year.

NL Hitters

- Jason Heyward (RF, Atlanta Braves) - The obvious choice as he's the best prospect in baseball.

- Buster Posey (C, San Francisco Giants) - The other obvious choice, a top-5 prospect that is major league ready now.

NL Pitchers

I don't see many potential impact pitching prospects that are ready in the NL.

Stephen Strasburg, but will the Nats be more conservative with him? Jaime Garcia perhaps, but he's coming off TJ surgery though he looked pretty good in his return last year. Daniel Schlereth, a hard throwing lefty out of the bullpen with Arizona is another one. There just aren't many impact guys right now. I see a lot more talent at the lower levels.

Madison Bumgardner is another guy that could make an impact, but his stuff needs to return to what it was prior to last season.

TROR: Thanks for your time, Alex.

Obviously Alex mentioned some of the major prospects that are going to be talked about as making immediate impact at the Major League level in 2010, but hopefully he re-affirmed some beliefs on those guys, and also touched on some guys that maybe haven't been talked about as much. It's a good primer for getting an idea of what kind of pitcher these guys are if you weren't familiar with them already, as well. Thanks again to Alex, and go check out his site if you haven't already.