2010 Amateur Draft Top 30

Taillon leads a strong group of prep pitchers

With the summer showcase and wood bat leagues complete, it’s time to once again take a look at where things stand for the 2010 Amateur draft. Unfortunately, it is not shaping up to be one of the stronger drafts in recent memory. Any time three of your top 7 players are prep right-handers, things aren’t going to look strong at the top. A lot will have to do with how well Bryce Harper handles the spotlight that will be on him all season. Thus far, Harper has demonstrated the tremendous tools that we have all heard about, in his showcase outings, but has pressed a bit in game situations.

1) Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada – Could be once in a decade prep player.
2) Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Louisiana State – Was the second best college pitcher all last season.
3) Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS, Woodlands, TX – Despite the hype given to Harper, and the production provided by Ranaudo, Taillon may still end up as the most coveted player on this list. His ‘stuff’ is better than Turner or Matzek from the 2009 draft.
4) A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS, Winter Springs, FL – Has pretty much matched Taillon stride for stride.
5) Yordy Cabrera, SS, Lakeland HS, Lakeland, FL – If he outgrows the SS position, his value will take a hit. Still, at the moment he is a man among boys.
6) Christian Colon, SS, Cal State-Fullerton – Was Team USA’s best player this summer
7) Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS, Chipley, FL – May have the best overall package among prep hurlers
8) Zack Cox, 3B, Arkansas – Arguably the best player on the Cape this summer
9) Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech – May be the Top pitching prospect in the ACC this season.
10) Bryce Brentz, OF, Middle Tennessee – There are concerns about the length of his swing, but for now we still are bullish on Brentz
11) Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast – Likely the best pitching prospect on the Cape this summer.
12) Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Mississippi – Will need to come up big in the SEC this year to hold this spot.
13) Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS, Olmsted Falls, OH – Was up and down all summer. When on, his stuff is as good as anyone’s
14) Josh Sale, OF, Bishop Blanchet HS, Seattle – Turned in the best offensive performance at the Area Code games. Sale will be a professional hitter and it will be up to the team that drafts him to figure out where on the diamond he will play.
15) Kris Bryant, 3B/1B, Bonanza HS, Las Vegas, NV – Had a disappointing showing in the Area Code games which further called into question his ability to stay at 3B. There are no questions about his power
16) Kyle Blair, RHP, San Diego – One of the top returning college pitchers from 2009, Blair should get plenty of attention all year long. Had a solid summer on the Cape, but struggles with control at times.
17) James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky - The Blue Jays failed to sign three of their first four picks this summer and I believe letting Paxton go will be the one they regret the most
18) Justin O’Conner, SS, Cowan HS, Muncie, IN – Perhaps the most intriguing player available. O’Connor is extremely ‘heady’ and does everything well—just nothing exceptional.
19) Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State – Closed the 2009 season with a string of dominating performances and was solid on the Cape. With one of the nation’s best curveballs, Wimmers should be the best college player in the Midwest this year and could be the second collegiate pitcher taken
20) Nick Castellanos, 3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Davie, FL – Love his bat, but where he goes depends on whether or not you believe he can stay at 3B
21) Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas – Had a disappointing season on the Cape (5.06 ERA) and will need to show more this season to hold this spot
22) Jarrett Parker, OF, Virginia - Had a miserable summer and will need to cut down on Ks to hold this spot
23) Yasmani Grandal, C, Miami (Fla.) – While there are many that feel Micah Gibbs is the best collegiate catcher, we still lean towards Grandal…but it is getting closer.
24) Justin Grimm, RHP, Georgia – Grimm has good late movement on a solid mid-90s fastball and a curve that shows potential. Controlling his offerings though is still a challenge at times. Scouts love his 6’4” frame and will be looking at what he can be, more than what he already is come draft day. Still, he must improve his secondary offerings or will be destined for a future bullpen role
25) Brian Ragira , OF, James Martin HS, Arlington, TX – We love his bat…scouts hate his (lack of) speed
26) Manny Machado, SS, Brito Private HS, Hialeah, FL – There are those that like him better, but unless he stays at SS he won’t be a first round pick, as his bat isn’t strong enough.
27) Derek Dietrich, 3B/SS, Georgia Tech – Had a disappointing showing on the Cape, where they played him at SS—not likely his long-term position
28) Jesse Hahn, RHP, Virginia Tech – Didn’t show much this summer and will need a big season this Spring
29) Austin Wilson, OF, Harvard Westlake HS, North Hollywood, CA – Was one of the best players at the Under Armour game in Chicago and had an impressive Area Code Games performance. Looks to have the toolset of a big-time power hitting OF.
30) Brett Eibner, RHP, Arkansas – Still needs work on his secondary offerings, and we would love to see him play a little less in the field this Spring.

Others to Watch: Chad Bettis, RHP, Texas Tech; Gary Brown, OF, Cal State Fullerton; Drew Cisco, RHP, Mt. Pleasant, SC; Dylan Covey, RHP, Maranatha HS, Pasadena, CA; Kaleb Cowart, RHP, Cook County HS, Adel, GA; Sam Dyson, RHP, South Carolina; Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS, Aurora, CO; Micah Gibbs, C, Louisiana State; Reggie Golden, OF, Wetumpka HS, Wetumpka, AL; Trey Griffin, OF, Stockbridge, GA; Matt Harvey, RHP, North Carolina; Hunter Morris, 1B, Auburn; A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS, Alameda, CA; LeVon Washington, OF, Chipola JuCo-FLA; Anthony Wolters, SS, Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, CA