The Cincinnati Reds
2010 MLB Record: 91-71 (first place, NL Central)
Minor League Power Ranking: 7th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Acquired: 2010 non-drafted free agent (Cuba)
Pro Experience: 1 season
2010 MiLB Level: AAA/MLB
Opening Day Age: 23
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.5 (as a starter)

Notes: The Reds organization swooped in seemingly out of nowhere to pull the rug out on a number of clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays, and came away with the amateur free agent. Chapman made his pro debut at the AAA level and over-powered hitters with his 100+ mph fastball and strikeout slider. His strikeout rate sat at 11.60 K/9 but he showed his iffy control (4.94 BB/9). When he moved up to the Majors, Chapman showed improved control at the MLB level (3.38 BB/9) in a small sample size. Despite his inexperience, the lefty could supplant veteran Francisco Cordero as the club’s closer by the end of the season. Hopefully Chapman’s arm, elbow and shoulder holds up a little better than Joel Zumaya’s (another hard-throwing reliever known for his DL stints). He does throw with a nice, compact delivery that he explodes out of with a low-three-quarter arm slot.

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The Texas Rangers
2010 MLB Record: 90-72 (first place, AL West)
Minor League Power Ranking: 8th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Jurickson Profar, SS
Acquired: 2009 non-drafted free agent (Curacao)
Pro Experience: 1 season
2010 MiLB Level: Short-season
Opening Day Age: 18
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.0

Notes: Profar was challenged with a North American debut in short-season ball and held his own. Then 17, he hit .250/.323/.373 in 252 at-bats. He utilized a quick bat to post a .123 ISO rate despite a slight frame. Encouragingly, Profar also showed a lot of patience for his age and experience level by posting a walk rate of 9.7 BB%. His strikeout rate was reasonable at 18.3 K%. At the plate, he doesn’t take much of a stride but he has a balanced base and quick hips. On the base paths, the youngster shows decent speed and stole eight bags in 11 tries. Defensively, he’ll have no issues with remaining at shortstop thanks to good range, soft hands and a strong arm (He was coveted by many teams as a pitcher). Rangers fans should be excited about this infielder.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks
2010 MLB Record: 65-97 (fifth place, NL West)
Minor League Power Ranking: 10th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Jarrod Parker, RHP
Acquired: 2007 1st round (Indiana HS)
Pro Experience: 4 seasons
2010 MiLB Level: Injured
Opening Day Age: 22
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.5

Notes: Parker remains the top prospect in the system despite missing all of 2010 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old hurler still has No. 1 starter potential and the organization expects his stuff to rebound to pre-surgery levels. He throws a mid-90s fastball and rounds out his four-pitch repertoire with a plus slider, curveball and changeup. Parker looks a little smaller on the mound than 6’1” but he has a sturdy frame. He has a low three-quarter arm slot and a fairly smooth delivery. After an encouraging instructional league, Parker should open 2011 in double-A or triple-A and could be in the Majors by the end of the season.

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In case you’ve missed the Top 10 lists so far, here they are. Click the team names for the scouting reports/profiles.

30. The Chicago White Sox
29. The Houston Astros
28. The Detroit Tigers
27. The New York Mets
26. The San Diego Padres (Pre-Boston Trade)
25. The Florida Marlins
24. The Milwaukee Brewers (Pre-Kansas City Trade)
23. The Baltimore Orioles
22. The St. Louis Cardinals
21. The Oakland Athletics

20. The San Francisco Giants
19. The Chicago Cubs
18. The Washington Nationals
17. The Los Angeles Dodgers
16. The Seattle Mariners
15. The Minnesota Twins
14. The Colorado Rockies
13. The Pittsburgh Pirates
12. The Cleveland Indians
11. The Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox
2010 MLB Record: 89-73 (third place, AL East)
Minor League Power Ranking: 11th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Jose Iglesias, SS
Acquired: 2009 non-drafted free agent (Cuba)
Pro Experience: 1 season
2010 MiLB Level: SS/AA
Opening Day Age: 21
Estimated Peak WAR: 4.0

Notes: Iglesias vaults to the top of the Red Sox prospect rankings after the Adrian Gonzalez trade with San Diego. The Cuban shortstop had a solid first pro season in North America by hitting .285/.315/.357 in 221 at-bats. On the down side, Iglesias clearly has work to do when it comes to his aggressiveness at the plate. He posted a walk rate of just 3.4 BB%, while his strikeout rate sat at 22.2 K%. I’d like to see him be a little more balanced at the plate; after watching Iglesias in the Arizona Fall League, he does get out on his front foot a little too often against off-speed pitches. The 21-year-old’s value is tied heavily to his glove. He’s a slick fielder who could probably play defense in the Majors right now. He has quick hands and feet, good range as well as a strong arm. Because he struggled after the regular season during the AFL (.265 wOBA), Iglesias could head back to double-A to begin the 2011 season.

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The Cleveland Indians
2010 MLB Record: 69-93 (fourth place, AL Central)
Minor League Power Ranking: 12th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Acquired: 2008 1st round (North Carolina JC)
Pro Experience: 3 seasons
2010 MiLB Level: AA
Opening Day Age: 22
Estimated Peak WAR: 4.5

Notes: I personally see Chisenhall as more of a solid regular contributor at the hot corner than a true star. He had a nice double-A season in 2010 by hitting .278/.351/.450 in 460 at-bats. His power has been respectable throughout his minor league career. He posted a .216 ISO rate in high-A in ’09 but it slipped to .172 in ’10. Chisenhall does a nice job of hitting with pop while making solid contact and his strikeout rate was below 20% at double-A. He has an upright stance and takes just a short stride. Chisenhall’s swing is simple and repeatable. I don’t see impact bat speed – it’s still a tick above average – and there is a little upper cut to his swing. I don’t foresee Chisenhall making a significant contribution at the big league level in 2011 but he could be ready to step in as the starter at the beginning of 2012.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates
2010 MLB Record: 57-105 (sixth place, NL Central)
Minor League Power Ranking: 13th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Jameson Taillon, RHP
Acquired: 2010 1st round (Texas HS)
Pro Experience: None
2010 MiLB Level: None
Opening Day Age: 19
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.5

Notes: The Pirates organization had a difficult decision to make with the second overall pick in the 2010 draft: prep hurler Taillon or high school shortstop Manny Machado. The club took the talented arm and it’s hard to argue the decision. Taillon was arguably the most talented arm in the draft with a mid-to-high-90s fastball, a promising curveball and two more pitches (slider, changeup) rounding out his repertoire. Taillon occasionally throws his curveball from a slightly higher arm slot than his other pitches. He appears to have a lot of confidence on the mound but I’d like to see him follow through with his delivery a little more, and he tends to leak out in front of the rubber. It’s all relatively minor stuff that should be corrected with experience and good coaching. He didn’t play after signing, but could potentially open the season in low-A ball, benefiting from some time in extended spring training. Taillon has No. 1 starter potential if he can stay healthy. I have to say, I am really impressed with the new-look Pirates organization and this young hurler is the cream of a nice crop of prospects.

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The Colorado Rockies
2010 MLB Record: 83-79 (third place, NL West)
Minor League Power Ranking: 14th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Tyler Matzek, LHP
Acquired: 2009 1st round (California HS)
Pro Experience: 1 season
2010 MiLB Level: A-ball
Opening Day Age: 20
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.5

Notes: Matzek had a respectable debut in 2010 at low-A ball. The former No. 1 draft pick posted a 4.32 FIP in 89.1 innings. His strikeout rate sat at 8.87 K/9 but he struggled with his control (6.25 BB/9). Matzek also needs to find a way to keep the ball on the ground on a more consistent basis (39% ground-ball rate), especially if he’s going to succeed with approximately half his starts in Colorado. He has a solid repertoire, including an 88-92 mph fastball that touches the mid-90s, a curveball, slider, and changeup. Matzek has a three-quarter arm slot with a follow through that doesn’t leave him in a great fielding position. There is some deception in his delivery. If he can smooth out his throwing motion, Matzek’s control could improve.

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The Seattle Mariners
2010 MLB Record: 61-101 (4th, AL West)
Minor League Power Ranking: 16th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Michael Pineda, RHP
Acquired: 2005 non-drafted free agent (Dominican Republic)
Pro Experience: 5 seasons
2010 MiLB Level: AA/AAA
Opening Day Age: 22
Estimated Peak WAR: 5.0

Notes: Pineda entered the 2010 season a little bit under the radar, thanks to an injury-filled ’09 season. But he quickly vaulted to the top of the club’s prospect list with a good showing at both double-A and triple-A. In double-A, Pineda managed a 2.16 FIP, while also showing the ability to miss bats (9.12 K/9). His control was outstanding, with a walk rate of 1.99 BB/9. His FIP jumped to 3.60 at triple-A but his strikeout rate jumped to 10.97 K/9 and he maintained his control. He did see his HR/9 rate jump from 0.12 to 1.30, but his ground-ball rates suggest there isn’t too much reason to be concerned; he should produce average ground-ball rates in the Majors and his home park will help keep fly balls in play. His repertoire includes a mid-90s fastball, slider, and changeup. Pineda’s delivery includes a long stride, a three-quarter arm slot and some effort. If he can continue to sharpen his changeup, he could develop into a No. 2 starter.

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The Washington Nationals
2010 MLB Record: 69-93 (5th in the NL East)
Minor League Power Ranking: 18th (out of 30)
Click for: Last Year’s Top 10 Prospect List

The Prospects

1. Bryce Harper C/OF
Acquired: 2010 1st round (Las Vegas JC)
Pro Experience: None
2010 MiLB Level: Arizona Fall League
Opening Day Age: 18
Estimated Peak WAR: 7.0

Notes: In his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, Harper hit .343/.410/.629 in nine games (35 at-bats). He showed some patience with four walks but also whiffed 11 times. It’s an encouraging start to his pro career. In the AFL, Harper was getting out on his front foot and that was throwing off his timing and balance. He’s definitely going to have to learn to stay back on off-speed pitches as he moves up the ladder. Against lesser pitching he can simply rely on his raw power and bat speed to compensate. If I’m going to nitpick, I might level out his shoulders a bit to help his swing plane. Drafted as a high school-aged catcher, his bat projects to play at any position on the diamond and he’s expected to play the outfield in pro ball. Harper is expected to move through the minors quickly, but that could be about three years as top prep hitters usually need about four full seasons in the minors. He’s spent a year in junior college but Harper is the same age as a high school player.

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