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Eric Mack

Draft prep: Top American League prospects

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


Breaking down our Preseason Top 100 prospects, we outline the top AL-only prospects to watch. Lists such as this one have become more and more pertinent in recent years as teams are eschewing costly midseason trades in order to give chances to their lower-level farm hands. We also have a separate NL-only prospect list.

We guarantee not all of these players will appear in the majors this season -- and we certainly left out some names who will surprise -- but use this list as a guide to help you find hidden gems in deeper long-term keeper leagues. We rank them based on their projected contributions in Fantasy this year only, taking the younger and raw prospects' talent and hype in consideration as well.

Note: All players on this list remain rookie eligible, according to official MLB rules, meaning they have less than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days of service time in the major leagues.

CBSSports.com's top American League prospects
Rk Player TM Age Pos 2007 high Destination
1 Evan Longoria TB 22 3B Triple-A Majors
Scouts from Arizona Fall League see him hitting 30 homers this year.
2 Clay Buchholz BOS 23 RHP Majors Majors
Curt Schilling's shoulder problem cuts a clear path for him in Red Sox rotation.
3 Joba Chamberlain NYY 22 RHP Majors Majors
We would rank him higher if we could be sure he won't merely be a setup man.
4 Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 24 OF Majors Majors
Might not be as good as we saw in September, but he is a 40-steal candidate if he starts.
5 Ian Kennedy NYY 23 RHP Majors Majors
His minor league numbers were even better than Phil Hughes or Chamberlain's last year.
6 Brandon Wood LAA 23 3B Majors Majors
Angels cleared shortstop spot to make room for him, if not on opening day than soon enough.
7 Daric Barton OAK 22 1B Majors Majors
A's say he will have first shot at starting 1B job over disappointing Dan Johnson this spring.
8 Carlos Gonzalez OAK 22 OF Triple-A Majors
He might not be ready to star, but the rebuilding A's might need him ready to start.
9 David Price TB 22 LHP College Double-A
2007 No. 1 overall pick might be getting a look to open pro career in majors … wow!
10 Aaron Laffey CLE 22 LHP Majors Majors
Has potential to start for a top contender, but Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers are still around.
11 Gio Gonzalez OAK 22 LHP Double-A Majors
Minor league strikeout leader should have a great chance to start for rebuilding A's out of gate.
12 Adam Miller CLE 23 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
Elite prospect was throwing 100 MPH last spring but missed out on call-up due to elbow.
13 Jake McGee TB 21 LHP Double-A Double-A
Any other organization would have him as a No. 5 starter candidate. Rays will be patient.
14 Wade Davis TB 22 RHP Double-A Double-A
Four Rays among our top 30 prospects and Davis is the third pitcher. This is a serious system.
15 Shelley Duncan NYY 28 DH Majors Majors
Power is pretty obvious, but Baseball America doesn't think much of him.
16 Wladimir Balentien SEA 23 OF Majors Majors
We give him a pretty good chance of making Mariners as a reserve outfielder.
17 Nick Adenhart LAA 21 RHP Double-A Triple-A
He will be just one call away from starting for one of the best teams in baseball.
18 Reid Brignac TB 22 SS Double-A Triple-A
Poor showing in Arizona Fall League forced Rays to trade for Jason Bartlett to start at SS.
19 Travis Snider TOR 20 OF Low Class A High Class A
Our first Class A player on this list, which means his ceiling is high but still far away.
20 Eric Hurley TEX 22 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
We like his chances of making his debut, but Texas' history with pitching prospects is poor.
21 Radhames Liz BAL 25 RHP Majors Triple-A
Hard thrower could use time in Triple-A to become a pitcher, but can O's afford that?
22 Troy Patton BAL 22 LHP Majors Majors
As a teenager was viewed as a potential Hall of Famer. Might be O's No. 5 starter.
23 Jeff Clement SEA 24 C Majors Majors
Kenji Johjima's veteran presence on contender holds elite catching talent back ... for now.
24 Philip Humber MIN 25 RHP Majors Triple-A
Drafted among the elite, higher than all but Justin Verlander, in famed 2004 pitcher draft.
25 Kevin Mulvey MIN 22 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
Groundball pitcher who doesn't give up homers should outpitch his stuff in big leagues.
26 Jeff Niemann TB 25 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
Mountain of a pitcher should get a look before Rays more elite prospects in first half.
27 Luke Hochevar KC 24 RHP Majors Triple-A
Former No. 1 overall pick likely needs to dominate minors before he starts for Royals.
28 Taylor Teagarden TEX 24 C Double-A Triple-A
Awesome power at his position but Rangers are committed to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
29 Brett Anderson OAK 20 LHP Low Class A High Class A
This might wind up being the best chip the A's got in the Dan Haren blockbuster.
30 Glen Perkins MIN 25 LHP Majors Triple-A
Starting last year in Twins' bullpen proved to set him back a year or two.
31 Nick Blackburn MIN 26 RHP Majors Triple-A
Lack of knockout stuff could hold him back to Triple-A, but he should get a look in '08.
32 Chuck Lofgren CLE 22 LHP Triple-A Triple-A
Indians have too many options in front of Lofgren, but few of them have more talent.
33 Sean Rodriguez LAA 22 SS Double-A Triple-A
If Angels' Wood falters, this power-hitting shortstop will be there to pick up pieces.
34 Greg Smith OAK 24 LHP Triple-A Triple-A
"Crafty" lefty should make a good deal of starts for an A's team searching for talent.
35 Garrett Olson BAL 24 LHP Majors Triple-A
Another lefty whose minor league numbers exceed his reported "stuff" and hype.
36 Justin Masterson BOS 22 RHP Double-A Triple-A
Red Sox might give him a look to be a Chamberlain-like setup man in second half.
37 German Duran TEX 23 2B Double-A Triple-A
Power at second base makes him a top-notch candidate to surprise in second half.
38 Chris Davis TEX 22 3B Double-A Double-A
Masher combined for 36 homers last season in minors and could get late look.
39 Humberto Sanchez NYY 24 RHP DNP -- injury High Class A
Won't be healthy for start of season after Tommy John surgery, but could surprise.
40 Michael Bowden BOS 21 RHP Double-A Double-A
He might have a better chance to reach majors elsewhere after midseason trade.
41 Desmond Jennings TB 21 OF Low Class A High Class A
Ability to get on base and potentially become a 50-SB threat make him intriguing in Roto.
42 Matt Harrison TEX 22 LHP Double-A Triple-A
Trade-deadline acquisition just has to prove healthy, but Texas will need him in '08.
43 Nolan Reimold BAL 24 OF Double-A Triple-A
Rebuilding O's will likely go to him before he's ready, but he looks solid long term.
44 Jed Lowrie BOS 23 SS Triple-A Triple-A
If Julio Lugo has another stinker, we could see powerful Stanford product take over.
45 Austin Jackson NYY 21 OF Triple-A Double-A
One of the pieces the Yankees demanded hanging on to in Johan Santana trade talks.
46 Bill Rowell BAL 19 3B Low Class A High Class A
Disappointing first full pro season has taken some of the luster off elite high school pick.
47 Matt Wieters BAL 21 C College High Class A
Until the catcher makes his official pro debut we can't consider him a true Fantasy target.
48 Deolis Guerra MIN 18 RHP High Class A High Class A
Among the prospects in the Santana deal, he has the best chance to be great.
49 Daniel Cortes KC 21 RHP High Class A Double-A
Great first full season in Royals system has him moving up team's prospect radar.
50 Jose Tabata NYY 19 OF High Class A Double-A
We don't see it yet, but scouts love his high ceiling, so we will watch one more year.
51 Lars Anderson BOS 20 1B Low Class A High Class A
Baseball America is predicting some huge numbers this year for this slugger.
52 Mike Moustakas KC 19 SS Low Class A Low Class A
2007 first-rounder is too far from the majors to consider outside of keeper formats.
53 Elvis Andrus TEX 19 SS High Class A High Class A
Piece in Mark Teixeira deal has drawn Edgar Renteria comparisons, but is too far away.
54 Rick Porcello DET 19 RHP High school Low Class A
Slipped due to signability, but he needs to debut spectacularly to have any chance soon.
55 Carlos Triunfel SEA 18 SS High Class A High Class A
Power hasn't developed and he is far too raw and far away to project for Fantasy yet.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: AL-only prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.

 
 
 
Player News
Joe Mauer
Mauer 'feels good' after workout
Joe Mauer, C, MIN
2:50 PM
News: The News-Press reports Twins C Joe Mauer took two rounds of batting practice and went through a set of conditioning drills around the base paths Monday, and he appeared to have no problems sprinting. Mauer battled leg injuries in 2011. “I feel good,” Mauer said. “It feels good to get back out here again.” Mauer also put to rest the rumors that he gained 30 pounds in the offseason. “I heard that, too, and I couldn’t believe it," he said. “It’s just how rumors start. There were a lot of things out there last year that weren’t true. I’m about 220, 225. I need to add a little more weight before we start.”
Analysis: While most players feel good when they arrive to camp, it's especially encouraging to hear Mauer say that since last season he was coming off knee surgery and wasn't ready for the start of spring training. Mauer will head into 2012 motivated after an injury-plagued 2011. There's no guarantee he is past his knee problems, but the Twins are going to do their best to make sure Mauer avoids the DL. There is obviously risk involved with drafting Mauer, but his potential to be an elite Fantasy option at catcher make it worth drafting him. An offseason of staying health could make Mauer a steal in the fifth or sixth round of mixed-league drafts.
Jair Jurrjens
Jurrjens still trade candidate
Jair Jurrjens, SP, ATL
11:57 AM
News: CBSSports.com senior writer Danny Knobler reports sources said the Braves could try and trade SP Jair Jurrjens if he proves healthy in spring training. The Braves tried to trade Jurrjens this winter, but they couldn't find a taker because potential trade partners weren't convinced Jurrjens was healthy or could stay healthy. Jurrjens missed the end of the 2011 season with a knee injury and has made just 43 starts the last two seasons.
Analysis: When Jurrjens is healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in the majors. His 1.87 ERA in the first half last season was second to only Jered Weaver among major-league starters. Jurrjens has won 13-plus games in three of the last four seasons. So why would the Braves want to trade him? Well, Jurrjens is a free agent after the 2013 season and it appears Atlanta is ready to clear some rotation space for the likes of Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado. It's going to be very interesting to see what happens with Jurrjens this spring. There appears to be a chance he might not finish the spring with Atlanta, which could mean Jurrjens slides down draft boards in NL-only formats that lose players who are traded to the AL. In mixed leagues, Jurrjens is still a decent mid-round Fantasy pick.
A.J. Burnett
Angels, Indians interested in Burnett
A.J. Burnett, SP, NYY
11:40 AM
News: FOXSports.com reports sources indicate the Angels are interested in Yankees SP A.J. Burnett, whose name has been heavily mentioned in trade rumors with the Pirates. However, the Angels are on Burnett's no-trade list and he wants to stay east. Pittsburgh is still considered the heavy favorite to potentially land Burnett. CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman said the Indians have also inquired about Burnett. The trade talks involve DH Travis Hafner, but Cleveland is unsure if it would make that trade. The Yankees also don't mind the free agent DH options available.
Analysis: Right now the hold up in the Pirates trade is how much money Pittsburgh will be willing to pay of Burnett's remaining salary over the next two years ($33 million) and the prospects the Pirates would send to the Yankees. Perhaps these rumors regarding the Angels and Indians might speed up the process, but other sources have said the Yankees would keep Burnett if the deal isn't right for them. Wherever Burnett pitches in 2012, he is going to be a late-round Fantasy pick coming off a turbulent 2011 campaign.
Coco Crisp
Crisp moving over for Cespedes?
Coco Crisp, CF, OAK
10:13 AM
News: Sources have told FOXSports.com that the Athletics intend to start newly signed Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes in center field right away, which would move Coco Crisp over to left field and Seth Smith to DH. Cespedes is already 26 and has faced upper-level competition in Cuba, but some scouts think he could use some time in the minors to adjust to the U.S. game.
Analysis: None of these reports are coming directly from the Athletics, so you should consider them nothing more than speculation at this point. Still, speculation is better than nothing, and if Cespedes is in fact going to be on the opening day roster, then he might even be worth drafting in the middle rounds, given his upside. As for Crisp, moving to left field wouldn't have any real impact on his Fantasy value. The Athletics outfield is even more crowded with the Cespedes signing, but the team seems to consider Crisp a mainstay at the top of the lineup. Given his base-stealing ability and doubles pop, he's a worthy fourth or fifth outfielder in mixed leagues.
Ryan Braun
Braun will know fate by Feb. 24
Ryan Braun, LF, MIL
10:03 AM
News: Monday came and went without a ruling on Brewers OF Ryan Braun's pending 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. It was the 25th day since the three-man panel heard Braun's appeal. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the panel was supposed to “make all reasonable efforts” to deliver a verdict within that period of time, but chairman Shyam Das was given an extension. A decision is expected before Braun reports to spring training on Feb. 24, but the exact date is unknown since the process is intended to be confidential.
Analysis: The panel's need for a lengthy deliberation is theoretically a good sign, but then again, since the process is usually confidential, we don't know how common such extensions are. Braun's case is said to be unique, but it might not make much of a difference to the panel. If you're drafting now, you should do so with the expectation that Braun will miss the first 50 games of the season, which could allow him to slip to the middle rounds in standard mixed leagues. If the appeal is upheld, though, he's suddenly back to being a first-rounder in Fantasy.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka
Nishioka wants to be 'aggressive'
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS, MIN
2:58 PM
News: The News-Press reports Twins SS Tsuyoshi Nishioka arrived a week early to spring training so he could adjust to the time difference from Japan. He worked out Monday and said through a translator that adjusting to his first experience in the majors took its toll on him in 2011. “I want to be more aggressive,” Nishioka said. “Not knowing right from left, it was strange playing the sport of baseball. It’s difficult when you think about it. Driving a car, you drive on opposite sides of the road. Outside the ballpark, there were lifestyle adjustments, too. That made it pretty difficult.”
Analysis: It's good that Nishioka has come to camp with the right attitude. However, he is still looking at being a reserve after the team signed Jamey Carroll to start at shortstop. That's not to say Nishioka can't emerge as a starter at some point this season, but the Twins are going to make him earn it. Nishioka is at best an AL-only Fantasy reserve on Draft Day.
Mike Moustakas
Moustakas in great shape
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC
12:48 PM
News: Royals manager Ned Yost had his contract option for the 2013 season picked up on Tuesday, but the Kansas City skipper seemed more interested in talking about his 2012 team. Yost was impressed with how many players have shown up for spring training early and is really blown away by the fitness level of a few of his players. "Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas -- I'm extremely proud of both of those guys," Yost told reporters. "They could be in the best shape they've been in their careers. Billy looks great, and I didn't even hardly recognize Moose he looks so good."
Analysis: While the fitness level doesn't necessarily mean a player will have success, it really can't hurt either. To hear Yost rave about Moustakas should get the attention of Fantasy owners. Moustakas, who is one of the Royals' top prospects, struggled when he first arrived in the majors last season. However, he seemed to have figured it out by season's end. Moustakas hit .352 with four homers and 12 RBI in his final 22 games last season. He is definitely one of the more intriguing Fantasy sleepers heading into 2012 and this latest report just adds to his appeal on Draft Day.
Jake Westbrook
Westbrook sheds 25 pounds
Jake Westbrook, SP, STL
2:11 PM
News: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Cardinals SP Jake Westbrook has shown up for spring training 25 pounds lighter than he was last season.
Analysis: This is the time of year where everyone seems to come to camp in better shape than they left last season. Hopefully for Westbrook it makes a difference in his game. He did go 12-9 in 2011, but he posted a 4.66 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 33 starts. Westbrook can chew up innings, but he won't post impressive ERA, WHIP or strikeout total. Leave him for NL-only Fantasy formats.
Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin fires back at GM
Jhoulys Chacin, SP, COL
12:07 PM
News: The Denver Post reports Rockies SP Jhoulys Chacin responded to comments made by GM Dan O'Dowd, who expressed concern recently about Chacin's offseason conditioning. "I came to Arizona this past Monday. I have not stopped training during the winter, both in my country and here," Chacin told Venezuelan newspaper Meridiano. "I have always done the best job I could all throughout these past few months. I don't know where these comments came from. I believe they're the result of what other people have told him, instead of his own personal evaluation. I am looking forward to meeting O'Dowd personally, and I am confident that he will have a different conclusion after a firsthand evaluation." O'Dowd made his comments after seeing Chacin at the team's Fanfest in January. "He looked OK. It wasn't as bad as I anticipated," O'Dowd said. "It's still not what it should be."
Analysis: O'Dowd believes Chacin needs to lose weight because the excess pounds affect the balance in his delivery and cause his fastball command to suffer. Chacin spent much of the winter working out in his native Venezuela after working out in Tucson previously. On Feb. 9, Chacin reportedly weighed 226 pounds but anticipates being close to the 218 pounds he was last spring when he reports to spring training on Feb. 19. Chacin went 8-7 with a 3.16 ERA in 18 pre-All Star break starts last year and went 3-7 with a 4.31 ERA in 13 starts after the break. Chacin struggled with walks in the second half and was much more hittable down the stretch than he was early in the season. This situation is clearly not the way Fantasy owners want to see Chacin kick off the 2012 season, but perhaps this will provide him with the motivation he needs to reach elite status. Look to Chacin as a mid-round Fantasy option on Draft Day.
Kyle Seager
Seager gets work at first base
Kyle Seager, 3B, SEA
1:25 PM
News: The Seattle Times reports Mariners 3B Kyle Seager took grounders at first base Tuesday. Manager Eric Wedge said it was because of pitcher fielding drills Seager was at first base.
Analysis: It's interesting to see Seager working at another position in camp with Wedge calling him the front-runner for the third-base job. However, it appears clear that Seager was just needed as an extra body during fielding drills. Justin Smoak is still the team's first baseman and Mike Carp is his expected backup. Carlos Guillen can also play first base, so we can't look too much into Seager taking grounders at first. His main focus should be winning the 3B job over the likes of Alex Liddi and Chone Figgins. Consider Seager nothing more than a late-round, low-end Fantasy corner infielder on Draft Day. He does have some sleeper potential, but don't reach for him in drafts.
 
 
 
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