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Eric Mack

Draft prep: Top National League prospects

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


Breaking down our Preseason Top 100 prospects, we outline the top NL-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 AL-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 National League prospects
Rk Player TM Age Pos 2007 high Destination
1 Jay Bruce CIN 20 OF Triple-A Triple-A
Might not start year in majors, but next "Larry Walker" will get a chance soon enough.
2 Cameron Maybin FLA 20 OF Majors Majors
Initially will contribute in steals, but he is an elite talent with 40-40 potential long term.
3 Geovany Soto CHC 25 C Majors Majors
Triple-A MVP's numbers came out of nowhere, but they were so good you have to take notice.
4 Andy LaRoche LAD 24 3B Majors Majors
Dodgers say he will enter spring on equal ground with Nomar Garciaparra for starting 3B job.
5 Joey Votto CIN 24 1B Majors Majors
Great OPS bat has wide-open shot in a great hitter's park, but he plays a competitive position.
6 Kosuke Fukudome CHC 30 OF Japan Majors
Import is a well-rounded outfielder the Cubs are paying a lot of money to produce.
7 Colby Rasmus CIN 21 OF Double-A Majors
Some in Cards organization believe he is capable of handling the huge jump from Double-A.
8 Franklin Morales COL 22 LHP Majors Majors
Stretch run was great, but he won't have a certain rotation spot like Ubaldo Jimenez does.
9 Homer Bailey CIN 21 RHP Majors Majors
Talent is as good as anyone's but he has some significant development steps to take still.
10 Chase Headley SD 23 3B Majors Majors
Move to outfield should get him a great chance to open year in San Diego's starting lineup.
11 Ian Stewart COL 22 3B Majors Majors
If we were certain he can handle the defensive switch to second, he would be in the top 10.
12 Matt Antonelli SD 22 2B Double-A Triple-A
A year behind Headley, but we wouldn't doubt he could open the year in LF in San Diego.
13 Hiroki Kuroda LAD 33 RHP Japan Majors
Reports say he can throw mid-90s with outstanding command. He's old, but at least intriguing.
14 Steve Pearce PIT 24 1B/OF Majors Majors
His bat is ready, but he needs a position. The Pirates need to play guys like Pearce.
15 J.R. Towles HOU 24 C Majors Majors
Astros are ready to hand the position over full time to this future top-10 Fantasy catcher.
16 Clayton Kershaw LAD 20 LHP Double-A Double-A
Scouts are unanimous on his high ceiling, but he is just too young to consider for '08.
17 Manny Parra MIL 25 LHP Majors Majors
If he wins a rotation spot out of spring training, move him into the top 25 rookies portion.
18 Carlos Carrasco PHI 21 RHP Double-A Triple-A
If he gets a chance to start for the Phils in '08, look out for some potentially huge dividends.
19 Johnny Cueto CIN 22 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
It shouldn't take much for him to get a look. If he opens in rotation, he is a top-20 guy.
20 Andrew McCutchen PIT 21 OF Double-A Triple-A
Looks like another Lastings Milledge to us; can arrive soon but star later down the road.
21 Max Scherzer ARI 23 RHP Double-A Triple-A
06 No. 1 pick had solid first pro season and has a good shot at ending in D-Backs' rotation.
22 Jordan Schafer ATL 21 OF High Class A Double-A
Not candidate to open year in CF for Atlanta, but we like his chances of finishing there.
23 Christopher Marrero WAS 20 1B High Class A High Class A
Age will keep him from making a huge impact this year, but he could rise quickly.
24 Jair Jurrjens ATL 22 RHP Majors Triple-A
If he winds up in Braves rotation to start the season, you should move him into the top 20.
25 Collin Balester WAS 21 RHP Triple-A Triple-A
It won't take much for the Nats' closest pitching prospect to earn rotation spot.
26 Brandon Jones ATL 24 OF Majors Majors
Might start year as reserve with Braves, but he lacks real power or steals potential.
27 Jayson Nix COL 25 2B Triple-A Triple-A
Reports may have him ahead of Stewart for starting 2B job, but we obviously like Ian more.
28 William Inman SD 21 RHP Double-A Double-A
Key piece in the Scott Linebrink to Brewers deal has struggled above Class A so far.
29 Chris Volstad FLA 21 RHP Double-A Double-A
The rebuilding Marlins won't need to see much more of him before they call him up.
30 Ross Detwiler WAS 22 LHP Majors High Class A
Sixth overall pick should be watched for potentially huge second-half dividends.
31 Matt LaPorta MIL 23 OF Low Class A Double-A
Seventh overall pick in '07 draft has great bat that won't need much minors time.
32 Joe Savery PHI 22 LHP Low Class A High Class A
Rice product shouldn't need much time in minors, so Phils may give him look late.
33 Gaby Hernandez FLA 21 RHP Double-A Triple-A
Another pitcher the rebuilding Marlins will give a look to far sooner than others would.
34 Neil Walker PIT 22 3B Triple-A Triple-A
His numbers would have played a lot better at catcher than at third base.
35 Joe Mather STL 25 OF Triple-A Triple-A
Third-rounder from '01 has been in system awhile, but peaked with 31 HRs last year.
36 Brent Lillibridge ATL 24 SS Triple-A Triple-A
Figures to be fall-back option if Yunel Escobar falters or gets injured in first full season.
37 Fernando Martinez NYM 19 OF Double-A Double-A
Injuries and being rushed up the Mets' chain have kept him from posting good numbers.
38 Brett Sinkbiel FLA 23 RHP High Class A Double-A
First-round pick has to get over nagging injuries, but Marlins won't be afraid to advance him.
39 Chin-Lung Hu LAD 24 SS Majors Triple-A
Could develop into .300 hitter in majors and might be Rafael Furcal's successor.
40 Chris Coghlan FLA 22 2B High Class A Double-A
Power at second could help Marlins deal off much older Dan Uggla for more prospects.
41 Jason Heyward ATL 18 OF Low Class A Low Class A
An outstanding debut has toolsy high school draftee high on Braves' prospect radar.
42 Josh Vitters CHC 18 3B Low Class A Low Class A
Another '07 first-rounder who could arrive quickly but won't impact Fantasy this year.
43 Angel Villalona SF 17 3B Low Class A Low Class A
Scouts and Baseball America love his high ceiling, so that's enough for us.
44 Tim Alderson SF 19 RHP Low Class A Low Class A
6-foot-7 prospect throws in low-90s but you should expect more power to come.
45 Jarrod Parker ARI 19 RHP High school Low Class A
Baseball America has compared him to Scott Kazmir and Tim Lincecum, wow!

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: NL-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
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.
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.
Travis Hafner
Hafner on Yankees radar?
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE
1:19 PM
News: CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports the Indians have inquired about Yankees SP A.J. Burnett, who has been heavily involved in trade rumors. The talks with the Indians revolve around a Burnett for DH Travis Hafner deal. However, Cleveland is unsure if it would make that trade, and the Yankees also appear content with the free agent DH options available.
Analysis: This trade rumor is definitely interesting because a trade to the Yankees would immediately elevate Hafner's Fantasy appeal. He would end up going to a hitter's park and be inserted into one of the best lineups in baseball. That means a ton of chances to fill the stat sheet. However, it doesn't appear this deal is imminent, so Fantasy owners shouldn't get their hopes up. It's best to view Hafner as a low-end, injury-risk Fantasy option for the late rounds of deep formats on Draft Day. Hafner continues to post poor home run totals and hasn't played more than 100 games in three of his last four seasons.
Kosuke Fukudome
Fukudome lands on South Side
Kosuke Fukudome, RF, CLE
11:46 AM
News: Kosuke Fukudome is headed back to the Windy City, but this time he is going to call the South Side home. Fukudome agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the White Sox on Tuesday. The deal also included a club option for the 2013 season. "Kosuke adds to our outfield depth and gives Robin (Ventura) another left-handed bat to mix into the lineup based on matchups," assistant general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "He can play center field and right and provides flexibility to our roster."
Analysis: Fukudome played for the Cubs from 2008 to the trade deadline last season when he was shipped to Cleveland. He had his most disappointing campaign in the majors in 2011, which is why he probably stayed on the free-agent market longer than expected. The White Sox are expected to open 2012 with an outfield alignment of Alex Rios in center, Dayan Viciedo in right field and Alejandro De Aza in left field. Brent Lillibridge is considered a backup at all three outfield positions and now Fukudome joins the mix as another outfield body. However, since he likely won't begin the season as a starter, then Fukudome can be left undrafted in most Fantasy formats. Consider him at best an AL-only Fantasy reserve.
 
 
 
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