'09 Draft Prep: Top 100 Fantasy prospects
While our updated list of the Top 25 rookies to target on Draft Day is about those who can impact Fantasy Baseball out of spring training, it could be someone from the Top 100 prospects that actually rises up to win the AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards.
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The Top 100 prospects might not necessarily have made the team out of camp, but they will be some of the most-hyped minor leaguers throughout the season. They are ranked for their potential long-term rewards in Fantasy leagues.
There are 100's of other minor leaguers that can get call-ups and help Fantasy owners in the near future, too, so go through our Organizational Prospect Reports we did last fall to get an even deeper view of all the teams' top farmhands.
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| RK | Player | TM | Age | POS | 2008 high | Destination |
| 1 | David Price | TB | 23 | LHP | Majors | Triple-A |
| Very few come around with greater expectations, but almost no one has this kind of talent. | ||||||
| 2 | Matt Wieters | BAL | 22 | C | Double-A | Triple-A |
| It could be months, or weeks like it did with Evan Longoria last year, but Wieters can be a top five catcher when he arrives. | ||||||
| 3 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | 19 | LHP | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Pitching this young is very difficult to project, but he won't be a teenager come Aug. 1; can he arrive then?! | ||||||
| 4 | Matt LaPorta | CLE | 24 | OF | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| The biggest mashing prospect around will eventually be a Fantasy superstar, but he opens the year back in Triple-A. | ||||||
| 5 | Cameron Maybin | FLA | 21 | OF | Majors | Majors |
| His steals will be what he should be drafted for this year, but he figures to be able do everything long term. | ||||||
| 6 | Trevor Cahill | OAK | 21 | RHP | Double-A | Majors |
| There is debate among elite A's arms, but our top choice is Cahill because of his lower BAA and fewer HRs allowed. | ||||||
| 7 | Brett Anderson | OAK | 21 | LHP | Double-A | Majors |
| Baseball America tends to favor Anderson, so we wouldn't blame you for flipping a coin on them. | ||||||
| 8 | Thomas Hanson | ATL | 22 | RHP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Arizona Fall League is a hitter's league and it couldn't touch him. What an amazing talent on the verge. | ||||||
| 9 | Jeff Samardzija | CHC | 24 | RHP | Majors | Triple-A |
| A terrible spring ruins some of his luster, but he could develop better as a starter back in Triple-A, we say. | ||||||
| 10 | Colby Rasmus | STL | 22 | OF | Triple-A | Majors |
| He had a poor season, but he is a five-tool talent with tremendous swagger. He could really rebound this season. | ||||||
| 11 | Neftali Feliz | TEX | 20 | RHP | Double-A | Double-A |
| There is lightning in this arm the Braves gave up for Mark Teixeira's rental; Feliz could ease the loss of Edinson Volquez. | ||||||
| 12 | Pedro Alvarez | PIT | 22 | 3B | DNP, signed late | Double-A |
| No. 2 overall pick in last June's draft can really mash and should be able to move quickly with rebuilding Pirates. | ||||||
| 13 | Gordon Beckham | CHW | 22 | SS | Low Class A | Double-A |
| Alexei Ramirez is safe right now, but might they consider moving Beckham to second to make room for the next Dustin Pedroia. | ||||||
| 14 | Michael Moustakas | KC | 20 | 3B | Low Class A | High Class A |
| This California prospect had a much better second go around as a pro and now looks like the star he was labeled to be. | ||||||
| 15 | Travis Snider | TOR | 21 | OF | Majors | Majors |
| His power will be far more intriguing long term, but he is a nice sleeper at a real deep position. | ||||||
| 16 | Michael Stanton | FLA | 19 | OF | Low Class A | High Class A |
| The Florida State League will give us a much better sense of how much monster power this guy really has. | ||||||
| 17 | Timothy Alderson | SF | 20 | RHP | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Bumgarner has trumped him in the Giants' system, but Alderson can make his case as a future ace in his own right. | ||||||
| 18 | Jason Heyward | ATL | 19 | OF | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Some see him as a top-five or top-10 prospect, but it is really too early to tell because some others have bigger numbers. | ||||||
| 19 | Aaron Poreda | CHW | 22 | LHP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Poreda and the less-telanted Clayton Richard are stuck opening the season back in Triple-A, but it could make him stronger late. | ||||||
| 20 | Jarrod Parker | ARI | 20 | RHP | Low Class A | High Class A |
| The D-Backs crown jewel must now help them forget they traded away the likes of the A's Anderson and others. | ||||||
| 21 | Beau Mills | CLE | 22 | 1B | High Class A | Double-A |
| Figures to be an impact bat on the fast track but we are not sure he will be able to squeeze into the mix this year yet. | ||||||
| 22 | Elvis Andrus | TEX | 20 | SS | Double-A | Majors |
| Rangers hand the starting SS job to him over Michael Young, but his steals are his lone plus asset. | ||||||
| 23 | J.P. Arencibia | TOR | 23 | C | Double-A | Triple-A |
| A catcher who hit 27 homers in the minors and didn't have to change positions?! Sign us up. The next Geovany Soto. | ||||||
| 24 | Mat Gamel | MIL | 23 | 3B | Majors | Triple-A |
| His D is bad and his numbers were a lot better when LaPorta was protecting him in Double-A. His bat will play, though. | ||||||
| 25 | Chris Tillman | BAL | 20 | RHP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| He was popping the mitt at 100 mph after being dealt for Erik Bedard; the O's certainly have a rotation spot waiting. | ||||||
| 26 | Alcides Escobar | MIL | 22 | SS | Double-A | Double-A |
| His power should develop, but the Brewers have to be satisfied with J.J. Hardy at SS. Perhaps Escobar moves to 2B? | ||||||
| 27 | Andrew McCutchen | PIT | 22 | OF | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Five-tool talent can make an immediate impact in all Rotisserie leagues once he arrives; watch closely this spring. | ||||||
| 28 | Nick Adenhart | LAA | 22 | RHP | Majors | Majors |
| If not for his poor 2008, we would be ranking him a lot higher on this list. He gets his chance to make a huge rookie splash. | ||||||
| 29 | Logan Morrison | FLA | 21 | 1B | High Class A | Double-A |
| His power numbers weren't quite there, but the FSL does have a lot of big ballparks that suppress homer totals. | ||||||
| 30 | Buster Posey | SF | 22 | C | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Early '08 first-round pick doesn't have a whole lot of a track record as a pro, but he could be the next Wieters. | ||||||
| 31 | Adam Miller | CLE | 24 | RHP | Triple-A | Injured |
| Injuries have set him back and now the former 100-mph doesn't even belong on this list now. Maybe he can rebound? | ||||||
| 32 | Carlos Carrasco | PHI | 22 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| The Phillies will bring their prized pitching prospect along slowly early this spring, but look out once he arrives. | ||||||
| 33 | Fernando Martinez | NYM | 20 | OF | Double-A | Double-A |
| He is extremely raw and somewhat injury prone, but his bat is quick and his power should develop like the Mets hope. | ||||||
| 34 | Wade Davis | TB | 23 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Jake McGee needed elbow surgery, so Davis has risen up to be the Rays next-best pitching prospect to Price. | ||||||
| 35 | Michael Bowden | BOS | 22 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Big-budget Red Sox don't figure to have a spot for him now, but they will make one if they have to this season. | ||||||
| 36 | Lars Anderson | BOS | 22 | 1B | Double-A | Double-A |
| Kevin Youkilis isn't going anywhere, but Anderson could prove to be the heir to Big Papi's DH spot. Huge upside. | ||||||
| 37 | Rick Porcello | DET | 20 | RHP | High Class A | Majors |
| Pitching-needy Tigers have resisted the temptation to rush him, until now. He could be a big winner behind that potent offense. | ||||||
| 38 | Derek Holland | TEX | 22 | LHP | Double-A | Double-A |
| The Rangers might miss John Danks and Edinson Volquez, but Holland is among the elite arms that will help them forget. | ||||||
| 39 | Chris C. Carter | OAK | 22 | 1B | High Class A | Double-A |
| Not to be confused with the Chris C. Carter with the Red Sox, this one has immense power potential in A's system. | ||||||
| 40 | Kyle Blanks | SD | 22 | 1B | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Monster slugger could be an impact call-up this season, but that only happens if he can make the transition to the outfield now. | ||||||
| 41 | Yonder Alonso | CIN | 21 | 1B | High Class A | High Class A |
| Miami product's power is legit and Baseball America thinks he can move Joey Votto to LF by next season. | ||||||
| 42 | Jesus Montero | NYY | 19 | C | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| Yankees might have a Mike Piazza-monster power bat ready to take over for Jorge Posada in a few years. | ||||||
| 43 | Josh Vitters | CHC | 19 | 3B | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| A little behind Moustakas now after being drafted on the same level, but he played catch up nicely last season. | ||||||
| 44 | Tim Beckham | TB | 19 | SS | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| No. 1 overall pick of '08 is years away from even being close, but you have to figure he is going to be a star someday. | ||||||
| 45 | Todd Frazier | CIN | 23 | SS | High Class A | Double-A |
| It should be a great rivalry in the Reds system between Frazier and the Reds SS prospect that follows him on this list. | ||||||
| 46 | Chris Valaika | CIN | 23 | SS | Double-A | Triple-A |
| A level ahead of Frazier now, but our guess is Frazier proves more powerful; the better one is the one that stays at SS. | ||||||
| 47 | Brett Wallace | STL | 22 | 3B | Double-A | Double-A |
| He wasn't a real candidate to start out of spring training this year, but next year he very well could be ready. | ||||||
| 48 | Kila Ka'aihue | KC | 25 | 1B | Majors | Triple-A |
| Monster power season apparently didn't impress Royals enough; they traded for Mike Jacobs to block their 1B options. | ||||||
| 49 | Dexter Fowler | COL | 22 | RHP | Double-A | Majors |
| The Matt Holliday trade opens up a chance for him, but the question is how much speed and power will he display this early? | ||||||
| 50 | Dayan Viciedo | CHW | 20 | 3B | Cuba | High Class A |
| Some thought he might compete for a big league job, a la fellow Cuban Ramirez, but he is just too raw right now. | ||||||
| 51 | Taylor Teagarden | TEX | 25 | C | Majors | Majors |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia is ahead of him right now, but T2 is a future top-10 Fantasy catcher himself, too. | ||||||
| 52 | Max Ramirez | TEX | 24 | C | Majors | Triple-A |
| Of Texas' catching trio, Ramirez has the most dynamic bat, but he has to open in Triple-A and bide his time right now. | ||||||
| 53 | Carlos Santana | CLE | 22 | C | Double-A | Double-A |
| The Indians got a gem of a slugging catcher prospect when they sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers last summer. | ||||||
| 54 | Jake Arrieta | BAL | 23 | RHP | High Class A | Double-A |
| Tillman had a better year, but Arrieta likely will play catch up this season, perhaps even arriving midseason. | ||||||
| 55 | Nolan Reimold | BAL | 25 | OF | Double-A | Triple-A |
| The Orioles are stocked with good long-term outfield talent but Reimold will slug his way into the lineup fairly soon. | ||||||
| 56 | Jeremy Hellickson | TB | 21 | RHP | Double-A | Double-A |
| If the Rays didn't need Price in the rotation last year, it will be hard to see Hellickson make an impact this year. | ||||||
| 57 | Jordan Zimmermann | WAS | 22 | RHP | Double-A | Majors |
| The Nationals top pitching prospect gets a rotation spot out of camp after a great spring, but can he win with that cast? | ||||||
| 58 | Jhoulys Chacin | COL | 21 | RHP | High Class A | Double-A |
| There's something about him that just reminds us of Ubaldo Jimenez; he very well could help Fantasy owners this year. | ||||||
| 59 | Tyler Flowers | CHW | 23 | C | High Class A | Double-A |
| Slugging catcher was picked up in the Javier Vazquez deal and should be the heir to A.J. Pierzynski. | ||||||
| 60 | Angel Salome | MIL | 23 | C | Majors | Triple-A |
| We see him hitting his way into at-bats this season, especially if Jason Kendall breaks down or the Brewers go young. | ||||||
| 61 | Gregory Halman | SEA | 21 | OF | Double-A | Double-A |
| Rare Netherlands prospect hit 29 bombs and stole 31 bases last year but he struck out over 160 times. | ||||||
| 62 | David Huff | CLE | 24 | LHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Wasn't really a candidate for a rotation spot this spring, but we expect he will impact all Fantasy leagues this season at some point. | ||||||
| 63 | Matt Antonelli | SD | 23 | 2B | Majors | Triple-A |
| He is still better than Chase Headley in our eyes and a potential starter at second base for the Padres. | ||||||
| 64 | Gio Gonzalez | OAK | 23 | LHP | Majors | Majors |
| Minor league strikeout maven had an injury-plagued camp and lost significant group to Cahill and Anderson on the depth chart. | ||||||
| 65 | James McDonald | LAD | 24 | RHP | Majors | Majors |
| He won the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring, but we're not sure he is an elite arm long term. We could be prove wrong. | ||||||
| 66 | Gaby Sanchez | FLA | 25 | 1B | Majors | Triple-A |
| Sanchez lost out to Emilio Bonifacio and Jorge Cantu for a starting job this spring; pop gives him a chance to star. | ||||||
| 67 | Luis Montanez | BAL | 27 | OF | Majors | Triple-A |
| Late-bloomer combined for 29 homers last season and didn't get a real chance to make the team. We might have overrated him. | ||||||
| 68 | Dellin Betances | NYY | 21 | RHP | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| You have to figure he is another New York prospect who will have his name in trading talks well before he ever arrives. | ||||||
| 69 | Carlos Triunfel | SEA | 19 | SS | High Class A | Double-A |
| Age-level ratio is impressive, but he also has the numbers to match; he could push Yuniesky Betancourt next spring. | ||||||
| 70 | Jonathon Niese | NYM | 22 | LHP | Majors | Triple-A |
| He wasn't a real candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring, but he really could use that time back in Triple-A. | ||||||
| 71 | Justin Smoak | TEX | 22 | 1B | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Wieters' high school teammate was one of the prize power bats of the 2008 classs, a Mark Teixeira-like switch-hitter. | ||||||
| 72 | Jordan Schafer | ATL | 22 | OF | Double-A | Majors |
| Substance suspension taints his prospects at little, but he still stands to help the outfield-needy Braves as the starting center fielder. | ||||||
| 73 | Aaron Hicks | MIN | 19 | OF | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| This '08 first-rounder debuted nicely in the Rookie League last year, so he will be a highly sought long-term keeper option. | ||||||
| 74 | Austin Romine | NYY | 20 | C | Low Class A | High Class A |
| If Montero doesn't make good on promise or has to change positions, Romine is here to pick up his slack as Posada's heir. | ||||||
| 75 | Angel Villalona | SF | 18 | 1B | Low Class A | High Class A |
| His age-level ratio is outstanding as is his power potential, but we are really yet to be impressed by him for some reason. | ||||||
| 76 | Troy Patton | BAL | 23 | LHP | DNP, surgery | Triple-A |
| The O's figured he needed surgery when they got him for Miguel Tejada; they love former teen sensation's potential. | ||||||
| 77 | Gerardo Parra | ARI | 21 | OF | Double-A | Double-A |
| Speed is ahead of his power, but a huge winter is helping him enter the conservation for an impact in 2008. | ||||||
| 78 | Eric Hosmer | KC | 19 | 1B | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| Rated one of the top power bats of the '08 draft, it will be years before he is considered a Fantasy-worthy call-up. | ||||||
| 79 | Chris Getz | CHW | 25 | 2B | Majors | Majors |
| Alexei Ramirez's move to shortstop helped make Getz a starter and perhaps even Chicago's leadoff man this season. | ||||||
| 80 | Matt Dominguez | FLA | 19 | 3B | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Not quite in the class of Moustakas and Vitters among California 3B prospects, but his power came around last year. | ||||||
| 81 | David Freese | STL | 25 | 3B | Triple-A | Majors |
| With Troy Glaus' shoulder surgery, his 26 Triple-A homers could make him a sleeper for NL Rookie of the Year honors. | ||||||
| 82 | Kevin Mulvey | MIN | 23 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| He is the Twins' de facto No. 6 starter in Triple-A and he is best served opening the year in the Triple-A rotation. | ||||||
| 83 | Neil Walker | PIT | 25 | 3B | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| He might need a new position now that Adam LaRoche is in Pittsburgh and Alvarez is pushing him from lower in the system. | ||||||
| 84 | Jesse Todd | STL | 22 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| The Cardinals don't have a rotation that figures to hold him back much when he is deemed ready by midseason. | ||||||
| 85 | George Kottaras | BOS | 25 | C | Majors | Majors |
| The next Kelly Shoppach? Kottaras had 22 Triple-A HRs and could steal some starts from Jason Varitek. | ||||||
| 86 | Jason Castro | HOU | 21 | C | Low Class A | Low Class A |
| Stanford prospect is just getting started as a pro, but his offensive potential at the position makes him a must-stash. | ||||||
| 87 | Austin Jackson | NYY | 22 | OF | Double-A | Triple-A |
| He looks like yet another over-hyped Yankees prospect, but we wouldn't completely hold it against him at this point. | ||||||
| 88 | Dominic Brown | PHI | 21 | OF | Low Class A | High Class A |
| Baseball America draws some Darryl Strawberry comparisons here, but the power really isn't there yet. | ||||||
| 89 | Brent Lillibridge | CHW | 25 | SS | Majors | Majors |
| He's insurance in case Getz isn't the answer and he could prove to be a steal in deeper AL-only formats. | ||||||
| 90 | Jeff Niemann | TB | 26 | RHP | Majors | Majors |
| His name gets lost in a Rays farm system loaded with more elite pitching prospects; Niemann belongs right now. | ||||||
| 91 | Reid Brignac | TB | 23 | SS | Majors | Triple-A |
| Blocked by Jason Bartlett and has Beckham down lower in the system; you have to figure he becomes trade bait. | ||||||
| 92 | Brian Matusz | BAL | 22 | LHP | DNP, signed late | High Class A |
| Baseball America loves his talent, so without a pro track record to consider, we have to take their word for it. | ||||||
| 93 | Brett Gardner | NYY | 25 | OF | Majors | Majors |
| The Yankees have handed him the center field job, so this base-stealer could be a big-time steal in Rotisserie leagues. | ||||||
| 94 | Clayton Richard | CHW | 25 | LHP | Majors | Triple-A |
| Long term he might merely be a back-end starter, but Chicago could be a place to win early if he can earn some starts. | ||||||
| 95 | Daniel McCutchen | PIT | 26 | RHP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| A key piece in the Xavier Nady deal, McCutchen should push his way into the rotation this season, if not out of spring. | ||||||
| 96 | Humberto Sanchez | NYY | 25 | RHP | Majors | Triple-A |
| He was once the next Joel Zumaya before elbow surgery derailed him; now he is a bit overlooked as a prospect. | ||||||
| 97 | Jason Motte | STL | 26 | RHP | Majors | Majors |
| The Cardinals are giving him the first crack at the closer's job. If he closes for a full season, he will be ROY candidate. | ||||||
| 98 | Kenshin Kawakami | ATL | 33 | RHP | Japan | Majors |
| Smallish right-handed import is old for a rookie, but he could have a Hiroki Kuroda-like impact. | ||||||
| 99 | Adrian Cardenas | OAK | 21 | SS | Double-A | Double-A |
| A key piece in the Joe Blanton trade hasn't quite fulfilled his potential yet, but this figures to be a big year for him. | ||||||
| 100 | Koji Uehara | BAL | 33 | RHP | Japan | Majors |
| The Orioles have him penciled in as their No. 2 starter, but that not a good situation for any Fantasy pitcher. | ||||||
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Top 100 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.
