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Eric Mack

2010 Draft Prep: Top NL-only prospects

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


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We outlined the Top 25 rookies to target on Draft Day and Fantasy Baseball's Top 100 prospects, so now we split them off with the Top NL prospects for those in NL-only leagues.

These prospects might not necessarily make 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 others 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.

CBSSports.com's Top NL-only prospects
RK Player POS TM AGE 2009 high 2010 start
1 Jason Heyward OF ATL 20 Triple-A Majors
We see now why everyone is going with Heyward at No. 1 and we're jumping on board with gusto.
2 Stephen Strasburg SP WAS 21 NCAA Double-A
Without throwing an official pro pitch, the best pitching prospect ever and slipped to the No. 2 spot.
3 Michael Stanton OF FLA 20 Double-A Double-A
It will be real interesting to watch which NL East RF prospect winds up with the most power in seven years.
4 Pedro Alvarez 3B PIT 23 Double-A Triple-A
Masher has some questions about his weight and position, but there's no question about the bat.
5 Buster Posey C SF 23 Majors Triple-A
Joe Mauer, Matt Wieters and Posey figure to battle for the No. 1 Fantasy status in a few short years.
6 Madison Bumgarner SP SF 20 Majors Majors
He gets far less pub, but he is just eight days older than the ballyhooed Braves outfielder Heyward.
7 Aroldis Chapman SP CIN 22 Defecting High Class A
If he is as good as the hype suggests, the Reds have the making of some dominant rotation long term.
8 Alcides Escobar SS MIL 23 Majors Majors
We would rank him higher if the power was a bit better. As it, this a pretty significant spot to be ranked.
9 Logan Morrison 1B FLA 22 Double-A Triple-A
We are not quite sure how much power will come, but we will trust the scouts and BP shows at this point.
10 Domonic Brown OF PHI 22 Double-A Triple-A
With Raul Ibanez's age and injury history and Jayson Werth's pending free agency, Brown could arrive in '10.
11 Starlin Castro SS CHC 20 Double-A Double-A
The Cubs are pushing him hard this spring, begging the question of whether he could actually arrive in '10.
12 Christian Friedrich SP COL 22 High Class A Double-A
He will be a real intriguing candidate for a June 1 call-up if the Rockies decide they need a starter in-season.
13 Jason Castro C HOU 22 Double-A Triple-A
We like the Baseball America comparison that called him the next A.J. Pierzynski this winter.
14 Tyler Matzek SP COL 19 High school Low Class A
We haven't seen him as a pro yet, but Baseball America says he is the next Cole Hamels with better stuff.
15 Ike Davis 1B NYM 22 Double-A Triple-A
A promising spring could put him in the mix to arrive in the middle of 2010 and become an immediate mainstay.
16 Fernando Martinez OF NYM 21 Majors Triple-A
Years of injury woes have tarnished his prospect status, but all that presumed potential has to still be there.
17 Derek Norris C WAS 21 High Class A Double-A
Spending this spring alongside Ivan Rodriguez should help Norris immensely, but he will remain in minors all year.
18 Jarrod Parker SP ARI 21 Double-A Double-A
Tommy John surgery has ruined most of his 2010 season, but he still remains one of the best long-term projects.
19 Yonder Alonso 1B CIN 22 Double-A Triple-A
With Joey Votto not set at first, the Reds are looking to find a new position for Alonso this spring; he can hit, though.
20 Freddie Freeman 1B ATL 20 Double-A Double-A
He was a bit disappointing last season, but he remains the Braves' long-term option at first base, perhaps in late '10.
21 Todd Frazier OF CIN 24 Triple-A Triple-A
The Reds are considering this converted shortstop in left, second or perhaps third base; he should hit anywhere.
22 Donovan Tate OF SD 19 High school Low Class A
The Padres selected the Georgia product at No. 3 overall last June and was able to lure him away from football.
23 Timothy Alderson SP PIT 21 Double-A Triple-A
His stock slipped last year, because of declining velocity, so watch him closely this season for another fall.
24 Jonathon Niese SP NYM 23 Majors Majors
His stuff isn't electric, but he changes speeds and knows how to pitch despite his inexperience and young age.
25 David Freese 3B STL 26 Triple-A Majors
He is currently atop the Cards depth chart and could be a huge 27-year-old breakout this year.
26 Chris Heisey OF CIN 25 Triple-A Majors
We consider him an Eric Byrnes type and he could earn a starting job in left for the Reds.
27 Josh Vitters 3B CHC 20 High Class A High Class A
The Cubs kept him out of trades thus far, so he still could be Aramis Ramirez's replacement in a few years.
28 Phillippe Aumont SP PHI 21 Double-A Double-A
His move to the bullpen was supposed to speed up his arrival, but he is back to starting and likely a '10 arrival.
29 Ian Desmond SS WAS 24 Majors Triple-A
He was going to get a shot at starting this spring, but he likely won't arrival to June 1 or midseason now.
30 Jaff Decker OF SD 20 Low Class A High Class A
A Jason Kubel type outfielder who likely won't be a factor this year, but he could position himself for 2011.
31 James Darnell 3B SD 23 High Class A Double-A
The South Carolina product can position himself for an in-season with a hot start; he might switch positions.
32 Aaron Poreda SP SD 23 Majors Triple-A
There is talk he might need to move to the bullpen, but the Padres have plenty of time to invest in him.
33 Logan Forsythe 3B SD 23 Double-A Triple-A
We compared him to a Mark Teahen-type and now he might give second a try like Teahen did last year.
34 Drew Storen RP WAS 22 Double-A Triple-A
If he wasn't a reliever, we would rank him a lot higher. We will regret it when he becomes the Nats' closer.
35 Chris Marrero 1B WAS 21 Double-A Double-A
Future masher hasn't displayed the type of power many expected thus far, but he is still real, real young.
36 Gaby Sanchez 1B FLA 26 Majors Majors
We rank Morrison higher due to potential, but Sanchez is more likely to open at 1B for the Marlins.
37 Jenrry Mejia SP NYM 20 Double-A Double-A
Wicked stuff has the Mets thinking he might be able to pitch out of the bullpen in the majors this year.
38 Shelby Miller SP STL 20 Low Class A Low Class A
Baseball America says the Cardinals haven't had a pitching prospect this good since Rick Ankiel. Interesting.
39 Jaime Garcia SP STL 23 Triple-A Triple-A
Tommy John surgery stalled his expected arrival in 2008, but he is healthy now and could be their No. 5 starter.
40 Lance Lynn SP STL 22 Triple-A Triple-A
The Cards' 2008 first-rounder had a great season in Double-A and could be another potential impact call-up.
41 Wilmer Flores SS NYM 18 Low Class A Low Class A
Those Miguel Cabrera comparisons look like a stretch, but there are still a lot of years for him to grow.
42 Christopher Withrow SP LAD 21 Double-A Double-A
The 2007 first-rounder out of a Texas high school handled Double-A as a 20-year-old quite impressively.
43 Matt Dominguez 3B FLA 20 Double-A Double-A
A subpar 2009 campaign was a bit surprising for Moustakas' high school teammate; he could turn it back around.
44 Mike Minor SP ATL 22 Low Class A High Class A
The Vandy first-round pick has drawn comparisons to Jeremy Sowers, who is more command than power.
45 Dee Gordon SS LAD 21 Low Class A High Class A
Burner could make himself a candidate to replace Rafael Furcal as early as the beginning of 2011.
46 Julio Teheran SP ATL 19 Low Class A High Class A
This power-armed Colombian is a potential No. 1 pitching prospect candidate in a few more years.
47 Brett Lawrie 2B MIL 20 Double-A Double-A
Usually a move from catcher hurts a prospects value, but Lawrie could arrive in the majors quicker now.
Best of the rest
48 Travis Wood SP CIN 23 Triple-A Triple-A
49 Brandon Allen 1B ARI 24 Majors Triple-A
50 Eric O. Young 2B COL 24 Majors Triple-A
51 Mike Leake SP CIN 22 NCAA High Class A
52 Thomas Neal OF SF 22 High Class A Double-A
53 Justin Maxwell OF WAS 26 Majors Majors
54 Mark Rogers SP MIL 24 High Class A Double-A
55 Hisanori Takahashi SP NYM 35 Japan Majors
56 Daniel McCutchen SP PIT 27 Majors Majors
57 Neil Walker 3B PIT 24 Majors Triple-A
58 Josh Thole C NYM 23 Majors Triple-A
59 Jiovanni Mier SS HOU 19 Low Class A Low Class A
60 Ryota Igarashi RP NYM 31 Japan Majors
61 Bradley Holt SP NYM 23 Double-A Triple-A
62 Zach Wheeler SP SF 19 High school Low Class A
63 Tony Sanchez C PIT 21 High Class A Double-A
64 Chad James SP FLA 19 High school Low Class A
65 Kevin Pucetas SP SF 25 Triple-A Triple-A
66 Simon Castro SP SD 21 Low Class A High Class A
67 Aaron Miller SP LAD 22 Low Class A High Class A
68 Tyler Colvin OF CHC 24 Majors Triple-A
69 Scott Elbert SP LAD 24 Majors Triple-A
70 Esmil Rogers SP COL 24 Majors Triple-A
71 Brett Jackson OF CHC 21 Low Class A High Class A
72 Kyle Skipworth C FLA 20 Low Class A High Class A
73 Angel Salome C MIL 24 Triple-A Majors
74 Jhoulys Chacin SP COL 22 Majors Triple-A
75 Tommy Manzella SS HOU 26 Majors Majors
76 Arodys Vizcaino SP ATL 19 Low Class A Low Class A
77 Allen Craig OF STL 25 Triple-A Triple-A
78 Brad Lincoln SP PIT 24 Triple-A Triple-A
79 Jay Jackson SP CHC 22 Triple-A Triple-A
80 Jordan Lyles SP HOU 19 Low Class A Low Class A
81 Juan Francisco 3B CIN 22 Majors Triple-A
82 Andrew Lambo OF LAD 21 Double-A Double-A
83 Andrew Cashner SP CHC 23 Double-A Triple-A
84 Jonathan LuCroy C MIL 23 Double-A Triple-A
85 John Ely SP CHW 23 Double-A Triple-A

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put 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.

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Player News
Emilio Bonifacio
Bonifacio out 4-6 weeks
Emilio Bonifacio, CF, MIA
5/24/2012
News: Marlins outfielder Emilio Bonifacio, already on the 15-day DL, will miss an additional 4-6 weeks since he will have thumb surgery on Friday.
Analysis: This is a terrible development for the Marlins and Fantasy owners. Bonifacio was hitting .394 in his previous nine games before going on the DL and was a valuable source of steals for Fantasy owners. He is now out until late June at the earliest, so continue to stash him in Fantasy. Bryan Petersen will continue to start in center field in Bonifacio's absence.
Austin Kearns
Kearns placed on disabled list
Austin Kearns, LF, MIA
5/24/2012
News: The Marlins put outfielder Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, retroactive to May 23. Kearns sustained a strained right hamstring while running the bases in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. He was replaced on the Marlins' active roster by outfielder Kevin Mattison, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Kearns had been on fire at the plate, and he was the main playing time beneficiary of Gaby Sanchez's demotion to Triple-A, as Logan Morrison vacated left field to play first base. When Kearns returns, it could be to a reserve role, so owners looking to clear a DL spot should monitor the Marlins' outfield situation over the coming weeks. It may not be worthwhile hanging on to Kearns while he recovers from his injury.
Freddie Freeman
Freeman still having eye trouble
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL
5/24/2012
News: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is still dealing with a dry-eye issue that kept him out of a game last week. Freeman had a procedure to plug his tear ducts, but that, along with eye drops and contact lenses, have not completely eradicated the problem. Freeman was out of the Braves' starting lineup for Thursday's game at Cincinnati, though it has not been reported as to whether his absence was related to his eye problem. Eric Hinske got the start at first base in Freeman's place.
Analysis: It had appeared as if Freeman had put this medical issue behind him, so this latest report is something that should concern his Fantasy owners. Given that Freeman's absence from the lineup may not be related to his eye problem, there may not be any need for owners to take action, but it is certainly a situation worth following. When he is healthy enough to play, Freeman is worth starting in virtually all formats.
Addison Reed
Bad first impression for Reed
Addison Reed, RP, CHW
2:44 AM
News: Newly-named White Sox Closer Addison Reed was not pitching in a save situation on Thursday, however the team did turn to him to pitch the 10th inning of a five-run game against the Twins. Reed struck out two in the inning, however he was hit hard, giving up two runs on a home run off the bat of Justin Morneau. He finished with those two earned runs and strikeouts in one inning, as the White Sox won, 11-8.
Analysis: It was not a save situation, but that was not a good first impression for the Fantasy owners who picked him up today after hearing the news. Reed had four saves in his last six appearances before Thursday, and he has allowed runs in just two of his 18 appearances this season. He should still be added in many mixed Fantasy leagues, however this was certainly not a good outing for him.
Dan Haren
Haren masterful in complete game
Dan Haren, SP, LAA
1:11 AM
News: Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren had yet to find his way in the 2012 season prior to Thursday’s game against the Mariners, however he looked as good as he ever has in the game, picking up his sixth career complete-game shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win. Haren allowed just four hits in the game while establishing a new career-high in strikeouts with 14, as he mowed through the Mariners offense with ease. Haren allowed just three runners to reach second base, two of them on stolen bases, but was never in any real trouble, as he picked up just his second win of the season. Haren needed 126 pitches to finish the game, tossing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 31 batters he faced, as he was in control all night.
Analysis: Haren has typically been a much stronger first-half player than a second-half player, so the fact that his ERA was standing at a fairly robust 4.37 before this game was something of a surprise. After just one start, Haren lowered that number to 3.76, while simultaneously putting to rest any doubts about a possible decline in skills in his age-31 season. With the exception of an ugly 2-5 record, Haren’s starts are largely where we expected them to be this season, as he has struckout more than four batters for every one he has walked through 64 2/3 innings. He is set to face a tough Yankees lineup in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), however he has put up a 5-1 record with a 3.43 ERA against them in 10 career starts, so consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats.
Yuniesky Betancourt
Betancourt begins rehab
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, KC
1:43 AM
News: Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was back on the field on Thursday, as the designated hitter for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, as he began his rehab assignment while recovering from his ankle injury. Betancourt went 2 for 5 in the game, with a pair of strikeouts and RBI.
Analysis: Betancourt is getting closer and closer to getting back on the field for the Royals,but he will need at least a week of rehab, first in Double-A and then Triple-A, before he is ready to return to the majors. Betancourt's last game before the injury was back on May 1 at Detroit and the shortstop has a .280 batting average on the season with a homer and three RBI over 50 at-bats. When healthy, Betancourt should be considered merely an AL-only option.
Jimmy Rollins
Rollins returns from paternity leave
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI
1:39 AM
News: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins returned from the paternity list on Thursday, after missing the team’s previous three games to be with his wife while she gave birth. Rollins went 2 for 6 in the game with a strikeout, as the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 10-9. it was Reyes’ 11th multi-hit game of the season.
Analysis: Reyes has struggled to start the season, and unlike most of the other players on the Phillies’ roster, he has not begun to show signs that he is bouncing out of it, as he has been hitting just .222 in the month of May after a .235 April. He remains a solid bounce-back candidate given his past production, and should be kept active in most formats, despite his troubles.
Alex Rodriguez
Adjustment for A-Rod pays off
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY
5/24/2012
News: The New York Post reports that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has made adjustments to his batting stance, and he credits his strong performance on Wednesday against the Royals to the changes. Rodriguez told reporters after Tuesday's win, "I feel like I’m about to go off.," after widening his stance and shortening his leg kick in his last at-bat in the game. He carried the changes over into batting practice on Wednesday and into the subsequent contest, in which he went 2 for 4 with a pair of homers and three RBI.
Analysis: Time will tell if Rodriguez's tweaked stance will translate into better production. He had been hitting flyballs at a much lower rate this season, which had led to fewer extra-base hits. It's a trend to watch in the coming days and weeks. Even if A-Rod's power spike is short-lived, he still has enough power that he is worth starting in nearly all formats.
Dan Jennings
Report: Jennings could get the call
Dan Jennings, RP, MIA
1:34 AM
News: The Marlins sent down relief pitcher Mike Dunn to Triple-A after Thursday's game against the Giants, leaving them with a need for a left-handed reliever that the Sun Sentinel reports will likely be Dan Jennings, currently pitching for Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Jenings was previously with the team, making just two appearances before going back down again. If he gets the call, it will likely just be for middle relief and situational usage, so he is not worth adding in any Fantasy formats.
Carlos Ruiz
Ruiz rolls right through injury
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI
1:29 AM
News: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz took a pitch off his wrist on Wednesday but played through it on Thursday and continued his incredible start to the season, going 3 for 5 with a run scored as the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 10-9. Ruiz is now hitting .366 for the season, good for fourth in the majors.
Analysis: Ruiz has been rolling all season long, and he is showing no signs of slowing down, with a .452 batting average over the course of the last 10 games, with six RBI. He is playing at an impressive level right now, and should be active in all formats.
 
 
 
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