2010 Draft Prep: Top NL-only prospects
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.
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| 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. | ||||||
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| 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.
