Top 20 Position Players

Here is the part 2 to my top pitching prospects post. I hope I didn't miss anyone. I have been working on this before work over the past 2 mornings. Will probably put together my top 50 prospects this weekend. Didn't have time to thoroughly check the spelling so I apologize for any spelling errors. Let me know what you think.

1. Bryce Harper OF - WOW! This kid is so good so young that I think he can be patroling RF for the Nats at just 19. To have the in-game plus-plus power at such a young age is amazing. Some have questioned his ability to hit for average but from what I read about his in game adjustments leads me to believe he'll post good average.

2. Mike Trout OF - 5 tool talent had an outstanding season making high A at 18. There is nothing not to like about Trout. Should be a top of the order force in the mold of Tim Raines.

3. Dominic Brown OF - Reminds many of Darryl Strawberry but should post better avg. annually then "Straw" did. Athletic OF may not be quite as good a hitter as Montero but get's the nod because of defensive value.

4. Jesus Montero C - Would top this list in many other years. Will hit for high average and lot's of power no matter where he plays. Mike Piazza is a good comp and I'm only using it as a hitter. Should annually post .300 avg. 30+ hr.

5. Eric Hosmer 1B - Prototypical 1B who should post high avg/obp/slg while playing excellent D.

6. Dustin Ackley 2B - Maybe the best pure hitter in the minors. I could see multiple 200 H seasons. Controls the strike zone very well. Could be a Wade Boggs type hitter.

7. Wil Myers C - No matter where he ends up defensively his bat will play. Athletic with a great stroke and great pitch recognition  I think he's just tapping into his power potential.

8. Brandon Belt 1B - Outstanding season and from all accounts the bat is for real.

9. Mike Moustakas 3B - Amazing plus-plus power made some adjustments this year in his approach. Will never walk much but only SO 67 times in 481 ABs.

10. Manny Machado SS - 5 tool talent who gets this ranking soley on the scouting reports. Usually I'm hesitiant about H.S. bats but I think he's the real deal.

11. Freddie Freeman 1B - May end up more of a Mark Grace type then your true slugging 1B. Nothing wrong with that and the power may come. Could post annual .280-.290 avg w/ 15-20 hr.

12. Brett Jackson OF - After 10 on this list I think it falls off from A.S. caliber players to more solid regulars on 1st division teams. Wide base of tools has 20/20 potential but I'm not sure how much avg. he will hit for at the ML level because of the high SO totals but draws a ton of walks that helps offset that.

13. Brett Lawrie 2B- I think the bat plays no matter where he ends up defensively. I think thing he should post solid HR totals despite hitting just 8 last year.

14. Lonnie Chisenhall 3B - 11-14 are pretty interchangeable for me.

15. Johnathan Singleton 1B/LF - Polished bat that probably plays up more so with the move to LF. Good strike zone judgement for a player so young. I've seen reports on his power range from average to plus so before ranking him higher I want to see where the reality is.

16. Desmond Jennings OF - Exciting player who comes with some questions about power and injury concerns. Had a tough year in 2010 and could rise back up this list with a good showing.

17. Wilmer Flores SS - May move off SS to 3B but I love the adjustments he made from 2009 to 2010. The power should come.

18. Gary Sanchez C - 4 above average tools highlighted by his current plus power that should end up being plus-plus as he refines his already solid approach. May end up being better then Montero.

19. Miguel Sano SS - Another teenager who probably ends up at 3B. Love his bat speed and power but wonder how much his big body will play. May even have to move to 1B but has the bat to play there.

20. Aaron Hicks OF - 1 of my favriote prospects I think he puts it all together this year and moves into the top 10. Really seemed to turn a corner the 2nd half of the season in 2010. Gives me a strong Devon White feel with much better on base skills.