The NYK2K9 Top 100

Here's my list.  I tried to have fun with it, so some of the comments are more on the joking end, and not so insightful.  Regardless, after the jump, hope you enjoy!

1. Jason Heyward- Without a doubt in my mind, the top prospect.  Could be an MVP candidate before long.

2. Stephen Strasburg- Jesus as a pitcher, but I'd like to see him spend at least half a season in the Minors.

3. Desmond Jennings- Think his combination of speed, hit tool, and fielding ability puts him here

4. Jesus Montero- If he brought any defensive value, he would challenge Heyward for the top spot.  

5. Mike Stanton- Light tower power, and I think everything else will come in time. 

6. Carlos Santana- It seems a little too convenient that he's filling Victor Martinez's shoes

7. Buster Posey- Above average catcher, who at his peak could look a lot like Paul Lo Duca's did.

8. Neftali Feliz- As a starter, I think he'll have enough to be dominant.

9. Brian Matusz- He's got the potential to be among the top #2 starters in this league.

10. Martin Perez- Could very well rank #1 on this list next year

11. Dustin Ackley - At 2nd for the foreseeable future, which makes the Chase Utley comps even more valid.

12. Jeremy Hellickson- Like him more than Davis, very good #2 upside.

13. Pedro Alvarez- Even as a first baseman, has game changing power.

14. Domonic Brown- Having this 5 tool stud will soften the pending loss of Jason Werth

15. Wade Davis- Big, tough kid, who will play a valuable role in Tampa's rotation.

16. Chris Carter- The average will come to be at least neutral, but the power makes him a special hitter, even if it's as a DH

17. Justin Smoak-I see him being the Adam Laroche-Casey Kotchman deal.  By that, I mean, his offensive upside is of Laroche, and his defense is Kotchman-esque.

18. Christian Freidrich- The curve may be Public Enemy #2

19. Aroldis Chapman- Sure, if the scouting reports are right, he's too low.  But that's a big if in my mind.

20. Ryan Westmoreland- Would bet my house that he'll be a star (if I didn't live in a dorm).

21. Michael Taylor- Oakland won the Wallace-Taylor trade by getting a better fielder who could easily provide as much offensive value, if not more.

22. Jenrry Mejia- If everything breaks right, could be the first star in the MLB to be named Jennry.

23. Madison Bumgarner- He could shoot up this list, or fall off it depending on his performance next season.  Oh, and if you haven't heard, there's something about his velocity that some people like to talk about.

24. Fernando Martinez- He's been around for about 10 years now, but I still think the star potential is there.

25. Aaron Hicks- If the stats start matching the reports, he's right on Target (Get it, Target Field?  Nothing?  Hello?)

26. Casey Kelly- In my mind, a sure bet to be a fantastic #3 or even a #2.

27. Simon Castro- My love has been well documented.

28. Lonnie Chisenhall- If he plays well enough, he could very well steal the 3rd base job by the end of the season (yet another pun).

29. Chris Withrow- I think he'll be a top 10 prospect next year.  Quote me on that

30. Kyle Drabek- Just not all that impressed with his stuff, think all the trade rumors overhyped him.  He's a Tommy John recoverer who doesn't overpower.

31. Logan Morrison- League average 1b, but could come back bigger later in the year once the Hamate has fully healed.

32. Derrick Norris- I think he stays at catcher.  I am positive that the broken hamate will reduce power this year, and people will all get concerned, but I'm not.

33. Starlin Castro- I debated putting him much higher than this, since I think the power comes at least modestly, but decided that it's too much of a flier.

34. Brett Lawrie- If he's a 2nd baseman, then the special bat becomes all that much more...special. 

35. Matt Moore- If the walk rate lowers, he'll shoot up this list. 

36. Casey Crosby- I admittedly don't know a ton about Crosby, but from what I've read, he and Turner will form a dynamic duo at some point.

37. Jordan Lyles- Maybe this is too high, but that fastball is dirty.

38. Brett Wallace - I just don't think he's really that good.  25 home runs and a .280 ba as well as questionable defense is, at best, a league average 1B.

39. Tyler Matzek- If he's as good as advertised, then Coors will be no match for him.

40. Alcides Escobar- Many will say it's too low, but I just think it's hard to see that much more offensive development.

40. Dee Gordon- His high CS rate concerns me, but I think he's got room to grow into a more powerful hitter.

41. Jacob Turner- He and Matzek will always be compared, no matter what.  I think Matzek will win, but barely.

42. Hank Conger- Breakout next season, write it down.  Now, will Mike Scosia let him play?

43. Todd Frazier- Not sure where he plays, but when it's because he can play a bunch of positions, that's not really a problem.

44. Michael Saunders- Not great at anything, but good at most things.  He could surprise some people.

45. Ethan Martin- Still young, and could be much higher next year if he continues to improve.

46. Chad James- Love his combo of stuff/size.  Slips under the radar a bit, but could be a top 7 pitching prospect next season.

46. Arodys Vizcaino- Not sure why I like him as much as I do, but I do.

47. Mike Montgormery- For all the crying about the Royals' futility, they've got a very good minor league pitching system, led by Montgomery

48. Ike Davis- I didn't want to put him too high (homerism), but I think he'll hit 30+ homers with plus defense.

49. Yonder Alonso- Not terribly impressed.  Now's your chance Yonder, prove me wrong so I can add you to the list of MLB stars with awesome names.

50. Julio Tehran- Some think he's an injury waiting to happen.  I don't.

51. Aaron Crow- So good, he was drafted twice

52. Tyler Flowers- He improved the defense, and the bat is legit, but something keeps me from thinking he is ever a star.

53. Josh Reddick- Good defense to go with plus power and solid contact= good.    

54. Donovan Tate- Will forever be linked to actor Tate Donovan.

55. Dan Hudson- He's better than some think, but not as good as the numbers suggest.

56. Hector Rondon- Ditto

57. Brett Jackson- If you love upside, here's a good place to start.

58. Mike Trout- These two guys are interchangeable for me

59. Jhoulys Chacin- Eh, he's still good, but the shine has worn off.

60. Freedie Freeman- They say he'll grow into more power.  Could this be Logan Morrison 2.0?

61. Jaff Decker- A fatass who can hit.  But despite his weight issues, has slimmed down some and isn't a butcher in the field.

62. Matt Dominguez- He could be in the majors right now if there was such a thing as a designated fielder.

63. Tanner Scheppers- Quick, Texas, start him in the majors now, because you have 5 years until his arm detaches from his body. 

64. Zack Wheeler- Anyone remember Pete Wheeler from Backyard Baseball?  Sadly, no relation.

65. Wil Myers- He's who will be catching (hopefully) all those Royals' arms.

66. Jared Mitchel- I don't think he'll develop as much power as some do, but he could still be very valuable.

67. Mike Leake- Could be Cincy's #3 by the ASB.

68. Josh Vitters- Without any plate discipline, all the other skills won't matter. 

69. Grant Green- Showed he can be more talented than he was in his final season of College ball.  I think he'll show that again soon.

70. Josh Bell- The traded prospect overhype strikes again.

71. Wilmer Font- One of my favorite prospects, could be a top 20 prospect easily next season.

72. Alex Avila- Great glove and very good power, under the radar a bit, but shouldn't be.

73. Shelby Miller- He's a way away, but here's to hoping he's not the next Homer Bailey

74. Tim Beckham- I think he rebounds in a big way this season.

75. Danny Espinosa- The scouts love him, so I guess I will too.

76. Jiovani Mier- Could easily wind up the best of these 3 ss.

77. Jay Jackson- Like him more than Cashner, could be an impact starter.

78. Mat Gamel- Sure, no glove, but he's shown such a good bat that I think he works it all out.

79. Jason Castro- Perhaps the least exciting guy on this list to me.

80. Mike Moustakas- He'll keep on falling, if he doesn't start hitting better.

81. Jarrod Parker- Tommy John victim, still has that #1 upside.

82. Tim Melville- The 3rd Royal arm already, but could be a very solid starter.

83. Randall Delgado- Eeirly similar to Melville in terms of situation (two pitching prospects ahead of him, not as much of a ceiling, but still very good)

84. Alex Colome- Some love him a lot more than this.  Let's see it again this season.

85. Kyle Gibson- He fell too far in the draft, and he'll show that soon.

86. Jake Arietta- He's a #3/4 starter.  That's it.

87. Zack Stewart- BTD baby, BTD

88. Wilson Rasmos- Injured for half the season, but great catcher and a pretty good bat, as well.

89. Trevor Reckling- He is not better than Neftali, but that doesn't mean he's not good.

90. Max Stassi- I like him for some reason a lot more than I probably should.

91. Drew Storen- Elite closers are valuable.  So is this guy.

92. Eric Hosmer- It was only one season, give me two and he's off.

93. Anthony Rizzo- Has surpassed Lars as their 1B of the future.

94. Andrew Cashner- Could be a damn good reliever, but not that great a starter. 

95. Danny Duffy- The Royals have a four man rotation on this list

96. John Lamb- Make that a five man rotation.

97. Thomas Neal- He is what he is, a 20 homers .270 hitter with solid defense.

98. Tony Sanchez- Close to the big leagues, but a perfect example why the MLB needs a hard slot system in the Draft

99. Scott Sizemore- League average 2B is still valuable to every team in the league.  

100. Lars Anderson- Just to show that he's barley still a top 100 prospect to me.

Random Facts-

Guys I listed initially twice: Matt Dominguez and Ethan Martin (both significantly far away each time)

Guy I put on who I really didn't want to put on: Thomas Neal

Guy who is considered a top 50 prospect who I would consider even dropping from the list: Kyle Drabek

Biggest riser for next year: Wilmer Font

Biggest Drop for next year: Kyle Drabek

Sleeper who I didn't list but wanted to to be cute: T.J. Steele

Next Year's top 5: Stanton, Perez, Montero, Santana, Brown, Westmoreland