Top Prospects 2008

[Zagi-CRO]

Please name few good prospects in your favourite team...

For ex. Cubs - J.Vitters, T.Colvin, E.Patterson, S.Gallagher, G.Soto

the Reds have a bunch of top prospects -J.Bruce, J.Votto, H.Bailey. J.Cueto, M.Maloney

[NJMetfan4life]

I wanna see one guy in college pitch, Pat Venditte an ambidextrous pitcher.

[nerfan]

Texas

Chris Davis
Neftali Feliz
Kasey Kiker
Michael Main
Blake Beavan
Taylor Teagarden
Elvis Andrus

Mets

Fernando Martinez
Jon Niese
um.....

[Imgran]

Besides the obvious -- Buchholz, Lowrie, Hagadone, etc. I'd like to keep an eye on Hunter Jones, a nice little lefthanded reliever who's shown good stuff so far as an undrafted free agent and could start in Portland or Pawtucket.

Also of interest is catcher Mark Wagner, who's shown us something on offense, albeit in Lancaster.

Speaking of catchers, we've got a beast on our hands starting at A+ ball next season. If he can stick at catcher despite concerns about his athleticism and arm, John Still is going to be a monster. I'm talking Mike Piazza potential -- he plugged 25 HR's last year between Greenville and a handful of Lancaster at bats and he's about to start a full year in Lancaster. Those offensive numbers are going to be insane!

Speaking of overlooked but interesting prospects, Dustin Richardson has shown some interesting potential and handles a small size at Lancaster well last year.

I'm also curious what we'll get out of Bubba Bell. He's coming off a monster season but that season was in Lancaster as a 24 year old. And he didn't hit well last year in 150 at bats in Portland after the promotion. He's right at the crossroads between becoming a really interesting prospect and being stuck at AAAA.

Speaking of players on the cusp, George Kottaras has something to prove as well -- namely that he didn't peak as a 23 year old AA player and he really can progress to AAA level offensively.

[edsachs1]

Here are some of the top guys I would watch for the O's:

These guys could see time in the bigs this season
Troy Patton, P- Aquired from Astros, and I've heard early leader for 5th starter
Garrett Olson, P- Saw time last season, but might start in AAA
Radhamas Liz, P- Same as Olson
Hayden Penn, P- Formerly a huge prospect, but injuries set him back. Still young enough though to revive his career.
Nolan Reimold, OF- Basically the positional version of Penn but without major league experience.
Matt Wieters, C- I've heard could be up as soon as September

A little further away
Billy Rowell, 3B (for now)- I think he'll have a huge year and be a top 20 prospect next year.
Jake Arrieta, P- Tore up the AFL, it'll be interesting to see how he does
Choyre Spoone, P- His stock rose significantly last season, will it continue?