MLJ’s AL Central Top 10 Prospects

Unlike the AL East, there was no slam dunk #1 guy in this division. Every team’s #1 prospect has something to offer, and every team’s #1 prospect has something that makes you second guess them.

The Cleveland Indians top two prospects come via trades they made in midseason last year. However, their #1 guy came not from the CC Sabathia trade, but from the Casey Blake one (sorry Dodgers fans).

The White Sox don’t have a lot of depth in their system, but their top prospect is one who could certainly be a very good major leaguer.

The Detroit Tigers sold the farm to win in 2008-09, and as a result are left with one of the worst farm systems in all of baseball.

The Minnesota Twins are doing what they’ve always done: going against the norm, yet still producing a well above average system. In the past their m.o. has been strong pitching, now they seem to have the market cornered on toolsy outfielders, as we’ll see in the middle half of our top 10. 

With several years in a row of picking towards the top of the draft, the Kansas City Royals have build a solid farm system, now complete with two blue-chippers, one of whom leads off our top 10 list.1. Mike Moustakas, SS/3B, Kansas City

The #2 overall pick in 2007, Moustakas had very few 2007 at bats, but asserted himself nicely in 2008. After getting off to a slow start, he ended up hitting .272/.337/.468 in the Midwest League, which was a fairly tough offensive environment this year. Because he shared an infield with one of the best defensive third basemen in the minors, Moustakas played shortstop in high school. That will change as a pro, but it is uncertain whether he will play third base or right field. No matter where he plays, his bat will carry him to the bigs.

2. Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland

In just over 450 at bats last year split between two levels (and two organizations) Santana had 21 homers. He also had nearly a 1.000 OPS. In the Florida State League, the worst hitting environment in the minors, Santana hit .323/.431/.563 with 14 homers. If Matt Weiters wasn’t around, Santana would have been a lock for minor league player of the year. The only thing to be worried about is whether or not Santana can carry this into next year, as this was by far his biggest season as a pro.

3. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City

Hosmer was drafted 3rd overall in 2008, and didn’t get to play much due to him signing on the day of the deadline, but his bat is incredible. He is probably a 70 raw power on the 20-80 scale. Hosmer will have to play 1B as a pro, but he is an athletic kid and should be able to contribute defensively. He won’t be a Mark Teixeira type, but he should be an above average defender.

4. Matt LaPorta, 1B/OF, Cleveland

LaPorta, the NCAA leader in home runs as a Sophomore, took a gamble in going back to Florida for his senior season. It paid off, as the Milwaukee Brewers took him 7th overall. A first baseman in college, the Brewers planned on turning him into an outfielder. But when the Brewers traded for CC Sabathia, they sent LaPorta as the main piece back to Cleveland, who then turned him back into a 1B. This year LaPorta hit .288/.402/.576 before the trade. After the trade he slumped a little bit, which could partly be explained by the change of scenery, and moreso by traveling to the other side of the globe to play for Team USA in the Olympics.

LaPorta profiles as a medium average, high OBP, high power guy in the pros. A very valuable player no doubt, but the fact he most likely will be a 1B/DH for his career keeps him this low on our list, especially when Santana can put up very similar numbers, and do so as a catcher.

5. Ben Revere, OF, Minnesota

When the Twins took Revere 28th overall in 2007, many baseball execs snickered. Twins fans, including this one, were pissed. ESPN didn’t even have a picture of the guy to use for their broadcast.

Two seasons later, it’s the Twins who are snickering. Revere posted an absolutely retarded line of .379/.433/.497 in the Midwest League this year. He also had 44 steals and was the best outfielder in the league. Revere only walked 27 times in 340 at bats, but only struck out 31 times. Scouts have profiled him as an Ichiro type, but he has more power than Ichiro. Even though he only hit 1 homer, he had 10 triples and has been described as having great gap power. Plus, Revere is so fast that even a bloop single can be turned into a double no sweat. Revere will begin 2009 in Fort Meyers, and his next challenge is to adapt to the FSL.

6. Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota

Hicks was one of the best athletes around in the 2008 draft. He was highly sought after, but as a pitcher. The A’s were rumored to be in the hunt for Hicks before he announced he would only sign as an outfielder. The Twins obliged, and Hicks rewarded their faith by putting up a .318/.409/.491 line in 173 GCL at bats. Hicks also walked nearly as many times (28) as he struck out (32). He also stole 12 bases and flashed all five of his tools, including great defense and a potential 80 arm. If Hicks has another year next year like he did in 08, expect him to fly up the charts and possibly be #1 on this list next year.

7. Rick Porcello, RHP, Detroit

Called one of the best prep pitchers ever, Porcello has been below expectations as a pro, but still very good. Porcello’s long frame will able him to fill out. To compare him to a current Tiger, physically he should be come Justin Verlander-esque. Physically Porcello should be able to dominate; a good hard fastball that has a lot of sink on it, plus a potentially above average curve and a potentially plus-plus change. What baffles most people, including me, were the lack of results. Porcello had barely over a 2/1 K/BB ratio and only struck out 72 batters in 125 innings, a number that figures to go down. Porcello should be a 2-3 starter, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will validate his $3.5 million signing bonus and $7 million major league deal.

8. Nick Weglarz, OF, Cleveland

The Canadian Sensation’s (TM-Me) stock took a bit of a hit this year, as he hit .272/.396/.432 in high A Kingston this year. If there was one thing that scouts loved however, it was the fact that he struck out 30 less times in 08 than in 07. What makes Weglarz’s numbers more impressive is that he put them up at just 20 years old. Weglarz should begin next year in AA as a 21 year old. One thing holding him back however is his defense. His range is below average, and his arm isn’t very good. A move to 1B is probably in his future.

9. Aaron Poreda, LHP, Chicago

The 25th overall pick in 2007 has the type of fastball most pitchers dream of. Poreda can rear back and throw it 100 mph, and can throw it right by hitters pretty much anytime he wants.

However, this heater in a way has hindered his development. Poreda has a lack of secondary stuff due to over-reliance on the fastball, and his best bet could be in the bullpen. He is working on improving his curveball, and his changeup and slider. Numbers-wise he has been good, with a 2.98 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 15 AA starts last year. Poreda figures to get a crack at the White Sox rotation perhaps as early as 2010.

10. Jose Mijares, LHP, Minnesota

A personal favorite, Mijares has great closer-stuff. However, since he is in the same bullpen as one of the best closers in the business, he may have to settle for 8th inning duty. In 2008 Mijares pitched in rookie ball, A+, AA and the majors. Mijares has a good 93-95 mph fastball and a devastating slider. With Mijares, the Twins may have fixed their bullpen problems with just one player.