New Top 100: 5-20-08

[Greg Pappas]

As always, go to MLB-Draft.com or see below.

More info on players 11-100 coming soon...

1. *Pedro Alvarez, College 3B, Vanderbilt, Age=21, 6' 2 - 225. The third-baseman, from the same college (Vanderbilt) as last year's overall #1 pick David Price, is the consensus #1 rated player after stellar Freshman and Sophomore campaigns. Alvarez is well put together at 6' 2 225 lbs., bats left, throws right and plays a decent third base. However, it's his bat that most feel have him at the head of the class.

Alvarez has comparables to Alex Gordon, with a .300+ BA and middle of the lineup production (30+ HR, 100+ RBI) very possible. He is the kind of player that if he develops as projected, could be a franchise player, whether at 3B or with a potential switch to 1B. He runs fairly well, although it's unlikely he'll be much of a stolen base threat.

Alvarez is an on-field leader, playing outstanding in stints for Team USA, and should become an easy top-5 choice this Draft. **A Scott Boras client**

Update... May 19, 2008;

He struggled after a lengthy lay off with a broken bone in his hand (hamate), but is firing on all cylinders now.

Good to see Pedro back!

In 133 AB's > .338 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 24BB's, 19 K's, 3/4 SB's, .450 OBP/ .617 SLG/ 1.067 OPS.

2. Tim Beckham, (GA) High School SS, Age=18, 6' 2 - 191. With continued progress he profiles as an All-Star SS, both with the glove and at the plate. He is an athletic defender with graceful actions and a very strong arm. Unlike many High School SS's, Beckham will stay at short. He has a big-league body already, at 6' 2 191 lbs, and should add even more strength to an already formidable offensive skill-set. He's fast AND quick, a combination more uncommon then most realize, and he's a great and instinctive base-runner to boot. Beckham has played well in wood bat tournaments, and is considered among the very best hitters in the HS ranks. I'd project Tim as a .300 ML hitter with 15-20 HR's and 40+ SB's per year, all while playing great defense at short.

He has been compared to BJ and Justin Upton, as well as a higher-ceiling Edgar Renteria, and that is high praise indeed. Considered by most as the premiere High School prospect, and by some as the overall #1 player available, Beckham should come off the board very, very early.

After speaking to Griffin's Head Coach Jamie Cassady, it was great to hear that Tim is a great person as well. That's a whole lot to like.

Update... April 29, 2008;

Only a few stats available, but they are directly from the Head Coach as of 4/29... and remember, playing for Griffin High means Beckham is being pitched around quite often....

.471 BA, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 3 Triples, 12 Doubles, 15 BB's, 5 K's , 15 SB's

3. Buster Posey, College C, Florida State, Age=21, 6' 2 - 200. Posey's defensive strengths, athleticism, and solid offensive skillset have scouts abuzz, as the former SS has bounded into top 10 consideration and should challenge HS'er Kyle Skipworth for the 'top catcher' spot.

The 6'2 200 lbs backstop has been behind the dish only a short time. After starring as a High School SS, the Seminoles decided that he could make an outstanding defender behind the plate, as his power arm, athletic movements and physical build suggested so. Boy was that the right move! After playing short his freshman season, he was moved to catcher and posted a .382 BA, hit 21 doubles, drove in 65 RBI and scored 66 runs his sophomore season.

Update... May 19, 2008;

Posey has been spectacular in '08 and is being rumored as a possible 1st overall pick.

'College Player of the Year'?

204 ABs, a .471 BA, with 17 HR's, 68 RBI, 45 BB's, 18 K's, 5/8 SB's and a line of .571 OBP/ .858 SLG/ 1.429 OPS!

4. *Brian Matusz, College LHSP, San Diego, Age=21, 6' 4 - 195. Matusz (pronounced MAT-is) is one of those pitchers that just has ML'er written all over him. The University of San Diego junior stands 6' 4 and weighs in at 195 lbs. He employs a sweet combination of crafty lefty with a low nineties fastball and consistently throws three quality pitches for strikes. He will pitch from 87-92 and can hit 94 when necessary, but it's his assortment of high-grade secondary stuff that has scouts excited about his future. His curve and change are both outstanding, and his athleticism and easy arm action plants him squarely in line to be a high first-round selection.

Because he doesn't necessarily profile as a true #1 ace, Matusz doesn't get the drools from the scouts as last year's #1 David Price had, but in time Matusz may prove to be about as good.

Updated... May 19, 2008;

Matusz's regular season is over and he's staked a claim to the title of 'Best College Pitcher'.

In 12 starts and 1 relief appearance > 88.0 IP... 2.05 ERA, 75 Hits/20BB's, 122 K's, and a .223 BAA.

5. *Eric Hosmer, (FL) High School 1B, Age=18, 6' 4 - 220. For me, Hosmer may be the single best 1B prospect in the last 20 years and while some discount his value for being a 1B'man, I have him as my personal overall best prospect in the draft. He is big at 6' 4 220, and strong enough to launch massive shot after massive shot throughout both batting practice and in the games he plays. Already a very good defender at 1B, Eric profiles as a middle of the order beast. With perhaps the sweetest swing in the draft he won the WWBA (World Wood Bat Association) Tourney MVP back in October, adding to an impressive collection of accolades.

While High School phenom Tim Beckham gets rave reviews for being the next great 5-tool talent, it is Hosmer that has been the most consistent player. Coupling tremendous defensive and offensive skill-sets makes Hosmer a legit threat to go in the top 5. **A Scott Boras client**

Update... May 19, 2008; The #1 player on the #1 team in the country, Hosmer remains my personal highest rated player.

In 114PA's /82 AB's> .451 BA, 11 HR's, 26 RBI, 14/14 SB's, 28 BB's, 12 K's, .588 OBP/.951SLG/ 1.539 OPS

6. #Justin Smoak, College 1B, South Carolina, Age=21, 6' 3 - 200. I love Smoak... in a manly way naturally =P. Justin was a borderline 1st rounder as a High School senior, and the switch-hitting first baseman has done nothing to disappoint the South Carolina fan base since his freshman campaign in '06. Smoak is well built at 6' 3 200 lbs., with sound swing mechanics from both sides of the plate that generates both average and power. He has played very well in the Cape Cod League (Collegiate Wood Bat League) and projects quite well as a big leaguer. Justin has a decent eye, but as with many youngsters he can be a bit undisciplined. Often overlooked and sadly undervalued, Smoak does play a very good defensive 1B.

The comparisons to Mark Teixeira have been and will be there, but Smoak should make his own 'mark' on the game he loves. I project Smoak as an outstanding defensive first baseman, with the following line a rough estimate of his hitting abilities> .290/.375/.510/.885 with 30'ish HR's and good run production. A very solid choice for any team looking for an advanced college bat.

Update... May 19, 2008; Brilliant season has helped scouts determine that he is the real deal... and a big deal at that. A 2-1 BB/K rate foretells of many good things for the slugger.

In 201 AB's > .389 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 51 BB's, 26 K's , 1/4 SB's, .509 OBP/ .758 SLG/ 1.267 OPS.

7. Aaron Crow, College RHSP, Missouri, Age=21, 6' 2 - 215. Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow really burst onto the scene during his dominating Cape Cod season (Collegiate Wood Bat League) this past fall. At 6' 2 215, he is not overly big, but is a solid athlete and easily repeats his mechanics, which may contribute to why his command of a low to mid-nineties fastball (which has hit 98 occasionally) has been outstanding. Crow led the league with a miniscule ERA of 0.67 and has a solid repertoire of secondary pitches, with a slider and change both grading out as average to above-average.

While his Cape campaign was very impressive, his college season was merely good. The sophmore was the Tigers' Friday night starter (#1) and threw 117.2 innings in 18 starts, striking out 90.

If he picks up where his Cape stint left off during the coming college season, he has the chance to go #1 overall. **A Scott Boras client**

Updated... May 19, 2008;

Two outstanding efforts in a row headed into the Big XII Championships... Crow has bounced back strong.

In 13 starts> 91.1 IP, 2.66 ERA, 76 Hits/33 BB's, and 111 K's.

8. *Kyle Skipworth, (CA) High School C, Age=18, 6' 4 - 205. Skipworth has been a steady riser among scouts who have watched his growth in the California H.S. ranks. Skipworth was tremendous during the summer and at the wood bat AFLAC classic, until fading at the Area Code Games later in the year.

At a physically impressive 6' 4 205, Kyle features a 4-tool skill-set, with speed being his only detriment. He reminds some of Joe Mauer, with excellent athleticism, a sweet left-handed swing, good eye, and plus power. He has struggled at times with plate coverage, as the better pitchers would go away, away, away... and the pull conscious Skipworth will need to adjust.

Defensively he is above average, in positioning, receiving the ball well, and having a good arm to boot.

Should Skipworth continue his progression and have a banner senior season, I doubt that he'll last past pick #10.

Update... May 19, 2008;

Skipworth has been amazing, solidifying his status as a top ten player in the draft.

In 106 PA's/83 AB's, .566 BA, 13 HR's, 47 RBI, 18 BB's, 14 K's, .651 OBP/ 1.193 SLG/ 1.844 OPS!!!

9. Gordon Beckham, College SS, Georgia, Age=21, 6' - 190. There's another Beckham in Georgia... Gordon is his name, and he's pushing his way into the limelight. The University of Georgia standout burst onto the scene last fall in the Cape Cod collegiate wood bat league, leading the league in HR's and playing a sound SS, and really stepped it up this junior year, belting 15 HR's by early April. His sophmore season went well, as he started all 56 games and led the team with 13 home runs, 51 RBI, and 23 multiple-hit games... leading to his inclusion on the Cape.

Gordon is not related to Tim, and while he is not the elite athlete Tim is, he is a force in his own right, and probably a couple years closer to the bigs. There is a healthy debate among scouts as to whether he can stick at short, but most believe that he can not only stick, but be at least league average. Gordon is about 6' 195 lbs, but appears skinny to me, and while not fast, shows good quickness and range, employing a good arm from the hole. He is compared occasionally to Khalil Greene, but Gordon should hit for a higher average while being less of a defender than Khalil.

Update... May 19, 2008; College Player of the Year? It's between him & Posey.

In 212 AB's> .401 BA, 23 HR's, 57 RBI, 42 BB's, 24 K's, 16/17 SB's, .511 OBP/.811 SLG/1.322 OPS!

10. *Yonder Alonso, College 1B/DH, Miami, Age=21, 6' 2 - 215. Alonso, ranked as Baseball America's #5 College prospect, does one thing very well... hit. He is not overly athletic, nor plays a particularly good defensive 1B, but if a team wants a young hitter who can sting the ball, take a walk, and has a keen batting eye, then the 6' 2-215 Alonso is your man. As a sophmore at Miami, he posted in 61 games> a .376 BA, 18 HR's, 74 RBI, 64 walks, a .519 OBP and slugged .705!

I am of the opinion that he'll settle in at DH, and would be somewhat surprised to see a National League team take him. I can see him eventually succeeding as a middle of the order DH, ala David Ortiz, although I don't think he'll be the hitter Ortiz is (not many are). Yonder has a reputation as being less than well-conditioned, and hasn't spent a great deal of time working on his defense... so, one can draw the conclusion that he has ridden his considerable talents up to this point, but may stumble at the pro level with those issues. However, were Alonso to show marked improvement in those areas, he could certainly stick at 1B.

Update... May 19, 2008; His defense has improved greatly this year (2 E's) and he should stick at 1B. Props. A 61/22 BB/K ratio? Sick! Alonso should be a beast as a pro. =)

In 158 AB's> .380 BA, 18 HR, 59 RBI, 61 BB's, 22 K's, .548 OBP/.797 SLG/1.345 OPS

Player's 11 - 100

11 . Shooter Hunt, College RHSP, Tulane

12 . *Brett Wallace, College 1B, Arizona State

13 . *Christian Friedrich, College LHSP, E. Kentucky

14 . Aaron Hicks, H.S. CF/RHSP, (CA)

15 . Andrew Cashner, College Closer, TCU

16 . Tim Melville, H.S. RHSP, (MO)

17 . Ethan Martin, H.S. RHSP, (GA)

18 . Josh Fields, College Closer, Georgia

19 . Casey Kelly, H.S. SS/RHSP, (FL)

20 . Alex Meyer, H.S. RHSP, (IN)

21 . *Reese Havens, College SS/2B, South Carolina

22 . *Zach Collier, H.S. OF, (CA)

23 . *Jason Castro, College C, Stanford

24 . #Jemile Weeks, College 2B, Miami

25 . *Ike Davis, College 1B/OF, Arizona State

26 . *David Cooper, College 1B, California

27 . Jake Odorizzi, HS RHSP, (IL)

28 . *Conner Gillaspie, College 3B, Wichita State

29 . Brett Lawrie, HS SS/3B/C, (Canada)

30 . Gerrit Cole, H.S. RHSP, (CA)

31 . Tanner Scheppers, College RHSP, Fresno State

32 . Ryan Perry, College Closer, Arizona

33 . *Kyle Lobstein, H.S. LHSP, (AZ)

34 . Tyson Ross, College RHSP, California

35 . Zach Putnam, College Closer, Michigan

36 . *Mike Montgomery, HS LHSP, (CA)

37 . Anthony Hewitt, HS OF/SS, (CT)

38 . Ross Seaton, HS RHSP, (TX)

39 . *Brett DeVall, H.S. LHSP, (FL)

40 . Zach Stewart, College Closer, Texas Tech

41 . Tyler Ladendorf, JC SS, Howard (TX)

42 . Destin Hood, HS OF, (AL)

43 . *Allan Dykstra, College 1B, Wake Forest

44 . Bryan Price, College Closer, Rice

45 . Daniel Webb, H.S. RHSP, (KY)

46 . Zeke Spruill, HS RHSP, (GA)

47 . Isaac Galloway, H.S. OF, (CA)

48 . *Dennis Raben, College OF, Miami

49 . Brett Hunter, College RHP, Pepperdine

50 . Chris Carpenter, College RHSP, Kent State

51 . *Wade Miley, College LHSP, Louisiana Monroe

52 . Stephen Fife, College RHSP, Utah

53 . Cody Satterwhite, College RHSP, Mississippi

54 . Michael Palazzone, H.S. RHSP, (GA)

55 . *Nick Maronde, H.S. LHSP, (KY)

56 . *Tim Murphy, College LHSP, UCLA

57 . *Lonnie Chisenhall, JC 3B, Pitt (NC)

58 . Lance Lynn, College RHSP, Mississippi

59 . Harold Martinez, SS/3B, High School (FL)

60 . Jake Thompson, College RHSP, Virginia

61 . Preston Guilmet, College RHSP, Arizona

62 . *Robbie Ross, LHSP, H.S. (KY)

63 . Brad Holt, College RHSP, UNC Wilmington

64 . Tyler Sample, H.S. RHSP, (CO)

65 . #Robbie Grossman, HS CF, (TX)

66 . *Brad Hand, HS LHSP/1B, (MN)

67 . Andy Burns, H.S. 2B, (CO)

68 . Scott Green, College RHSP, Kentucky

69 . Roger Kieschnick, College OF, Texas Tech

70 . *Zach Cox, H.S. 3B, (KY)

71 . Carlos Gutierrez, College Closer, Miami

72 . James Darnell, College 3B, South Carolina

73 . Scott Bittle, College Closer, Mississippi

74 . *Xavier Avery, H.S. OF, (CA)

75 . Sonny Gray, H.S. RHSP, (TN)

76 . *Anthony Gose, LHP/OF, High School (CA)

77 . Josh Lindblom, College Closer, Purdue

78 . *Ryan Flaherty, 2B/SS, Vanderbilt

79 . Jason Espisito, HS 3B, (CT)

80 . BJ Hermsen, HS RHSP, (Iowa)

81 . *Jay Austin, HS OF, (GA)

82 . *Tyler Stovall, H.S. LHSP, (AL)

83 . Kyle Weiland, College Closer, Notre Dame

84 . Quinton Miller, HS RHSP, (NJ)

85 . Jake Jefferies, College C, UC-Davis

86 . *Jordan Danks, College OF, Texas

87 . *Evan Fredrickson, College LHSP, San Francisco

88 . *TJ House, HS LHSP, (MS)

89 . Seth Lintz, HS RHSP, (TN)

90 . Cutter Dykstra, HS CF/2B, (CA)

91 . Aaron Pribanic, College RHSP, Nebraska

92 . Scott Gorgen, College RHSP, UC Irvine

93 . Aaron Weatherford, College Closer, Miss. St.

94 . #Pete Paramore, College C, Arizona St.

95 . Brett Jacobson, College RHSP, Vanderbilt

96 . *Eric Thames, College OF, Pepperdine

97 . *Kyle Long, H.S. LHSP, (VA)

98 . *David Duncan, College LHSP, Georgia Tech

99 . Aaron Schafer, College RHSP, Wichita St

100 . Shane Kroker, HS 3B, (CA)

[Greg Pappas]

For those interested, we're picking #4, #50, #81, #116 and then simply add 30 for every additional pick thereafter.