Commentary

Top 100: Draft rankings v. 4.0

UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole stays in the top spot, for now

Updated: May 12, 2011, 4:56 PM ET
By Keith Law | ESPN.com

The Rule 4 draft is now less than a month away, and we've decided to expand this list to 100 names. And while the names at the top have stayed the same, there is a chance there could be some movement before June 6.

UCLA's Gerrit Cole is still No. 1, but his stuff has not looked quite as sharp of late, and he is no lock to be taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course, Anthony Rendon still hasn't rediscovered the power stroke of his sophomore year, and there are some questions about when it will return. Bubba Starling might be the best athlete in this draft, but his football commitment to Nebraska complicates his status.

For now, the top three stays the same. But there is some definite movement among the rest of the top 10.


Big Board Bar

1
Gerrit Cole
RHP
6-4
220
Gardner H.S.

Analysis: Faith in Cole is waning as he struggles with command in the zone and hitters show they can square up his fastball when they guess right. Previous Rankings: 3 | 1 | 1

2
Anthony Rendon
3B
6-0
190

Analysis: Holding serve until teams get a look at medical reports on his shoulder, which, if injured, would explain his lack of power this year. Previous Rankings: 1 | 2 | 2

3
Bubba Starling
CF
6-5
195

Analysis: I could make a good case for Starling as the single most talented player in this draft, with time horizon his only real drawback. Previous Rankings: 4 | 3 | 3

4
Dylan Bundy
RHP
6-1
205
Owasso H.S.

Analysis: The rare high school pitcher who looks like a college pitcher, and could be in the big leagues in that short a time. Previous Rankings: 13 | 6 | 4

5
Danny Hultzen
LHP
6-3
200

Analysis: Polished and ready to go. One of at least three starters in this draft who could probably go straight to Double-A. Previous Rankings: 19 | 4 | 5


To see the updated top 100 rankings from Keith Law, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Keith Law

ESPN Insider
  • Senior baseball analyst for Insider
  • Was special asst. to Blue Jays GM
  • Wrote for Baseball Prospectus

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