Commentary

Keith Law's first 2010 Top 100

Updated: April 26, 2010, 4:55 PM ET
By Keith Law | ESPN.com

Here's my first ranking of the top 100 prospects for the 2010 Rule 4 draft, based on what I've seen and what I've heard from scouts thus far this spring. It's not a projection of where these players will be selected, but my assessment of their values as players. I also don't consider signability, which is largely an unknown factor at this point anyway. This list was compiled in consultation with Jason A. Churchill, who is my main co-contributor to the almost-daily MLB draft blog on Insider.

Bryce Harper remains No. 1 on my list, and I don't see anyone close enough right now to potentially unseat him. Manny Machado has a pretty strong grip on the No. 2 position over prep right-handers Jameson Taillon and Karsten Whitson, as well as big-performing left-hander Drew Pomeranz.

It's a strong draft for right-handed pitching and for catching, and weak in the middle infield and in college bats. It's a good year to draft in the top 5, but not a great year to draft 6-20 unless some more top players pop up between now and the draft. And that may very well happen, so look for these names and the order to change quite a bit over the next seven weeks, with changes more likely as you head farther from the top of the list.


Big Board Bar

1
Bryce Harper
C
6-3
205

Analysis: Destroying a JC conference as a 17-year-old, he's an impact bat with a plus arm. My video scouting of Harper is located here. Feb. 19: No. 1

2
Manny Machado
SS
6-2
180

Analysis: Tall, athletic shortstop with a quick bat and a 70 arm. Feb. 19: No. 22

3
Drew Pomeranz
LHP
6-5
235

Analysis: Big lefty with subpar mechanics but a strong track record of missing bats. Feb. 19: No. 18

4
Jameson Taillon
RHP
6-5
215

Analysis: Unusual arm strength, up to 98 mph as a starter, but hitters see his fastball. Feb. 19: No. 3

5
Karsten Whitson
RHP
6-4
195

Analysis: The best command of the premium prep arms in the class, with a chance for four pitches. Feb. 19: No. 15



To see the full list here, with analysis for players slotted 6-25, 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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