DRAFT 2008

Top 50 Prospects with Comments

Compiled by Allan Simpson / David Rawnsley
May 12, 2008

We’re little more than three weeks away from this year’s draft (June 5-6) and teams are starting to assemble their preferred list of the top prospects. PG Crosschecker draft experts Allan Simpson and David Rawnsley are doing the same, and we’ll provide a rough representation of how we see the top 50 picks unfolding each Monday leading up to the draft. Outside of Tampa Bay and Buster Posey at No. 1, we’ve made no attempt yet to match teams with players. Here’s our initial take, with commentary by Rawnsley.

Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
1. Buster Posey C Jr. R-R 6-2 200 Florida State Leesburg, Ga. Angels '05 (50) 3-27-87
It's been the Spring of Dreams for the Seminoles catcher, as he's been arguably college baseball's top hitter, furthered his defensive abilities behind the plate and put himself in position to be the No. 1 overall pick.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
2. Pedro Alvarez 3B Jr. L-R 6-2 225 Vanderbilt New York, N.Y. Red Sox '05 (14) 2-6-87
Alvarez's resume was so strong going into the spring that his understandable drop in power after a broken hamate bone can be overlooked, and has.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
3. Brian Matusz LHP Jr. L-L 6-4 200 San Diego Cave Creek, Ariz. Angels '05 (4) 2-11-87
Matusz has separated himself from the other top college pitchers by showing three plus pitches every time out, the kind of consistency that scouts crave.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
4. Tim Beckham SS Sr. R-R 6-2 191 Griffin Griffin, Ga. So. California 1-27-90
Beckham has done nothing particularly special this spring, just reaffirm that he's a true shortstop and the best athlete in the 2008 HS class.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
5. Aaron Crow RHP Jr. R-R 6-1 195 Missouri Wakarusa, Kan. Never drafted 11-11-86
Crow is 11-0, 2.82 on the season, but has been merely mortal the past month after a blistering start.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
6. Kyle Skipworth C Sr. L-R 6-3 195 Patriot Riverside, Calif. Arizona State 3-1-90
There has been no better high school hitter this spring anywhere in the country than Skipworth (.580-13-47, including 18 straight hits at one point).
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
7. Gordon Beckham SS Jr. B-R 6-0 180 Georgia Atlanta Never drafted 9-16-86
It will likely be either Beckham, the NCAA home run leader most of the year and a flashy defender at shortstop, or Buster Posey as the college player of the year.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
8. Justin Smoak 1B Jr. B-L 6-4 215 South Carolina Goose Creek, S.C. Athletics '05 (16) 12-5-86
The South Carolina switch-hitter slumped through last summer and early spring, but has been the hottest hitter in college baseball the last month.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
9. Eric Hosmer 1B Sr. L-L 6-4 210 American Heritage Cooper City, Fla. Arizona State 10-24-89
Hosmer has been every bit as good as advertised this spring under tremendous scrutiny as the top prep power hitter, and has touched 98 mph on the mound as well.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
10. Tanner Scheppers RHP Jr. R-R 6-4 200 Fresno State Laguna Niguel, Calif. Orioles '05 (29) 1-17-87
Originally recruited to Fresno State as a lanky shortstop, Scheppers has filled out and become a dominant pitcher who may still have some projection left.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
11. Shooter Hunt RHP Jr. R-R 6-3 205 Tulane Wyckoff, N.J. Rangers '05 (34) 8-16-86
Hunt slips behind Crow and Scheppers among college righthanders on the basis of command, his raw stuff measures up well against them.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
12. Yonder Alonso 1B Jr. L-R 6-2 215 Miami Miami Twins '05 (16) 4-8-87
Alonso's bat may be closer to the major leagues than any other player's in the 2008 draft.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
13. Andrew Cashner RHP Jr. R-R 6-5 195 Texas Christian Conroe, Texas Cubs '07 (29) 9-11-86
A move to the bullpen worked wonders for Cashner, to the tune of 61 K's versus only 13 hits allowed in 39 innings as the Horned Frogs closer.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
14. Christian Friedrich LHP Jr. R-L 6-3 210 Eastern Kentucky Evanston, Ill. Never drafted 7-8-87
It's not out of the question for the Eastern Kentucky curveball specialist to be picked inside the top 10 picks, a la a Barry Zito draft.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
15. Aaron Hicks OF/RHP Sr. B-R 6-2 170 Woodrow Wilson Long Beach, Calif. So. California 10-2-89
Hicks could be a first-rounder as either a speedy switch-hitting center fielder or a mid-90's pitcher with Dwight Gooden comparisons.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
16. Brett Wallace 1B/3B Jr. L-R 6-2 245 Arizona State Sonoma, Calif. Blue Jays '05 (42) 8-26-86
Wallace doesn't impress anyone with his build or defensive skills but all he's ever done is hit and hit with power.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
17. Josh Fields RHP Sr. R-R 6-0 183 Georgia Hull, Ga. Braves '07 (2) 8-19-85
Fields' curveball and command returned from a poor junior season and he should comfortably be the first senior selected this year.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
18. Jason Castro C Jr. L-R 6-3 215 Stanford Castro Valley, Calif. Red Sox '05 (43) 6-18-87
A year ago Castro was a defensive specialist and on no one's list of potential first round picks; now he's an offensive force and a sure thing on June 5.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
19. Ethan Martin RHP/3B Sr. R-R 6-3 205 Stephens County Toccoa, Ga. Clemson 6-6-89
How things change . . . Martin was a slugging Aflac All-American third baseman in February, now he is a 95-mph power righthander on the mound.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
20. Casey Kelly SS/RHP Sr. R-R 6-3 190 Sarasota Sarasota, Fla. Tennessee (FB) 10-4-89
Kelly's stock as a shortstop, a righthanded pitcher and a future quarterback star all seem about equal; draft day could determine which direction he goes.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
21. Ryan Perry RHP Jr. R-R 6-4 200 Arizona Marana, Ariz. Never drafted 2-13-87
A slow start in the rotation pushed Perry into the bullpen, where his comfort level seems to match his dominant three-pitch mix.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
22. Jake Odorizzi RHP Sr. R-R 6-2 170 Highland Highland, Ill. Louisville 3-27-90
Odorizzi has emerged as the top Midwest prospect on the basis of a 91-94 mph fastball with plus life every time out this spring.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
23. Ike Davis 1B/OF Jr. L-L 6-5 215 Arizona State Scottsdale, Ariz. Devil Rays '05 (19) 3-22-87
A rib muscle pull derailed Davis' college player of the year ambitions, but his increased power and overall athleticism should put him in the first round.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
24. David Cooper 1B Jr. L-L 6-1 190 California Stockton, Calif. Never drafted 2-12-87
One of three Top 50 players (with Lindblom and Hunt) who transferred after their freshman year; new NCAA transfer rules will discourage that now.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
25. Jemile Weeks 2B Jr. R-R 5-9 165 Miami Altamonte Springs, Fla. Brewers '05 (8) 1-26-87
Brother Richie's Brewers have six picks in the first 62; on the other hand, they already have a second baseman.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
26. Ross Seaton RHP Sr. L-R 6-4 215 Second Baptist Sugar Land, Texas Tulane 9-18-89
Texas high school pitching is down this spring, but Seaton has shown consistent plus stuff every time out and jumped up draft boards.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
27. Brett Lawrie SS Sr. R-R 6-0 200 Brookswood Langley, B.C. Arizona State 1-18-90
Canada's top prospect has put on a show with the bat this spring, and his value is enhanced for teams that think he can catch in the future.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
28. Bryan Price RHP Jr. R-R 6-4 200 Rice Marble Falls, Texas Never drafted 11-13-86
Price languished for two years deep in the Rice bullpen, but has emerged this spring with a 95 mph fastball and mid 80s slider.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT Junior College Prev. Drafted Commitment B'date
29. Tyler Ladendorf SS So. R-R 6-2 210 Howard (Texas) Giants '07 (34) Oklahoma 3-7-88
The country's top junior college prospect has added power to his speed game this year, although there is no consensus on his likely future position.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
30. Mike Montgomery LHP Sr. L-L 6-5 180 Hart Valencia, Calif. Cal State Fullerton 7-1-89
The long and athletic Montgomery has made a pronounced jump and taken the mantle of the most projectable high school pitcher in the draft.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
31. Reese Havens SS Jr. L-R 6-1 195 South Carolina Sullivan's Island, S.C. Rockies '05 (29) 10-20-86
Havens may not end up at shortstop but he's one of the draft's most polished hitters and will be a plus offensive player at any position.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
32. Dennis Raben OF/1B Jr. L-L 6-3 218 Miami Hollywood, Fla. Mariners '05 (49) 7-31-87
A back problem has sapped Raben's plus power, along with costing him a month of action, but he's still a potential first round talent.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
33. Zach Collier OF Sr. L-L 6-2 185 Chino Hills Chino Hills, Calif.   9-8-90
Collier was a virtual unknown coming into the spring before a dazzling 4-for-4, HR/2B performance against Aaron Hicks opened all the scouts' eyes.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
34. Daniel Webb RHP Sr. R-R 6-3 205 Heath Paducah, Ky. Kentucky 8-18-89
Webb has thrown as consistently hard as any high school pitcher in the country this spring, although his command can be erratic.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
35. Petey Paramore C Jr. B-R 6-2 210 Arizona State Allen, Texas Mets '05 (22) 10-30-86
This Jason Varitek clone gets overshadowed at ASU with Brett Wallace and Ike Davis, but he might join his Sun Devil teammates in the first round.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
36. Zach Stewart RHP Jr. R-R 6-1 199 Texas Tech Wichita Falls, Texas Never drafted 9-28-86
Stewart's 92-95 mph sinker has some of the best life of any fastball in college baseball; he's yet another converted starter who has blossomed in relief.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
37. Tyson Ross RHP Jr. R-R 6-6 230 California Oakland Never drafted 4-22-87
Minor injuries and command issues have made the big righthander more hittable this spring, but he's still a premier talent.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
38. Josh Lindblom RHP Jr. R-R 6-5 240 Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. Astros '05 (3) 6-15-87
A third-rounder out of high school, Lindblom should improve on that as a college junior after showing a steady 95-98 mph fastball in a closing role.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
39. Anthony Hewitt 3B/SS Sr. R-R 6-1 190 Salisbury School Brooklyn, N.Y. Vanderbilt 4-27-89
Though he has faced substandard pitching, Hewitt has the most explosive bat in the Northeast, college or high school, and his other tools are first-round quality.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
40. Brett DeVall LHP Sr. R-L 6-4 220 Niceville Niceville, Fla. Georgia 1-8-90
DeVall may have the most professional-ready approach of any pitcher in the country, although his raw stuff is a bit short of the other Top 50 prep hurlers.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
41. Wade Miley LHP Jr. R-L 6-2 185 SE Louisiana Loranger, La. Devil Rays '05 (20) 11-13-86
Miley's command and delivery hold him back a bit, but he touches 94 mph and his curveball is among the best in the country.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
42. Destin Hood SS/OF Sr. R-R 6-2 180 St. Paul's Academy Mobile, Ala. Alabama (FB) 4-3-90
Hood has high Division I football athleticism and aspirations, but unlike most football players his extremely quick bat stands out as his best tool.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT High School Hometown Commitment B'date
43. Robbie Grossman OF Sr. B-L 6-1 195 Cypress-Fairbanks Cypress, Texas Texas 9-16-89
Grossman has been pitched around extensively and not had a strong spring, but his overall tools and strength as a switch-hitter continue to stand out.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
44. Lance Lynn RHP Jr. R-R 6-5 260 Mississippi Brownsburg, Ind. Mariners '05 (6) 5-12-87
Lynn's raw stuff doesn't separate him from other college pitchers but his overall strength and consistency late into pitch counts gives him a desirable pro profile.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
45. Kyle Weiland RHP Jr. L-R 6-4 195 Notre Dame Albuquerque, N.M. Never drafted 9-12-86
The Notre Dame closer has three pitches that flash into the plus range in his fastball, slider and changeup, a rare attribute for a closer.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
46. Roger Kieschnick OF Jr. L-R 6-3 200 Texas Tech Rockwall, Texas Never drafted 1-21-87
Kieschnick is a four-tool outfielder with his pro level power, speed, throwing and defense; the question will be how his hitting ability develops.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT Junior College Prev. Drafted Commitment B'date
47. Lonnie Chisenhall 3B/RHP So. L-R 6-2 190 Pitt (N.C.) Pirates '06 (12)   10-4-88
Chisenhall has recovered from his legal problems at South Carolina, received a pass from the scouts and reasserted outstanding hitting skills.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
48. Brandon Crawford SS Jr. L-R 6-2 200 UCLA Pleasanton, Calif. Never drafted 1-21-87
Crawford's slow start and contact issues have taken him out of the first round, but his athleticism, defensive skills and potential will still get him drafted high.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
49. Eric Thames OF Jr. L-L 6-1 197 Pepperdine San Jose, Calif. Yankees '07 (39) 11-10-86
Not everyone is convinced of Thames' evolution from 0 homers in 2007 to 13 in 2008, but the Waves outfielder has big tools and has produced.
 
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B'date
50. Allan Dykstra 1B Jr. L-R 6-5 225 Wake Forest Poway, Calif. Red Sox '05 (34) 5-21-87
No player in the country has been pitched around more than Dykstra has, but he still has shown glimpses of his vast power; he is an underrated athlete.