We break down the top five prospects for each organization for 2010, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.
According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."
Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2010.
Florida Marlins
The Marlins had an outfielder win NL Rookie of the Year honors, but it wasn't the one many expected to win. Cameron Maybin struggled with strikeouts and general inconsistency, while Chris Coghlan was a model of consistency after moving to the outfield from third base. Coghlan could move back to the infield in 2010, especially since the Marlins have a big-time slugger for their corner outfield on the way.
1. Michael Stanton, OF, 20
One of the best prospects in baseball right now, Stanton has elite power potential and could be the type of slugger that makes an immediate impact upon his arrival. That could come at the start of the season, perhaps, but it is likely the 6-foot-5, 240-pound man-child opens the season back in Triple-A. He might even need some time back in Double-A, especially when you consider his age and the fact he hit just .231 with an alarming 99 strikeouts in 299 at-bats there. That's a Mark Reynolds-like strikeout pace, albeit with similar power to back it. Stanton combined to hit .255 with 28 homers, 92 RBI, 76 runs, 3 steals, a .341 on-base percentage and a .501 slugging percentage in 479 at-bats between high Class A and Double-A last season. Consider him a top 10 minor leaguer at this point and a nice stashee late in NL-only leagues for a potential June 1 call-up.
2. Logan Morrison, 1B, 22
Although he is two years older, Morrison isn't quite on the same track as Stanton at this point. He failed to impress in the power department last season, going just .277-8-49-48-9 (.408-.439) in 289 at-bats between high Class A and Double-A. That won't cut it at first base, which could be a reason the Marlins organization gave him a brief look in the outfield. What does separate him as a prospect, though, is his ability to make contact and draw walks. He posted a 48-to-64 strikeout-to-walk rate and should develop more power as he grows accustomed to recognizing pitches in the league's highest levels.
3. Matt Dominguez, 3B, 20
Dominguez was a mild disappointment in 2009, combining to go .247-13-62-59-1 (.325-.400) in 478 at-bats between high Class A and Double-A. He was especially shaky at the second level, hitting just .186. He likely needs to head back to Double-A to start this season, but his talent and potential make him someone to watch very closely for a breakthrough by midseason. He still looks to us to be the Marlins' long-term third baseman in the Mike Lowell-mode.
4. Gaby Sanchez, 1B, 26
Sanchez had a chance to be the Marlins' regular first baseman in 2009 and will have to take hold of that role in earnest next spring, due to the eventual elevation of Morrison. Sanchez struggled mightily in spring training and then didn't really impress with a .238-2-3-2-0 (.304-.524) stat-line in 21 major league at-bats -- most as a pinch hitter in September. Sanchez isn't going to be a great Fantasy player because of his mediocre power at a deep position, but he has value to the Marlins and Fantasy owners in NL-only formats next season.
5. Kyle Skipworth, C, 19
Skipworth didn't have a season worthy of a sixth overall pick (2008), but there is legit pop in his bat and he is a catcher that is good enough defensively you won't have to worry about a position switch. In low Class A in his first go as a pro, he went .208-7-37-28-1 (.263-.348) in 264 at-bats. His numbers were likely affected by a hyperextended elbow injury he played through most of the season before shutting it down in August. Skipworth is a solid stashee in long-term keeper leagues, but he is years away from making an impact in the majors at this point.
Best of the rest: Chad James, SP; Ryan Tucker, SP; Scott Cousins, OF; Jose Ceda, RP; Ramon Benjamin, SP; Arquimedes Caminero, SP; Isaac Galloway, OF; Jay Voss, SP; Burke Badenhop, SP; Dallas Trahern, SP; Jeffrey Allison, SP; Jhan Marinez, RP; John Raynor, OF; Bryan Berglund, SP; Marquise Cooper, OF; Dan Mahoney, SP; Chase Austin, SS; Brett Sinkbeil, SP; P.J. Dean, SP; Jake Smolinski, 2B; Graham Taylor, SP; Marcell Ozuna, OF; Chris Leroux, RP; Tim Wood, RP; Brad Hand, SP; Bryan Peterson, OF; Greg Burns, OF; Edgar Olmos, SP; Kyle Winters, SP; Jesus Delgado, RP; and Brett Hayes, C.
2009 rookies to exhaust eligibility: Coghlan, OF; Maybin, OF; Sean West, SP; and Dan L. Meyer, RP.
Last year's top five here: Maybin, OF; West, SP; Stanton, OF; Sanchez, 1B; and Dominguez, 3B.
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