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.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are quietly becoming a burgeoning powerhouse in the wide-open NL West, despite trading off the likes of Matt Holliday and not being a big player in the free-agent market. It has a lot to do with the production coming from the farm system, especially with regard to pitching. There are some potentially elite arms here and it should help keep them in contention for 2010 and beyond.
1. Christian Friedrich, SP, 22
Friedrich enjoyed a breakthrough season that puts him in the conversation to be the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball now. He combined to go 6-5 with a 2.41 ERA, .215 batting-average against and an amazing 159 strikeouts in 119 2/3 innings between low and high Class A. He will open the season in Double-A and could push for a midseason call-up in 2010. Once he arrives, he warrants attention in all leagues. The left-hander could develop into the next Jon Lester.
2. Jhoulys Chacin, SP, 22
Chacin had a solid season, but he gets passed on this list by Friedrich, who likely has a higher ceiling. His ranking might be affected by his wild cup of coffee down the stretch with the Rockies, as he walked 11 batters in 11 innings. He did strike out 13 and allowed just a .167 BAA, though. In 117 2/3 innings in Double- and Triple-A, Chacin went (9-8)-3.21-.226 with 97 strikeouts and 48 walks. The lack of command likely will keep Chacin from a rotation spot out of spring training, but his talent makes him a potential impact June 1 call-up for Fantasy owners next season.
3. Eric O. Young Jr., 2B, 24
The next Chone Figgins -- or the next Eric Young (he is the son of the former Rockie) -- would be a lot more intriguing as a sleeper in Rotisserie leagues next spring if he had a place to start. Young can play the outfield or second base, but the Rockies have a slew of options ahead of this slap-hitting basestealer right now. A trade could make him an everyday player, though, and his 58 steals in Triple-A a year ago could make him a huge steal on Draft Day. Young can handle the bat a little, too, hitting .299 with seven homers, 43 RBI, 118 runs in 472 at-bats down on the farm. His eligibility at second base will come in handy in NL-only Rotisserie leagues initially. Long term, we see a potential Figgins clone, or the second coming of his father.
4. Esmil Rogers, SP, 24
Rogers looked elite in Double-A before being exposed in Triple-A last season. It should ticket him back to Triple-A to start 2010, but he shouldn't be forgotten in keeper leagues on Draft Day. All you have to do is remember his splits back in Double-A, where he went (8-2)-2.48-.243 with 83 strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings. And, of course, you will want to look past the (3-5)-7.42-.317 he posted in Triple-A. Rogers' talent suggests he was just a bit run down in the upper levels of the minors for the first time, so consider him a nice stashee in keeper leagues. He could be a pleasant surprise next season.
5. Samuel Deduno, SP, 26
The Rockies have done a bang-up job developing pitchers in recent years and Deduno is yet another example. Not highly regarded coming into last season, he went (12-4)-2.57-.202 with 123 strikeouts in 133 Double-A innings. The fact the Rockies held him back at that secondary level despite being north of 25 is a mark against him, though. Consider Deduno a potential bullpen contributor or back-end starter for the Rockies in 2010, but the Dominican clearly has the potential to be a solid middle of the rotation starter down the road.
Best of the rest: Chaz Roe, SP; Wilin Rosario, C; Michael McKenry, C; Charlie Blackmon, OF; Delta Cleary, OF; Tyler Matzek, SP; Casey Weathers, RP; Darin Holcomb, 3B, Tim Wheeler, OF; Christian Colonel, 3B; Shane Lindsay, SP; Connor Graham, SP; Chris Nelson, SS; Aaron Weatherford, SP; Cory Riordan, SP; Rex Brothers, SP; Hector Gomez, SS; Jon Herrera, 2B; Kent Matthes, OF; Joseph Sanders, 3B; Rob Scahill, SP; Ben Paulsen, 1B; Nolan Arenado, 3B; Chris Balcom-Miller, SP; Tyler Massey, OF; Aneury Rodriguez, SP; Carlos Martinez, SS; Parker Frazier, SP; and Matt Reynolds, RP.
2009 rookies to exhaust eligibility: Dexter Fowler, OF; and Matt Daley, RP.
Last year's top five here: Chacin, SP; Fowler, OF; Joe Koshansky (now with Brewers), 1B; Rosario, C; and Weathers, RP.
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