Baseball Heads: USA Today's 100 Names You Need To Know

[N41D]

Not gonna copy and paste all of it since it's super long, but a great read if you're looking for guys to keep an eye on...

Link

Top 10...

1. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Rangers
See profile here
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
Texas	1-0	1.74	20	0	2	31	13	2	39	0.68
Oklahoma (AAA)	4-6	3.49	25	13	0	77.1	69	30	75	1.28
2. Brian Matusz, LHP, Orioles
This is the year Baltimore expects its collection of promising young pitchers to begin making an impact, and this 2008 first-round pick is at the top of the list. Matusz, who turns 23 on Feb. 11, could emerge as the team's No. 1 starter before the year is over with his solid four-pitch repertoire. He got a taste of the majors last season but barely maintained his rookie status.
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
Baltimore	5-2	4.63	8	8	0	44.2	52	14	38	1.48
Bowie (AA)	7-0	1.55	8	8	0	46.1	31	11	46	0.91
Frederick (A+)	4-2	2.16	11	11	0	66.2	56	21	75	1.16
3. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants
The Giants know a thing or two about drafting and developing pitchers, and there is no reason to believe Bumgarner is not about to become their latest dominant arm. Bumgarner, 20, followed up an outstanding 2008 (15-3, 1.46 ERA at low-A) with an equally impressive 2009 and made his major league debut. The only cause for concern was a dip in velocity, with his fastball often clocked from 88 to 90 mph. He is still among baseball's top prospects and is positioned to be in the Giants' rotation on opening day.
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
San Francisco	0-0	1.80	4	1	0	10	8	3	10	1.10
Connecticut (AA)	9-1	1.93	20	19	0	107	80	30	69	1.03
San Jose (A+)	3-1	1.48	5	5	0	24.1	20	4	23	0.99
4. Wade Davis, RHP, Rays
See profile here
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
Tampa Bay	2-2	3.72	6	6	0	36.1	33	13	36	1.27
Durham (AAA)	10-8	3.40	28	28	0	158.2	139	60	140	1.25
5. Alcides Escobar, SS, Brewers
The Brewers fully expect Escobar, 23, to be their regular shortstop in 2010. Built for speed, he could hit at the top of the order, and he also has decent power for a middle infielder. The sure-handed Venezuelan is capable of the spectacular play in the field.
Club	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	SLG	OBP	AVG
Milwaukee	125	20	38	1	11	4	18	4	.368	.333	.304
Nashville (AAA)	430	76	128	4	34	32	65	42	.409	.353	.298
6. Mat Latos, RHP, Padres
Latos, 22, is among the Padres' top pitching prospects and will compete for a spot in the major league rotation this spring. Last year he pitched at three levels, low-A, Class AA and major leagues, and was impressive at each, including a four-start run with the Padres in which he went 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA. Ah, to be young and pitching at Petco Park.
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
San Diego	4-5	4.62	10	10	0	50.2	43	23	39	1.30
San Antonio (AA)	5-1	1.91	9	9	0	47	32	9	46	0.87
Fort Wayne (A)	3-0	0.36	4	2	0	25.1	10	3	27	0.51
7. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates
Despite only one year of minor league experience, he likely will become the Pirates' third baseman in 2010. Months after being drafted second overall out of Vanderbilt, Alvarez shook off contentious contract negotiations to hit .288 with 27 homers and 95 RBI, dividing time between high-A and Class AA. Alvarez, 23, made a positive impression last spring training and continues to work hard on defense after committing 25 errors in 109 games in his first pro season.
Club	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	SLG	OBP	AVG
Altoona (AA)	222	42	74	13	40	34	59	1	.590	.419	.333
Lynchburg (A+)	243	38	60	14	55	37	70	1	.486	.342	.247
8. Chris Tillman, RHP, Orioles
The lanky (6-5, 195 pounds) 21-year-old lost his rookie status with 12 major league starts late last season. While the numbers weren't as impressive as his dominant minor league work since coming from the Seattle Mariners in the 2008 Erik Bedard trade, his mound presence and confidence held up well enough that he should start this season in the Baltimore rotation
Club	W-L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP
Baltimore	2-5	5.40	12	12	0	65	77	24	39	1.55
Norfolk (AAA)	8-6	2.70	18	18	0	96.2	85	26	99	1.15
9. Kyle Blanks, OF, Padres
See profile here
Club	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	SLG	OBP	AVG
San Diego	148	24	37	10	22	18	55	1	.514	.355	.250
Portland (AAA)	233	35	66	12	38	39	63	0	.485	.393	.283
10. Scott Sizemore, 2B, Tigers
Sizemore, 25, takes over for Placido Polanco. While the Tigers aren't expecting Polanco production at the start, they figure Sizemore, who should be recovered from a broken ankle suffered in the Arizona Fall League, will grow into a solid all-around player. The Tigers expect him to have some power, but his biggest adjustment will be with the glove. Manager Jim Leyland says that Sizemore needs to polish his defensive footwork and throwing motion.
Club	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	SLG	OBP	AVG
Toledo (AAA)	292	49	90	8	33	29	49	14	.473	.378	.308
Erie (AA)	228	39	70	9	33	35	46	7	.535	.402	.307

 

[nnarum]

Use spoilers! And seperate them into groups of 10 please!

And who doesn't know Feliz though?

 

[smokey1212]

Neftali Feliz looked like a beast last year. He struck out the first 4 batters he faced against the A's. But I guess Adam Kennedy, Mark Ellis, and Jack Hannahan isn't exactly Murderer's Row.

 

[pj and bompton]

Padres with 2 players in the top 10

 

[23bryan]

Mat Latos & Kyle Blanks

 

[kiddin like jason]

He struck out the first 4 batters he faced against the A's. But I guessAdam Kennedy, Mark Ellis, and Jack Hannahan isn't exactly Murderer'sRow.

Date	Opponent	Score	Dec	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K
Aug 13	@ CLE	W 4-1	HLD	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	5

Including Grady Sizemore, Jamey Carroll, Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo consecutively, followed by a Jhonny Peralta saw-off groundout.

 

[jonfarr]

Originally Posted by PJ and Bompton

Padres with 2 players in the top 10

Being in the Padres AAA city I have followed their prospects, although I do not care much for the MLB team. I would not get too pumped on the ratings of these players, I remember when Sean Burroughs was gonna be the next big thing since sliced bread...

 

[N41D]

I didn't realize how bad Feliz shredded RHHs last year... 4-47 with 21 Ks...

 

[bkmac]

Sizemore of the Tigers related to Grady?

 

[jordanpp30]

Orioles will be

in 2 years.

Too much young talent..

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, Matt Weiters, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz

+ Roberts, and Tejada.

If only we werent in AL east.

Could definitely be a sleeper team this season.

 

[cincoseisdos]

Originally Posted by JordanPP30

Orioles will be

in 2 years.

Too much young talent..

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, Matt Weiters, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz

+ Roberts, and Tejada.

If only we werent in AL east.

Could definitely be a sleeper team this season.

Josh Bell too

God damn Coletti

 

[young dr0]

3. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants
The Giants know a thing or two about drafting and developing pitchers, and there is no reason to believe Bumgarner is not about to become their latest dominant arm. Bumgarner, 20, followed up an outstanding 2008 (15-3, 1.46 ERA at low-A) with an equally impressive 2009 and made his major league debut. The only cause for concern was a dip in velocity, with his fastball often clocked from 88 to 90 mph. He is still among baseball's top prospects and is positioned to be in the Giants' rotation on opening day. I worked for the Greenjackets when he played A ball .... dude's stuff was

 

[b rob 21]

Brian Matusz!!

Dude is nasty

 

[mr jordan04]

Originally Posted by JONFARR

Originally Posted by PJ and Bompton

Padres with 2 players in the top 10

Being in the Padres AAA city I have followed their prospects, although I do not care much for the MLB team. I would not get too pumped on the ratings of these players, I remember when Sean Burroughs was gonna be the next big thing since sliced bread...

san diego is a AAA city

  

 

[tim lincecum]

Bumgarner.

 

[proshares]

I hate that the Orioles are that deep in the farm. Texas, Baltimore, Tampa (if they decide to fork up some cash) will all be great in the next few years. Cleveland's farm is pretty damn good too.