Here is a look at the updated rankings for the 2010 top 25 high school prospects.1/7/10
1- Jameson Taillon- RHP, Woodlands Taillon is the clear number one high school prospect heading into the spring. He was brilliant all summer, including a dominating performance at the AFLAC All-American Game. Taillon sits mid 90's and flashes an excellent curve ball. Definite top 10 pick in June.
Commitment- Rice2- Karsten Whitson- RHP, Chipley HSWith a very strong summer, Whitson pulled away to become the number two player behind Taillon. Whitson has a perfect pitcher's frame, and a smooth, clean delivery. He sits mid 90's and possesses a sharp slider that could develop into a solid out pitch. He looked great all week in San Diego at AFLAC. He struck out Harper and got game MVP Tony Wolters to ground into a double play.
Commitment- Florida3- AJ Cole- RHP, Oviedo HS
Cole has been near the top of the class for quite some time. He stands in at 6'5, 185 with room to fill out his frame. His fastball sits low-mid 90's and his breaking ball is one of the top pitches in the country. Look for Cole to have a big spring and potentially add velocity to his fastball.
Commitment- Miami4- DeAndre Smelter- RHP, Tattnall HSSmelter has come on strong as of late, putting himself in conversation with the top tier pitching prospects of the country. He made easy work of his one inning at AFLAC, striking out the side, including phenoms Bryce Harper and Austin Wilson. Smelter is a true athlete who is also a great football player. When pitching becomes his only focus, he could get even better.
Commitment- Georgia Tech5-Josh Sale- OF, Bishop Blanchet HSThe best high school hitter in the country. Sale has a very aggressive approach at the plate, and combines that with very quick bat speed. He is a corner outfielder down the line, but his bat should be able to play at any position. Sale should have no problem with his high school senior year in Washington. Sale should have a huge senior season, and find himself in near the top of the draft.
Commitment- Gonzaga6-Stetson Allie- RHP, St. Edward PrepNot only does Allie have the best arm in this class, but he has the best high school arm in recent memory. Allie has already flashed his fastball up to 99 mph. He also throws a very hard slider that has the velocity of other pitchers fastballs. Allie is also a power hitting third baseman, but the mound is where he will be given his first shot.
Commitment- North Carolina7-Dylan Covey- RHP, Maranatha HSCovey has put himself into the top of the first round with a great summer. He looked very sharp in San Diego and his breaking ball might rank as the number one off-speed pitch in the nation. Covey has a solid build at 6'2, 200 pounds and is a workhorse on the mound. He should find himself in the first round.
Commitment- San Diego8-Austin Wilson- OF, Harvard-Westlake A physically imposing player, Wilson does everything well. He has high power potential and a strong arm from the outfield. He is a top of the line athlete and has all the tools to be a great major leaguer. Wilson will battle Sale all year long as the best high school outfielder in the nation.
Commitment- Stanford9- Manny Machad0- SS,Brito Private Machado might have been the player who benefited most from summer ball. He is a big shortstop at 6'2, 180 pounds. He has put himself into first round talks, and should be the first high school infielder taken in the draft.
Commitment- Florida International10-Nick Castellanos- 3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS
Castellanos also had a big summer. He went 4-4 with 4 doubles at the Under Armour All-America Game, and continued his success with Team USA. His defense improved at 3B, and at 6'3, 190, he should be able to stay there long term. Castellanos and Machado will be battling all year to be the first prep infielder taken.
Commitment- Miami11- Yordy Cabrera- SS, Lakeland HSA big, strong kid at 6'2, 200 pounds. Cabrera put on one of the best power displays I have ever seen in San Diego, destroying balls well over the practice field at the AFLAC All-America Game. He might have the most natural power in the class, and will be viewed as a high pick coming into the year.
Commitment- Miami12-Kevin Gausman- RHP, Grandview HSGausman is a bit overlooked when it comes to top of the line pitchers for this years draft. He pitches in Colorado, where the talent in high school baseball is nowhere near that of the other top pitchers. Gausman still has room to fill out at 6'4, 180, and it will be interesting to see how his senior year effects him in the draft.
Commitment- LSU13-Justin O'Conner- SS/C- Cowan HSO'Conner has the potential to play anywhere on the field. He has a lightning arm, and a quick release at shortstop. This summer, O'Conner took up catching, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up in the draft. He is also a top of line pitching prospect, but his defense and power bat should stick.
Commitment- Arkansas
14- Kevin Ziomek- LHP, Amherst HSIn a year short of lefties, Ziomek has found himself sitting atop the list. He has a four pitch repetoire. His fastball sits 87-90, and his slider has the potential to be a special as well. Ziomek will have no problem with his competition in Massachusetts, and should find himself as the first prep left hander taken in the draft.
Commitment- Vanderbilt
15- AJ Vanegas- RHP, Redwood Christian HSVanegas displayed his great arm in San Diego at the AFLAC Game. He sat 90-91, and his breaking ball is a plus pitch. Stanford commits are always hard to get a read on as far as their draft status, so that will be a factor. If signable, Vanegas should end up at the back of the first round or supplemental pick.
Commitment- Stanford
16-Kaleb Cowart- 3B/RHP- Cook HSOne of the best arms in the nation. Cowart's arm across the diamond is one of the best I've ever seen from a high schooler. Cowart is intriguing at third base, and as a pitcher. His power arm will give him a chance on the mound, and at this point, I am leaning more towards Cowart's arm on the hill.
Commitment- Florida State
17-Cameron Bedrosian- RHP, East Coweta HSThe son of former Cy Yound award winner Steve Bedrosian. Bedrosian's curve ball is one of the best secondary pitches in the nation, and he got both Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant to strike out on it during the AFLAC All-American Game. He has a real feel for pitching, and will be a high pick in June.
Commitment- LSU18-Garin Cecchini- SS, Barbe HSCecchini has put himself into the mix with the top prep infielders. His swing generates a lot of power from the left side, and he repeats it very well. He will stay at short in high school, but will out grow the position and should settle nicely at third base.
Commitment- LSU
19- Stefan Sabol- C, Aliso Niguel HSSabol is a gamer. He is a pure athlete who can play the outfield as well. He might not be able to stick at catcher, but his athleticism should be able to play at a corner outfield spot. His swing generates hard contact and line drives. Sabol's senior year will see what position he is taken at.
Commitment- Oregon20-Chevez Clarke- OF, Marietta HSClarke might be the best defensive outfielder on the list. He covers a lot of ground, and has the best chance to stick at CF down the road. A great athlete who tracks balls well in the outfield, Clarke also has a good arm from center. Clarke is also a switch hitter who is very capable from both sides.
Commitment- Georgia Tech21-Taijuan Walker- RHP, Yucaipa HSWalker has come on late with his power fastball and curve ball. At 6'5, 190, Walker has not yet physically matured, and he should be able to add more zip to his fastball once he does. Look for Walker to move up on the list with a good spring.
Uncommitted22- Tony Wolters- SS, Rancho Bueno Vista HSWolters was the AFLAC All-American Game MVP. He is a true ball player who is fantastic defensively. At 5'10, 165, Wolters profiles as the perfect second baseman. He has a smooth swing from the left side that generates hard contact.
Commitment- San Diego23- Marcus Littlewood- SS,Pineview HSLittlewood and Wolters would make the best middle infield in the nation next year at San Diego should both make it to campus. Littlewood is a smooth infielder and makes plays. He is also a switch hitter with consistent contact. Look for a big spring from him in the state of Utah.
Commitment- San Diego
24-Kris Bryant- 3B, Bonanza HSThree San Diego committs in a row. Bryant has massive power, but has yet to translate that to the games. A big kid at 6'5, 205, Bryant might need a little seasoning to be able to hit the ball with consistent power. Bryant and Cabrera will be the top two prep power hitters come June.
Commitment- San Diego25-Brian Ragira- OF, Martin HSRagira has been near the top of this class for quite some time. A true outfielder who plays excellent defense, Ragira also has a great outfield arm. His arm could also play on the mound, but he will be given his shot as a position player first.
Commitment- Stanford
