More on the Top Prospects
I am going to delve into some of those on the Top 50 Prospect list who may make an impact in the next two years with their clubs. Centerfielder Austin Jackson (38th), now of the Detroit Tigers, is expected to be the starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter on Opening Day. I had the pleasure of watching AJax play the last two plus years and he is a five-tool player, though the power hasn’t quite come yet. I have seen him make Superman-type catches against the wall in center and come up clutch at the plate (he was named Eastern League Playoffs MVP in 2008). The biggest knock on AJax is his strikeout totals-well over 100 a season (123 in 2009 with Triple-A Scranton). Personally I feel he should be higher on this list, especially since he is closer to the majors than many ahead of him and should make an immediate impact with the Tigers.
Two catchers who are intriguing are the NY Yankees Jesus Montero (19th) and the Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana (11th). Both were legitimate candidates for Minor League Player of the Year and both are currently their MLB team’s top prospect.
Montero, who is just 20 years old, missed a few months due to a broken finger and only played a few games in winter ball in his home country of Venezuela. Despite his young age, Montero can hit and hit right now in the big leagues. He participated in the Future’s Game in 2008 and 2009. The only thing holding him back is his defense, though it has gotten better. Jorge Posada is nearing his end and 2011 could be a battle of homegrown youngsters Francisco Cervelli and Montero for the starting job. Only problem is, the Yankees have four catchers in their top ten prospects.
Santana, who joined the Indians organization via the Casey Blake deal, has done nothing but hit. Like Montero, Santana could hit now in the big leagues but his defense lags a bit behind. Unlike Montero, he is a switch-hitter with light-tower power. I have seen both play and believe that Santana is closer to being ready than Montero. Santana is also in a better situation as the Indians are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. The Indians traded for Philadelphia’s top catching prospect Lou Marson in the Cliff Lee deal last July, so he should keep the spot warm until Santana’s arrival. It may not come until September due to wrist surgery that may set him back a bit in 2010. During the announcement of the prospect list, John Hart stated that once Santana arrives in the big leagues, he will be an All-Star as he is better than former Indians converted catcher Victor Martinez.
Desmond Jennings (6th) of the Tampa Bay Rays split time in 2009 between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, hitting a combined .318 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 11 homeruns, 62 RBIs, 52 stolen bases (to just 7 caught stealing) and 67 walks to just 67 strikeouts in 132 games. Many feel that Jennings will force centerfielder BJ Upton to right field because Jennings is that good. With the Rays being money-conscious, Jennings’ development may lead to a trade of Upton sometime this summer.













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