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Washington Nationals Top 11 Prospects
by Kevin Goldstein
Previous Rankings: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
System In 20 Words Or Less: Thinned out by the Gio Gonzalez deal, but a strong 2011 draft has the potential to make up for it.
Five-Star Prospects
1. Bryce Harper, OF
2. Anthony Rendon, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
3. Matt Purke, LHP
Three-Star Prospects
4. Brian Goodwin, OF
5. Alex Meyer, RHP
6. Destin Hood, OF
7. Michael Taylor, OF
8. Steve Lombardozzi, 2B
9. Robbie Ray, LHP
10. Sammy Solis, LHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. Tyler Moore, 1B
Nine More:
12. Chris Marrero, 1B: Former first-rounder has put up solid numbers, but not enough for a first-base only player.
13. Eury Perez, OF: Speedster with line drive bat, but little in the way of secondary skills.
14. Zach Walters, SS: Good bat for a shortstop, but profiles better as a second baseman.
15. Taylor Jordan, RHP: Groundballer who throws strikes, but there are questions about ability to miss bats as he moves up.
16. Josh Smoker, LHP: Returned from bust status by touching 95 mph out of the bullpen; could move up with more strikes.
17. Jason Martinson, SS: Intriguing power/speed combination, but defense is lacking and might not ever hit for average.
18. Matt Skole, 3B: 2011 Fifth-round pick has plus bat and power potential; could move up after first full-season.
19. Sandy Leon, C: Will get to the big leagues on defensive chops alone, but bat screams backup.
20. David Freitas, C: Interesting catcher to watch due to on-base skills and developing power; defense lags behind.
1. Bryce Harper, OF
DOB: 10/16/92
Height/Weight: 6-3/225
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2010, College of Southern Nevada
2011 Stats: .318/.423/.554 at Single-A (72 G). .256/.329/.395 at Double-A (37 G)
Tools Profile: Nothing below average and two 80s.
Year in Review: Arguably the most hyped prospect in baseball history, Harper was as good as advertised.
The Good: Harper is a beast offensively. He has the most violent swing in baseball which, when combined with his strength, gives him easy 80 raw power, but he also somehow controls the swing enough to hit for a decent batting average while understanding the strike zone. A former catcher, Harper was moved to the outfield in 2011 and surprised with his range while showing off a monster arm. He's an average runner to a tick above and shows a knack for stealing bases.
The Bad: Strikeouts will always be a part of Harper's game, and many scouts think his batting average will max out in the .270-.280 range because of it. While his arm is incredible in terms of strength, he still needs to improve his throw accuracy. Few feel he will maintain his speed as he matures.
Ephemera: 32 of the 47 number one overall picks have been spent on position players. Ten have hit more than 200 home runs, and three more could easily be expected to in Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton and Justin Upton.
Perfect World Projection: MVP-level run producer capable of flirting with a .600 slugging percentage.
Fantasy Impact: The value will come from the power, but he could provide some extra bonuses early in his career with double-digit stolen base totals.
Path to the Big Leagues: While there has been some talk of Harper breaking camp in the big leagues, that is highly unlikely. He'll begin the year in the upper levels, likely at Triple-A Syracuse, and should arrive in Washington at some point during the second half of the season.
ETA: Late 2012.
by Kevin Goldstein
Previous Rankings: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
System In 20 Words Or Less: Thinned out by the Gio Gonzalez deal, but a strong 2011 draft has the potential to make up for it.
Five-Star Prospects
1. Bryce Harper, OF
2. Anthony Rendon, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
3. Matt Purke, LHP
Three-Star Prospects
4. Brian Goodwin, OF
5. Alex Meyer, RHP
6. Destin Hood, OF
7. Michael Taylor, OF
8. Steve Lombardozzi, 2B
9. Robbie Ray, LHP
10. Sammy Solis, LHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. Tyler Moore, 1B
Nine More:
12. Chris Marrero, 1B: Former first-rounder has put up solid numbers, but not enough for a first-base only player.
13. Eury Perez, OF: Speedster with line drive bat, but little in the way of secondary skills.
14. Zach Walters, SS: Good bat for a shortstop, but profiles better as a second baseman.
15. Taylor Jordan, RHP: Groundballer who throws strikes, but there are questions about ability to miss bats as he moves up.
16. Josh Smoker, LHP: Returned from bust status by touching 95 mph out of the bullpen; could move up with more strikes.
17. Jason Martinson, SS: Intriguing power/speed combination, but defense is lacking and might not ever hit for average.
18. Matt Skole, 3B: 2011 Fifth-round pick has plus bat and power potential; could move up after first full-season.
19. Sandy Leon, C: Will get to the big leagues on defensive chops alone, but bat screams backup.
20. David Freitas, C: Interesting catcher to watch due to on-base skills and developing power; defense lags behind.
1. Bryce Harper, OF
DOB: 10/16/92
Height/Weight: 6-3/225
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2010, College of Southern Nevada
2011 Stats: .318/.423/.554 at Single-A (72 G). .256/.329/.395 at Double-A (37 G)
Tools Profile: Nothing below average and two 80s.
Year in Review: Arguably the most hyped prospect in baseball history, Harper was as good as advertised.
The Good: Harper is a beast offensively. He has the most violent swing in baseball which, when combined with his strength, gives him easy 80 raw power, but he also somehow controls the swing enough to hit for a decent batting average while understanding the strike zone. A former catcher, Harper was moved to the outfield in 2011 and surprised with his range while showing off a monster arm. He's an average runner to a tick above and shows a knack for stealing bases.
The Bad: Strikeouts will always be a part of Harper's game, and many scouts think his batting average will max out in the .270-.280 range because of it. While his arm is incredible in terms of strength, he still needs to improve his throw accuracy. Few feel he will maintain his speed as he matures.
Ephemera: 32 of the 47 number one overall picks have been spent on position players. Ten have hit more than 200 home runs, and three more could easily be expected to in Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton and Justin Upton.
Perfect World Projection: MVP-level run producer capable of flirting with a .600 slugging percentage.
Fantasy Impact: The value will come from the power, but he could provide some extra bonuses early in his career with double-digit stolen base totals.
Path to the Big Leagues: While there has been some talk of Harper breaking camp in the big leagues, that is highly unlikely. He'll begin the year in the upper levels, likely at Triple-A Syracuse, and should arrive in Washington at some point during the second half of the season.
ETA: Late 2012.
