With the MiLB season all wrapped up, I am going to review the current state of each organization (focusing on their prospects and young talent, of course). Comments on my rankings and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged. The prospects are generally ranked in order, but the order is not final until my overall top prospects list. Note: "Level" indicates the highest classification the prospects reached this year, and how far I think they'll go in 2010.
Quick Look
After seeming so promising a couple of years back (when Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Chris Young, and others were blazing a trail to the majors), Arizona has fallen precipitously. The big league club was one of the worst in the majors this year and the organization's up-and-coming talent has shriveled up. Nonetheless, the Diamondbacks have building blocks, bounce-back candidates (Brandon Webb, Young, Drew), and some interesting guys in the minors (thanks to a bountiful 2009 draft class). The Snakes will do better in the future, but the NL West is becoming a tough division.
Top Prospects
Jarrod Parker, rhp
Age: 20 Level: AA-MLB
Parker has explosive stuff (93-97 mph fastball, tight slider, change) and was blazing through the system this year, but he was shut down with an elbow injury late. Tommy John surgery isn't out of the question, but the 20-year-old is an elite prospect regardless of the severity of his injury.
Bobby Borchering, 3B
Age: 18 Level: Rookie-Low A
The 16th overall pick in this year's draft, Borchering has power from both sides of the plate. The Florida prep product has drawn Chipper Jones comparisons, but it's unclear whether he'll stay at third.
A.J. Pollock, of
Age: 21 Level: Low A-Double-A
Pollock, who was taken one pick after Borchering, can do a little bit of everything: He can hit, play defense, run well, and more. The Notre Dame product didn't set the world on fire in his pro debut, but that's not a long-term concern.
Brandon Allen, 1B
Age: 23 Level: MLB
Arizona's return for Tony Pena, Allen had a good year and is close to becoming a power-hitting first baseman. The lefty-swinger socked 23 homers and made his MLB debut. He needs to close some holes in his swing, but he has a high ceiling.
Marc Krauss, of
Age: 21 Level: Low A-Double-A
Krauss somewhat resembles current D-Back Chad Tracy. While he doesn't offer a whole lot defensively, he has a powerful and polished lefthanded bat.
Daniel Schlereth, lhp
Age: 23 Level: MLB
Schlereth has the arm to close, as he sits in the mid-90s and flashes a nasty power curveball. His uneven MLB debut this year, though, showed that he has lots of work to do on his control before he gets a permanent spot at the back of Arizona's bullpen.
Ryan Wheeler, 1B
Age: 21 Level: Low-A-Double-A
An '09 draftee from Loyola Marymount, Wheeler shined in his pro debut (.361/.462/.536). His big build and solid lefty swing could mean that power will be a bigger part of his game as he moves up. Limited athletically, he already has shown he can hit for average.
Chris Owings, ss
Age: 18 Level: Rookie-Low A
Owings, an undersized R-R middle infielder, has a high ceiling as long as he can stick at short. (He's currently adequate there.) He's drawn Gordon Beckham comps offensively, but that's massively hyperbolical. Hitting is one of the his strengths, though.
Matt Davidson, 3B
Age: 18 Level: Short-Season-Low A
Davidson, a touted high schooler taken 35th overall in this year's draft, has outstanding raw power. His sub-par pro debut displayed the struggles he has putting it into use, as well as his shaky defense.
Collin Cowgill, of
Age: 23 Level: High A-Triple-A
A Cody Ross-type player, Cowgill pounds the ball much more than one would expect by looking at his 5-9 frame. Injuries truncated his 2009 campaign and he'll turn 24 next year, so Cowgill needs to get moving.
Others: RHPs Barry Enright, and Eric Smith; LHP Mike Belfiore; OF Cole Gillespie; C John Hester; 2B Rusty Ryal
Impact Talent: C-
Farm System Depth: C-
2010 Breakout Prospect
David Nick, ss
Age: 19 Level: Rookie-Low A
Nick has a DiMaggio-like cut from the right side, one that consistently produces vicious line drives. He has a knack for hitting, and he is a knowledgeable player. Nick's long-term value would be significantly higher if he was able to man short, but he'll probably shift to third or second base. I'm excited to see what he can do in 2010.
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