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#19 Anthony Rizzo

San Diego Padres

DOB: 8/8/1989

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2012

It is hard to still think of Rizzo as a rookie after he was punished to the tune of a .523 OPS for the Padres in 128 at-bats in 2011.  He still qualifies for this list, though, and while his stock did take a hit, he still is one of the top corner bat prospects in the game.  As soon as he was demoted to Tucson, he began raking again, slashing .331/.404/.652 with 26 jacks in only 356 at-bats.  He has true 60-grade power today with a chance at more.

His bat gets long to the ball, a tendency that lefties have had a fairly easy time exploiting, but he is athletic enough to develop his hit tool to a point that he should be able to stay inside of more pitches.  Rizzo is an elite defender at first, but will never be an average runner.  Who cares?  With time, the 22-year-old could develop into one of the top first basemen in the National League and makes the loss of Adrian Gonzalez considerably more tolerable.  He was the top offensive prospect in Boston’s organization before he became the centerpiece of the Gonzalez deal last winter.  After the Mat Latos trade, the Padres are several pieces away from a legitimate chance at contention, and they have a very bright youngster with a chance to hit in the middle of the order for years in Anthony Rizzo.

#20 Archie Bradley

Arizona Diamondbacks

DOB: 8/10/1992

Previous Rank: N/A

ETA: 2014

Archie Bradley went seventh overall in the 2011 draft, but he would be the consensus No. 1 in this year’s class and in many other years.  He has reached 101 mph with his fastball and his curveball was arguably the top pitch in the entire class, and it honestly gives him a chance at two pitches that could flash 80s on any given night.  Make no mistake; Bradley is as frontline as they come with excellent projection and athleticism.

He likely will bully his way through the low Minors because no one will even come close to being able to handle him until he reaches Double-A.  He operates well on a downhill plane but still manages to sink his fastball even beyond what he naturally creates with his delivery.  Because he lost some of every year up until now to football, the length he can get out of each start probably has a way to go before he can reach 100 pitches consistently without a loss in stuff or command.

Nevertheless, this is just nitpicking.  Bradley is phenomenal, and as soon as he develops a quality third pitch he will be one of the very top prospects in baseball.  Imagine this possible rotation: Trevor Bauer, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill, Ian Kennedy, Tyler Skaggs, and Bradley.  That could happen by the playoffs in 2013, something we are very confident Arizona will be a part of.

Growing up, every aspiring baseball player shares a common dream: to one day play for their hometown team.  For many, it’s a dream that dissipates over time, as the daunting reality of what it takes to even play at the collegiate level takes center stage.

But for St. Louis native Lance Jeffries (right), the dream became a breathtaking reality on June 7, when the St. Louis Cardinals selected the McCluer outfielder in the 10^th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft.  Two days later, Jeffries and the Cardinals made it official when he signed his first professional contract, and was subsequently assigned to the organization’s Gulf Coast League affiliate in Florida.

As a senior, 6-foot, 205-pound Jeffries garnered Prep Baseball Report Missouri First Team All-State honors after posting a .457 batting average and .587 OBP, with 10 home runs, 38 runs scored, 45 RBI, and a perfect 46-for-46 in stolen bases.

However, it was obvious that Jeffries’ sheer athleticism extended well beyond his robust stats.  In August of 2010, the speedster opened eyes nation wide by running an event-best 6.6-second 60-yard dash at USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series.  Then at Prep Baseball Report’s Super 60 draft showcase in McCook, IL last February, Jeffries flashed his 90+ mph arm and plus bat-speed.  In a matter of months, he had emerged as one of the nation’s more intriguing five-tool prep prospects.

Now, after an impressive inaugural campaign in the GCL, Jeffries is back in St. Louis and spending time with his friends and family. And despite his success and acclimation to life as a professional baseball player, the awe of being drafted – by his hometown team nonetheless – has hardly faded.

Continue reading ‘A dream come true year for Lance Jeffries’ at PrepBaseballReport.com >>

#25 Nolan Arenado

Colorado Rockies

DOB: 4/16/1991

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2013

Arenado was recently named MVP of the Arizona Fall League after slashing .388/.423/.636 with six jacks in 121 at-bats.  In the California League as a 20-year-old, Arenado posted a .298/.349/.487 line with 20 home runs and 32 doubles as well as nearly as many walks as strikeouts.  We expect Arenado to open the year in Double-A, and debut some time in Denver in 2013.

Arenado’s defense has been under scrutiny since he was an amateur, but he cut some weight last winter and improved his mobility in the process, silencing some doubters.  I am not convinced that he can be average at the hot corner yet, but he is definitely good enough to play at least a few seasons there before sliding to first.  His bat plays anywhere and has room to improve in the power category as well.  His speed is not even close to average, but it never has to be.

Arenado is as exciting an infield prospect as exists in the game today, and he should make several all-star teams before he is done leaving his stamp on the NL West.