Previous Rankings: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

2013 Top 101 Prospects Breakdown by Position, Organization, and Age: Link

This list was conceptualized and constructed in late December, and finalized and submitted for Baseball Prospectus 2013 in early January. I have avoided it ever since out of revisionist fear. When this particular list was created, the Baseball Prospectus prospect crew was only two months into the team top 10 lists, having found our rhythm in the process but only scratched the surface of all the talent in the minors. With countless emails, calls, texts, IMs, letters, and Candygrams exchanged between members of the BP team and members of the baseball industry, we played prospect Nostradamus and worked ahead of the team lists, spelunking for information like we had never spelunked before. It was a stressful time, but also one of the most rewarding of my career, a daily debate about prospects that consumed all available energy and intellect. It was a prospect boot camp, and I loved every second of it.

Fast-forward two months, and I'm still thrilled with the rewards of the process and the overall plus-plus quality of the work; that conviction will never waver. But I’m also aware of the realities of such a project and saddled with the occasional second thought; not because the list is rife with unexplainable error or incompetence, but because appetite and approach evolve with each new influence, conversation, and exchange of information. At the time of construction, we had more than 100 names for the final 50 spots on the list, and you can make a reasonable and articulate case for each player’s inclusion. We picked up our phones, touched our fingers to keys, and put our collective heads together and carved out the following list, which I’m honored to stand by. That’s not to say that I haven’t thought about tweaks or trims…

1. Jurickson Profar, SS, Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 4

2. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 23

3. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 9

4. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 6

5. Zack Wheeler, RHP, Mets

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 30

6. Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 80

7. Wil Myers, CF, Rays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 19

8. Byron Buxton, CF, Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

9. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 14

10. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 17

11. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 13

12. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 32

13. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

14. Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 22

15. Travis d'Arnaud, C, Mets

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 16

16. Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 10

17. Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Diamondbacks

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 21

18. Albert Almora, CF, Cubs

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

19. Austin Hedges, C, Padres

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 94

20. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 66

21. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 12

22. Addison Russell, SS, Athletics

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

23. Christian Yelich, CF, Marlins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 33

24. Trevor Bauer, RHP, Indians

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 11

25. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 73

26. Carlos Correa, SS, Astros

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

27. Jackie Bradley, CF, Red Sox

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

28. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 93

29. Chris Archer, RHP, Rays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

30. Mike Olt, 3B, Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 45

31. Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 37

32. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Blue Jays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

33. Mike Zunino, C, Mariners

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

34. Trevor Story, SS, Rockies

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

35. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 26

36. Jorge Soler, RF, Cubs

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

37. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 71

38. Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

39. Rymer Liriano, RF, Padres

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 52

40. David Dahl, CF, Rockies

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

41. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

42. Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

43. Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 31

44. Gregory Polanco, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

45. Trevor Rosenthal, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

46. Aaron Hicks, CF, Minnesota Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

47. Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 40

48. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

49. Bubba Starling, CF, Kansas City Royals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 27

50. Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 35

51. Mason Williams, CF, New York Yankees

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 99

52. Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: 5

53. Luis Heredia, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 42

54. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 62

55. George Springer, CF, Houston Astros

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 49

56. Michael Wacha, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

57. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 20

58. Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

59. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 36

60. Oswaldo Arcia, RF, Minnesota Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

61. Max Fried, LHP, Padres

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

62. Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

63. J.R. Graham, RHP, Braves

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking:

64. Kyle Gibson, RHP, Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

65. Kyle Crick, RHP, Giants

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

66. Alen Hanson, SS, Pirates

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

67. Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 84

68. Wily Peralta, RHP, Brewers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 92

69. Allen Webster, RHP, Red Sox

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

70. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: N/A

71. Jake Marisnick, CF, Marlins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 28

72. Nick Franklin, MI, Mariners

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 28

73. Justin Nicolino, LHP, Marlins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

74. Brian Goodwin, CF, Nationals

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: N/A

75. Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 65

76. Jorge Alfaro, C, Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 101

77. Casey Kelly, RHP, Padres

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 78

78. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: N/A

79. Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

80. Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Orioles

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 85

81. Chris Owings, SS, Diamondbacks

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

82. Michael Choice, CF, Athletics

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 39

83. Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Rays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 47

84. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 57

85. Dan Straily, RHP, Athletics

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

86. Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

87. Zach Lee, RHP, Dodgers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 70

88. Alex Meyer, RHP, Twins

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

89. Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

90. Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 88

91. Tony Cingrani, LHP, Reds

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: N/A

92. James Paxton, LHP, Mariners

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: 59

93. Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves

Scouting Report (most recent): Coming soon

2012 Ranking: N/A

94. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Cardinals

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

95. Clayton Blackburn, RHP, Giants

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

96. Dorssys Paulino, SS, Indians

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

97. Sean Nolin, LHP, Blue Jays

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

98. Michael Fulmer, RHP, Mets

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

99. Lewis Brinson, CF, Rangers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

100. Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Brewers

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

101. Delino DeShields Jr., 2B, Astros

Scouting Report (most recent): Link

2012 Ranking: N/A

Notes

I love Jurickson Profar, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t give serious thought to fighting for Taveras for the no. 1 spot. Profar plays a premium position, can swing a great stick, and has a wonderful smile, so I’d be arguing an unwinnable case. But Taveras’ bat has a chance to stop wars (or start wars; whichever you prefer). I’ve never been more impressed with a young hitter than I am with Taveras. Watching him take a ball over the batter’s eye during batting practice at the Futures Game probably influenced this infatuation. I was attracted to him before, but after feeling his bat speed from 10 feet away, I started writing poetry in his name. His offensive potential is abnormal. That sh*t cray.



Courtney Hawkins



Why don’t people love Gerrit Cole? Is it the production? Is it the Southern California thing? I don’t get it. His on-paper stuff is the best in the minors. Is it because I have to say “on-paper stuff”? Okay, I get it.



Addison Russell (the shortstop) is a top-20 prospect. He should probably be higher. If the body is shortstop legit and the bat continues to progress, he could be no. 1 on the list next year. He’s that guy. Several scouts weren’t ready to go all-in yet because of the physical profile; mostly scouts who had eyes on Russell as an amateur and saw a thick upper body and lateral range that looked destined to leave the middle for the hot corner down the line.



If this were just the “Jason Parks makes a list of 101 prospects without any outside input or influence” list, I’d rank Chris Archer even higher. He’s not a teenager and the gap between present and future isn’t extreme, but so what? Have you seen him pitch? His stuff is NC-17 and can flash snuff film potential. The command needs work and the changeup is more flash than sustainable fire, but the slider is one of the best secondary offerings from a young arm you will see, and the fastball isn’t ordering from the kid’s menu. He might be my favorite young pitcher to watch in action. He’s either a no. 2 starter or one of the better late-inning relievers in the game. I’m smitten.



Adalberto Mondesi might seem like a guy with helium based on his on-the-field statistics/age. I don’t care about his numbers. Go watch this kid. Those who have seen him in person know what I’m talking about. He has “it,” and you know what that looks like when you see it. It’s part instinct and part tools, but it's full prospect. He’s special. Even if the production slumps in full-season ball, keep him on the radar. He has high-end impact potential. It’s there. Just wait.



Jesse Biddle might be too high, but my sources were high on him and I didn’t fight against it. It’s not special, but it has a very good chance to be solid, and that has a ton of value. Jason the ceiling horse isn’t overly impressed.



Robert Stephenson will be at least 30 spots higher in 2014. Maybe he should be that high now. Love the arm; love the approach.



Dan Straily. I wasn’t thrilled about putting him on the list in the first place, but I get it. He’s a very safe major-league starter, and even though the stuff isn’t crazy, it’s deep and very functional. I will admit a bias against safe and secure in favor of high and hazardous. It’s just my bag, man. I have a taste for high ceilings.



Rymer Liriano will miss the season after Tommy John



Lewis Brinson: He has the skills to be the top prospect in the Rangers system next year, and at least 50 spots higher on the 101 list. He’s a high-risk prospect, so let’s not start exchanging promise rings yet. But the tools are loud and the projection extreme, so when and if it clicks, it has a chance to be disturbingly good. A role 7 (all-star) future isn’t a drug-fueled hallucination. Everything else I write that is non-baseball related might be, though. Just a heads-up.



Yasiel Puig: Who knows? He’s either too high or too low. Sources either think he’s a no-brainer role 6 player or a guy who is all hype and will eventually bust before reaching the majors. Very little in between.

Nick Faleris, Mark Anderson, Chris Mellen, Hudson Belinsky, Joe Hamrahi, and Jason Cole contributed to these rankings.