Out of the Baseline

31) Matt Harvey- NYM, P- Harvey was the Mets top draft pick in 2010 and has already become one of the top prospects in the entire system. After a rapid progression to Double-A last season, Harvey is not too far away from the big leagues this year and will most likely reach it. Harvey is a tall, strong framed righty who can handle a heavy work load. His fastball can reach the high 90′s and he can maintain velocity deep into games. His slider and change-up are average offerings at the moment and he occasionally features a curveball. With a bit more polish on his off-speed stuff, Harvey projects to be a durable #2 starter.

32) Nick Castellanos- DET, 3B- The future third baseman of the Tigers still may be a few years away from the big leagues after only reaching A-Ball last season, but he raked while he was there. There is little doubt that Castellanos is going to hit for a good average with solid power as well. He is an average runner with a strong arm after being converted from shortstop after high school. The only question will be range and play at third base. But with Miguel Cabrera there now, I’m sure the Tigers could accept that. Above average offensive third baseman who wont help you but wont kill you in the field.

33) Casey Kelly- SD, P- The prized piece in the Adrian Gonzalez trade has yet to live up to expectations in the minor leagues. But its not to label him a bust just yet, the results have just not caught up with the stuff. Kelly has a live arm and can regularly hit the mid to high 90′s with his fastball. His curveball and change-up are coming along and should eventually be strikeout weapons for him. He has the repertoire to become a top of the rotation starter with plus control, he just has to go out and do it. Don’t even think about giving up on Kelly yet.

34) Anthony Rizzo- CHI, 1B- Rizzo has been re-united with GM Theo Epstein who was responsible for drafting him. Rizzo absolutely smoked Triple-A last season but came up to the majors in San Diego and struggled. But Rizzo is a terrific defender with above average power for the position and the ability to hit for a decent to high average. The first base position is his to lose in Chicago and he will most likely be up to the majors in the middle of the season. Look for Rizzo to develop into an above average regular with good offensive and defensive production.

35) Danny Hultzen- SEA, P- Hulzen was one of the best college pitchers in the nation last season for Virginia. He may not have the ceiling of the arms that went right after him in the draft but the Mariners know exactly what they are getting with him. Hultzen’s fastball sits in the low 90′s with a plus change-up and an average slider. Nothing screams “ace” about Hultzen but he should be the first pitcher in the majors out of his entire draft class. His immediate impact is where his value lies. Expect Hultzen to be a middle of the rotation starter, but closer to a #4 than a #2.

36) Francisco Lindor- CLE, SS- A true shortstop, Lindor comes off as a 4 tool player with fringe power being his main flaw. But for a shortstop, a player who can hit for average, steal bases, play tremendous defense with a good arm is about as much as you can ask for. Lindor is still very young and probably a few years away from the big leagues. Slight power may develop in the future but the thought of Lindor hitting over 15 home runs a season is unrealistic. But putting power to the side, he is exactly what an organization would want in a shortstop. Expect his stock to rise in the near future.

37) AJ Cole- OAK, P- One of the main pieces in the Gio Gonzalez trade, Cole is now the top pitching prospect in Washington’s system. The righty stands at 6’4” with an average build and has an explosive fastball that can reach 98 mph. A rapidly advancing change-up is becoming a great weapon for him while he still is trying to master his curveball. At only 20, Cole still has a ways to go before he reaches the majors. He may not help the rebuilding A’s until 2014 or 2015, but his repertoire and plus control give him a top of the rotation ceiling as a starter.

38) Mike Montgomery- KC, P- Montgomery’s stock has fallen a bit after a disappointing 2011 season. He was expected to join Danny Duffy as the first wave of top pitching prospects to reach the majors in Kansas City. Montgomery has a fastball that sits in the low to mid 90′s, touching the upper 90′s occasionally with a great change-up as a strikeout pitch and an average breaking ball. The left hander is still just 22 and only needs to conquer Triple-A Omaha before reaching Kansas City so Montgomery is right on track with the typical pitching prospect progression. With Kansas City getting closer to contention, it would be nice to see him reach the majors in the middle of this season. He has the make up to be a middle of the rotation starter or better.

39) Yonder Alonso- SD, 1B- Alonso will begin the season as San Diego’s opening day first baseman after being moved from Cincinnati in the Mat Latos trade. Alonso’s value is all in his bat as he has 20-30 home run power and can also hit for a decent average with good on-base skills. He is pedestrian at first base in the field, but he probably wont kill the Padres there. With a bat that plays at the position, Alonso can develop into a middle of the order hitter (assuming PetCo doesn’t swallow him up) and a good run producer.

40) Xander Bogaerts- BOS, SS/3B- Bogaerts is a high risk, high reward prospect who has the potential to be an All-Star. However, success is not so certain with Bogaerts as he is a long way away from the big leagues. At only 19 years old, Bogaerts has already demonstrated ridiculous power. He is at shortstop for now, but will most likely end up moving over to third base as he continues to grow and fill out. 35-40 home run power is certainly feasible in the future with continued development. Bogaerts could grow up to be an elite offensive force at the hot corner, or he could turn out to be a disappointment. Either way, Boston won’t feel any of his impact for a few years.