2010 Draft Report Cards Overview

By Jim Callis and John Manuel
October 22, 2010


We kick off our offseason prospect coverage with an in-depth look at each team's 2010 draft. Editor in chief John Manuel (most National League clubs, plus the Twins and Yankees) and executive editor Jim Callis (most American League clubs, plus the Cubs, Dodgers and Padres) talked to scouting directors, scouts and player-development officials to evaluate the 30 draft crops.

For most of the categories, only players who signed are eligible, with the exceptions of Most Intriguing Background and The One Who Got Away. Best Late-Round Pick applies to players selected in the 10th round or later. The numbers in parentheses indicate the round in which a player was drafted.

Best Draft

1. Indians

2. Red Sox

3. Blue Jays

4. Rockies

5. Nationals

Best Pure Hitter

1. Zack Cox, 3b, Cardinals (1)

2. Christian Colon, ss, Royals (1)

3. Nick Castellanos, 3b, Tigers (1s)

4. Christian Yelich, of, Marlins (1)

5. Drew Vettleson, of, Rays (1s)

Best Power Hitter

1. Bryce Harper, of, Nationals (1)

2. Josh Sale, of, Rays (1)

3. Kyle Parker, of, Rockies (1)

4. Michael Choice, of, Athletics (1)

5. Brett Eibner, of, Royals (2)

Fastest Runner

1. Darian Sandford, of, Royals (47)

2. Delino DeShields, of, Astros (1)

3. Gary Brown, of, Giants (1)

4. Matt Szczur, of, Cubs (5)

5. Brandon Mims, ss, Blue Jays (9)

Best Defensive Player

1. Andrelton Simmons, ss, Braves (2)

2. Gary Brown, of, Giants (1)

3. Roberto Pena, c, Astros (7)

4. Matt den Dekker, of, Mets (5)

5. Rico Noel, of, Padres (5)

Best Fastball

1. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (1)

2. Stetson Allie, rhp, Pirates (2)

3. Chris Sale, lhp, White Sox (1)

4. Jacob Petricka, rhp, White Sox (2)

5. Stephen Pryor, rhp, Mariners (5)

Best Secondary Pitch

1. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (1)

2. Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Indians (1)

3. Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets (1)

4. Stetson Allie, rhp, Pirates (2)

5. Chris Sale, lhp, White Sox (1)

Best Athlete

1. Matt Szczur, of, Cubs (5)

2. Tyrell Jenkins, rhp, Cardinals (1s)

3. Aaron Shipman, of, Athletics (3)

4. Delino DeShields, of, Astros (1)

5. Gary Brown, of, Giants (1)

Most Intriguing Background

Baseball Relatives

1. Joe Jackson, c, Royals (50)

2. Kendall Radcliffe, of, Rangers (25)

3. Ozney Guillen, of, White Sox (22)

4. Cam Bedrosian, rhp, Angels (1)

5. Delino DeShields, of, Astros (1)

Not Baseball Relatives

1. Matt Szczur, of, Cubs (5)

2. Rodney Quintero, rhp, Astros (25)

3. Chance Mistric, rhp, Angels (42)

4. Lucas O'Rear, rhp, Reds (13)

5. Drew Vettleson, of, Rays (1s)

Best Late-Round Pick

Above-Slot Bonuses

1. Ty Linton, of, Diamondbacks (14)

2. Erik Goeddel, rhp, Mets (24)

3. Jordan Shipers, lhp, Mariners (16)

4. Kyle Waldrop, of, Reds (12)

5. Tony Dischler, rhp, Indians (23)

At Or Below Slot Bonuses

1. Aaron Kurcz, rhp, Cubs (10)

2. Mike Blancke, c, White Sox (14)

3. Matt Thomson, rhp, Athletics (12)

4. Shawn Tolleson, rhp, Dodgers (30)

5. Jared Hoying, of, Rangers (10)

Best Pro Debut

College Players

1. Chris Sale, lhp, White Sox (1)

2. Jared Hoying, of, Rangers (10)

3. Jake Lemmerman, ss, Dodgers (5)

4. Corey Jones, 2b, Tigers (7)

5. Eric Pettis, rhp, Phillies (35)

Junior College Players

1. Corey Dickerson, of, Rockies (8)

2. Aaron Kurcz, rhp, Cubs (10)

3. Randolph Oduber, of, Nationals (32)

4. Robbie Penny, rhp, Royals (37)

5. Kevin Kiermaier, of, Rays (31)

High School Players

1. Chris Hanna, lhp, Rangers (11)

2. Eddie Rosario, of, Twins (4)

3. Chuckie Jones, of, Giants (7)

4. Henry Ramos, of, Red Sox (4)

5. Matt Lipka, ss, Braves (1s)

Closest To The Majors

College Players

1. Chris Sale, lhp, White Sox (1)

2. Chance Ruffin, rhp, Tigers (1s)

3. Christian Colon, ss, Royals (1)

4. Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Indians (1)

5. Zack Cox, 3b, Cardinals (1)

High School Players

1. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (1)

2. Manny Machado, ss, Orioles (1)

3. Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers (1)

4. Drew Cisco, rhp, Reds (6)

5. Christian Yelich, of, Marlins (1)

The One Who Got Away

College Players

1. Barret Loux, rhp, Diamondbacks (1)

2. Austin Wood, rhp, Rays (4)

3. Burch Smith, rhp, Indians (20)

4. Cole Green, rhp Tigers (4)

5. Josh Osich, lhp, Angels (7)

High School Players

1. Karsten Whitson, rhp, Padres (1)

2. Dylan Covey, rhp, Brewers (1)

3. Austin Wilson, of, Cardinals (12)

4. Ryne Stanek, rhp, Mariners (3)

5. A.J. Vanegas, rhp, Padres (7)