2011 Top 100 Prospects: 1-20

Staff Report
February 23, 2011

---

See also: Complete Top 100 On One Page
See also: Top 100 Prospects By The Numbers
See also: All-Time Top 100 Rankings
See also: Top 100 Prospect Chat
See also: Royals Class Stands Out
See also: Top 100 Prospects Podcast
See also: Split Decisions, Which Prospects Generated Debate

---

See Nos. 21-40 >>

This is Baseball America's 22nd annual Top 100 Prospects list,our definitive annual ranking of the best professional talent in baseball below the major league level and the culmination of our offseason prospect coverage.Our focus this year is on the Split Decisions throughout the list—those points where our voters disagreed.

You'll find those highlighted throughout the next seven pages, with people explaining their why they voted the way they did. Six people contributed to the voting this year: Co-Editors Will Lingo and John Manuel, executive editor Jim Callis, managing editor J.J. Cooper, associate editor Matt Eddy and assistant editor Conor Glassey. Each person compiled a top 150 list, and we then reviewed the composite numbers and made adjustments before locking down the final list. The rankings follow our standard prospect guidelines, which means any player who has not exceeded 130 at-bats, 50 innings or 30 appearances in the major leagues (without regard to service time) is eligible.

We're focusing on the best tool for each player, handing out a best-case grade on the 20-80 scouting scale—where 20 is the worst, 80 the best, and 50 major league average. Ages are as of March 31, and ETA is the year we expect the player to establish himself as a big leaguer.

01 Bryce Harper of, Nationals Best Tool: Power. BA Grade: 80. Opening Day Age: 18 ETA: 2013		11 Jameson Taillon rhp, Pirates Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 19 ETA: 2013
02 Mike Trout of, Angels Best Tool: Speed. BA Grade: 80. Opening Day Age: 19 ETA: 2012		12 Dustin Ackley 2b, Mariners Best Tool: Bat. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 23 ETA: 2011
03 Jesus Montero c, Yankees Best Tool: Power. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2011		13 Shelby Miller rhp, Cardinals Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 20 ETA: 2012
04 Domonic Brown of,  Phillies Best Tool: Arm. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 23 ETA: 2011		14 Manny Machado ss, Orioles Best Tool: Bat. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 18 ETA: 2013
05 Julio Teheran rhp, Braves Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 19 ETA: 2012		15 Matt Moore lhp, Rays Best Tool: Curveball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2013
06 Jeremy Hellickson rhp, Rays Best Tool: Changeup. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 23 ETA: 2011		16 Michael Pineda rhp, Mariners Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 22 ETA: 2011
07 Aroldis Chapman lhp, Reds Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 80. Opening Day Age: 23 ETA: 2011		17 Freddie Freeman 1b, Braves Best Tool: Bat. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2011
08 Eric Hosmer 1b, Royals Best Tool: Bat. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2012		18 John Lamb lhp, Royals Best Tool: Command. BA Grade: 65. Opening Day Age: 20 ETA: 2012
09 Mike Moustakas 3b, Royals Best Tool: Power. BA Grade: 75. Opening Day Age: 22 ETA: 2011		19 Mike Montgomery lhp, Royals Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 65. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2012
10 Wil Myers of/c, Royals Best Tool: Bat. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 20 ETA: 2012		20 Chris Sale lhp, White Sox Best Tool: Fastball. BA Grade: 70. Opening Day Age: 22 ETA: 2011

See Nos. 21-40 >>