Top Third Basemen in the 2010 MLB Draft - Updated

At best, there will be two, maybe three, third basemen taken in the first

32 picks...

3B:

1. Zack Cox – Arkansas – draft-eligible sophomore… 3B tools and excellent bat speed… has had back problems.


7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .388, 7-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game

7-25 fr. http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - The fans and dozens of scouts were treated to strong pitching and a two-hit, two-RBI day by Cotuit third baseman Zack Cox (Arkansas), who was named the game's offensive MVP for the victorious West squad. "What you saw tonight is Zack Cox: Most of his hits are up the middle or the other way," said Roberts, who coaches Cox at Cotuit. "If he has one thing he'd like to do better down the road it's on certain pitches he'd like to turn on them better. But he's what I'd call a country Enos Slaughter. He's a country slasher, and he understands hitting."

8-2: from 6-16 article http://www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/: A freshman this season, Cox will be draft-eligible as a sophomore in 2010. He has battled a bad back this spring, but seemed to be loosening up and getting into a hitting rhythm as the Razorbacks tore through the postseason. Cox has third-base tools with plenty of bat speed to profile him to produce above-average power down the road. He's shown the ability to catch up to good fastballs and needs to learn to trust his hands to handle offspeed stuff.

9-16: From http://www.baseballamrica.com/ : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 8. Zack Cox, 3b Arkansas

9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com/: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #29 pick overall - Zack Cox, 3B – Arkansas - Cox is a draft eligible sophomore and will have a ton of leverage when it comes to signing. This is why I have him down here to Boston where money is not a problem. I think Cox will eventually sign but the power hitting 3B could go right down to the wire.

10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com/: 8. Houston Astros – Zack Cox, 3B, Arkansas – (1st 3B picked in draft) - Cox is the best draft-eligible sophomore in the 2010 class, and he’s arguably the best overall hitter in the entire class. A lefty in the box, he’s got plus power and hit tools, but he’s lacking a bit in the pitch recognition and plate discipline departments. The big question he’ll look to answer in the spring is whether he can stick at third base, as some see him as a first baseman with hard hands and below-average third base range. His arm is a plus, so I’d give him every chance to play at third as long as he’s hitting.

10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – 13. Zach Cox – 2nd 3Bman on list



2. Nick Castellanos – (up from 4th) – Archbishop McCarthy HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – 6-4, 205 –

From: http://www.baseballfactory.com/: - One of the top hitters in the 2010 class, Castellanos generates plus bat speed and has legitmate home run power to all fields. He has a tall, broad-shouldered frame similar to Scott Rolen and makes all the plays at 3B with ease. He projects as a middle-of-the-order hitter at any level. We have seen a lot of Nick as he has attended an Under Armour National Tryout, Dodgertown World Series and played in an Under Armour SE Tournament. He also plays for UA Franchise Team, the All-American Prospects. He has verbally committed to the University of Miami.

8-6: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - A strong, solid corner infielder, Castellanos can flat out rake. He has a big frame, and is very athletic for his size. Castellanos has a good feel for the game and has a strong arm from the left side of the diamond.

8-9: from http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - Castellanos was the driving force behind Baseball Factory’s win. He went 4-for-4 with four doubles, three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. He hit the ball to all fields, squared it up and also made a very nice play up the third base line to kick the game off.

8-15: from XMLBScout on http://www.perfectgame.com/: I saw him a couple games in Cary and he showed the ability to make solid contact, however, yesterday he appeared to show better on the way speed and if comparing him to anyone currently in the ML, I'd say Zimmerman 3B with the Nats. John moved up several projection charts for 2010 for sure!!

9-16: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/ : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 8. Nick Castellanos, 3b Archbishop McCarthy HS, SW Ranches, Fla.

9-26 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/: - While Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon dominated the reports from the USA Baseball 18-and-under team trials, a number of lesser-known players also had good performances which landed them on the roster. Nick Castellanos is currently playing third base, but will likely end up at first base as a professional. Nevertheless, Castellanos' hitting was very impressive, pulling the ball and going to opposite field with equal effectiveness.

9-27 from: http://web.usabaseball.com/: The USA Baseball 18U National Team logged a seven-run inning for a third consecutive day in a 14-0 run-rule shutout Sunday against Panama in the third day of the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Junior Championships at Daniel Canonico Stadium. Nick Castellanos knocked in the first run with a single off the center field fence.

9-1 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/: - The COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships began this past weekend and the 18-and-under squad from Team USA got off to a very hot 3-0 start with wins over Aruba, Argentia and Panama. Three stars stood out offensively for Team USA: Nick Castellanos: Team USA followed up their 14-0 drubbing of Argentina with an identical 14-0 win over Panama on Sunday. Castellanos was the DH in that game and had an impressive 2 for 4 day with a double, two runs scored and three RBI.

10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com/: 18. Seattle Mariners – Nick Castellanos, 3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL) – (3rd 3B picked in draft) - Castellanos is the Bobby Borchering to Kris Bryant’s Matt Davidson. Castellanos has the more advanced approach and better advanced game results than Bryant, but the tools seem to currently rest in Bryant’s favor. Castellanos has a good hit tool with good raw power, and the odds are in Castellanos’ favor in terms of staying at third base. All in all, Castellanos would form a good complement to Seattle’s pick of Nick Franklin in 2009. Makes sense to me.

10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – 3. Nick Castellanos - 1st 3Bman on list



3. Kris Bryant – Bonanza HS, Las Vegas

8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Power is his calling card. He is a giant at the plate, at 6’5,205 and he generates a ton of power in his swing. Bryant went 0-2 with a walk in the game, but the days before is where he shined. It was great to watch him during BP as he makes it look almost too easy to hit for that much power. He has a solid arm across the diamond and should be able to stay at third base as he moves up during his career.

9-16: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/ : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 7. Kris Bryant, 3b Bonanza HS, Las Vegas

9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com/: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #26 pick overall - Kris Bryant, 3B - Bonanza HS (NV) - When you are 6'5, have good range, and hit for power you will find yourself in the first round. This is Kris Bryant. In a draft very weak on corner infield talent Bryant could go even higher than this. Right now he is committed to go to the University of San Diego but I expect to see him in the minor leagues.

10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com/: 11. Toronto Blue Jays – Kris Bryant, 3B, Bonanza HS (NV) – (2nd 3B picked in draft) - It’s tough to predict this pick, along with Padres’, as they’re both in the middle of front office transition, and a GM hasn’t been named. However, teams usually keep a good number of their scouts for at least the next season, so I’m going at least partly off of history. Bryant’s got the power bat Toronto’s been searching for in the minors since Kevin Ahrens hasn’t panned out. He might be a first baseman in the long run, but if Bryant proves he can handle himself with the wood bat before June, teams won’t care. His raw power is that good. He’s probably a first round pick with a good spring, and he might even go higher than this with an offensive explosion.

10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #43 - Kris Bryant – 4th SS on list




4. Victor Sanchez – (down from #1) –– San Diego – 6-2, 180, R/R – was drafted 25th by Cubs in 2007… lots of raw power… 12 HRs as freshman… injured most of sophomore year… shortstop in high school…

7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - My favorite of that group (of 3Bmen) and minor sleeper come draft day is Victor Sanchez from California.

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: has pop in his bat and body to fill out, 15-20 type HR power, solid ML arm, runs ok, better between the bases, glove can play at 3b, future might be 2b.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com/: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 30th pick overall - Victor Sanchez, 3B - San Diego

10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – 40. Victor Sanchez - 3rd 3Bman on list

10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com/: - 3B Victor Sanchez - Sanchez seems like he is getting lost in the shuffle as another formerly highly touted high school prospect who has battled injuries and inconsistency at the college level.



5. Jedd Gyoko – (up from 6th) – West Virginia – Junior – 5-10, 195… played SS in 2008… played 3B in 2009 Cape Cod League… hits for average and power… excellent middle fielder in past

7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .294, 8-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game

9-16: From http://www.baseballamrica.com/ : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 12. Jedd Gyorko, 3b/2b West Virginia

10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com/: 29. Boston Red Sox – Jedd Gyorko, 3B/2B, West Virginia – (4th 3B picked in draft) - Gyorko’s a questionable first-rounder to those that only love pure tools, but his bat is a legitimate first-round weapon in my book. He’s got a plus hit tool and decent raw power, and I think Gyorko could be a solid all-around infielder. Whether he’s a second baseman or third baseman isn’t a big deal, as his bat will play at either spot, but the Red Sox would probably only go for him at the third base spot. He fits perfectly into the Boston style of hitting, and I can easily see a match here.




6. Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA) – fastball in 90-92 range.. played every day shortstop but charts out as a pitcher… needs work

9-7: From http://www.perfectgame.com/ on the AFLAC games: - very good arm, also position player who plays all out. Have to see him again next year for sure.

9-16: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/ : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 17. Kaleb Cowart, 3b/rhp Cook HS, Adel, Ga.

9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com/: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 20th pick overall - Kaleb Cowart, 3B - Cook County HS (GA)

9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com/: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #23 pick overall - Kaleb Cowart, RHP/3B - Cook County HS (GA) - Cowart is another two-way player and happens to be in Georgia. Atlanta loves local talent and like Justin O'Conner will, Cowart will get a chance to play both sides of the game. He is currently committed to Florida State and their are a lot of Seminole fans hoping he comes there first.




7. Ross Wilson – – Alabama –

7/07 fr. http://www.projectprospect.com/: the University of Alabama should have the most talented left side of infield in college next year as SS Josh Rutledge and 3B Ross Wilson both have solid tools with decent power potential.


8. Derek Dietrich - Georgia Tech



9. Joey Kenworthy – Texas Tech – Senior… 5-5, 152, S/R… 2009: .335/.378/.417 in 220 Abs… 17 errors…



10. Ryan Albert – Newport Harbor HS (CA) – 5-11, 170, L/R – raw power… also throws 88-fastball, 76 curve… projects out at third due to his excellent hitting ability…

11. Josh Anderson – Poway HS (CA) – 6-0, 205, R/R – also pitches with 84-87 fastball… well above average tools… but slow…

12. Bryan Soloman – Memorial HS (NJ) – 6-4, 245, R/R – raw power and excellent extension threw contact… also pitches with good command…

13. Chad Lewis – Marina HS (CA) – 6-2, 190, R/R…

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: one of best power strokes in the tourney, solid ML arm from the corner, moves feet well enough to stay there, reminds me some of Mike Schmidt when I was a kid watching the Phillies.

14. Mike Antonio – 6-1, 185, R/R –

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: solid stroke from right side, went with the pitch, showed alley power/extra base type power, eventually will develop 15-20 HR type power, runs well underway, 4.5 home to 1st, a step slow, but is not a clogger, solid arm and glove, to stay at 3b, eventually move to RF or 1b.

15. Scott Woodward – Coastal Carolina – 6-1, 200, L/R –

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: solid player, put himself on the map with solid spring as a freshman in 2008, grades across the board at ave with gamer mentality.

16. Jake Smith – (new) – Alabama

10-7 from: - http://www.mlbresource.blogspot.com/: - Jake Smith---3B---The senior out of Shannon, AL has been a valuable asset each year but none will be more needed than in 2010. Smith put up huge numbers in '09 and will asked to repeat to make up for the loss of Matthes from the lineup. Smith last year led the team in hitting with a .359 makr and also chipped in a nice 18 HR.