Prospect Junkies Top 1B Prospects

1. Freddie Freeman - Bats: L Throws: R - 6'5" 220 - ATL - 9.12.89. I don't think I've ever truly understood how good Freddie Freeman has actually been. Maybe it's the fact that he was a second round pick of the same Braves draft class that produced Jason Heyward that I viewed Freeman as somewhat of an afterthought. While I still don't think he's as good as Heyward, very few humans are, so I shouldn't hold him responsible. Freeman has been one of the youngest players at each level he's played at as a professional and has still produced each step of the way. When a 20 year old posts an .898 OPS in AAA I guess it gets my attention. Congrats kid, you're my number #1 first baseman. Your parents must be proud.



2. Eric Hosmer - Bats: L Throws: L - 6'4" 215 - KC - 10.24.89. Hosmer was the #2 ranked prospect in the Texas League behind only his Northwest Arkansas teammate Mike Moustakas. Following a horrible 2009 season Hosmer was ranked #7 on this list last year, and treated himself to off-season laser eye surgery. The results have been nothing short of spectacular as Hosmer had a near 1.00 BB/K% and posted a .977 OPS.



3. Brandon Belt - Bats: L Throws: L - 6'5" 195 - SF - 4.20.88. As a college baseball fan, I'm partial to professional guys that I was able to follow in their college years, and while Belt was a good college player he wasn't supposed to be this good as a professional. The 5th round pick out of Texas wasn't even included in the top 30 Giants prospects prior to the 2010 season by Baseball America. Belt got off to a great start in the hitters heaven that is the California League but he produced at all three levels last season, finishing with a 13 game stay the AAA Pacific Coast League. On top of the 40+ doubles, 10 triples, 23 HR, 22 steals, 1.00 BB/K ratio and 1.075 OPS, he's an excellent defensive first baseman. There's a lot to love about that last sentence if you're into metrics and commas.

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