Prospect Junkies: - 2011 Top 20 Outfield Prospects

1. Bryce Harper - Bats: L Throws: R - 6'3" 225 - WAS - 10.16.92. When Tom Verdicci wrote his legendary "Chosen One" article, he opened it with the proclamation, "His name is Bryce Harper. You don't know him, but every big league scouting director does." Oh Verdicci you underestimate the prospect community! We were well aware of Harper, who had just been named Baseball America's High School Player of the Year as a sophomore. Harper's story is truly remarkable and will go down in baseball history regardless of whether he pans out. My prediction for 2011 is that we're going to see a high K%. Very high. The K's will cause a low batting average and he'll begin to press which will lead to more K's. Some people not quite as smart as my readers will start calling him a bust prematurely. His true test will be dealing with adversity for the first time in his life. Regardless of the numbers he will produce in 2011, Harper will likely be #1 on this list again in 2012. He's just that talented.


2. Mike Trout - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'1" 215 - LAA - 8.7.91. A New Jersey prep product, Trout was selected by the Angles with the second of their two first round picks in 2009. Trout's 2010 season was spectacular as he posted a .918 OPS to go with 56 SB while propelling him into the Minor League Player of the Year discussion. While his legs make him a plus center fielder, his arm is below average so he may be a left fielder by the time he reaches the Major Leagues.


3. Desmond Jennings - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'2" 200 - TB - 10.30.86. Jennings appeal to me has always been his patient eye coupled with his stolen base ability, as that combination is much more rare in today's game than it should be. Jennings has had a well above average BB% throughout his minor league career while stealing 171 bases in just over 4 seasons. He should spend most of 2011 as Carl Crawford's replacement in left, even if he doesn't make the team out of spring training.


16. Cesar Puello - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'2" 195 - NYM - 4.1.91. While I was never officially on the Fernando Martinez bandwagon am officially off and onto Cesar Puello's "C-Train". Did I just make that up? It's certainly no more ridiculous than "F-Mart"! While F-Mart is young enough to turn it around, Puello is young enough that he hasn't disappointed Mets fans yet. A .292/.375/.359 line is impressive for a teenager in the Low A Sally League.

For the rest of the list... http://www.prospectjunkies.com/2011/01/2011-top-20-outfield-prospects.html