BASEBALL AMERICA'S TOP 10 PROSPECT LIST RELEASED
Released Monday through the publication's website, the list includes 2009 Wilmington southpaw Michael Montgomery as the Royals' top prospect. Blessed with a brilliant fastball and corollary location talents, the California native hurled four no-hit innings to begin his first Advanced-A start on July 26. It was the beginning of a dominant run that saw the lefty post a 4-1 record and 2.25 ERA over nine starts. He held the circuit to a .196 batting average and struck out 46 men against 12 walks over 52.0 IP.
The organization's top prospect from 2009, third baseman Mike Moustakas, fell to No. 4 in the 2010 rankings, while the prior year's No. 2 chip, first baseman Eric Hosmer, slid down to the fifth position. The duo manned the most expensive corner infield in Carolina League history in 2009, with their combined salary bonuses checking in at $10 million. Moustakas, hampered by one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, still notched the most home runs by a Blue Rock in a decade (16) and belted the third-most RBIs in franchise history (86). He earned a spot on the Carolina League's mid-season All-Star team. Hosmer, a mid-season promotion, hit just .206, but missed more than two weeks of action late in the season. After he returned, the then-19-year-old Florida native showed flashes of his off-the-charts power amateur scouts drooled over with a walk-off home run in extra innings to halt what had been a scoreless Game 3 of the N.D.C.S. playoffs amidst bone-chilling air and a heavy rain.
Lefty Danny Duffy ranks No. 8 on the latest list. The Carolina League All-Star ranked second in the K.C. system in ERA (2.98) and strikeouts (125) in 2009. He posted a 9-3 record and pitched in the prestigious Futures Game immediately after his Carolina/California League All-Star Game appearance. Twice, he outdueled perhaps the circuit's top pitcher, Baltimore prospect Brian Matusz, who would finish the year in the Orioles' Major League rotation.
Outfielder David Lough rounds out the former Blue Rocks among the Top 10. The former college walk-on and recruited football star at Mercyhurst enjoyed the system's best contact number on the 2009 season (.325). The Carolina League All-Star received a mid-season promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas after hitting a crisp .320 in a Blue Rocks uniform over 65 games, mostly in right field.
The publication makes a line-up projection for the 2013 Major League team that includes Hosmer at first base, Lough in center field, Moustakas in right and Jeff Bianchi (2008-09) at shortstop. It also has former Wilmington ace and 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke (2002-03) as the team's top starter with Montgomery behind him as the No. 2.
Among the former Blue Rocks ranked in the system's "Best Tools" category, Moustakas took honors for "Best Power Hitter" and "Best Infield Arm". Kila Ka'aihue (2007) received "Best Strike-Zone Discipline" accolades, Jarrod Dyson (2008) was tabbed the "Fastest Baserunner" and Derrick Robinson (2007-09) took "Best Athlete" and "Best Defensive Outfielder" honors. Mario Lisson (2007) was named the organization's "Best Defensive Infielder" in the minors.
The Blue Rocks will open play in 2010 on April 8 in Myrtle Beach, SC against the Pelicans (Atlanta Braves). The home opener comes on April 16 with the first of a record 15 fireworks shows at Frawley Stadium this season as the Blue Crew hosts the Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals). Every Friday in 2010 will have post-game fireworks at Frawley.
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