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| 1 ♦ Atlanta Braves Tommy Hanson RHP |
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Born: Aug 28, 1986 ♦ B/T: R/R ♦ HT 6'6" ♦ WT: 220
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- Drafted: Riverside (Calif.) CC, D/F 2005 (22nd round)
- Signed by: Tom Battista
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| 1 ♦ Chicago Cubs Josh Vitters 3B |
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Born: Aug 27, 1989 ♦ B/T: R/R ♦ HT 6'3" ♦ WT: 200
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- Drafted: HS—Cypress, Calif., 2007 (1st round)
- Signed by: Denny Henderson/Tim Wilken
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 Background: One of the team's big finds in the now-extinct draft-and-follow process, Hanson signed with the Braves for $325,000 in 2006 while turning down an opportunity to pitch at Arizona State. He made tremendous strides transforming from a thrower to a pitcher in 2007 under the tutelage of the late Bruce Dal Canton, his pitching coach at high Class A Myrtle Beach. Hanson broke out as one of the baseball's top pitching prospects in 2008. He dominated in a return to Myrtle Beach to start the season and easily handled a promotion to Double-A Mississippi, where he tossed a no-hitter with a career-best 14 strikeouts on June 25. He concluded the regular season leading the minors in opponent batting average (.175) and ranking second in strikeouts per nine innings (10.6) and fourth in strikeouts (163). Hanson capped his year by winning the pitching triple crown in the Arizona Fall League, going 5-0, 0.63 with 49 strikeouts in 29 innings. He also limited hitters in the offensive-oriented loop to a .105 average.
Strengths: After displaying a tendency to rely on his fastball early in his minor league career, Hanson has developed four quality pitches that he throws for strikes. His moving fastball resides in the low to mid-90s and explodes in on the hands of righthanders. He added a hard slider in the upper 80s midway through last season, which brought about comparisons to John Smoltz's best offering while taking Hanson's considerable potential to a higher level. His overhand 12-to-6 curveball is a plus pitch that makes his slider even more difficult for hitters to diagnose. His changeup is at least major league average and has improved impressively over the past two years. Hanson mixes his pitches well, uses both sides of the plate and does an outstanding job of altering the eye level of hitters. He hides the ball well in his delivery, making him even tougher to hit. He displays impressive poise with a strong mound presence. He uses his height to his advantage by pitching on a steep downhill plane and challenges hitters throughout the lineup.
Weaknesses: The key to Hanson's success is working ahead in the count. While his slider has become his best pitch, he must establish his fastball command and use all of his pitches. The few difficult outings he had in Double-A came when he issued too many walks and became too fine in the strike zone, giving hitters a chance to make more hard contact than usual.
The Future: The Braves believe Hanson is a future ace, which GM Frank Wren made clear early in the offseason when he refused to include the righthander in any trade talks, even those involving Jake Peavy. Though not a finished product, Hanson is getting close to joining the big league rotation. The trade for Javier Vazquez increased the odds that Hanson will open 2009 at the club's new Triple-A Gwinnett County affiliate, but he should make his major league debut before season's end. |
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 Background: Vitters starred on the showcase circuit in the summer of 2006, and his strong performance as a high school senior the following spring ensured that he'd go near the top of the first round. Picking third overall, the Cubs went to bed the night before the draft thinking the Royals would take him at No. 2, which would have left Chicago with righthander Jarrod Parker. But when Kansas City decided slugger Mike Moustakas wouldn't be too expensive, that left Vitters for the Cubs. Signed for $3.2 million minutes before the Aug. 15 deadline, Vitters needed time to start raking again. He was rusty at the end of the 2007 season and developed tendinitis in his left hand during minor league camp last spring. He missed the first two weeks of the season, then reinjured his hand while hitting three doubles in his first game at low Class A Peoria. He tried to play through the pain and went 0-for-10 in three games before Chicago shut him down for two months. When he was healthy, Vitters went to short-season Boise. The Northwest League's youngest regular, he ranked as its No. 1 prospect, led the circuit with 25 doubles and fashioned a 26-game hitting streak. Vitters' brother Christian is an infielder in the Athletics system.
Strengths: Though he has just 14 at-bats in full-season ball, Vitters is unquestionably the top position prospect in the system. With his exceptional bat speed, hand-eye coordination and ability to put the barrel on the ball, the only real question is whether he'll be more productive hitting for average than power. Using one of the smoothest righthanded strokes you'll ever see, he'll offer plenty of both. He made strides in terms of adding strength and using the whole field in 2008. The Cubs knew Vitters would hit, but they're also excited by the progress he has made at third base. He won't be a Gold Glover, but they're confident he can become an average defender. Infield instructor Bobby Dickerson improved Vitters' agility and footwork through drills, and he showed the ability to make throws from a variety of angles. He has the soft hands and strong arm for the position. His makeup is an asset, as he's extremely coachable and fits in well with teammates.
Weaknesses: Once he physically matures, Vitters' fringy speed will become below average. He's not a finished product at third base, though he has plenty of time to develop and will put in the work needed to improve. He's so geared up to make hard contact that he hasn't drawn many walks, and it may border on heresy to ask him to tone down his approach. He's still growing into his home run power, but his 28 doubles in 65 games last year are a strong indicator that he will.
The Future: Vitters got in additional work after the season by attending the Cubs' Arizona and Dominican instructional league programs. He probably could handle an assignment to high Class A Daytona, but he may spend a couple of months in Peoria first. He could develop rapidly and push for a spot in the middle of the big league lineup by late 2010.
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| 5 ♦ San Francisco Giants Nick Noonan 2B |
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Born: May 4, 1989 ♦ B/T: R/R ♦ HT 6'0" ♦ WT: 185
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- Drafted: HS—San Diego, 2007 (1st round Supplemental)
- Signed by: Ray Krawczyk
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| 7 ♦ Florida Marlins Kyle Skipworth C |
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Born: March 1, 1990 ♦ B/T: L/R ♦ HT 6'3" ♦ WT: 195
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- Drafted: HS—Rubidoux, Calif., 2008 (1st round)
- Signed by: Robby Corsaro
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 Background: After signing for $915,750 as a sandwich pick in 2007, Noonan became a Rookie-level Arizona League all-star and the talk of the Giants' instructional league camp. Last season, he was the most consistent offensive player on a championship Augusta club loaded with teenage talent.
Strengths: Noonan's swing is compact, balanced and direct to the ball, which should allow him to hit for average with gap power. He has outstanding situational hitting skills, bunts well and moves runners. He has above-average speed and an opportunistic nature on the bases, stealing 29 bags in 33 attempts. He made dramatic improvements at second base, especially going to his backhand and turning double plays, after playing shortstop in high school. His game awareness is off the charts.
Weaknesses: Coaches lauded Noonan's strike-zone awareness before the season began, but he drew just 23 walks and acknowledged that he needs to be more selective. He was so aggressive that he got himself out at times in 2008. He's still learning to play second base and doesn't always take proper angles on grounders.
The Future: He might not flash enough power to make Chase Utley comparisons hold up, but Noonan is clearly San Francisco's second baseman of the future. While high Class A would be the next logical step, club officials were debating whether he might be ready for a jump to Double-A.
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 Background: Skipworth didn't become a full-time catcher until he was a junior in high school, after the incumbent catcher (the head coach's brother) graduated. As a senior, he drew comparisons to Joe Mauer, the only other prep catcher taken in the top 10 picks in the past 13 drafts, and set a California state record with hits in 18 consecutive plate appearances. Drafted sixth overall, Skipworth signed quickly for $2.3 million.
Strengths: Though he struggled in his pro debut, the Mauer comparisons extend to his hitting. Skipworth has the bat speed and strength to hit for average and power as he matures. A first-rate receiver with excellent hands and footwork, he required little tweaking from roving catching instructor Tim Cossins. He quickly took on game-calling responsibilities and showed a knack for handling pitchers. He has a strong, accurate throwing arm and a quick release, which helped him led the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League by nailing 36 percent of basestealers.
Weaknesses: Skipworth piled up too many strikeouts in the GCL, but he isn't the first high pick to struggle in his first pro summer. He needs to add strength and bulk to his lanky frame. His arm action can get long at times. He never had called pitches until he reached pro ball, so that has been an adjustment.
The Future: The Marlins haven't had a catcher this promising since Charles Johnson in the early 1990s. Skipworth will start 2009 in low Class A, and his bat will dictate how fast he climbs.
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| 8 ♦ San Diego Padres Allan Dykstra 1B |
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Born: May 21, 1987 ♦ B/T: L/R ♦ HT 6'5" ♦ WT: 215
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- Drafted: Wake Forest, 2008 (1st Round)
- Signed by: Ash Lawson
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 Background: The Padres drafted Dykstra 23rd overall in 2008 and signed him for $1.15 million, but not before reducing his bonus by $250,000 after a physical raised concerns about his surgically repaired right hip. The San Diego native suffered avascular necrosis in the joint, the result of a fall while playing basketball in high school, and the condition may or may not worsen during his career. For his part, he proved to be durable at Wake Forest, missing just one game in three years.
Strengths: Dykstra features the plus-plus raw power and plate discipline that the Padres covet. He controls the zone and has a true bat path, so he should hit for some average as well. He has an above-average arm, strong enough that he played a bit of third base in college.
Weaknesses: It's impossible to ignore the degenerative nature of Dykstra's hip ailment. He developed a bad habit of striding toward the plate in college, where pitchers steadily worked him away with offspeed stuff. This resulted in an overly pull-conscious approach and left him vulnerable to good fastballs on the inner third of the plate. He spent time in instructional league simply working on stepping toward the pitcher so that his hands could get to the ball and drive through it. He's a below-average athlete, runner and defender at first base.
The Future: Dykstra's power and sound batter's eye should hasten his arrival at Double-A, which could happen at some point in his first full pro season. He's blocked by Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Blanks ahead of him, and Dykstra can't move to another position. |
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