Here's my second ranking of the top 100 prospects for the 2010 Rule 4 draft, based on what I've seen and what I've heard from scouts thus far this spring.
Normal caveat: This is not a projection of where these players will be selected, but my assessment of their values as players. I also don't consider signability, which is largely an unknown factor at this point anyway. This list was compiled in consultation with Jason A. Churchill, who is my main co-contributor to the currently-running-six-times-a-week MLB draft blog on Insider.
The 2010 MLB draft order is here.
We've started inputting player profiles now; we're up to about 53 or so. You can find an index of these player profiles, sorted alphabetically, by going here. The player cards are also linked below.
A few notes on the changes since my first top 100, which can be found here:
• Nothing major new up top, aside from sliding Drew Pomeranz back one spot after his injury put a brief scare into a few scouts who saw him in the past few weeks. It's nothing serious, though it did cause some people I talked to to go back to their original concerns about his arm action.
• I slid Mel Rojas Jr. down into the 30s after some feedback from a few evaluators whom I really trust and my own first look at his swing on video of a recent BP session.
• Delino DeShields Jr., another son of a former big leaguer, has been on the radar for a few years -- but between his height (5-foot-8) and commitment to LSU, most teams I spoke with in the offseason thought he wasn't signable. He finished strongly this spring and there's more indication that he's going to choose baseball, and several teams seem to be looking at him in the first round.
• Jacob Petricka of Indiana State is the other major debut, at 37; he's been up to 97 mph for several weeks now, but his below-average breaking ball morphed into a solid-average curve in a heavily attended outing against Missouri State's Mike Kickham.
• A strong finish for Oneonta's Dave Filak has moved him up into second-round territory, and there's a small chance he goes in the sandwich round, a reflection of how he's pitched but also of how thin the college pitching crop is.
• LSU's Micah Gibbs slides down to 66 after I received multiple reports questioning his defense, which at one point had been his calling card; I'll get one more look at him in two weeks at the SEC tournament.
• The major deletion was Columbus, Ga., infielder Kevin Jordan, whose senior spring was ruined by an illness that cost him some weight and hurt his performance, with area scouts telling me not to try to squeeze him into my trip there last week because he's still not his usual self. He might be a summer follow for someone who drafts him late and waits to see if he gets his strength back in July.
Bryce HarperC6-3205
Analysis: The presumptive No. 1 overall pick has smashed records and led a strong CSN team into the NJCAA regionals. My video scouting of Harper is located here. Apr. 26: No. 1
Manny MachadoSS6-2180
Analysis: Tall, athletic shortstop with a quick bat and a 70 arm. Video scouting is here. Apr. 26: No. 2
Jameson TaillonRHP6-5215
Analysis: Unusual arm strength, up to 98 mph as a starter, but hitters see his fastball and he needs help quieting his delivery. You can find video here. Apr. 26: No. 4
Drew PomeranzLHP6-5235
Analysis: Recent struggles likely tied to a strained pec that should resolve itself if he takes a week off. Apr. 26: No. 3
Karsten WhitsonRHP6-4195
Analysis: The best command of the premium prep arms in the class, with a chance for four pitches. Apr. 26: No. 5