Scouting Reports

[Grant]

Please post only scouting reports from reputable sources. We are not looking for the "I was at the game once and that dude was awesome" variety.

Also, please indicate the players position and what level he is (A, AA, AAA).

[Grant]

1) Jesus Montero, C, Grade A: I know that his position is up in the air, but I love this bat so much that I'm going to give him a straight Grade A. This is a Mike Piazza/Manny Ramirez type bat.

2) Austin Romine, C, Grade B: Not in Montero's class as a hitter, but he's not bad, should improve further, and is much better defensively.

3) Manny Banuelos, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline Grade B. Intriguing young lefty, undersized but has a very good arm and has performed quite well thus far.

4) Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade B-: Strike-throwing-ground-ball-generating-inning-gobbler with advanced pitching feel. A fifth starter, long reliever, or trade bait in New York.

5) Slade Heathcott, OF, Grade B-: Excellent tools, will have to see how his skills develop, and if he overcomes concerns about his makeup from high school.

6) Mark Melancon, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Relief prospects are hard to grade, especially if they aren't going to get a chance to close, but I really like Melancon. Great stats in the minors, with very good stuff.

7) Gary Sanchez, C, Grade C+: Scouting reports point to enormous offensive potential, but would like to see him in game action before ranking higher.

8) John Murphy, C, Grade C+: Scouts like the bat a lot, but raw defensively. As with Sanchez, need to see what balance he finds between tools and skills.

9) Kelvin De Leon, OF, Grade C+: Broken record: great tools, lots of power potential, questions about plate discipline, need more data from higher levels.

10) D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Grade C+: Picks up tons of grounders, throws strikes, very athletic, needs better secondary pitches to reach his full potential.

11) Wilkin De La Rosa, LHP, Grade C+: Live-armed lefty needs sharper command. Great trade bait.

12) David Adams, 2B, Grade C+: Power spiked in the Florida State League. If he maintains that, could be a nice surprise in Double-A in '10.

13) Corban Joseph, 2B-3B, Grade C+: Sleeper prospect, hits for average and controls zone well, might develop some power to go with it.

14) Adam Warren, RHP, Grade C+: Polished college pitcher could develop into another inning-eater type.

15) Neil Medchill, OF, Grade C+: Excellent power from the left side in the New York-Penn League, but batting average/OBP against better pitching are in question.

16) David Phelps, RHP, Grade C+: Looks like a sleeper to me, finished season with brilliant run in the Florida State League. Notre Dame product.

17) Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C: He's horrible as a starter, but has a chance to develop in the bullpen.

18) Jose Ramirez, RHP, Grade C: Can hit 95-96 MPH and pitched well in rookie ball; sleeper candidate to emerge in '10.

19) Jeremy Bleich, LHP, Grade C: The Yankees like him a lot more than I do, but I can't rate him higher than this given how badly he pitched in Double-A.

20) Bryan Mitchell, RHP, Grade C: Live arm, cost $800,000 to buy away from North Carolina, will need time but has a high ceiling.