Yasmani Grandal, C, Cincinnati Reds
The 22-year old backstop has shown massive maturity in a short time frame. With his offensive skills thoroughly under the microscope, Grandal hit .428 and 13 homers during his junior season at Miami, soaring up draft boards to the #12 spot in the 2010 amateur draft. A switch hitter (superior left side) with an ideal physical profile, he possesses a rare combination of power and patience at the catcher spot. Through nine games in 2011 he’s batting .313 with three HR, seven RBI and an OPS of 1.155. With fellow top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco at AAA, the Reds can afford to be patient with Grandal. This is his first full season in the professional ranks after playing just eight games in Rookie ball last year.

Jean Segura, MI, Los Angeles Angels
While still a raw product, Segura has potential to develop the full offensive package. Recently turning 21, he’s drawn comparisons to current Angel Howie Kendrick with his propensity to use the opposite field and make square contact. He displayed power development in 2010, hitting ten homers and driving in 79 runs, while still only striking out 14% of the time (45 BB). Seguar’s a legit energizer bunny on the bases, stealing 50 bases last season and already with six in 2011. His early ’11 stat line reads: .416, six RBI, four doubles, two triples, 29 total bases and eight knocks in 14 AB with runners in scoring position. The Angels have shifted him from second base to shortstop, which should lead to a quicker route to the show.

Jay Austin, CF, Houston Astros
Austin is off to a rocking start in his second season in the CAL. The 2008 second round selection is batting .392 through 51 plate appearances, jacking two homers, driving in seven, swiping seven bags and drawing eight BB against nine K. Speed and athleticism are his meal tickets, stealing 54 bases last season (20 CS) and legging out 13 triples. Austin has shown some pop with ten homers and 25 two-base hits, but the Astros prefer he keep the ball on the ground and utilize his wheels. He hit .323 when putting the ball in play in 2010, but struck out 126 times. With a few alterations to his approach, he likely projects as a future leadoff hitter. Still only 20 years of age, his ML window is multiple years away. Best left for dynasty owners.

Bobby Borchering, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
The 6’3 switch hitter looks like a natural at the dish. Borchering has lightning quick hands, raw power (particularly from the left side) and the tools to hit for high average from both sides of the plate. Last season in the Midwest League (A) he finished with an impressive stat line: .270 BA, 15 HR, 31 doubles and 74 RBI. However, his 128-strikeout total was worrisome, and appears to have carried over into 2011. In 43 at bats this season he’s hitting just .186 with 14 K (2 BB), but continues to flash pop with two dingers and eight RBI. Despite his early struggles, there is little questioning Borchering’s upside with the stick. His lack of a true position is a very real obstacle inhibiting his ascent to the majors.

PITCHERS

Tyler Matzek, SP, Colorado Rockies
Matzek, the Rockies 2009 first round selection (11th overall), entered pro ball with a reputation as a seasoned arm with four above average offerings. He throws a low 90’s fastball, curve, slider and change. Command of his fastball has been startlingly poor through 20 minor league starts. He issued 62 BB in 89 1/3 innings last season and already eight through two minimal pitch efforts in 2011. Matzek has a tendency to miss up in the zone, which accounts for his poor GO/AO splits (0.90). The negative aside, one thing is one for certain- he doesn’t get hit. He issued the same number of hits as walks (62), and his .259 BABIP and 81.1% LOB are freakish. The Rockies are gradually building up the 20-year old, pitching him just 6 1/3 innings in his opening two starts. The left-hander has consensus top of the rotation potential.

Zack Wheeler, SP, San Francisco Giants
Apparently Wheeler didn’t think much of CAL competition in his first start, throwing five innings of no-hit ball. He possesses the devastating duo of a power arm and fluid delivery, resulting in effortless mid-90’s gas. His 2010 SAL pitching line was quite interesting, striking out 70 in 58 2/3 IP and inducing 2.68 ground outs per air out, yet “touched up” for a 3.99 ERA; the likely culprit? Wheeler was dealt his dose of bad fortune, allowing a .320 BABIP. Early in 2011 he seems intent on taking matters into his own hands, giving up one hit in 22 AB against right-handed hitters (.045 BAA). Wheeler will turn 21 in May and has the look of a quick riser with refinement of secondary pitches required.

Drew Pomeranz, SP, Cleveland Indians
The imposing 6’5 southpaw was the fifth overall selection in last year’s amateur draft. The former Mississippi Rebel boasts refined mound skills, a low to mid 90’s fastball and power slurve. Pomeranz earned CAR Pitcher of the Week for the week of 4/18 and has been absolutely untouchable in his first two starts. In 11 innings pitched he’s allowed three hits, zero ER and struck out 17 while walking just two. Now that my friends is what they call “playstation numbers”. To say he’s not long for this level would be the understatement of the century. The 22-year old is expected to take the express route through the Indians system.

Jarred Cosart, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Once upon a time in 2008, Cosart was a 38th round choice by the Phillies. Three short years later, despite an injury-plagued journey, he’s one of the “sneakiest” pitching prospects in the game. Cosart’s made his hay predominantly with one pitch; a fastball that SITS in the mid-90’s with tremendous hard sink. In 71 innings in the SAL last year he generated a 2.02 GO/AO rate, and through 17 innings in 2011 in the FSL that ratio remains in tact at 2.08. He allowed just three homers all of last season, and K’d 77 batters without a consistent breaking pitch. His strikeouts are down in the early going (11 K) but it hasn’t diminished his success (2.65 ERA and 1.00 WHIP). Keep in mind he was sidelined from June forward in 2010 and has a history arm/elbow troubles.

Including Shelby Miller in this level almost feels comical, so I’ll save him for later. After striking out 140 in 104 1/3 innings last season in regular A, he’s struck out 20 batters in 10 2/3 IP to open the FSL campaign (2 BB, 1.69 ERA). Top of the line.

(February 21, 2011 – Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images North America)

Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's insight into Major & Minor League Baseball.

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