The (Way Too Early) Top 10 2013 Draft Prospects
1. MARK APPELRHP,STANFORD
The strength of this year's class is college power arms, and no one is more powerful than Appel. Last Friday the righthander struck out 15 over seven innings against UNLV.
2. RYNE STANEKRHP,ARKANSAS
Scouts are divided as to whether Stanek (left) should start or relieve, but with a fastball that touches 97, the top pitcher in the country's best conference could overtake Appel.
3. AUSTIN MEADOWSCF,GRAYSON (Ga.) H.S.
The Clemson signee is the most intriguing talent in the draft, a 6' 3", 200-pound lefthanded hitter who has power, speed and a big arm in the field, where he can also play first base.
4. SEAN MANAEALHP,INDIANA STATE
Less polished than Appel and Stanek, Manaea may have more upside. He began to move up after dominating the Cape Cod League in 2012 with his sinking mid-90s fastball.
5. KOHL STEWARTRHP,ST. PIUS X H.S., HOUSTON
Stewart is committed to play QB at Texas A&M, but he also has a pitching arsenal—a mid-90s fastball, slider and changeup—that turns heads.
6. CLINT FRAZIER,OF,LOGANVILLE (Ga.) H.S.
A five-tool talent with developing power and excellent bat speed, Frazier (left) is still raw, but he could rocket up the draft board with a strong spring.
7. KRIS BRYANT3B,SAN DIEGO
The top college power hitter (five homers in four games last week) needs to cut down on his K's. Scouts think Bryant, who hits to all fields, will eventually end up at first base.
8. JONATHON CRAWFORDRHP,FLORIDA
Crawford's stock has been up since his no-hitter in the NCAA regionals last year. His stuff (a mid-90s fastball and a plus slider) is as nasty as anyone's.
9. AUSTIN WILSONOF,STANFORD
A 12th-round pick out of high school, Wilson has bloomed into a big-time power hitter. He was impressive in the Cape Cod League, hitting .313/.436/.623 and playing solid D.
10. TREY BALLOF/LHP,NEW CASTLE (Ind.) H.S.
Scouts still aren't sure whether the talented two-way player projects better as a pitcher (he has a developing low-90s fastball) or an outfielder.
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BRIAN WESTERHOLT/FOUR SEAM IMAGES (STANEK)
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LARRY GOREN/FOUR SEAM IMAGES (FRAZIER)