The Top Ten 2010 MLB Draft Prospects

Much like with Stephen Strasburg in the 2009 draft, Bryce Harper is universally considered to be the obvious #1 pick of the 2010 draft, coming in June.  But who's #2?  Ultimately, Dustin Ackley was universally accepted as the #2 player behind Strasburg in 2009, will Jameson Taillon fill that role behind Harper in 2010?  Baseball Rumor Mill thinks so and also provides the rest of our Top Ten players of the 2010 MLB Draft.

10. James Paxton, RHP, Kentucky: Paxton was originally taken with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 draft, but was unable to sign with the Blue Jays and has returned to Kentuckey for his senior year.  Paxton is a hard thrower who also has a good slider, but needs to improve his control.

9. Stetson Allie, RHO, St. Edward HS, OH: Allie continues to play both the field and pitch, but most scouts agree that his professional future is as a pitcher.  Despite control issues, he was throwing 97 against some of the top amateur competition at the AFLAC All-Star game - the type of speed that really gets attention.

8. Manny Machado, SS, Brito Miami Private HS, FL: Before his play with Team USA at the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships, some scouts were concerned about Machado's defense.  While Machado's defense was unremarkable during play, this bat was spectacular.  In pool play, Machado hit 435/536/739 with two home runs, nine RBI and nine runs scored in six games.7. LeVon Washington, 2B, Buchholz HS, FL: Much like Paxton, Washington was the 30th overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, but was unable to sign.  Unlike Paxton, Washington will attend a junior college this season which will allow him to re-enter the draft next June. 

6. AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS, FL: Much like Allie, Cole can throw the ball hard, hitting 96 at the East Coast Showcase and throwing 93 at the AFLAC All-Star game.  However, Cole also needs to improve his control and his other pitches are not yet professional quality. 

5. Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS, FL: Whitson pitched for Team USA as well and threw well in the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships.  He doesn't throw as hard as his teammate, Taillon, but has more movement on the pitch. 

4. Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech: McGuire was the 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year and figures to be on everyone's Top Ten lists.  While his fastball currently tops out in the low 90s, he throws his slider, changeup and curveball all at an above average level.

3. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU: Excluding Harper who's technically a college player, Ranaudo figures to be the first collegiate player drafted.  He compliments a mid-90s fastball with a solid curveball and changeup.  The only factor which may cause him to slide is signability - Scott Boras is his advisor.

Anthony Ranaudo of LSU

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS, TX: Because of his size (6'7", 230 lbs) and where he's from (Texas), Taillon is already hearing Roger Clemens comparisons.  Those are certainly premature, but the righty throws a very hard fastball and a good curveball.  Taillon was dominant for Team USA during the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships. 

1. Bryce Harper, C, College of Southern Nevada: The SI coverboy left high school after only his sophomore year so that he could enroll at a junior college and be eligible for the 2010 draft, instead of the 2011 draft.  Harper brings all of the tools that teams want to see out of a draft prospect.  He can hit for average and power, runs well, throws well and has great baseball acumen.  The only question is whether he'll be a catcher as a professional.