Revised Top 25 Prospects of 2010

With the Futures Game approaching and the trade deadline looming next month, baseball's best prospects typically get more attention than usual this time of year. So, with several players graduating to the big leagues -- think Stephen Strasburg, Starlin Castro, Mike Stanton, etc. -- it's time to take a midseason glance at the top 25 prospects left in the minors.

All told, 15 of the top 25 players from our preseason Top 100 Prospects list are either currently in the majors or have tasted the big leagues at some point this season. Those players, as well as players from the recently completed 2010 MLB Draft, were not considered for this updated list. Even without them, there are some very new and very interesting names making their way up the list.

1. MIKE TROUT (CF), ANGELS

Age: 18 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 217 | Previous: 52
2010 Stats: .365 AVG | 6 HR | 36 RBI | .446 OBP | 38 SB
Current Level: Cedar Rapids (Single-A Midwest League)

The Skinny: What a meteoric rise it has been for Trout on his way to the top of this list. I got an extended look at him in May and was hooked immediately. This kid really does it all and has a special feel with the bat to go along with outstanding physical tools. I see no reason he won't continue to cruise up the ladder. For now, he'll have to settle for destroying the Midwest League.

2. DOMONIC BROWN (RF), PHILLIES

Age: 22 | Bats: L | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200 | Previous: 19
2010 Stats: .331 AVG | 17 HR | 53 RBI | .401 OBP | 13 SB
Current Level: Lehigh Valley (Triple-A International League)

The Skinny: It was a tough choice between Brown and Trout for the top spot, so if it makes you feel better, let's call him No. 1A. Brown has really done it all this year, and that power is now coming along just as scouts long predicted it would.

3. AROLDIS CHAPMAN (LHP), REDS

Age: 22 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185 | Previous: 36
2010 Stats: 5-6 W-L | 4.35 ERA | 70 1/3 IP | 84 SO | 41 BB
Current Level: Louisville (Triple-A International League)

The Skinny: It's been an up and down year for Chapman, and his command has proven to be a legitimate issue. Even with that in mind, you just don't find left-handed pitchers with this type of stuff, and he belongs up here for that reason alone.

4. DESMOND JENNINGS (CF), RAYS

Age: 23 | Bats: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | Previous: 3
2010 Stats: .301 AVG | 1 HR | 21 RBI | .376 OBP | 19 SB
Current Level: Durham (Triple-A International League)

The Skinny: It took some time but Jennings is really clicking at Triple-A now. With B.J. Upton's myriad of issues at the big-league level, Jennings could be on his way to Tampa Bay sooner rather than later.

5. JESUS MONTERO (C), YANKEES

Age: 20 | Bats: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225 | Previous: 5
2010 Stats: .250 AVG | 6 HR | 32 RBI | .313 OBP | 0 SB
Current Level: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A International League)

The Skinny: Triple-A has proven to be the toughest challenge yet for Montero, who previously had cruised through every level. He has come alive of late, though, and we're beginning to see that huge offensive potential once again.

6. JULIO TEHERAN (RHP), BRAVES

Age: 19 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 150 | Previous: 74
2010 Stats: 5-4 W-L | 2.04 ERA | 83 2/3 IP | 97 SO | 18 BB
Current Level: Myrtle Beach (Single-A Carolina League)

The Skinny: With Chapman seemingly on his way to the big leagues soon and 2010 draft picks excluded from this list, Teheran may be the best pitching prospect left in the minors before long. He is more than deserving of that title.

7. MARTIN PEREZ (LHP), RANGERS

Age: 19 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 178 | Previous: 9
2010 Stats: 3-4 W-L | 5.19 ERA | 59 IP | 63 SO | 34 BB
Current Level: Frisco (Double-A Texas League)

The Skinny: As talented as he is, it's easy to forget that Perez is still just a teenager pitching at Double-A. He's another guy that struggled early on, but has been much better of late. His stuff stacks up with any left-handed starter in the minors.

8. JEREMY HELLICKSON (RHP), RAYS

Age: 23 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185 | Previous: 10
2010 Stats: 10-2 W-L | 2.35 ERA | 99 2/3 IP | 101 SO | 22 BB
Current Level: Durham (Triple-A International League)

The Skinny: What more can you say about Hellickson? This guy just does his thing at every level and makes it look pretty easy. At this point, his numbers at Triple-A are just screaming for a promotion to the big leagues, and when he gets that call he'll be ready for the challenge.

9. BRETT WALLACE (3B), BLUE JAYS

Age: 23 | Bats: L | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205 | Previous: 28
2010 Stats: .301 AVG | 14 HR | 42 RBI | .363 OBP | 0 SB
Current Level: Las Vegas (Triple-A Pacific Coast League)

The Skinny: Wallace just continues to mash, and now the good news is the power is really developing as well. He's right on the cusp of being big-league ready and profiles as an impact bat at the next level.

10. DUSTIN ACKLEY (IF), MARINERS

Age: 22 | Bats: L | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185 | Previous: 18
2010 Stats: .253 AVG | 2 HR | 25 RBI | .387 OBP | 8 SB
Current Level: West Tennessee (Double-A Southern League)

The Skinny: He got off to an alarmingly slow start, but it was really only a matter of time before he turned it around in Double-A. Ackley is just too talented a hitter, and that has been evident as he's caught fire of late at the dish.

11. MIKE MONTGOMERY (LHP), ROYALS

Age: 21 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 180 | Previous: 34
2010 Stats: 5-1 W-L | 2.01 ERA | 53 2/3 IP | 58 SO | 14 BB
Current Level: Northwest Arkansas (Double-A Texas League)

The Skinny: About the only negative thing you can say about Montgomery this year has been that his elbow has acted up. But, if we are to believe the Royals, it's been a very minor problem. As far as performance and stuff, Montgomery is as good as you'll get in a left-handed pitching prospect.

12. JARRED COSART (RHP), PHILLIES

Age: 20 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: 7-3 W-L | 3.79 ERA | 71 1/3 IP | 77 SO | 16 BB
Current Level: Lakewood (Single-A South Atlantic League)

The Skinny: If his teammate, Jonathan Singleton, was the league's most impressive hitter in the Gulf Coast League in 2009, then Cosart was probably the league's top arm. He has a fastball that is comfortably in the mid-90s and for the most part he has just walked through low Single-A ball hitters in 2010. He's still a bit crude, but continues to improve rapidly.

13. ZACH BRITTON (LHP), ORIOLES

Age: 22 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 55
2010 Stats: 7-3 W-L | 2.48 ERA | 87 IP | 68 SO | 28 BB
Current Level: Bowie (Double-A Eastern League)

The Skinny: The Orioles really could not ask for more out of Britton here in 2010. The 22-year old southpaw has carved up Double-A hitters and doesn't look to be far off, showing command and an ability to miss bats.

14. LOGAN MORRISON (1B), MARLINS

Age: 22 | Bats: L | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235 | Previous: 51
2010 Stats: .323 AVG | 4 HR | 30 RBI | .420 OBP | 1 SB
Current Level: New Orleans (Triple-A Pacific Coast League)

The Skinny: Morrison has proven that if he can stay on the field, he's going to hit. He's hitting for average at Triple-A and the on-base percentage is outstanding as usual. The power numbers are not great yet, but figure to improve. He's not far off from contributing at the next level.

15. AUSTIN ROMINE (C), YANKEES

Age: 21 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 45
2010 Stats: .290 AVG | 5 HR | 42 RBI | .370 OBP | 1 SB
Current Level: Trenton (Double-A Eastern League)

The Skinny: If you look at his minor-league track record, Romine has really been a model of consistency, and that counts for a lot in the prospect world. He continues to hit very well in Double-A and play exceptionally well behind the dish. Having this luxury of multiple top-flight catching prospects could allow the Yankees to pull off a big trade.

16. JACOB TURNER (RHP), TIGERS

Age: 19 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210 | Previous: 90
2010 Stats: 2-3 W-L | 3.72 ERA | 58 IP | 55 SO | 9 BB
Current Level: Lakeland (Single-A Florida State League)

The Skinny: There were some mild injury concerns early in the season for Turner, but those have since come and gone. Now, he's a 19-year-old pitching in the Florida State League. He's shown good polish, and the Tigers won't be afraid to advance him quickly if he continues to pitch well.

17. MICHAEL PINEDA (RHP), MARINERS

Age: 21 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 180 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: 9-1 W-L | 2.22 ERA | 89 IP | 94 SO | 21 BB
Current Level: Tacoma (Triple-A Pacific Coast League)

The Skinny: Anyone who has seen Pineda throw can tell you that his stuff will wow you. The results have matched that impression this year. The 21-year-old righty walked through Double-A hitters and is now doing the same in Triple-A. Pineda has filthy stuff and as good an arm as you'll find in the minors.

18. ARODYS VIZCAINO (RHP), BRAVES

Age: 19 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 189 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: 9-3 W-L | 2.71 ERA | 83 IP | 77 SO | 12 BB
Current Level: Myrtle Beach (Single-A Carolina League)

The Skinny: As I was making this list, the Braves learned that Vizcaino has a partial ligament tear in his elbow, but it appears it will not require surgery. So, for now he remains on the list. The raw stuff is fantastic and the results have matched it so far in 2010.

19. KYLE GIBSON (RHP), TWINS

Age: 22 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 210 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: 9-4 W-L | 2.97 ERA | 97 IP | 82 SO | 28 BB
Current Level: New Britain (Double-A Eastern League)

The Skinny: The Twins may have scored the coup of the 2009 draft when they got Gibson at No. 22 overall. Although he's hit some rough patches in Double-A of late, Gibson has been nothing short of fantastic, particularly with his command, here in 2010.

20. JONATHAN SINGLETON (1B), PHILLIES

Age: 18 | Bats: L | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: .353 AVG | 10 HR | 44 RBI | .438 OBP | 5 SB
Current Level: Lakewood (Single-A South Atlantic League)

The Skinny: No, I'm not jumping the gun with this one. Singleton has been high on my radar since he debuted in the GCL last year. Since then, he has only gotten better. His huge offensive production is not a mirage, and he has special potential at the plate.

21. CASEY KELLY (RHP), RED SOX

Age: 19 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 24
2010 Stats: 1-3 W-L | 5.05 ERA | 57 IP | 53 SO | 21 BB
Current Level: Portland (Double-A Eastern League)

The Skinny: I had serious doubts about placing Kelly on this list, but ultimately it came down to his track record. Kelly has not been good at all in Double-A this year, but for now we can chalk it up to growing pains. He's still a top-flight pitching prospect, and although he may not be the No. 1 starter some project him to be, his potential is outstanding.

22. ERIC HOSMER (1B), ROYALS

Age: 20 | Bats: L | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: .350 AVG | 4 HR | 43 RBI | .422 OBP | 10 SB
Current Level: Wilmington (Single-A Carolina League)

The Skinny: It's been quite a bounceback season for Hosmer in 2010 as he continues to hit at a ridiculous pace. The home run numbers are not quite there yet, but given his physical strength and ability to square the ball up consistently, it's only a matter of time before that part comes around.

23. HAK-JU LEE (SS), CUBS

Age: 19 | Bats: L | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: .266 AVG | 0 HR | 22 RBI | .337 OBP | 20 SB
Current Level: Peoria (Single-A Midwest League)

The Skinny: This is another wild-card pick on my part. Lee has the talent to play big-league shortstop defensively right now, and his speed stacks up against anyone in professional baseball. He's still a little crude at the plate, but he has star potential.

24. SHELBY MILLER (RHP), CARDINALS

Age: 19 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 59
2010 Stats: 1-3 W-L | 4.67 ERA | 44 1/3 IP | 60 SO | 17 BB
Current Level: Quad Cities (Single-A Midwest League)

The Skinny: Along with Turner and other names, like Tyler Matzek, who narrowly missed the list, there were some potentially special young arms out of the 2009 prep pitching class. Miller has showed off power stuff and the ability to miss bats in low Single-A this season, and despite some bumps in the road he has looked as advertised.

25. GARY SANCHEZ (C), YANKEES

Age: 17 | Bats: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: .424 AVG | 3 HR | 11 RBI | .525 OBP | 0 SB
Current Level: GCL Yankees (Rookie Gulf Coast League)

The Skinny: Three Yankee catchers in one list? That's right. Sanchez was the only rookie level player I felt comfortable including based on what I've seen from him and the rave reviews he's getting early on in his first pro season. This is another potential impact bat at the catching position for the Yankees, and although it's a gamble to rank him this high, he has that type of upside.

Frankie Piliere spent the last three seasons working as a scout, most recently in the professional scouting department for the Texas Rangers in 2009. He now serves as the National Baseball Analyst here at FanHouse.