2008 MLB Draft Top Prospects
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt third baseman was the SEC Tournament MVP hit .386, slugged .684 and had a .463 OBP during his stellar 2007 season.
Jack Armstrong, RHP, Jupiter Community HS, Fla.
A 6-foot-6 righty who throws in the low 90s. An all-around great athlete.
Jordan Danks, OF, University of Texas
Younger brother of White Sox pitcher John Danks. He hit .332 in his sophomore year with 19 steals and a .440 OBP.
Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
Another good draft prospect out of high school, Davis honored his commitment to ASU. Davis hit .354 as a sophomore and slugged .547.
Anthony Ferrara, Riverview HS, Fla.
A left-hander who has hit it up into the mid-90s. Some minor biceps tendinitis this season, but if he can stay fit, he’s unstoppable.
Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP, Woodrow Wilson HS, Calif.
Considered the top high schooler in the class right now. Hicks is an athletic two-way player who can reach the low 90s from the mound, but is probably an outfielder in the future and a potential five-tool player.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage School, Fla.
A pure hitter from the left side of the plate, with a very fluid stroke. He’s got some leverage for future power. He also can touch 90 mph on the mound, but the bat is his strength.
Casey Kelly, Sarasota HS, Fla.
Son of Pat Kelly, who played briefly for the Blue Jays, Kelly is a strong shortstop. He’s one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country as well and he shows the arm strength at short.
Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River HS, Va.
Marrs dealt with a little tendinitis this spring, but sits in the low 90s with his fastball.
Brian Matusz, RHP, San Diego
The second-team All-American went 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA, striking out 163 and walking just 37 over 123 innings for San Diego. Hitters managed just a .214 average against him during his sophomore season.
Quinton Miller, RHP, Shawnee HS, NJ
A right-hander with a low-90s fastball, he’s got more advanced command than some of the others on this list. Can throw three pitches for strikes and might have a few more ticks on his fastball as he gets older.
Tyson Ross, RHP, California
It may not have been a good 2007 draft for college right-handers, but 2008 might be different with Matusz and Ross at the top. Ross had a 2.49 ERA for the Cal Bears, striking out 120 and walked 39 in 115 2/3 innings.
Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
A 16th-round selection in 2005, he would have gone much higher if not for his strong commitment to South Carolina. Hit .317 with 21 homers as a sophomore.
Jacob Thompson, RHP, Virginia
Thompson became the Friday starter this past season, has an 11-0 record, 1.50 ERA, .198 batting average against and 101 strikeouts in 114 innings show he belongs on this list.