Arizona Diamondbacks Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Diamondbacks Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

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Player Grades
Contact – 45 Now | 55 Future
Power – 35 | 50
Discipline – 30 | 45
Speed – 50 | 50
Defense – 45 | 55
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 45 | 50
ETA – 2014
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Athletic

Scouting Report

Chris Owings has quick hands, a quick bat, and strong wrists. He keeps a very short swing but is still capable of generating enough bat speed to put a charge in the ball and generate hard contact. You can see how little he loads his hands in the clip below.

*Credit to the MLB Scouting Bureau

Owings turns well through the ball and he generates good separation between his torso and hips. He swings with good intent as well. His swing plane is pretty linear, however, and that could limit his power output. He still has room to fill out and when all is said and done, he should have average power.

Owings is a capable shortstop for now, but he might need to be moved to second base.

The thing I worry about most with Owings is his selectivity and patience at the plate. He displayed poor discipline at the plate in his brief time in Missoula, walking just 2.7% of the time and striking out 22.5% of the time. It’s important to keep in mind that Owings is very young for his level.

Owings is currently playing in Single-A South Bend.

Best Case Outcome – Above average shortstop or second baseman

More Likely Outcome – Average everyday player

Player Grades
Contact – 40 Now | 50 Future
Power – 45 | 55
Discipline – 50 | 55
Speed – 40 | 40
Defense – 50 | 55
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 55 | 60
ETA – 2013
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Strong, physical build

Scouting Report

The Diamondbacks are looking to increase Ryan Wheeler’s versatility and it starts by playing him at third base in Single-A. I don’t think many believe he’ll be able to stick at the position since he’s worked at the position before and the results didn’t go particularly well.

So if — as expected — Wheeler has to move back to first base, his bat is really going to have to produce and it just might be able to.

Wheeler is an intelligent hitter with a solid feel for the strike zone and an advanced approach at the plate. He recognizes pitches and covers both sides of the plate well.

Wheeler has a pretty left handed swing. Sometimes, he lets his hands get too far out in front, but when he’s able to keep his weight/hands back, the ball comes off his bat nicely. His power is not outstanding, but it’s a little better than average to all fields.

Wheeler doesn’t have great bat speed and I wonder how he’ll handle the high velocity he’ll more often encounter as he reaches higher levels of competition.

Best Case Outcome – Average everyday first baseman…his value increases should he stick at third base

More Likely Outcome – Below average everyday first baseman or a solid bat off the bench

Brief Rundown on Prospects 8 – 15

8. Mike Belfiore | LHP | Grade – B-/C+ – Intriguing pitching prospect is a potential back of the rotation starter or set up man out of the bullpen

9. Matt Davidson | 3b/1b | Grade – C+ – A raw talent with perhaps the best raw power in the organization

10. Collin Cowgill | OF | Grade – C+ – A spark plug type player…value lies in his ability to play center field

11. Roque Mercedes | RHP | Grade – C+ – A converted starter, could be a nice power arm out of the bullpen

12. Keon Broxton | CF | Grade – C+ – The organization’s best athlete, he’s got an assortment of tools and has terrific range in center, but he’s extremely raw

13. Wade Miley | LHP | Grade – C+ – A solid, but unspectacular pitching prospect…potential back of the rotation starter

14. Cole Gillespie | OF | Grade – C+ – A solid fourth outfielder candidate…value lies in his ability to play center

15. David Nick | 2b | Grade – C+ – Intriguing prospect has gotten off to a nice start in his young career…questions about him being able to stick at second base

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Other C+ Prospects

16. Bryan Augenstein | RHP | Age – 23 – Big bodied pitcher with plus control and a finesse pitcher’s repertoire…potential No. 5 starter or could be a member of the bullpen where his stuff may play up

17. Bryan Shaw | RHP | Age – 22 – Has a nice all around game where he throws strikes, misses a decent amount of bats, and keeps the ball on the ground

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – John Hester (C) | Rusty Ryal (UTI) | Kevin Mulvey (RHP) | Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) | Scott Allen (RHP) | Leyson Septimo (LHP) | Patrick Schuster (LHP) | Matt Helm (1b) | Daniel Stange (RHP) | Josh Collmenter (RHP) | Bobby Stone (RF) | Barry Enright (RHP) | Zack Kroenke (LHP) | Kyle Newby (RHP) | Trevor Harden (RHP) | Paul Goldschmidt (1b) | Rossmel Perez (C) | Jordan Norberto (LHP) | Patrick McAnaney (LHP) | Alfredo Marte (OF) | Pedro Ciriaco (SS) | Reynoldo Navarro (SS) | Sean Coughlin (C/1b)

ALSO SEE – Arizona Diamondbacks Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Colorado Rockies Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits