Down on the Farm: Snippets from Baseball America's Top 10 Lists

Like I mentioned yesterday, I decided to subscribe to Baseball America for the next 3 months so I can stay on top of their Top 10 lists, while I wait for Santa to deliver their 2010 Baseball Prospect Handbook. They completed their Top 10s for the National League teams last week, so today I bring you a few snippets from their writeups.

We may see these guys called up as early as spring training and as late as August/September:

Jenrry Mejia, SP, NYM

Mejia's fastball ranges from 90-96 mph, and it hit 98 on a handful of occasions in 2009. He's able to maintain his velocity late into games, and his fastball has so much cutting and sinking action that it befuddles hitters. He induces a lot of groundouts and broken bats. Mejia's changeup is a plus pitch at times, resembling a splitter with its 81-84 velocity and drop. Though he's not particularly tall by righthander standards, he has a good angle to the plate and throws downhill. In 210 pro innings, he has allowed just six homers. Mejia does a good job of pitching inside, and he generally stays composed with traffic on the bases.

 Ike Davis, 1B, NYM

The Mets entered the offseason with Daniel Murphy set to open 2010 as their first baseman and Davis headed to Triple-A Buffalo. He should make his big league debut later in the year and eventually supplant Murphy as New York's starter.

More after the jump:
 

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC

Castro's performance has drawn him comparisons with the likes of Tony Fernandez, Edgar Renteria, Miguel Tejada—and even Derek Jeter. Castro covers the plate well for a young hitter and does a nice job of staying inside the ball and using the entire field. He consistently puts the barrel of the bat on the ball and has a knack for making adjustments. Though he had just 32 extra-base hits in 2009, Castro has the power potential to double that total once he matures physically. He has strong hands and wrists, and he's starting to pull and drive more pitches. He has the plus speed to make things happen on the bases.

Derek Norris, C, WAS

Norris projects as an above-average offensive player in the big leagues, and if he can become an average defender, he can be an all-star. He should be fully healthy for spring training and will start 2010 at high Class A Potomac.

Kyle Drabek, SP. PHI

Drabek could be a power reliever in the Tom Gordon mode, particularly if the Phillies need him in 2010. His aptitude and athleticism make it more likely that he'll improve that pitch and fulfill his profile as a No. 2 or 3 starter. He'll open the season in Triple-A.