2012 Top 10 First Base Prospects

With such a lackluster class of first basemen this year only the top three will make my top 100 prospects list.

1. Yonder Alonso - Bats: L Throws: R - 6'2" 210 - SD - 4.8.87. College: Miami (FL). Drafted: 2008 (1st Round - 7th Overall). No longer blocked by Joey Votto after being traded to San Diego, along with Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger in exchange for Mat Latos, Alonso will be the every day 1B this season. Scouting report here.

2012 Top 10 Catcher Prospects

I kick off my third year of ranking prospects by position by once again starting with the catchers and some of these guys have been on the list each year, while others are new faces. Overall, I'd grade this catching class as average due to a lack in consistency. Two of the more exciting bats in the class, Montero and Sanchez, have little chance to stick at catcher, while some of the more exciting defenders have flawed offensive resumes because they've never met a pitch they haven't swung at.

1. Jesus Montero - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'4" 225 - SEA - 11.28.89. Signed: Venezuela 2006. Montero topped this list a year ago after being named second (behind Carlos Santana) in 2010. From a top 100 perspective, he landed at #3 in 2011 and #6 in 2010. After repeating AAA in 2011, the Yankees dealt Montero to Seattle in exchange for 2011 All-Star and All-Rookie Team selection RHP Michael Pineda. While I don't think he'll be a passable backstop at the next level, Montero's bat has star potential and will earn him a full time role in 2012.