Heyward Named MLB's #3 Prospect, Hanson #9

ESPN's Keith Law has released his list of the top 100 prospects in baseball today. Baltimore C Matt Wieters and Tampa Bay SP David Price top the list (take note, fantasy junkies). Coming in at number three is no less than Atlanta's own slugging RF Jason Heyward. Many of you probably are saying, Jason who? Well its Jason Heyward, fools! The nineteen year old physical specimen of a man patrolling right field (and formerly center field) down in Myrtle Beach. This beast has a great eye, the best contact rate in the league, and the strength to be a 30HR+ a year candidate. Think Andruw or Frenchie but with eyeballs. Sounds like the kind of player we need in the outfield today.. too bad we'll probably have to wait until late 2010 to get a glimpse of him in the majors. Here's what Mr. Law had to say about the Braves' top prospect:

"The first round of the 2007 draft looks like it's going to turn out a half-dozen stars or well above-average big leaguers, if not more, with Heyward at the top of the list of its high school products. Even at age 17, Heyward was a physical specimen, already 6-4 and well-built with room to add muscle as he gets older. He controls the strike zone well, both laying off pitches out of the zone and working himself into hitters' counts; his contact rate was one of the best in the South Atlantic League this year despite his relative youth. He gets his arms extended well, setting up slightly away from his body, so the ball down or over the outer half is well within his reach. Atlanta has moved him from center to right field; he has a plus arm and above-average range now that he's out of the middle of the field. His upside is just a question of power; he's going to hit for average and be an asset in the field. His swing and body point to 30-plus homers a year, which, coupled with a healthy on-base percentage and defensive value, would make him one of the most valuable players in the game."

And more good news, the Braves' top pitching prospect comes in at #9: Tommy Hanson. We should all know Tommy well by now after his incredible run in the Arizona Fall League.

"Hanson projects as a potential No. 1 starter, with a four-pitch arsenal headlined by a 92-95 mph fastball and a plus curveball with great depth. He's 6-6 and gets good angle on his pitches ... his command and control are both below average, although he can just overpower minor league hitters, which keeps him below the top 10. He's probably less than a year from contributing in the majors."

Furthermore, MiLB.com's Top 100 Prospects also ranks Heyward at #3, with Hanson coming in at #24 and 1B Freddie Freeman at #38. All three have been invited to the Braves spring training camp in Feb/March, along with Jordan Schafer and Kris Medlen. Half of the Braves' top 10 prospects will be playing alongside Chipper and McCann this spring, showing the big shots what they've got while giving us fans a chance to see how bright our future really looks. Be sure to check them out during spring training fools!