Baseball America’s list of the top 20 South Atlantic League prospects is out and several members of the Hot Rods and Legends were included. Check out the full list here, but you can see some analysis of the Kentucky players below.
#3 — LHP Matt Moore — Bowling Green Hot Rods
- 8-5, 3.15 ERA, 176 SO, 123 IP
- Moore led the minors with 176 strikeouts, receiving lavish praise from the BA staff: “If he can continue to refine his command, he profiles as a top-of-the-rotation starter.
#5 — SS Tim Beckham — Bowling Green Hot Rods
- .275, 5 HR, 63 RBI
- While Beckham’s number won’t blow anyone away, the 2008 first-overall pick was playing in his first full season of professional baseball. BA writes: “With his plus bat speed and strong wrists, he projects to hit .300 with 20 home runs in the big leagues.”
#6 — RHP Jordan Lyles — Lexington Legends
- 7-11, 3.24, 167 SO, 145 IP
- The Astros shocked the baseball world when they took Lyles in the first-supplemental round in 2008, but he’s done nothing but make them look like geniuses since. BA writes: “Lyles showed the stuff of a potential frontline starter this season. His fastball now sits at 89-91 mph and touches 93.”
#16 — RHP Nick Barnese — Bowling Green Hot Rods
- 6-5, 2.53, 62 SO, 75 IP
- Barnese spent part of the season in BG’s bullpen, but BA writes that as a starter he and Moore gave the Hot Rods the best lefty/righty combo in the league. BA writes: “His best attribute might be his ability to throw any of his pitches in any count with confidence.”
BA is hosting a chat with Matt Forman at 3 p.m. about SAL prospects, so more Bowling Green and Lexington prospects might come up then.