An Early Look at the 2010 Rookie/Free Agent Draft

The holiday season is here but GM's all across the TBA are busy. With the trade wire starting to slow down these past few days and the calendar moving quickly towards the new year, teams are already assessing their needs and creating their draft boards. Here is the TBA Blog's Predicted Top 10 Picks. 

1) Matt Wieters (Colorado Springs)

Wieters has the number one overall spot wrapped up with Marine management already revealing he will be the first pick. Wieters will add to an already young, but very talented Marine roster.

2) Tommy Hanson (Old Bridge)

Hanson already may be a top 10 pitcher in the league. His 2.89 ERA was 7th best in the National League this season. At only 22 years old this stud could be the ace of Old Bridge for the next 10 years.

3) Chris Carpenter (Aberdeen)

While not a rookie, Carpenter will be available due to his injuries the past two seasons. After leading the National League in ERA this past season, how can Carpenter not be among the top picks of this draft? Aberdeen has three of the top five picks in the draft so age and injury history should not be a concern for them when drafting Carpenter.

4) Elvis Andrus (Aberdeen)

The trade of Stephen Drew has left a hole at short for the Birds. Andrus is the solution. He is only 20 years old and already has one of the best gloves in the game. He is still unpolished offensively, but a great glove and 33 steals make up for his lack of power. 

5) Andrew McCutchen (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen has just traded away Rick Ankiel, once again opening a starting role. McCutchen is the best bet to fill this spot as his righty bat will counter previously acquired Curtis Granderson's lefty bat. McCutchen has a ton of potential and already has shown he can hit the ball. 

6) Rick Porcello (San Antonio)

I'm sure the Alamos would have loved to add Andrus but another starting pitcher can't hurt. Already holding a great starting 5, Porcello will round out the rotation and enable Happ and others to work some out of the bullpen. 

7) David Price (Nassau)

This time last year, Price perhaps could have gone first overall. A year makes a big difference though but Price should be able to go here at number 7. A bit of a sleeper this year, Nassau might be willing to bank on a Price rebound. After all, David is only 23 years old and has already racked up a 7.2 K/9 rate so far in his young career.

8) Gordon Beckham (Halifax)

If Beckham does slip this far, Halifax would love to grab him. He already has shown he can hit and now with his impending move to second his value increases. Beckham would wreak havoc on left-handed pitchers in the Edgar Martinez League and if he can level out his splits should be a future all-star.

9) Colby Rasmus (London)

London sorely needs an impact bat in the outfield and Colby Rasmus could be their answer. Rasmus will need some more seasoning but his ability to play the entire outfield as well as his power bat from the left side should be enough to entice London to make him their #1 pick this spring. 

10) Brett Anderson (Napa)

The new Napa Winers already have an ace in Tim Lincecum but after that the rotation is weak. AJ Burnett and Joba Chamberlain will fill two but that still leaves two more remaining. Enter Brett Anderson. This lefty comes with tons of hype and Napa should be salivating at the thought of grabbing Anderson at number 10. Along with Lincecum, Anderson could give Napa a 1-2 punch over the next decade that can match up with anyone in the league.

A preview of the rest of the first round will come out next week.