MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo is continues to roll out his Top 10 prospects at each position as he moves onto second basemen.
1. Cory Spangenberg, Padres: Spangenberg became a great example of the benefits of signing early — getting out and racking up 330 plate appearances while many of his fellow 2011 first-rounders were sitting around and waiting to sign. He also showed that reports of his ability to hit were spot-on, as he put up impressive numbers in average and on-base percentage. Spangenberg also has plus speed that will allow him to continue to steal bases. He’s already made the move to second base from third base full-time and should be just fine there. Spangenberg is on the fast track already, and to see him in Double-A at some point in 2012 seems very reasonable.
As you can see Reese Havens made the list and here is what Mayo had to say about him:
9. Reese Havens, Mets: When Havens was drafted out of the University of South Carolina in 2008, the hope was that he would be a college player who’d move quickly. Injuries have been the biggest obstacle, with Havens playing in just 213 games over three-plus seasons. When he has been healthy, Havens has been as initially advertised, with a good approach at the plate and a solid all-around bat. He’s also played well at second after being a shortstop in college. If Havens can stay on the field this season, he could be ready for New York in a year.
Havens joins Wilmer Flores as the only two Mets prospects to appear in the 2012 Top Positional Prospect series. So far they have covered RHP, LHP, C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B.
