2013 Rays top 30 prospects writer's week: Scott's list

One of my favorite features that used to be at Rays Prospects was well, this. The writers all put together their own top 30 list, and at the end of the week, an aggregate list combining all of them is posted. The bench isn't quite as deep this year as it transitions over here, but you'll still be getting three personal lists heading into the year.

1. Wil Myers, RF - Just when we thought we were going to have a Rays prospect list without a bona fide elite prospect, but the James Shields trade maintains the streak. Myers is a clear number one and could have an impact as soon as 2013.

2. Chris Archer, RHP - Archer's stuff has never been questioned, and he made clear improvements in his control and command in the second half of 2012. He'll be competing for a spot in the Rays' rotation in spring training.

3. Hak-Ju Lee, SS - 2013 is the most critical season of Lee's career. He has struggled in the upper minors over the last year and change, and he's going to have to make more contact if he's going to be an every day player.

4. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP - If a player with Guerrieri's stuff and potential is only fourth in the system, questions about the organization's depth were overstated. Once he has a full season under his belt, he could be among the best pitching prospects in the game.

5. Jake Odorizzi, RHP - The Rays really weren't lacking in ML caliber starters, but Odorizzi gives them another option in case of injury. He's not a potential frontline starter, but he'll be a durable, quality arm.

6. Richie Shaffer, 3B - At some point in the near future, Shaffer is probably going to have to move off the hot corner because of Evan Longoria's lifetime contract, but his bat will play in the corner outfield just as well.

7. Alex Colome, RHP - Colome still has some of the best stuff in the organization, but as he approaches the majors, his command isn't getting better. 2013 is a crucial year if he's going to remain in the rotation.

8. Enny Romero, LHP - I was expecting a breakout season from Romero in 2012, but it didn't happen. His stuff, especially from the left side, is great, but he has problems throwing strikes and is pretty inefficient.

9. Jake Hager, SS - After his slow start with Bowling Green, Hager settled in to have a very good season. If he can stay at shortstop, he'll be a top prospect in the organization very soon. His solid bat could still carry him to the majors.

10. Josh Sale, OF - His stock is clearly up compared to this point last off-season, but with the ongoing suspension and late season slump last year, there's still plenty of uncertainty surrounding Sale. Can he regain the momentum from early 2012?

11. Drew Vettleson, OF - Vettleson is very close to Sale, and what made the difference for me is Sale's present power. His improvement on defense last season is encouraging, and now he just needs the power to profile as a corner outfielder.

12. Blake Snell, LHP - It appears that Snell has addressed concerns about the consistency of his fastball velocity, and his ceiling is higher now because of that. He could be much higher on this list next year if he sustains success in a full-season league.

13. Mikie Mahtook, OF - Mahtook's 2012 season is probably best described as okay, but he's now in the upper minors and has to perform. He'll have to hit for a little more power to be an every day player in left field.

14. Felipe Rivero, LHP - This could be a bit aggressive, but Rivero has good stuff and throws strikes. He really wore down at the end of the season though, and he'll have to improve his durability to last an entire season in the future.

15. Ryan Brett, 2B - Brett's strikeout rate spiking in his first full season is concerning because he has no power and is going to have to rely on walks, speed and putting the ball in play to reach base. He'll have to rebound after his suspension ends.

16. Parker Markel, RHP - His strikeout rate still probably doesn't match the quality of his stuff, but his control was much better in 2012. He'll pitch all of 2013 as a 22 year old, and that's just fine for high-A.

17. Brandon Martin, SS - There was quite a bit to like about Martin's 2012 season with Princeton, but plenty of it was concerning as well. His power, baserunning and defense are all good, but his hit tool has to be much, much better.

18. Jesse Hahn, RHP - With a 26.1% strikeout rate and 7.1% walk rate, Hahn was the pitcher the Rays expected him to be when they drafted him in 2010. Let's see if he can keep it up in full-season ball in 2013.

19. Tyler Goeddel, 3B - Although it was mostly propped up by one really good month, Goeddel had a pretty solid pro debut. He has patience, speed and the frame for more power to come. If he has to move off third base, he has the athleticism to play elsewhere.

20. Andrew Toles, CF -Toles had an impressive pro debut with impact speed, defense and surprising power. He's one of the best athletes in the system, and if he can improve his on-base skills as he gets more experienced, he could be an ideal leadoff hitter.

21. Tim Beckham, SS - I'll grant that he has a high floor, but there are still so many questions surrounding Beckham, I don't know if I can put him higher. I want to see some more power, maybe better defense, anything.

22. Brandon Guyer, OF - 2013 will be Guyer's age 27 season. He still qualifies as a prospect, so a player that's ready to contribute in the big leagues makes the list. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year.

23. Todd Glaesmann, OF - Was 2012 a fluke? A product of repeating a league? A sign of things to come? All or none of the above? This former third round pick will have to keep refining his plate approach in 2013.

24. Oscar Hernandez, C - Hernandez made his much-anticipated stateside debut in 2012, and there was a lot to like. He's got a long way to go, but it looks like the tools are there, along with a pretty good plate approach.

25. Mike Montgomery, LHP - To be honest, Montgomery should probably be a bit higher. He still has a lot of concerns to address this year, and maybe getting a fresh start in a new organization can get him back on track. Along with Torres, he's one of the biggest wildcards on this list.

26. Jeff Ames, RHP - Ames was tremendous with Hudson Valley in 2012 with a 26.8% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate. Next year, he'll be tested in a full-season league for the first time, and he'll have to sustain his success over a whole year.

27. Patrick Leonard, 3B - It's not a guarantee that Leonard is able to play third base long term, but his pro debut in the Appy League last year would indicate he has intriguing power that could possibly profile elsewhere.

28. Ryan Carpenter, LHP - I don't really know how high Carpenter's ceiling is, and combined with an average season at low-A for a college pitcher, there probably shouldn't be much reason for optimism. Here we are though, and I think 2013 could be better.

29. Alex Torres, LHP - His season was so bad that he probably shouldn't be here at all, but his solid winter season provides just enough hope to sneak him in at the end. Having one option year left is great for his development.

30. James Harris, CF - There's raw, and then there's James Harris raw. He's fast, but he only stole six bases in 14 attempts. He batted .182 with hardly any power, but he was at least pretty patient. He's still very young though.