This year I be releasing my Top 25 Prospects in conjunction with the people over at Between the Green Pillars, which means the list is going to posted somewhat out of order to match up with what Ryan and Jay have for their Top 25. An up-to-date list of the Bernie's Crew Top 25 can be found at the bottom of each individual post.  There will be a new prospect posted each day both here at Bernie's Crew, and also over at Between the Green Pillars.  Each prospect overview will have thoughts from both blogs as well.  Be sure to check back daily! 

Efrain Nieves

Born: 11/15/1989
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 169 lbs
Throws: L

Jack Zduriencik and the Brewers drafted Efrain Nieves from a baseball academy in Puerto Rico in the seventh round of the 2007 Draft.  The lefty, only 19-years old, is quite short for a professional pitcher, but he reportedly still has plenty of room to add some muscle as he gets older.  This leads some to believe he could add a couple MPH in the coming years to his fastball, which sits in the high-80s but can hit 90-92 occasionally.  The young man gets plenty of movement on all his fastball and generally keeps it down in the zone.  He also has a quick pitching motion that makes his fastball get on hitters more quickly.  His offspeed pitches project to be at least league-average, but currently need work to become more consistent.  He has a sharp curve and a decent change-up, but the lefty reportedly relies on his fastball a bit too much -- which suggests he does not have confidence in his offspeed deliveries.

Efrain logged 76.1 innings with the Helena Brewers in 2008, posting a 4.48 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.  His home run rate was a little high for my liking at 1.06 HR/9, which could account for his high ERA despite the very good WHIP.  Control is his best attribute at this point.  Efrain rarely issues any free passes to opposing hitters.  He had a 1.18 BB/9 rate and a 7.78 K/9 rate.  That is tremendous for a young pitcher.  Still, where is the production?  His .316 BABIP suggests his 4.48 ERA was not due to bad luck, as .316 is roughly an average BABIP for a pitcher.  His .266 batting average against is nothing tremendous, but it not horrendous by any stretch of the imagination.  His peripheral statistics are solid, and FanGraphs has his FIP for 2008 at 3.48.  That is more like it.

I want to see a little more production from Efrain before he moves too far up the list of Top 25 Prospects.  His control and high strikeout rate both suggest he should enjoy a much better 2009 season, and I will hopefully provide some scouting videos of him in Appleton next season.  If Nieves can show more consistent offspeed pitches, he very well could knock on the door for the Top 10.  A coupld more ticks on the fastball would also be nice.  At only 19-years old entering his second full season as a professional, however, the young lefty has plenty of time to develop.  He will be fun to keep an eye on in 2009.

PROJECTED ARRIVAL: 2014
OVERALL: C+

Jim's Ranking: 19

#25 -- Evan Anundsen
#24 -- Lee Haydel
#23 -- Luis Pena
#22 -- Wily Peralta
#21 -- Tim Dillard
#20 -- Brent Brewer
#19 -- Efrain Nieves