Comparison of Draft Talent: 2008 - 2012

Each year there is often a comparison of how this year's draft class matches last year's or some other time before.  Nick Faleris has provided me with a product from his draft notes comparing the players draft day grade versus each other.  For instance, Tyler Matzek's 2009 ranking is based on what it was in June 2009, not what it is now in June 2012.  Below are listed 50 prospects.  The 2011 draft has the most with 15 players on the list while 2008 has 6.  2012 compares favorably with 2009's group.  2012 does not have the elite name like Strasburg, but it does have a pretty solid top 7.

Overall	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
1		Stephen Strasburg
2			Bryce Harper
3				Anthony Rendon
4				Gerrit Cole
5	Buster Posey
6			Jameson Taillon
7				Bubba Starling
8					Kevin Gausman
9				Sonny Gray
10		Tyler Matzek
11				Dyland Bundy
12			Karsten Whitson
13					Albert Almora
14				Blake Swihart
15					Carlos Correa
16	Pedro Alvarez
17					Mark Appel
18		Donovan Tate
19		Zack Wheeler
20				Daniel Norris
21				Taylor Jungman
22				Francisco Lindor
23					Byron Buxton
24	Tim Beckham
25				Archie Bradley
26	Brian Matusz
27			Chris Sale
28			Matt Harvey
29			Nick Castellanos
30					Max Fried
31					Kyle Zimmer
32				Jed Bradley
33				Danny Hultzen
34				Trevor Bauer
35			Zach Cox
36	Justin Smoak
37					Lucas Giolito
38	Aaron Crow
39		Alex White
40					Mike Zunino
41			Christian Colon
42			Deck McGuire
43			Manny Machado
44			Brandon Workma
45			Drew Pomeranz
46		Aaron Crow
47					Marcus Stroman
48		Shelby Miller
49				Matt Barnes
50				Jose Fernandez