Here's the top 10, link at bottom for the rest:

 

1. Felix Hernandez, RHP, Mariners, Age: 18

 

It's been a long, long time since we've seen a pitching prospect like Felix Hernandez. Armed with arguably the best fastball and curveball in the minors, Hernandez has met with astounding success for a pitcher who's yet to turn 19 years of age. He blew away the low minors and has had success as high as Double-A ?as an 18-year-old. The only debate is whether scouts or statheads think more of him. When thinking semi-recent young pitchers with similar promise, Dwight Gooden and Pedro Martinez, and then the comparisons wither. Only injuries can stop him. Expect great, great things from King Felix.

 

2. Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays, Age: 19

 

Dmitri's younger brother and the top pick of the 2002 draft, Young has more offensive upside than any other prospect in the game. He boasts a powerful stroke, quick wrists through the zone and tremendous bat speed. Additionally, he has a tremendous arm in right. Last season, he tore up the Sally League as an 18-year-old, showing solid plate discipline and a willingness to use the whole field. As a hitter, he has no weaknesses. In his prime, expect a .300-plus average, 70-80 walks and 40-homer power.

 

3. Andy Marte, 3B, Braves, Age: 21

 

Here we have the next great Brave. Signed out of the Dominican in 2000 as a non-drafted free agent, Marte has shown excellent power and plate discipline at every level above rookie ball. He's also a strong defender at third. He could stand to make contact at a higher rate, which suggests he's occasionally prone to breaking balls, but otherwise he's without a weakness. He'll contend for the MVP award in about five or six years.

 

4. Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies, Age: 19

 

The tenth overall pick of the 2003 draft, Stewart is the best prospect in the NL West. He has highly refined hitting skills for a player his age, and he has the strength and body type to hit for power at the highest level. Like Young, Stewart hasn't played above the Sally League, but his performance and skills are such that it's easy to project great things for him. There's some question as to whether he'll be able to stick at third base, but on the offensive side of things, he has it all ?an ability to hit for average, raw power and patience at the dish.

 

5. Daric Barton, C, A's, Age: 19

 

Barton came to the A's from the Cardinals as part of the Mark Mulder trade. He's technically still a catcher, but it'll be somewhat surprising if he ever plays a game there in the majors. Expect him to be transitioned to first base beginning this season. Still, it's Barton's bat that will carry him. He's tremendously patient at the plate, and he can hit for average. His raw power numbers haven't be there just yet, but they'll come shortly. Last season, he paced the Midwest League in OBP and finished fourth in slugging percentage, so he's already putting up the numbers. His bat will have All-Star potential at the highest level.

 

6. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, Reds, Age: 22

 

I'm probably overrating Encarnacion, but I have a great feeling about this guy. A ninth-rounder out of Puerto Rico in 2000, he has good bat speed, an ability to hit to all fields, power potential and improving plate discipline. Last season at AA-Chattanooga, Encarnacion slugged only .443, but his 35 doubles point to developing power in future seasons. He still needs some polish defensively, but he should be able to get by at third in the majors. I don't normally rely on gut instincts, but I don't think the numbers do him justice. The 2005 season, which he'll spend at Triple-A, will be big for him.

 

7. Dallas McPherson, 3B, Angels, Age: 24

 

Think it'll be high cotton for hot corner in coming seasons? McPherson is the fourth third baseman in the top ten, and he's the heavy favorite to win AL rookie of the year honors in 2005. Possessing tremendous raw power, McPherson should display 30-homer power right away. If he's able to improve his plate discipline and contact rate, he'll contend for an MVP award one of these years. Defensively, he's average, but his power will atone for any sins he commits with the glove. Few can match his power potential, and, at age 24, he's ready to contribute right now.

 

8. Joel Guzman, SS, Dodgers, Age: 20

 

When the Dodgers signed Guzman as a 16-year-old in 2001, it was for a Dominican-record $2.25 million. That should impart how much they thought of him, even at such a young age. So far, he's vindicated them. Last season, as a 19-year-old shortstop, Guzman slugged .550 in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League and .522 in the pitcher-friendly Southern League. When a middle infielder puts up those kind of power numbers in those circuits before he's 20 years old, you'd best pay attention. What lowers his stock is that the Dodgers will almost certainly shift him to third base or an outfield corner. Even so, his power potential is such that he should be a notable asset anywhere on the diamond.

 

9. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers, Age: 20

 

The seventh overall pick of the 2002 draft, Fielder has a light-tower stroke and good patience at the dish. As for the numbers, he won the Midwest League MVP in 2003 and last season showed excellent raw power despite being much younger than his peer group at AA-Huntsville. He's a big-bodied player, but he's nevertheless a solid defender at first. Fielder will spend the majority of the 2005 season in Triple-A and commence his Milwaukee career in 2006.

 

10. Scott Kazmir, LHP, Devil Rays, Age: 21

 

Obtained from the Mets last season as part of the thoroughly puzzling (from the Mets' perspective, anyway) Victor Zambrano trade, Kazmir is one of the premiere pitching prospects in the minors. He boasts a mid-90s fastball, hard slider with late action on it, and, unlike many pitchers his age, a promising changeup. His primary weakness at this point is his erratic control, but that's hardly unusual for a hard-throwing young lefty. His stuff is tremendous, and thus far he's been healthy. Don't look now, but with players like Kazmir, Young, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Chad Orvella, Jonny Gomes and Jeff Niemann (and the eighth overall pick this June), the Rays are quietly building a devastating nucleus of young talent.

 

 

 

 

Link

Olsen at 69. Willingham at 70.

 

Fox Sports sucks and has no credibility in my mind.

 

This list is laughable at best. They shouldn't have wasted their time in making one.

this guy must have a hardon for third basemen.

Olsen at 69.? Willingham at 70.

 

Fox Sports sucks and has no credibility in my mind.

 

This list is laughable at best.? They shouldn't have wasted their time in making one.

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this writer in particular is a complete moron. Anything written by him I don't even read.

Putting Eric Duncan at #11 made the list laughable, and the fact that Cole Hamels (he of four starts in 2004) made #30 made me stop reading...

all these dudes make their own list by taking BA's, throwing in a couple of wild cards and mix the rest of the 100 up

Brandon League, Huston Street, both ranked wayyy to high. Scott Baker was the Twins Minor League player of the year and rated above fire baller J.D Durbin and they say the 89th rated prospect? Franklin Gutierez 61? lol Garret Atkins 47th lol. Why Ryan Howard at 32, what more does the guy need to do, i know hes 25, but that doesnt make him a worse prospect, Francis has to be top 10...

 

Guys a dick