http://www.theminorsfirst.com/tmf100/tmf100(2005).html

1. Joe Mauer- C Min (4/19/83) Mauer retains the top spot again this year and it's not just by default. He proved he could hit Major League pitching and that he deserves to stay there. He also showed he's taken strides toward being a longball threat. In over 1,000 Minor League AB, he only hit a total of 9? making some think he's not going to hit homers in the Majors. But, in just over 100 Major League AB, he's already hit 6. He continued to play his normal very good defense, until a knee injury cut his season short. You'd hate to think this injury could linger and force Mauer from behind the plate, but I guess it's possible.

 

2. Felix Hernandez- RHP Sea (4/8/86) Looks like the best Mariners' prospect since A-Rod. He's flown up the ladder and had success everywhere he's pitched. I left him off this list last year, saying I wondered if he was for real, or just the another Sid Finch. Now there's no question he's the top pitcher in the Minors. He hits 96-97 mph so smoothly and when he drops that curve on you, lookout! I gave him a lot of consideration for the top spot on this list, but the fact that he's a pitcher (and a very young one at that) dropped him down a spot.

 

3. Casey Kotchman- 1B Ana (2/22/83) Kotchman ranks as the top first baseman in the Minors in my book. I'm looking for big-time offensive numbers across the board from him (average, on-base and eventually slugging)? he's that good of a hitter. I haven't seen enough of his defense to make a call, but he does receive good reviews from others in that area too.

 

4. Delmon Young- OF TB (9/14/85) Many are expecting Young to be baseball's next great slugger. The fact that he's been around baseball his whole life, playing against (and dominating) older competition speaks volumes. Young is physically advanced right now, so I have to wonder how much more is yet to come with his bat. I think he has the chance to be the next great slugger, but what's wrong with him being just a more powerful version of his brother? a .300 hitter that hits 35 homers a year (instead of the 20 his brother hits)?

 

5. Prince Fielder- 1B Mil (5/9/84) On the surface, his 2004 numbers only look decent, but he exceeded my expectations as a 20-year old in Double A playing in a pitcher's park. Fielder has as much power as any player in the minors? and that will obviously be his calling card in the Majors. However, he's also a good overall hitter and he controls the strike zone well too.

 

6. Scott Kazmir- LHP TB (1/24/84) Of the 3 big lefties from last year's list, Kazmir was the only one to stay healthy in 2004. Not only did he just stay healthy, he shot all the way from Single A to the Majors with his new team, Tampa Bay. I don't think anyone is questioning his size any longer. Power pitching lefties don't grow on trees? even though the Mets' seem to think they do.

 

7. Matt Cain- RHP SF (10/1/84) Cain didn't make this list last year because an injury caused him to miss half the 2003 season. He rebounded in 2004 and outperformed all but the most optimistic expectations. He already possesses a Major League fastball and curve. Cain's numbers in the California League (a good hitter's league) at the age of 19 just speak for themselves.

 

8. Ian Stewart- 3B Col (4/5/85) He's definitely one of the best prospects in the game. There's so much to like about him. He has enormous power, good strike zone judgment, he runs surprisingly well, plays the game hard and his Sally League manager raved about his defense. The only knock I have on Stewart is that he's already too pull-conscious.

 

9. Joel Guzman- SS LA (11/24/84) In 2004, we finally witnessed Guzman show why the Dodgers had been touting him for years. Despite his young age, he dominated Florida State and Southern League pitchers. On the downside, I'm still a little worried that him less than stellar plate discipline might keep from being as good as he can be. While he's more than just an adequate fielder at the moment, it's just a matter of time till he fills out and we see him moved off shortstop. He is huge and has tremendous power.

 

10. Andy Marte- 3B Atl (10/21/83) I was expecting a little more from Marte in 2004? on the other hand, he battled ankle injuries and still was more than just solid. He looks like he's getting a little thick in the lower half, but is still a decent third baseman? despite recent talk about moving him to left field in Atlanta. I see his likelihood of future success very high.

 

11. Dallas McPherson- 3B Ana (7/23/80) There's no doubt he's got enormous power and deserves a Major League shot right now. There's also a spot waiting for him at third in Anaheim. The only area of concern I see is his contact rate. That's an area that has plagued many a young power hitter. Are we looking at a .270 hitter that has some 40 homer seasons? If so, those 150 K's that go along with them will be easily overlooked. Or, are we looking at another Rob Deer with .215 seasons and the astronomical K's stick out like a sore thumb?

 

12. Edwin Jackson- RHP LA (9/9/83) It's pretty apparent (in hindsight) everyone's expectations for Jackson were unfairly too high last year. The kid is still just 21 and we all had him in the LA rotation for good a year ago. He battled through a forearm injury and control problems and never got on track. Despite that, he still has the stuff to become a #1 starter down the road.

 

13. Chad Billingsley- RHP LA (7/29/84) The latest Dodger pitching prospect to reach (and succeed in) Double A while still a teenager. Billingsley is a power pitcher, but he also throws an array of other pitches effectively too. How many other teams would love to have 3 pitchers as good as Jackson, Billingsley and Miller in their system?

 

14. Hanley Ramirez- SS Bos (12/23/83) Just as Ramirez approaches the bigs, Boston goes out and locks up Renteria with a big 4-year deal. I've loved Ramirez as a player since seeing him a few times in 2003. He has great athletic ability and it's translating into results, especially as he moves up. We've all heard stories about his attitude issues. I didn't see anything of him on the field I didn't like.

 

15. Gavin Floyd- RHP Phi (1/27/83) Floyd has had me scratching my head since soon after he was drafted. I've been waiting for him to have that great breakthrough Minor League season that makes me sure he'll be a Major League stud, but so far he's only produced some merely good seasons. For a pitcher with his stuff, I expected him to dominate Minor Leaguers more than he has and I'm starting to wonder about him being a frontline starter. The Phillies have forced him to limit the use of his best pitch (curve) to further develop his fastball and change, so I guess that explains some of the underachieving.

 

16. Jeremy Hermida- OF Flor (1/30/84) I really think Hermida is going to develop into a Shawn Green-type power hitter. He's a lot like Green in right field too, with a similarly strong arm and he already has a good idea of the strike zone. He's a player I could see having a big breakout season this summer.

 

17. Ryan Howard- 1B Phi (11/19/79) Just missed this list last year (he got bumped off in the final cut-down), but the power display he put on last summer ensured him a prominent ranking this time around. I'm hard pressed to even call him average in most other areas, so he's going to have to live or die by the longball. I can't help but to think the Phillies will trade him. He's ready for a job now, with no place to play.

 

18. Erick Aybar- SS Ana (1/14/84) He's been regarded as a good prospect for a while now, but his breakout year in the California League really opened my eyes. There are a lot of tools in his bag and the results are starting to match the hype. That doesn't mean there's not some work to do. The two things that jump out at me are his high number of caught stealings and while he's a good contact hitter, he needs to look at more pitches.

 

19. Jeremy Reed- OF Sea (6/15/81) It's hard to call Reed's 2004 season a great success when you compare it to the level of expectation his prior season brought on. Also, as a top prospect, he was traded during the season. Even with all that, he still looks like a Major League regular and he's ready to step into the Seattle outfield right now. No, he doesn't have a high ceiling, yet I see a lot of good years ahead of him and he's as likely to reach his peak as any player on this list.

 

20. Adam Miller- RHP Cle (11/26/84) I saw more of Miller in 2004 than any other player on this list. He throws 94-95 mph consistently and effortlessly. I've read rave reviews of his slider, but I thought it was far too inconsistent. There were also times that showed me just how important working on his secondary pitches will be as he moves up. Those times were when lesser hitters were able to turn on and drive his mid-90's heater. I didn't see him after his promotion when his numbers actually improved during that span of 8 starts.

 

21. Daric Barton- C Oak (8/16/85) Dan Haren may have appeared to be the key player in the Mark Mulder trade, but I truly feel it will be Barton that will prove to be the better player. Despite the big year Dopirak had, I think Barton was the best player in the Midwest League last summer. Even if he is moved to the outfield, I think he'll be a premium hitter. If he remains at catcher, he'll be just that much better.

 

22. Chris Burke- 2B Hou (3/11/80) With Jeff Kent now out of his way, Burke will take over at second base for the Astros this summer. He's coming off his best season and looks to be up to the task. He plays good defense, runs well and controls the strike zone good enough to hit at the top of the order. I see no reason to believe he won't be a long-term starter putting up very solid to above average numbers.

 

23. Carlos Quentin- OF Ariz (8/28/82) It was a tough choice deciding which Arizona outfield prospect I liked best. I ended up going with Quentin. He's a better all around player with more power potential and has a very strong arm, making him a natural fit in right fielder. He should follow closely behind Jackson to the Majors.

 

24. Jeff Francis- LHP Col (1/8/81) I know I shouldn't hold it against Francis that he'll be pitching in Colorado. But, the truth is, there's no place that can ruin a pitcher's confidence like that park. Francis only has an average fastball, but he locates all his pitches so well, he doesn't need extra velocity. He will be put to the ultimate test in his new home park.

 

25. Lastings Milledge- OF NY(N) (4/5/85) Not many in the game can match Milledge's tools package or ceiling. He's very fast, has a quick bat that should produce plus power and he looks to become a good defender in center field. The only thing I see holding him back from stardom is his mastering the strike zone. I say the "only thing" holding him back, but that's a pretty big and common obstacle that keeps many prospects from reaching their peak.

 

26. Scott Olsen- LHP Flor (1/12/84) As far as pure stuff goes, Olsen is right up there with any lefty in the Minors. His command is coming along, but isn't quite there yet. He'll open this season in Double A and if all goes like I'm expecting, I bet he gets a taste of the Majors by year's end.

 

27. Jason Kubel- OF Min (5/25/82) There's no longer any questioning his bat? it's just a matter of getting the knee healthy again. He's always had a good idea of the strike zone and made consistent contact. Let's hope his hitting skills don't deteriorate with his injury downtime. At the moment he went down, it appeared that he was in the Majors to stay.

 

28. Kyle Davies- RHP Atl (9/9/83) He has the make-up and nearly the stuff to be a frontline pitcher. His changeup is dynamite and his fastball is in the slightly plus range. I'm thinking he'll make his debut with the Braves this summer and be up to stay in the rotation in 2006.

 

29. Cole Hamels- LHP Phi (12/27/83) A sore elbow kept Hamels out for most of the 2004 season. What little time he spent on the mound he did so in his usual dominant fashion. He continues to possess one of the best change-ups in the game? Majors or Minors. Obviously, my ranking Hamels this high after his missing most of 2004 means I really love his potential.

 

30. Conor Jackson- OF Ariz (5/7/82) His bat didn't miss a beat after being moved to the outfield in 2004. He has a great batting eye and that will allow him to reach his full hitting potential. Jackson is an excellent pure hitter and he's a good enough athlete where his defense in the outfield should improve. I'm also expecting good power from him. The combination of Jackson and Quentin on this list reminds me a lot of the Reds' duo (Kearns and Dunn) of a couple years ago.

 

31. Jeff Franceour- OF Atl (1/8/84) I had the pleasure of watching Franceour in the 2003 Sally League playoffs. When you watch him play, you just get the feeling that he was born to play baseball. The lone area that still sticks out with him is his plate discipline. It really showed when he was (in hindsight) prematurely moved to Double A. If he can work beyond that, we could be looking at a star. I know most will rank him higher than this. Keep this in mind? me ranking him here means I'm very high on him, just not extremely high on him.

 

32. Rickie Weeks- 2B Mil (9/13/82) Tools or no tools, I like to see results from players. Weeks' performance during the regular season was merely mediocre, as he was playing his first full pro season in Double A. But, he just tore right through the AFL. I'm still not as high on him as some, but I do acknowledge he has a lot of ability. We'll see if it translates into results the way most are expecting.

 

33. Jose Capellan- RHP Mil (1/13/81) I remember seeing him pitch (a year removed from surgery) at the end of the 2003 season. He was an unknown Sally League reliever that opened my eyes by firing off consistent 97 mph fastballs. In 2004, he was converted to a starter and flew through the system, seemingly improving as he moved up. Now he's with the Brewers and ready for a job in the Majors. He flashes a good curve, but I really think he's going to need to show more than just that and a big fastball to remain a starter, so I'm starting to lean toward him moving back to the bullpen in the near future.

 

34. Nick Swisher- OF Oak (11/25/80) Swisher is just the type of player the A's like? he gets on base a lot. Walks and homers were his forte in 2004. Despite his astronomical walk totals, he hit just .269 and I guess that's at least a small concern. Look for Swisher to have a starting job in Oakland this summer and he should be the same kind of walks and homers player.

 

35. Yusmeiro Petit- RHP NY(N) (11/22/84) You can't help but to wonder how dominant Petit will be as he hits the upper levels. His average stuff has played extremely well so far due to the way he hides the ball from hitters. He also has very good control and shows a good knack for pitching. I'm fairly optimistic about his future.

 

36. Anthony Reyes- RHP Stl (10/16/81) Highly touted and often injured back in his college days at USC, Reyes finally showed us what he could do in 2004. He dominated in Double A after his promotion. His velocity had been up and down because of those injuries over the past few years, though it was obviously back up last summer. He controls 3 good pitches very well, but his history of injuries has to be a concern for the Cards.

 

37. JJ Hardy- SS Mil (8/19/82) A torn labrum ruined his 2004 season as he was on the cusp of the Majors. He's trying to make a comeback, but isn't yet to 100%. He didn't play well in winter ball and I think he's going to need at least half a season in Triple A to find his stroke.

 

38. Ryan Sweeney- OF Chi(A) (2/20/85) There are only 5 players above Sweeney on this list that are younger (most of them by just a couple of months). He was given a very challenging test? that of playing in High A ball having just turned 19. He showed he's a very good hitter across the board and is a natural right fielder. I think he's the best White Sox prospect.

 

39. Dan Meyer- LHP Oak (7/3/81) Meyer has had a lot of success at every level. He doesn't project as a star, but is ready to contribute right now and he has a good idea of what he's doing on the mound. I see him in the A's rotation to stay at some point this season.

 

40. Eric Duncan- 3B NY(A) (12/7/84) You have to love his quick power bat. He's also shown that despite high strikeout totals, he's not just a hacker. Nobody is crazy about his defense at this point, but he does have a high offensive ceiling.

 

41. Aaron Hill- SS Tor (3/21/82) Most are divided as to whether he'll stay at shortstop, but he hits good enough to move to second or third. Playing in Double A in his first full pro season, he showed an advanced knowledge of the strike zone and has some pop in his bat. I don't see much doubt that he'll have a good Major League career at whatever position he plays.

 

42. Mike Hinckley- LHP Mon (10/5/82) When you look at Hinckley's stuff, you're not overwhelmed. He has decent stuff, but he's more a polished lefty that's just gotten the job done at every stop and I'm not expecting that to change as he hits the Majors some time this summer.

 

43. Jessie Crain- RHP Min (7/5/81) Relief pitchers don't usually rank high on these lists. I had Crain at #53 last year and he pitched very well again in 2004? in Triple A and the Majors. If Nathan wasn't ahead of him, I'd call him a definite closer candidate for the Twins right away. For now, we'll have to watch him as one of the better setup guys.

 

44. Josh Barfield- 2B SD (12/17/82) Even with a down season in Double A (.248-18-90), I still see a good possibility of Barfield developing into a middle of order hitter and being a very good RBI-guy? much like Jeff Kent. Average defense is all you can expect from him.

 

45. Michael Aubrey- 1B Cle (4/15/82) Very good defensive first baseman, with a nice pure hitting stroke. Being such a polished hitter, I was surprised that he struggled a bit after a promotion to Double A? though I don't think it's a serious concern. I'm undecided on whether I see him as a plus power guy. I think that could go either way.

 

46. Edwin Encarnacion- 3B Cin (1/7/83) I've been very impressed by Encarnacion's offensive package. There have been attitude questions, but he looks like a very good power/speed player that makes pretty good contact and he's not afraid to use the whole field. Offense is definitely his calling card? he still has some work to do to become a good defender at the hot corner.

 

47. Ervin Santana- RHP Ana (1/10/83) Shoulder and hamstring injuries limited Santana to just 8 starts in 2004. I'm looking for him to be back on track with a fresh shot at Double A this summer? assuming he can stay healthy. He's got electric stuff and it's not out of the question to see him follow the Francisco Rodriguez path in becoming a great reliever if his health remains an issue.

 

48. Ben Hendrickson- RHP Mil (2/4/81) Hendrickson will be competing for a rotation spot this spring after finally putting it all together last year in Triple A. He has average velocity, a great curve and is still working on his change. The Brewers just love his competitiveness on the mound. He has the same demeanor that took Orel Hershiser to the next level. There should be a rotation spot open for him with the Brewers this spring.

 

49. Franklin Gutierrez- OF Cle (2/21/83) Despite having another pretty good season, I'm starting to have slight reservations about Gutierrez, mainly based on his continued poor plate discipline. He still has loads of talent and can be a great power/speed guy, but I'm starting to think he's a more risky bet to reach that peak and can't justify ranking him any higher than this because of it.

 

50. JD Durbin- RHP Min (2/24/82) Durbin is an intense competitor on the mound. He'll get every opportunity to make it as a starter, even though his great stuff profiles well as a closer. I bet he see quite a bit of time in Minnesota this summer.

 

51. Brian McCann- C Atl (2/20/84) What's not to like about a left-handed hitting catcher with a lot of power? He's fairly advanced at the plate and makes good contact, though his walk rate could be better. I'm looking for him to have even a better year this summer as he'll be in a more hitter friendly park. McCann is only average defensively and will make it because of his bat.

 

52. Shin-Soo Choo- OF Sea (7/13/82) Back on track after a bit of a let down in 2003, Choo has added power to his very well rounded offensive package. He hangs in there very well against lefties and has the kind of approach at the plate where he probably hits them well, though I haven't seen any numbers to back this up.

 

53. Denny Bautista- RHP KC (10/23/82) If Bautista can ever gain more consistency with his off-speed pitches, he would be a dominant starter. Just as likely (if not more so), I see him using his mid 90's fastball and occasionally impressive secondary pitches to become a good reliever for the Royals.

 

54. Corey Hart- OF Mil (3/24/82) Hart is one of the better prospects that nobody talks about. He has a Richie Sexson build and has hit well all the way through Triple A. His shoulder was ailing at the end of last season and he'll need to tighten up his strike zone, but I look for him to contribute in Milwaukee sometime this summer.

 

55. Brandon McCarthy- RHP Chi(A) (7/7/83) I saw him pitch early last summer and I have to admit, I don't remember anything about him standing out in my mind. Of course, right after that start, he was on fire the rest of the way? making me wish I'd have paid more attention to him while I was watching him. I like the fact that he pitched better as he moved up, so he has sort of won me over. He need some more bulk on his tall and very thin frame.

 

56. Zach Duke- LHP Pit (4/19/83) I haven't seen Duke and I've heard plenty of conflicting stories about his stuff. Some say he's an 87 mph arm, while others say he's in the low 90's. Some call his stuff "average" and others say "very good". Not knowing first-hand, I'm going to just concentrate on his results? the results that saw him breeze through 2 leagues last summer? and that was coming off a pretty good 2003 season. I'm not convinced he'll succeed in the upper levels, but I am somewhat optimistic about his future.

 

57. Felix Pie- OF Chi(N) (2/8/85) Pondering Pie's future invokes a lot of uncertainty in my mind. He has a lot of tools and he's always been very young for his leagues and his results have been ok, yet I'm having trouble trying to determine if I see him as a speedy-type leadoff hitter or as a player that will fill out and be more of an offensive force.

 

58. Dan Johnson- 1B Oak (8/10/79) Like Ryan Howard above, Johnson's future value will be determined by how far his big bat carries him. I like his ability to draw walks and he's a pretty good overall hitter. The one reservation I have about Johnson's bat is that his last two big seasons came in a couple of the best hitter's parks in the Minors. He only has marginal defensive ability.

 

59. Greg Miller- LHP LA (11/3/84) I had Miller ranked #2 on last year's list, but a shoulder injury forced him to miss the entire 2004 season. The Dodgers were wise to be very cautious with him. He appears to be totally healthy, but we'll have to wait and see if he can resume his prior dominance.

 

60. Chris Nelson- SS Col (9/3/85) Nelson is the first of three players on this list from the 2004 draft class. There's nothing he can't do offensively and he looks like a plus fielder at shortstop to boot. If it wasn't for TJ surgery, he might even be bringing mid-90's heat from the mound right now. Nelson seems to have the right combination of makeup, tools and baseball skills where stardom seems like it's just a matter of time.

 

61. Dioner Navarro- C NY(A) (2/9/84) Most people think Navarro slid as a prospect in 2004. I see him as a 20 year old catcher with good defensive abilities that held his own in AA, AAA and the Majors. He continued to be a good contact hitter and it's looking like he can easily be a .280 hitter in the Majors. Not much pop though. I hope he realizes it and hits within himself. I only see 2 catchers that should be ranked above him at the moment and one may be moving to the outfield.

 

62. Joe Blanton- RHP Oak (12/11/80) I love the way his BB/K numbers remained very good as he's moved up. Blanton is nearly a power pitcher stuff-wise, but he pitches more like a command/control pitcher? and because of it, he's tended to give up some hits. He has the size and stuff to be an innings eating workhorse in the Majors. He'll be a nice mid-rotation starter to have.

 

63. Curtis Granderson- OF Det (3/16/81) Last year when I had Granderson at #87, everyone was saying "who?". This year, he showed everyone why I thought so highly of him. He can just plain hit! While he doesn't do anything else to dazzle you, he's not really lacking in any area either.

 

64. John Danks- LHP Tex (4/15/85) After cruising through the Midwest League, Danks ran out of gas after a promotion. It was his first full season out of high school, so you can expect that to be the case. He has a 90 mph fastball and a big curve that he mixes in very nicely. He also isn't afraid to pitch inside.

 

65. James Loney- 1B LA (5/7/84) His results haven't really matched his talent to this point? especially last summer. But, he's been very young for his leagues, so I'm willing to cut him some slack. Loney is a good athlete and I can't help but to wonder why he isn't moved to the outfield. Maybe I'm missing something the Dodgers see (or don't see) in him.

 

66. Richie Gardner- RHP Cin (2/1/82) Gardner really came out of nowhere last year in becoming the best Reds' pitching prospect in years. His velocity is ok, his pitches have good movement, his change and slider are both better than just solid? and he throws strikes. Unlike a lot of pitchers on this list, there isn't much doubt he'll remain a starter.

 

67. Merkin Valdez- RHP SF (11/5/81) Valdez has a big-time fastball? routinely hitting 96 mph. He's a lot like Denny Bautista in that he's kind of a tweener. I'm not sure his secondary pitches will keep him in the rotation. 2004 was the first time he faced advanced competition and he did tail off a bit as he moved up, so that is a little reason for concern.

 

68. Jeff Mathis- C Ana (3/31/83) Mathis was definitely over-matched in his Double A debut. I'm not ready to call him another of the many catcher prospects that flame out as they move up. He has too much ability to say that just yet. However, 2005 will be a very important year for him.

 

69. Sergio Santos- SS Ariz (7/4/83) Santos has been on the prospect map since early in his high school days in southern California. He's made steady progress as a pro, though he's not yet played to the level some were expecting. He's also facing the possibility of outgrowing the shortstop position.

 

70. Val Majewski- OF Bal (6/19/81) As far as I'm concerned Majewski rates as the O's best prospect. He's close to the Majors, has good power and despite not having a great swing, he does make good hard contact quite often. I think his defense will limit him to a corner outfield position, though he's not bad by any stretch.

 

71. Chris Snyder- C Ariz (2/12/81) Got his first taste of the Majors last summer and is primed to take over as the D-Backs starting catcher? Koyie Hill or no Koyie Hill. Snyder can hit some long balls and is very solid across the board defensively. Don't look for more than a .260 average, but what he does offer more than makes up for that. He's one of the more underrated players in the Minors.

 

72. Andy LaRoche- 3B LA (9/13/83) After some early indecision by LA as to what position LaRoche will play, they ended up making the right choice? third base. He's a natural at the position, with his strong arm and RBI-type bat. Even though he was slumping in the games I saw him, it was easy to see his natural hitting ability.

 

73. Robinson Cano- 2B NY(A) (10/22/82) Cano made a lot of progress in 2004 in the baseball skills area. He made better contact and looks far more like a complete player than just a toolsy prospect. I don't think his ceiling is as high as it was, but he's a much safer bet to succeed (in my opinion). Don't expect much in the way of steals? those 2 he had in 2004 give a pretty accurate indication of what's to come.

 

74. Joey Votto- 1B Cin (9/10/83) As far as young sluggers are concerned, there aren't many in the Minors with Votto's potential. He's a polished hitter with good size big time power. Moving him to first base (away from catcher) has proved to be the right choice. I'm looking for big things from him this summer and beyond.

 

75. Brandon League- RHP Tor (3/16/83) League was another of those whose results hadn't matched his stuff. That was until 2004 when he was moved to the pen. His fastball can be absolutely dominating. I've seen and heard mixed reviews about his slider and change. Some call them good pitches and others say he lacks command of them. He looks like a back end reliever to me, but I'd keep him a starter in the Minors for the extra work.

 

76. Alberto Callaspo- 2B Ana (4/19/83) Alright, maybe I did get a little carried away by ranking Callaspo so high (#38) last year. I guess I let my good feeling about him play too big a part in analyzing him as a prospect. Some of that luster has worn off me this year despite the fact that he skipped a level (to Double A), changed positions (to shortstop) and still had a very solid season. He's a tremendous contact hitter, though he does lack in some important areas? not much power and his speed is only decent. I still like his chances of being a Major League regular quite a bit.

 

77. Guillermo Quiroz- C Tor (11/29/81) Quiroz followed up his breakout season with a season reminiscent of his earlier years. He's a very good defender and has a strong arm? heck, he's even showed some power here and there. But, it looks like he's going to probably settle into being a low average hitter. While many are down on him at the moment, I still see him being the Jays' starting catcher in the coming years.

 

78. Brandon Wood- SS Ana (3/2/85) With so many other Anaheim prospects getting all the attention, Wood is somewhat overlooked. He's not as flashy as their other shortstop prospects and is more of a traditional slugger. It wouldn't surprise me to see him playing a different position as he nears Anaheim. The Angels don't have many outfield prospects, so maybe that would be a good spot for Wood.

 

79. Brandon Moss- OF Bos (9/16/83) It took Moss a little while to get accustomed to pro pitching? he toiled for 2 years in short season leagues before breaking out in 2004. I usually question the futures of players that just all of a sudden burst onto the scene, but Moss looked really good all season and he looks poised to get even better.

 

80. Chuck Tiffany- LHP LA (1/25/85) Some feel he will establish himself this summer as one of the best lefty arms in the game. Those certainly are lofty expectations. He does throw pretty hard for a lefty and has a good curve. He's been on the prospect map since he was 14 and his 141 K's in just 100 innings shows the hype has been warranted to this point.

 

81. Tim Stauffer- RHP SD (6/2/82) After being honest with the Padres, Stauffer lost a good chunk of his would be bonus and has spent the last year and a half trying to prove he warranted being the #4 overall pick. He's not a power pitcher, but he does know how to use his stuff to his full advantage. He looks like he's going to be at least a solid Major League starter.

 

82. Brian Anderson- OF Chi(A) (3/11/82) I know the White Sox are very high on Anderson, but I guess I don't share their extreme optimism? I just don't see it. Anderson is a pretty good prospect, just not an elite one. In fact, I like Sweeney much better.

 

83. Ubaldo Jimenez- RHP Col (1/22/84) Was on the fast track to Colorado, but suffered a stress fracture to his shoulder blade in May? ending his season. There aren't many arms as dynamic as his in the Minors. He throws in the mid-90's and owns the inner half of the plate, while his curve and change are still developing. Someone I talked to that saw Ervin Santana and Jimenez in consecutive years thought Jimenez has better stuff.

 

84. Jason Stokes- 1B Flor (1/23/82) The big time power potential is still there, but Stokes has fallen into the "all or nothing" category with his swings. It still looks like he's the future first baseman in Florida, even if he's not looking like the star the Marlins were hoping for.

 

85. Adrian Gonzalez- 1B Tex (5/8/82) This former #1 overall pick seems to have fallen into a state of limbo. He offers a combination of good defense and good hitting. The problem is, for his position, he lacks the power to be a force. He's still only 22 and I see him as a starter for somebody? just not the Rangers.

 

86. Ian Kinsler- SS Tex (6/22/82) I have to admit, I'm not as high on Kinsler as most. Even as I say it wouldn't surprise me to see a big drop-off in his production this summer, I can't ignore what he did in 2004? and any player that has that big a year at his age can't be omitted from this list.

 

87. Angel Guzman- RHP Chi(N) (12/14/81) Injuries have slowed down Guzman for the past year and a half. When he was healthy, I thought he had as much poise and knowledge of his craft as any pitcher in the Minors? as well as a decent arm. I'm not convinced he's back to where he was yet. If I was, he'd be in the top 50.

 

88. Brian Dopirak- 1B Chi(N) (12/20/83) This young power hitter really put on a power display last summer. I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize him on this list based on that alone. But, the truth is, I'm not convinced he's going to respond well to the Florida State League this summer. That is one of the biggest tests a young slugger can face. It wouldn't surprise me to see his numbers nosedive this summer.

 

89. Clint Nageotte- RHP Sea (10/25/80) So far he's lived off his 2 plus pitches, a good fastball and one of the best sliders in the minors. Seattle says development of his changeup will be the deciding factor as to whether he remains a starter. In his brief trial with the M's, it was obvious that Nageotte could use a lesson or two in learning how to pitch from some of the seasoned veterans, rather than trying to just get by with his stuff.

 

90. Jonathon Broxton- RHP LA (6/16/84) Broxton is a large and imposing presence on the hill and he can be downright dominating. Conditioning seems to be a concern with him and he has a big body at such a young age. Because of his body and past history of injuries, I'm not convinced he'll remain a starter in the future. His fastball/slider combo would also be ideal for the bullpen. For the time being, he'll get every chance to make it as a starter.

 

91. Renyel Pinto- LHP Chi(N) (7/8/82) He set a franchise record with his 179 K's in Double A. Pinto really opened my eyes in his final start of the season in the PCL playoffs. He bested Joe Blanton, striking out 10 in 6 innings, but his bullpen eventually blew the lead. He has a lively arm, but currently his control is not Major League ready and a year in Triple A is needed. Despite his success, I can't help but to think the Cubs will use him as trade bait. I'd hate to see him end up as a lefty specialist with them when so many other teams would love to have him as a starter.

 

92. Joel Zumaya- RHP Det (11/9/84) You've got to love those guys that can get it up into the upper 90's, but I've heard so many people say Zumaya will become a reliever in Detroit, that I'm starting to believe it. He also presently lacks the ability to go deep into games and his delivery is not smooth. I'm not convinced he can stay in the rotation, but I'd give him every opportunity to try? he has a great arm.

 

93. Steven Shell- RHP Ana (3/10/83) In a return trip to High A ball, Shell dominated the California League. He has just what you're looking for when you talk about projectable pitcher's bodies. He has great control to go with his pretty good stuff.

 

94. Nick Markakis- OF Bal (11/17/83) Markakis is still a bit raw in some areas and he has some work to do, but the ability is there. I saw him early in the year and didn't see why everyone was so high on him. Then, when I saw him again late in the year, he looked like a much improved player. He was more confident and had a much better idea at the plate? yet, I think he's a ways from the Majors.

 

95. Billy Butler- 3B KC (4/18/86) I'm usually very conservative about ranking short-season players on this list (and Butler is only 1 of 2 on this year's list). He was drafted for his bat and he hit beyond anyone's expectations in the Pioneer League. You have to love his power and even more, his ability to draw walks (57 in just 260 AB). He may not stay at third, but looks to have the bat to play anywhere.

 

96. Huston Street- RHP Oak (8/2/83) Just 3 months into his pro career, Huston found himself closing in the Triple A playoffs. While he doesn't have the traditional overpowering closer stuff, he is as competitive a player as you'll find and he knows how to get the job done. There's no reason for the A's call him right up? he doesn't have to be placed on the roster yet. On the other hand, he is about Major League ready right now.

 

97. John Van Benschoten- RHP Pit (4/14/80) After a disappointing 2004 season, some of Johnny V's shine has worn off. I said last year I didn't see him as a #1 or #2 starter and think that even more so now. But, I can see him settling into a rotation spot with the Pirates and being a big strong innings eater-type.

 

98. Delwyn Young- 2B LA (6/30/82) After a second consecutive season of seeing Young produce big offensive numbers, I'm starting to become a believer. He's not a big guy, but has a quick bat and just looks like he'll keep hitting. His glove work is still not up to par, so he may have to move off second down the road if he can't maintain being at least adequate.

 

99. Brad Nelson- OF Mil (12/23/82) This big strong Brewer outfield has excellent power to all fields. He's slid a little in the rankings because his defense is merely ok and his plate discipline and contact rates have fallen near the danger zone.

 

100. John Maine- RHP Bal (5/8/81) As Maine hit Triple A and the Majors, his control started to waiver and he ran into some problems. I'm going to (slightly) go out on a limb and say Maine will settle into a rotation slot in the near future and have a productive career in the bigs. His stuff is better than average? he just needs to learn how to pitch at the highest level.

16, 26, and 84.....not bad.

 

And Stokes is ranked a spot higher than Adrian Gonzalez

I'm so excited about Hermida and Olsen... I can't wait to see them in action in the big leagues. Hopefully we'll have a 10-game division lead going into September and they both get a lot of playing time within the last month of the year.

 

Hell, if Conine and Encarnacion fail, in comes Hermida to mak the Cabrera-like jump. And if a starting pitcher gets injured and Olsen is tearing up double-A, maybe he'll swoop in and make the D-Train appearance in MLB...

I'm so excited about Hermida and Olsen... I can't wait to see them in action in the big leagues. Hopefully we'll have a 10-game division lead going into September and they both get a lot of playing time within the last month of the year.

 

Hell, if Conine and Encarnacion fail, in comes Hermida to mak the Cabrera-like jump. And if a starting pitcher gets injured and Olsen is tearing up double-A, maybe he'll swoop in and make the D-Train appearance in MLB...

709302[/snapback]

who says lightning does not strike twice? :mischief

It struck me three times once when I was on a mountain.

That's an old list.

 

And what it shows more than anything is that the one position that is hurting for "blue chip" prospects is the catcher position.

That's an old list.

 

And what it shows more than anything is that the one position that is hurting for "blue chip" prospects is the catcher position.

709411[/snapback]

i know it's an old list, but it's still interest.

Thing is with catchers is they ussually aren't rated high as prospects, maily because they rank them on offensive potential and catchers are ussually weak hitters. Also, at this stage in their career you have no clue how they're going to turn up defensively. Everyone though Eric Chavez would be a DH because he was such a lousy fielder in the minors, and now he's the best defensive 3B in baseball.