Re: Fantasy Baseball News 2007
Top 150 Prospects
Presented this week is this year's Top 150 Prospects column. In order to be eligible, players must have no more than 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the majors. Also, they cannot have spent more than 45 non-September days on an active roster. At the end of the article is a listing of where some of the key ineligibles would have ranked.
The writeups below are essentially unchanged from the team top 10s issued over the previous six weeks.
2007 Top 150 Prospects
1. Delmon Young - OF Devil Rays - DOB: 09/14/85 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2004 #13, mid-2004 #4, 2005 #2, mid-2005 #2, 2006 #1, mid-2006 #1
.316/.341/.474, 8 HR, 59 RBI, 65/15 K/BB, 22 SB in 342 AB for Triple-A Durham
.317/.336/.476, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 24/1 K/BB, 2 SB in 126 AB for Tampa Bay
Young did little to enhance his stock after entering 2006 as the game's best prospect, but the drop in power and the pathetic walk rate weren't enough to cost him his placement. Neither was the ugly incident in April in which he threw a bat at an umpire and drew a 50-game suspension. There's no doubt Young is going to hit for power. He'll have 30- or maybe even 40-homer ability in his prime. Also, he makes contact often enough that he's not going to need to walk to be a very good player. He'll probably be a 50-walk guy someday anyway. It'd be quite a disappointment if he didn't go to at least a few All-Star Games in his career.
2. Alex Gordon - 3B Royals - DOB: 02/10/84 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2006 #11, mid-2006 #3
.325/.427/.588, 29 HR, 101 RBI, 113/72 K/BB, 22 SB in 486 AB for Double-A Wichita
Mark Teahen had a breakthrough season in 2006, but he's about to get shoved to the outfield to make room for the Royals' best prospect in decades. Gordon signed too late to play in the minors in 2005 after being drafted second overall out of the University of Nebraska, but a solid showing in the AFL gave the Royals few reservations about having him begin 2006 in Double-A and he was one of the best players in the Texas League from day one. Gordon combines 30-homer power with some terrific on-base skills. It shouldn't be long before he's hitting .290-.300 in the majors, and he'll be a factor on the basepaths, though odds are that he's not going to last as a basestealer. With questions about his ability to stay at third base seemingly answered, he has a chance to be an MVP candidate at his peak. The Royals will give him every opportunity to make the team out of the spring training.
3. Philip Hughes - RHP Yankees - DOB: 06/24/86 - ETA: June 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #47, 2006 #29, mid-2006 #6
2-3, 1.80 ERA, 19 H, 30/2 K/BB in 30 IP for Single-A Tampa
10-3, 2.25 ERA, 73 H, 138/32 K/BB in 116 IP for Double-A Trenton
Hughes, a 2004 first-round pick, emerged as the game's top pitching prospect in a 2006 in which he limited hitters to a .179 average and struck out nearly five batters for every one he walked. With plenty of movement on his 91-94 mph fastball and a curveball that's become a dominant second pitch, he has ace upside. His third pitch is a changeup that's a little above average. Since he doesn't have far to go when it comes to command, he'd likely have success in a major league rotation right now. The Yankees, though, would prefer to not have to turn to him right away. Barring injury, he should be up for good by midseason.
4. Homer Bailey - RHP Reds - DOB: 05/03/86 - ETA: May 2007
Previous rankings: 2005 #73, mid-2005 #91, 2006 #65, mid-2006 #11
3-5, 3.31 ERA, 49 H, 79/22 K/BB in 70 2/3 IP for Single-A Sarasota
7-1, 1.59 ERA, 50 H, 77/28 K/BB in 68 IP for Double-A Chattanooga
The Reds have tried to be cautious, but Bailey, the NL's top pitching prospect, is on the cusp of the majors following a dominant stint in Double-A during the second half of last year. The seventh overall pick in the 2004 draft throws 94-97 mph with movement and features a curveball that ranks as one of the top breaking pitches in the minors. With his walk rate down significantly last year, the only thing missing from his game is a plus changeup. It looks like he'll get a month or two to work on the pitch in Triple-A at the start of this year, but if the Reds want to contend, Bailey will have to be in the rotation by June 1.
5. [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=194"]Chris Young[/URL] - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 09/05/83 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2005 #137, mid-2005 #28, 2006 #24, mid-2006 #12
.276/.363/.522, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 71/52 K/BB, 17 SB in 402 AB for Triple-A Tucson
.243/.308/.386, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 12/6 K/BB, 2 SB in70 AB for Arizona
The White Sox likely will long regret parting with Young to get
Javier Vazquez from the Diamondbacks a year ago. In his first year in Triple-A, Young cut way back on the strikeouts, which was the only real criticism against him as a prospect. He fanned 145 times in low-A ball in 2004 and then 129 times in Double-A in 2005, though he had fine seasons anyway. Young is an excellent defender in center field possessing the power to hit 30 homers a year. With all of the strikeouts taking a toll on his batting averages, he drew comparisons to
Mike Cameron in the White Sox system. Now he looks like he could be an even better player than the underrated Padres center fielder. He'll be a prime Rookie of the Year candidate while playing regularly for the Diamondbacks this year.
6. [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=1351"]Brandon Wood[/URL] - 3B/SS Angels - DOB: 03/02/85 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: 2005 #149, mid 2005 #13, 2006 #3, mid-2006 #2
.276/.355/.552, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 149/54 K/BB, 19 SB in 453 AB for Double-A Arkansas
Wood survived another year at shortstop in 2006, but with the Angels doing nothing to clear up the logjam in front of him, a move to third base is taking place this year. He has the bat to survive a switch. With 68 homers and 95 doubles the last two years, Wood is one of the top power hitters in the minors. That the 2003 first-round pick strikes out so much is a source of concern and will prevent him from hitting for average in his first couple of years in the majors. Still, he could survive as a .250-.260 batter and maybe get up to .280 in his better years. He'll be ready for a starting job in 2008, and if he's needed this year, he likely wouldn't be bad. By 2009, he could be a 30-homer guy.
7. Justin Upton - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 08/25/87 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: 2006 #8, mid-2006 #7
.263/.343/.413, 12 HR, 66 RBI, 96/52 K/BB, 15 SB in 438 AB for low Single-A South Bend
Upton got a $6.1 million signing bonus last January after being taken first overall in the 2005 draft. Committed to
Stephen Drew, the Diamondbacks decided right away to have him make the switch from shortstop to center field, and after missing time in April with a shoulder injury, Upton turned in a decent pro debut. Nine of his 12 homers came after the break, though his average slipped from .274 to .254. With his outstanding speed, Upton is likely to become a fine center fielder in time, though he could end up in a corner on the Diamondbacks. He's already filled out a bit, and he's on his way to becoming a 25-homer guy. His makeup is somewhat in question, but he's undeniably one of the elite talents in the minors.
8. Jay Bruce - OF Reds - DOB: 04/03/87 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: 2006 #130, mid-2006 #23
.291/.355/.516, 16 HR, 81 RBI, 106/44 K/BB, 19 SB in 444 AB for low Single-A Dayton
Despite batting .167 in the final month of the minor league season, Bruce finished with an 871 OPS and 63 extra-base hits in 117 games. He is on his way to showing 30-homer power and has proven to be better at going the other way than the Reds thought when they drafted him with the 12th overall pick in 2005. The left-handed hitter struggled some against southpaws, batting .236/.310/.439 in 123 at-bats. Bruce should be a whole lot more than a platoon player, though. While he's still seeing some time in center, he projects as an above average defensive right fielder in the majors. He could end 2007 in Double-A.
9. Mike Pelfrey - RHP Mets - DOB: 01/14/84 - ETA: June 2007
Previous rankings: 2006 #45, mid-2006 (in majors)
2-1, 1.64 ERA, 17 H, 26/2 K/BB in 22 IP for Single-A St. Lucie
4-2, 2.71 ERA, 60 H, 77/26 K/BB in 66 1/3 IP for Double-A Binghamton
1-0, 2.25 ERA, 4 H, 6/5 K/BB in 8 IP for Triple-A Norfolk
2-1, 5.48 ERA, 25 H, 13/12 K/BB in 21 1/3 IP for New York (NL)
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 2/2 K/BB in 4 IP for Mesa (AFL)
Pelfrey didn't sign until last January after the Mets made him the ninth overall pick in the 2005 draft, but he was in the majors just six months later, making four starts for the team before being sent down in early August. He didn't pitch after rejoining the club in September because of a strained back muscle suffered at Norfolk. The same problem sidelined him after two appearances in the AFL. Pelfrey's mid-90s fastball is a big-time weapon, but he's still working on the rest of his craft. The curveball that he used extensively at Wichita State appears to be on the way out in favor of his slider, and his changeup remains a problem. He's a terrific prospect anyway, mostly because his fastball is so tough to hit, but a couple of more months in the minors would do him some good.
10. Fernando Martinez - OF Mets - DOB: 10/10/88 - ETA: 2010
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #80
.250/.250/.250, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 4 AB for Rookie GCL Mets
.333/.389/.505, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 36/15 K/BB, 7 SB in 192 AB for low Single-A Hagerstown
.193/.254/.387, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 24/6 K/BB, 1 SB in 119 AB for Single-A St. Lucie
.253/.305/.379, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 17/5 K/BB, 1 SB in 87 AB for Mesa (AFL)
While he wasn't quite ready for the Florida State League or the AFL, Martinez was stellar as a 17-year-old in the South Atlantic League, amassing an 894 OPS in 192 at-bats. The native of the Dominican Republic is a phenomenal talent. He's on his way to showing 30-homer power and might go well beyond that. He can also handle center field, though he'll probably be in right by the time he reaches the majors. A left-handed hitter, he does have trouble handling southpaws at the moment. Also, while he rarely looks as bad as some teenagers on low-and-away breaking balls, he's not yet adept at waiting for his pitch. Martinez has plenty of time to develop and is about as good of a bet as anyone in the low minors to turn into a star. He should spend most of 2007 back at St. Lucie, but a midyear promotion to Double-A can't be ruled out.
11. Billy Butler - OF Royals - DOB: 04/18/86 - ETA: Sept. 2007
Previous rankings: 2005 #108, mid-2005 #21, 2006 #21, mid-2006 #14
.331/.388/.499, 15 HR, 96 RBI, 67/41 K/BB, 1 SB in 477 AB for Double-A Wichita
Despite being one of the youngest players at the level, Butler was able to hit .331 in Double-A last year. The 2004 first-round pick is so skilled at making hard contact that he could contend for batting titles despite his below average speed, and he promises to hit at least 25 homers per year in the majors. The only thing holding him back is his complete lack of defensive value. Butler, who was drafted as a third baseman, has worked hard to make it in the outfield. Still, he's almost certainly going to be the Royals' long-term DH. He should replace free-agent-to-be
Mike Sweeney in 2008, and he could get a chance to step in this year when Sweeney goes on the DL.
12. Yovani Gallardo - RHP Brewers - DOB: 02/27/86 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #15
6-3, 2.09 ERA, 54 H, 103/23 K/BB in 77 2/3 IP for Single-A Brevard County
5-2, 1.63 ERA, 50 H, 85/28 K/BB in 77 1/3 IP for Double-A Huntsville
After a season in which he struck out 188 and gave up just 104 hits in 155 innings, Gallardo can't be put too far behind Hughes and Bailey in a rundown of the game's best pitching prospects, especially since he may be a better bet than either to remain healthy. The 2004 second-round pick throws 90-94 mph and has an excellent curveball. Capable of mixing in a slider and a changeup, he's able to keep hitters guessing and is especially lethal when he's ahead in the count. He's on his way to becoming a No. 2 starter, and he could be ready to help out by the second half of the year.
13. Andy LaRoche - 3B Dodgers - DOB: 09/13/83 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #17, 2006 #26, mid-2006 #17
.309/.419/.483, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 32/41 K/BB, 6 SB in 230 AB for Double-A Jacksonville
.322/.400/.550, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 32/25 K/BB, 3 SB in 202 AB for Triple-A Las Vegas
Dealing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder from June on, Adam's younger brother had his worst year in the power department last season. However, LaRoche improved his K/BB ratio from 91/52 in 476 at-bats in 2005 to 64/66 in 432 at-bats, resulting in a .410 OBP. Offseason surgery took care of the shoulder problem, and LaRoche is expected to contend for a starting job this spring. He's a fine defender, and last year's progress answered many of the questions about his on-base skills. His 35-homer potential gives him more upside than
Wilson Betemit, though he's probably not the better player just yet.
14. [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=4768"]Ryan Braun[/URL] - 3B Brewers - DOB: 11/17/83 - ETA: Sept. 2007
Previous rankings: 2006 #67, mid-2006 #50
.274/.346/.438, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 54/23 K/BB, 14 SB in 226 AB for Single-A Brevard County
.303/.367/.589, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 46/21 K/BB, 12 SB in 231 AB for Double-A Huntsville
.326/.396/.641, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 23/11 K/BB, 4 SB in 92 AB for Scottsdale (AFL)
Braun was picked one spot after
Ryan Zimmerman in the 2005 draft, going fifth overall. There are just as many questions about his glove now as there were then, but he has made rapid progress offensively, amassing a 916 OPS in his four minor league stops and then finishing third in the AFL in OPS last year. The right-handed-hitting Braun could bat .290-.300 with 25 homers per year once he settles in. Still to be determined is whether his long-term future is at third base or in left field. He has the range to handle the hot corner, but he may always be too error-prone. The Brewers might give him a long look at the position this year if
Corey Koskie can't overcome his post-concussion syndrome. If Koskie is fine, then it's more likely Braun won't see the majors until September.
15. [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=4441"]Andrew Miller[/URL] - LHP Tigers - DOB: 05/21/85 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: none
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 9/1 K/BB in 5 IP for Single-A Lakeland
0-1, 6.10 ERA, 8 H, 6/10 K/BB in 10 1/3 IP for Detroit
Miller likely would have been the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft on talent alone, but his asking price threatened to send him to the Yankees or Red Sox in the latter portion of round one. Instead, the Tigers stepped in with the sixth pick and provided him with a major league contract worth about $5.5 million. A late-August callup followed, and Miller might have had a spot on the postseason roster as a reliever if he could have stayed away from the walks. Rather than try him as a reliever again, the Tigers will send Miller back to the minors -- probably to Double-A Erie -- and have him start games this year. With his mid-90s fastball and top-notch slider, he projects as a No. 2 starter.
16. Troy Tulowitzki - SS Rockies - DOB: 10/10/84 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2006 #75, mid-2006 #32
.291/.370/.473, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 71/46 K/BB, 6 SB in 423 AB for Double-A Tulsa
.240/.318/.292, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 25/10 K/BB, 3 SB in 96 AB for Rockies
.329/.398/.468, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 11/11 K/BB, 2 SB in 79 AB for Grand Canyon (AFL)
Clint Barmes was lousy enough to get Tulowitzki promoted from Double-A to the majors a couple of days before the roster expansion last year, and while Tulowitzki didn't really set himself apart while playing regularly in September, he did show enough to enter this spring as the favorite for a starting spot. Tulowitzki, the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft, combines 20-homer power with above average defense at shortstop. He may not possess the on-base skills to be a true star, but he should be a fine regular for a long time. Expect him to beat out Barmes for the starting job at shortstop this year. He may eventually lose a step, forcing a move to second base, but that's several years away from happening.
17. Jose Tabata - OF Yankees - DOB: 08/12/88 - ETA: 2010
Previous rankings: 2006 #136, mid-2006 #18
.298/.377/.420, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 66/30 K/BB, 15 SB in 319 AB for low Single-A Charleston
Tabata more than held his own as a 17-year-old in full-season ball, though he did decline rather than improve as the year went on. Part of the problem was a hand injury suffered in July. He later aggravated the injury in Venezuela, where he hit .275/.392/.422 in 51 at-bats. A center fielder initially as a pro, Tabata made the move to right last year and should stay there. He has a great idea of what he should be doing at the plate for someone so young, and he's likely to develop 30-35 homer power. While he's not going to reach the majors anytime soon, he looks like a potential star.
18. Cameron Maybin - OF Tigers - DOB: 04/04/87 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: 2006 #79, mid-2006 #36
.304/.387/.457, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 116/50 K/BB, 27 SB in 385 AB for low Single-A West Michigan
Ideally, he'd have a couple of hundred more at-bats by now. However, Maybin has already established himself as one of the game's top outfield prospects. Maybin signed too late to play in 2005 after being drafted 10th overall by the Tigers and then missed about a month in 2006 after with a ligament injury in his right index finger. His worst stretch of the season came following his return in June. The only fault to be found with his overall numbers was his strikeout total. Maybin is a fantastic athlete, and it's only a matter of time until he pushes
Curtis Granderson to a corner. On offense, he has 30-homer potential, though I'm skeptical he'll possess the on-base skills to develop into a superstar. He'll have to cut down on the strikeouts to remain a .300 hitter at the highest levels.
19. Evan Longoria - 3B Devil Rays - DOB: 10/07/85 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: none
.424/.487/.879, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 5/5 K/BB, 1 SB in 33 AB for SS Single-A Hudson Valley
.327/.402/.618, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 19/13 K/BB, 1 SB in 110 AB for Single-A Visalia
.267/.266/.486, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 20/1 K/BB, 2 SB in 105 AB for Double-A Montgomery
Longoria was clearly the top bat available in the 2006 draft, and with neither the Royals nor Rockies was looking for a long-term third baseman, the Rays got him with the third overall pick. While Longoria still has some issues defensively, he is likely to be able to stay at the hot corner, where his 30-homer ability should make him an above average regular. He's unlikely to hit for remarkable averages in the majors, and his struggles after moving up to Double-A last season indicate that he's still at least a half year away.
20. Daric Barton - 1B Athletics - DOB: 08/16/85 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2004 #102, 2005 #23, mid-2005 #3, 2006 #4, mid-2006 #10
.200/.200/.400, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 5 AB for Rookie AZL Athletics
.259/.389/.395, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 26/32 K/BB, 1 SB in 147 AB for Triple-A Sacramento
After hitting .317/.426/.478 between Single- and Double-A in 2005, Barton got off to a fast start last year in his Triple-A debut, only to slump in May and suffer a fractured left elbow at the end of the month. He didn't return until mid-August, and he played just one game then because of a strained hamstring. Back healthy, he was able to hit .324/.447/.365 in 74 at-bats in the Dominican Winter League. Barton's lost year came at age 20, so he's still a terrific prospect. While he has yet to develop major league power, he has plenty of time left to become a 15- or 20-homer guy. His on-base ability is sure to hold up in the majors once his opportunity comes. In the meantime, the converted catcher will keep on working on his defense at first base. He might be a long-term DH, but he's going to be a very good one.
21. Nick Adenhart - RHP Angels - DOB: 08/24/86 - ETA: May 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #21
10-2, 1.95 ERA, 84 H, 99/26 K/BB in 106 IP for low Single-A Cedar Rapids
5-2, 3.78 ERA, 51 H, 46/16 K/BB in 52 1/3 IP for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga
Adenhart was looked at as a first-round talent before blowing out his elbow in his final year of high school. Thought to be on his way to college, he fell all to the way to the 14th round of the 2004 draft. The Angels took him, got him signed and now have themselves one of the game's top pitching prospects. Adenhart throws 91-94 mph and has an outstanding curveball. His changeup is already a solid third pitch and is improving. With his command, he could be a future No. 2 starter, and it's possible he'll make his major league debut before turning 21 in August.
22. Adam Miller - RHP Indians - DOB: 11/26/84 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2004 #101, 2005 #8, mid-2005 #26, 2006 #35, mid-2006 #31
15-6, 2.75 ERA, 129 H, 157/43 K/BB in 153 2/3 IP for Double-A Akron
0-0, 5.79 ERA, 4 H, 4/3 K/BB in 4 2/3 IP for Triple-A Buffalo
After a sore elbow limited the right-hander in 2005, the Indians were careful with Miller last year, leaving him in Double-A for pretty much the entire year. He recovered some of the velocity that helped turn him into one of the game's elite prospects in 2004, often working in the mid-90s. His outstanding slider never left him, and he continued to make progress with the changeup he was taught two years prior, allowing him to hold left-handers to a .198 average. If his arm holds up, Miller should be ready to contribute by the second half of the season. On an Indians team with five reliable starters and
Fausto Carmona waiting in the wings, he'll have to catch a break to get his chance this year. However, he could be Cleveland's No. 2 starter as soon as 2008.
23. Ryan Sweeney - OF White Sox - DOB: 02/20/85 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2004 #124, 2005 #80, mid-2005 #94, 2006 #85, mid-2006 #52
.296/.350/.452, 13 HR, 70 RBI, 73/35 K/BB, 7 SB in 449 AB for Triple-A Charlotte
.229/.229/.229, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 7/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 35 AB for Chicago (AL)
Pushed too aggressively practically from the start of his pro career, Sweeney has yet to put up big numbers at any level. However, with his power finally starting to emerge, he was surprisingly productive as a 21-year-old in Triple-A last year. From June through August, he hit 11 homers, one fewer than the 12 he had in his 1,185 previous at-bats since being drafted in the second round in 2003. In August alone, he had 15 extra-base hits in 106 at-bats. Also encouraging was that he proved to be adequate when tried in center field, though right field continues to look like his long-term home. Sweeney will be a 25-homer guy within a few years and he's going to keep hitting for average. Assuming that he fails to win the center-field job this spring, the White Sox will send him back to Triple-A and groom him as a replacement for
Jermaine Dye in 2008.
24. Matt Garza - RHP Twins - DOB: 11/26/83 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #24
5-1, 1.42 ERA, 27 H, 53/11 K/BB in 44 1/3 IP for Single-A Fort Myers
6-2, 2.51 ERA, 40 H, 68/14 K/BB in 57 1/3 IP for Double-A New Britain
3-1, 1.85 ERA, 20 H, 33/7 K/BB in 34 IP for Triple-A Rochester
3-6, 5.76 ERA, 62 H, 38/23 K/BB in 50 IP for Minnesota
Garza tore through the minors after being drafted 25th overall out of Fresno State in 2005, pitching no more than 60 innings at any of his five stops before arriving in Minnesota in August. He stumbled a bit upon replacing the injured
Francisco Liriano in the Twins' rotation, but only his first start was truly awful and he posted a 4.75 ERA the rest of the way. Garza has a fastball that touches 95 mph and an excellent slider among his four pitches. The Twins will be making a mistake if they bypass him in favor of veterans this spring. He'll likely turn out to be their No. 2 starter after the All-Star break.
25. Andrew McCutchen - OF Pirates - DOB: 10/10/86 - ETA: June 2008
Previous rankings: 2006 #87, mid-2006 #64
.291/.356/.446, 14 HR, 62 RBI, 91/42 K/BB, 22 SB in 453 AB for low Single-A Hickory
.308/.379/.474, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 20/8 K/BB, 1 SB in 78 AB for Double-A Altoona
Of the three high school outfielders chosen 10th through 12th in the 2005 draft, McCutchen seemed to be the most advanced, but he didn't appear to have quite as much upside as either
Cameron Maybin or
Jay Bruce. A year and a half later, that feeling still holds true. McCutchen was more than solid as a 19-year-old in full-season ball and truly impressive following a late move up to Double-A. All signs point to him becoming a quality major leaguer, maybe by mid-2008. He's a terrific center fielder with the speed to steal 40-50 bases per year. He does strike out a lot, something that will be a problem for a guy projected to hit first or third in the majors. However, his 20-homer ability and defense will make him a quality player even if he can't top a .350 OBP in the majors. He might be a better player than
Chris Duffy by the end of this year.
26. Tim Lincecum - RHP Giants - DOB: 06/15/84 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: none
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 10/0 K/BB in 4 IP for SS Single-A Salem-Keiser
2-0, 1.95 ERA, 13 H, 48/12 K/BB in 27 2/3 IP for Single-A San Jose
Had he been 6-foot-3 instead of 5-foot-11, the hard-throwing Lincecum may well have been the first pick in the 2006 draft. Instead, he slipped to the Giants at No. 10. A dominant stint in the California League followed, and Lincecum already had to be regarded as one of the game's best pitching prospects, though his smallish build and awkward delivery have many wondering whether he'll hold up as a starter. The possibility exists that he'll be a long-term closer, and the Giants might even need him in that role before the end of his year. Lincecum can throw in the mid-90s and has a curve that may eventually be considered one of the best in the game. As a reliever, he might be able to work consistently in the 95-97 mph range. The Giants plan to groom him as a starter for now.
27. Colby Rasmus - OF Cardinals - DOB: 08/11/86 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: 2006 #135, mid-2006 #47
.310/.373/.512, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 55/29 K/BB, 17 SB in 303 AB for low Single-A Quad Cities
.254/.351/.404, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 35/27 K/BB, 11 SB in 193 AB for Single-A Palm Beach
Rasmus, the 28th overall pick in the 2005 draft, is the one premier talent in the St. Louis farm system. An advanced hitter for a high school product, he's a future .290-.300 batter in the majors with 20- to 25-homer power. There was some thought that he'd end up in right field when he was drafted, but the Cardinals are confident he'll possess the range to stay in center field. With no real weaknesses in his game, he's on track to replace
Jim Edmonds in 2009. Maybe he'll need to sit against tough lefties initially, but there's little doubt he'll be a fine everyday player in time.
28. Felix Pie - OF Cubs - DOB: 02/08/85 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: 2003 #62, mid-2003 #46, 2004 #42, mid-2004 #38, 2005 #43, mid-2005 #18, 2006 #28, mid-2006 #33
.283/.341/.451, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 126/46 K/BB, 17 SB in 559 AB for Triple-A Iowa
Pie's 2006 looked like a step back after he hit .304/.349/.554 in Double-A in 2005, but he was a 21-year-old in Triple-A and he got better as the year went along. Also, he improved his walk rate a bit, though he continued to strike out too much. Pie, who shares some traits with
Johnny Damon, is a potential 20-homer leadoff man. Still, he has quite a bit to learn. The left-handed hitter chases too many bad pitches, especially when facing southpaws, and is a poor basestealer for all of his speed. On defense, he has the potential to be well above average, but he's not there yet. The Cubs are threatening to turn center field over to him this spring, but he needs a second year in Triple-A. The risk of him following
Corey Patterson's career path would be greater if he's rushed to the majors now.
29. Hunter Pence - OF Astros - DOB: 04/13/82 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #90, 2006 #96, mid-2006 #38
.283/.357/.533, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 109/60 K/BB, 17 SB in 523 AB for Double-A Corpus Christi
.339/.379/.565, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 15/4 K/BB, 6 SB in 62 AB for Mesa (AFL)
Up until the moment he was sent home from the AFL following a drunken driving charge, Pence was having a terrific 2006. Despite his unusual swing, his bat held up just fine in Double-A, and he showed he could handle center field well enough to potentially play the position in the majors. Realistically, he still figures to spend most of his career in a corner. Pence possesses 25-homer power and above average on-base skills. The combination won't make him a star -- not unless he somehow lasts in center field -- but he should be a long-term regular. The Astros could turn to him this year if either
Chris Burke or
Luke Scott falters. Ideally, the club would prefer to install him in center field in 2008, with Burke returning to second base.
30. James Loney - 1B Dodgers - DOB: 05/07/84 - ETA: June 2007
Previous rankings: 2003 #68, mid-2003 #31, 2004 #36, mid-2004 #33, 2005 #42, mid-2005 #79, 2006 #74, mid-2006 #34
.380/.426/.546, 8 HR, 67 RBI, 34/32 K/BB, 9 SB in 366 AB for Triple-A Las Vegas
.284/.342/.559, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 10/8 K/BB, 1 SB in 102 AB for Los Angeles (NL)
With a .380 average in the PCL and a fine showing in 102 at-bats in the majors last year, Loney clearly earned an opportunity to play regularly for the Dodgers. Still, he has next to no chance of getting it at the beginning of the year. The Dodgers blocked him at first base by re-signing
Nomar Garciaparra for two years and then eliminated his chances of playing right field regularly by bringing in
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=3797"][URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=4378"]Luis Gonzalez[/URL][/URL]. Loney will outhit Gonzalez and he's a better defender at first base than Garciaparra. Still, he'll probably return to Triple-A at the beginning of the year, allowing him to work on his defense in right field. Loney's picture-perfect swing could allow him to hit .300 annually in the majors. He may top out as a 15-homer guy, but he will deliver plenty of doubles and a fair number of walks. One legitimate concern is his history of injuries. The Dodgers have resisted trading him and may yet find room for him at some point by trying Garciaparra at another position. Expect an injury to free up a spot for him by June or July.
31. Reid Brignac - SS Devil Rays - DOB: 01/16/86 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #83
.326/.382/.557, 21 HR, 83 RBI, 82/35 K/BB, 12 SB in 411 AB for Single-A Visalia
.300/.355/.473, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 31/7 K/BB, 3 SB in 110 AB for Double-A Montgomery
Brignac continued to strike out a bunch, but he raised his average nearly 60 points last year after hitting .264/.319/.416 in the Midwest League in 2005. Just as importantly, he continued to improve his defense, reaching the point at which he now seems quite likely to be an everyday shortstop in the majors. That he retained many of his gains on offense after a late-season promotion to Double-A has pushed up his timetable by a year. He could even displace
Ben Zobrist on the Rays before the end of 2007. As a rare shortstop with 25-homer power, Brignac might go to All-Star Games after
Derek Jeter and
Miguel Tejada see their production fall off.
32. Jason Hirsh - RHP Rockies - DOB: 02/20/82 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2006 #77, mid-2006 #20
13-2, 2.10 ERA, 94 H, 118/51 K/BB in 137 1/3 IP for Triple-A Round Rock
3-4, 6.04 ERA, 48 H, 29/22 K/BB in 44 2/3 IP for Houston
Even if
Willy Taveras and
Taylor Buchholz are long gone by the time the Rockies get back to the postseason, Hirsh alone could make the
Jason Jennings deal a winner for GM Dan O'Dowd. The 6-foot-8 Hirsh isn't as overpowering as his build suggests, but his 90-94 mph fastball, plus slider and average changeup should make him a fine No. 3, maybe by the middle of this year. After making substantial progress with the change last year, all he needs to do is to tighten up his command a bit. The Rockies would be making a mistake if he's not in the rotation on Opening Day.
33. Jarrod Saltalamacchia - C Braves - DOB: 05/02/85 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #109, 2006 #19, mid-2006 #18
.230/.353/.380, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 71/55 K/BB, 0 SB in 313 AB for Double-A Mississippi
.565/.655/1.000, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 2/5 K/BB, 0 SB in 23 AB for Peoria (AFL)
After establishing himself as the game's top catching prospect with a .314/.394/.519 line a big-time pitcher's park in Myrtle Beach in 2005, Saltalamacchia's performance took a huge downturn last season. He batted just .197 in 239 at-bats before going down with a hand injury at the beginning of July. Better results came following his return, as he hit .338 with five homers in 74 at-bats. He then got off to a torrid start in the AFL, only to succumb to a hamstring injury. The Saltalamacchia of the second half was much closer to the real thing.
Brian McCann has improved enough defensively that Salty might be tried at first base this year, even though he may have more upside with the glove than McCann does. A trade is a possibility. If Saltalamacchia can stay behind the plate, he could be a star in the majors. Even as a first baseman, he'd be a top-100 prospect.
34. Carlos Gonzalez - OF Diamondbacks - DOB: 10/17/85 - ETA: Aug. 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #139, 2006 #92, mid-2006 #19
.300/.356/.563, 21 HR, 94 RBI, 104/30 K/BB, 15 SB in 403 AB for Single-A Lancaster
.213/.294/.410, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 12/7 K/BB, 1 SB in 61 AB for Double-A Tennessee
Though he added 60 points of OPS while making the jump from low Single-A South Bend to Lancaster, Gonzalez's 2006 season qualified as a mild disappointment. One issue was that he went from an 86/48 K/BB ratio in 515 at-bats to a 112/37 K/BB ratio in 464 at-bats. However, the real problem was that he didn't do much of anything outside of the offensive paradise that is Lancaster's ballpark. He hit just .239/.295/.433 in 201 at-bats in road games in the California League, which is populated with more than one hitter's park. Still, it's too early to get discouraged. Gonzalez makes an awful lot of contact despite his tendency to chase, and he's likely to show 30-homer power one of these years. Also, he's a fine defensive right fielder. The Diamondbacks shouldn't be counting on him being ready to contribute in 2008, but if they're patient, they'll likely be rewarded later on.
35. Scott Elbert - LHP Dodgers - DOB: 05/13/85 - ETA: Sept. 2007
Previous rankings: 2006 #118, mid-2006 #37
5-5, 2.37 ERA, 57 H, 97/41 K/BB in 83 2/3 IP for Single-A Vero Beach
6-4, 3.61 ERA, 40 H, 76/44 K/BB in 62 1/3 IP for Double-A Jacksonville
Elbert, the 17th overall pick in the 2004 draft, limited batters to a .190 average and struck out 10.7 hitters per nine innings on his way to establishing himself as one of the top lefties in the minors last year. Elbert regularly works in the low-90s and has a strikeout curveball. His changeup has improved to the point at which it can be considered a major league pitch. Command is in issue, and as a flyball pitcher, he'll give up his share of homers. Still, he has No. 2-starter potential and could be a No. 3 even if he walks 70-80 batters per year. He should debut before the end of the year.
36. John Danks - LHP White Sox - DOB: 04/15/85 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2004 #68, 2005 #69, mid-2005 #31, 2006 #41, mid-2006 #28
5-4, 4.15 ERA, 74 H, 82/22 K/BB in 69 1/3 IP for Double-A Frisco
4-5, 4.33 ERA, 67 H, 72/34 K/BB in 70 2/3 IP for Triple-A Oklahoma
It was a risky trade, but the White Sox felt Danks had at least as much upside as
Brandon McCarthy when they swapped youngsters with the Rangers in December. Of course, it helped that they also got
Nick Masset in the bargain. Danks, the ninth overall pick in the 2003 draft, gets his fastball into the low-90s and has a plus curve he can use effectively against both lefties and righties. His changeup remains a mediocre third offering and he doesn't have great command, so he still appears to be a year away from the majors. The White Sox intend to give him a look this spring, but it would be a surprise if he isn't in Charlotte's rotation to begin the year. He currently projects as a No. 3 starter, but if his command improves enough, he could be a No. 2.
37. Adam Jones - OF Mariners - DOB: 08/01/85 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #111, 2006 #48, mid-2006 #25
.287/.345/.484, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 78/28 K/BB, 13 SB in 380 AB for Triple-A Tacoma
.216/.237/.311, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 22/2 K/BB, 3 SB in 74 AB for Seattle
There was little reason to think Jones was ready offensively or defensively after he was hauled up by the Mariners right after the All-Star break to take over in center field. A shortstop in his first 2 ? pro seasons, he only made the move to the outfield in the AFL in 2005. He's made fine progress in center and should be above average in time. Also, he shows 25-homer potential on offense. The package will likely make him a fine regular by 2009. Right now, he still swings and misses at too many pitches to be effective. The Mariners can afford to give him another full year in Triple-A after moving
Ichiro Suzuki to center field. He'll probably be a part of the team's 2008 outfield.
38. Luke Hochevar - RHP Royals - DOB: 09/15/83 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: none
0-1, 1.17 ERA, 8 H, 16/2 K/BB in 15 1/3 IP for low Single-A Burlington
0-0, 8.64 ERA, 13 H, 8/2 K/BB in 8 1/3 IP (AFL) for Grand Canyon (AFL)
Uninterested in meeting
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=4441"]Andrew Miller[/URL]'s demands or in taking another third baseman in
Evan Longoria, the Royals made Hochevar the first overall pick in the 2006 draft. The University of Tennessee product was drafted 40th overall by the Dodgers the year before, but did not come to terms. Hochevar signed with the Royals in August, taking a major league contract worth about $5.3 million. An impressive debut followed, but he had to be shut down after three AFL starts with a shoulder strain. Hochevar tops out at around 95 mph and displays a plus curveball. If healthy this year, he should see time in the Kansas City rotation after the break. He's a future second or third starter.
39. Josh Fields - 3B White Sox - DOB: 12/14/82 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #40
.305/.379/.515, 19 HR, 70 RBI, 136/54 K/BB, 28 SB in 462 AB for Triple-A Charlotte
.150/.320/.400, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8/5 K/BB, 0 SB in 20 AB for Chicago (AL)
Fields appeared unlikely to star in his first go-round in Triple-A after hitting just .252/.341/.409 at Double-A Birmingham in 2005, but the former Oklahoma State quarterback was able to post a fine average despite striking out 136 times and continued to improve his power production. He also stole four times as many bases as he did in 2005. Despite his success, Fields probably isn't ready for the majors just yet. It remains to be seen whether he'll be a long-term third baseman, and the White Sox considered trying him in left field this spring with
Scott Podsednik sidelined. Also, much of his production last year came against lefties. His .291/.360/.475 line against righties was more solid than spectacular. He might eventually have the bat to be an All-Star if he can stay at third base, but if made a regular now, all of the strikeouts would likely make it tough for him to maintain a quality OBP.
40. Clayton Kershaw - LHP Dodgers - DOB: 03/19/88 - ETA: 2009
Previous rankings: none
2-0, 1.95 ERA, 28 H, 54/5 K/BB in 37 IP for Rookie GCL Dodgers
Five college pitchers were taken before Kershaw was drafted seventh overall by the Dodgers last season, but only
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=4441"]Andrew Miller[/URL] and maybe Hochevar look like better bets. Kershaw was extremely impressive in his 10 appearances after being drafted, showing better-than-expected command of his low-90s fastball and two potential plus pitches in his curve and changeup. If he continues to stay away from the walks, it's likely that he'll move quickly for a high school pitcher and reach the majors in 2009. It's not too early to look at him as a fantasy prospect.
41. Dustin Pedroia - 2B Red Sox - DOB: 08/17/83 - ETA: Now
Previous rankings: 2005 #61, mid-2005 #27, 2006 #23, mid-2006 #30
.305/.384/.426, 5 HR, 50 RBI, 27/48 K/BB, 1 SB in 423 AB for Triple-A Pawtucket
.191/.258/.303, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7/7 K/BB, 0 SB in 89 AB for Boston
The general view seems to be that Pedroia's stock has fallen over the last year, but after a slow start brought on by a shoulder injury suffered in spring training, he was productive as a 22-year-old in Triple-A, batting .330 and slugging .461 in 282 at-bats. Also, he showed terrific range at second base, the position that figures to be his long-term home. More than anything else, it was his arm that got him taken off shortstop. He did make the mistake of swinging for the fences too often after reaching the majors, but that's something time can take care of. The Arizona State product will be decent this year, and he should settle in as an above average regular beginning in 2008.
42. Jacoby Ellsbury - OF Red Sox - DOB: 09/11/83 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: 2006 #138, mid-2006 #67
.299/.379/.418, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 28/25 K/BB, 25 SB in 244 AB for Single-A Wilmington
.308/.387/.434, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 25/24 K/BB, 16 SB in 198 AB for Double-A Portland
.276/.342/.371, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 16/8 K/BB, 7 SB in 105 AB for Peoria (AFL)
What Ellsbury lacks in offensive upside, he makes up for with potential Gold Glove defense in center field. The 2005 first-round pick out of Oregon State was one of the premier defenders in the minors last season, and he could offer just enough with the bat to be a leadoff man in the majors. The left-handed hitter shows gap power and the ability to hit for average. A few more walks would be nice, but at least he doesn't strike out very often. He'd probably be able to hold his own in the majors this year if
Coco Crisp gets hurt again. A strong season split between Double- and Triple-A would make Crisp expendable next winter.
43. Trevor Crowe - OF Indians - DOB: 11/17/83 - ETA: April 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #41
.000/.000/.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 5 AB for low Single-A Lake County
.329/.449/.470, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 46/48 K/BB, 29 SB in 219 AB for Single-A Kinston
.234/.318/.325, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 24/20 K/BB, 16 SB in 154 AB for Double-A Akron
.329/.449/.405, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 10/18 K/BB, 3 SB in 79 AB for Peoria (AFL)
With
Grady Sizemore possessing a stranglehold on center field, the Indians gave Crowe, their 2005 first-round pick out of Arizona, a brief look at second base late last season. The experiment was a bust and took a definite toll on Crowe's numbers at Akron. Since there are no plans to give him more time in the infield, it looks like Crowe is the Indians' left fielder of the future. He has the range to stay in center, but his weak arm might be better suited for left anyway. On offense, the switch-hitter should possess the on-base skills to be a leadoff man and he'll supply a fair number of doubles. He's not going to be the All-Star he might have been as a second baseman, but something resembling
Shannon Stewart's career could be a possibility.
44. Eric Hurley - RHP Rangers - DOB: 09/17/85 - ETA: Aug. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #56
5-6, 4.11 ERA, 92 H, 106/32 K/BB in 100 2/3 IP for Single-A Bakersfield
3-1, 1.95 ERA, 21 H, 31/11 K/BB in 37 IP for Double-A Frisco
With the DVD trio broken up, the Rangers have a new No. 1 pitching prospect in Hurley, the 30th overall pick in the 2004 draft. Even with his velocity down a bit from where it was in high school, Hurley looks like a future No. 3 starter. He's steadily in the 90-93 mph range and both his changeup and slider are potential above average major league pitches. The hope is that he'll regain some of his lost velocity, which would give him more upside. Though he's the younger pitcher by two years, Hurley, because of his command, might be more capable than either
Edinson Volquez or
Thomas Diamond of helping the Rangers this year. Still, he'll likely return to Double-A initially.
45. Clay Buchholz - RHP Red Sox - DOB: 08/14/84 - ETA: Aug. 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #122
9-4, 2.62 ERA, 78 H, 117/29 K/BB in 103 IP for low Single-A Greenville
2-0, 1.13 ERA, 10 H, 23/4 K/BB in 16 IP for Single-A Wilmington
Buchholz was supposed to something of a raw product after getting drafted 41st overall out of a Texas junior college in 2005, but he's opened his pro career with a 2.47 ERA and a 185/42 K/BB ratio in 160 1/3 innings. Now it looks like the Red Sox could have him start this year at Double-A, though that's in large part because they don't want him to have to deal with the harsh environment at Lancaster in the California League. Buchholz works comfortably in the low-90s and has four pitches, though his curve lags behind his slider and change. As impressive as his command is, he would seem to have No. 2-starter potential.
46. Chuck Lofgren - LHP Indians - DOB: 01/29/86 - ETA: May 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #69
17-5, 2.32 ERA, 108 H, 125/54 K/BB in 139 2/3 IP for Single-A Kinston
Lofgren was also a fine prospect as a hitter when Cleveland made him a fourth-round pick in 2004, but it looks like the Indians had the right idea putting him on the mound. There aren't many lefties in the minors with more upside than Lofgren, who throws in the low-90s with regularity and shows a plus changeup. He needs to get a lot more consistent with his curveball in order to fulfill his upside, but he's on the right path. In another organization, he'd be a real candidate to join the rotation in the second half of the season.
47. Troy Patton - LHP Astros - DOB: 09/03/85 - ETA: May 2008
Previous rankings: mid-2005 #39, 2006 #55, mid-2006 #45
7-7, 2.93 ERA, 92 H, 102/37 K/BB in 101 1/3 IP for Single-A Salem
2-5, 4.37 ERA, 48 H, 37/13 K/BB in 45 1/3 IP for Double-A Corpus Christi
2-0, 4.80 ERA, 12 H, 17/8 K/BB in 15 IP for Mesa (AFL)
Patton wasn't stellar after moving up to Double-A last year, but another healthy season has left his stock as a prospect essentially unchanged, even if his ceiling isn't as high as it once appeared. A ninth-round steal in 2004, Patton throws in the low-90s and features an above average curve. He's also making progress with his changeup, though it isn't quite a major league pitch yet. Disappointing is that he's yet to build the stamina or become efficient enough to work deep into games, and as a flyball pitcher, he may have difficulty amassing quality ERAs in Houston. Still, he could be at least a No. 3 starter if he remains healthy.
48. Joey Votto - 1B Reds - DOB: 09/10/83 - ETA: July 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2004: #144, 2005: #105, mid-2005 #130, 2006 ---, mid-2006 #63
.319/.408/.547, 22 HR, 77 RBI, 109/78 K/BB, 24 SB in 508 AB for Double-A Chattanooga
Votto, a 2002 second-round pick, had his stock take quite a hit when he batted just .256/.330/.425 with a 122/52 K/BB ratio in 464 at-bats for Single-A Sarasota in 2005. He improved in all facets of the game last year, even turning in a better showing on defense and going from four steals in nine tries to 24 in 31 attempts. There was no doubt about Votto's power even when he was struggling in the big ballparks of the FSL. The question was whether he'd make enough contact to warrant a starting job in the majors. Now it looks like he will, though he still doesn't project as much more than an average regular. If he gets off to a good start in Triple-A this year, he could overtake
Scott Hatteberg in Cincinnati at some point during the summer. He'll likely have some .270-25 HR seasons.
49. Matt Harrison - LHP Braves - DOB: 08/16/85 - ETA: July. 2007
Previous rankings: mid-2006 #92
8-4, 3.10 ERA, 77 H, 60/16 K/BB in 81 1/3 IP for Single-A Myrtle Beach
3-4, 3.61 ERA, 83 H, 54/17 K/BB in 77 1/3 IP for Double-A Mississippi
Although he lacks the upside of many of the arms developed by the team in the past, Harrison has taken over as the Braves' top pitching prospect. He has very good command and two plus pitches in his curveball and changeup, making up for a pretty average fastball. Since he's not big with the strikeouts and he's a modest flyball pitcher, he's probably not going to be more than a No. 3 starter. However, he could be ready to help the Braves during the second half of the season if needed. The club doesn't have many other quality fallbacks in the event of injuries.
50. Ian Stewart - 3B Rockies - DOB: 04/05/85 - ETA: June 2008
Previous rankings: 2004 #98, mid-2004 #29, 2005 #7, mid-2005 #11, 2006 #20, mid-2006 #27
.268/.351/.452, 10 HR, 71 RBI, 103/50 K/BB, 3 SB in 462 AB for Double-A Tulsa
While he can still be considered a big-time prospect, Stewart hasn't taken much of a step forward since hitting .319/.398/.594 in his first full pro season at low Single-A Asheville in 2004. He followed that up with an 850 OPS in the California League and then an 803 mark last year. On the plus side, he's been young for his levels and he has gotten better on defense. Still, the Rockies have considered putting him in the outfield as a result of
Garrett Atkins' emergence. Such a move would take away some of his upside. Stewart's swing figures to make him a 25- or 30-homer guy someday. However, he might not make enough contact to hit better than .260-.270 in the majors. This is an important year for him. If he fails to step up and both Atkins and
Brad Hawpe hold on to most of their gains from 2006, he could turn into trade bait.
