AZZenny
Registered User
This is from Jim Callis of BA - we have four youngsters in the top 20, and plz notice the much-maligned (yes, I can say it with a straight face!) Conor Jackson is #5.
Also, my old favorite Dustin Pedroia makes the list - may have surprised Callis, but not me. Would be so nice to have him and Drew working as a tandem, but alas! Not to be.
Callis - This year, I'm speaking on the subject of the 20 best long-term prospects for 2006 and 2007, listed in the year in which they'll first make an impact at the major league level (and not ranked on the basis of their production during that season). So in lieu of a normal Ask BA, I'll present my Top 20 for 2006:
1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays
Needs a little more time in Triple-A, but not much more
2. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers
Legitimate 40-homer threat makes Lyle Overbay expendable
3. Stephen Drew, ss, Diamondbacks
Could be Opening Day starter 11 months after signing
4. Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins
My gut feel is that he outperforms Jeff Francoeur in long run
5. Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks
Has best pitch recognition among baseball's elite prospects
6. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins
Giants threw game's best pitching prospect into A.J. Pierzynski deal
7. Matt Cain, rhp, Giants
Underhyped because he pitched in same leagues as Felix Hernandez
8. Carlos Quentin, of, Diamondbacks
Prototype right fielder may break into Arizona lineup in center
9. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b, Nationals
Washington got exactly what it wanted with No. 4 pick in 2005 draft
10. Andy Marte, 3b, Braves
Atlanta would be best off with Marte at third and Chipper Jones in left
11. Justin Verlander, rhp, Tigers
Showing more polish and savvy in pros than he did at Old Dominion
12. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers
Los Angeles doesn't have a better option for the hot corner
13. Jon Papelbon, rhp, Red Sox
Finished season as Boston's top setup man, should shift to rotation in 2006
14. Jason Kubel, of, Twins
Don't forget about this gifted hitter who missed all of 2005 with knee surgery
15. Scott Olsen, lhp, Marlins
Better stuff, higher ceiling than Jason Vargas
16. Anthony Reyes, rhp, Cardinals
Would rank higher if he could make it through a whole season healthy
17. Dustin Pedroia, 2b, Red Sox
Uncanny hand-eye coordination makes him more dangerous than expected
18. Yusmeiro Petit, rhp, Mets
Doesn't have the stuff to quite back up his sterling minor league numbers
19. Justin Huber, 1b, Royals
No longer a catcher, still projects as regular because of his bat
20. Dustin Nippert, rhp, Diamondbacks
Won Southern League ERA title in return from Tommy John surgery
Also, my old favorite Dustin Pedroia makes the list - may have surprised Callis, but not me. Would be so nice to have him and Drew working as a tandem, but alas! Not to be.
Callis - This year, I'm speaking on the subject of the 20 best long-term prospects for 2006 and 2007, listed in the year in which they'll first make an impact at the major league level (and not ranked on the basis of their production during that season). So in lieu of a normal Ask BA, I'll present my Top 20 for 2006:
1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays
Needs a little more time in Triple-A, but not much more
2. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers
Legitimate 40-homer threat makes Lyle Overbay expendable
3. Stephen Drew, ss, Diamondbacks
Could be Opening Day starter 11 months after signing
4. Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins
My gut feel is that he outperforms Jeff Francoeur in long run
5. Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks
Has best pitch recognition among baseball's elite prospects
6. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins
Giants threw game's best pitching prospect into A.J. Pierzynski deal
7. Matt Cain, rhp, Giants
Underhyped because he pitched in same leagues as Felix Hernandez
8. Carlos Quentin, of, Diamondbacks
Prototype right fielder may break into Arizona lineup in center
9. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b, Nationals
Washington got exactly what it wanted with No. 4 pick in 2005 draft
10. Andy Marte, 3b, Braves
Atlanta would be best off with Marte at third and Chipper Jones in left
11. Justin Verlander, rhp, Tigers
Showing more polish and savvy in pros than he did at Old Dominion
12. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers
Los Angeles doesn't have a better option for the hot corner
13. Jon Papelbon, rhp, Red Sox
Finished season as Boston's top setup man, should shift to rotation in 2006
14. Jason Kubel, of, Twins
Don't forget about this gifted hitter who missed all of 2005 with knee surgery
15. Scott Olsen, lhp, Marlins
Better stuff, higher ceiling than Jason Vargas
16. Anthony Reyes, rhp, Cardinals
Would rank higher if he could make it through a whole season healthy
17. Dustin Pedroia, 2b, Red Sox
Uncanny hand-eye coordination makes him more dangerous than expected
18. Yusmeiro Petit, rhp, Mets
Doesn't have the stuff to quite back up his sterling minor league numbers
19. Justin Huber, 1b, Royals
No longer a catcher, still projects as regular because of his bat
20. Dustin Nippert, rhp, Diamondbacks
Won Southern League ERA title in return from Tommy John surgery
