AZZenny
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BA has released it's mid-term revised list of the top 25 prospects in all the minors.
Top 25 Prospects: Midseason Snapshot
Compiled by John Manuel
July 15, 2005
Only rookie-eligible players currently in the minor leagues were eligible for BA’s midseason Top 25 Prospects, which really seems unfair for Braves fans. Andy Marte and Jeff Francoeur also would have made the top 25 had they been sent down before the Futures Game in Detroit, and lefties Zach Duke (Pirates) and Scott Olsen (Marlins) could say the same. But the goal isn’t to be a top prospect, after all; it’s to be a big leaguer. B.J. Upton reached that goal last year with 159 at-bats, making him ineligible for a prospect list, but the Devil Rays have left him in Triple-A this season to work on his defense. His struggles with the glove at Durham would put him behind fellow Rays farmhand Delmon Young and Mariners flamethrower Felix Hernandez. Young’s precocious power and complete offensive package make him the game’s top prospect.
Player, Pos., Organization Skinny
1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays Challenging for a triple crown in the Southern League.
2. Felix Hernandez, rhp, Mariners Bursitis bout is the only reason he’s behind Young.
3. Ian Stewart, 3b, Rockies Overcame early hamstring injury to catch fire in June, July.
4. Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins Plate discipline, physical maturity has led to more power.
5. Stephen Drew, ss, D-backs Long holdout did little to erode his skills or tools.
6. Joel Guzman, ss, Dodgers Has experimented at third base; bat should play anywhere.
7. Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers Developing command of a power four-pitch repertoire.
8. Justin Verlander, rhp, Tigers One-game Detroit cameo capped rise for No. 2 pick in ’04.
9. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers Brief big league promotion hints he’s almost ready.
10. Hanley Ramirez, ss, Red Sox Steady improvement in all phases for toolsy athlete.
11. Brandon Wood, ss, Angels Unlikely minors home run leader can play short, too.
12. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers Making $1 million bonus as 39th-round pick look good.
13. Matt Cain, rhp, Giants Fast start tempered by realities of hitter-happy PCL.
14. Daric Barton, 1b, Athletics After slow start, he heated up (.494 since June 16).
15. Lastings Milledge, of, Mets Just promoted to Double-A after finding a groove in the FSL.
16. Adam Miller, rhp, Indians Elbow strain delayed season, but stuff is back in Kinston.
17. Felix Pie, of, Cubs He’s added power; last piece will be plate discipline.
18. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins Lithe live arm adjusted quickly to Triple-A (32 K in 25 IP).
19. Carlos Quentin, of, Diamondbacks Very few holes in his polished game with bat or with glove.
20. Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks Quentin’s tag-team partner could be future batting champ.
21. Billy Butler, 3b/of, Royals Unique approach produces huge power; position a question.
22. Joel Zumaya, rhp, Tigers Power stuff remains unhittable as he smooths out delivery.
23. Kendry Morales, 1b/of, Angels Cuban has quickly adjusted to U.S. minors (9 HR in 176 AB).
24. Nick Markakis, of, Orioles Greece’s two-way Olympian has advanced hitting tools.
25. Cole Hamels, lhp, Phillies When healthy as he is now, he’s the minors’ best lefty.
Miguel Montero made the addendum list of guys who weren't anywhere near the top 100 in the preseason and who are in or near it now. Conor is on the 'Helium' sublist - he jumped from #40 overall preseason (which I thought was absurdly low, you will recall) to #20.
Top 25 Prospects: Midseason Snapshot
Compiled by John Manuel
July 15, 2005
Only rookie-eligible players currently in the minor leagues were eligible for BA’s midseason Top 25 Prospects, which really seems unfair for Braves fans. Andy Marte and Jeff Francoeur also would have made the top 25 had they been sent down before the Futures Game in Detroit, and lefties Zach Duke (Pirates) and Scott Olsen (Marlins) could say the same. But the goal isn’t to be a top prospect, after all; it’s to be a big leaguer. B.J. Upton reached that goal last year with 159 at-bats, making him ineligible for a prospect list, but the Devil Rays have left him in Triple-A this season to work on his defense. His struggles with the glove at Durham would put him behind fellow Rays farmhand Delmon Young and Mariners flamethrower Felix Hernandez. Young’s precocious power and complete offensive package make him the game’s top prospect.
Player, Pos., Organization Skinny
1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays Challenging for a triple crown in the Southern League.
2. Felix Hernandez, rhp, Mariners Bursitis bout is the only reason he’s behind Young.
3. Ian Stewart, 3b, Rockies Overcame early hamstring injury to catch fire in June, July.
4. Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins Plate discipline, physical maturity has led to more power.
5. Stephen Drew, ss, D-backs Long holdout did little to erode his skills or tools.
6. Joel Guzman, ss, Dodgers Has experimented at third base; bat should play anywhere.
7. Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers Developing command of a power four-pitch repertoire.
8. Justin Verlander, rhp, Tigers One-game Detroit cameo capped rise for No. 2 pick in ’04.
9. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers Brief big league promotion hints he’s almost ready.
10. Hanley Ramirez, ss, Red Sox Steady improvement in all phases for toolsy athlete.
11. Brandon Wood, ss, Angels Unlikely minors home run leader can play short, too.
12. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers Making $1 million bonus as 39th-round pick look good.
13. Matt Cain, rhp, Giants Fast start tempered by realities of hitter-happy PCL.
14. Daric Barton, 1b, Athletics After slow start, he heated up (.494 since June 16).
15. Lastings Milledge, of, Mets Just promoted to Double-A after finding a groove in the FSL.
16. Adam Miller, rhp, Indians Elbow strain delayed season, but stuff is back in Kinston.
17. Felix Pie, of, Cubs He’s added power; last piece will be plate discipline.
18. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins Lithe live arm adjusted quickly to Triple-A (32 K in 25 IP).
19. Carlos Quentin, of, Diamondbacks Very few holes in his polished game with bat or with glove.
20. Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks Quentin’s tag-team partner could be future batting champ.
21. Billy Butler, 3b/of, Royals Unique approach produces huge power; position a question.
22. Joel Zumaya, rhp, Tigers Power stuff remains unhittable as he smooths out delivery.
23. Kendry Morales, 1b/of, Angels Cuban has quickly adjusted to U.S. minors (9 HR in 176 AB).
24. Nick Markakis, of, Orioles Greece’s two-way Olympian has advanced hitting tools.
25. Cole Hamels, lhp, Phillies When healthy as he is now, he’s the minors’ best lefty.
Miguel Montero made the addendum list of guys who weren't anywhere near the top 100 in the preseason and who are in or near it now. Conor is on the 'Helium' sublist - he jumped from #40 overall preseason (which I thought was absurdly low, you will recall) to #20.
