1 DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, rhp, Red Sox
He has six pitches that grade out as plus or plus-plus at their best,
and he'll be the best Japanese import ever.
Opening Day Age: 26. ETA: 2007 |
2 ALEX GORDON, 3b, Royals
College Player of the Year in 2005, Minor League Player of the Year in
2006 . . . Rookie of the Year in 2007
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
3 DELMON YOUNG, of, Devil Rays
Took the Albert Belle comparisons too far when he tossed a bat at an
umpire last year, but he can rake
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
4 PHILIP HUGHES, rhp, Yankees
As good as Chien-Ming Wang has been, this homegrown ace will be even
better
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007
|
5 HOMER BAILEY, rhp, Reds
The next great Texas fireballer in the tradition of Nolan Ryan and
Roger Clemens
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007
|
6 CAMERON MAYBIN, of, Tigers
Tremendous athlete had even more polish at the plate than Detroit
expected
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
7 EVAN LONGORIA, 3b, Devil Rays
Backed up his reputation as the 2006 draft's best pure hitter by
batting .315 with 18 homers in his pro debut
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
8 BRANDON WOOD, ss, Angels
More than capable at shortstop, he may shift to third base to get his
power bat into the Los Angeles lineup
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
9 JUSTIN UPTON, of, Diamondbacks
No. 1 overall pick in 2006 didn't have a banner debut, but he still
has Ken Griffey Jr. tools
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
10 ANDREW MILLER, lhp, Tigers
The consensus top prospect in the 2006 draft was a steal at sixth
overall and nearly made Detroit's World Series roster
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
11 TIM LINCECUM, rhp, Giants
Size doesn't matter. His fastball-curveball combo prompts comparisons
to Bob Feller and Sandy Koufax
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
12 CHRIS YOUNG, of, Diamondbacks
White Sox fans still can't believe their club traded his 30-30
potential to get Javier Vazquez
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
13 ANDREW McCUTCHEN, of, Pirates
Reached Double-A quicker than any other outfielder in a bumper 2005
high school crop
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008
|
14 JAY BRUCE, of, Reds
Beat out Maybin and Upton for top-prospect honors in the Midwest
League last summer
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
15 TROY TULOWITZKI, ss, Rockies
Reached the majors 14 months after signing, a franchise record for a
position player
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
16 YOVANI GALLARDO, rhp, Brewers
Led the minors in strikeouts (188 in 155 innings) and ranked third in
ERA (1.86) during breakout 2006 season
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
17 REID BRIGNAC, ss, Devil Rays
Tampa Bay doesn't have to fool around with B.J. Upton at shortstop any
longer with Brignac on the way
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
18 CARLOS GONZALEZ, of, Diamondbacks
As if Arizona didn't have enough multitooled outfielders already
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
19 ANDY LaROCHE, 3b, Dodgers
Takes after brother (slugging Pirates first baseman Adam) more than
father (former all-star reliever Dave)
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
20 MIKE PELFREY, rhp, Mets
Made the majors three months into his pro career, and should be even
better now with his new slider
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
21 MATT GARZA, rhp, Twins
Unheralded 2005 first-rounder already has become a mainstay in
Minnesota's rotation
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
22 FERNANDO MARTINEZ, of, Mets
Followed up an impressive debut as a 17-year-old by holding his own in
the Arizona Fall League
Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009
|
23 ADAM MILLER, rhp, Indians
Regained knockout slider and plus fastball and refined his changeup
after 2005 elbow injury
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
24 CLAYTON KERSHAW, lhp, Dodgers
Joins fellow 2006 first-rounder Andrew Miller as the top two
lefthander prospects in baseball
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
25 BILLY BUTLER, of, Royals
His bat will have to carry him, but it can--he's a career
.344/.417/.564 hitter in pro ball
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007
|
26 RYAN BRAUN, 3b, Brewers
With Corey Koskie ailing, Braun could be Milwaukee's Opening Day third
baseman
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
27 JOSE TABATA, of, Yankees
Friendly rivalry with Martinez began last season in low Class A and
will pick up soon in New York.
Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009
|
28 ADAM JONES, of, Mariners
Good call by Seattle to shelve his mid-90s fastball and make him an
everyday player
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
29 COLBY RASMUS, of, Cardinals
Broke Bo Jackson's Alabama state prep home run record and has
continued to drive the ball as a pro
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
30 FRANKLIN MORALES, lhp, Rockies
Few lefthanders can match his mid-90s fastball or power curveball . .
.
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
31 SCOTT ELBERT, lhp, Dodgers
. . . though this Missouri product, who has similar swing-and-miss
stuff, is one who can
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
32 LUKE HOCHEVAR, rhp, Royals
After a celebrated holdout, he improved his stock in indy ball and
went first in the '06 draft
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
33 JACOBY ELLSBURY, of, Red Sox
Boston downplays Johnny Damon comparisons, but the parallels are hard
to ignore
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
34 NICK ADENHART, rhp, Angels
He's making Los Angeles look very smart for signing him for $710,000
out of the 2004 draft even though he needed Tommy John surgery
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008
|
35 JEFF NIEMANN, rhp, Devil Rays
Put two years of health problems behind him and started pitching to
his potential in the second half of 2006
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
36 JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA, c, Braves
Wrist injury led to an off year in 2006, but he's still the game's
best catching prospect
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
37 JACOB McGEE, lhp, Devil Rays
Has a chance for three plus pitches, posts dominant numbers and still
flies under the prospect radar as part of a loaded Devil Rays farm
system
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
38 HUNTER PENCE, of, Astros
Won't win any style points, but he hits for power and average and has
improved his running and defense, and he should move into the Houston
outfield this season
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
39 ADAM LIND, of, Blue Jays
He just hits: .392 in his final season at South Alabama, .319 in the
minors and .367 in a September callup
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
40 CHRIS VOLSTAD, rhp, Marlins
Polished prep product pounds the bottom of strike zone, and he led all
pitchers in the Top 100 Prospects list in groundball outs last season
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
41 CARLOS CARRASCO, rhp, Phillies
Made huge strides last year, cutting his ERA in low Class A from 7.04
in 2005 to 2.26
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
42 JASON HIRSH, rhp, Rockies
Acquired from the Astros in the Jason Jennings deal, he should be
nearly as effective at a fraction of the cost
Opening Day Age: 25. ETA: 2007
|
43 JOEY VOTTO, 1b, Reds
Led the Southern League in AVG (.319), OBP (.408) and SLG (.547) after
Cincinnati turned him loose at the plate
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
44 JAMES LONEY, 1b, Dodgers
Bat finally came back to life in 2006; led minors in hitting (.380)
and had a nine-RBI game in majors
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
45 JOSH FIELDS, 3b, White Sox
This former college quarterback is working out much better for Chicago
than Joe Borchard did
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
46 IAN STEWART, 3b, Rockies
Worst year of his pro career still included .803 OPS as 21-year-old in
Double-A
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
47 BILL ROWELL, 3b, Orioles
Barry Bonds aficionado has premium power potential but may outgrow
third base sooner than later
Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009
|
48 DEXTER FOWLER, of, Rockies
Five-tool center fielder has added switch-hitting, strength and polish
since signing
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009
|
49 FELIX PIE, of, Cubs
Chicago loves his tools and his history of winning--four championships
in five pro seasons
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
50 TRAVIS BUCK, of, Athletics
Has hit at least .302 at each of his four pro stops and .328 overall
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
51 CLAY BUCHHOLZ, rhp, Red Sox
His fastball hit 97 mph at the end of last season, and at times it's
his fourth-best pitch
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008
|
52 DONALD VEAL, lhp, Cubs
His delivery isn't quite as unconventional as former Chicago farmhand
Dontrelle Willis', but his stuff is better
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008
|
53 TRAVIS SNIDER, of, Blue Jays
Some scouts called him the best hitter in the 2006 draft; won Appy
League MVP award in his pro debut
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
54 CHUCK LOFGREN, lhp, Indians
Several clubs liked minor league wins leader (17) better as a hitter
out of high school
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
55 RYAN SWEENEY, of, White Sox
Has been on the fast track since hitting .367 in big league camp as a
19-year-old
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
56 JOHN DANKS, lhp, White Sox
Quality young pitching is hard to acquire, yet White Sox traded for
Danks and Gio Gonzalez this offseason
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
57 HUMBERTO SANCHEZ, rhp, Yankees
Key piece to Gary Sheffield trade could help New York as a starter or
a reliever this year
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
58 TROY PATTON, lhp, Astros
Combination of stuff and polish got him to Double-A at age 20
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
59 JONATHAN SANCHEZ, lhp, Giants
The definition of missing bats: 74 whiffs, 27 hits allowed in 55
innings last year
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
60 CARLOS GOMEZ, of, Mets
Career-high .773 OPS last year shows he's only scratching the surface
of his potential
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
61 ERICK AYBAR, ss, Angels
Could be a valuable piece of trade bait with Orlando Cabrera ahead of
him and Brandon Wood behind him
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
62 JEFF CLEMENT, c, Mariners
With Kenji Johjima in Seattle, Clement could move to first base when
his power bat is ready for the majors
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
63 MIGUEL MONTERO, c, Diamondbacks
Proved his 2005 breakout was no fluke, allowing Arizona to deal Johnny
Estrada to get Doug Davis
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
64 TREVOR CROWE, of, Indians
Prototype center fielder will have to find a new home with Grady
Sizemore in Cleveland
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
65 ELVIS ANDRUS, ss, Braves
Kept his head above water in low Class A at age 17, and he has
offensive potential to go with plus defense and speed
Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2010
|
66 GLEN PERKINS, lhp, Twins
Pitched well enough in September to beat out Matt Garza for a spot on
Minnesota's playoff roster
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
67 DARIC BARTON1b, Athletics
Think the Cardinals might regret giving up Dan Haren and Barton in the
Mark Mulder trade
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007
|
68 ERIC HURLEY, rhp, Rangers
More fun to watch than any member of the Rangers' more-heralded (and
since-disbanded) D-V-D trio
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
69 BRAD LINCOLN, rhp, Pirates
Has overpowering stuff, but spring forearm strain was the latest of a
litany of injuries since signing
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
70 JAIME GARCIA, lhp, Cardinals
Not a bad pro debut for a 22nd-round pick: reached high Class A at age
19 and pitched in the Futures Game
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008
|
71 KEVIN SLOWEY, rhp, Twins
Has the best command of any prospect in baseball, evidenced by 235-30
K-BB ratio in 221 innings
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
72 GIO GONZALEZ, lhp, White Sox
The White Sox liked him so much they reacquired him this winter after
including him in the Jim Thome deal a year earlier
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
73 PHILIP HUMBER, rhp, Mets
Blew out his elbow 15 starts into his pro career in 2005, but bounced
all the way back last year
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2008
|
74 NEIL WALKER, 3b, Pirates
Bat may take off now that he has a healthy wrist and has moved out
from behind the plate
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
75 JOBA CHAMBERLAIN, rhp, Yankees
Hawaii Winter Ball performance indicates he could be a steal with
the 41st overall pick last June
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
76 GREG REYNOLDS, rhp, Rockies
Quibble with his strikeout rate if you must, but he has stuff, size,
command, makeup . . . and he wins
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
77 BRETT SINKBEIL, rhp, Marlins
Added 35 pounds of muscle and turned himself into a first-rounder in
three years at Missouri State
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008
|
78 BRANDON ERBE, rhp, Orioles
Baltimore stole hometown high schooler in 2005's third round; now he's
throwing 92-97 mph
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009
|
79 ELIJAH DUKES, of, Devil Rays
His volatile temper still overshadows his wondrous tools
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007
|
80 JEFF SAMARDZIJA, rhp, Cubs
Most accomplished wide receiver in Notre Dame history has huge upside
on the mound
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2009
|
81 DANIEL BARD, rhp, Red Sox
His fastball eats up bats like few others, thanks to its velocity (up
to 100 mph) and heavy life
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009
|
82 ALBERTO CALLASPO, 2b, Diamondbacks
The minors' best contact hitter will threaten Orlando Hudson's job if
he continues to add power
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
83 MICHAEL BOWDEN, rhp, Red Sox
His delivery may be unorthodox, but it works for him and his stuff is
unquestionable
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
84 UBALDO JIMENEZ, rhp, Rockies
Kept pace with Felix Hernandez until he came down with a stress
fracture in his shoulder in 2004
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
85 MATT ALBERS, rhp, Astros
Has matured significantly, physically and mentally, since signing as a
23rd-round draft-and-follow
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
86 BRIAN BARTON, of, Indians
Has an aerospace engineering degree from Miami--and more pure baseball
ability than Crowe
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2008
|
87 BRANDON MORROW, rhp, Mariners
Can blow hitters away with his fastball, slider or splitter
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008
|
88 DREW STUBBS, of, Reds
Great tools across the board made him a potential No. 1 pick in the
2006 draft, but questions about his bat pushed him to No. 8
Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2009
|
89 KURT SUZUKI, c, Athletics
Has provided clutch hits at Cal State Fullerton, throughout the minors
and with Team USA
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
90 MATT HARRISON, lhp, Braves
The closest thing Atlanta has had to Tom Glavine since Glavine left as
a free agent
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008
|
91 WILL INMAN, rhp, Brewers
Solid stuff, tremendous command have led to 16-2, 1.77 record and
193-36 K-BB ratio in pro ball
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
92 CHRIS IANNETTA, c, Rockies
Offensive-minded catcher gives Colorado eight players on this list,
more than any other club
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007
|
93 BRENT LILLIBRIDGE, ss, Braves
An underrated part of the Adam LaRoche/Mike Gonzalez deal, he could
fill Atlanta's second-base void
Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008
|
94 CHRIS PARMELEE, of/1b, Twins
Advanced hitting skills, developing power made him the 20th overall
pick last June
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2010
|
95 COLLIN BALESTER, rhp, Nationals
Pitching-needy Washington might think about promoting him, but he
needs a solid year in the minors
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
96 SEAN WEST, lhp, Marlins
Has more stuff than most southpaws and plenty of mound savvy, too;
looked great last season after early-season shoulder soreness
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
97 WADE DAVIS, rhp, Devil Rays
Formed potent one-two punch in Midwest League with McGee last year,
and capped strong finish with a no-hitter in his final start
Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009
|
98 MICAH OWINGS, rhp, Diamondbacks
Now a full-time pitcher, he made a run at the national prep home run
record and was a two-way star in college
Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007
|
99 PEDRO BEATO, rhp, Orioles
Went from Tommy John surgery in 2004 to $1 million supplemental
first-rounder in 2006
Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009
|
100 DELLIN BETANCES, rhp, Yankees
He's raw, but he also has good stuff and plenty of projection
remaining.
Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2010
|
