Rex Hudler Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Question for you, Rex: How many guys from Birmingham will make the Top 20 in the Southern League? Well after about an hour of thought/research here is my Southern League Top 20: 1. Miguel Cabrera, 3B Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 2. Jeremy Reed, OF Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 3. JJ Hardy, SS Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 4. Edwin Jackson, RHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 5. Neal Cotts, LHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 6. Adam Wainwright, RHP Greenville Braves (Braves) 7. Mike Jones, RHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 8. Adam LaRoche, 1B Greenville Braves (Braves) 9. Corey Hart, 3B Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 10. Enemencio Pacheco, RHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 11. Angel Guzman, RHP West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs) 12. Joel Hanrahan, RHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 13. Steven Smitherman, OF Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) 14. Dave Krynzel, OF Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 15. Donnie Bridges, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 16. Luis Martinez, LHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 17. Matt Diaz, OF Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) 18. Caonabo Cosme, 2B Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) 19. Bubba Nelson, RHP Greenville Braves (Braves) 20. Humberto Quintero, C Mobile BayBears (Padres) I did not know the parameters BA uses (games, at bats, IP, etc.) so the players below were not chosen. Some would have easily made the list, others would have been considered. All had less than half the season in the league and/or were traded to another league. Some may make it onto BA's list depending on their guidelines. In no particular order: Royce Ring, LHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox traded to Mets) Dan Haren, RHP Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) Chris Narveson, LHP Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) Dontrelle Willis, LHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) Khalil Greene, SS Mobile BayBears (Padres) BJ Upton, SS Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) Victor Diaz, 2B Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers, traded to Mets) Greg Miller, LHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) Denny Bautista, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins traded to Orioles) Other players considered for Top 20: Brendan Harris, 2B West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs) Jeff Bajenaru, RHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) Mike Flannery, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) Rusty Tucker, LHP Mobile BayBears (Padres) Cory Stewart, LHP Mobile BayBears (Padres) Jon Switzer, LHP Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) Ben Hendrickson, RHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) Two other players worth mentioning were Mobile 2B Jake Gautreau and Huntsville 1B Brad Nelson. Both are highly regarded prospects. Gautreau hit only .242 and struggled somewhat in his first year in AA. Nelson is battling a wrist injury which zapped all power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted September 22, 2003 Author Share Posted September 22, 2003 I guess we will see how close I am to BA's list.... if I am real close, I want a damn job. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Edwin Jackson is a freaking stud. Kid has a great live fastball and a very sharp curveball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxrd5 Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Nice list....Very informative....and i was impressed with my own knowledge b/c i almost knew of every player you mentioned...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted September 22, 2003 Author Share Posted September 22, 2003 Nice list....Very informative....and i was impressed with my own knowledge b/c i almost knew of every player you mentioned...LOL There are a few guys I haven't seen or have barely seen, so it was tough and I did have to weigh in reputation as well numbers and my own eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Thanks for the list Rex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 awesome and informative list. good to see the sox have three of the top 10 that close to the big leagues. I'll be interested to see how Cotts and Reed play in the AFL. After the last 11 games, we all need something to look forward to. And it appears that the Brewers' farm system is in pretty good shape. Plus, don't they have Cecil Fielder's son, Tony Gwynn's son and Rickie Weeks. good times coming -- finally -- in Milwaukee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted September 22, 2003 Author Share Posted September 22, 2003 awesome and informative list. good to see the sox have three of the top 10 that close to the big leagues. I'll be interested to see how Cotts and Reed play in the AFL. After the last 11 games, we all need something to look forward to. And it appears that the Brewers' farm system is in pretty good shape. Plus, don't they have Cecil Fielder's son, Tony Gwynn's son and Rickie Weeks. good times coming -- finally -- in Milwaukee. I would almost expect Pacheco to be lower on BA's list, simply because he was not a "prospect" at all before this season. I actually felt he should have been higher (he was the best RH in the league, if not the pitcher in this league) but adjusted down a bit for that reason. It would not surprise me if he were even lower. Yes, Milwaukee's system is in good shape and is really stocked at the moment. The Huntsville club was loaded with good players, many young for AA. There were some guys that I did not see play much, but were intriguing, such as Cosme. He had so much range and made a couple of unbelievable plays defensively that I was sold. He held his own on offense so I included him. I am not sure how much of a prospect he is/was considered to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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