top 100

[LDF]

Top 100 Update

by Josh Boyd

June 29, 2003

 

Back in March we introduced our 14th annual Top 100 Prospects list, led by Rangers third baseman Mark Teixeira, Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. Those three prospects have graduated to the majors, already starting to fulfill their potential as rookies. Here we’ll provide a midseason progress report on this year’s class. We’ve broken them into seven categories, including a look at 10 prospects who weren’t on the Top 100 but boosted their stock with strong first-half performances.

 

Graduated To The Majors

 

While Teixeira edged Baldelli for the No. 1 spot on the Top 100 this year, it’s Baldelli who earned an everyday job. The hot hitting of Hank Blalock relegated Teixeira to a reserve role, picking up at-bats between first base, third base, left field, right field and DH. Jose Reyes wasn’t promoted until June when incumbent shortstop Rey Sanchez went down with an injury, but the Mets hope Reyes’ speed atop the lineup can liven up an otherwise uninspiring roster. Dontrelle Willis’ big league arrival was hastened by injuries to Marlins starters A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett. Willis won five of his first six decisions. The major league initiation wasn’t as kind for the likes of Brandon Phillips, Hee Seop Choi, Aaron Cook, Marlon Byrd and John Patterson.

 

1. Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers

2. Rocco Baldelli, of, Devil Rays

3. Jose Reyes, ss, Mets

5. Jesse Foppert, rhp, Giants

7. Brandon Phillips, 2b/ss, Indians

8. Hideki Matsui, of, Yankees

10. Francisco Rodriguez, rhp, Angels

12. Miguel Cabrera, 3b, Marlins

14. Justin Morneau, 1b, Twins

16. Victor Martinez, c, Indians

20. Jeremy Bonderman, rhp, Tigers

22. Hee Seop Choi, 1b, Cubs

27. Rafael Soriano, rhp, Mariners

32. Colby Lewis, rhp, Rangers

41. Aaron Cook, rhp, Rockies

42. Franklyn German, rhp, Tigers

43. Dontrelle Willis, lhp, Marlins

44. Xavier Nady, of, Padres

50. Jerome Williams, rhp, Giants

55. Juan Rivera, of, Yankees

63. Marlon Byrd, of, Phillies

64. Kurt Ainsworth, rhp, Giants

65. Lyle Overbay, 1b, Diamondbacks

74. Dewon Brazelton, rhp, Devil Rays

79. John Patterson, rhp, Diamondbacks

87. Wily Mo Pena, of, Reds

94. Jayson Werth, of/c, Blue Jays

98. Seth McClung, rhp, Devil Rays

 

Second-Half Comeback?

 

Early-season slumps by Jason Stokes, Adrian Gonzalez and James Loney can be attributed to wrist injuries each suffered at the end of the 2002 season. While all three have shown signs of coming around at the plate, their power was affected, which is typical with wrist injuries. After opening the season as the Twins right fielder, Michael Cuddyer found himself back in Triple-A and at second base, his fourth different position since being drafted as a shortstop in 1997. Hanley Ramirez received more attention for his continued run-ins due to his attitude than for his promise on the field, a trend the Red Sox expect to change after the break.

 

15. Jason Stokes, 1b, Marlins

17. Michael Cuddyer, of/2b, Twins

19. Hanley Ramirez, ss, Red Sox

28. Joe Borchard, of, White Sox

31. Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, Marlins

34. James Loney, 1b, Dodgers

46. Travis Hafner, 1b, Indians

59. Mike Gosling, lhp, Diamondbacks

61. Shin-Soo Choo, of, Mariners

69. Bobby Basham, rhp, Reds

71. Josh Karp, rhp, Expos

82. Todd Linden, of, Giants

96. Mike Hinckley, lhp, Expos

 

Hurt By Injuries

 

Of this group, only Chris Gruler (shoulder) and Ben Kozlowski (elbow) are expected to miss the entire season. Casey Kotchman, who has become a perennial victim of nagging injuries, was on his way to securing a spot among the Top 10 prospects when he tore his hamstring. Brad Nelson, another Class A California League first baseman with a high ceiling, was missing from High Desert’s lineup since the second week of the season with a wrist injury. Jonathan Figueroa wasn’t sharp in returning from an offseason shoulder injury, though no structural damage had been detected by team doctors.

 

13. Casey Kotchman, 1b, Angels

23. Brad Nelson, 1b, Brewers

30. Cliff Lee, lhp, Indians

35. Jonathan Figueroa, lhp, Dodgers

39. Chris Snelling, of, Mariners

47. Angel Guzman, rhp, Cubs

53. Andy Sisco, lhp, Cubs

60. Bobby Jenks, rhp, Angels

77. Chris Gruler, rhp, Reds

80. Ben Kozlowski, lhp, Rangers

83. Francisco Liriano, lhp, Giants

90. Ben Hendrickson, rhp, Brewers

 

Shooting Up The Charts

 

While he was already highly regarded, Miguel Cabrera’s stock was on the rise and, given his torrid first half in Double-A, the Marlins were considering trading incumbent third baseman Mike Lowell to pave the way. Rich Harden opened the season with 13 perfect innings in Double-A Midland, prompting a quick promotion to Triple-A Sacramento. Zack Greinke hadn’t been fazed by heading straight to the high Class A level. In fact, he overmatched the competition, posting the second-lowest ERA in the minors.

 

24. John VanBenschoten, rhp, Pirates

29. Rich Harden, rhp, Athletics

48. Jeff Mathis, c, Angels

51. Ervin Santana, rhp, Angels

54. Zack Greinke, rhp, Royals

56. Mike Jones, rhp, Brewers

70. Jeremy Guthrie, rhp, Indians

73. Kris Honel, rhp, White Sox

75. David Wright, 3b, Mets

76. Clint Nageotte, rhp, Mariners

85. Laynce Nix, of, Rangers

91. Corey Hart, 3b/1b, Brewers

93. Chin-Hui Tsao, rhp, Rockies

95. Jeff Francoeur, of, Braves

97. Jason Arnold, rhp, Blue Jays

99. Edwin Jackson, rhp, Dodgers

 

Stock Crash

 

The Josh Hamilton saga has taken many twists and turns over the last three years. After playing just 83 games between 2001-2002, he disappeared from Devil Rays camp this spring, and after an attempt at a comeback, the 22-year-old decided to take the rest of the season off to deal with unspecified personal issues. Wilson Betemit, once on the verge of following Rafael Furcal into the Braves lineup, stumbled in Triple-A the last two seasons. His tools are still worthy of Top 100 status, but his performance just hasn’t caught up. Mark Phillips, dealt from the Padres to the Yankees as part of the Rondell White trade, has built a reputation as a slow starter, but his six plus ERA and 33 walks in 46 innings was a major red flag.

 

33. Josh Hamilton, of, Devil Rays

49. Wilson Betemit, 3b, Braves

84. Mark Phillips, lhp, Yankees

92. Jon Rauch, rhp, White Sox

100. Nic Jackson, of, Cubs

 

Holding Their Ground

 

Joe Mauer and Gavin Floyd, the only two prospects from the Top 10 not to break into the majors this season, started slow in the high Class A Florida State League before rebounding. Mauer ranked third in the circuit in hitting despite carrying a .257 average through the first three weeks of the season. Floyd was fifth in ERA after dropping his first three starts. Scott Kazmir had dominated despite being limited by strict pitch counts.

 

4. Joe Mauer, c, Twins

9. Gavin Floyd, rhp, Phillies

11. Scott Kazmir, lhp, Mets

18. Adam Wainwright, rhp, Braves

21. B.J. Upton, ss, Devil Rays

25. Sean Burnett, lhp, Pirates

26. Scott Hairston, 2b, Diamondbacks

36. Dustin McGowan, rhp, Blue Jays

37. Michael Restovich, of, Twins

38. Jose Lopez, ss, Mariners

40. Andy Marte, 3b, Braves

45. Aaron Heilman, rhp, Mets

52. Bryan Bullington, rhp, Pirates

57. Khalil Greene, ss, Padres

58. Bubba Nelson, rhp, Braves

62. Clint Everts, rhp, Expos

66. Justin Huber, c, Mets

67. John Buck, c, Astros

68. Macay McBride, lhp, Braves

72. Felix Pie, of, Cubs

78. Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers

81. Chase Utley, 3b/2b, Phillies

86. Jose Castillo, ss, Pirates

88. Taylor Buchholz, rhp, Phillies

89. Donald Levinski, rhp, Marlins

 

Moving Onto The Charts

 

Brandon Claussen’s speedy recovery from Tommy John surgery put him back on track to reach the big leagues. Franklin Gutierrez turned raw tools into performance, as he led the Florida State League with 15 home runs, already three more than his previous season high. Cole Hamels had been Kazmir-esque after starting the year in extended spring training. J.J. Hardy has improved at each level as he rode the fast track toward Milwaukee. Righthanders Dan Haren and Blake Hawksworth provided hope for a barren Cardinals system, though Hawksworth was hampered by a sore arm. Alexis Rios took to the Blue Jays plate discipline teachings, turning his raw tools into production.

 

Brandon Claussen, lhp, Yankees

Franklin Gutierrez, of, Dodgers

Cole Hamels, lhp, Phillies

J.J. Hardy, ss, Brewers

Dan Haren, rhp, Cardinals

Blake Hawksworth, rhp, Cardinals

Alexis Rios, of, Blue Jays

Sergio Santos, ss, Diamondbacks

Grady Sizemore, of, Indians

Merkin Valdez, rhp, Giants