FOXSports: Top 100 prospects for '07

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Top 100 prospects for '07

Before we get into the prospects, here's how they came up with their rankings.

As the name implies, we'll be counting down, from 100 to one, the best minor-league talents in the game at this moment in time. Before we get started, let's take a quick look at some of criteria involved in ranking these prospects:

Both scouting reports and statistical profiles are vital in evaluating prospects. Some prospects grade out well with scouts but never really put up the numbers. Others have tremendous statistical dossiers but have skills deficiencies that will impair their success at the highest level. Both inputs are essential to the process.

Age versus peer group is important. A player who's thriving against older competition is much more valuable than, say, a 27-year-old journeyman who's cleaning up in this third Triple-A tour of duty. A player who's excelling or even treading water against players two and three years older may be a future star.

Hitting prospects at premium defensive positions tend to be more valuable than those at non-premium positions. Prospects who figure to stick at positions like short, center, second, catcher and third have more ceiling than those already relegated to first base or the outfield corners. After all, it's much more difficult to find quality hitters who can also handle the defensive rigors of those positions.

Starters are more valuable than relievers. This sounds like an obvious point, but pitching prospects who are starters not only often go on to be members of major-league rotations, but it's also converted minor league starters who go on to be elite closers — not minor league relief prospects.

Faster players are preferable. A few years ago, the best-selling Moneyball popularized the notion than un-athletic ballplayers were undervalued commodities. Well, not so much. Speedy, athletic players have longer careers than their doughy counterparts and are more often able to man those aforementioned premium positions.

Health, in many ways, is a skill. How many times have you heard the lament, "if he could just stay healthy"? In some sense, that's like saying, "if he could just hit breaking stuff." Injuries are part of the game, and avoiding injuries are part of being a top prospect. This is double the case with pitchers.

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6486174

100. Michael Bowden, RHP, Red Sox
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Waubonsie Valley HS (Aurora, IL)

99. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Phillies
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, TX)

98. Kevin Slowey, RHP, Twins
Age: 22
Acquired: 2nd round, 2005, Winthrop U.

97. Bryan Anderson, C, Cardinals
Age: 20
Acquired: 4th round, 2005, Simi Valley HS (Simi Valley, CA)

96. Angel Villalona, 3B, Giants
Age: 16
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2006, Dominican Republic

95. Tyler Clippard, RHP, Yankees
Age: 22
Acquired: 9th round, 2003, J.W. Mitchell HS (Trinity, FL)

94. Eric Patterson, 2B, Cubs
Age: 23
Acquired: 8th round, 2004, Georgia Tech

93. Hank Conger, C, Angels
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Huntington Beach HS (Huntington Beach, CA)

92. Edinson Volquez, RHP, Rangers
Age: 23
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2001, Dominican Republic

91. Alexi Casilla, SS/2B, Twins
Age: 22
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2005, Dominican Republic (by Angels)

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6494682

90. Jonathan Sanchez, LHP, Giants
Age: 24
Acquired: 27th round, 2004, Ohio Dominican College

89. Pedro Beato, RHP, Orioles
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Xavieran HS (Brooklyn)

88. Neil Walker, 3B, Pirates
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Pine Richland HS (Gibsonia, PA)

87. Carlos Carrasco, RHP, Phillies
Age: 19
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2003, Venezuela

86. Brent Lillibridge, SS, Braves
Age: 23
Acquired: 4th round, 2005, U. of Washington (by Pirates)

85. Troy Patton, LHP, Astros
Age: 21
Acquired: 9th round, 2004, Tomball HS (Tomball, TX)

84. Ryan Sweeney, CF, White Sox
Age: 22
Acquired: 2nd round, 2003, Xavier HS (Cedar Rapids, IA)

83. Gorkys Hernandez, CF, Tigers
Age: 19
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2005, Venezuela

82. Mark Rogers, RHP, Brewers
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Mount Ararat HS (Orr's Island, ME)

81. Cesar Carrillo, RHP, Padres
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, U. of Miami

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6509156

80. Shane Lindsay, RHP, Rockies
Age: 22
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2003, Australia

79. Carlos Gomez, CF, Mets
Age: 21
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2002, Dominican Republic

78. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Yankees
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, U. of Nebraska

77. Trevor Crowe, CF, Indians
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, U. of Arizona

76. Cedric Hunter, CF, Padres
Age: 18
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006, King HS (Decatur, Ga.)

75. Brad Lincoln, RHP, Pirates
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, U. of Houston

74. Travis Buck, OF, A's
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Arizona State

73. Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
Age: 23
Acquired: 2nd round, 2002, Richview Collegiate Institute (Toronto)

72. Matt Harrison, LHP, Braves
Age: 21
Acquired: 3rd round, 2003, South Granville HS (Creedmoor, N.C.)

71. Glen Perkins, LHP, Twins
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, U. of Minnesota

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6518192

70. Kurt Suzuki, C, A's
Age: 23
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, Cal State Fullerton

69. Jeff Niemann, RHP, Devil Rays
Age: 24
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Rice

68. Will Inman, RHP, Brewers
Age: 20
Acquired: 3rd round, 2005, Tunstall HS (Dry Fork, VA)

67. Jason Hirsh, RHP, Rockies
Age: 25
Acquired: 2nd round, 2003, Cal Lutheran U.

66. Ryan Tucker, RHP, Marlins
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Temple City HS (Temple City, Calif.)

65. Dexter Fowler, CF, Rockies
Age: 20
Acquired: 14th round, 2004, Milton HS (Alpharetta, Ga.)

64. Donald Veal, LHP, Cubs
Age: 22
Acquired: 2nd round, 2005, Pima Community College

63. Brandon Erbe, RHP, Orioles
Age: 19
Acquired: 3rd round, 2005, McDonough HS (Baltimore)

62. Bryce Cox, RHP, Red Sox
Age: 22
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006, Rice

61. Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, Rockies
Age: 23
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2001, Dominican Republic

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6530718

60. Travis Snider, OF, Blue Jays
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Jackson HS (Everett, Wash.)

59. Daric Barton, 1B, A's
Age: 21
Acquired: First round, 2003, Marina HS (Huntington Beach, Calif.) (by Cardinals)

58. Dellin Betances, RHP, Yankees
Age: 18
Acquired: 8th round, 2006, Grand Street HS (New York City)

57. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
Age: 23
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, Arizona State

56. Elvis Andrus, SS, Braves
Age: 18
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2005, Venezuela

55. Chris Volstad, RHP, Marlins
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Palm Beach Gardens HS (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)

54. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Padres
Age: 25
Acquired: 6th round, 2003, U. of Arkansas-Little Rock (by Indians)

53. Sean West, LHP, Marlins
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Captain Shreve HS (Shreveport, La.)

52. Hunter Pence, RF, Astros
Age: 23
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, U. of Texas-Arlington

51. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Halifax County HS (South Boston, Va.)

Prospects 50-41

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6548676

50. Chuck Lofgren, LHP, Indians
Age: 21
Acquired: 4th round, 2004, Serra HS (San Mateo, CA)

49. Clay Buchholz, RHP, Red Sox
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Angelina JC (Texas)

48. Franklin Morales, LHP, Rockies
Age: 21
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2002, Venezuela

47. Chris Marrero, LF, Nationals
Age: 18
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Monsignor Pace HS (Opa Locka, FL)

46. Felix Pie, CF, Cubs
Age: 22
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2001, Dominican Republic

45. Bill Rowell, 3B, Orioles
Age: 18
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Bishop Eustace HS (Pennsauken, NJ)

44. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Red Sox
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Oregon State

43. Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, La Quinta HS (Westminster, CA)

42. Mike Pelfrey, RHP, Mets
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Wichita State

41. Josh Fields, 3B, White Sox
Age: 24
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Oklahoma State

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6563036

40. Eric Hurley, RHP, Rangers
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Wolfson HS (Jacksonville, FL)

39. James Loney, 1B/OF, Dodgers
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2002, Elkins HS (Missouri City, TX)

38. Adam Lind, OF, Blue Jays
Age: 23
Acquired: 3rd round, 2004. U. of South Alabama

37. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Braves
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, Royal Palm Beach HS (West Palm Beach, FL)

36. Philip Humber, RHP, Mets
Age: 24
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Rice

35. Scott Elbert, LHP, Dodgers
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Seneca HS (Seneca, MO)

34. Nick Adenhart, RHP, Angels
Age: 20
Acquired: 14th round, 2004, Williamsport HS (Williamsport, MD)

33. Elijah Dukes, OF, Devil Rays
Age: 22
Acquired: 3rd round, 2002, Hillsborough HS (Tampa)

32. Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Diamondbacks
Age: 21
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2002, Venezuela

31. Erick Aybar, SS, Angels
Age: 23
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2002, Dominican Republic

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6574424

30. Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies
Age: 23
Acquired: 4th round, 2004. U. of North Carolina

29. John Danks, LHP, White Sox
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, Round Rock HS (Round Rock, TX) (by Rangers)

28. Sean Rodriguez, SS, Angels
Age: 21
Acquired: 3rd round, 2003, Braddock HS (Miami)

27. Justin Upton, CF, Diamondbacks
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Great Bridge HS (Chesapeake, VA)

26. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Long Beach State

25. Colby Rasmus, CF, Cardinals
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Russell City HS (Phenix City, AL)

24. Adam Miller, RHP, Indians
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, McKinney HS (McKinney, TX)

23. Luke Hochevar, RHP, Royals
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, U. of Tennessee

22. Andy LaRoche, 3B, Dodgers
Age: 23
Acquired: 39th round, 2003, Grayson County JC (TX)

21. Matt Garza, RHP, Twins
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Fresno State

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6586930

20. Jay Bruce, RF, Reds
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, West Brook HS (Beaumont, Texas)

19. Billy Butler, LF/DH, Royals
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Wolfson HS (Jacksonville, Fla.)

18. Jose Tabata, CF/RF, Yankees
Age: 18
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2005, Venezuela

17. Reid Brignac, SS, Devil Rays
Age: 21
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, St. Amant HS (St. Amant, La.)

16. Andrew Miller, RHP, Tigers
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, University of North Carolina

15. Adam Jones, CF, Mariners
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, Morse HS (San Diego)

14. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Highland Park HS (Dallas)

13. Cameron Maybin, CF, Tigers
Age: 19
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, T.C. Roberson HS (Asheville, N.C.)

12. Tim Lincecum, RHP, Giants
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, University of Washington

11. Ryan Braun, 3B, Brewers
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, University of Miami

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6598174

10. Yovani Gallardo, RHP, Brewers
Age: 21
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, Trimble Tech HS (Fort Worth, TX)

9. Evan Longoria, 3B, Devil Rays
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Long Beach State

8. Fernando Martinez, CF, Mets
Age: 18
Acquired: Non-drafted free agent, 2005, Dominican Republic

7. Brandon Wood, SS/3B, Angels
Age: 22
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, Horizon HS (Scottsdale, AZ)

6. Homer Bailey, RHP, Reds
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, La Grange HS (La Grange, TX)

5. Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pirates
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, Fort Meade HS (Fort Meade, FL)

4. Philip Hughes, RHP, Yankees
Age: 20
Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Foothill HS (Santa Ana, CA)

3. Delmon Young, RF, Devil Rays
Age: 21
Acquired: 1st round, 2003, Camarillo HS (Camarillo, CA)

2. Chris Young, CF, Diamondbacks
Age: 23
Acquired: 16th round, 2001, Bellaire HS (Bellaire, TX) (by White Sox)

and number one is....

1. Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals
Age: 23
Acquired: 1st round, 2005, U. of Nebraska

The second overall pick of the 2005 draft, Gordon absolutely destroyed the Double-A Texas League last season (.325 AVG/.427 OBP/.588 SLG, 29 homers, 39 doubles, 72 walks, 22 stolen bases). He's merely solid defensively, but otherwise he's got it all: raw power from the left side, ability to hit for average, pitch-recognition skills, command of the strike zone, speed on the bases. As he nears his prime, Gordon will contend for the MVP award on annual basis and inevitably draw comparisons to another lefty-swinging third baseman who toiled for the Royals. (That would be George Brett, for you youngsters out there). Those comparisons won't be off base.