Top 50 MLB Propects

Some more action to get you ready for Spring training games (which starts on Tuesday!)

Baseball America has released their top 50 minor league prospects and it's definitely a pretty accurate list. A couple of my favorites on the list:

#3: BRANDON WOOD, ss, Angels
"He's still going to get better. He looks like the next Cal Ripken to me." --San Jose manager Lenn Sakata ETA: 2007
I saw this guy play almost every day covering the Arizona Fall league last oct/nov. He did not disappoint hitting an AFL record 14 home runs as well as a deep 3-run oppo shot in the USA Olympic Qualifying tournament. The scouts comment that he reminds him of Ripken is spot-on, dude can flat out hit, field and throw, just the whole package.

Just check out his stats from MILB.com Dude is the real freakin' deal, most likely plays 3b for the Halos starting 2007 as they have a ton of good middle infielders.

6. FRANCISCO LIRIANO, lhp, Twins
"He's filthy. We're talking three big league pitches, and everything looks easy."
--Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett
ETA: 2006

I haven't seen him play but he might be the #1 on my Looking-forward-to-seeing-play list for the 2006 season. Most likely starts with the Twinkies this season but I wouldn't be surprised to see him come up a month in to safeguard that arm.

Alleged he has the same changeup as teammate/Venezualan Johan Santana as well as much better velocity, touching 94-98 mph at times. Twins will be a force if they can get him, Mauer and Morneau rolling, watch out Palehose!

9. LASTINGS MILLEDGE, of, Mets
"He's going to be an all-star caliber player. You hit home runs with a quick bat, which he's got, and down the road he could steal 35 to 40 bases."--anonymous scout ETA: 2006
Another one of my AFL favorites, had some big clutch hits multiple times in games including a walk-off HR off heralded Marlins closer Travis Bowyer. Guy is about a year in AA away from contributing to the Mets.

Look for him to replace Cliff Floyd mid 2008 or earlier if they decide to get rid of Cliff's outfield antics. Lastings isn't the best OF in his own right but steadily improved throughout the winter league and just needs to keep playing. One hell of an exciting player.

12. HOWIE KENDRICK, 2b, Angels
"I just love his bat. He gets the barrel into the zone very quickly and it stays there for a very long time."--anonymous scout ETA: 2007

Forget the hype about AFL MVP Eric Duncan, Howie was far and away the best hitter in the Arizona Fall league. Every ball just jumped off his bat the entire league and he played a pretty good 2nd base.

Only problem for Howie: Finding a place to play. My prediction is Howie could go to the MLB's and get 150-175 hits this year, whether the Halos give him a shot to supplant incumbent Adam Kennedy is another question. A hot spring could force their hand. I say he replaces AK after the Halos get off to a slow start, coming up from AAA Salt Lake sometime around May 10.


Those are some of my favorite players on the Baseball America list of top 50, look for all of them in action this week as MLB.com provides live scores of spring training for the first time ever.

Play Ball!