West Coast Collegiate League Top 10 Prospects

August 29, 2006

Compiled by John Manuel

1. Jared Prince, of/rhp, Aloha (Washington State)

Prince was a first-team All-Freshman choice after hitting .401/.492/.618 for the Cougars in the spring, and he kept up his strong year by hitting .308 in the WCCBL, good for eighth in the league. Prince wore down a bit as the season went along due to his combined hitting and pitching duties, but he still maintained a line-drive approach and above-average arm. He throws in the upper 80s off the mound, but his speed and bat help profile him as a potential center or right fielder down the line.

2. Darin Holcomb, 3b, Spokane (Gonzaga)

Managers loved Holcomb's bat speed, work ethic and approach at the plate. Short (listed at 6 feet) and strong (205 pounds), Holcomb was the league's top power threat, his six homers doubling his closest competitors' totals. Defensively, his glove and arm are solid average and he has a feel for third base.

3. Joey Wong, 2b, Bend (Oregon State)

An incoming freshman at Oregon State after a standout career at Sprague High in Salem, Ore., Wong has the footwork and hands to handle either side of the bag, though he profiles better on the right side. He has a compact lefthanded swing that helps him make consistent contact, as he hit .310 and struck out just 12 times in 116 at-bats. He's an average runner but doesn't figure to be a star.

4. Marc Rzepczynski, lhp, Aloha (UC Riverside)

Undrafted as a college junior, Rzepczynski was one of the league's most polished pitchers. His high-80s fastball had some life to it and he showed an ability to change speeds effectively. He still averaged 4.5 walks/9 IP, so he must hone his command to have a strong senior season.

5. Eric Sogard, 3b, Bend (Arizona State)

The league's batting champion, Sogard impressed managers with his savvy and steady offensive ability. His bat is his best tool, though he was consistent at third base this summer. At 5-foot-9, he profiles more as a utility player or second baseman than at third.

6. D.J. Lidyard, rhp, Wenatchee (Oregon State)

Perhaps the most dominant pitcher in the league, Lidyard led the WCCBL with 86 strikeouts in 66 innings, thanks to a high-80s fastball and above-average curveball that was a consistent put-away pitch. He isn't afraid to challenge hitters or work inside. After not signing with the Brewers as a 43rd-round pick, he's transferring from Lower Columbia (Wash.) CC to Oregon State, where he'll compete for a rotation spot.

7. Jorge Reyes, rhp, Moses Lake (Oregon State)

Another Oregon State signee (From Warden High in Washington) who like Wong got a taste of college ball, Reyes pitched just 12 innings this summer. In that time, he showed a loose arm with a lean, lanky body and a projectable fastball in the 88-91 mph range.

8. Danny Cox, ss, Bend (Washington)

Cox has good range at shortstop, particularly to his left, and an average arm that should allow him to stay in the middle of the diamond. Cox hit just .235 and has to get stronger to be a factor offensively.

9. James Wallace, rhp, Aloha (College of Southern Idaho)

The Marlins drafted Wallace as a draft-and-follow and hope to see him grow into his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. His upper-80s fastball and curveball, which he changes speeds on effectively, helped him strike out 34 in 33 innings in a middle relief role for the Knights. Managers liked his competitiveness, particularly in that setup capacity.

10. Kyle Paul, c, Kelowna (Missouri State)

A Canadian who played junior college ball in Texas, Paul is transferring to Missouri State for his junior season. He showed good strength and tied for second in the league with three home runs. Drafted in the 41st round by the Indians, Paul has average arm strength if not a tick above and should be a solid catch-and-throw catcher down the line with more polish to his receiving skills.