February 27, 2004

Detailed Scouting Reports For 900 Players Order Your Copy of The 2004 Prospect Handbook

Baseball America's 15th annual Top 100 Prospects list reflects each player's long-term major league value, considering both his ceiling and the likelihood that he reaches that potential. All players who haven't exceeded the rookie limits of 130 at-bats and 50 innings were eligible, regardless of big league service time. Editor in chief Allan Simpson, managing editor Will Lingo, executive editor Jim Callis, national writer John Manuel and former national writer Josh Boyd (now an area scout with the Padres) compiled the top 100 in consultation with general managers, scouting directors, farm directors, scouts, managers, instructors and other Baseball America correspondents and staff members. Executive Editor Jim Callis wrote the summaries. ETA is our estimate of when the player will become a big league regular.

TOP 100 PROSPECTS BY POSITION RIGHTHANDERS (36) 4. Edwin Jackson, Dodgers 14. Zack Greinke, Royals 18. Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays 23. Gavin Floyd, Phillies 24. Chin-Hui Tsao, Rockies 26. Angel Guzman, Cubs 29. Ervin Santana, Angels 30. Felix Hernandez, Mariners 36. Kyle Sleeth, Tigers 38. John VanBenschoten, Pirates 40. Merkin Valdez, Giants 43. Joe Blanton, Athletics 44. Jeff Allison, Marlins 45. Clint Nageotte, Mariners 46. Ryan Wagner, Reds 47. Blake Hawksworth, Cardinals 49. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 50. Taylor Buchholz, Astros 53. Jeremy Guthrie, Indians 54. John Maine, Orioles 55. Kris Honel, White Sox 58. Clint Everts, Expos 59. Denny Bautista, Orioles 62. Bobby Jenks, Angels 66. J.D. Durbin, Twins 75. Bubba Nelson, Braves 76. Fausto Carmona, Indians 83. Dustin Nippert, Diamondbacks 84. Mike Jones, Brewers 87. Francisco Rosario, Blue Jays 88. Matt Peterson, Mets 89. Jesse Crain, Twins 91. Matt Cain, Giants 92. Bobby Brownlie, Cubs 97. Bryan Bullington, Pirates 99. Jake Dittler, Indians OUTFIELDERS (18) 3. Delmon Young, Devil Rays 6. Alexis Rios, Blue Jays 9. Grady Sizemore, Indians 25. Jeremy Reed, White Sox 27. Jeff Francoeur, Braves 28. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins 31. Franklin Gutierrez, Dodgers 48. Brad Nelson, Brewers 65. Ryan Harvey, Cubs 68. Chris Lubanski, Royals 72. Gabe Gross, Blue Jays 74. Jason Bay, Pirates 85. Felix Pie, Cubs 86. Lastings Milledge, Mets 90. Nick Markakis, Orioles 95. Joey Gathright, Devil Rays 98. Brent Clevlen, Tigers 100. Jason Lane, Astros LEFTHANDERS (14) 8. Greg Miller, Dodgers 12. Scott Kazmir, Mets 13. Adam Loewen, Orioles 17. Cole Hamels, Phillies 56. Justin Jones, Cubs 60. Mike Hinckley, Expos 63. Travis Blackley, Mariners 64. Sean Burnett, Pirates 67. Scott Olsen, Marlins 69. Manny Parra, Brewers 77. Andy Sisco, Cubs 80. John Danks, Rangers 82. Dan Meyer, Braves 93. Jeff Francis, Rockies SHORTSTOPS (9) 2. B.J. Upton, Devil Rays 7. Kazuo Matsui, Mets 19. J.J. Hardy, Brewers 32. Bobby Crosby, Athletics 37. Sergio Santos, Diamondbacks 39. Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox 61. Khalil Greene, Padres 70. Jose Lopez, Mariners 96. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays FIRST BASEMEN (8) 10. Prince Fielder, Brewers 15. Casey Kotchman, Angels 16. Justin Morneau, Twins 42. James Loney, Dodgers 51. Jason Stokes, Marlins 52. Adrian Gonzalez, Rangers 73. Adam LaRoche, Braves 79. Michael Aubrey, Indians CATCHERS (5) 1. Joe Mauer, Twins 22. Jeff Mathis, Angels 35. Guillermo Quiroz, Blue Jays 41. Dioner Navarro, Yankees 78. Kelly Shoppach, Red Sox SECOND BASEMEN (5) 5. Rickie Weeks, Brewers 20. Josh Barfield, Padres 34. Scott Hairston, Diamondbacks 71. Alberto Callaspo, Angels 94. Jayson Nix, Rockies THIRD BASEMEN (5) 11. Andy Marte, Braves 21. David Wright, Mets 33. Dallas McPherson, Angels 57. Ian Stewart, Rockies 81. Matt Moses, Twins

TOP 100 PROSPECTS BREAKDOWN BY ORGANIZATION 6 Angels, Blue Jays, Brewers, Cubs 5 Braves, Indians, Mets, Twins 4 Dodgers, Mariners, Marlins, Orioles, Pirates, Rockies 3 Devil Rays, Diamondbacks 2 Astros, Athletics, Cardinals, Expos, Giants, Padres, Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, White Sox 1 Reds, Yankees BY ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION 7 Braves 6 Angels, Blue Jays, Brewers, Cubs, Marlins 5 Mets, Twins 4 Dodgers, Expos, Indians, Mariners, Rockies 3 Devil Rays, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates 2 Athletics, Padres, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, White Sox 1 Astros, Cardinals, Giants, Rangers, Reds, Yankees BY NATION 76 United States 8 Dominican Republic 7 Venezuela 5 Canada 1 Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Taiwan BY HOW THEY WERE SIGNED 53 High school draft picks 23 College draft picks 18 International free agents 3 Draft-and-follows, junior college drafts BY DRAFT ROUND 50 First 13 Second 5 Sixth 4 Third 2 Fourth, Fifth 1 15th, 22nd, 26th, 28th, 29th, 32nd BY OPENING DAY AGE 27 age 21 19 age 20 17 age 22 13 age 19 12 age 23 4 age 18, age 24 1 age 17, age 25, age 27, age 28