2005 Best Tools: High Class A
Selected by League Managers
August 2, 2005
• Monday: Low A - Midwest and South Atlantic
Leagues
• Tuesday: High A - California, Carolina
and Florida State Leagues
• Wednesday: Double-A - Eastern, Southern
and Texas Leagues
• Thursday: Triple-A - International and
Pacific Coast Leagues
• Friday: Major Leagues
| |
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE |
CAROLINA LEAGUE |
FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE |
| Best Batting Prospect |
Howie Kendrick |
Nick Markakis |
Andy LaRoche |
| |
Rancho Cucamonga |
Frederick |
Vero Beach |
| Best Power Prospect |
Brandon Wood |
Nick Markakis |
Andy LaRoche |
| |
Rancho Cucamonga |
Frederick |
Vero Beach |
| Best Strike-Zone Judgment |
Daric Barton |
Nick Markakis |
Denard Span |
| |
Stockton |
Frederick |
Fort Myers |
| Best Baserunner |
Clay Timpner |
Robert Valido |
Juan Francia |
| |
San Jose |
Winston-Salem |
Lakeland |
| Fastest Baserunner |
Elliot Johnson |
Josh Burrus |
Christopher Walker |
| |
Visalia |
Myrtle Beach |
Daytona |
| Best Pitching Prospect |
Thomas Diamond |
Anibal Sanchez |
Justin Verlander |
| |
Bakersfield |
Wilmington |
Lakeland |
| Best Fastball |
Juan Morillo |
Anibal Sanchez |
Justin Verlander |
| |
Modesto |
Wilmington |
Lakeland |
| Best Breaking Pitch |
John Danks |
J.J. Johnson |
Justin Verlander |
| |
Bakersfield |
Frederick |
Lakeland |
| Best Control |
Jason Windsor |
Jeremy Sowers |
Justin Verlander |
| |
Stockton |
Kinston |
Lakeland |
| Best Reliever |
Jim Miller |
Edward Mujica |
Mark Alexander |
| |
Modesto |
Kinston |
Vero Beach |
| Best Defensive Catcher |
Chris Iannetta |
Gustavo Molina |
Jason Motte |
| |
Modesto |
Winston-Salem |
Palm Beach |
| Best Defensive First Baseman |
Travis Ishikawa |
Scott Robinson |
Kelly Hunt |
| |
San Jose |
Salem |
Lakeland |
| Best Defensive Second Baseman |
Kevin Frandsen |
Martin Prado |
Juan Francia |
| |
San Jose |
Myrtle Beach |
Lakeland |
| Best Defensive Third Baseman |
Travis Metcalf |
Kory Casto |
Kody Kirkland |
| |
Bakersfield |
Potomac |
Lakeland |
| Best Defensive Shortstop |
Brandon Wood |
Robert Valido |
Manny Mayorson |
| |
Rancho Cucamonga |
Winston-Salem |
Dunedin |
| Best Infield Arm |
Adam Jones |
Javier Guzman |
Matt Moses |
| |
Inland Empire |
Lynchburg |
Fort Myers |
| Best Defensive Outfielder |
Clay Timpner |
Frank Diaz |
Vince Blue |
| |
San Jose |
Potomac |
Lakeland |
| Best Outfield Arm |
Steve Baker |
Frank Diaz |
Brent Clevlen |
| |
Lake Elsinore |
Potomac |
Lakeland |
| Most Exciting Player |
Howie Kendrick |
Robert Valido |
Matt Moses |
| |
Rancho Cucamonga |
Winston-Salem |
Fort Myers |
| Best Manager Prospect |
Stu Cole |
Luis Rivera |
Mike Rojas |
| |
Modesto |
Kinston |
Lakeland |
Quotes of Note
"He's just going to get better. He's going to get stronger and become a better hitter. When you add his age and the position he plays, he could really be something special."
--San Jose manager Lenn Sakata on Rancho Cucamonga shortstop Brandon Wood
"We just think, 'How in the hell are we going to get this guy out?' You change your game plan for him every series and it still doesn't work. He'll pull the inside pitch, stay inside the ball, and if you pound him away he hits bullets over the third baseman. In this league you've got to make a lot of adjustments because there's eight teams and we see each other a lot. He's very good at making adjustments."
--Winston-Salem manager Chris Cron on Frederick outfielder Nick Markakis
"People try to give him a little static about playing his home games in Vero (Beach), which isn't one of the biggest parks (in the league). But he didn't miss his pitch. When he got a pitch to drive, he hit it consistently, which is what good power hitters do."
--Fort Myers manager Riccardo Ingram on Vero Beach third baseman Andy LaRoche
Baseball America
