Pacific Coast League Top 20 Prospects

Drew headlines PCL's season to remember

By Bill Ballew
October 12, 2006

FIVE YEARS AGO

1. *Sean Burroughs, 3b, Portland (Padres)

2. *Carlos Pena, 1b, Oklahoma (Rangers)

3. *Corey Patterson, of, Iowa (Cubs)

4. *Bud Smith, lhp, Memphis (Cardinals)

5. *Juan Uribe, ss, Colorado Springs (Rockies)

6. *Chris George, lhp, Omaha (Royals)

7. *Ramon Vazquez, ss, Tacoma (Mariners)

8. *Kurt Ainsworth, rhp, Fresno (Giants)

9. *Tony McKnight, rhp, New Orleans (Astros)

10. *Joel Pineiro, rhp, Tacoma (Mariners)

*Has played in major leagues

Finding 20 top prospects at the Triple-A level is sometimes akin to discovering a diamond ring in a gumball machine. That was far from the case this year in the Pacific Coast League.

"This is my third year in the league and I have never seen as much young talent at the Triple-A level as I saw this season," Portland manager Craig Colbert said. "There could easily be a dozen or more impact players at the major league level that came through our league this year."

The PCL's top four prospects--Tucson shortstop Stephen Drew, Salt Lake righthander Jered Weaver and second baseman Howie Kendrick and Las Vegas righty Chad Billingsley--all ranked among the game's most talented minor leaguers and went on to have an instant impact in big league pennant races. Outfielders Matt Kemp (Las Vegas), Chris Young and Carlos Quentin (both Tucson) also adapted easily to the majors.

Several players who narrowly missed the Top 20 would would have been shoo-ins during previous seasons. Nashville outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. impressed with his athleticism in the outfield and consistent stroke, while Salt Lake outfielder Reggie Willits continued to hit for average and steal bases. Oklahoma City's Joaquin Arias and Albuquerque's Robert Andino drew praise for their glovework at shortstop.

1.	Stephen Drew, ss, Tucson (Diamondbacks)
B-T: L-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195 Age: 23 Drafted: Diamondbacks '04 (1)
Managers were unanimous regarding their feelings about Drew. He displayed the ability to hit consistently and with power, tools that should enable him to play shortstop for the long haul and impeccable makeup--something that had been questioned in the past. "He's certain to be a special player," Round Rock manager Jackie Moore said. "You can tell by looking at him that he's cut from that major league cloth." Drew has a picture-perfect swing and impressive knowledge of the strike zone. His range and speed are slightly above average, while his arm and hands are true plusses. He enhances his defense with his positioning and feel for the game.
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 342 50 108 22 4 8 59 15 65 22 4 .316 .341 .474

2.	Jered Weaver, rhp, Salt Lake (Angels)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-7 Wt: 205 Age: 23 Drafted: Angels '04 (1)
Weaver and Drew were the top pitching and hitting prospects in the 2004 draft, but they staged long holdouts and didn't enter pro ball until mid-2005. They both made up for lost time, with Weaver ripping off nine straight wins at the outset of his big league career this summer. After his long layoff, the Weaver's stuff and command dipped slightly in his pro debut, but they returned to full strength in 2006. He throws his two-seam fastball at 88-91 mph and his four-seamer at 91-94. His slider also was crisper and his changeup got better as well. "I'll admit it, he was a big surprise to me," Salt Lake manager Brian Harper said. "I thought he'd be a cocky California kid, but he was a great teammate with outstanding makeup. He's a great kid and a great pitcher."
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 12 11 6 1 0 2.10 77 63 19 18 7 10 93 .223

3.	Howie Kendrick, 2b, Salt Lake (Angels)
B-T: R-R Ht: 5-10 Wt: 195 Age: 23 Drafted: Angels '02 (10)
Kendrick easily could have ranked atop this list in most seasons. Managers raved about his bat speed and his consistent production at the plate. A career .361 hitter in the minors, he put together a 16-game hitting streak early in his big league debut "He's as pure a hitter as you'll see," Oklahoma manager Mike Boulanger said. "He uses the whole field, but his approach is to drive the ball back up the middle. With his swing, you won't see him fall into many slumps." Kendrick's stroke is designed to produce line drives rather than towering blasts, but he still could produce 20 homers per season thanks to his bat speed. His speed and defensive skills are fringy, but he has worked very hard on his second-base play. He made just five errors in his first 81 games (counting the majors) at second this year, and also filled in at first and third base.
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 290 57 107 25 6 13 62 12 48 11 3 .369 .408 .631

4.	Chad Billingsley, rhp, Las Vegas (Dodgers)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 215 Age: 22 Drafted: Dodgers '03 (1)
Billingsley's overall stuff may have been the best in the PCL. He displayed improved command of his 92-95 mph fastball, which made his mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball that much more effective. "He's very aggressive and an intimidating guy on the mound," Nashville manager Frank Kremblas said. "He's a big guy who's coming at you hard. But what also makes him so effective is the way he keeps the same arm speed and angle with all of his pitches, which makes things real tough on the hitter." Billingsley's overall control, however, couldn't compare to Weaver's. He had problems with walks in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and while he pitched well in the majors none of his pitches were as sharp as they had been in the PCL. His changeup still needs improvement.
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 13 13 6 3 0 3.95 71 57 32 31 7 32 78 .221

5.	Andy LaRoche, 3b, Las Vegas (Dodgers)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 200 Age: 22 Drafted: Dodgers '03 (39)
The Dodgers have started nine different third basemen this year, but LaRoche should put an end to that revolving door in 2007. He continued to hit for power and average, batting .309/.419/.483 in Double-A and .322/.400/.550 with Las Vegas, and also started to attract attention for his polished defense. LaRoche's strong hands and wrists give him the bat speed to pull pitches out of the park. He controls the strike zone well, forcing pitchers to give him something he can punish. He also has steady hands and a plus arm at the hot corner, and he committed just five errors in 54 Triple-A games. "He's a plus defender at third base and he hits with a lot of power," Colbert said. "You can tell by the way he carries himself that he's comfortable out there and knows what he's doing."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 202 35 65 14 1 10 35 25 32 3 2 .322 .400 .550

6.	Matt Kemp, of, Las Vegas (Dodgers)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 210 Age: 21 Drafted: Dodgers '03 (6)
A standout basketball player in high school, Kemp attracted attention with his combination of size and athleticism. One look at his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame suggests he is capable of hitting the ball a long way--he homered in three straight games during his first week in the majors--but his speed in the field and on the basepaths shocked observers who hadn't seen him before. Managers liked the way Kemp's hands work to generate excellent bat speed. He jumps on fastballs but can be susceptible to changeups. His speed works well in the outfield and his arm has plenty of strength for him to man right field in the majors. "He was a man in a boys' league when we saw him," Colorado Springs manager Tom Runnells said. "The game was very easy for him here. He's a special individual with all the tools. I see him becoming an all-star at the next level."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 182 37 67 14 6 3 36 17 26 14 3 .368 .428 .560

7.	Chris Young, of, Tucson (Diamondbacks)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 190 Age: 22 Drafted: White Sox '01 (16)
The key acquisition for the Diamondbacks in their offseason Javier Vazquez trade with the White Sox, Young missed the first three weeks of the season with a broken right wrist before finding his groove in May. His combination of power and speed sparked Tucson's drive to the postseason, though he was long gone to the majors by the time the Sidewinders won the PCL playoffs. Sometimes compared to Eric Davis, Young has 30-30 potential in the major leagues. The rest of his game is well-rounded, too, as he draws walks and made better contact this year, boding well for his ability to hit for average. He covers both gaps well in center field, and his only below-average tool is his arm. "I really like him in center field," Colbert said. "He has a lot of tools with power and speed. He's a lanky kid who will get bigger and better at the next level."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 402 78 111 32 4 21 77 52 71 17 5 .276 .363 .532

8.	Adam Jones, of, Tacoma (Mariners)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180 Age: 21 Drafted: Mariners '03 (1)
Coveted by many clubs as a pitcher out of high school, Jones came up through the minors as a shortstop until Yuniesky Betancourt emerged as world-class defender at that position for Seattle. Shifted to center field in the Arizona Fall League last offseason, Jones rated as the best defensive outfielder in the PCL and also showed off one of its strongest arms. His quick transition didn't surprise Tacoma manager Dave Brundage. "I've had him for the past two years and this kid absorbs everything you teach him," Brundage said. "He wants to learn and he applies everything to his game. As a result, he improves from week to week and month to month. His athleticism is off the charts, he's a good baserunner and I think he could be a middle of the order hitter once his body matures." Jones' power took a step forward this season, furthering comparsions to Mike Cameron. Jones jumped from low Class A in 2004 to the majors in mid-2006, and he's still figuring out plate discipline and how to handle advanced pitching. He has speed, making him a potential 20-20 man if not more.
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 380 69 109 19 4 16 62 28 78 13 4 .287 .345 .484

9.	Jason Hirsh, rhp, Round Rock (Astros)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-8 Wt: 250 Age: 24 Drafted: Astros '03 (2)
The PCL pitcher of the year, Hirsh led the league with 13 victories and a 2.10 ERA. He worked 46 2/3 straight innings without allowing an earned run in June and July, and won his final 12 decisions prior to his promotion to Houston in August. Hirsh stood out with his major league presence on the mound, which opponents believe plays as great a role in his success as his overall stuff. That said, the 6-foot-8 righthander threw his pitches on an intimidating downhill plane. He has good command of a lively 91-93 mph, a late-breaking slider and an effective changeup that he'll throw in any count. "His numbers speak for themselves," Moore said. "He got off to a little bit of a slow start, but after that he had great game after great game. He had a plan and didn't vary from it. With his makeup and mindset, he has a chance to have a lot of success at the next level."
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 23 23 13 2 0 2.10 137 94 37 32 5 51 118 .193

10.	Carlos Quentin, of, Tucson (Diamondbacks)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 225 Age: 24 Drafted: Diamondbacks '03 (1)
Quentin played well enough during spring training to earn a job in the big leagues, but an overcrowded outfield in Arizona led to his return to Tucson after ranking seventh on this list a year ago. When he did get a full-time job with the Diamondbacks, he homered in his first game and became the fourth player ever to hit four longballs in his first nine days in the majors. Quentin steps up to the plate with a plan. He produces line drives to all fields, has an excellent knowledge of the strike zone and is a magnet for baseball. He set a PCL record by getting hit with 31 pitches in just 85 games, breaking the record of 29 he set in a full season in 2005. The Diamondbacks considered using him in center field before trading for Young, but Quentin is better suited for right. He has a solid arm and his instincts make his average speed play up in the outfield and on the bases.
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 318 66 92 30 3 9 52 45 46 5 0 .289 .424 .487

11.	Felix Pie, of, Iowa (Cubs)
B-T: L-L Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170 Age: 21 Signed: Cubs FA '01
The Cubs challenged Pie this year by batting him leadoff as a 21-year-old in the PCL. He responded by getting off to a strong start in April before struggling with batting averages of .230 in May and .222 in June. He worked his way through his difficulties by batting .322 over the final two months. "He's not your prototypical on-base guy," Iowa manager Mike Quade said. "He's more productive than typical. We led him off in hopes of improving his basestealing and his ability to get on base, and in his own way he had success. He's raw and has a ways to go, but I like how he responded when things weren't going his way." Pie continued to show all the tools, including enough bat speed to drive the ball, particularly into the gaps. His strike zone discipline also improved considerably as the season progressed. Defensively, he's capable of running down most everything hit between the alleys and shows a strong, accurate arm.
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 559 78 158 33 8 15 57 46 126 17 11 .283 .341 .451

12.	James Loney, 1b, Las Vegas (Dodgers)
B-T: L-L Ht: 6-2 Wt: 220 Age: 22 Drafted: Dodgers '02 (1)
After three lackluster full seasons in the minors, Loney finally produced like the Dodgers believed he could when they made him a first-round pick in 2002. Several PCL observers believed Loney's swing was the best in the league this year, and he used it to lead the minors with a .380 batting average. He also had a nine-RBI game at Colorado in September and went 3-for-4 in his lone postseason start. Teams used to try to pound Loney inside, but he made an adjustment and closed up most of the holes he had in his swing. Some scouts question whether he'll have true first-base power, but Moore begs to differ. He thinks Loney will be a home run threat once he learns to turn on the ball and compared him to a young Mark McGwire, who also needed time to fine-tune the art of hitting the long ball with the lower half of his body. "To me, he was the best hitter in the league," Memphis manager Danny Scheaffer said. "He has a textbook swing with some power in his body. He's also solid defensively with soft hands at first base."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 366 64 139 33 2 8 67 32 34 9 5 .380 .426 .546

13.	Anthony Reyes, rhp, Memphis (Cardinals)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 215 Age: 24 Drafted: Cardinals '03 (15)
Reyes dominated the PCL in 2005, when he ranked 11th on this list, and he was even better this year. Shuttled between Memphis and St. Louis, he won five of his last six starts for the Redbirds and walked just 11 batters in 13 Triple-A outings. "Anthony was asked to do a lot this year," Scheaffer said. "He handled going back and forth very well. When he returned the final time in August, he came back with a purpose. That extended taste in St. Louis showed him what he needed to do to stay there and he was determined to make those adjustments." Reyes did a better job of working off his fastbal, which sits at 92-93 mph and tops out in the mid-90s. His improved approach also led to better control and made his slider and changeup more effective. Most important, he stayed injury-free for the first time since 2001 and worked a career-high 169 innings between the majors and minors.
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 13 13 6 1 0 2.57 84 70 27 24 9 11 82 .221

14.	John Danks, lhp, Oklahoma (Rangers)
B-T: L-L Ht: 6-1 Wt: 200 Age: 21 Drafted: Rangers '03 (1)
If Texas had completed an offseason trade for Josh Beckett, Danks likely would have headed to Florida. The Rangers don't regret hanging on to the ninth overall pick in the 2003 draft, as Danks established himself as their top prospect. He struggled in his initial taste of the PCL but learned from his mistakes and posted a 2.32 ERA over his last six starts. Danks made significant strides thanks to the development of his changeup, which the Rangers have had him focus on for the last two seasons. The changeup helps him get righthanders out, while his plus curveball baffles lefties. He also has learned to pitch off his low-90s fastball more effectively. "He took his lumps at times, but I like the overall package, including his age," Boulanger said. "His curveball has a good tight spin, but it wasn't much of a factor. His changeup bailed him out. His fastball has a good angle and he learned how to work it better and better as the season went on."
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 14 13 4 5 0 4.33 71 67 43 34 11 34 72 .248

15.	Erick Aybar, ss, Salt Lake (Angels)
B-T: B-R Ht: 5-10 Wt: 170 Age: 22 Signed: Angels FA '02
Aybar continued to be one of the more electric shortstop prospects in the game. Yet his future in Los Angeles remained unclear with the presence of Orlando Cabrera ahead of him in the majors and Brandon Wood behind him in Doulbie-A. Aybar made numerous spectacular plays in the field, thanks to his plus range and the best infield arm in the PCL. He makes consistent contact at the plate despite a free-swinging approach, and he also possesses above-average speed and a daring attitude on the basepaths. He can get out of control at times, as evidenced by his 22 errors in 81 games and 18 caught stealings in 50 attempts. "He's a very good shortstop who has some pop from both sides of the plate," Colbert said. "He's very aggressive with the bat and comes out of his shoes when he sees a fastball. He needs to add some discipline, but at the same time that aggressiveness is part of what makes him such a productive player and you don't want to affect that in any way."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 339 63 96 20 3 6 45 21 36 32 18 .283 .327 .413

16.	Rich Hill, lhp, Iowa (Cubs)
B-T: L-L Ht: 6-5 Wt: 205 Age: 26 Drafted: Cubs '02 (4)
After leading the minors with an average of 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 2005, Hill overmatched PCL hitters again in 2006. Better yet, after getting rocked with the Cubs last year and again this May, he finally established himself as a big leaguer. He went 6-3, 2.58 in the last two months with Chicago, including 78 strikeouts in 77 innings and a two-hit shutout of the Reds in September. Hill's curveball is a legitimate out pitch and ranked as the best breaking ball in the league. He has learned to locate his low-90s fastball, making it tougher to sit on his curveball, and has improved his command and ability to repeat his delivery over the last two seasons. He still needs to continue to improve the depth and fade of his changeup. "He dominated the entire season here and is as fine a lefthanded prospect as you'll see," Quade said. "He still needs to get a little more comfortable and add some confidence. The two pitches he has are outstanding, but he needs that third pitch in order to compete consistently as a starter in the big leagues."
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 15 15 7 1 0 1.80 100 62 22 20 3 21 135 .179

17.	Miguel Montero, c, Tucson (Diamondbacks)
B-T: L-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 195 Age: 23 Signed: Diamondbacks FA '01
Montero had a breakthrough season in 2005 and proved it was no fluke this year. He makes consistently hard contact with a short stroke and did a better job of using the entire field this season. He also does a fine job behind the plate, showing an average arm with a quick release to go with strong blocking and game-calling ability. "He really improved the second time we saw him," Brundage said. "He made some adjustments, especially on the offspeed stuff. He's a very aggressive hitter. But the thing I like most about him his is presence behind the plate, especially for such a young guy in this league. He has a good arm and seemed to call a good game."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 134 21 43 5 0 7 29 14 21 1 1 .321 .396 .515

18.	Chris Iannetta, c, Colorado Springs (Rockies)
B-T: R-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 195 Age: 23 Drafted: Rockies '04 (4)
Easily the best catcher ever developed by the Rockies, Iannetta continued to shine at the plate following a promotion to Colorado Springs in late June. He controls the strike zone very well, waiting out pitchers until they give him a pitch he can hammer. He calls a good game and has an average arm, and while throwing out basestealers has been an issue at times, he erased 31 percent in Triple-A. "He really gives you quality at-bats for a catcher," Runnells said. "In fact, he led our organization in quality at-bats. Defensively, he's a sponge for knowledge and he tries so hard to improve. He's a humble kid and a guy who is going to be a frontline catcher for years to come."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 151 23 53 11 2 3 22 24 29 0 0 .351 .447 .510

19.	Edinson Volquez, rhp, Oklahoma (Rangers)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 200 Age: 23 Signed: Rangers FA '01
Volquez entered the season rated as the Rangers' No. 1 prospect, based on his mid-90s fastball and well above-average changeup. He used those pitches to finish fourth in the PCL in strikeouts (130 in 121 innings) and fifth in ERA (3.21) while limiting Triple-A hitters to a .203 average. "His arm strength is outstanding," Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "He was 94, 95 with his fastball against us. His slider was hard and he had a decent changeup. He just needs command. Right now, it's not there." Volquez, who ranked third in the PCL with 72 walks, had even more trouble locating his stuff in the majors. He has a 1-10, 9.20 record with Texas--the worst ERA in major league history for a pitcher who has made 10 starts. With the Rangers, he consistently has fallen behind hitters, gotten crushed when he has found the plate and failed to show a reliable breaking ball.
	G GS W L SV ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG 21 21 6 6 0 3.21 121 86 51 43 9 72 130 .203

20.	Joel Guzman, of/3b, Las Vegas (Dodgers)
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-6 Wt: 250 Age: 21 Signed: Dodgers FA '01
Guzman has yet to duplicate his breakout 2004 season, and the Dodgers finally decided to use him in a deadline deal for Julio Lugo in July. His days as a shortstop have come to an end, and is future now appears to be in the outfield or first base, with third base also a possibility. Guzman still stands out from a physical standpoint, as he's a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder loaded with athleticism. He still needs to tighten his strike zone and add more defensive polish at his new positions, but he has tape-measure power, above-average arm strength and solid speed. "I like his size and power potential," DeFrancesco said. "The length of his swing has to be shortened, though, in order to survive in the big leagues. I see him as a first baseman. He'd be a nice big target over there with above-average athleticism for the position."
	AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 317 44 94 16 2 11 55 26 72 9 5 .297 .353 .464