Matt Eddy: Indeed, Phillips' performance was much better than Hammel's or McGowan's. People who saw them pitch liked the chances of the hard-throwing righthanders better, though, because of the quality of their stuff -- even if their command and results were often lacking. Because managers and scouts are the primary sources for these lists, lefthanders with good command, but underwhelming stuff tend to be undervalued. Phillips can leave as a six-year free agent this winter if the White Sox do not add him to the 40-man roster.

Matt Eddy: Fields had the organization's finest hitting season, no question. Sweeney's higher ranking here is based on his being two years younger, his smooth transition to center field and his emerging power. It's easy to forget that Sweeney played the entire Triple-A season at age 21 and still has room to grow, especially in terms of power. Fields, while very good, is probably much closer to his ceiling. They're both fine prospects, but many in the White Sox organization regard Sweeney as a slightly better bet.

Matt Eddy: Yes, Sanchez probably would have ranked ahead of Penn had he stayed healthy. At this point, Sanchez looks like a reliever to me. And a good one. In that role, he can dial up his fastball with impunity and his lack of a changeup would not be a factor. Sanchez does not lack for stuff, but inconsistent mechanics and spotty conditioning likely contribute to his breakdowns.

Matt Eddy: Interesting question. But to be fair to the 2006 crop, the home run leaders on the past two IL top 20 lists hit 20 (Andy Marte in '05) and 22 (Justin Morneau in '04) home runs. This year's leader was Josh Fields with 19. Some have speculated that the quality of play at the Triple-A level is not as good as it once was. But a more likely explanation is teams are more willing to entrust rookies with prominent big league roles. After all, If a player can succeed in the high minors -- against veteran players -- he can probably contribute in the big leagues.

Matt Eddy: Thanks for checking in, Desi. You're one of my favorite bench players of all time. With regards to Lambin, if he can crush righthanded pitchers like he did in 2005 -- and sporadically in 2006 -- he's a contender. The glove needs some work, though.

Matt Eddy: Mike gets credit for most creative Dukes question. Without the makeup questions, I think it's safe to say Dukes would be in the discussion for the top 20 or so prospects in baseball. Everybody loved his talent. Everybody. Dukes' raw tools are better than Milledge's, but to answer others: No, I don't think Dukes will sniff the big leagues next season. He's still got too much to prove, and nobody wants to see him embarrass himself or his team in the major leagues. Need more proof he's the most enigmatic player in the minors? Some BA readers think he's ranked too high, others too low.

Matt Eddy: Tata did not get much support, unfortunately, as there seem to be an inordinate number of his fans online today. He would have ranked in the next 10 prospects and he's a solid back-of-the-rotation candidate, not unlike Charlotte righthander Sean Tracey.

Matt Eddy: Others considered for this list were catchers Carlos Ruiz (Scranton) and Shawn Riggans (Durham); outfielder David Murphy (Pawtucket); first baseman Casey Rogowski (Charlotte); and lefthander Heath Phillips (Charlotte).

Matt Eddy: Young is in the majors to stay, and seeing as he was a frontrunner for this year's AL rookie of the year, I'd expect him to be a factor next year. I'm not sure it was as much an attitude improvement for Young as him finally getting what he wanted: a major league job. Right or wrong, he thought he was ready for the big leagues the day he was drafted. That sense of entitlement isn't wrong, necessarily, for a top athlete, but the bat throwing on the other hand …

Matt Eddy: You nailed it. Eckstein and Sanchez are the two Pedroia comps I heard. Most observers thought Pedroia would struggle in the major leagues because pitchers would always challenge him, always try to bust him in. It's up to Pedroia to make the counter-adjustments, and he won't be helped by always having to prove himself. The general consensus was that Pedroia lacked the range to handle shortstop, but that his hands were good and he profiled well at second base. In the words of one scout, If Freddy Sanchez can handle shortstop, so can Pedroia.

Matt Eddy: Good observation. This seems to be a pattern, as the past two IL lists are light in those areas, too. The Pacific Coast League makes up for it somewhat, though, with Stephen Drew and Howie Kendrick in the top 10 and Erick Aybar, Miguel Montero and Chris Iannetta in the next group. This bears further watching.

Matt Eddy: Fields has made the biggest strides with the glove, so much so that if he gets moved off third base now, it won't be because he can't handle it. It'll be because the White Sox have Joe Crede. Fields makes plays now that he wouldn’t have just a year ago and his arm is slightly above average, rating a 55. He projects as an average big league defender capable of making all types of hot corner plays.

Matt Eddy: You are correct. More than any one pitch, it was Sowers' ability to locate his fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone that made him so tough. The improved changeup didn't hurt, either, as it gave him a weapon against righthanded batters.

Matt Eddy: Sorry for the long question. Despite his reputation, Milledge's Norfolk coaching staff was impressed by his hard work and desire to improve his game. But, yes, opposing manager did regard Milledge as a cocky player, as something of a hot dog. They did not question his tools or his effort, though, with one manager noting Milledge played hard even when the Tides were being beaten badly.

Matt Eddy: Gorzelanny is a fine prospect, who will likely be capable of being a team's No. 1 or 2 starter in some seasons. Look for him to iron out his command and improve the consistency of his changeup, then you'll know he's taken a step forward.

Matt Eddy: Um, well . . . RHP Mike Pelfrey made two starts for the Tides. SS Anderson Hernandez can really pick it. But no, Norfolk had no other candidates for this list.

Matt Eddy: Look for him to hold steady. He would be more valuable to a club that didn't have a lefty bat already established at first base.

Matt Eddy: Though Marte will be just 23 next year, he's major league ready. Look for the Indians to begin 2007 with him at third base. And while his performance in the majors and high minors has been spotty, Marte still projects as an average third baseman -- just not an elite one.

Matt Eddy: The Tigers development at both the major league and minor league levels is one of the best stories of 2006. And even after key contributions from rookie righthanders Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya and second-year center fielder Curtis Granderson, expect more next year. Righthander Humberto Sanchez and lefthander Andrew Miller, the No. 1 pick last June, are poised to make impacts at some point next season.

Matt Eddy: Pelfrey. He owns a plus-plus fastball because of its velocity and movement. Presently, his changeup is average and his breaking ball a tick below. Pelfrey will pitch in the AFL this fall.

Matt Eddy: Never, as far as I know. Anybody know if Tim Wakefield ever made one or our league top 20s? But then again Haeger, unlike most minor league knuckleballers, is just 22 and was one of his league's top pitchers

Matt Eddy: Don't lose hope. Jackson responded to a move to the bullpen, posting five saves and a 1.80 ERA in 10 August innings as a reliever for Durham. He followed with a 2.45 ERA as a major leaguer reliever in September and October -- though with less sparkling peripherals.

Matt Eddy: He was consistently good for Ottawa, but could be hit hard when his fastball caught too much of the plate. That, and nerves, were likely his undoing in the majors. He's still a fine prospect who just needs more time.

Matt Eddy: You're not alone. Most observers agreed it would take time for the 21-year-old Milledge to harness all his abilities. One look at his major league numbers (.241-.310-.380) will tell you it didn't happen this season.

Matt Eddy: Last few questions . . . Harris needs to find the right organization because it looks like he can play. That organization might be the Reds, with Brandon Phillips moving to shortstop next season.

Matt Eddy: They're close. They should both be average defenders with good power. But it's just a little tougher to find a legitimate lefty bat at the hot corner, so I like Stewart a little more.

Matt Eddy: Kouzmanoff has the bat to match any third base prospect, but lacks the glove to be mentioned in the same breath. Many are anxious, including myself, to see what Kouzmanoff could do with a season's worth of major league at-bats.

Matt Eddy: Phil Rogers will have a better answer for you when he unveils his White Sox top 30 and chat. Sweeney is not the defender that Brian Anderson is, but he would be a viable candidate if Chicago wanted a little more offense out of center field.

Matt Eddy: Ruiz was very close to cracking the top 20, as he showed improvements in his hitting and his defensive work this season. He'll be a candidate for a big league job next year, but at age 28 he's a bit old for this list -- even in an older league.