Bill Ballew: Falling is the right word for Wade Townsend, at least as far as the Rays' list is concerned. He was the overruling pick of the previous administration, and his injuries have left him unable to impress anyone on the player development side thus far. Townsend was a stud at Rice, but he's got to stay healthy to have any value. Still, he's in the middle of the pack, in the 15-20 range.

Bill Ballew: We can all dream, can't we? Actually, Elijah is a good guy; he just has a little problem with authority at times. Anyway, from an athletic standpoint, he's as talented as anyone in the game. From a baseball standpoint, he's making major strides in that area as well. If the off-field issues were not a concern, it would not be a stretch to envision Dukes as one of the Top 25 prospects in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, right now that's not reality.

Bill Ballew: It doesn't affect them at all. Reports out of Japan say Iwamura is willing to move to second base or center field. He can also play shortstop and third base. He's a five time (five time!) Gold Glover at the hot corner in eight seasons in Japan. With his reported versality, Iwamura could be a godsend for the Rays.

Bill Ballew: He's an aggressive hitter, no doubt about it. Delmon likes to take his hacks and good things happen, as often as not. That said, he's going to show more plate discipline as he matures at the game's top level. He's been trying to prove a lot of things to a lot of people here recently, and he'll calm down as he gets more time in the big leagues.

Bill Ballew: I wouldn't call Upton a bust. I think his biggest problem has centered on his ego, particularly with his determination to stay at shortstop. If he can get comfortably with the leather at a different position, his offensive numbers will blossom. Right now, he's thinking too much instead of just letting his incredible abilities rise to the surface.

Bill Ballew: It's hard to say, but my gut tells me he'd be in the middle of the top 10, at least in the 5-10 range.

Bill Ballew: Much like Upton, Guzman expressed a determination to remain at shortstop, even though he was about the world's biggest shortstop. The upper levels of the game have proven the obvious again, and that means Guzman is headed for first base or left field. Several members of the Rays' brass have told me they see his future at the first turn. In the meantime, he could play a role in 2007, but he's going to have to come up big in spring training.

Bill Ballew: Bankston's development seems to have leveled off somewhat. He hasn't been in good physical shape of late, and the Rays can't seem to find a defensive position for him. He has tremendous raw power, but that hasn't parlayed into impressive numbers over the past two seasons. He could wind up being trade bait, especially since his window of opportunity with Tampa Bay appears to closing.

Bill Ballew: Johnson has an impressive combination of power and speed and has shown tremendous defensive improvement of late at second base. He's had some leg problems in each of the past two seasons, but when healthy he could be a top-of-the-order guy with excellent pop. He's in the middle of the second 10, around 15, but his path is currently blocked by Jorge Cantu. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson is in the big leagues at some point this coming season.

Bill Ballew: Young fell just a few ABs shy of being eliminated from ROY consideration, so no candidate will have more major league experience heading into the 2007 race. He's definitely a strong candidate, but the clear favorite may be a stretch. In 3-to-5 years, if Young is true to his words from 2005, he'll be counting down his days to free agency. He will likely be one of the most impressive all-around young players in the game. Whether or not he will be deemed one of the game's elite will be determined by how much his power numbers increase.

Bill Ballew: It was very close. The reason I went with Longoria centers simply on the fact that unlike Young, he's put his power to use with big numbers, even though he's only spent a couple months in pro ball. It's hard to say who has the greater upside...it's simply a great situation for the Rays.

Bill Ballew: My son has one of those Magic 8-balls lying around, so let me see what it says. That's as good an answer as anyone can provide. Realistically, Hamilton would have to race through the organization in order to be deemed a prospect. He'll celebrate his 26th birthday next May and he's yet to have any success above the Class A level. If he proves worthy in spring training, he might have a shot at the Double-A roster.

Bill Ballew: Mason ran out of gas last year and showed a stubborn side after displaying a live arm shortly after being drafted out of UNC-Greensboro in 2005. His changeup needs improvement and his overall strength and stamina must be upgraded. He went through a learning experience in 2006, and the Rays are taking a wait-and-see attitude regarding his long-term future. There is some belief in the organization that he could wind up in the bullpen, although he will remain a starter upon entering spring training.

Bill Ballew: A lack of experience in the professional ranks is the only thing Longoria needs at this point. Projections were not off the charts regarding his potential prior to last year's draft, but Longoria showed he has the tools to be a major factor in the big leagues. He may not be quite the equivalent of Zimmerman, but he's in the neighborhood.

Bill Ballew: There's no question Dukes is trade bait. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post has reported the Marlins are interested in acquiring Dukes, with the Rays hoping to get righthander Ricky Nolasco in return. That may just be a rumor, but it does reveal that the Rays are listening to any offers that arise.

Bill Ballew: I don't see McGee as a future Cy Young winner, although he could be a solid No. 2 starter in the league. His biggest needs center on staying on top of his delivery and improving his changeup. His ceiling is high, especially considering he's lefthanded and won't turn 21 until next August 6.

Bill Ballew: All three players received strong consideration for the top spot, as did pitcher Jeff Niemann. The one aspect that enabled Longoria to edge past Brignac was the latter's high strikeout totals. He's improved in that area, but that was the primary difference between the two future standouts.

Bill Ballew: Former Rays scouting director Tim Wilken loved to project sleepers. He was a big Elliot Johnson fan before anyone else in the organization knew the second baseman's name. Keep an eye on a pair of relievers coming back from Tommy John surgery--Nick DeBarr and Greg Dupas. Both could move very quickly through the organization.

Bill Ballew: You want a cool name? I coach a kid on my 3rd & 4th grade team named Broden Smoke, and, yes, he can pitch. On the Rays, I don't know if there's a name I like better than Reid Brignac. Elijah Dukes ain't bad either, but I wish his temper was a little cooler.

Bill Ballew: I know this sounds like a weak answer, but it's too early to tell which one has the higher ceiling. The two righthanders are very comparable, and the Rays are being very methodical in the development of both pitchers. Walker has to throw strikes more consistently to remain a starter. He also tries to throw the ball past hitters instead of pacing himself. He'll learn those things as he matures.

Bill Ballew: Cantu might be, although some observers believe Cantu might wind up at first base, particularly when pitted against Johnson's athleticism. Still, Johnson is not a finished product and needs to continue to make strides with his consistency in all parts of his game. He's likely to see the big leagues at some point in 2007, but a starting role is not likely to take place before 2008.

Bill Ballew: Give me the Class A staff, simply because of their ages and high ceilings. Niemann and Talbot, however, appear to have turned corners in 2006, and Sonnanstine could wind up proving a lot of scouts wrong with his long-term potential.

Bill Ballew: Cumberland ranks around No. 20 on the list. He had a great second half in 2005 and was productive last year despite a relatively low batting average. The problem with Cumberland comes in his giving away too many at-bats. He can be aggressive to a fault, and fanned nearly 90 times more than he walked last year. He has power and is capable of playing all three outfield positions, but improved plate discipline and overall maturity would go a long way in making him a top 10 prospect.

Bill Ballew: No, Walker was not a top 30 prospect at this point. According to those who knew him, he was a great teammate who had a tremendous love for the game.

Bill Ballew: That's probably the best comparison among current players in the organization. Jennings was a three-sport standout in high school who was thought to be headed to Alabama to play football. His athleticism and speed are as good as anyone in the organization, and he has a decent idea of what he wants to do at the plate. He's raw and has a long way to go before he's in Crawford's class, but Jennings is definitely cut from the same cloth.

Bill Ballew: Right now I'd have to say Riggans, even though he'll turn 27 in July. Riggans has made strong advancements in all phases of his game and has a gritty, hard-nosed approach behind the plate. Jaso has struggled to stay healthy enough to catch for an extended time, and Ashley showed promise in 2006 at Princeton, yet was a college player toiling in a rookie league.

Bill Ballew: Elliot Johnson also figures to be in the mix at the keystone sack. Iwamura could move to center field, although Rocco Baldelli currently resides there. Much will depend on what the Rays do this offseason. Will they trade Baldelli or Crawford for pitching? We'll see.

Bill Ballew: Bankston posted solid numbers in Triple-A this past season before an abbreviated stint of little success in the Arizona Fall League. Bankston will be given an opportunity in spring training to prove he belongs as the Rays' first baseman. If he fails miserably, he could be on his way to becoming a 4-A player.

Bill Ballew: Hayes didn't quite make the top 30, but the son of former big leaguer Charlie Hayes showed last summer and during the fall that he is a capable pitcher. Hayes is very physical on the mound and has a thorough understanding of the task he faces. He's definitely a player to keep an eye on in the organization.

Bill Ballew: Salas' heat is as good as anyone. Heck, if he were pitching on FOX, he might hit 103, too. I believe Salas' heater is faster than Niemann's on a more consistent basis. He should be in the Rays' bullpen from the get-go in 2007.

Bill Ballew: If I were the Rays, I would be cautious about dealing a Crawford or Baldelli unless the return included some immediate help at the major league level. Standout minor leaguers can show promise, but there are only so many true big league performers, and both Crawford and Baldelli fit that description. Yes, there is a lot of depth in the organization, but if someone wants to take Dukes off my hands, I'll find a way to make the deal.

Bill Ballew: Sonnanstine had an amazing season in 2006 and received consideration, but he really does not stack up to many of the other outstanding young arms in the organization. He's a guy who will have to continue to prove himself at every level. His stuff is not overpowering, but he knows how to pitch. No two pitches look the same from Sonnanstine, and he has an ultra-competitive streak. Should he reach the big leagues, he'll most likely be a No. 4 or 5 starter.

Bill Ballew: I think he can, although the outfield log jam will make the situation difficult. Perez is an Ivy League graduate who combines athleticism and intelligence to get the most out of his ability. His speed is as good as anyone's in the organization. He also started to switch-hit in 2006 and stuck through the experiment, even when the results were disappointing. Perez was a near-miss on the Top 10 and is well-liked among the decision makers in the organization.

Bill Ballew: It's likely that Niemann would be in the big leagues now if he had not battled an assortment of ailments. Chances are he wouldn't have been ranked any higher on the list, however.

Bill Ballew: Upton could move to the outfield, if he will, but there are some pretty fair flycatchers already residing in the Tampa Bay garden. Upton has shown only modest defensive skills to date, which is why he wound up on the list as a DH.

Bill Ballew: The Rays have tried Bankston in right field and third base in recent years. He was not bad in right field, but the Rays felt they were overcrowded there, particularly with the presence of Delmon Young. He didn't remind anyone of Brooks Robinson or even B.J. Upton at the hot corner, thereby necessitating a return to first. Long-term, I only see Guzman or Bankston, not both, sticking in Tampa.

Bill Ballew: He could, but right now the odds are against, particularly in Tampa. He was the previous administration's golden child, and he has not been healthy enough to show anything. Townsend needs to bounce back strong after missing all of 2006 with elbow surgery. He proved at Rice that he can throw the ball, but to say things have not gone his way since his last collegiate outing would be an understatement.

Bill Ballew: Mori sufferd a shoulder injury last year and continues to rehab it, but the Rays are uncertain what his status will be for spring training. He definitely is a strong piece to the team's pitching puzzle and will have a significant role if healthy.

Bill Ballew: Talbot was impressive after joining the organization after arriving in the Aubrey Huff deal at the major league All-Star break. As you mentioned, he was nothing less than dominant at the end of the campaign by tossing two complete-game shutouts in the Southern League playoffs while fanning 24 batters in 18 innings and walking only two. The Astros’ second-round pick in 2002, Talbot has attracted mixed reviews throughout his professional career. His best pitch is a plus changeup that appears to operate on a string and was considered to be the best in the Houston organization prior to the trade. His four-seam fastball touches 94, and his two-seamer resides in the upper 80s. The Astros grew impatient while waiting for Talbot to add more velocity to his pitches, but the Rays believe his overall knowledge and ability to throw strikes with his clean delivery will lead to success at higher levels. He just needs to add a third pitch to his repertoire in order to become a strong candidate for the Tampa rotation.

Bill Ballew: Much like Talbot, Zobrist was a pleasant surprise after arriving from the Houston organization. He has blistered the ball in Arizona and showed strong potential late in the 2006 season. That said, Zobrist's all-around tools simply do not add up to the likes of Reid Brignac, Evan Longoria and several other players in the organization. He should stick around and be a solid contributor, particularly in 2007.

Bill Ballew: The Rays really do not have a good feel for what they have in Guzman. His performance was nowhere near his reputation after being acquired from the Dodgers for Julio Lugo. Not only did he fail to hit, Guzman also seems to be a player without a position. It would not be surprising if Guzman found himself on the move again in the near future.

Bill Ballew: Yes. He has shown the offensive ability and, more importantly, the defensive wherewithal to be a solid receiver for a major league pitching staff. That could happen at some point in 2007.

Bill Ballew: The Rays believe they are making serious progress in that area. Hopefully they won't follow in the previous administration's footsteps by trying to fill a few gaps with such overpriced free agents as a washed up Jose Canseco and Greg Vaughn. If they stay the course and add a few complementary veterans to the mix, particularly on the mound, the Rays might reach the 70-win plateau for the first time and even sniff contention.

Bill Ballew: Again, he'd be in the middle of the top 10. I don't think his signing would have any effect on Longoria's long-term placement at third. Iwamura is a versatile defender who can play third, second, short and center. A left-handed hitter who earned five Gold Gloves in eight seasons in Japan, the 27-year-old has averaged .310-35-94 over the past three seasons. He should be able to hit 20-25 homers with 75 RBIs annually in the big leagues.

Bill Ballew: Johnson could be a utility man, but right now he's a strong contender to be a starting second baseman in the big leagues. He needs to add some polish to his game, particularly in making more consistent contact, but he's definitely headed in the right direction.