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2005 Top 100 Prospects: 51-75
March 1, 2005
Baseball America's 16th annual Top 100 Prospects list reflects each player's long-term major league value, balancing his ceiling and his chances of maximizing his potential. Players who have not exceeded the rookie limits of 130 at-bats and 50 innings, regardless of their big league service time, are eligible for the list. Editor in chief Allan Simpson, managing editor Will Lingo, executive editor Jim Callis and assistant managing editor John Manuel put together the top 100 after consulting with general managers, scouting directors, farm directors, scouts, managers and instructors. And yes, we analyzed statistical performance as well. Jim Callis compiled the quotes for each player from Baseball America staff and correspondent interviews. Managers are identified with the teams they were with in 2004.
| 51. |
SHIN-SOO CHOO, of, Mariners |
Scouting Report |
"He does a lot of things well. He's a pretty complete player and is always involved when they win."
--El Paso manager Scott Coolbaugh
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| 52. |
THOMAS DIAMOND, rhp, Rangers |
Scouting Report |
"He's a big, strong horse who comes from a good program. The package is there."
--Former Rangers scouting director Grady Fuson
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| 53. |
KYLE DAVIES, rhp, Braves |
Scouting Report |
"He's got great stuff and is very athletic. The thing that sets him apart is that changeup."
--Wilmington manager Billy Gardner Jr.
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| 54. |
FRANKLIN GUTIERREZ, of, Indians |
Scouting Report |
"He has enough bat speed and power to be an impact player."
--AL scout
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| 55. |
MARK ROGERS, rhp, Brewers |
Scouting Report |
"What we like about him is his package of skills: his size, his mental makeup, and what we think he's going to bring to the table. When you put the whole package together, we thought this kid had an upside."
--Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik
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| 56. |
EDWIN ENCARNACION, 3b, Reds |
Scouting Report |
"He hits the ball so hard, he will hit for power. He's not as good as Miguel Cabrera, but he has a similar approach."
--NL scout
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| 57. |
CURTIS GRANDERSON, of, Tigers |
Scouting Report |
"It seems like all of his tools have gotten better since he signed."
--AL scout
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| 58. |
MERKIN VALDEZ, rhp, Giants |
Scouting Report |
"His arm works so easy; it doesn't look like it's upper 90s, but the ball just explodes on hitters."
--NL scout
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| 59. |
JOHN DANKS, lhp, Rangers |
Scouting Report |
"He has a chance to be a No. 1 or 2 starter in the big leagues. He throws three pitches for strikes, and they're all plus pitches."
--Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes
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| 60. |
CHRIS BURKE, 2b, Astros |
Scouting Report |
"He's a baseball guy. I see him as a Mark Loretta with more speed."
--AL scout
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| 61. |
SERGIO SANTOS, ss, Diamondbacks |
Scouting Report |
"He has power and makes all the plays at shortstop. I think he can stay there."
--AL scout
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| 62. |
JAMES LONEY, 1b, Dodgers |
Scouting Report |
"He can really swing it, and he's really smooth over there at first. He will save his team runs. If he has power it will be a bonus."
--NL scout
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| 63. |
JESSE CRAIN, rhp, Twins |
Scouting Report |
"What was already a really good out pitch for him became even better than what I saw last year. That was the best slider in the International League."
--Indianapolis manager Cecil Cooper
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| 64. |
AARON HILL, ss, Blue Jays |
Scouting Report |
"He's going to be a major league power hitter and he's going to be a very productive major league hitter."
--Blue Jays roving hitting instructor Merv Rettenmund
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| 65. |
NICK MARKAKIS, of, Orioles |
Scouting Report |
"You've got to remember he was never a full-time hitter before last year. He gets better every second."
--AL scout
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| 66. |
RYAN HARVEY, of, Cubs |
Scouting Report |
"He hit two home runs off us that went about 900 feet combined."
--Vancouver manager Dennis Rogers
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| 67. |
JEFF MATHIS, c, Angels |
Scouting Report |
"If you miss on Mathis' bat, he's still a catcher with great makeup. I love the guy. He's hard not to."
--AL Scout
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| 68. |
JAVIER HERRERA, of, Athletics |
Scouting Report |
"He can do it all tools-wise. If he were American, he would have been a certain first-round pick."
--AL scout
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| 69. |
BRANDON LEAGUE, rhp, Blue Jays |
Scouting Report |
"Everybody knows about that fastball, but his slider is always in the back of your mind. He'll show it to you once outside the zone, but he's just setting you up for later on."
--Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard
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| 70. |
J.D. DURBIN, rhp, Twins |
Scouting Report |
"He could go to the bullpen right now and throw fastball-breaking ball and pitch in the big leagues, but I believe the Twins want him to develop into a starter, and to do that he's going to have to learn to slow the ball down a little."
--Grand Canyon coach Jose Marzan
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| 71. |
COLE HAMELS, lhp, Phillies |
Scouting Report |
"His changeup is one of the better ones I've seen. He has tremendous arm action and the ball just tumbles to the plate."
--Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal
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| 72. |
BRANDON MOSS, of, Red Sox |
Scouting Report |
"He's refined his overall approach at the plate and really worked hard to become a better hitter."
--Red Sox farm director Ben Cherington
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| 73. |
CLINT NAGEOTTE, rhp, Mariners |
Scouting Report |
"He has one of the best sliders I've ever seen."
--AL scout
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| 74. |
ANDY LaROCHE, 3b, Dodgers |
Scouting Report |
"He's got bat speed, strength in his hands and is a true profile at third base, offensively and defensively."
--AL scout
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| 75. |
BILLY BUTLER, 3b, Royals |
Scouting Report |
"He can do a lot of damage if he gets his pitch to hit. And every time we were there, when he did get his pitch to hit he was able to do something with it."
--Royals scouting director Deric Ladnier
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