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2005 Top 100 Prospects: 26-50
March 2, 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.
| 26. |
CHRIS NELSON, ss, Rockies |
Scouting Report |
"His bat is further along than B.J. Upton's was at the same time."
--NL scout
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| 27. |
RYAN HOWARD, 1b, Phillies |
Scouting Report |
"When you have power like him, you don't have to pull it. It's not like any park can hold him."
--New Hampshire manager Mike Basso
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| 28. |
J.J. HARDY, ss, Brewers |
Scouting Report |
"He's a special kid in terms of what's between his ears and his heart."
--Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik
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| 29. |
MIKE HINCKLEY, lhp, Nationals |
Scouting Report |
"What separates with him is the makeup, work ethic, preparation. The physical tools are there, and all those intangibles are there already."
--Nationals farm director Adam Wogan
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| 30. |
EDWIN JACKSON, rhp, Dodgers |
Scouting Report |
"He had a rough year but I'll take him any day of the week. He's dominant when he has his command."
--AL scout
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| 31. |
FELIX PIE, of, Cubs |
Scouting Report |
"He's got five tools and all of them have a chance to be above-average. The sky is the limit."
--Sarasota manager Todd Claus
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| 32. |
DARIC BARTON, 1b/c, Athletics |
Scouting Report |
"I love his approach. It's what you try to teach kids."
--AL scout
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| 33. |
JEREMY REED, of, Mariners |
Scouting Report |
"He's another Mark Kotsay. I love the way he plays and I root for him."
--AL scout
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| 34. |
ZACH DUKE, lhp, Pirates |
Scouting Report |
"You look at him and you think, 'What does this kid have to work on?' He's just so polished."
--Altoona manager Tony Beasley
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| 35. |
GAVIN FLOYD, rhp, Phillies |
Scouting Report |
"He's had that big league curveball since high school. He just needs more fastball command."
--NL scout
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| 36. |
ERIC DUNCAN, 3b, Yankees |
Scouting Report |
"His work ethic reminds me of Todd Helton. He's not a guy who falls out of bed and hits. He's a guy who falls out of bed and works, and that's why he hits."
--Battle Creek manager Bill Mosiello
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| 37. |
BRIAN ANDERSON, of, White Sox |
Scouting Report |
"He's Jeremy Reed with a lot more power potential. He made the White Sox realize that Reed was expendable."
--NL scout
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| 38. |
SCOTT OLSEN, lhp, Marlins |
Scouting Report |
"He's a horse when he's out on the mound. He tries to do anything he can to use his fastball."
--Jupiter manager Luis Dorante
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| 39. |
ERICK AYBAR, ss, Angels |
Scouting Report |
"He's the perfect combination of fundamentals and flashiness."
--Rancho Cucamonga manager Bobby Meacham
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| 40. |
CONOR JACKSON, of, Diamondbacks |
Scouting Report |
"He doesn't swing at bad pitches and he doesn't miss good ones."
--Inland Empire manager Daren Brown
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| 41. |
MICHAEL AUBREY, 1b, Indians |
Scouting Report |
"The one thing he's always been able to do is hit a fastball. You can see him seek it out."
--Indians farm director John Farrell
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| 42. |
RYAN SWEENEY, of, White Sox |
Scouting Report |
"This guy is special. I've been in baseball a long time, and I've never seen a kid like this."
--White Sox farm director Dave Wilder
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| 43. |
DAN MEYER, lhp, Athletics |
Scouting Report |
"He's a big-game pitcher. He pitches every game with that same level of intensity--as if it was the last game of the season with it all on the line."
--Richmond manager Pat Kelly
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| 44. |
BRIAN McCANN, c, Braves |
Scouting Report |
"All he does is hit, and no one talks about how good he was defensively last year. He was one of the better catchers in the minors in a year when there weren't many good catchers."
--AL scout
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| 45. |
JOSH BARFIELD, 2b, Padres |
Scouting Report |
"The kid understands hitting. It's just rare to see a young hitter who understands how to stay inside the ball so well."
--Padres scouting director Bill Gayton
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| 46. |
YUSMEIRO PETIT, rhp, Mets |
Scouting Report |
"I just can't hit him. You just can't pick the ball up off him."
--Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss
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| 47. |
ANTHONY REYES, rhp, cardinals |
Scouting Report |
"Besides Jose Capellan, no starter in the Southern League had a better arm, and Anthony has better command than Capellan."
--Tennessee manager Mark DeJohn
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| 48. |
HOMER BAILEY, rhp, Reds |
Scouting Report |
"He's the epitome of a pure projection pitcher. He has plus stuff with a good breaking ball, and he even has a little change-piece now."
--NL scout
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| 49. |
BRANDON McCARTHY, rhp, White Sox |
Scouting Report |
"He's got exceptional command for a tall guy. He creates such good angles and works down in the zone."
--Lynchburg pitching coach Scott Lovekamp
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| 50. |
PHILIP HUMBER, rhp, Mets |
Scouting Report |
"His performance is pretty consistent, which matches his personality. He's pretty controlled, and I love his curveball."
--NL scout
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