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2003 Futures Games: U.S. Roster
United States roster biographies for the fifth annual All-Star Futures Game. The RadioShack All-Star Futures Game will feature the top U.S. and international Minor League prospects competing against each other as part of RadioShack All-Star Sunday, July 13 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. The game will begin at 4:30 p.m. (CDT) and will be televised live on ESPN2. Click here for World biographies Jeff Mathis c, Angels
Mathis is an exceptional athlete who played shortstop and pitched in high school, only going behind the plate to catch fellow 2001 first-rounder Alan Horne. Defensively, he's aggressive and shows above-average tools as he a solid receiver with a plus arm and quick release. Mathis also offers offensive potential not found in many catchers. His strong hands and excellent bat speed produce plenty of doubles now, and should lead to home runs in the future. He shows strong pitch recognition, allowing him to post high batting and on-base averages.
Joe Mauer c, Twins
The Twins chose Mauer over Mark Prior with the top pick in 2001, then lured him away from a scholarship to play quarterback at Florida State with a franchise-record $5.15 million bonus. Mauer opened his pro career by hitting .400 for Rookie-level Elizabethton, and has yet to slow down at the plate, where his quick, smooth stroke generates consistent, hard contact. He should develop more game power as he adds bulk and experience. Mauer has a plus arm behind the plate to go with his sound mechanics and quick release.
Josh Barfield 2b, Padres
Barfield has excellent baseball bloodlines as his father Jesse once led the American League in home runs. Unlike his father, Barfield isn't a dead-pull power hitter, but a consistent contact hitter who drives the ball to all fields. His power should blossom with age and experience, and he has already topped his career high of eight home runs this season. Barfield has soft hands and decent speed, though he might outgrow the middle infield one day. His potent bat should be able to play anywhere, though.
Chris Burke 2b, Astros
With the Astros not having a high Class A team in 2002, Burke skipped from low Class A to Double-A and struggled. He's back in Double-A this year, and back on track to earn the Astros' second-base job by 2005. A .300 hitter with the speed to swipe 20 bags, Burke has the skills to replace Craig Biggio at the top of the lineup, though he could draw more walks. Burke's arm plays better at second than shortstop, his college position, but he covers plenty of ground at either spot.
Khalil Greene ss, Padres
Undrafted out of high school and a 14th-round pick after his junior year of college, Greene exploded as a senior as he was Baseball America's College Player of the Year and won USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award. Greene's tools are average or better across the board, and his instincts for the game are as good as anyone's. He's the best pure hitter in the Padres system, with excellent bat speed, hand-eye coordination and pitch recognition. Greene's ability to stay at shortstop is a question among scouts, though his hands, range, arm and first-step quickness rate just a tick above average for the position. His total package and baseball savvy allow him to get the job done successfully.
J.J. Hardy ss, Brewers
Hardy's defense has always been ahead of his offense, but his bat is catching up. He collected three hits when forced into a major league exhibition game at 19 years old, pushed .300 last year in the California League and was doing the same this season in Double-A. Hardy possesses gap-to-gap power, which could increase as he matures. Defensively, Hardy shows the instincts to get good jumps and reads on balls, and the soft hands and strong arm to finish plays.
Ryan Howard 1b, Phillies
Howard's game revolves around pure power. The slugging first baseman looked like a first-rounder before he struggled in his draft year, but he has rebounded as a pro, showing more pop than any other Phillies farmhand. Howard can hit homers from left-center field to the right-field line, and cranked 19 long balls last season in low Class A Lakewood. He's on pace for 25 more this season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. He shows good hands and agility for a big man and should become at least an average first baseman defensively.
Adam LaRoche 1b, Braves
LaRoche impressed Braves manger Bobby Cox in spring training and almost made Atlanta's roster as a backup to Robert Fick. He broke out in 2002 by leading all Braves minor leaguers with a .317 average between high Class A and Double-A. LaRoche has an aggressive approach in the batter's box, where he employs an open stance. LaRoche matched his career high with 13 homers by early June. Carolina League managers voted him the best defensive first baseman in 2002, and the Braves say he has Gold Glove potential. His father Dave pitched parts of 14 seasons in the majors.
Chad Tracy 3b, Diamondbacks
Tracy is the only player on the U.S. team who played in last year's Futures Game. He made it then by carrying a .400 average into mid-June before tailing off after a shoulder injury. The sweet-swinging Tracy still led the Texas League with a .344 average. His compact, line-drive stroke produces plenty of singles and doubles and few walks or strikeouts. Tracy is still getting comfortable at the hot corner after spending his college career at first base.
Kevin Youkilis 3b, Red Sox
Youkilis is an on-base machine. His keen eye and knowledge of the strike zone allowed him to draw 166 walks through his first 199 minor league games, while compiling a .457 on-base percentage. Athletics general manager Billy Beane tried to snatch him away from Boston at last year's trade deadline, but Theo Epstein, then an assistant to the general manager, wouldn't allow it. Not known for his power, Youkilis is a dead-pull hitter who might top out at 20 home runs in the majors. He possesses an accurate arm and adequate defensive skills.
Dave Krynzel of, Brewers
Krynzel continues to improve in every aspect of the game. He could end up as the Brewers' leadoff hitter by mid-2004, but still shows a little pop from time to time. He might develop into a speedy Kenny Lofton type or flex a little more muscle and hit in the middle of the order like Steve Finley. Krynzel's range and arm strength should allow him to develop into a plus defender in center, while his speed makes him a threat on the bases. He's topped 30 steals the last two seasons and will do so again this year.
David Kelton of, Cubs
Kelton's bat has always held promise. He led the Double-A Southern League in homers, RBIs and extra-base hits in 2002 as managers rated him the league's best batting prospect. But his glove has often been a question mark. After shoulder problems in high school, Kelton has never been comfortable with his throwing mechanics at third base, where the Cubs long viewed him as their future. After spending the 2002 season at first base, Kelton moved to the outfield midway through this year so he could concentrate more on his hitting. The Cubs were even trying him in center field after Corey Patterson's injury.
Grady Sizemore of, Indians
Sizemore became an Indian along with Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee in the deal that sent Bartolo Colon to the Expos last year. Quiet off the field, Sizemore's bat creates plenty of noise on it. He's confident at the plate, and demonstrates an advanced knowledge of the strike zone, allowing him to post a .385 career on-base percentage. Sizemore's above-average speed and athleticism makes him a threat on the bases and allows him to cover plenty of ground in center field.
Stephen Smitherman of, Reds
Smitherman is the lowest-drafted player in this year's prospect showcase. The muscular outfielder has risen to prospect status by bullying pitchers with an offensive onslaught. He used his open stance and aggressive approach at the plate to make a push for the high Class A California League's triple crown last year with .313-19-33 numbers. Smitherman again ranks among the league's offensive leaders this season in Double-A Chattanooga. Smitherman also has worked to improve his defense in the left field.
Neal Cotts lhp, White Sox
While the swap of closers Billy Koch and Keith Foulke might seem like a wash, the White Sox might eventually come out ahead by also acquiring Cotts from the Athletics in the deal. Cotts has risen to the occasion this year in the Double-A Southern League, ranking among the leaders in wins, ERA and strikeouts. His fastball doesn't crack the low 90s, but he changes speeds effectively enough with his changeup and curveball to keep batters off balance and still pile up punchouts.
J.D. Durbin rhp, Twins
Durbin led the low Class A Midwest League with 163 strikeouts last season, and built on that success by earning the start for the Western Division in this year's Florida State League all-star game. He throws his fastball at 91-92 mph and can push it up to 95 when he wants. Durbin combines his heater with a slider rated the best in the Twins system, for a lethal one-two punch. He has made strides with his command, control and mound presence since a sore elbow limited him to just two innings in his pro debut in 2000.
Gavin Floyd rhp, Phillies
The Phillies selected Floyd one pick after the Rangers nabbed Georgia Tech's Mark Teixeira, who attended the same high school and played with Floyd's older brother Mike. Floyd commands two plus pitches now--a fastball that tops out near 95 mph and a knee-buckling power curveball--and his changeup should develop into one before he reaches the majors. His stuff compares to that of Brett Myers, but Floyd's a bit more laid back on the mound. Floyd offers a polished package that's further improved by his work ethic and makeup.
Zack Greinke rhp, Royals
Greinke's stock has risen as fast as any minor leaguer's this season. He began his first full pro season at high Class A with nine straight wins. Greinke carves up hitters with command of four above-average pitches and the polish and savvy of a more advanced player. Those qualities earn comparisons to Greg Maddux and Orel Hershiser. His fastball once reached 96 mph, but he often adds and subtracts from it in the 86-93 range. Greinke also throws a slider, curveball and changeup with precise location.
Danny Haren rhp, Cardinals
Haren was leading the Double-A Southern League in wins and ERA when he received a promotion to Triple-A in mid-May. Haren's large frame and sound mechanics allow him to throw on a downward plane and should make him durable. He led the minors with 194 innings last year. His fastball sits between 88-92 mph with a few forays into the mid-90s. He added tilt to his slider and used his changeup more in 2002, while bagging his splitter.
Edwin Jackson rhp, Dodgers
The Dodgers drafted first-rounder James Loney as a hitter last year when most thought he was a pitcher. Jackson's story is just the opposite. He split time between the outfield and mound in 2001 and proceeded to earn the organization's pitcher of the year award after going 5-2, 1.98 for low Class A South Georgia in 2002. His fastball reaches 97 mph and regularly sits between 91-94 with heavy, late action that runs in to righthanders. Jackson also throws a slider and curveball while developing his changeup.
Preston Larrison lhp, Tigers
Larrison has drawn comparisons to Andy Benes, as both pitchers served as the ace of Evansville's staff during their college careers. Larrison's changeup rates as his best pitch. It's deceptive and lively, and he can also throw it for strikes consistently. It helps set up a heavy 93 mph sinker while he works on improving his curveball. Larrison missed the first month of the 2002 season with a shoulder injury, but returned to go 10-5, 2.39 at high Class A Lakeland. He got off to a second slow start this year in Double-A, but a strong second half could land him in Detroit's rotation.
John Maine rhp, Orioles
A disappointing junior season caused the 2001 Conference USA pitcher of the year to slip in the draft. But when Maine fanned 60 batters in 43 innings in his pro debut last year, it gave a nice boost to an injury-riddled and shallow Orioles farm system. He ranks among the minor league leaders in strikeouts this year, becoming the first to reach 100 K's. Maine's fastball carries sinking action and clocks in around 90-93 mph. His slider qualifies as a second plus offering while he continues to refine his changeup.
Clint Nageotte rhp, Mariners
Nageotte led the minors with 214 strikeouts last season and continues to send hitters packing this year in the hitter-friendly Texas League. He gets most of his strikeouts with a slider that rates among the best in the minors. It's just murder on righthanded hitters. A 91-94 mph fastball with life serves as a second plus pitch. He's still working to hone the command of his fastball and changeup. If Nageotte can trim his walk rate, he should become a dominant strikeout pitcher in the majors.
Royce Ring lhp, White Sox
Ring fits the closer mold perfectly. He sprints to the mound to a Metallica song and blows pure gas once there. And Ring loves pitching with the game on the line, as evidenced by his San Diego State records for saves in a season and career. His low-90s fastball overpowers hitters, and he mixes in a changeup and curveball. Ring posted a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his pro debut last year, but has addressed any questions about his control this year by pushing that ratio closer to 4-to-1.
John VanBenschoten rhp, Pirates
The Pirates now prefer to allow prospects a full season at each classification before promoting them, but VanBenschoten's hot start this season earned him a late May promotion to Double-A. His fastball sits at 93 mph and can reach the mid-90s. At the Pirates' urging, VanBenschoten threw his curveball more last season, developing a second plus pitch. This year, the organization wants him to work on his changeup. VanBenschoten's success makes the Pirates look smart for going against the consensus and sending a player who led Division with 31 home runs as a college junior to the mound.
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July 11, 2003