By Alan Matthews
October 6, 2004

Chat Wrap: Alan Matthews took your Eastern League questions

TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. David Wright, 3b, Binghamton 2. Jason Kubel, of, New Britain 3. Matt Cain, rhp, Norwich 4. Mike Hinckley, lhp, Harrisburg 5. Gavin Floyd, rhp, Reading 6. Zach Duke, lhp, Altoona 7. Curtis Granderson, of, Erie 8. Ryan Howard, 1b, Reading 9. J.D. Durbin, rhp, New Britain 10. Franklin Gutierrez, of, Akron 11. Val Majewski, of, Bowie 12. Michael Aubrey, 1b, Akron 13. Larry Broadway, 1b, Harrisburg 14. Aaron Hill, ss, New Hampshire 15. Brandon League, rhp, New Hampshire 16. Robinson Cano, 2b, Trenton 17. Scott Baker, rhp, New Britain 18. Denny Bautista, rhp, Bowie 19. Ian Snell, rhp, Altoona 20. Francisco Rosario, rhp, New Hampshire

While the Double-A Eastern League didn’t boast a bevy of players with all-star potential, as it did last year when Joe Mauer, Alexis Rios and Grady Sizemore led the list, it did feature remarkable depth. More than 60 players were legitimate candidates for the top 20 list, and another handful of promising prospects just missed qualifying.

Binghamton’s Scott Kazmir was traded to the Devil Rays before qualifying, and the Giants didn’t send righthander Merkin Valdez to Norwich in time for him to make the cut. John Maine made just five starts before the Orioles promoted him to Triple-A, while Daniel Cabrera also made five starts before eventually winding up in Baltimore’s rotation.

Crafty New Hampshire lefty Gustavo Chacin led the league in wins and pitched with flair, but missed the cut because he projects as a fourth or fifth starter. Righthanders Kyle Sleeth (No. 3 overall pick in 2003) and Bryan Bullington (No. 1 overall in 2002) also missed the cut because scouts and managers were uninspired after watching them work.

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