By Chris Kline
October 7, 2004

Chat Wrap: Chris Kline took your International League questions

TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. B.J. Upton, ss, Durham 2. Justin Morneau, 1b, Rochester 3. Grady Sizemore, of, Indians 4. Jason Kubel, of, Rochester 5. Jeremy Reed, of, Charlotte 6. Alexis Rios, of, Syracuse 7. Ben Hendrickson, rhp, Indianapolis 8. Dan Meyer, lhp, Richmond 9. Guillermo Quiroz, c, Syracuse 10. Jason Bartlett, ss, Rochester 11. Joey Gathright, of, Durham 12. Jesse Crain, rhp, Rochester 13. Jorge Cantu, 3b, Durham 14. Robinson Cano, 2b, Columbus 15. John Maine, rhp, Ottawa 16. Russ Adams, ss, Syracuse 17. Dave Krynzel, of, Indianapolis 18. Kelly Shoppach, c, Pawtucket 19. Francisco Cruceta, rhp, Buffalo 20. David Bush, rhp, Syracuse

Hitters have dominated our Triple-A International League Top 10 Prospects list in recent years, and 2004 was no exception. The top six spots on this edition went to position players, and that total would have been seven had Norfolk third baseman David Wright accumulated enough plate appearances to qualify.

Several of the IL's marquee players made their presence known in the majors as well. After joining the Devil Rays, B.J. Upton became the first teenager to homer in the big leagues since Adrian Beltre and Aramis Ramirez in 1998. The Twins inexplicably didn't call up Justin Morneau for good until mid-July, but once they did he quickly established himself as their biggest power threat.

Besides Wright, several other notable players didn't qualify for this list. Brandon Phillips and league MVP Jhonny Peralta, Buffalo's exciting double-play tandem, got too many big league at-bats in 2003. Richmond righthander Jose Capellan split the season between three minor league teams and didn't spend enough time in the IL.

Subscribers can access scouting reports on all 20 players. (How to subscribe)