Complete Index of League Top 20s

By Will Lingo
October 5, 2005

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TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Howie Kendrick, 2b, Arkansas 2. Erick Aybar, ss, Arkansas 3. Daric Barton, 1b, Midland 4. Thomas Diamond, rhp, Frisco 5. Edison Volquez, rhp, Frisco 6. Andre Ethier, of, Midland 7. Kendry Morales, 1b, Arkansas 8. Yuniesky Betancourt, ss, San Antonio 9. Jason Hirsh, rhp, Corpus Christi 10. Justin Huber, 1b, Wichita 11. John Danks, lhp, Frisco 12. Joaquin Arias, ss, Frisco 13. Fernando Nieve, rhp, Corpus Christi 14. Adam Jones, ss, San Antonio 15. Joe Saunders, lhp, Arkansas 16. Steven Shell, rhp, Arkansas 17. Omar Quintanilla, ss, Midland 18. Ubaldo Jimenez, rhp, Tulsa 19. Josh Anderson, of, Corpus Christi 20. Kevin Melillo, 2b, Midland

It was more than fitting for Arkansas and Midland to meet in the Texas League finals--a series the Rockhounds won three games to one--because that's where the talent was this year.

With the exception of three promising Rangers pitchers in Frisco, Angels and Athletics prospects dominated the league this year. Arkansas placed five players and Midland four on our TL Top 20 Prospects List.

The Travelers featured a wealth of talent, starting with the two best prospects in the league, double-play partners Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar. Righthanders Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver would have given Arkansas seven representatives on the Top 20, but they didn't pile up enough innings to quality. Wichita slugger Billy Butler also made a strong impression but didn't qualify.

Overall, the TL wasn't as strong as usual. Kendrick was the clear standout, but most of the players who follow him are solid prospects who come with question marks.

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