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Ask BA

By Josh Boyd
April 28, 2003

The Prospect Hot Sheet arrives every Monday to provide readers with a snapshot of baseball's best prospects, combining prospect status with performance. This list is not a replacement or an update to our Top 100, because it will often change drastically from week to week based on performance. We are not replacing Jose Reyes or Joe Mauer as the top prospects in baseball, rather we are giving you a snapshot of the hottest prospects. Keep up with news on these prospects plus many more on a daily basis with the Daily Dish.

We love to hear your opinions, so send your list to joshboyd@baseballamerica.com, but keep in mind there are only 12 spots on this list, and chances are there are more than 12 hot prospects during a week-long span. We aren't intentionally forgetting your guy, there's just only so much room. Also remember the key word in the title--prospect--so, 25-year-old Class A organizational players who are tearing the cover off the ball rarely apply.

Player
Trend
1. Miguel Cabrera, 3b, Double-A Carolina (Marlins)
Takes the top spot from Rich Harden, who suffered his first loss; Cabrera leads the Southern League in most offensive categories after going 12-for-24 in six-game hit streak through Sunday
2. Merkin Valdez, rhp, Class A Hagerstown (Giants)
The Magic Merkin Strikeout-To-Walk Meter: 43-2; plus he's allowed a .399 OPS
3. Vince Perkins, rhp, Class A Charleston (Blue Jays)
He's the last standing minor league starter who hasn't allowed an earned run (23 innings)
4. Jason Arnold, rhp, Double-A New Haven (Blue Jays)
Twice traded, but now up to 22-7, 2.14 in 244 career innings
5. Jeremy Guthrie, rhp, Double-A Akron (Indians)
Not a bad way to start a career (3-0, 1.27) after complete game, three-hitter on Sunday
6. Zack Greinke, rhp, Class A Wilmington (Royals)
Allowed a run on April 12, won't cut his hair until he gives up another
7. Alexis Rios, of, Double-A New Haven (Blue Jays)
Lots of Jays tearing it up: Rios has hit in nine straight, including seven multi-hit games, since coming off the DL
8. Bryan Bullington, rhp, Class A Hickory (Pirates)
Probably needs to be a level or two higher, but he's living up to his top pick billing by dominating
9. Travis Hanson, 3b, Class A Peoria (Cardinals)
A young Chad Tracy in training, Hanson is tied for the Midwest League lead in hitting with teammate John Santor
10. Chad Tracy, 3b, Triple-A Tucson (Diamondbacks)
Someday the Prospect Hot Sheet will be named after red-hot Chad Tracy
11. Chris Burke, 2b, Double-A Round Rock (Astros)
Burke rides a 22-game hit streak (with seven three-hit games) onto the PHS after going 0-for-4 on Opening Day
12. Prince Fielder, 1b, Class A Beloit (Brewers)
Hangs onto final spot with nine hits during a week highlighted by a five-hit game, but hasn't left the yard since April 15

Other Hot Prospects To Watch

Garrett Atkins, 3b, Triple-A Colorado Springs (Rockies)
Josh Barfield, 2b, Class A Lake Elsinore (Padres)
Neal Cotts, lhp, Double-A Birmingham (White Sox)
Kevin Jepsen, rhp, Class A Cedar Rapids (Angels)
Kyle Davies, rhp, Class A Rome (Braves)
Franklin Gutierrez, of, Class A Vero Beach (Dodgers)
Rich Harden, rhp, Triple-A Sacramento (A's)
Blake Hawksworth, rhp, Class A Peoria (Cardinals)
Trevor Hutchinson, rhp, Class A Jupiter (Marlins)
Kevin Jepsen, rhp, Class A Cedar Rapids (Angels)
Dan Haren, rhp, Double-A Tennessee (Cardinals)
Luis Martinez, lhp, Double-A Huntsville (Brewers)
Dustin Nippert, rhp, Class A South Bend (Diamondbacks)
Ramon Nivar, 2b, Double-A Frisco (Rangers)
Freddy Sanchez, ss, Triple-A Pawtucket (Red Sox)
Ervin Santana, rhp, Class A Rancho Cucamonga (Angels)
John VanBenschoten, rhp, Class A Lynchburg (Pirates)
Noochie Varner, of, Double-A Erie (Tigers)
David Wright, 3b, Class A St. Lucie (Mets)
Kevin Youkilis, 3b, Double-A Portland (Red Sox)
Delwyn Young, 2b, Class A South Georgia (Dodgers)
Joel Zumaya, rhp, Class A West Michigan (Tigers)

 
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