South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects List
Teenagers lead the way on Sally League list
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The
low Class A South Atlantic League usually has its share of standout
teenage prospects, but 2006 was unusual because four of its brightest
young talents played most or all of the season at the tender age of
17.
Charleston outfielder Jose Tabata, Hagerstown outfielder Fernando Martinez and Rome shortstop Elvis Andrus gave the Sally League a modern-day version of Willie, Mickey and the Duke. If you asked three different SAL observers to rank them as prospects, you were likely to get three different answers.
In the end, the consensus was that Tabata's bat has a little more to offer at this point and puts him ahead of Martinez and Andrus. The debate is far from finished, and with Tabata and Martinez playing for New York teams and Andrus playing for a Mets division rival, it could rage for a while.
Another contentious debate centered around the Greensboro pitching staff and which of its four high school first-round picks from the 2005 draft offered the most promise. Chris Volstad's impressive polish edged out Sean West's considerable ceiling for top honors there.
There was no question, however, as to the No. 1 prospect in the SAL. It's difficult to get a consensus about much in a 16-team league, but scouts and managers unanimously held Hickory outfielder Andrew McCutchen in high regard.
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Teenagers lead the way on Sally League list
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subscribe)| TOP 20 PROSPECTS |
| 1. Andrew McCutchen, of, Hickory
(Pirates) |
| 2. Jose Tabata, of, Charleston
(Yankees) |
| 3. Fernando Martinez, of, Hagerstown
(Mets) |
| 4. Elvis Andrus, ss, Rome
(Braves) |
| 5. Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Lakewood
(Phillies) |
| 6. Chris Volstad, rhp, Greensboro
(Marlins) |
| 7. Will Inman, rhp, West Virginia
(Brewers) |
| 8. Sean West, lhp, Greensboro
(Marlins) |
| 9. Brandon Erbe, rhp, Delmarva
(Orioles) |
| 10. Dexter Fowler, of, Asheville
(Rockies) |
| 11. Deolis Guerra, rhp, Hagerstown
(Mets) |
| 12. John Drennen, of, Lake County
(Indians) |
| 13. Clay Buchholz, rhp, Greenville (Red
Sox) |
| 14. Lorenzo Cain, of, West Virginia
(Brewers) |
| 15. Michael Bowden, rhp, Greenville (Red
Sox) |
| 16. Ryan Tucker, rhp, Greensboro
(Marlins) |
| 17. Eric Campbell, 3b, Rome
(Braves) |
| 18. Aaron Thompson, lhp, Greensboro
(Marlins) |
| 19. Matt Maloney, lhp, Lakewood
(Phillies) |
| 20. Josh Outman, lhp, Lakewood
(Phillies) |
Charleston outfielder Jose Tabata, Hagerstown outfielder Fernando Martinez and Rome shortstop Elvis Andrus gave the Sally League a modern-day version of Willie, Mickey and the Duke. If you asked three different SAL observers to rank them as prospects, you were likely to get three different answers.
In the end, the consensus was that Tabata's bat has a little more to offer at this point and puts him ahead of Martinez and Andrus. The debate is far from finished, and with Tabata and Martinez playing for New York teams and Andrus playing for a Mets division rival, it could rage for a while.
Another contentious debate centered around the Greensboro pitching staff and which of its four high school first-round picks from the 2005 draft offered the most promise. Chris Volstad's impressive polish edged out Sean West's considerable ceiling for top honors there.
There was no question, however, as to the No. 1 prospect in the SAL. It's difficult to get a consensus about much in a 16-team league, but scouts and managers unanimously held Hickory outfielder Andrew McCutchen in high regard.
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