2007 Top 100 Prospects
See also: Top 100 Prospects Breakdown By The Numbers
See also: Jim Callis Top 100 Prospects Chat
See also: Top 100 Pitchers By The Numbers
See also: Top 100 Hitters By The Numbers
We proudly present our annual list of the best young players in the game, the culmination of our offseason prospect rankings.
But this year we bring you the list with a twist. While we'd like to think that every player here will go on to big league success, even these players--the best of the best--could flop. Even the players at the very top of the list could fall victim to injuries, off-field trouble or poor performance.
The key is to spot these problems as early as possible. Years of prospect watching have led us to look for common flaws in players that can be red flags. These flaws can show in performance and be borne out by statistics--such as a high number of walks for a pitcher--or in a tools profile, such as position players who will "develop power."
As you read through the top 100 list you'll see some of these risk factors, highlighted in a current player on the list, just click on the button to see that player's risk factor. We'll also flash back to top 100 alumni who had similar risk factors, giving a best and worst case for the current player. (For those players, we also list their peak position in the top 100).
The top 100 list was hammered out by Editors in Chief Will Lingo and John Manuel, Executive Editor Jim Callis and National Writer Chris Kline. Callis wrote the capsules on each player.
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PrintSee also: Top 100 Prospects Breakdown By The Numbers
See also: Jim Callis Top 100 Prospects Chat
See also: Top 100 Pitchers By The Numbers
See also: Top 100 Hitters By The Numbers
We proudly present our annual list of the best young players in the game, the culmination of our offseason prospect rankings.
But this year we bring you the list with a twist. While we'd like to think that every player here will go on to big league success, even these players--the best of the best--could flop. Even the players at the very top of the list could fall victim to injuries, off-field trouble or poor performance.
The key is to spot these problems as early as possible. Years of prospect watching have led us to look for common flaws in players that can be red flags. These flaws can show in performance and be borne out by statistics--such as a high number of walks for a pitcher--or in a tools profile, such as position players who will "develop power."
As you read through the top 100 list you'll see some of these risk factors, highlighted in a current player on the list, just click on the button to see that player's risk factor. We'll also flash back to top 100 alumni who had similar risk factors, giving a best and worst case for the current player. (For those players, we also list their peak position in the top 100).
The top 100 list was hammered out by Editors in Chief Will Lingo and John Manuel, Executive Editor Jim Callis and National Writer Chris Kline. Callis wrote the capsules on each player.
 | 1 DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, rhp, Red Sox Who needs a gyroball? He has six pitches that grade out as plus or plus-plus at their best, and he'll be the best Japanese import ever. And no, we're not forgetting about Ichiro Opening Day Age: 26. ETA: 2007 |
 | 2 ALEX GORDON, 3b, Royals College Player of the Year in 2005, Minor League Player of the Year in 2006 . . . Rookie of the Year in 2007 Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 3 DELMON YOUNG, of, Devil Rays Took the Albert Belle comparisons too far when he tossed a bat at an umpire last year, but he can rake Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
 | 4 PHILIP HUGHES, rhp, Yankees As good as Chien-Ming Wang has been, this homegrown ace will be even better Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007 |
 | 5 HOMER BAILEY, rhp, Reds The next great Texas fireballer in the tradition of Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007 |
 | 6 CAMERON MAYBIN, of, Tigers Tremendous athlete had even more polish at the plate than Detroit expected Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
| 7 EVAN LONGORIA, 3b, Devil Rays Backed up his reputation as the 2006 draft's best pure hitter by batting .315 with 18 homers in his pro debut Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
 |  8 BRANDON WOOD, ss, AngelsMore than capable at shortstop, he may shift to third base to get his power bat into the Los Angeles lineup Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
 | 9 JUSTIN UPTON, of, Diamondbacks No. 1 overall pick in 2006 didn't have a banner debut, but he still has Ken Griffey Jr. tools Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
| 10 ANDREW MILLER, lhp, Tigers The consensus top prospect in the 2006 draft was a steal at sixth overall and nearly made Detroit's World Series roster Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
 | 11 TIM LINCECUM, rhp, Giants Size doesn't matter. His fastball-curveball combo prompts comparisons to Bob Feller and Sandy Koufax Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
| 12 CHRIS YOUNG, of, Diamondbacks White Sox fans still can't believe their club traded his 30-30 potential to get Javier Vazquez Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 13 ANDREW McCUTCHEN, of, Pirates Reached Double-A quicker than any other outfielder in a bumper 2005 high school crop Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008 |
| 14 JAY BRUCE, of, Reds Beat out Maybin and Upton for top-prospect honors in the Midwest League last summer Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
 | 15 TROY TULOWITZKI, ss, Rockies Reached the majors 14 months after signing, a franchise record for a position player Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
 | 16 YOVANI GALLARDO, rhp, Brewers Led the minors in strikeouts (188 in 155 innings) and ranked third in ERA (1.86) during breakout 2006 season Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
| 17 REID BRIGNAC, ss, Devil Rays Tampa Bay doesn't have to fool around with B.J. Upton at shortstop any longer with Brignac on the way Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 18 CARLOS GONZALEZ, of, Diamondbacks As if Arizona didn't have enough multitooled outfielders already Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
 | 19 ANDY LaROCHE, 3b, Dodgers Takes after brother (slugging Pirates first baseman Adam) more than father (former all-star reliever Dave) Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 20 MIKE PELFREY, rhp, Mets Made the majors three months into his pro career, and should be even better now with his new slider Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 21 MATT GARZA, rhp, Twins Unheralded 2005 first-rounder already has become a mainstay in Minnesota's rotation Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 22 FERNANDO MARTINEZ, of, Mets Followed up an impressive debut as a 17-year-old by holding his own in the Arizona Fall League Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009 |
 | 23 ADAM MILLER, rhp, Indians Regained knockout slider and plus fastball and refined his changeup after 2005 elbow injury Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
| 24 CLAYTON KERSHAW, lhp, Dodgers Joins fellow 2006 first-rounder Andrew Miller as the top two lefthander prospects in baseball Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
| 25 BILLY BUTLER, of, Royals His bat will have to carry him, but it can--he's a career .344/.417/.564 hitter in pro ball Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2007 |
| 26 RYAN BRAUN, 3b, Brewers With Corey Koskie ailing, Braun could be Milwaukee's Opening Day third baseman Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 27 JOSE TABATA, of, Yankees Friendly rivalry with Martinez began last season in low Class A and will pick up soon in New York. Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009 |
 | 28 ADAM JONES, of, Mariners Good call by Seattle to shelve his mid-90s fastball and make him an everyday player Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
 | 29 COLBY RASMUS, of, Cardinals Broke Bo Jackson's Alabama state prep home run record and has continued to drive the ball as a pro Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 30 FRANKLIN MORALES, lhp, Rockies Few lefthanders can match his mid-90s fastball or power curveball . . . Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 31 SCOTT ELBERT, lhp, Dodgers . . . though this Missouri product, who has similar swing-and-miss stuff, is one who can Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 32 LUKE HOCHEVAR, rhp, Royals After a celebrated holdout, he improved his stock in indy ball and went first in the '06 draft Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 33 JACOBY ELLSBURY, of, Red Sox Boston downplays Johnny Damon comparisons, but the parallels are hard to ignore Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 34 NICK ADENHART, rhp, Angels He's making Los Angeles look very smart for signing him for $710,000 out of the 2004 draft even though he needed Tommy John surgery Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008 |
| 35 JEFF NIEMANN, rhp, Devil Rays Put two years of health problems behind him and started pitching to his potential in the second half of 2006 Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
 | 36 JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA, c, Braves Wrist injury led to an off year in 2006, but he's still the game's best catching prospect Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 37 JACOB McGEE, lhp, Devil Rays Has a chance for three plus pitches, posts dominant numbers and still flies under the prospect radar as part of a loaded Devil Rays farm system Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
 | 38 HUNTER PENCE, of, Astros Won't win any style points, but he hits for power and average and has improved his running and defense, and he should move into the Houston outfield this season Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 39 ADAM LIND, of, Blue Jays He just hits: .392 in his final season at South Alabama, .319 in the minors and .367 in a September callup Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
 | 40 CHRIS VOLSTAD, rhp, Marlins Polished prep product pounds the bottom of strike zone, and he led all pitchers in the Top 100 Prospects list in groundball outs last season Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
 | 41 CARLOS CARRASCO, rhp, Phillies Made huge strides last year, cutting his ERA in low Class A from 7.04 in 2005 to 2.26 Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 42 JASON HIRSH, rhp, Rockies Acquired from the Astros in the Jason Jennings deal, he should be nearly as effective at a fraction of the cost Opening Day Age: 25. ETA: 2007 |
| 43 JOEY VOTTO, 1b, Reds Led the Southern League in AVG (.319), OBP (.408) and SLG (.547) after Cincinnati turned him loose at the plate Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 44 JAMES LONEY, 1b, Dodgers Bat finally came back to life in 2006; led minors in hitting (.380) and had a nine-RBI game in majors Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
 | 45 JOSH FIELDS, 3b, White Sox This former college quarterback is working out much better for Chicago than Joe Borchard did Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 46 IAN STEWART, 3b, Rockies Worst year of his pro career still included .803 OPS as 21-year-old in Double-A Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
 | 47 BILL ROWELL, 3b, Orioles Barry Bonds aficionado has premium power potential but may outgrow third base sooner than later Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2009 |
| 48 DEXTER FOWLER, of, Rockies Five-tool center fielder has added switch-hitting, strength and polish since signing Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009 |
 | 49 FELIX PIE, of, Cubs Chicago loves his tools and his history of winning--four championships in five pro seasons Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
 | 50 TRAVIS BUCK, of, Athletics Has hit at least .302 at each of his four pro stops and .328 overall Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 51 CLAY BUCHHOLZ, rhp, Red Sox His fastball hit 97 mph at the end of last season, and at times it's his fourth-best pitch Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008 |
| 52 DONALD VEAL, lhp, Cubs His delivery isn't quite as unconventional as former Chicago farmhand Dontrelle Willis', but his stuff is better Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008 |
| 53 TRAVIS SNIDER, of, Blue Jays Some scouts called him the best hitter in the 2006 draft; won Appy League MVP award in his pro debut Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
| 54 CHUCK LOFGREN, lhp, Indians Several clubs liked minor league wins leader (17) better as a hitter out of high school Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 55 RYAN SWEENEY, of, White Sox Has been on the fast track since hitting .367 in big league camp as a 19-year-old Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
| 56 JOHN DANKS, lhp, White Sox Quality young pitching is hard to acquire, yet White Sox traded for Danks and Gio Gonzalez this offseason Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
| 57 HUMBERTO SANCHEZ, rhp, Yankees Key piece to Gary Sheffield trade could help New York as a starter or a reliever this year Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 58 TROY PATTON, lhp, Astros Combination of stuff and polish got him to Double-A at age 20 Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 59 JONATHAN SANCHEZ, lhp, Giants The definition of missing bats: 74 whiffs, 27 hits allowed in 55 innings last year Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 60 CARLOS GOMEZ, of, Mets Career-high .773 OPS last year shows he's only scratching the surface of his potential Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 61 ERICK AYBAR, ss, Angels Could be a valuable piece of trade bait with Orlando Cabrera ahead of him and Brandon Wood behind him Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 62 JEFF CLEMENT, c, Mariners With Kenji Johjima in Seattle, Clement could move to first base when his power bat is ready for the majors Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 63 MIGUEL MONTERO, c, Diamondbacks Proved his 2005 breakout was no fluke, allowing Arizona to deal Johnny Estrada to get Doug Davis Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 64 TREVOR CROWE, of, Indians Prototype center fielder will have to find a new home with Grady Sizemore in Cleveland Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 65 ELVIS ANDRUS, ss, Braves Kept his head above water in low Class A at age 17, and he has offensive potential to go with plus defense and speed Opening Day Age: 18. ETA: 2010 |
| 66 GLEN PERKINS, lhp, Twins Pitched well enough in September to beat out Matt Garza for a spot on Minnesota's playoff roster Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 67 DARIC BARTON1b, Athletics Think the Cardinals might regret giving up Dan Haren and Barton in the Mark Mulder trade Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2007 |
 | 68 ERIC HURLEY, rhp, Rangers More fun to watch than any member of the Rangers' more-heralded (and since-disbanded) D-V-D trio Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 69 BRAD LINCOLN, rhp, Pirates Has overpowering stuff, but spring forearm strain was the latest of a litany of injuries since signing Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 70 JAIME GARCIA, lhp, Cardinals Not a bad pro debut for a 22nd-round pick: reached high Class A at age 19 and pitched in the Futures Game Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2008 |
| 71 KEVIN SLOWEY, rhp, Twins Has the best command of any prospect in baseball, evidenced by 235-30 K-BB ratio in 221 innings Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
| 72 GIO GONZALEZ, lhp, White Sox The White Sox liked him so much they reacquired him this winter after including him in the Jim Thome deal a year earlier Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 73 PHILIP HUMBER, rhp, Mets Blew out his elbow 15 starts into his pro career in 2005, but bounced all the way back last year Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2008 |
| 74 NEIL WALKER, 3b, Pirates Bat may take off now that he has a healthy wrist and has moved out from behind the plate Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 75 JOBA CHAMBERLAIN, rhp, Yankees Hawaii Winter Ball performance indicates he could be a steal with the 41st overall pick last June Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 76 GREG REYNOLDS, rhp, Rockies Quibble with his strikeout rate if you must, but he has stuff, size, command, makeup . . . and he wins Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 77 BRETT SINKBEIL, rhp, Marlins Added 35 pounds of muscle and turned himself into a first-rounder in three years at Missouri State Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008 |
| 78 BRANDON ERBE, rhp, Orioles Baltimore stole hometown high schooler in 2005's third round; now he's throwing 92-97 mph Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2009 |
| 79 ELIJAH DUKES, of, Devil Rays His volatile temper still overshadows his wondrous tools Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2007 |
| 80 JEFF SAMARDZIJA, rhp, Cubs Most accomplished wide receiver in Notre Dame history has huge upside on the mound Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2009 |
| 81 DANIEL BARD, rhp, Red Sox His fastball eats up bats like few others, thanks to its velocity (up to 100 mph) and heavy life Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009 |
| 82 ALBERTO CALLASPO, 2b, Diamondbacks The minors' best contact hitter will threaten Orlando Hudson's job if he continues to add power Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 83 MICHAEL BOWDEN, rhp, Red Sox His delivery may be unorthodox, but it works for him and his stuff is unquestionable Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 84 UBALDO JIMENEZ, rhp, Rockies Kept pace with Felix Hernandez until he came down with a stress fracture in his shoulder in 2004 Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 85 MATT ALBERS, rhp, Astros Has matured significantly, physically and mentally, since signing as a 23rd-round draft-and-follow Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 86 BRIAN BARTON, of, Indians Has an aerospace engineering degree from Miami--and more pure baseball ability than Crowe Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2008 |
| 87 BRANDON MORROW, rhp, Mariners Can blow hitters away with his fastball, slider or splitter Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2008 |
| 88 DREW STUBBS, of, Reds Great tools across the board made him a potential No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, but questions about his bat pushed him to No. 8 Opening Day Age: 22. ETA: 2009 |
| 89 KURT SUZUKI, c, Athletics Has provided clutch hits at Cal State Fullerton, throughout the minors and with Team USA Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 90 MATT HARRISON, lhp, Braves The closest thing Atlanta has had to Tom Glavine since Glavine left as a free agent Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2008 |
| 91 WILL INMAN, rhp, Brewers Solid stuff, tremendous command have led to 16-2, 1.77 record and 193-36 K-BB ratio in pro ball Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 92 CHRIS IANNETTA, c, Rockies Offensive-minded catcher gives Colorado eight players on this list, more than any other club Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2007 |
| 93 BRENT LILLIBRIDGE, ss, Braves An underrated part of the Adam LaRoche/Mike Gonzalez deal, he could fill Atlanta's second-base void Opening Day Age: 23. ETA: 2008 |
| 94 CHRIS PARMELEE, of/1b, Twins Advanced hitting skills, developing power made him the 20th overall pick last June Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2010 |
 | 95 COLLIN BALESTER, rhp, Nationals Pitching-needy Washington might think about promoting him, but he needs a solid year in the minors Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 96 SEAN WEST, lhp, Marlins Has more stuff than most southpaws and plenty of mound savvy, too; looked great last season after early-season shoulder soreness Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 97 WADE DAVIS, rhp, Devil Rays Formed potent one-two punch in Midwest League with McGee last year, and capped strong finish with a no-hitter in his final start Opening Day Age: 21. ETA: 2009 |
| 98 MICAH OWINGS, rhp, Diamondbacks Now a full-time pitcher, he made a run at the national prep home run record and was a two-way star in college Opening Day Age: 24. ETA: 2007 |
| 99 PEDRO BEATO, rhp, Orioles Went from Tommy John surgery in 2004 to $1 million supplemental first-rounder in 2006 Opening Day Age: 20. ETA: 2009 |
| 100 DELLIN BETANCES, rhp, Yankees He's raw, but he also has good stuff and plenty of projection remaining. Opening Day Age: 19. ETA: 2010 |
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