Arizona League Top 20 Prospects List

Position players lead the way

By John Manuel
September 20, 2006

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TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Hank Conger, c, Angels

2. Jeremy Jeffress, rhp, Brewers

3. Cedric Hunter, of, Padres

4. Marcus Lemon, ss, Rangers

5. Brent Fisher, lhp, Royals

6. Matt Sweeney, 3b/1b, Angels

7. Sharlon Schoop, ss, Giants

8. Kyler Burke, of, Padres

9. Jason Taylor, 3b, Royals

10. Vladimir Veras, rhp, Angels

11. Brent Brewer, ss, Brewers

12. Gerardo Avila, 1b, Mariners

13. Luis Durango, of, Padres

14. Jose Ceda, lhp, Cubs

15. Manuel Cabez, rhp, Giants

16. Derrick Robinson, of, Royals

17. Nick Van Stratten, of, Royals

18. Carlos Peguero, of, Mariners

19. Warner Madrigal, rhp, Angels

20. Felix Carrasco, 3b, Padres

Pitchers dominated our Rookie-level Arizona League Top 10 Prospects list last season, with Mark Pawelek, Nick Adenhart and Craig Italiano rating 1-2-3. This year saw a reversal, as position players took seven of the top nine spots.

Angels catcher Hank Conger, one of three 2006 first-round picks who played long enough to qualify for consideration, showed all-around skills before breaking the hamate bone in his right wrist 19 games into his pro debut. Another first-rounder, Brewers righthander Jeremy Jeffress, ranked as the AZL’s top pitcher.

The third, supplemental pick Kyler Burke, also cracked the top 10 but was upstaged by another Padres outfielder, third-rounder Cedric Hunter. Hunter won the MVP award after leading the league in runs (46) and hits (71) while finishing second in batting (.371) and on-base percentage (.467). The Padres won the league championship by defeating the Angels in a one-game playoff.
Two players who repeated the AZL intrigued managers. Still teenagers, Royals lefthander Brent Fisher and Giants shortstop Sharlon Schoop both have rare skill sets and enough ability to project as big leaguers. They made this list a year ago, Schoop at No. 11 and Fisher at No. 18.

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