Florida State League Top 20 Prospects List

By J.J. Cooper
October 3, 2007

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TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Jay Bruce, of, Sarasota Reds

2. Cameron Maybin, of, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers)

3. Jake McGee, lhp, Vero Beach Devil Rays

4. Wade Davis, rhp, Vero Beach Devil Rays

5. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Sarasota Reds

6. Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)

7. Ian Kennedy, rhp, Tampa Yankees

8. Deolis Guerra, rhp, St. Lucie Mets

9. Jose Tabata, of, Tampa Yankees

10. Austin Jackson, of, Tampa Yankees

11. Chris Volstad, rhp, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins)

12. Alcides Escobar, ss, Brevard County Manatees (Brewers)

13. Tyler Colvin, of, Daytona Cubs

14. Josh Outman, lhp, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)

15. Adam Ottavino, rhp, Palm Beach Cardinals

16. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins)

17. Frank Cervelli, c, Tampa Yankees

18. Eduardo Morlan, rhp, Fort Myers Miracle (Twins)

19. Jeff Samardzija, rhp, Daytona Cubs

20. Rhyne Hughes, 1b, Vero Beach Devil Rays

The high Class A Florida State League normally is a pitcher's paradise. Teams allow their top arms to stay in the warmth of the Sunshine State early in the year when it's cold elsewhere, and the ballparks, used for big league spring training, are spacious.

This year, for a change, it was two outfielders who left league observers amazed. Sarasota's Jay Bruce and Lakeland's Cameron Maybin were the best position prospects the league has seen since Joe Mauer played for Fort Myers in 2003. They were the first pair of hitters to top our FSL prospect list since Mark Teixeira and Jose Reyes ranked 1-2 five years ago.

"The best players in the league by far were Jay Bruce and Cameron Maybin," Jupiter manager Luis Dorante said. "They're both talented five-tool players."

While Bruce and Maybin stood out the most, the FSL's mound talent was still impressive. The next six prospects on this list are pitchers, led by Vero Beach teammates Jake McGee and Wade Davis. That group doesn't include Tampa's Joba Chamberlain, who would have ranked right behind Bruce and Maybin had he not fallen seven innings short of qualifying.



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