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AZL TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Mike Montgomery, lhp, of, Royals
2. Jaff Decker, of, Padres
3. Jharmidy DeJesus, 3b, Mariners
4. Ehire Adrianza, ss, Giants
5. Manuarys Correa, rhp, Angels
6. Rashun Dixon, of, Athletics
7. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Brewers
8. Tyler Sample, rhp, Royals
9. Jose Casilla, rhp, Giants
10. Yowill Espinal, ss/2b, Royals
11. Joe Wieland, rhp, Rangers
12. Tyler Chatwood, rhp, Angels
13. Jose Bonilla, c, Royals
14. Starlin Castro, ss/2b, Cubs
15. Seth Lintz, rhp, Brewers
16. Junior Lake, ss, Cubs
17. Kyle Nicholson, rhp, Giants
18. Clark Murphy, 1b, Rangers
19. Terrell Alliman, of/3b, Angels
20. Wendell Fairley, of, Giants

TEMPE, Ariz.—The Rookie-level Arizona League was on the brink of extinction two years ago when Major League Baseball considered compressing the minor leagues. Now the AZL's outlook is brighter than ever, with as many as four teams added in the next two years as more big league teams move their training bases to Arizona or add teams at the lower end of their farm systems.

The AZL's best prospect this summer was catcher Buster Posey, who joined the Giants for the final week of the season after signing for a record $6.2 million bonus. The fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft, Posey hit .385 and drilled his first pro homer, but he didn't have enough plate appearances to qualify for this Top 20 Prospects list. He helped the Giants win their fourth league title in six years before finishing in the high Class A California League playoffs.

Even without counting Posey, the AZL's pool of prospects was deeper than in past years, with advanced high school pitchers and flashy Latin American shortstops standing out the most.

Subscribers can see scouting reports for the entire Arizona League Top 20 Prospects list.