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PIONEER LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Wilin Rosario, c, Casper (Rockies)
2. Cutter Dykstra, of, Helena (Brewers)
3. Will Smith, lhp, Orem (Angels)
4. Devaris Gordon, ss, Ogden (Dodgers)
5. Luis Jimenez, 3b, Orem (Angels)
6. Delta Cleary, of, Casper (Rockies)
7. Bryan Shaw, rhp, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
8. Trevor Harden, rhp, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
9. Dexter Carter, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)
10. Kyle Russell, of, Ogden (Dodgers)
11. Pedro Baez, 3b, Ogden (Dodgers)
12. Jose Perez, rhp, Orem (Angels)
13. Efrain Nieves, lhp, Helena (Brewers)
14. Rossmel Perez, c, Missoula (Diamondbacks)
15. Angel Castillo, of, Orem (Angels)
16. Wily Peralta, rhp, Helena (Brewers)
17. Erik Komatsu, of, Helena (Brewers)
18. Dan Hudson, rhp, Great Falls (White Sox)
19. Tony Delmonico, 2b, Ogden (Dodgers)
20. Michael Kohn, rhp, Orem (Angels)

The Rookie-level Pioneer League is always a tricky league to evaluate, as it's somewhat of a tweener circuit. The Diamondbacks and Rockies don't have complex-based teams so their PL club serves as their lowest-level U.S. affiliate. By contrast, the other six organizations in the league don't have teams in the New-York Penn or Northwest leagues, so their PL clubs are their highest-level half-season affiliates.

The dichotomy creates an interesting mix of talent in the hitter-friendly league, with players ranging from raw Latin American prospects to much more polished college draft picks.

The top prospect this year was a position player from the worst offense and one of the worst teams in the league. In his second season in Casper, catcher Wilin Rosario excelled offensively and defensively.

There was a heavy junior college influence in the league, as two of the best pitching prospects (Orem's Will Smith and Missoula's Trevor Harden) and two of the better position prospects (Ogden shortstop Devaris Gordon and Casper outfielder Delta Cleary) came from the juco ranks.

Billings third baseman Neftali Soto would have ranked prominently if he hadn't fallen just short of qualifying for the list. Soto hit .388/.423/.746 in 15 games, showing intriguing power potential and plus arm strength.

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