By James Bailey

Former Future Stars Take a closer look at the 36 first-round picks and 17 former No. 1 prospects available as minor league free agents this offseason.

How the mighty have fallen. No less than three dozen first-round picks dot the lists of minor league free agents this offseason. Names like Todd Van Poppel, Jim Pittsley, Jeff Granger and Dave McCarty are quite familiar to veteran Baseball America readers. Remember Chad Mottola? Yeah, he was the guy picked by the Reds ahead of Derek Jeter in the 1992 draft. He must never get tired of hearing that.

Seventeen of the players in this year's class of minor league free agents have held a No. 1 ranking on an organization's Top 10 Prospects list at least once in the '90s. Some of them numerous times.

And let's not forget about Brazilian bonus baby Jose Pett, the righthander who signed with the Blue Jays for $700,000 at age 16 in 1992. He's available. And he's still just 23 years old.

A total of 598 minor leaguers were granted free agency this month. Most qualified under baseball’s six-year renewal plan, which provides freedom to players signed in 1993 or earlier who were not placed on major league 40-man rosters.

Other players with less than six years of service were released at some point by the team that originally signed them. When a released player signs with a new team, that team has the option of locking him up through his sixth year of service if they choose, but they often will sign him for a shorter period of time, moving up his eligibility for free agency.

NOTE: This list reflects players who were free agents as of October 15.

ANAHEIM (29)
Pitchers: Bill Anderson, Toby Borland, Mike Bovee, Scott Brow, Alvin Brown, Ryan Hancock, Ryan Hawblitzel, Kevin Lomon, Norm Montoya, Paul Morse, Joey Pipes, Alvie Shepherd, Keith Troutman, Shad Williams.
Catchers: Jim Foster, Jose Monzon, Travis Rapp, Fausto Tejero.
Infielders: Jamie Burke, Keith Johns, Tomas Perez, Ramon Polanco, Chris Pritchett, Benji Simonton.
Outfielders: Eddie Christian, Pat Kelleher, Matt Luke, Will Pennyfeather, Mike Wolff.

ARIZONA (16)
Pitchers: Travis Burgus, Steve Cardona, Dan Carlson, Chris Michalak, Don Peters, Brian Shouse, Dave Tuttle.
Catchers: Kevin Clark, Ken Huckaby, Ramsey Koeyers, John Pachot.
Infielders: Scott Coolbaugh, Keith Johnson, Jarrod Patterson, Eduardo Rios.
Outfielder: Jason Herrick.

ATLANTA (17)
Pitchers: Roger Blanco, Mike Cather, Joe Dawley, Jon Ratliff, Chris Seelbach, Kennie Steenstra, Don Wengert.
Catcher: Jeff Horn.
Infielders: Steve Lackey, Pablo Martinez, Steve Sisco, Brad Tyler.
Outfielders: Buck McNabb, Jose Pimentel, Lonell Roberts, Gene Schall, Demond Smith.

BALTIMORE (21)
Pitchers: Mike Bell, Terry Burrows, Javier Delahoya, David Evans, Pete Hartmann, Sean Maloney, Jason McCommon, Carlos Medina, Julio Moreno, Americo Peguero, Rafael Pina, Erik Plantenberg, Kasey Richardson, Terry Rosenkranz.
Catchers: Cesar Devarez, Mike Lopez-Cao, Julio Vinas.
Infielders: Howie Clark, P.J. Forbes, Brian Rust.
Outfielder: Jose Herrera.

BOSTON (19)
Pitchers: Willie Adams, Travis Baptist, Chris Cumberland, Jesus Martinez, Greg Mix, Brad Tweedlie, Sal Urso.
Catchers: Joe DePastino, Creighton Gubanich.
Infielders: Chad Epperson, David Gibralter, Nate Tebbs.
Outfielders: Andy Abad, Israel Alcantara, Raul Gonzalez, Garey Ingram, Keith Mitchell, Marc Newfield, Charles Poe.

CHICAGO CUBS (17)
Pitchers: Steve Gajkowski, Jarod Juelsgaard, Carl Schutz, Dan Smith, Scott Watkins, Brad Woodall.
Catcher: Sandy Martinez.
Infielders: Richard Almanzar, Enohel Polanco, Tom Quinlan, Scott Stahoviak, Brandon Wilson.
Outfielders: Allen Battle, Robin Jennings, Bry Nelson, Mike Rennhack, Derrick White.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (23)
Pitchers: Luis Andujar, Tom Fordham, Mike Heathcott, Julien Tucker, Ben VanRyn.
Catchers: Eric Christopherson, Doug Newstrom, Derek Ryder, Dave Toth.
Infielders: Rich Aude, Esteban Beltre, Tilson Brito, Steve Eddie, Dave Hollins, Clark Parker, Luis Raven, Mitch Simons, Bernie Torres.
Outfielders: Ramon Gomez, Scott Lydy, Chad Mottola, Rudy Pemberton, Dan Ramirez.

CINCINNATI (24)
Pitchers: Giovanni Carrara, Todd Etler, Keith Glauber, Denny Harriger, Terry Hayden, Marty Janzen, Scott Klingenbeck, Brandon Puffer, A.J. Sager, Kevin Tolar.
Catcher: Jayhawk Owens.
Infielders: Jeff Branson, Brian Conley, Jamie Dismuke, Joe Hall, Jason Hardtke, Ralph Milliard, Tim Naehring, Jerry Salzano, Chris Saunders, Chris Snopek.
Outfielders: Phil Hiatt, Damon Hollins, Darrell Whitmore.

CLEVELAND (18)
Pitchers: Jim Dedrick, Travis Driskill, Jeff Sexton, Dave Telgheder, Chris Weidert.
Catchers: Ben Fowler, Kris Gresham, Steve Soliz.
Infielders: Junior Betances, Todd Betts, Nate Dishington, Jeff Manto, Orlando Miller, Bill Selby, Frank Taveras.
Outfielders: Ed Bady, Michael Edge, Mark Whiten.

COLORADO (30)
Pitchers: Roger Bailey, Steve Bourgeois, Maximo de la Rosa, Mike Evans, Mike Farmer, Mark Holzemer, Kyle Houser, Ryan Jacobs, Joel Moore, Kevin Rawitzer, Chris Roberts, Rich Robertson, Mike Rossiter, Pete Walker, Doug Walls, Mark Zamarripa.
Catchers: Rogelio Arias, Jay Jones, Mark Strittmatter.
Infielders: Mike Berry, John Cotton, Dave Hajek, Chris Petersen, Matt Raleigh, Chris Sexton, Jim Tatum.
Outfielders: Miguel Correa, Chris Hatcher, Jose Malave, Pat Watkins.

DETROIT (22)
Pitchers: Will Brunson, Bryan Corey, Keith Davis, Gary Goldsmith, Beiker Graterol, Mike Grzanich, Felipe Lira, Petie Roach, Keilan Smith.
Catchers: Raul Casanova, Joe Siddall.
Infielders: Scott Bream, Ryan Jones, Jason Maxwell, Dave McCarty, Jason Wood.
Outfielders: Billy Ashley, Ben Candelaria, Rickey Cradle, Pat Lennon, Marquis Riley, Pedro Swann.

FLORIDA (15)
Pitchers: Jose Alberro, Luis Arroyo, Jake Benz, Ruben Gross, Andy Larkin, Paul Menhart, Roger Salkeld.
Catcher: Chris Norton.
Infielders: Mariano Duncan, Benji Gil, Mike Gulan, Jose Lobaton, Russ Morman.
Outfielders: Glenn Reeves, Jerome Walton.

HOUSTON (23)
Pitchers: Erik Bennett, Reece Borges, Ryan Creek, Dean Crow, Mike Diorio, Robert Ellis, Rick Huisman, Tim Kester, Derek Root, Bob Scanlan, Joe Slusarski, Kent Wallace, Mike Walter.
Catchers: Pedro Lopez, Paul Russo, Jerrey Thurston, George Williams.
Infielders: Rene Gonzales, Mike Neal.
Outfielders: Casey Candaele, Pete Incaviglia, J.J. Johnson, Ryan Thompson.

KANSAS CITY (18)
Pitchers: Dan Rios, Mike Roberts, Scott Ruffcorn, Toby Smith, John Thompson, Dario Veras.
Catchers: Henry Mercedes, Mo Rojas.
Infielders: Carlos Mendez, Alejandro Prieto, J.P. Roberge, Larry Sutton, Tim Unroe.
Outfielders: Jimmie Byington, Jeremy Carr, Decomba Conner, Steve Gibralter, Les Norman.

LOS ANGELES (29)
Pitchers: Garvin Alston, Robbie Beckett, Nate Bland, Jim Bullinger, Andy Croghan, Kris Foster, Hal Garrett, Matt Jarvis, Tobin Lanzetta, Ruben Niebla, Gavin Osteen, Johnny Ruffin, Neil Weber.
Catchers: Hector Ortiz, Andy Skeels, Dave Steed.
Infielders: Brian Dubose, Shawn Gilbert, Kevin Grijak, Roberto Mejia, Nick Ortiz, Chance Sanford.
Outfielders: Eric Anthony, Wes Chamberlain, Derek Feramisco, Roderick Myers, Warren Newson, DaRond Stovall, Mike Warner.

MILWAUKEE (19)
Pitchers: Joe Borowski, Carlos Chavez, Jim Converse, Jeff Granger, Reggie Harris, Rich Kelley, Blas Minor, Roberto Paredes, Jim Pittsley, Joe Rodriguez, Robert Theodile, Kelly Wunsch, Juan Zapata.
Catcher: Francisco Rogue.
Infielders: Jesus Azuaje, Brandon Cromer, Luis Ortiz.
Outfielders: Yamil Benitez, Greg Martinez.

MINNESOTA (5)
Pitchers: Shane Bowers, Tony Fiore, Kevin Ohme.
Infielder: Eddie Williams.
Outfielder: Kelcey Mucker.

MONTREAL (17)
Pitchers: Jason Baker, John DeSilva, Roberto Duran, Jayson Durocher, Yovanny Lara, Ramon Morel, Edward Quezada, Mark Small.
Catchers: Tim Cossins, Darron Cox, Robert Machado, Francisco Morales.
Infielder: Dave Post.
Outfielders: Carlos Adolfo, Al Benjamin, Terry Bradshaw, Martires Castro.

NEW YORK METS (27)
Pitchers: Jose Bautista, Ryan Henderson, Oscar Henriquez, Richie Lewis, Johan Lopez, Jason McCarter, Jose Mercedes, Refugio Palacios, Dan Pontes, Matt Ruebel, Jeff Tam, Mike Villano, Mike Welch.
Catchers: Pedro Grifol, Yohanny Valera.
Infielders: Kevin Baez, Mike Bell, Jerry Brooks, Todd Haney, Scott Livingstone, Yuri Sanchez.
Outfielders: Trey Beamon, Jim Buccheri, Justin Mashore, Mike Meggers, Juan Moreno, Andy Tomberlin.

NEW YORK YANKEES (23)
Pitchers: Darwin Cubillan, Brad Kaufman, Frank Lankford, Chris Nichting, Dave Pavlas, Greg Resz, Anthony Shelby, Matt Williams, Trevor Wilson, Dave Zancanaro.
Catchers: Izzy Molina, Jaime Torres, B.J. Waszgis.
Infielders: Kurt Bierek, Vick Brown, Mike Coolbaugh, Brian Raabe, Andy Stankiewicz.
Outfielders: Chris Ashby, Bubba Carpenter, Paul Ottavinia, Alonzo Powell, Derek Shumpert.

OAKLAND (12)
Pitchers: Anthony Chavez, Juan Perez.
Catcher: Willie Morales.
Infielders: Jeff Ball, Jose Castro, Webster Garrison, Eddie Lara, Brian Lesher.
Outfielders: Tim Garland, Jason McDonald, Mike Neill, Chris Sheff.

PHILADELPHIA (24)
Pitchers: Rod Bolton, Silvio Censale, Sean Fesh, Tyler Green, Russ Herbert, Barry Johnson, Brian Looney, Jimmy Myers, David Pyc, Darryl Scott.
Catchers: Chuck Antczak, Marc Ronan, Andy Stewart.
Infielders: Manny Amador, John Finn, Lou Lucca, Wil Polidor, Jon Zuber.
Outfielders: Darren Burton, Jerry Connell, Lou Frazier, Tyrone Horne, Billy McMillon, Luis Tinoco.

PITTSBURGH (28)
Pitchers: Tavo Alvarez, Jim Baron, Keith Breitenstein, Frank Castillo, Kane Davis, Matt Dunbar, Al Garcia, Ken Giard, Joey Long, Del Mathews, Bob Milacki, Jose Pett, Jason Phillips, Tony Runion, Ken Ryan, Matt Ryan, Rich Sauveur, Todd Van Poppel.
Catchers: Jose Reyes, Reed Secrist.
Infielders: Matt Howard, Ramon Martinez, Jeff Patzke, Kevin Polcovich, Mike Robertson.
Outfielders: Tony Barron, Todd Dunn, Adam Hyzdu.

ST. LOUIS (11)
Pitchers: Brian Barnes, Mike Busby, Bryan Eversgerd, Larry Luebbers, Doug Mlicki, Clint Sodowsky.
Catchers: Marcus Jensen, Mike Stefanski.
Infielders: Eduardo Perez, Ron Warner.
Outfielder: David Hulse.

SAN DIEGO (18)
Pitchers: Jeff Darwin, Shane Dennis, Al Drumheller, Roberto Rivera, Matt Skrmetta, Pete Smith.
Catchers: Frank Charles, Jimmy Gonzalez, Kevin Lidle, Ryan Luzinski.
Infielders: George Arias, Randy Jorgensen, Rico Rossy.
Outfielders: Aaron Guiel, Wayne Kirby, Shane Mack, Chris Prieto, Rick Prieto.

SAN FRANCISCO (16)
Pitchers: Dave Chavarria, Osvaldo Fernandez, Andy Heckman, Mike McMullen, Bronswell Patrick, Chad Zerbe.
Catcher: Craig Mayes.
Infielders: Carlos Campusano, Felipe Crespo, Mark Gulseth, Raul Marval, Kenny Woods.
Outfielders: Juan Dilone, Jalal Leach, Damon Mashore, Keith Williams.

SEATTLE (16)
Pitchers: Joel Adamson, Jason Brosnan, Huck Flener, David Holdridge, Geronimo Newton.
Catchers: Raul Chavez, Pee Wee Lopez, Justin Towle.
Infielders: Randy Brown, Francisco Matos, Brad Seitzer.
Outfielders: Jason Bass, Earl Johnson, Joe Mathis, Kinnis Pledger, Ryan Radmanovich.

TAMPA BAY (22)
Pitchers: Julio Aquino, John Daniels, Tim Davis, Vaughn Eshelman, Daniel Garibay, John LeRoy, Ben McDonald, Bobby Munoz, Maximo Nunez, Aaron Small, Joe Strong, Marc Valdes, Joe Young.
Catchers: Julio Mosquera, Tom Wilson.
Infielders: Dan Fraraccio, Aaron Holbert, Chris Martin.
Outfielders: Rich Butler, Kraig Hawkins, Brooks Kieschnick, Carlos Mendoza.

TEXAS (23)
Pitchers: Trevor Cobb, Steve Frey, Ryan Karp, Allen McDill, Kevin Mlodik, Eric Moody, Ricky Pickett, Brady Raggio, Juan Rosado, Gabe Sollecito.
Catchers: Mike Hubbard, John Marzano, Mel Rosario.
Infielders: Juan Bautista, Mike Boughton, Kary Bridges, Chris Demetral, Tom Evans, Jesse Ibarra, Ryan Lane, Ryan Ware.
Outfielders: Marc Sagmoen, Pedro Valdes.

TORONTO (14)
Pitchers: Ernie Delgado, Paul Fletcher, Ty Hartshorn, Mike Romano.
Catchers: Alex Delgado, Adam Melhuse, Alan Probst.
Infielders: Willie Greene, Rob Mummau, Chad Rupp, Fausto Solano, Fred Soriano.
Outfielders: Jimmy Hurst, Chris Jones.