MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 1986 American Association

The American Association operated as a Triple-A league from 1946 until its dissolution in 1997, a year ahead of major league expansion to 30 teams. When the AA disbanded, its affiliates were distributed among the International and Pacific Coast leagues, often awkwardly in the case of the latter league.

As a Triple-A league, the eight-team American Association saw its share of future major league stars pass through. Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson headlined the 1988 list. Larry Walker followed in 1989, and Moises Alou, Juan Gonzalez and Ray Lankford in 1990. 

But the American Association class of 1986 has them all beat with Hall of Famers Greg Maddux (No. 6) and Barry Larkin (No. 2) along with several other longtime contributors.

1986 American Association Top 10 Prospects

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Ruben Sierra	OF	Oklahoma City	Rangers	8,782	13.9
2	Barry Larkin	SS	Denver	Reds	9,057	67
3	Dave Martinez	OF	Iowa	Cubs	6,480	18.1
4	Daryl Boston	OF	Buffalo	White Sox	2,901	5.1
5	Joe Magrane	LHP	Louisville	Cardinals	1,097	15
6	Greg Maddux	RHP	Iowa	Cubs	5,008	122.7
7	Scott Bankhead	RHP	Omaha	Royals	901	10.6
8	Mike Kingery	OF	Omaha	Royals	2,282	0.3
9	Russ Morman	3B	Buffalo	White Sox	518	0.2
10	Bill Moore	OF	Indianapolis	Expos	12	-0.1

 

Tooled-up outfielder Ruben Sierra ranked as the league’s No. 1 prospect because he “hit with power from both sides of the plate,” while also earning high grades for his ability to run and throw. Sierra made his big league debut with the Rangers as a 20-year-old in 1986, hitting 16 homers in 113 games.

Maddux made his major league debut as a September callup in 1986 after breezing through the AA with a 10-1 record and 3.02 ERA in 18 starts. His Iowa manager commended him for his fastball and curveball and for “changing speeds well,” also saying “the best thing he’s got going for him is his competitiveness.” 

Cincinnati native Larkin was drafted fourth overall out of Michigan in 1985. A year later he was hitting .329 with 10 homers and 19 steals in the AA on his way to a mid-August callup to the Reds. Larkin was noted for his all-around improvement, but there were questions about whether he or Kurt Stillwell, the second overall pick out of high school in 1983, would be the Reds’ shortstop of the future.

Dave Martinez (No. 3) is best known today as the World Series-winning Nationals manager, but he had a 16-year big league career as a fourth outfielder. His scouting report called him a “fetching package of speed, intelligence and fielding ability.” Joe Magrane (No. 5) recorded a 2.06 ERA in 15 starts for Louisville, using a “smooth, effortless motion” and exhibiting “poise” and a “great attitude.”

American Association All-Time BA No. 1 Prospects

Players listed with career major league plate appearances/innings and FanGraphs WAR.

Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1981	David Green	OF	Springfield	Cardinals	1,505	4.1
1982	Gary Redus	OF	Indianapolis	Reds	4,066	16.2
1983	Joel Skinner	C	Denver	White Sox	1,551	0.9
1984	Joe Hesketh	RHP	Indianapolis	Expos	962	9.4
1985	Kal Daniels	OF	Denver	Reds	2,739	16.9
1986	Ruben Sierra	OF	Oklahoma City	Rangers	8,782	13.9
1987	Lance Johnson	OF	Louisville	Cardinals	5,800	26.4
1988	Mike Harkey	RHP	Iowa	Cubs	656	5.8
1989	Todd Zeile	C	Louisville	Cardinals	8,649	21.9
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1990	Juan Gonzalez	OF	Oklahoma City	Rangers	7,155	35.8
1991	Dean Palmer	3B	Oklahoma City	Rangers	5,513	11.0
1992	Kevin Young	3B	Buffalo	Pirates	4,352	8.0
1993	Brian Jordan	OF	Louisville	Cardinals	5,646	31.7
1994	James Baldwin	RHP	Nashville	White Sox	1,323	9.5
1995	Alan Benes	RHP	Louisville	Cardinals	494	3.3
1996	Dmitri Young	1B	Louisville	Cardinals	5,253	12.5
1997	Kerry Wood	RHP	Iowa	Cubs	1,380	26.3