MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 1992 Pacific Coast League

Image credit: (Photo by Tom DiPace)

In a bygone era, the Pacific Coast League was considered the top minor league in the land. It still occupies a spot at Triple-A, the top of the minor league hierarchy. All-time greats including Alex Rodriguez (1995), Mark McGwire (1986) and Tony Gwynn (1982) passed through the PCL on their way to the majors, but the 1992 prospect class was the one we chose to highlight. 

Albuquerque teammates and future Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez (No. 3) and Mike Piazza (No. 5) headlined an unusually strong group that also included Tim Salmon (No. 1), the 1992 Minor League Player of the Year, and long-time big league middle infielders Bret Boone (No. 2), Damion Easley (No. 4) and Royce Clayton (No. 8). 

1992 Pacific Coast League Top 10 Prospects

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Tim Salmon	OF	Edmonton	Angels	7,039	35.4
2	Bret Boone	2B	Calgary	Mariners	7,433	23
3	Pedro Martinez	RHP	Albuquerque	Dodgers	2,827	90
4	Damion Easley	SS	Edmonton	Angels	6,211	17.3
5	Mike Piazza	C	Albuquerque	Dodgers	7,745	63.7
6	Andujar Cedeno	SS	Tucson	Astros	2,238	-1.9
7	Pat Mahomes	RHP	Portland	Twins	709	-0.8
8	Royce Clayton	SS	Phoenix	Giants	8,164	18.2
9	John Patterson	2B	Phoenix	Giants	636	-0.4
10	Reggie Jefferson	1B	Colorado Springs	Indians	2,306	4

While Martinez would go on to become the best pitcher on the planet in the late ’90s, he faced questions as a prospect about his “poise” despite owning a “great fastball and circle-changeup.”

Piazza had the “tools to be a front-line big league catcher” after “improving his receiving skills.” Most notable was his power after he hit .341 with 16 homers in 94 games. Managers accurately noted that Piazza didn’t “pull the ball much . . . but he can reach the deepest fences in the yard.” 

Salmon was the “unanimous top choice” in a banner year for the PCL. He led the minors with 29 homers and a .672 slugging percentage, leading one manager who had seen him at Double-A to say that “he’s improved tremendously with his ability to put the bat on the ball.”

Managers singled out Boone for his power, speed, glove and that he “flat-out hustles.” Easley had converted from center field to second base and was lauded for his speed, range, arm and “first-step quickness.” Clayton built a 17-year big league career on the strength of his “outstanding” defensive ability at shortstop. 

 

 

Pacific Coast League All-Time BA No. 1 Prospects

Players listed with career major league plate appearances/innings and FanGraphs WAR. Stats for active players current through mid August.

Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1981	Candy Maldonado	OF	Albuquerque	Dodgers	4,590	11.8
1982	Dave Anderson	SS	Albuquerque	Dodgers	2,287	4.1
1983	Juan Samuel	2B	Portland	Phillies	6,664	15.1
1984	Darnell Coles	3B	Salt Lake City	Mariners	3,224	-0.6
1985	Jose Canseco	OF	Tacoma	Athletics	8,129	42.1
1986	Glenn Braggs	OF	Vancouver	Brewers	2,609	6.3
1987	Mike Campbell	RHP	Calgary	Mariners	233	-1.5
1988	Sandy Alomar Jr.	C	Las Vegas	Padres	4,865	13.2
1989	Matt Williams	3B	Phoenix	Giants	7,595	44.8
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1990	Jose Offerman	SS	Albuquerque	Dodgers	6,582	13.9
1991	Kenny Lofton	OF	Tucson	Astros	9,235	62.4
1992	Tim Salmon	OF	Edmonton	Angels	7,039	35.4
1993	Darrell Whitmore	OF	Edmonton	Marlins	357	-1.3
1994	Brian L. Hunter	OF	Tucson	Astros	3,659	5.2
1995	Alex Rodriguez	SS	Tacoma	Mariners	12,207	113.7
1996	Todd Walker	3B	Salt Lake	Twins	5,055	9.5
1997	Paul Konerko	1B/3B	Albuquerque	Dodgers	9,505	24.0
1998	Troy Glaus	3B	Vancouver	Angels	6,355	34.3
1999	Rick Ankiel	LHP	Memphis	Cardinals	242	4.3
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
2000	Ryan Anderson	LHP	Tacoma	Mariners	—	—
2001	Sean Burroughs	3B	Portland	Padres	1,823	5.2
2002	Jesse Foppert	RHP	Fresno	Giants	122	-0.1
2003	Rich Harden	RHP	Sacramento	Athletics	928	19.0
2004	Casey Kotchman	1B	Salt Lake	Angels	3,412	1.9
2005	Felix Hernandez	RHP	Tacoma	Mariners	2,730	56.9
2006	Stephen Drew	SS	Tucson	D-backs	4,917	15.0
2007	Yovani Gallardo	RHP	Nashville	Brewers	1,817	20.8
2008	Colby Rasmus	OF	Memphis	Cardinals	4,119	18.4
2009	Buster Posey	C	Fresno	Giants	5,153	52.7
Year	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
2010	Buster Posey	C/1B	Fresno	Giants	5,153	52.7
2011	Brett Lawrie	3B	Las Vegas	Blue Jays	2,417	9.7
2012	Wil Myers	OF/3B	Omaha	Royals	3,241	10.4
2013	Oscar Taveras	OF	Memphis	Cardinals	248	-0.9
2014	Kris Bryant	3B	Iowa	Cubs	3,175	27.9
2015	Corey Seager	SS	Oklahoma City	Dodgers	2,156	19.0
2016	Alex Reyes	RHP	Memphis	Cardinals	56	2.1
2017	Amed Rosario	SS	Las Vegas	Mets	1,497	4.3
2018	Kyle Tucker	OF	Fresno	Astros	241	0.1
2019	Yordan Alvarez	OF	Fresno	Astros	378	3.9