MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 2001 Appalachian League

The Rookie-level Appalachian League seldom receives the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but it happened twice in three years from 1999 to 2001, when Josh Hamilton and Joe Mauer (No. 1) graced the league.

The Appy League class of 1999 featured Carl Crawford in addition to Hamilton, but the 2001 group outshines the Rays duo with Mauer and David Wright (No. 10), who both developed into franchise icons who remained with their drafting teams until retiring after the 2018 season.

2001 Appalachian League Top 10 Prospects

Mauer hit .400 in his pro debut with Elizabethton, using an “effortless swing that sprays line drives up the middle and to the opposite field.” He showed an ability to “stay inside of the ball” and had an “excellent eye.” Mauer hit .306 in the big leagues and won three American League batting titles plus the 2009 MVP award. One manager summarized Mauer’s work behind the plate: “Defensively, everything is there.”

Wright hit .300 with four homers in 36 games in his pro debut, showing good “mobility” at third base, “above-average power” and an “outstanding work ethic.” One manager said of Wright: “He has a very good approach at the plate, especially with pitch recognition.” Wright delivered on his potential by compiling a 133 OPS+ in the big leagues that ranks eighth among third basemen since 1947.

Other great prospect years in Appalachian League history were 1982 (Dwight Gooden, Kirby Puckett and Stan Javier), 1984 (Greg Maddux, Jay Bell and Jeff Blauser), 1990 (Jim Thome, Mike Lieberthal and Tony Clark) and 1998 (CC Sabathia and Rafael Furcal).

Appalachian 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.

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