Vsahajpal
10-15-2001, 03:29 PM
1. Hank Blalock, 3b, Peoria (Rangers). He?s a pure hitter who hit .352-18-108 as one of the youngest players in two leagues. After the Rangers drafted Georgia Tech third baseman Mark Teixeira, a position change could be on the horizon for Blalock.
2. Nick Johnson, 1b, Peoria (Yankees). After missing the entire 2000 season with a wrist injury, Johnson shook off the rust this season and stayed healthy.
3. Joe Borchard, of, Mesa (White Sox). Borchard made his first professional appearance in the AFL a year ago. Borchard showed his prodigious power at Double-A Birmingham, but he struck out 158 times.
4. Ty Howington, lhp, Grand Canyon (Reds). The year began inauspiciously for Howington when he had bone chips removed from his elbow during spring training. The surgery delayed his 2001 debut, but didn?t deter him from emerging as one of the top lefties in the minors.
5. Josh Hamilton, of, Maryvale (Devil Rays). As noted above, Hamilton will aim to re-establish himself as one of the game?s best prospects after a frustrating year. When he?s healthy, he has five above-average tools, including tape-measure power.
6. Marlon Byrd, of, Grand Canyon (Phillies). Byrd exceeded expectations and continued to improve his tools this season at Double-A Reading. He nearly had a 30-30 season (falling short by two home runs), a tribute to his off-the-charts work ethic.
7. Drew Henson, 3b, Peoria (Yankees). He missed a portion of his first baseball-only year with a broken hand, which prevented him from finding his groove until late in the season at Triple-A Columbus. His presence on the Peoria squad could mean we?ll see an early look at Blalock at a new position.
8. Austin Kearns, of, Grand Canyon (Reds). Kearns was rated slightly ahead of Adam Dunn after both Reds outfield prospects shared the spotlight in Class A Dayton last year. While Dunn took off, Kearns was hindered by a sore wrist early in the year. Surgery to repair the damaged ligaments kept him on the shelf for most of the summer.
9. Brandon Phillips, ss, Scottsdale (Expos). Phillips made major strides at the plate after batting .242 in 2000. A gifted athlete with outstanding tools, Phillips hit .292 at two levels and reached Double-A Harrisburg before his 20th birthday.
10. Bobby Hill, 2b, Mesa (Cubs) Another prospect hoping to rebound from an injury-filled season, Hill was hampered by a groin injury for all but 57 games of his debut summer.
2. Nick Johnson, 1b, Peoria (Yankees). After missing the entire 2000 season with a wrist injury, Johnson shook off the rust this season and stayed healthy.
3. Joe Borchard, of, Mesa (White Sox). Borchard made his first professional appearance in the AFL a year ago. Borchard showed his prodigious power at Double-A Birmingham, but he struck out 158 times.
4. Ty Howington, lhp, Grand Canyon (Reds). The year began inauspiciously for Howington when he had bone chips removed from his elbow during spring training. The surgery delayed his 2001 debut, but didn?t deter him from emerging as one of the top lefties in the minors.
5. Josh Hamilton, of, Maryvale (Devil Rays). As noted above, Hamilton will aim to re-establish himself as one of the game?s best prospects after a frustrating year. When he?s healthy, he has five above-average tools, including tape-measure power.
6. Marlon Byrd, of, Grand Canyon (Phillies). Byrd exceeded expectations and continued to improve his tools this season at Double-A Reading. He nearly had a 30-30 season (falling short by two home runs), a tribute to his off-the-charts work ethic.
7. Drew Henson, 3b, Peoria (Yankees). He missed a portion of his first baseball-only year with a broken hand, which prevented him from finding his groove until late in the season at Triple-A Columbus. His presence on the Peoria squad could mean we?ll see an early look at Blalock at a new position.
8. Austin Kearns, of, Grand Canyon (Reds). Kearns was rated slightly ahead of Adam Dunn after both Reds outfield prospects shared the spotlight in Class A Dayton last year. While Dunn took off, Kearns was hindered by a sore wrist early in the year. Surgery to repair the damaged ligaments kept him on the shelf for most of the summer.
9. Brandon Phillips, ss, Scottsdale (Expos). Phillips made major strides at the plate after batting .242 in 2000. A gifted athlete with outstanding tools, Phillips hit .292 at two levels and reached Double-A Harrisburg before his 20th birthday.
10. Bobby Hill, 2b, Mesa (Cubs) Another prospect hoping to rebound from an injury-filled season, Hill was hampered by a groin injury for all but 57 games of his debut summer.