Note: A player must have rookie status entering the 2007 season in order to qualify for our lists. We rank players based on their potential and the likelihood they will reach that potential.
1. Joey Votto, CIN: Born
in Toronto, Votto, 23, was one of only five 20/20 men in the minor
leagues in 2006. His 22 home runs and 24 stolen bases came as he
maintained a .955 OPS at Double-A Chattanooga. The second round draft
pick from 2002 was successful in 77.42% of his stolen base attempts, so
he could keep getting the green light when he is promoted to the big
leagues. A 6-foot-3, 220-pound lefty, Votto also tied for the minor
league lead in doubles with 46 and tied for third in extra-base-hits
with 70.
2. James Loney, LA: While
Loney, 22, hasn’t shown much more home run power than the Dodgers’ 2006
first baseman, Nomar Garciaparra, he plays Gold Glove caliber defense
and hit .380 last season in Triple-A Las Vegas. Another successful
Dodgers’ first round draft pick (2002), the lefty will likely enter
2007 as the team’s starting first baseman. He’ll likely start as just a
gap hitter, but Loney may someday hit 20 home runs with a .300+ batting
average.
3. Daric Barton, OAK: Before
last season, Barton - the blue chip Cardinals prospect who came over in
the Mark Mulder trade - appeared primed to jump up to the elite
prospect level. But he fractured his elbow in a collision at first base
in late-May. Barton, 21, put up 2006 vitals of .259/.389/.395 to go
along with 2 home runs and 7 doubles in 147 AAA at bats before his
injury. Still, the 2003 first round draft pick's scouting report looks
almost the same: mature hitting approach and excellent plate discipline
(0.81K/BB ) with questions about power potential.
4. Joe Koshansky, COL:
One of the most powerful hitters in the minors, Koshansky, 24, has
begun to make a name for himself, after being taken by the Rockies in
the 6th round of the 2004 draft. Yet another lefty,
Koshansky, who was a two-way player at the University of Virginia, put
up a .284/.371/.526 vital line in 500 at-bats at Double-A Tulsa.
In just his second season as a full-time hitter – he pitched 102.2 innings in his final year at Virginia – Koshansky hit 31 home runs, but struck out in 26.8% of his at-bats. If we were sold on the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder’s home run potential translating to the majors, he’d be above Barton on this list.
5. Bryan LaHair, SEA:
You probably haven’t heard much about LaHair and are a little shocked
that he ranks this high for us. We have spent a lot of time finding out
more about him and think he is the best fit for No. 5.
A
draft and follow pick from 2002 who signed in 2003, LaHair possesses
the athleticism to play first base or the outfield. His power is
realistically about a 60 on the 20-80 scale right now, as he is still
learning to pull the ball more consistently, but he has shown flashes
of amazing power.