Top 3 Rookie Shortstops

by Project Prospect
December 29, 2006
This is the third installment of our seven part series on the top 2007 rookies at every position. So far, we’ve ranked rookie catchers, first basemen, and second basemen.

Warning: Tulowitzki is the only player on this list who will likely break Spring Training with a starting job. Aybar may not assume a starting job all season and Escobar may only be a September call-up.

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. Troy Tulowitzki, COL: It took Troy Tulowitzki a mere 126 games to show the Colorado Rockies’ brass that he was ready to become the teams’ starting shortstop.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder played 22 games at High-A Modesto in his first season as a pro, pounding out 10 extra base-hits to go along with a solid .343 OBP, resulting in a .457 slugging percentage. The fast start led Tulowitzki, 21, to begin the 2006 campaign at Double-A Tulsa, where he hit 34 doubles and 13 homers, producing a .473 SLG to go with a .370 on-base clip. He never played a Triple-A game as his performance at Tulsa sent him straight to the Rockies’ dugout.

Tulowitzki has developed a reputation as both a threat at the dish and as a smooth-fielding shortstop. Expect him to maintain his steady approach on both ends during his rookie season in the big leagues.

Year   Team   Level   AB   H   2B   3B   HR   BB   K   AVG   OBP   SLG   OPS
2006   Tul   AA   423   123   34   2   13   46   71   .291   .370   .473   .843
2006   Col   MLB   96   23   2   0   1   10   25   .240   .318   .292   .609






















































 


2. Erick Aybar, LAA: Aybar, 22, has tormented pitchers at five minor league levels since signing with the Anaheim in 2002. Last season, he batted .283/.327/.413 in Triple-A Salt Lake with 32 stolen bases in 50 attempts (64.0%). He’ll need to improve his success rate on the base paths to get the green light consistently in the big leagues, but Aybar is very close to being an average major league shortstop.

The biggest strength in the Dominican native's game is his defense and he could have a lot to do with the position Brandon Wood ends up playing. Look for Aybar to make consistent enough contact to have some value in deeper formats next season.

Year   Team   Level   AB   H   2B   3B   HR   BB   K   AVG   OBP   SLG   OPS
2006   Slc   AAA   339   96   20   3   6   21   36   .283   .327   .413   .740
2006   Ari   MLB   40   10   1   1   0   0   8   .250   .250   .325   .575






















































 


3. Yunel Escobar, ATL: A bit of a dissapointment in his first full season, Escobar, who the Braves drafted in the second round of the 2005 draft after he deffected from Cuba, put together a specacular Arizona Fall League performance.

The 24-year-old hit .407/.463/.558 in 86 at-bats with the Peoria Javelinas -- talk about a great daily MiLB.com AFL Beat the Steak pick. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Escobar has a good middle infield build and a solid arm and glove to go along with it.

Atlanta asked him to stop his wild infield chatter and whisting last season, so "The Human Teapot" will have to find a new way to get into his opponents heads in 2007. If he can keep hitting like he did in Arizona, that will be enough.

Year   Team   Level   AB   H   2B   3B   HR   BB   K   AVG   OBP   SLG   OPS
2006   Mis   AA   428   113   21   4   2   59   77   .264   .361   .346   .707






















































 

Check back next week for our Top 3 Rookie Third Basemen.