Top 100 Under 25

by Project Prospect
August 31, 2007
At last, rankings that combine big leaguers, minor leaguers, and even college players
No.   Player   Pos   Notes   Age   Org   Level   Pre.
1   Miguel Cabrera   3B   Preseason No. 1 overall has surpased '06 HR total (26 vs. 30) in 94 fewer AB's   24   FLA   MLB   1 ↔
2   Prince Fielder   1B   Tied for MLB XBH lead (73: 32 2B, 2 3B, 39 HR); .281/.377/.599 through 481 at-bats 23   MIL   MLB   5 ↑
3   Hanley Ramirez   SS   Elite dual threat: runaway leader among SS's with .557 SLG; 23 HR, 42 SB as well 23   FLA   MLB   15 ↑
4   Jose Reyes   SS   SLG down after rising in each of first three seasons; 0.65 BB/K in '06, 1.05 in '07   24   NYM   MLB   12 ↑
5   Cole Hamels   LHP   6-foot-3, 190-pounder's throwing elbow feels good; eyes Sept. 3rd return to hill   23   PHI   MLB   16 ↑
6   David Wright   3B   Could go 30/30 this season; improving across the board; .309/.386/.529 (career)   24   NYM   MLB   4 ↓
7   Ryan Braun   3B   .331/.375/.639 pace (341 AB) would yield 48 HR 130 RBI over 162 game season   23   MIL   MLB   31 ↑
8   B.J. Upton   CF   We tried to remind you he was ready for a breakout in January; hope you listened   23   TB   MLB   52 ↑
9   Felix Hernandez   RHP   Hasn't dominated (.286 BAA, 1.40 WHIP), but excellent 3.29 K/BB, endless potential 21   SEA   MLB   3 ↓
10   Tim Lincecum   RHP   Little-known fact: selected in 42nd round by Indians in 2005 as draft-eligible soph   23   SF   MLB   38 ↑
11   Yovani Gallardo   RHP   Don't think twice about inconsistent start - electric stuff; 29.9% MLB K rate   21   MIL   MLB   39 ↑
12   Phil Hughes   RHP   Remember the preseason's no. 1 SP prospect? 1.22 MLB WHIP means you should   21   NYY   MLB   21 ↑
13   Joe Mauer   C   May not hit for power (.419 SLG), but will do everything else: .294 AVG, .388 OBP   24   MIN   MLB   2 ↓
14   Billy Butler   DH   Best DH prospect in history? Hasn't disappointed: .294/.351/.454 in 238 MLB AB   21   KC   MLB   27 ↑
15   Joba Chamberlain   RHP   Joba Mania is in full swing: 0.81 WHIP, 17 K vs. 5 BB through 1st 11.1 MLB innings   21   NYY   MLB   147 ↑
16   Justin Upton   OF   Reached big leagues in fewer AB than B.J.; hit .289/.375/.478 in 216 MiLB games   20   ARI   MLB   59 ↑
17   Jay Bruce   OF   Slugging fiend (47.9% XBH); .317/.373/.583 over 3 levels this season's campaign   20   CIN   AAA   47 ↑
18   Delmon Young   RF   Was a .317/.363/.517 minor leaguer, so .293/.324/.412 '07 MLB line is dissapointing   21   TB   MLB   6 ↓
19   Scott Kazmir   LHP   Strikeout artist has been just that: 25.5% K rate; needs to cut 2.76 BB/GS clip down   23   TB   MLB   14 ↓
20   Justin Verlander   RHP   2006 AL ROY continues to progress: 1.33 WHIP, 2.07 K/BB in '06, 1.24, 2.61 in '07   24   DET   MLB   17 ↓
21   Matt Cain   RHP   Plenty of K's (26.5%), plenty of walks (3.84 BB/9); latter falls and he becomes elite   22   SF   MLB   11 ↓
22   Clay Buchholz   RHP   Potential no. 1-2 starter has excellent secondary stuff; needs to prove his stamina   23   BOS   MLB   92 ↑
23   Russ Martin   C   Impressive .297/.381/.481 is all but overshadowed by 21 SB from behind the dish   24   LAD   MLB   46 ↑
24   Jeremy Bonderman   RHP   On pace to allow career high in HR; not going to finish anywhere near 200 K   24   DET   MLB   8 ↓
25   Brian McCann   C   What a difference a year makes: .333/.388/.572 in '06 vs. .273/.322/.475 in '07   23   ATL   MLB   13 ↓
26   Ryan Zimmerman   3B   BABIP is down a lot from '06 (.329 vs. .292); SLG is identical to last year (.471)   22   WAS   MLB   9 ↓
27   Alex Gordon   3B   Slowly turning it on: .273/.326/.511 in Aug., .492 SLG since break (just .358 prior)   23   KC   MLB   10 ↓
28   Francisco Liriano   LHP   Looks like he'll start pitching again around the beging of Nov. (recovering from TJ)   23   MIN   MLB   28 ↔
29   David Price   LHP   No. 1 overall draft pick in '07; K'd 38.2% of the hitters he faced this season in SEC   22   TB   NCAA   76 ↑
30   Troy Tulowitzki   SS   Tappin' the Rockies: .292/.362/.460 '07 MLB line after .286/.365/.470 MiLB career   22   COL   MLB   62 ↑
31   Colby Rasmus   CF   So long, sinus infection. Hello, Mr. August: .396/.487/.844; 52.3% XBH in 2007   21   STL   AA   66 ↑
32   Nick Markakis   RF   SB = fantasy improvement, but hasn't progressed as much as we expected overall 23   BAL   MLB   19 ↓
33   Evan Longoria   3B   Power dropping in AAA (.478 SLG); improved 18:21 BB:K making up for it (90 AB)   21   TB   AAA   26 ↓
34   Robinson Cano   2B   LD% is down from '06 while K% is up; still solidifying spot among top 2B in game   24   NYY   MLB   32 ↓
35   Jeff Francoeur   RF   33:107 BB:K is a steady improvement (23:132 in '06); constant SLG: .449 vs. .447   23   ATL   MLB   42 ↑
36   Matt Kemp   RF   His MLB (.328/.364/.520) & MiLB (.329/.374/.540) numbers = very similar this year   22   LAD   MLB   40 ↑
37   Chad Billingsley   RHP   Huge strikeout growth in 2nd MLB season: 21.9% K rate in '06 vs. 31.4% in '07   23   LAD   MLB   56 ↑
38   Chris Young   CF   0.29 BB/K is pretty scary, but he's a fantasy stud; shouldn't sniff NL ROY, though   23   ARI   MLB   33 ↓
39   Hunter Pence   CF   Would likely take home NL ROY honors with his .323/.354/.540 line if not for Braun   24   HOU   MLB   82 ↑
40   Cameron Maybin   OF   Reached bigs in less than 2 minor league seasons; .309/.396/.488 in 703 MiLB AB   20   DET   MLB   51 ↑
41   Fausto Carmona   RHP   2006 closer failure is now a successful SP; GB freak: 66.0%; 1.22 WHIP, .225 BAA 23   CLE   MLB   NR ↑
42   Jeremy Hermida   RF   Foster has Hermida as his AIM buddy icon; guy's producing at last: .285/.369/.495   23   FLA   MLB   25 ↓
43   Clayton Kershaw   LHP   Teenager has been overpowering: 31.8% K, .194 BAA in LoA and AA; 2.48 K/BB   19   LAD   AA   45 ↑
44   Travis Buck   RF   Translation to MLB has been amazing, though his injuries continue to be a concern   23   OAK   MLB   81 ↑
45   Stephen Drew   SS   .231/.307/.359 easily lands Drew among the season's biggest disappointments   24   ARI   MLB   18 ↓
46   James Loney   1B   After slow '07 AAA start, hitting as many LD in the bigs as he did last year in AAA   23   LAD   MLB   49 ↑
47   Jarrod Saltalamacchia C-1B   Some things smaller in Texas? He's just .241/.283/.380 at home since Teixeira trade 22   TEX   MLB   95 ↑
48   Lastings Milledge   OF   Performing better in MLB and MiLB than he did in '06; 0.26 MLB BB/K rate (301 AB)   22   NYM   MLB   54 ↑
49   Jered Weaver   RHP   2nd year player is struggling: 1.03 WHIP, 28.5% K rate in '06 vs. 1.38, 22.8% in '07   24   LAA   AAA   23 ↓
50   Adam Jones   CF   Career .291/.354/.476 minor leaguer will eventually translate his game to the bigs   22   SEA   MLB   80 ↑
51   Casey Kotchman   1B   Steadily becoming the player the Angels hoped he could be: .296/.364/.469 in '07   24   LAA   MLB   NR ↑
52   Pedro Alvarez   3B   What happens when pure strength, athleticism meet discipline and patience?   20   VAN   NCAA   103 ↑
53   Justin Smoak   1B   Switch-hitting power stroke yields comparisons to Chipper Jones on regular basis   20   SC   NCAA   NR ↑
54   Jacob McGee   LHP   2.63 K/BB in '06, 3.53 in '07; 30.8% K rate since start of '06; has no. 1-2 potential   21   TB   AA   75 ↑
55   Andrew Miller   LHP   Posted 0.90 WHIP, 4.8 K/BB in AA - where he should have spent majority of '07   22   DET   MLB   37 ↓
56   Brandon Wood   3B   LD rate up to 19% ('07) after 14% ('06); still, breakout candidate hasn't broken out   22   LAA   MLB   20 ↓
57   Rick Porcello   RHP   07's 27th overall pick may have gone as high as No. 2 without bonus demands   18   DET   HS   NR ↑
58   Homer Bailey   RHP   Fallen from grace in '07 (1.40 K/BB, 1.46 WHIP); still want him over Phil Hughes?   21   CIN   MLB   22 ↓
59   Felix Pie   CF   Too good for Triple-A (.410/.563), but isn't cutting it in the Majors: .214/.272/.340   22   CHC   MLB   85 ↑
60   Andy LaRoche   3B   Produces when healthy; injuries continue to be a big problem + he'll be 24 on 9/13   23   LAD   MLB   30 ↓
61   Andrew McCutchen   CF   Hasn't had the breakout impact that was expected: .263/.328/.386 in AAA/AA   20   PIT   AAA   57 ↓
62   Johnny Cueto   RHP   5'10'', 198-pounder w/ dynamic stuff who pitched well last year, too; just got hated on 21   CIN   AAA   NR ↑
63   Rickie Weeks   2B   Plenty of potential, but has never collected more than 360 at-bats in a season   24   MIN   MLB   53 ↓
64   Melky Cabrera   OF   Solid bet to be an slightly-above big leaguer for next 5-10 yrs; 0.73 BB/K in 2007   23   NYY   MLB   78 ↑
65   Reid Brignac   SS   Preseason's hot, slugging SS has cooled off: .376/.539 in '06 vs. .325/.433 in '07   21   TB   AA   60 ↓
66   Travis Snider   RF   His MWL success is similar to Bruce's; strong athlete with lots of power potential   19   TOR   A   88 ↑
67   Howie Kendrick   2B   Injuries, stagnent 9:45 BB to K (9:44 in '06) aren't helping his transition to the bigs   24   LAA   MLB   43 ↓
68   Jeff Clement   C   Making strides in AAA, but his .259/.350/.430 line against RHP is very worrisome   24   SEA   AAA   89 ↑
69   Matt Wieters   C   Power-hitting catcher posted an advanced 51:37 BB to K clip at GA Tech in '07   21   BAL   NCAA   96 ↑
70   Brian Matusz   LHP   6'4'', 195-pounder has power aresnal & control, composure; big '08 draft prospect   20   SD   NCAA   111 ↑
71   Matt Garza   RHP   07 MLB line (1.42 WHIP, 18.6% K) is only mild improvement from '06 (1.70, 16.4%)   23   MIN   MLB   55 ↓
72   Carlos Gonzalez   RF   Powerful lefty took about 350 AB to adjust to AA; now .287/.333/.470 overall in '07   21   ARI   AAA   58 ↓
73   Asdrubal Cabrera   2B   Has range, bat (.380/.448 MilB) to do well at SS; translates to high-end MLB 2B   21   CLE   MLB   NR ↑
74   Fernando Martinez   OF   Respectable in AA; had to end season w/ (wrist); his recovery could take a while   18   NYM   AA   61 ↓
75   Mike Moustakas   3B   The 2nd overall pick in the 2007 Draft; offers as much power as any recent draftee 18   KC   R   NR ↑
76   Dustin Pedroia   2B   Underdog is surprising; .315/.388/.435 in '07 (MLB), .308/.392/.454 career MiLB   24   BOS   MLB   118 ↑
77   Jonathan Broxton   RHP   His '07 season is on par with his '06 - and less HR; solid bet to continue dominance   23   LAD   MLB   90 ↑
78   Wladimir Balentien   LF   Has really fallen off since All-Star break: .328/.397/.596 vs. .209.282/.328   23   SEA   AAA   NR ↑
79   Joel Zumaya   RHP   Finger injury was significant concern; 20.2% K, .205 BAA ('07), 27.7%, .187 in '06   22   DET   MLB   73 ↓
80   Will Inman   RHP   Had a solid 50% GB rate in AA-Huntsville; 26% in San Antonio; 26.7% K, 3.00 K/BB 20   SD   AA   126 ↑
81   Chris Marrero   LF   Has 22 HR this year after hitting 0 in GCL last year (81 AB); .277/.341/.486 in A/A+   19   WAS   AA   NR ↑
82   Jason Heyward   RF   6'4'', 220-pound specimen; .302/.354/.488 through 43 pro AB; '07's 14th overall pick 18   ATL   R   NR ↑
83   Josh Vitters   3B   Likely 2008 assignment in MWL could be a tough one for 2007's no. 3 overall pick   18   CHC   SS   NR ↑
84   Angel Villalona   3B   Wonder kid holds crazy 35.1% XBH rate, .450 SLG - unheard of for his age/level   17   SF   R   NR ↑
85   Beau Mills   1B   Legit slugger has already advanced to his 3rd MiLB level; 42.4% XBH in 228 AB's   21   CLE   A+   NR ↑
86   Jarrod Parker   RHP   6-foot-2, 175-pounder went no. 9 overall in '07; features plus fastball, electric stuff   19   ARI   HS   NR ↑
87   Huston Street   RHP   Stuff isn't the question with him (.210 career BAA); durability remains the question   23   OAK   MLB   74 ↓
88   Gio Gonzalez   LHP   K artist has been just that - 30.3% K, 3.25 K/BB, .216 BAA - in 27 starts this year   21   CHW   AA   143 ↑
89   Ian Kennedy   RHP   29.1% K, 3.26 K/BB, 1.00 WHIP between AAA/AA/A+ in first professional season   22   NYY   MLB   NR ↑
90   Josh Fields   3B   Holds 288 MLB AB's in '07 - solid power (.458 SLG), little else (.240 AVG .292 OBP) 24   CHW   MLB   109 ↑
91   Michael Bowden   RHP   Middle-of-the-rotation talent; adjusting slowly/surely; 21.7% K, 3.1 K/BB, .259 BAA   20   BOS   AA   130 ↑
92   Neil Walker   3B   Has hit a brick wall in AAA: .184/.259/.224 in 49 AB's (.288/.362/.462 prior in AA)   21   PIT   AAA   123 ↑
93   Lars Anderson   1B   Signed for top 50 overall pick bonus in '06; powerful hitter who walks and K's a lot   19   BOS   A+   NR ↑
94   Wade Davis   RHP   Not standing out as much in AA; 27.1% K last year in LoA, 23.2% this year in AA   21   TB   AA   NR ↑
95   Joakim Soria   RHP   Youthful closer has electric stuff, stats to back it: 1.02 WHIP, .197 BAA, 3.33 K/BB   23   KC   MLB   NR ↑
96   Brett Anderson   LHP   55th overall pick in '06 still has a lot to prove, but 24.8% K, 6.1 K/BB is a solid start   19   ARI   A+   NR ↑
97   Carlos Triunfel   SS   Just 6 months older than Villalona; already in High-A (.292/.340/.359 in 195 AB's)   17   SEA   A+   NR ↑
98   Eric Hurley   RHP   Has been able to succeed in AAA; may take a while to transition to MLB, though   21   TEX   AAA   128 ↑
99   Carlos Gomez   OF   Currently rehabbing broken wrist in the FSL; .303/.333, 9-11 SB in 42 MLB games   21   NYM   MLB   108 ↑
100   Deolis Guerra   RHP   High-ceiling Venezuelan continues to perform, but injuries are becoming concerning 18   NYM   A+   105 ↑
Honorables: Joey Votto (CIN), Daric Barton (OAK), Elvis Andrus (TEX), Matt Antonelli (SD), Matt LaPorta (MIL), and Tyler Robertson (MIN).
Graduated (final ranking): Grady Sizemore (7), Adrian Gonzalez (24), Carlos Quentin (29), Conor Jackson (36), Jason Kubel (41),    
Tom Gorzelanny (68), Ian Kinsler (83), J.J. Hardy (106), Jhonny Peralta (107), Paul Maholm (113), and Shin-Soo Choo (132).        
* Our rankings combine a player's ceiling with the odds that he'll reach it and favor recent production as well as draft position or signing bonus
** Ages are as of August 31st, 2007                
*** Level is the highest level the player has reached                
**** Pre. is the player's rankings from our March 24th Top 150 Under 25                
                             
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