it. Dominated his time in the Cal League. Oh yeah, he won't turn 20 till
October.
2. Conor Jackson LF Lancaster Jethawks- High profile college bat lived up
to hype in first half of first full season of pro ball. Was promoted along with his
middle of the lineup teamates to AA @ the end of the first half. Defense in LF
is irrelevant.
3. Felix Hernandez RHP Inland Empire 66ers- 18 year old righty with
explosive mid 90's FB, hammer curve and solid feel for pitching. Cal League
hitters won't have to deal with him in the second half as he was promoted to
AA San Antonio.
4. Ubaldo Jimenez RHP Visalia Oaks- Similar repertoire to Hernandez, pure
stuff a tiny notch below but makes up for it with a more advanced approach.
Back injury took him out of the spotlight.
5. Jeff Salazar CF Visalia Oaks- Classic overachiever who has some solid
tools to go along with a plus plus approach. Does everything you could ask
for out of a CF prospect.
6. Erick Aybar SS Rancho Cucamonga Quakes- Flashy shortstop has big
league defensive tools to go along with big league hand eye skills @ plate.
Getting bigger appears to be only roadblock.
7. John Hudgins RHP Stockton Ports- Polished college righty outpitched and
outsmarted hitters in the Cal League. Solid middle to back of rotation guy.
Nothing flashy just wins.
8. Fred Lewis CF San Jose Giants- Plays a big league center field right now
and bat is progressing nicely.
9. Carlos Quentin RF Lancaster Jethawks- Bret Boone approach at plate has
served him well so far. Arm strength looks better than ever after TJ.
10. Manny Parra LHP High Desert Mavericks- High profile D&F sign
making good on big investment. Advanced feel to go along with solid stuff
from the left side.
11. Jeff Baker 3B Visalia Oaks- Power bat, Power arm. Not quite as
polished as some of the bats ahead of him on this list but a good ceiling.
12. Vince Sinisi LF Stockton Ports- Steady line drive approach. Doesn't have
the ceiling of some of the hitters in the league but looks to me like the safest
bet to hit with no extended slumps. Season cut short by broken arm, was on
pace for a second half promotion.
13. Jamie D'Antona 3B Lancaster Jethawks- Very similar toolbox to Jeff
Baker. Will prob. end up across diamond. Bat should play @ 1st.
14. Joe Saunders LHP Rancho Cucamonga Quakes- Polished lefty isn't
moving quite as quick as expected. Still has solid big league career ahead of
him.
15. Steven Shell RHP Rancho Cucamonga Quakes- Pure stuff to go along
with good command. Repeating Cal League this year, should see AA
sometime this year.
16. Omar Quintanilla SS Modesto A's- Hitting and defense both improved
notably as the 1st half went on. Should be next guy off Modesto to get
bumped up.
17. Joaquin Arias SS Stockton Ports- Toolsy shortstop makes gd barrel
contact and shows plus athleticism, body control, hands and arm in the field.
18. Rene Rivera C Inland Empire 66ers- Top catcher in league has solid
catch and throw skills to go along with a developing bat. Will prob. move a
level/year.
19. Juan Senreiso CF Stockton Ports- Toolsy CF has plus arm strength and
raw offensive tools. Learning how to play the game.
20. Bobby Livingston LHP Inland Empire 66ers- Crafty lefty with below avg.
stuff has some of the best pitchability in the league.
Just missing the top 20......
Nelson Cruz
Michael Napoli
Brant Colamarino
Mike Prochaska
Special Mention Category....
Sam Walton LHP Bakersfield Blaze- Maybe the best stuff in the league,
comes from the left side. Struggles to throw strikes at times. 25 years old and
has been nagged by arm problems. Near big league ready but not a true
prospect in the sense of the word but a guy who still may have a big league
future ahead of him.
