Draft prep: Preseason Top 100 prospects

Feb. 13, 2008
By Eric Mack
Senior Fantasy Writer
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Continuing past our Top 25 rookies to watch this spring, we outline the Top 100 prospects to watch. Lists such as this one have become more and more pertinent in recent years as teams are eschewing costly midseason trades in order to give chances to their lower-level farm hands. We also have links for separate lists in AL-only and NL-only Fantasy leagues.

We guarantee not all of these players will appear in the majors this season -- and we certainly left out some names who will surprise -- but use this list as a guide to help you find hidden gems in deeper long-term keeper leagues. We rank them based on their projected contributions in Fantasy this year only, taking the younger and raw prospects' talent and hype in consideration as well.

Note: All players on this list remain rookie eligible, according to official MLB rules, meaning they have less than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days of service time in the major leagues.

CBSSports.com's preseason Top 100 prospects
Rk	Player	TM	Age	Pos	2007 high	Destination
1	Evan Longoria	TB	22	3B	Triple-A	Majors
Scouts from Arizona Fall League see him hitting 30 homers this year.
2	Clay Buchholz	BOS	23	RHP	Majors	Majors
Curt Schilling's shoulder problem cuts a clear path for him in Red Sox rotation.
3	Jay Bruce	CIN	20	OF	Triple-A	Triple-A
Might not start year in majors, but "next Larry Walker" will get a chance soon enough.
4	Joba Chamberlain	NYY	22	RHP	Majors	Majors
We would rank him higher if we could be sure he won't merely be a setup man.
5	Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	24	OF	Majors	Majors
Might not be as good as we saw in September, but he is a 40-steal candidate if he starts.
6	Cameron Maybin	FLA	20	OF	Majors	Majors
Initially will contribute in steals, but he is an elite talent with 40-40 potential long term.
7	Ian Kennedy	NYY	23	RHP	Majors	Majors
His minor league numbers were even better than Phil Hughes or Chamberlain's last year.
8	Geovany Soto	CHC	25	C	Majors	Majors
Triple-A MVP's numbers came out of nowhere, but they were so good you have to take notice.
9	Brandon Wood	LAA	23	3B	Majors	Majors
Angels cleared shortstop spot to make room for him, if not on opening day then soon enough.
10	Andy LaRoche	LAD	24	3B	Majors	Majors
Dodgers say he will enter spring on equal ground with Nomar Garciaparra for starting 3B job.
11	Joey Votto	CIN	24	1B	Majors	Majors
Great OPS bat has wide-open shot in a great hitter's park, but he plays a competitive position.
12	Kosuke Fukudome	CHC	30	OF	Japan	Majors
Import is a well-rounded outfielder the Cubs are paying a lot of money to produce.
13	Colby Rasmus	CIN	21	OF	Double-A	Majors
Some in Cards organization believe he is capable of handling the huge jump from Double-A.
14	Daric Barton	OAK	22	1B	Majors	Majors
A's say he will have first shot at starting 1B job over disappointing Dan Johnson this spring.
15	Franklin Morales	COL	22	LHP	Majors	Majors
Stretch run was great, but he won't have a certain rotation spot like Ubaldo Jimenez does.
16	Homer Bailey	CIN	21	RHP	Majors	Majors
Talent is as good as anyone's but has some significant development steps to take still.
17	Chase Headley	SD	23	3B	Majors	Majors
Move to outfield should give him a great chance to open year in San Diego's starting lineup.
18	Carlos Gonzalez	OAK	22	OF	Triple-A	Majors
He might not be ready to star, but the rebuilding A's might need him ready to start.
19	Ian Stewart	COL	22	3B	Majors	Majors
If we were certain he can handle the defensive switch to second, he would be in the top 10.
20	Matt Antonelli	SD	22	2B	Double-A	Triple-A
A year behind Headley, but we wouldn't doubt he could open the year in LF in San Diego.
21	Hiroki Kuroda	LAD	33	RHP	Japan	Majors
Reports say he can throw mid-90s with outstanding command. He's old, but at least intriguing.
22	Steve Pearce	PIT	24	1B/OF	Majors	Majors
His bat is ready, but he needs a position. The Pirates need to play guys like Pearce.
23	J.R. Towles	HOU	24	C	Majors	Majors
Astros are ready to hand the position over full time to this future top-10 Fantasy catcher.
24	David Price	TB	22	LHP	College	Double-A
2007 No. 1 overall pick might be getting a look to open pro career in majors ... wow!
25	Aaron Laffey	CLE	22	LHP	Majors	Majors
Has potential to start for a top contender, but Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers are still around.
26	Gio Gonzalez	OAK	22	LHP	Double-A	Majors
Minor league strikeout leader should have a great chance to start for rebuilding A's out of gate.
27	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	20	LHP	Double-A	Double-A
Scouts are unanimous on his high ceiling, but he is just too young to consider for '08.
28	Adam Miller	CLE	23	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
Elite prospect was throwing 100 MPH last spring but missed out on call-up due to elbow.
29	Jake McGee	TB	21	LHP	Double-A	Double-A
Any other organization would have him as a No. 5 starter candidate. Rays will be patient.
30	Wade Davis	TB	22	RHP	Double-A	Double-A
Four Rays among our top 30 prospects and Davis is the third pitcher. This is a serious system.
31	Shelley Duncan	NYY	28	DH	Majors	Majors
Power is pretty obvious, but Baseball America doesn't think much of him.
32	Manny Parra	MIL	25	LHP	Majors	Majors
If he wins a rotation spot out of spring training, move him into the top 25 rookies portion.
33	Carlos Carrasco	PHI	21	RHP	Double-A	Triple-A
If he gets a chance to start for the Phils in '08, look out for some potentially huge dividends.
34	Wladimir Balentien	SEA	23	OF	Majors	Majors
We give him a pretty good chance of making Mariners as a reserve outfielder.
35	Nick Adenhart	LAA	21	RHP	Double-A	Triple-A
He will be just one call away from starting for one of the best teams in baseball.
36	Reid Brignac	TB	22	SS	Double-A	Triple-A
Poor showing in Arizona Fall League forced Rays to trade for Jason Bartlett to start at SS.
37	Johnny Cueto	CIN	22	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
It shouldn't take much for him to get a look. If he opens in rotation, he is a top-20 guy.
38	Andrew McCutchen	PIT	21	OF	Double-A	Triple-A
Looks like another Lastings Milledge to us; can arrive soon but star later down the road.
39	Max Scherzer	ARI	23	RHP	Double-A	Triple-A
'06 No. 1 pick had solid first pro season and has a good shot at ending in D-Backs' rotation.
40	Jordan Schafer	ATL	21	OF	High Class A	Double-A
Not candidate to open year in CF for Atlanta, but we like his chances of finishing there.
41	Travis Snider	TOR	20	OF	Low Class A	High Class A
Our first Class A player on this list, which means his ceiling is high but still far away.
42	Eric Hurley	TEX	22	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
We like his chances of making his debut, but Texas' history with pitching prospects is poor.
43	Christopher Marrero	WAS	20	1B	High Class A	High Class A
Age will keep him from making a huge impact this year, but he could rise quickly.
44	Jair Jurrjens	ATL	22	RHP	Majors	Triple-A
If he winds up in Braves rotation to start the season, you should move him into the top 20.
45	Radhames Liz	BAL	25	RHP	Majors	Triple-A
Hard thrower could use time in Triple-A to become a pitcher, but can O's afford that?
46	Troy Patton	BAL	22	LHP	Majors	Majors
As a teenager was viewed as a potential Hall of Famer. Might be O's No. 5 starter.
47	Collin Balester	WAS	21	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
It won't take much for the Nats' closest pitching prospect to earn rotation spot.
48	Jeff Clement	SEA	24	C	Majors	Majors
Kenji Johjima's veteran presence on contender holds elite catching talent back ... for now.
49	Brandon Jones	ATL	24	OF	Majors	Majors
Might start year as reserve with Braves, but he lacks real power or steals potential.
50	Jayson Nix	COL	25	2B	Triple-A	Triple-A
Reports may have him ahead of Stewart for starting 2B job, but we obviously like Ian more.
51	Philip Humber	MIN	25	RHP	Majors	Triple-A
Drafted among the elite, higher than all but Justin Verlander, in famed 2004 pitcher draft.
52	Kevin Mulvey	MIN	22	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
Groundball pitcher who doesn't give up homers should outpitch his stuff in big leagues.
53	Jeff Niemann	TB	25	RHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
Mountain of a pitcher should get a look before Rays more elite prospects in first half.
54	Luke Hochevar	KC	24	RHP	Majors	Triple-A
Former No. 1 overall pick likely needs to dominate minors before he starts for Royals.
55	Taylor Teagarden	TEX	24	C	Double-A	Triple-A
Awesome power at his position but Rangers are committed to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
56	William Inman	SD	21	RHP	Double-A	Double-A
Key piece in the Scott Linebrink to Brewers deal has struggled above Class A so far.
57	Brett Anderson	OAK	20	LHP	Low Class A	High Class A
This might wind up being the best chip the A's got in the Dan Haren blockbuster.
58	Glen Perkins	MIN	25	LHP	Majors	Triple-A
Starting last year in Twins' bullpen proved to set him back a year or two.
59	Nick Blackburn	MIN	26	RHP	Majors	Triple-A
Lack of knockout stuff could hold him back to Triple-A, but he should get a look in '08.
60	Chris Volstad	FLA	21	RHP	Double-A	Double-A
The rebuilding Marlins won't need to see much more of him before they call him up.
61	Chuck Lofgren	CLE	22	LHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
Indians have too many options in front of Lofgren, but few of them have more talent.
62	Ross Detwiler	WAS	22	LHP	Majors	High Class A
Sixth overall pick should be watched for potentially huge second-half dividends.
63	Matt LaPorta	MIL	23	OF	Low Class A	Double-A
Seventh overall pick in '07 draft has great bat that won't need much seasoning in minors.
64	Sean Rodriguez	LAA	22	SS	Double-A	Triple-A
If Angels' Wood falters, this power-hitting shortstop will be there to pick up pieces.
65	Joe Savery	PHI	22	LHP	Low Class A	High Class A
Rice product shouldn't need much time in minors, so Phils may give him look late.
66	Gaby Hernandez	FLA	21	RHP	Double-A	Triple-A
Another pitcher the rebuilding Marlins will give a look to far sooner than others would.
67	Greg Smith	OAK	24	LHP	Triple-A	Triple-A
"Crafty" lefty should make a good deal of starts for an A's team searching for talent.
68	Garrett Olson	BAL	24	LHP	Majors	Triple-A
Another lefty whose minor league numbers exceed his reported "stuff" and hype.
69	Justin Masterson	BOS	22	RHP	Double-A	Triple-A
Red Sox might give him a look to be a Chamberlain-like setup man in second half.
70	German Duran	TEX	23	2B	Double-A	Triple-A
Power at second base makes him a top-notch candidate to surprise in second half.
71	Chris Davis	TEX	22	3B	Double-A	Double-A
Masher combined for 36 homers last season in minors and could get late look.
72	Humberto Sanchez	NYY	24	RHP	DNP -- injury	High Class A
Won't be healthy for start of season after Tommy John surgery, but could surprise.
73	Neil Walker	PIT	22	3B	Triple-A	Triple-A
His numbers would have played a lot better at catcher than at third base.
74	Michael Bowden	BOS	21	RHP	Double-A	Double-A
He might have a better chance to reach majors elsewhere after midseason trade.
75	Desmond Jennings	TB	21	OF	Low Class A	High Class A
Ability to get on base and potentially become a 50-SB threat make him intriguing in Roto.
76	Matt Harrison	TEX	22	LHP	Double-A	Triple-A
Trade-deadline acquisition just has to prove healthy, but Texas will need him in '08.
77	Joe Mather	STL	25	OF	Triple-A	Triple-A
Third-rounder from '01 has been in system a while, but peaked with 31 HRs last year.
78	Brent Lillibridge	ATL	24	SS	Triple-A	Triple-A
Figures to be fall-back option if Yunel Escobar falters or gets injured in first full season.
79	Nolan Reimold	BAL	24	OF	Double-A	Triple-A
Rebuilding O's will likely go to him before he's ready, but he looks solid long term.
80	Jed Lowrie	BOS	23	SS	Triple-A	Triple-A
If Julio Lugo has another stinker, we could see powerful Stanford product take over.
81	Fernando Martinez	NYM	19	OF	Double-A	Double-A
Injuries and being rushed up the Mets' chain have kept him from posting good numbers.
82	Austin Jackson	NYY	21	OF	Triple-A	Double-A
One of the pieces the Yankees demanded hanging on to in Johan Santana trade talks.
83	Brett Sinkbiel	FLA	23	RHP	High Class A	Double-A
First-round pick has to get over nagging injuries, but Marlins won't be afraid to advance him.
84	Bill Rowell	BAL	19	3B	Low Class A	High Class A
Disappointing first full pro season has taken some of the luster off elite high school pick.
85	Matt Wieters	BAL	21	C	College	High Class A
Until the catcher makes his official pro debut we can't consider him a true Fantasy target.
86	Chin-Lung Hu	LAD	24	SS	Majors	Triple-A
Could develop into .300 hitter in majors and might be Rafael Furcal's successor.
87	Deolis Guerra	MIN	18	RHP	High Class A	High Class A
Among the prospects in the Santana deal, he has the best chance to be great.
88	Daniel Cortes	KC	21	RHP	High Class A	Double-A
Great first full season in Royals system has him moving up team's prospect radar.
89	Chris Coghlan	FLA	22	2B	High Class A	Double-A
Power at second could help Marlins deal off much older Dan Uggla for more prospects.
90	Jose Tabata	NYY	19	OF	High Class A	Double-A
We don't see it yet, but scouts love his high ceiling, so we will watch one more year.
91	Lars Anderson	BOS	20	1B	Low Class A	High Class A
Baseball America is predicting some huge numbers this year for this slugger.
92	Jason Heyward	ATL	18	OF	Low Class A	Low Class A
An outstanding debut has toolsy high school draftee high on Braves' prospect radar.
93	Mike Moustakas	KC	19	SS	Low Class A	Low Class A
2007 first-rounder is too far from the majors to consider outside of keeper formats.
94	Josh Vitters	CHC	18	3B	Low Class A	Low Class A
Another '07 first-rounder who could arrive quickly but won't impact Fantasy this year.
95	Elvis Andrus	TEX	19	SS	High Class A	High Class A
Piece in Mark Teixeira deal has drawn Edgar Renteria comparisons, but is too far away.
96	Rick Porcello	DET	19	RHP	High school	Low Class A
Slipped due to signability, but he needs to debut spectacularly to have any chance soon.
97	Angel Villalona	SF	17	3B	Low Class A	Low Class A
Scouts and Baseball America love his high ceiling, so that's enough for us.
98	Tim Alderson	SF	19	RHP	Low Class A	Low Class A
6-foot-7 prospect throws in low-90s but you should expect more power to come.
99	Jarrod Parker	ARI	19	RHP	High school	Low Class A
Baseball America has compared him to Scott Kazmir and Tim Lincecum, wow!
100	Carlos Triunfel	SEA	18	SS	High Class A	High Class A
Power hasn't developed and he is far too raw and far away to project for Fantasy yet.

You can e-mail us your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Top 100 prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state.

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Eric Mack

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