Watch MLB.com's 2006 Post-season Top 50 Prospects Show
The season is long over, all the votes are in and we're ready to hit you with our 2006 post-season Top 50 prospect rankings.
These end-of-season rankings come courtesy of 17 members of the scouting community and MiLB.com. The results were tabulated in an AP poll-type format: Any prospect listed No. 1 got 30 points, No. 2 got 29 and on down to one. The cumulative score for each player helped determine the final rankings. Each prospect's score can be seen in parentheses.
The only parameters set for the participants is that a prospect must still have rookie status heading into the 2007 season to be included on this list. That's why you won't see Francisco Liriano or Stephen Drew on this list. Any other Minor Leaguer, from Triple-A players knocking on the door to recent draftees just getting started, were eligible for the rankings.
They say change is good. Let's hope so, since this post-season Top 50 is vastly different than the one we had before the season began. The combination of players graduating to the big leagues and prospects playing their way on or off the list led to just 20 players on the preseason list remaining in the Top 50.
The best thing about this list is the debate it stirs. Undoubtedly, there are prospects you believe should be on this list that didn't make the cut. That's what the email address below is for. Don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts about the rankings (you usually don't). Happy reading!
Stats are from the 2006 season |
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Jump to a ranking: 1-10 |
11-20 |
21-30 |
31-40 |
41-50
1
Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays (491)
2006 stats: [AAA] .316 BA/ .341 OBP/ .474 SLG [TB] .317 BA/ .336 OBP/ .476 SLG
2006 Club: Durham/Tampa Bay ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: 1
The bat-throwing incident clearly hurt his rep a bit, though acting as a perfect citizen after his Sept. callup helped restore it some. He's still the most talented player in the Minors.
2
Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals (479)
2006 stats: [AA] .325 BA/ .427 OBP/ .588 SLG
2006 Club: Wichita ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: 13
Many polled had Gordon in the top spot, and for good reason. He showed surprising speed to go along with expected power and should push Mark Teahen soon.
3
Homer Bailey, RHP, Reds (407)
2006 stats: 10-6, 2.47 ERA, 138.2 IP, 99 H, 50 BB, 156 K
2006 Club: Sarasota/Chattanooga ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: 32
The top pitcher on the list really took off in 2006, especially after a promotion to Double-A. The Reds did well not to push him to the bigs too soon, but he should get there at some point next season.
4
Phil Hughes, RHP, Yankees (395)
2006 stats: 12-6, 2.16 ERA, 146.0 IP, 92 H, 34 BB, 168 K
2006 Club: Tampa/Trenton ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: 30
Kudos to the Yanks for not dealing Hughes with everyone calling about him. Now, combined with newly acquired Humberto Sanchez, they've got a 1-2 punch in the making.
5
Brandon Wood, SS, Angels (381)
2006 stats: [AA] .276 BA/ .355 OBP/ .552 SLG
2006 Club: Arkansas ETA in Majors: 2008 2006 Pre-season Rank: 3
There was no way he could duplicate his 2005 numbers, but he still was extremely good as a young regular in Double-A. The Angels can afford to let him spend a full year in Triple-A if needed.
6
Cameron Maybin, OF, Tigers (334)
2006 stats: [A] .304 BA/ .387 OBP/ .457 SLG
2006 Club: West Michigan ETA in Majors: 2008 2006 Pre-season Rank: NR
Despite battling some injuries, Maybin had a very successful first season, capping it off with a Midwest League title. A jump to Double-A next season puts him on the fast track.
7
Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks (315)
2006 stats: [A] .263 BA/ .343 OBP/ .413 SLG
2006 Club: South Bend ETA in Majors: 2009 2006 Pre-season Rank: 7
Perhaps Upton didn't have the kind of season expected of the No. 1 overall pick, but he didn't fall flat on his face, either. Look for the performance to catch up to the tools beginning in 2007.
8
Jay Bruce, OF, Reds (236)
2006 stats: [A] .291 BA/ .355 OBP/ .516 SLG
2006 Club: Dayton ETA in Majors: 2009 2006 Pre-season Rank: NR
It's hard not to like the numbers Bruce put up in his first full season. Then think about how quickly the 42 doubles will turn into homers and Reds fans really have something to be excited about.
9
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies (229)
2006 stats: [AA] .290 BA/ .370 OBP/ .473 SLG [COL] .240 BA/ .318 OBP/ .292 SLG
2006 Club: Tulsa/Colorado ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: 37
Drafted in the hopes he'd move quickly, he did just that, debuting in Double-A and ending in the big leagues. He should be the Rockies starting shortstop on Opening Day.
10
Yovani Gallardo, RHP, Brewers (220)
2006 stats: 11-5, 1.86 ERA, 155.0 IP, 104 H, 51 BB, 188 K
2006 Club: Brevard County/Huntsville ETA in Majors: 2007 2006 Pre-season Rank: NR
Gallardo passed up fellow Brewer Mark Rogers on their depth chart and became one of the top arms in MiLB by pitching well at two levels. He may not have the pure power stuff of others, but the results will be there.
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