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06/28/2006 10:47 AM ET
U.S. corners stocked with first-round picks
Braun, Fields, Gordon and Koshansky take field at Futures Game
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
Wichita's Alex Gordon is one of four U.S. corner infielders that will play in the 2006 Futures Game. (Shawn Davis)

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A trio of third baseman, all former first-round picks, and a slugging first baseman who plays as if he were chosen in the first round. That's what folks gearing up for the 2006 XM Satellite Radio Futures Game have to look forward to at the corners of the United States infield.

They hit for power, they hit for average, and they've even shown some speed. But will they be a factor when game time rolls around? The pitchers on the World squad certainly hope not. Here's a better look at the foursome with which they will have to contend.

Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
The Brewers' top pick in the 2005 draft was named to the Florida State League All-Star team and a few days after the Midseason Classic was promoted to Double-A Huntsville of the Southern League.

Braun hit .274 for Brevard County, connecting for seven homers and driving in 27 runs. He's also shown flashes of speed this season, stealing 14 bases with the Manatees.

But success hasn't come as quickly against tougher competition. Braun had only two hits through 14 at-bats with Huntsville and has fanned seven times. Some have compared him to David Wright, who, when he was in Braun's position, was being compared to Scott Rolen.

As Wright was, he's still a bit raw defensively. His 15 errors were second most among third basemen in the FSL at the time of his promotion. But his defense, like Wright's, figures to improve with time. He'll probably remain in Huntsville through the end of the season, but by this time next year don't be surprised if he's in Milwaukee rounding out one of the best young infields in the game.

Josh Fields, Chicago White Sox
The former Oklahoma State quarterback has surged ahead this season, making the kind of progress at the plate the Sox had hoped for when they made him their top pick in 2004.

He's hitting .328 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs through 66 games after coming into this season with a .263 average in one and a half seasons of Minor League ball. He's in the top 10 in the International League in average, hits, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and runs scored. Fields also has 14 steals, a nice compliment to an impressive offense.

Fields' eight errors tie him for third-most among league third baseman, but his glove is more than adequate and he has shown improvement since last season. It's becoming apparent that he has little left to prove down below and should get a September call-up at least. At most, the Sox will promote him beforehand in hopes of having him available for the postseason.

Alex Gordon, Kansas City
The No. 2 pick in last year's draft got a late start after not signing until the 2005 Minor League season had come to an end. So, after playing for only a few weeks in the Arizona Fall League, Gordon wasn't able to fully take aim at pro ball until this spring. If anyone was expecting him to have a rude welcoming, guess again.

The former Nebraska star has continued what he started with the Cornhuskers in Double-A Wichita, putting forth a strong effort in the middle of the lineup. His average has hovered around .300 all season and though he's slumped of late, Gordon was still hitting .299 through 67 games.

He also had 10 homers, 32 RBIs and has flashed some speed, stealing 16 bases, which was good enough for fourth in the Texas League. His seven errors put him in the middle of the pack among league third basemen, but his 201 total chances are tops for the position. There has been some talk that at some point he'll move to first base, but that shouldn't happen any time soon. The only move he'll be making will be to Triple-A Omaha or Kansas City.

Joe Koshansky, Colorado
The only non first-rounder in the bunch, Koshansky certainly hasn't been hampered by his sixth-round status in the 2004 draft. If anything, it probably helped the slugger, who worked in relative anonymity last season en route to clubbing 38 home runs while driving in 115 runs.

He's got no such identity problems this season, though, clubbing 19 homers and driving in 58 through 72 games at Double-A Tulsa. A promotion to Triple-A Colorado Springs shouldn't be too far off for Koshansky, who was also hitting .309 overall and .378 with runners in scoring position. Throw in the fact that he's hitting .340 with runners on and two men out and "big-time performer" seems to be a moniker Koshansky carries well.

He's Todd Helton's heir apparent and while he won't be taking over any time soon at Coors Field, rest assured the Rockies will find somewhere for a bat like that when he arrives. His seven errors ties him for tops among Texas League first basemen, but he does have a .990 fielding percentage and was tops with 675 total chances handled.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.