Top 10 First Base Prospects

by Chuck Dieringer

1. Prince Fielder -- Milwaukee Brewers

Prince's big-time power puts him on the short list for 2006 Rookie of the Year candidates. As long as weight issues don't come into play, he should not have much trouble developing 40-homer power within the next couple seasons.

2. Daric Barton -- Oakland Athletics

Tremendous approach at the plate, a posterboy for Billy Beane's philosophy. May see big league debut by September, should be a regular in 2007. Not the kind of power expected from the position, but his gap power should develop into 20-25 home runs with a .300+ average and .400+ on-base percentage.

3. Conor Jackson -- Arizona Diamondbacks

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
24	Triple-A	333	.354	38	2	8	69	32	.457	.553
	Majors	85	.200	3	0	2	12	11	.303	.306

Similar hitter as Barton, should hit better than .300 with phenomenal OBP. Has been a doubles monster in the minor leagues which could result in 20 homers per season in the Majors. He'll get substantial playing time this year with the Diamondbacks, although sharing the position with Tony Clark.

4. Ryan Garko -- Cleveland Indians

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	Triple-A	452	.303	25	3	19	44	92	.384	.498
	Majors	1	.000	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000

Garko has better home run power than Barton or Jackson, but not nearly the quality approach. Whereas Barton & Jackson are 2 or 3 hitters in the lineup, Garko is a more typical first baseman offensively, likely to hit in a run-producing spot in the order.

5. Kendry Morales -- Los Angeles Angels

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	High-A	90	.344	3	0	5	6	11	.400	.544
	Double-A	281	.306	12	0	17	17	43	.349	.530

In his professional debut, the Cuban-signed Morales tore up the California League and continued that success in the Texas League. Doesn't have light-tower power, but should still be a run-producer in the middle of the order.

6. Wes Bankston -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	High-A	62	.387	4	1	3	15	17	.513	.629
	Double-A	301	.292	17	2	12	30	64	.362	.482

After blowing through the California League, Bankston held his own in Double-A at only age 21. With tremendous raw power, he should spend 2006 in Triple-A and could make a similar impact with the Devil Rays in 2007 as Jonny Gomes did last year.

7. Eric Duncan -- New York Yankees

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
21	Double-A	451	.235	15	3	19	59	136	.326	.408

Duncan still has plenty of work to go, but going through an entire season at Double-A at only age 20 will help him flourish as he repeats the league this year when he will still be young for his league. He is the only legitimate hitter the weak Yankee system will produce over the next 2-3 years.

8. Justin Huber -- Kansas City Royals

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	Double-A	335	.342	22	3	16	51	70	.432	.570
	Triple-A	113	.274	6	1	7	16	33	.374	.531
	Majors	78	.218	3	0	0	6	5	.271	.256

Huber's bat was too much for Double-A and has little else left to prove in the minors. He could break camp with the Royals, but with the presence of veterans like Mike Sweeney and Doug Mientkiewicz, Huber will be hard-pressed for playing time.

9. James Loney -- Los Angeles Dodgers

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	Double-A	504	.284	31	2	11	59	87	.357	.419

Perhaps I'm a bit thick-skulled, but even though his minor league performance has been anything but spectacular, I still like James Loney. Loney's .284 average in 2005 was the highest of his 3 full professional seasons, as was his 44 extra-base hits, OBP & slugging percentage. Even though he repeated Double-A last year, he was still 19 years old when he got his first action at that level. He should start 2006 in Triple-A where he'll turn 22 one month into the season. Perhaps 2007 he'll be a Dodger.

10. Larry Broadway -- Washington Nationals

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
25	Triple-A	57	.193	3	0	0	7	17	.281	.246
	Rookie	28	.429	5	0	1	7	3	.543	.714
	Double-A	186	.269	14	0	12	17	37	.329	.538

An injury cost Broadway any chance of having a productive season in 2005. But a strong finish and being healthy in spring could put him on the doorstep of the Major League job this year.

2006 Top Prospects by Position