Top 20 Left-handed Pitcher Prospects

by Chuck Dieringer

1. Francisco Liriano -- Minnesota Twins

A clear-cut favorite in this category, Liriano's pitching style closely resembles Johan Santana. How he performs in 2006 will make a major impact on the Twins' chances to contend in the AL Central.

2. Jon Lester -- Boston Red Sox

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	Double-A	2.61	148	114	57	163	1.16	10

Like Liriano, Lester throws fastball-slider-changeup. Lester dominated Double-A competition with a .215 batting average against. He'll be a mid-season call up if the Red Sox have an opening for him.

3. Cole Hamels -- Philadelphia Phillies

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	High-A	2.25	16	7	7	18	0.88	0
	Double-A	2.37	19	10	12	19	1.16	2

Cole's biggest trouble have been staying healthy. In the last two seasons, he has thrown a total of 51 innings. But when he's pitched, the results have been outstanding (career .176 batting average against). He's curiously starting 2006 back in High-A. But should he have success, he'll be a quick move through the system.

4. Jeremy Sowers -- Cleveland Indians

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
23	High-A	2.78	71	60	19	75	1.11	5
	Double-A	2.08	82	74	9	70	1.01	8
	Triple-A	1.58	6	7	1	4	1.33	0

Sowers doesn't throw as hard as the first 3 guys on this list, but his command is exemplary. A first-round pick in 2004, 2005 was his professional debut and he could soon see a mid-season promotion to the big leagues, perhaps less than two years from draft date.

5. John Danks -- Texas Rangers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	High-A	2.50	58	50	16	53	1.14	5
	Double-A	5.49	98	117	34	85	1.54	12

Danks looked very good in the hitter-friendly California League at just age 20. But a promotion to Double-A was a much greater challenge. His struggled down the stretch and returns to Double-A to start 2006 where he'll still be young for his league.

6. Scott Olsen -- Florida Marlins

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	Double-A	3.92	80	75	27	94	1.28	7
	Majors	3.98	20	21	10	21	1.55	5

Olsen made his major league debut at age 21 and has a good shot at getting significant innings with the veteran-stripped Marlins.

7. Chuck Tiffany -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	High-A	3.93	110	91	43	134	1.22	17

Tiffany was a second round pick by the Dodgers in 2003. After two full seasons in their system, he was traded this offseason in the Danys Baez deal. He has consistently allowed fewer hits than innings pitched but has been susceptible to the long ball. He will be in Double-A this season.

8. Adam Loewen -- Baltimore Orioles

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	High-A	4.12	142	130	86	146	1.52	8

Loewen needs to improve both his command and consistency. If he does so, he may reach his ceiling which is higher than many of the pitchers ranked above him. He'll start 2006 in Double-A. This is a very important year for him to work on his development because he will be out of options in 2007.

9. Troy Patton -- Houston Astros

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
20	Low-A	1.94	79	59	20	94	1.00	3
	High-A	2.63	41	34	8	38	1.02	2

Patton has compiled impressive minor league numbers since being drafted out of high school in 2004 (164-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 148 innings; .218 batting average against). He's a couple years away from the majors but if he continues to develop his command of a fastball-curveball combination should make him successful.

10. Gio Gonzalez -- Philadelphia Phillies

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
20	Low-A	1.87	57	36	22	84	1.02	3
	High-A	3.56	73	61	25	79	1.18	5

Drafted by the White Sox in 2004 out of high school, Gonzalez was part of the Jim Thome trade. Gio has three good pitches and is starting 2006 in Double-A at a very young age.

2006 Top Prospects by Position