Top 15 Shortstop Prospects

by Phil Zuccarell

1. Brandon Wood -- Los Angeles Angels

Started filling out 6'3" frame and had a monster year mashing 43 homers. Will push for a job in the majors real soon, possibly at 3b if McPherson struggles and Figgins remains in the OF.

2. Justin Upton -- Arizona Diamondbacks

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
18	DNP

Has all the tools to be number 1 on this list as well as all of baseball. Can’t rank him number 1 at short until he plays a game there as he might end up in CF to expedite his path to the majors.

3. Troy Tulowitzki -- Colorado Rockies

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
21	High-A	94	.266	6	0	4	9	18	.343	.457

Despite his size, 6’3", he is very athletic and has shown the range and arm to play short. Has good power potential and should be Colorado’s shortstop by 2007.

4. Eric Aybar -- Los Angeles Angels

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	Double-A	535	.303	29	10	9	29	51	.350	.445

Has pure shortstop ability as well as a decent bat. Has hit .300 or better at every stop including a full season of Double-A. Could be a determining factor in whether Wood moves to 3b.

5.Stephen Drew -- Arizona Diamondbacks

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	High-A	149	.389	16	3	10	26	25	.486	.738
	Double-A	101	.218	5	0	4	12	24	.301	.386

In first full season dominated High-A. Has all the skills to play short and will likely play there despite the presence of Upton in the system. Only real question is if he can avoid injuries that have plagued his family (J.D. and Tim).

6. Hanley Ramirez -- Florida Marlins

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	Double-A	465	.271	21	7	6	39	62	.335	.385
	Majors	2	.000	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000

What an enigma! Has all the skills to an elite shortstop who can bat in the middle of the order but just hasn’t seemed to play to that ability. Will get a chance to be Florida’s starting shortstop in ’06.

7. Cliff Pennington -- Oakland Athletics

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	Low-A	290	.276	15	0	3	39	47	.364	.359

A good defender who can run.  Has shown the ability to get on base which enables him to take advantage of his speed. Good enough to play short but might move to second to play along side Bobby Crosby.

8. Yunel Escobar -- Atlanta Braves

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	Rookie	30	.400	2	1	2	5	4	.472	.733
	Low-A	198	.313	13	3	4	14	30	.358	.470

Recent Cuban defector had success in low-A ball last season featuring a strong bat and good power potential. Despite his size, still has the range and ability to play short and could move quickly.

9. Elvis Andrus -- Atlanta Braves

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
17	Rookie	166	.295	6	1	3	19	28	.377	.398
	Adv.-Rookie	18	.278	1	0	0	4	4	.409	.333

Has exceptional skills for his age, 17, and projects to hit for power while playing Gold Glove caliber defense. Still very young and needs to succeed in a full-season league to cement his status as an elite SS prospect.

10.Chin-Lung Hu -- Los Angeles Dodgers

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	High-A	470	.313	29	1	8	19	40	.347	.438

Excellent defender with great range and a solid arm. Has hit .298 or better at every stop but could benefit from a few more walks. Also needs to get stronger and fill out his 5’9", 150-pound frame.

11. Joaquin Arias -- Texas Rangers

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
21	Double-A	499	.315	23	8	5	17	46	.335	.423

Above-average defender with excellent speed which adds to his range. Has shown the ability to make contact, hitting .300 or better in both High-A and Double-A. Like many players on this list, he could benefit from being more selective at the plate.

12. Tyler Greene -- St. Louis Cardinals

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
22	SS-A	138	.261	12	0	1	15	37	.352	.370
	High-A	85	.271	4	0	2	5	28	.326	.388

Great tools but is a little erratic both at the plate and in the field. Needs to be more selective at the plate to succeed against better pitching and take advantage of his speed.

13. Ronny Cedeno -- Chicago Cubs

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
23	Triple-A	245	.355	14	1	8	20	31	.403	.518
	Majors	80	.300	3	0	1	5	11	.356	.375

The glove has been his calling card but in 2005 his bat came alive. Has solid range and a strong arm. Should be starting SS in Chicago in 2006 but will need prove his new-found stroke is the real deal to remain.

14. Reid Brignac -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
20	Low-A	512	.264	29	2	15	40	131	.319	.416

While the bat is his calling card, he has shown that he can be a competent defender. If he can remain at there, his power could make him one of the more productive shortstops in the Majors.

15. Alcides Escobar -- Milwaukee Brewers

Age	2005 level	at-bats	ave	2b	3b	hr	bb	so	obp	slg
19	Low-A	520	.271	25	8	2	20	90	.305	.362

Solid defender with strong arm and good range. His 41 errors were high but not out of line for a player so young. Needs to improve pitch selection a plate to take advantage of his good speed.

2006 Top Prospects by Position