American League Prospects

Here's a brief look at American League prospects from occasional guest writer Kevin Gengler. The National League will be covered as a second part in this series when he gets around to it.

New York Yankees:
Busts: Jose Tabata, OF - That's right, I'm not too high on the wonderkid. I understand he is young for his league, I understand he has the stats, and I know he's still growing, but something tells me he has a down year this year.

Busts out: J. Brent Cox. RP - The Yankees have hardly any depth, so my choice, J. Brent Cox, is actually a pretty decent prospect to begin with. He had a very solid 2006, but look for him to crack the Bombers' bullpen sometime over the summer, and to help immediately.

Boston Red Sox:
Busts: Jacoby Ellsbury, OF - He's got solid stats, but doesn't hit for too many extra-base hits. Look for that to continue as his power continues to lag behind his other tools. Because of his good eye he won't have a terrible season, but it certainly won't be the season everyone expects/

Busts out: Jason Place, OF - A similar situation to the Yankees. Place had a decent year in the Gulf Coast League, but the 2006-draftee will have a monster season.

Baltimore Orioles:
Busts: Radhames Liz, P - You began to saw it at the end of 06 with a 5.86 ERA in AA, but Liz doesn't really have the stuff of a good prospect. He was dominating the Carolins League, but he was also a few years old for the league. Some thing he simply tired out at the end of the year, but Liz won't be turning any heads in 2007.

Busts out: Pedro Beato, P - A draft-and-follow that the New York Mets failed to sign, Beato will overtake Brandon Erbe as the Orioles' top pitching prospect. He has a good frame(6'5", 210) and looked good in the NYP league in 2006.

Toronto Blue Jays:
Busts: Ricky Romero, SP - Romero struggled mightily in 67 AA innings last year, and that was no fluke: He simply doesn't have the stuff to be a top prospect(#3 rated by BA) and his woes will continue.

Busts out: Dustin McGown, P - I don't think he's considered a "prospect" in the sense that he's not rookie-eligible, but I think 2007 is the year the former #1 Jays prospect(2003 and 2006) puts it all together and emerges as a solid, if not spectacular, piece of the Toronto rotation.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays:
Busts: Elijah Dukes, OF - It pains me to say this(as I am a TB fan), but it's gotta be Dukes. Maybe I'm just really high on our other guys, but Dukes, it appears, will open the season as the Rays' 4th outfielder. Gut feeling says he stirs up some more trouble and is gotten rid of for good.

Busts out: Wade Townsend, P - Remember Wade Townsend? The former top draft pick will be back from TJ surgery sometime in 2007 and I think he'll come back strong, quite possibly in the bullpen. Look for him to have a good 2007 and challenge for a bullpen spot in '08.

Chicago White Sox:
Busts: I honestly don't have a clue. I really like their top 2 guys, Josh Sweeney and Ryan Fields, and I don't think that anyone below them could be considered a "bust" if they have a poor season.

Busts out: This is totally out of the blue and on a whim, but let's say Gavin Floyd, SP. Don't ask me why.

Detroit Tigers:
Busts: Andrew Miller, SP - I think the Tigers will try to rush him, and in turn, he'll struggle. I think he'll put it all together sooner to later, but look for him to struggle in 2007 until the Tigers figure out a solid plan for him. By the way, this space was reserved for Humberto Sanchez, who will have a terrible year.

Busts out: Jair Jurrjens, SP - He gets lost in all the hype of Detroit's flamethrowers(and rightfully so, since Jurrjens isn't quite as good), but he's certainly a solid pitcher. If he can miss a few more bats, he would become a very intriguing prospect.

Kansas City Royals:
Busts: Luke Hochevar, SP - Sort of a random pick, since the Royals also lack depth and Alex Gordon and Billy Butler seem like the real deal to me. It just seems that with the year off(okay, playing Indy ball and then some minor-league), Hochevar will struggle initially.

Busts out: Eek. Uh, Baseball America says this kid "Derrick Robinson" has good speed and is a good athlete, so let's ignore his .233 BA and say he'll have a great year.

Cleveland Indians:
Busts: I don't have one. I like Adam Miller, I like Chuck Lofren, and see below for Trevor Crowe.

Busts out: Trevor Crowe, OF - Sure, he's considered one of their top guys, but no one seems to notice that Crowe brought none of his power to AA and had a pretty dismal season overall. Here's saying he rebounds nicely in 2007.

Minnesota Twins:
Busts: Glen Perkins, SP - I will reluctantly admit that while Garza isn't as good as advertised, he's still pretty damn good. And Kevin Slowey is a guy I really like, so that basically defaults me to Perkins. His height, 5'11", doesn't help.

Busts out: Alexi Casilla, IF - The small middle infielder doesn't offer much in the way of power, but he brings a .385 OBP to the table and an OPS near .800 in what could be considered a down season.

Las Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Busts: Brandon Wood, SS - The Angels have seen their fair share of busts(Dallas McPherson comes to mind, and some other highy-touted guys haven't looked good in the majors. Wood's a great hitter, but he just strikes out far too much for my tastes. I think he'll be a solid player, but not a superstar.

Busts out: Casey Kotchman, 1B - He can absolutely hammer the ball, and I think he gets it together and has a good year.

Oakland Athletics
Busts: Daric Barton, 1B - He's supposed to possess great power and he hit 2 HRs in 147 ABs. Pass.

Busts out: Trevor Cahill, SP - The 2006 draftee saw only a few innings last season. Expect him to emerge as the Athletics top prospect overall heading into the 2008 season.

Seattle Mariners
Busts: Seattle doesn't usually offer much in the way of prospects, but their top 3(Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, and Brandon Morrow) all seem legit to me. Since no one else is very highly regarded, I can't pick a bust.

Busts out: Jeff Clement, C - Okay, okay, he's their #2-rated prospect. But he struggled in the PCL last season(partially due to injury, if I recall), and I have a feeling he'll iron everything out and force the Mariners' hand toward the end of the year(since Kenji Johjima is blocking him).

Texas Rangers
Busts: Thomas Diamond, RHP - A member of the DVD trio who had a decent year in 2006. This is pretty random, but again, just a gut feeling that he struggles in 2007.

Busts out: Kasey Kiker, SP - This is an easy one, I LOVE Kiker. He's small, he didn't win a game in 2006 in 15 starts, but guess what? He'll pass Hurley, Danks, Volquez, and Diamond to become the Rangers' top pitching prospect.