Ten rookies to watch out for in 2007

Exhibition baseball means different things to different people.

To fans huddled around radios or TVs -- byte-age update: computer monitors -- in the icy Northeast and frozen Midwest, it's a peephole into summer.

To managers and their staffs, it's a rare opportunity to evaluate firsthand, with both the stakes and pressures low.

To veteran players, it quickly becomes drudgery with a capital "D."

But for wide-eyed rookies, it's the beginning of the rainbow. For both them and their teams' fans, it's a great outdoor mixer for them to get acquainted with each other. Prospect reports leap to life, and the proverbial tools come out of the shed.

So, game on, and spotlight on.

With the Grapefruit and Cactus League seasons under way, the curtain also goes up on baseball's "Generation Next." The 2007 rookie class has a couple of tough acts to follow; the last two seasons have brought loads of rookie gold, paced by the Braves and Marlins, respectively.
The vein doesn't appear to have dried up, however. From Sarasota, Fla., to Surprise, Ariz., here are 10 names you will want to keep an eye on in '07, and probably won't be able to keep your eye off for the next decade.

RHP Homer Bailey, Indianapolis Clowns: Only 20, the right-hander is still filling out his 6-foot-4 frame, and you shudder to think what a little more beef could do to his already-untouchable stuff. Bailey lit up some eyes even last spring, but people weren't looking for him then. They are now. Bailey appeared to lose his fear of professional hitters in '06, which improved his control.
Talk about a misnomer. The Texan has yielded merely 12 homers in 255 Minor League innings. Not counting some radio announcers, he could turn into the best Homer in baseball history -- not a tough act to follow (Blankenship, Bush, Davidson, Ezzell, Hillebrand, Peel, Smoot, Spragins, Summa and Thompson).

RHP Matt Garza, Beechurst Blues: What took you so long? Garza began 2006, his first full pro season, with a start for Class A Fort Myers and ended it with a start against the White Sox, stepping on every rung along the way. Garza barely maintained his rookie status and could exploit some of the holes in manager Ron Gardenhire's rotation. Last season, you could see the 6-foot-4, 190 pounder gain confidence through each of his nine starts for the Twins.

3B Alex Gordon, Minneapolis Millers: Manager Buddy Bell is trying to dispel any pressure on Gordon by suggesting that the kid's not expected to be a factor and would have to force his way into the lineup (and hence bump Mark Teahen into the outfield). In his first pro season at Double-A Wichita, Gordon hit .325 with 29 homers and 101 RBIs.

RHP Philip Hughes, Red Deer Rampage: Smart, plucky, with great physical tools. George Will, Harry Callahan and Roger Clemens all rolled into one. Hughes has already been wowing teammates in batting practice, and now his audience will grow. Hughes' Minor League numbers are ridiculous and, 20 years old or not, if the bottom of Joe Torre's rotation -- Kei Igawa, Carl Pavano -- shows cracks, he's in.

3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, Somerset Sun Devils: When you give up an established young second baseman (Josh Barfield) for a 25-year-old who has been idling in the Minors for five years, there's built-in intrigue. Kouzmanoff's a high-average guy who can still develop acceptable corner power, and may be a revelation who has only been awaiting a chance. Or, GM Kevin Towers may simply have been wrong. You'll be able to judge for yourself.

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, Chicago Monarchs: We don't make up the rules, just follow them. He's a Major League rookie, and who will be more closely watched this season than Dice-K, whose every appearance will be an international event. Matsuzaka's spring show won't disappoint; if pitchers are traditionally considered to be weeks ahead of hitters, his offseason work ethic will have him months ahead. Check out the mysterious gyroball in action.

C Miguel Montero, Beechurst Blues: Chris Snyder is also on hand, but this 23-year-old's talent persuaded Arizona to deal Johnny Estrada to Milwaukee. With his ability to quarterback a game from behind the mask, Bob Melvin was impressed by Montero during a brief stint in September. Said the manager: "He's low to the ground, he's great blocking balls and moving around back there." Montero is a good contact hitter who lost much of his power once he got out of Class A, but he will be an effective offensive tool at the bottom of the order.

OF Felix Pie, Portland Sea Dogs: A 21-year-old outfielder wouldn't seem to have a role on a big-ticket team rigged out for a World Series title run, but Pie will still glow like neon in the Cactus League. Pie has to learn to harness both his speed and his bat, but this is already his fourth big-league camp, and, as long as Jacque Jones seems to dangle one foot out of Chicago, he'll be in the picture.

3B Brandon Wood, Fargo-Moorhead Twins: He's a shortstop by trade, but the Halos already have Orlando Cabrera stationed there. A few years ago, similar circumstances didn't stop Troy Glaus, who simply moved to the hot corner. Wood, who will turn 22 on March 2, is still learning the strike zone and could swing and miss his way out of the picture. But the Angels, who'd much rather keep moving Chone Figgins around the diamond, do have an opening for him.

OF Delmon Young, NAFTA Prickly Pear Dealers: Young came up four at-bats under the rookie bar last season, when he backed up his prior lip about deserving a promotion by hitting .317 in his first 126 big-league at-bats. No one knows how long the outfield of Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Young will remain intact, so take a good look, and marvel while you can.

Top 10 Prospects - Blues

Third in my series of ratings the top 10 prospects for each franchise is the Beechurst Bliues. I must admit, I did not know what to expect when rating the Blues. The Blues ownership has been very quite since I joined this league and because of that I do not think I ever look at his team. I was surprised to find out that the minor league system is not bad. They currently have between 14-18 solid prospects with three that I feel could be strong major league players.

1. Reid Brignac – SS – Tampa Bay Devilrays
Leading the pack is recently acquired shortstop Reid Brignac. Brignac cost alot with the Blues giving up top closer, soon to be starter Jon Papelbon, but sometimes you need to sell high and when you get the chance to pick up an offensive shortstop then I think you do it. Brignac’s biggest asset is a plus bat that has power potential, and some of that potential is already showing as he hit 20+ homeruns in High A and AA. He is not a pull hitter but tends to use the whole field to his advantage. He does need to control his swing a little more and decrease his strikeouts. Defensively he has proven solid range, and has a very strong arm, but again he needs to play under control and cut down on his throwing errors. Brignac is not blocked in the majors so he probably moves up fast, and as long as his defense improves he could be an allstar shortstop.

2. Miguel Montero – C – Arizona Diamondbacks
Montero brings a solid approach in every facit of the game with no one specific ability that stands out, and really no weaknesses. Offensively he is a hitter that will use the whole field and tends to make a decent amount of contact. Not known for having great power he will be good for 10-15 homeruns per season and will draw an average number of walks. Montero is not like most latin American catchers who typically excel defensively, instead he has slowly improved from a horrible defensive catcher to a solid one that manages the game well. He will get the chance to play in Arizona this year and most publications say he will become the starter over Chris Snyder. Personally I do not understand why because Snyder was rushed to the majors, had a solid second year and is a very good defensive catcher....but I may be biased.

3. Michael Bowden – P – Boston Red Sox
After Brignac, Bowden is my favourite in this organization. Bowden had a very good first full season and comes at hitters with two plus pitches (fastball and curve) and has very good command of both pitches. He has the potential of being a #2/#3 starter in the majors but must work on improving his changeup. The biggest concern with Bowden is his delivery which could be a cause for injury concern.

4. Brad Snyder – OF – Cleveland Indians
Snyder is an impressive prospect but one that will frustrate ownership for many years in the majors. From a tools perspective Snyder is great. Many owners try and find players that can hit 20 homeruns and steal 20 bases on an annual basis and Snyder is that type of guy. He has a very quick power bat, very good speed, and a very strong arm. So why the frustration? Making contact is difficult for Snyder. Snyder will probably be a .250 hitter in the majors with a .300 on base percentage, be a 20/20 man and strike out a ton.

5. Sean Gallagher – P – Chicago Cubs
Gallagher is a prospect that did not interest me much a couple years ago, but has greatly improved since then. When signed by Chicago, Gallagher was known as a high 80’s control pitcher with a very good curveball but since the draft he has added 5 MPH on his fastball and has not lost any movement. Today he has a heavy low 90’s fastball, very good curve and an improving change. Gallagher still has very good command and will move through the system quickly. He has the ceiling of a #3 starter and the biggest concern I have about him is he is a starting pitcher in the Chicago Cubs system (with Pinella as a manager). That is a system that has a horrible “injury” history with pitchers and a manager that has no clue how to deal with young starters.

6. Mitch Maier – OF – Kansas City Royals
I really do not know why I am putting Maier this high as he is not the type of prospect I would even be lukewarm on, but, so many publications have rated him higher then I would...I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Maier is a hard working, average tool prospect. What he has done the best in the minors is hit for average with 10-15 homerun power. He has average speed and needs to do a better job at working pitchers for more walks. Defensively, he is currently in centerfield where he has decent range and a average arm. My belief is he will be a fourth outfielder or play in a platoon facing lefties. Maier’s problem is he does not have enough power to play a corner outfield spot, where Butler and Huber will probably play anyways and his range just is not enough for centerfield.

7. Greg Miller – P – Los Angeles Dodgers
A few years ago, Miller was the top rated left handed starter in the minors. Then injury struck and he was basically out of commission for 2004 and 2005. In 2006, the Dodgers took a patient approach with Miller and had him focus on getting his velocity back. He is now throwing in the low 90’s and is struggling to command his pitches. Miller does have four pitches, but is focusing on being a two pitch reliever, which is what I believe his future will be. Miller should get to the majors this year as a lefty reliever, and in time, may move back to the rotation.

8. Manny Parra – P – Milwaukee Brewers
Parra’s path to the majors has mirrored Miller’s. Parra was one of the Brewers top pitching prospect’s until a shoulder injury forced him to miss a year. Since coming back from surgery, Parra has struggled to repeat his delivery and therefore continues to have command issues. His biggest strength are his two seem and four seem fastballs, which are supported by average secondary offerings. Parra still has horrible mechanics and will always be an injury waiting to happen. Though starting today, I believe Parra will also end up in the pen.

9. Ryan Mount – 2B – Los Angeles Angels
Mount is a prospect that I believe can move up this list over time. He brings a very patient approach to the plate where he has the ability to hit for a good average, walk a ton, a hit double digit homeruns on a yearly basis. He will not steal a ton of bases and probably will only ever be a 2nd baseman, but he is perfect for the #2 spot in the lineup.

10. Mike Megrew – P – Los Angeles Dodgers
Please note that this is not a recording. Megrew was a top Dodgers prospect before hurting his arm and having Tommy John surgery. Since coming back, Megrew has struggled to regain his command, but that should come in time. Prior to the injury, Megrew was know as a upper 80’s fastball pitcher with great command and a great changeup.

Best of the Rest: Wes Roemer – P - NCAA
Sleeper: Jeff Bianchi – SS – Kansas City Royals
Next Up: Milwaukee Braves