Article:American League 2008 Prospects Review and Preview

The the American League Top 10 Prospects list being completed yesterday, the entire project is now wrapped up. As with the National League, I'll summarize the reports in case you missed a couple and take a look at what might transpire for some of them over the next seven months.

As with the NL, there were changes both before, during and after the lists were published. As expected, the Diamondbacks number one prospect, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez did end up part of the Dan Haren trade and is also the Oakland Athletics number one prospect. The difference being is Gonzalez had a limited future in Arizona what with the emergence of both Chris Young and Justin Upton and the re-signing of Eric Byrnes. In Oakland, Gonzalez is almost certain to open the season in the A's outfield, either in center or right.

The youngest AL prospect is Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Silverio who will celebrate his 18th birthday on April 18th. The oldest, with an asterisk, is Japanese import Yashuhiko Yabuta, a lefty reliever signed by the Kansas City Royals and will turn 35 on June 19th. The oldest US based prospect is Detroit Tigers reliever Francisco Cruceta, who will turn 27 on Independence Day.

The breakdown of the 125 AL Prospects shows 41 righthanded starting pitchers, 18 lefty starters, 8 righty relievers and just one lefty. There were nine catchers, (2 switchhitters and one lefty), six first baseman, ( 4 righty throwers, 2 lefty, four lefty hitters and two righty). The middle infield had four second baseman and 13 shortstops, (second base had two switchers and two righties, short one switcher, two lefties and nine righties). The eight third baseman had two switchers, two lefties and four righties). There were 26 outfielders listed, with nine lefty throwers, 13 lefty hitters and two switchhitters).

Out of the 160 players reviewed in the NL, we had identified approximately 45 players, or 28%, of having a shot to appear in the Majors in 2008 with 10 expected to win starting jobs by opening day. In the NL, out of 126 players, I count 48 players (38%) who could make a ML appearance and 20 (16%) with an outside chance of starting.

Some of the more notable players on the Rookie list have already made a name for themselves during brief appearances last season; Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz of the Boston Red Sox, Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees and reliever Jensen Lewis of the Cleveland Indians. Some players who have yet to make their debuts who are expected to shine in 2008 include Yankees reliever Ross Ohlendorf, Tampa Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Curtis Thigpen, the aforementioned Carlos Gonzalez and Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Wood.

In the next few days I'll profile in a bit more depth a few of these lesser known prospects but could have a more significant impact than some of the players listed above.