Baseball America came out today with their annual Top 100 prospects in Baseball list. The O’s did well… Reimold 91, Patton 78, Liz 69, Tillman 67, and Wieters 12. Now, again Adam  Jones does not qualify. But when asked, the editor of Baseball America John Manual said today that Jones would be slotted around 10… a head of Wieters and Ellsbury. I am going to try and get more for you from Manuel in the coming weeks. As you can probably tell… I think the people at Baseball America are very good at what they do.

Here is the rest of my list 10 to 1.

10) Garrett Olson- Before being promoted to Baltimore, he was probably the best statistical pitcher in the International League (AAA). He struggled so mightily in BMore, you wonder how his minor league numbers got to be so good. They tell me great control, and works his secondary pitches very well. We didn’t see any of that in Baltimore. But, he has nothing left to prove in the minors.

9) Brandon Snyder- I am still very high on him. BA rates him as the 6th best overall prospect in the organization. I lowered him just because he has not had 6 months of good baseball yet, but he is close to a breakout year. Dominated hitting in the Hawaii Winter League (.378).  He will find a permanent home at either first base or DH. But, he is still very young and was a 1st round pick just a couple years ago.

Chris Tillman- This young man with an ‘88 birthday was the 2nd biggest piece coming back to Baltimore in the Bedard deal.   BA rates him as the 67th best prospect in baseball and he was the 3rd best in the Seattle organization before coming here. His ERA wasn’t great last year and that is why he is 8th on my list… but he has a ton of potential.  Over a k/ 9.

7) Chorye Spoone- He is one the best -least talked about prospects in baseball. The O’s minor league pitcher of the year last season… dominated Carolina League hitters. In 26 starts the league hit .200 against him with a 3.26 ERA.  BA rates him as the Birds 8th best overall. I was shocked not to see his name on the top 100 list. A Maryland native and only 22 years old. Probably will be Bowie’s opening day starter.

6) Radhames Liz- As exciting as they come. But, everyone has their doubts. BA has him as the O’s 2nd best prospect. Too high. Yes, he may be an ace or a stud closer. We all love what he does to the radar gun and love the way he dominates minor league hitters. I just think he is one of those guys who will never be able to harness that raw potential. I hope I’m wrong. Because his minor league career is full of no-hitters and shutouts.

5) Troy Patton- The best player coming back to Baltimore for Tejada. BA has him as the 78th best prospect in Baseball. Solid minor league stats. And he could become a very good major league starter. He was the front runner for the Birds 5th starter spot. But, already it looks like his season could be in jeopardy because injury. It would be very unfortunate if this guy can’t stay healthy.

4) Billy Rowell- Again, surprised BA took him off the top 100 list after making it in 2007. Yes, his numbers dropped off last season. But, he showed enough at the tender age of 18 to remain on the list. Still BA has him as the 5th overall prospect in the organization. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t have a massive year in Fredrick. I think once he gets rolling… he’ll get the big leagues soon. 35 extra basehits last season in 350 ABs.

3) Nolan Reimold- Size and speed that very very few have (6′4” 207). An athlete with legitmate 30 homerun pop. He might be in Baltimore at some point this season. An he might be the O’s opening day leftfielder in 2009. He has to stay healthy this year. He has been on BA’s top 100 list 2 of the last 3 seasons.  He hit .300 last year in Bowie with 11 HRs in under 200 ABs.  And he came in 2nd in the Arizona Fall League with 6 HRs.

2) Adam Jones- 5 tools… In AAA last 25 homeruns in under 500 ABs and .314 BA. High strikeouts is a concern. He can play a great centerfield with a plus arm. Andy MacPhail putting a lot of stock into this one.

1) Matt Wieters- MacPhail also putting a lot of stock into this one. With the largest upfront signing bonus in MLB draft history. By everyones account he is the savior of this franchise. Personally I think Mr. Markakis has already won that claim. But, Wieters can go along way…. A switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate. Apparently an incredibly young baseball savvy guy. A friend of mine who played against in the ACC … who has played against a number of great Major Leaguers including David Wright, BJ Upton and Ryan Zimmerman… told me that Wieters was the best he has ever seen, he added… by far.

I dream of this lineup:

2. Jones 3. Markakis 4. Wieters 5. Reimold 6. Rowell 7. Snyder

Any way you put them is fine… I just want to see a day where the Birds can draft and develop with the best of them and really go after a title.    It is the only way the Orioles will ever have a real chance.

Posted on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 at 6:47 pm.
Categories: Orioles.
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