June 2003 Prospects Llist (brief comments)

(I've excluded the following players due to ML service: Junge, Telemaco, and Smith)

1. Utley, SWB, 2B--you've got to give a guy who is producing at AAA the edge over the younger, higher ceiling guys IMHO.
2. Hamels, Lakewood, LHP--dominating low A ball much more than Floyd ever did last year--health is the only question.
3. Floyd, CLW, RHP--not quite the strikeout numbers most of us expected, he's still searching for his lost curve ball.
4. Howard, CLW, 1B--very consistent first half, but, given his age, I'd like to see him repeat the performance at Reading this summer.
5. Madson, SWB, RHP--always seems to keep the team in the game, at this point he appears healthy enough
6. Buchholz, Reading, RHP--would be higher without the recent injury concern, but his most recent start is VERY encouraging
7. Machado, Reading, SS--still posting a great OBP for a SS
8.. Chapman, SWB, 3B--still very consistent offensively and a plus defensive 3B at AAA--rates higher than the next few guys due to level.
9. Butto, Lakewood, RHP--a bit older than a great prospect should be in low A, but he is getting everybody out, and improving lately.
10. Richardson, Reading, 3B--HR power is outstanding, but he's old for the league and not showing much else

11. Jones, Lakewood, 3B--I admit I'm intrigued by the month-long 1.000 OPS streak
12. Gonzalez, CLW, SS--improved consistency in the field (excepting 2 games last week) and a decent bat
13. McRoberts, Lakewood, LF/C--power in streaks--hits like Dave Kingman
14. Lee, Reading, RHP--I'm afraid he'll top out as a AAAA guy
15. Padilla, Reading, RF--good arm, solid top of the order guy who's always injured
16. Ramirez, CLW, RHP--young for the league, but not nearly as effective as hoped--he has the highest ERA of all the CLW starters--he has suffered from being left in the game 1 inning too long on quite a few occasions, though

Honorable mention:
SWB--Kubes, Geary, JPerez, Giese, Wedell
Reading--Hitchcox, Sitzman, Brooks, Carter, Glen
CLW--Bucktrot, Dawson, Astacio, Phelps
Lakewood--Gwaltney, Segovia, Tejeda, Bourgeois (all have injury issues)