Prospect #5--Greg Golson

5. Greg Golson, OF, Lakewood, 19
How acquired: Draft 2004, Rd. 1 (21 overall)
Percentage chance of playing in the majors in the future: 50%
Ceiling and chances of reaching it: Major League Allstar, 25%
Career Minor League OPS: .755
6/30 Minor league OPS: .744
Comparable major Leaguers: too soon to tell...maybe Andruw Jones if he reaches potential, or Jesse Barfield, Larry Rojas: Frank Robinson
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My comments: Phils are very excited about Golson, they think he's a potential all-star power/speed combo, but he's a long way away from the big leagues right now. He's held his own at a very young age in the GCL and now in the Sally League while making significant changes in his swing, and anyone watching him can see he's a special athlete. Next year he needs to post some numbers to validate his high prospect status. Marti Wolever, Phils scouting director, on what they saw in Golson: "His skills and tools are better than many of the players selected ahead of him. He is a top-of-the-scale runner and his makeup is outstanding. He has a chance to be a productive Major League offensive center fielder. We had as much interest in Greg as anyone else that went in the first round. We knew he had a legitimate chance to get to us and he was really high on our list. We love his tools and his athleticism, and are happy to have him. We spent a lot of time with him. We've seen him play about every game. I would say he's at least four years away (from the Majors). You never know. Some (high school) guys are quicker. Vernon Wells was pretty quick. That's where the makeup comes in to play because he has such solid makeup he's going to find a way to achieve and be what he should be... He brings a lot to the party--Nothing ever gets in his way."