Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 Rankings - Photo Gallery by Position - Best of the Best in Minor League Baseball - MLN Sports Zone

Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 Photo Gallery
Players by Position (Photo Thumbs)

Players by Position

The 2006 edition of the MLN FAB50 Baseball rankings features a fairly realistic distribution of players by position. Pitching, as you might expect, is the largest portal to the major leagues. Outfielders make up the second largest draw pool of players finding their way to the big leagues. First base is the tightest hole to crawl through to the Show, as more trades and position rotations of power hitters roll to that spot.

| Pitchers | Catchers | First Basemen | Second Basemen | Shortstops | Third Basemen | Outfielders |

Pitchers (20)

Arms that can throw heat and variety are always in demand. Tigers and Toledo Mudhens righty hurler Humberto Sanchez is the top pitcher in the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 rankings, at no. 5, with lefty Tom Gorzelanny of the Pirates/Indianapolis Indians right on his heels.

Catchers (5)

Everyone in the editorial meeting agreed that it's a tough year for ready-for-prime-time catchers. Some from our MLN FAB50 2005 class that might have made the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 rankings near the top have been bouncing back and forth between the majors, and were "up" at mid-season, when we take our snapshot. Ryan Garko of the Buffalo Bisons was called up again just before we locked the list. Kurt Suzuki is our most promising prospect behind the plate. The Midland Rockhounds catcher who is moving onwards towards Oakland debuts at No. 19 on the MLN FAB50.

First Basemen (3)

First base is a tough position to break into. Positions in the majors get filled by older big bats, or by less deft defensive players who can swing a stick. James Loney, stands as the lone first baseman to break into the top twenty at 15. We hear that he's the real deal, and part of a new young corps of infielders that could energize the Dodger lineups in coming years, or bring quality trades to tinsel town.

| Pitchers | Catchers | First Basemen | Second Basemen | Shortstops | Third Basemen | Outfielders |

Second Basemen (3)

While we estimate the openings at second base to be few, it's harvesting time for the LA Angels. Howie Kendrick, of late of the Salt Lake Bees, has been developing steadily, and returns to the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 as our No. 3 player up from 32 in 2005. Boston Red Sox prospect Dustin Pedroia breaks the top 25 at 23.

Shortstops (5)

Stephen Drew tops the FAB50 and the position at No. 1. Diamondback fans should get ready for some excitement when this future franchise player hits the BOB. The Angels continue to score big with quality players like Brandon Wood, playing in AA Arkansas for the Travelers (Travs) and doing just fine at number 9.

Third Basemen (5)

Alex Gordon may be at the class AA level, but he's not going to be there long. He debuts on the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 at No. 7, bringing Royals fans the future pulse pounding in the Heart of America. This is the only position where we have a dogfight: The Dodgers cup ranneth over at third. Joel Guzman, who has been maturing at the speed of red wine, has been dealt to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, passed up by the faster-evolving Andy LaRoche.

Outfielders (10)

If players could be represented by a movie, Delmon Young might be "Problem Child." The top talent should have been No. 1 this year, or in the majors, but his assault on the umpire with a flying bat in the early-going of this season set his career back a notch, and keeps him, again at No. 2. Carlos Quentin advances on the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006, up from 21.

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