Bay Area Baseball

Over the next month Bay Area Baseball will publish top five prospects lists for each team in Major League Baseball. The lists will be formatted as such:

#. First Name, Last Name - Grade - Details - ETA - Professional Comparison

1. John Doe - A+ - Doe has the ability of a Trojan warrior in the batters box. Don’t be surprised to see him challenge for the home run record by the end of his career. He should reach the major leagues in 2009. Doe is a power hitter in the mold of Babe Ruth.

I would definitely welcome comments and critiques of these lists, please feel free to pass them on to anyone you know who might enjoy them.

Sp1 - Carlos Zambrano, Cubs - Volatile pitcher is the ace of this staff

Sp2 - Edinson Volquez, Reds - One of the nastiest changeups in the game gets him our #2 spot.

Sp3 - Rich Harden, Cubs - Can always use a power fastball against a top hitting lineup like the other teams would bring in this six division playoff.

Sp4 - Roy Oswalt, Astros - Still brings it everyday

Sp5 - Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - Has gotten it done in the biggest situations

LRP - Ryan Dempster, Cubs - Had a great year last year, except for the playoffs

LRP - Yovani Gallardo, Brewers - New Brewers ace

MRP - Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

MRP - Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals

MRP - Matt Capps, Pirates

SU - Francisco Cordero, Reds - One of the dirtiest closers in the game right here.

SU - Carlos Marmol, Cubs - Strikeout machine is the perfect setup man with a power fastball and slider.

CP - Jose Valverde, Astros - Flamethrower showed some consistency last year.

Tyler Walker just missed the cut.

Sp1 - Tim Lincecum, Giants - 08 Cy Young award winner would be the ace of any staff.

Sp2 - Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks - Not doing too bad to have him as your #2

Sp3 - Dan Haren, Diamondbacks - Fine pitcher in his own right, definitely a playoff worthy starter.

Sp4 - Jake Peavy, Padres - Only this low because of injury last year, we’ll see if he sticks in this division.

Sp5 - Chad Billingsley, Dodgers - Narrowly beats out Matt Cain because of better win numbers.

LRP - Matt Cain, Giants

LRP - Aaron Cook, Rockies - Sinker baller could have been fifth starter as well.

MRP - Sergio Rom0, Giants - Strike-thrower who was very strong in 08 debut. Should be a top level setup man forthe Giants’ Brian Wilson

MRP - Heath Bell, Padres - The heir apparent to Trevor Hoffman is a nasty righthander.

SU - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers - Flamethrower could find himself in the rotation for this team this time next year.

SU - Jon Broxton, Dodgers - Throws in the high 90’s but has had some choke issues.

CP - Brian Wilson, Giants - Two guys throwing 99 sounds pretty good as far as finishing out a game, Wilson’s only weakness are not trusting his fastball enough - hard to believe when the guy can go 99,98,100.