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Back to the Futures
Elite prospects from 1990 a mixed bag in the majors
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The Cleveland Indians hope Cuban defector Danys Baez develops into the ace they have lacked for years. AP |
Many of the best prospects in the minors will face off Sunday afternoon at Turner Field in the second annual All-Star Futures Game. The format is U.S. against the World, but the idea is to celebrate the growing international influence on Major League Baseball.
How many of these blue-chippers will be stars in the big leagues? It's too soon to say, but we do know that 13 players from the inaugural Futures Game are currently in the majors, including Rick Ankiel (Cardinals), Russell Branyan (Indians), Erubiel Durazo (D'backs), Rafael Furcal (Braves), Pat Burrell (Phillies), and Adam Kennedy (Angels).
Perhaps the best way to forecast the future is to look at the not-so-distant past. Following are the top minor leaguers from 1990 along with their vital statistics. All 24 players listed reached the majors, but you will see for that every Jeff Bagwell and Frank Thomas, there is a Hensley Meulens.
| 1990 USA TEAM |
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| Pos. |
Player |
Organization |
Team (Level) |
Age |
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Batters
|
| C |
Todd Hundley |
Mets |
Jackson (AA) |
21 |
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.265 BA, 1 HR, 35 RBI
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| 1B |
Frank Thomas |
White Sox |
Birmingham (AA) |
22 |
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.323 BA, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 112 BB
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| 2B |
Jeff Kent |
Blue Jays |
Dunedin (A) |
22 |
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.277 BA, 16 HR, 60 RBI, 17 SB, 32 2B
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| 3B |
Jeff Bagwell |
Red Sox |
New Britain (AA) |
22 |
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.333 BA, 4 HR, 61 RBI, league MVP
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| SS |
Reggie Sanders |
Reds |
Cedar Rapids (A) |
22 |
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.285 BA, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 40 SB, league MVP
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| OF |
Kenny Lofton |
Indians |
Osceola (A) |
23 |
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.331 BA, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 62 SB
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| OF |
Phil Plantier |
Red Sox |
Pawtucket (AAA) |
21 |
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.253 BA, 33 HR, 79 RBI, led in HR
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| OF |
Ray Lankford |
Cardinals |
Louisville (AAA) |
23 |
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.260 BA, 10 HR, 72 RBI, 30 SB
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Pitchers
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| RHP |
Anthony Young |
Mets |
Jackson (AA) |
24 |
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15-3, 1.65 ERA, led League in wins and ERA
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| LHP |
Denny Neagle |
Twins |
Visalia/Orlando (A/AA) |
21 |
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20-3, 2.10 ERA, 186 K, led minors in wins
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| RHP |
Charles Nagy |
Indians |
Canton/Akron (AA) |
23 |
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13-8, 2.52 ERA
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| LHP |
Chris Hammond |
Reds |
Nashville (AAA) |
24 |
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15-1, 2.17 ERA league MVP
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| 1990 WORLD TEAM |
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| Pos. |
Player |
Organization |
Team (Level) |
Age |
|
Pitchers
|
| C |
Ivan Rodriguez |
Rangers |
Charlotte (A) |
18 |
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.287 BA, 2 HR, 55 RBI
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| 1B |
Hensley Meulens |
Yankees |
Columbus (AAA) |
23 |
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.285 BA, 26 HR, 96 RBI, league MVP
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| 2B |
Williams Suero |
Blue Jays |
Knoxville (AA) |
23 |
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.263 BA, 16 HR, 60 RBI, 40 SB
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| 3B |
Leo Gomez |
Orioles |
Rochester (AAA) |
23 |
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.277 BA, 26 HR, 97 RBI
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| SS |
Jose Offerman |
Dodgers |
Albuquerque (AAA) |
21 |
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.326 BA, 0 HR, 56 RBI, 60 SB, league MVP
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| OF |
Bernie Williams |
Yankees |
Albany (AA) |
21 |
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.281 BA, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 39 SB, 98 BB
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| OF |
Henry Rodriguez |
Dodgers |
San Antonio (AA) |
22 |
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.291 BA, 28 HR, 109 RBI, league MVP
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| OF |
Juan Gonzalez |
Rangers |
Oklahoma City (AAA) |
20 |
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.258 BA, 29 HR, 101 RBI, league MVP
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Pitchers
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| RHP |
Juan Guzman |
Blue Jays |
Knoxville (AA) |
23 |
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11-9, 4.24 ERA
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| RHP |
Rich Garces |
Twins |
Visalia/Orlando (A/AA) |
19 |
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4-3, 1.88 ERA, 36 SV
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| LHP |
Wilson Alvarez |
White Sox |
Vancouver/Birmingham
(AA/AAA) |
20 |
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12-8, 5.34 ERA
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| RHP |
Julio Valera |
Mets |
Tidewater (AA) |
21 |
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10-10, 3.02 ERA
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