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SI.com Lists Top 2007 Prospects

Sports Illustrated finished publishing its list of the top 75 prospects for the 2007 season today.

Alex Gordon from the Royals farm system grabs the top spot, one ahead of Delmon Young, who was the consensus top pick last year before he went all Al Capone on a minor league umpire.

Here’s the SI.com Top Ten:

10. Adam Miller, 22, SP, Cleveland Indians
9. Billy Butler, 21, LF, Kansas City Royals
8. Cameron Maybin, 20, CF, Detroit Tigers
7. Justin Upton, 19, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks
6. Chris Young, 23, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Brandon Wood, 22, SS, Los Angeles Angels
4. Philip Hughes, 21, SP, New York Yankees
3. Homer Bailey, 21, SP, Cincinnati Reds
2. Delmon Young, 21, RF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
1. Alex Gordon, 23, 3b, Kansas City Royals

Both the Royals and the Diamondbacks land two prospects in the top ten. Tampa Bay and the Colorado Rockies each has six farmhands listed in the top 75, so the fan bases of both teams can look forward to more top prospects underachieving at the major-league level soon.

 

Huff inks 3yr $20M deal with O’s

ESPN.com news services

The Orioles have reached agreement with free-agent utilityman Aubrey Huff, the Baltimore Sun reported Saturday, citing several industry sources.

The offer is believed to be for three years and $20 million, the newspaper reported.

Huff, a 30-year-old left-handed slugger, is expected to take a physical next week in Baltimore.

“All that is left is a physical and dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s,” one source familiar with the negotiations told the Sun.

The Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates also were believed to be pursuing Huff, the newspaper reported.

One factor the Orioles had to appreciate: Huff has a .285 career average at Camden Yards and has batted .297 against the Orioles over his seven seasons in the majors. He has more home runs (20) and RBI (63) against Baltimore than against any other team.

Huff hit a combined .267 in 2006 for Tampa Bay and Houston, with 21 home runs and 66 RBI. He was dealt to Houston on July 13 and hit .250 in 68 games for the Astros. He posted career highs in 2003 with a .311 average, 34 home runs and 107 RBI.

This is a great deal for the O’s. Huff brings a stable, power bat to the O’s lineup. Huff can play 3B, 1B, RF, LF, and DH. Although not know for his glove, he is adequate in the field. Huff also brings a great eye and improving patience to the plate, averaging almost a walk for every strikeout. He should slot nicely into the #5 spot, a spot where he flourished last year (41-G 145-AB 21-R 49-H 8-2B 1-3B 7-HR 26-RBI 18-BB 18-K .338 .417 .552).

Huff also knows the AL East very well and is in a left handed hitters haven. I expect him to hit between .280-.295 with 25-30 HR and 90+ RBI. The Orioles got a bargain for those numbers this offseason.

 

Angels Sign Shea Hillenbrand to 1 Year, $6.5M Contract

The Los Angeles Angels didn’t waste much time finding another hitter after Juan Rivera broke his left leg playing winter ball in Venezuela.

The Angels agreed with free-agent first baseman Shea Hillenbrand on a $6.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.

“We’ve always liked Hillenbrand’s bat, and when we got the news that Rivera was injured and that it might cost him some time into the season, that provided impetus to get another bat,” Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said on a conference call.

Rivera, injured Friday when he was running to first base and collided with a pitcher covering the bag, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left tibia Wednesday in Florida. It’s uncertain how long he will be sidelined.

Hillenbrand, who split last season between Toronto and San Francisco, gets $6 million next year, and the Angels hold a $6.5 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout. The option could become guaranteed based on his plate appearances next season.

Before the deal is finalized, Hillenbrand must pass a physical.

The 31-year-old Hillenbrand hit a combined .277, with a career-high 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 141 games last season. He finished with 73 runs and 27 doubles.

He batted .301 and hit 12 homers for the Blue Jays before being designated for assignment July 19. Hillenbrand had written “play for yourself” on a board the Blue Jays use to post batting practice times and later that the “ship was sinking” before manager John Gibbons challenged him to a fight during a team meeting.

Asked how much he knew about the run-in, Stoneman said, “It wasn’t pleasant, but this is a new start for Shea, who fits nicely into our system. Back when it happened, we had some conversations [with the Blue Jays], but recently, no. That was the past and it’s gone.”

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Hillenbrand should provide some versatility because he could be used at first base, third base or DH.

“His bat is what we need now,” Scioscia said.

Hillenbrand was traded to the Giants on July 21 for pitchers Vinnie Chulk and Jeremy Accardo, and hit .248 with nine homers in 60 games with San Francisco. An All-Star in 2002 and 2005, Hillenbrand has a .287 career average with 104 homers and 459 RBI.

The 28-year-old Rivera had career highs in batting average (.310), runs (65), hits (139), home runs (23) and RBI (85) last season.

This is a great move by the Angels. Not only does he give them a run producing bat but he can fill in at 1B, DH, and 3B (but only in emergency). This move could also lead to the team trading incumbent 1B Casey Kotchman, who still has value, for some bullpen help or as a part of a bigger deal. Kotchman could be to another team what Adrian Gonzalez was to the San Diego Padres. He is a slick fielder with a smooth, compact stroke and an incredible eye and patience.

Great move by the Angels!

 
 


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