Prospectin'

Every year, the end of May/beginning of June is a pretty special time in baseball.  Contenders begin to separate themselves from the pretenders; batting averages rise and fall to level out with career numbers; the Indians resign themselves to another year of rebuilding.  

One thing that sticks out in my mind about this time of year is the call up of many of the top minor league prospects to their major league clubs.  In the past, guys like Ryan Braun, Andruw Jones, and Robinson Cano have come out of the minors in May to have enormous years in the big leagues.  

This year's crop of talent is truly something special.  For starters, LHP David Price of the Tampa Rays has dazzled in his early starts, striking out hitters like Danny Almonte in the Little League World Series.  3B/1B Matt Gamel of Milwaukee has shown flashes of the power that has many scouts thinking Prince Fielder may be expendable.  SP Tommy Hanson (pictured above) has over 90 strikeouts in 67 innings in AAA ball this year, and he will get his first start on Sunday.  C Matt Wieters of the Baltimore Orioles has many people thinking Joe Mauer with more power.  The list of these prospects can go on and on, spanning from White Sox SS Gordan Beckham to Mets OF Fernando Martinez.

The point is that if you are looking for a reason to get interested in baseball, it is to watch the next generation of young stars take a step toward greatness (or futility, if your name is Andy Marte).  

The arrival of these stars-of-the-future has given me a little idea for one of those famous "lists".  In the sports world, we are always looking for that next great player, and we like to scout them out and know who they are before they even reach the big leagues.  Scouting has gotten so complex that some people are reaching in the middle schools to find the next great athlete.  With this in mind, I give you ...

The Top Five Prospects in Sports Movie History

5. Darnell Jefferson - RB - ESU Timberwolves - The Program

Darnell was Reggie Bush before Reggie had ever even thought of taking illegal benefits at USC.  He could catch the ball out of the backfield, ran with toughness between the tackles, and had breakaway speed that would make Devin Hester blush.  His upside on the field is hindered a bit by his checkered past off the field.  However,  if he can prove that his 3.0 GPA to end the Fall semester at ESU was no fluke, than he could climb up this prospect list and cement himself as one of the elite talents in all of football.  Sidenote: How did his grade card stay dry in his helmet?  Wouldn't it be all sweaty and wrinkled after one game?  

4. Ricky Vaughn - SP/CP - Cleveland Indians - Major League

Just 18 years old, "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn has the arm to be one of the all-time best pitchers ever to straddle the mound.  Vaughn's fastball can reach upwards of 102 mph, and word is that he is developing a nice curveball to go with his fastball.  With his intimidating demeanor, Vaughn may be best suited for a closer's role, as he previewed in the Divisional Tie-Breaker against the Yankees.  Like Jefferson, the real concern with Vaughn is his off-the-diamond problems.  He is known to have been in trouble with the law as a juvenile, may not get along well with teammates, and may have problems adjusting to life on his own.  His diet is said to consist of chili dogs and Pepsi, so he may need to consult with a nutritionist if he wants his body in peak physical condition to withstand the 162 game grinder that is the MLB season.

3. Lance Harbor - QB - West Canaan High School - Varsity Blues

The kid that has got it all, many are calling Lance Harbor the next Tom Brady.  He has the hot girlfriend that everybody wants (Gisele/Ali Larter), he has the offense that relies on him to direct everything, and he has the respect of everybody in the huddle.  His teammates respect him so much that they don't care that he has the big sign in his yard for the "most important player".  If Harbor can stay healthy (a big if), than he will without a doubt win a few rings and set a few records along his path.

2. Spike Hammersmith - RB/LB - Little Cowboys - Little Giants

Spike is a freak of nature.  He runs the 40 in 5.6 seconds, bench presses twice his own weight, and was doing push-ups out of the womb.  He prefers to run in the Power I, but demands that his lead blocker be without a vagina.  Spike runs with great power that would make Christian Okoye blush.  On defense, he is a sideline to sideline defender that is looking to rip someones head off.  The only downfall with Spike may be the suspected use of performance enhancing drugs.  Many point to Spike's father as the likely target of an FBI investigation into alleged steroid use.  If Spike can overcome these allegations and let his work on the field do the talking, than he could redefine football as a two-way player.  

1. Benny Rodriguez - CF - Sandlot Team - The Sandlot

There has never been a prospect like Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez.  At best, scouts are thinking Willy Mays with more speed.  At worst, he is Juan Pierre with more power.  The ease with which he runs the bases has never been seen before in baseball history.  Legend has it that he has never been thrown out trying to steal.  Rodriguez is seemingly without faults; he is a great teammate, plays the game the right way, has outstanding character off the field, and is not injury prone.  Growing up a Dodger fan, Rodriguez would prefer to play with his hometown team.  One thing is for certain, there has never been a more complete prospect than Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez.  He is a true 5-tool player.

So there ya' have it.  If you have your own prospects that deserve their place on this list, spit em' out.  

NRTTS

Coach Deuce