[illeracula]

Top 100 Prospects List Published:
The season is about to start, so it's time to publish the annual Top 100 Prospects list. This year 22-year-old LF Rodney Wade of the Ocean City Tourists is the #1 prospect overall.

Here is the top 10:
1) LF Rodney Wade, 22, Ocean City Tourists
2) CF Kiyomasu Kono, 22, Harrington Ponies
3) CF Bob McClellan, 23, Newark Millers
4) LF Emílio Esquivel, 22, Ellicott City Express
5) C Andre Frazier, 23, Annapolis Admirals
6) 2B Carlos Alemán, 23, Lewes Braves
7) RHP Augusto Cardenas, 19, Milton Brewers
8) 1B Dave Henry, 23, Dover Generals
9) 1B John Henry, 23, Ocean City Tourists
10) RHP Dan McGrath, 24, Seaford Blue Jays

This years #1 prospect was the 4th overall pick in last years draft. He is expected to start the season in Single-A this year, but don't be surprised if he makes he debut this season. He has an above average bat, glove, and speed so he could be an exciting player. Our scout refers to him as "An elite prospect". CON: 10/14, GAP: 15/17, HR: 10/16, EYE: 9/11, K's: 6/11

Last years #1 prospect started the season in AAA before being called up for the Martinsburg Mountaineers. In 16 games, 6 starts, he performed outstanding. Going 2-2 1.88, with 3 saves. He struck out 23 in 28.2 innings, but will need to get his walks down (21) to be that elite starter. At 22 he should have a bright future.

History of the Top Prospects
Here is a look at the past top prospects, with some very quality names on the list including some Hall-of-Famers (donated with the *) and Hall-of-Famers to be.

2013: OF Peter Peters, New Castle Colonials*
2014: SP Pedro Rivera, Ocean City Tourists*
2015: C Andy Kohl, Dover Generals*
2016: SP Brad Jones, Newark Millers*
2017: C Will Riley, Ellicott City Express*
2018: C Antonio 'Buzz' Castaneda, Chesapeake Blue Crabs
2019: SP Pablo García, Salisbury Ports
2020: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
2021: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
2022: SP Ricardo González, Wilmington Iron Pigs
2023: MR Júlio Rocha, Milton Brewers
2024: SP Gonzalo Bustamante, Georgetown Sixteens
2025: LF Jorge Arredondo, Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
2026: SS António Hernández, Ellicott City Express
2027: RF Jorge Arredondo, Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
2028: SP Juan Durango, New Castle Colonials
2029: C Héctor Pagán, Richmond Cardinals
2030: C Héctor Pagán, Richmond Cardinals
2031: SS Brian Battle, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2032: SS Brian Battle, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2033: CF Salvador Espinoza, Washington Senators
2034: SP Kevin Schultz, King George Royals
2035: CF Tyrone Jackson, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2036: LF Lorenzo Montoya, Christiana Blue Hens
2037: SP Armando Santos, Ellicott City Express
2038: SP Armando Santos, Ellicott City Express
2039: SP Ramon Jimenez, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2040: SP Ramón Jiménez, Martinsburg Mountaineers

2040 Top Minor League Systems
Ocean City Tourists pop to the top of the list propsect list year with 2-players in the top 10 and 5 in the top 100. Rodney Wade (#1) should make it the bigs this year, John Henry (#9) is penciled in as the starting 1B. They are young and powerful and should be a force in the Coastal Division soon.

Chadds Ford is back to #2 with 5 players in the top 50, and 9 in the top 100. Crip Klin jumped from 23 to 16 and Miguel Cortesini moved up a little bit after dropping from 10 to 31 and now 29. Both these guys need some more development, but should be making their debuts by 2041 and maybe even this season... Our top prospect last season OF Ron Walls dropped from 13th to 63rd.

There are a whopping 4 teams this seaosn without a top 100 prospect! Both of the expansion teams and the Blue Hens and the Sixteens. Both the Blue Hens and the Sixteens have been playing for the 'now' and have hurt their systems over the years.