Name: Clay Buchholz
Organization: Boston Red Sox
Position: Pitcher
Born: 8/14/1984
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (45th Overall)

Technically he's still considered a prospect, even though he threw a no-hitter against Baltimore last season. SoxProspects.com says that "Buchholz has a low-to-mid 90s four-seam fastball, a two seam fastball with decent movement, a slider, a hard 12-6 curveball, and a changeup." His best pitch is the curveball, followed by the changeup, then the 90 mph fastball.
In an early 2008 spring training session, according to rotowire.com, "Red Sox hitters were raving about Buchholz' 40-pitch batting practice session on Tuesday, the Boston Herald reports. "He has a fastball that moves, a really good changeup, and a good curveball," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "That's a pretty good mix to have when you can throw them all for strikes, and I think that's what separated him when he came up last year, that he threw them all for strikes." Kevin Cash caught Buchholz during the session and was equally impressed. "He was filthy." Cash said, "His changeup and curveball were great, but his changeup was even better than his curve. He really has them all, a 12-to-6 curveball, the changeup, and his slider is really nasty, too. He pretty much had it all going today." Buchholz, who is competing for the fifth starter spot in the rotation, will make his spring debut Sunday against Minnesota.

Name: Travis Snider
Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Outfield
Born: 2/2/1988
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (14th Overall)


Snider has been given the honor by multiple big league scouts of being the best hitting prospect selected in the 2006 draft. We like him just for the fact that he played for the Lansing Lugnuts, leading them offensively as he tore through minor league pitchers.
Selecting Snider was a major organizational shift for the Blue Jays, who previously frowned upon selecting players right out of high school. Consider this a wise move. According to Scout Magazine, one National League Scout had this to say of Snider; "The Blue Jays have themselves a legitimate threat. He's going to be a 10-time All-Star in the American League. I see him causing havoc in the major leagues within the next two years."
Snider is expected to begin the 2008 season with Dunedin, but will most likely be promoted to New Hampshire come the summer. The Jays are taking their time with Travis, but once he reaches the majors, lookout.

Name: Andrew McCutchen
Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Outfield
Born: 10/10/1986
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (11th Overall)

The Pirates, mired in a "culture of losing", did everything necessary to purge the organization of the old regime this offseason. GM's, managers, farm directors, and the team president were fired, replaced, or eased out. The only holdover was the hot dog salesman in section 39.
The future for the Bucs, however, may begin to get a little brighter. McCutchen is the jewel of an otherwise barren farm system, outside of 1B/OF masher Steve Pearce.
Despite struggling in Double-A last season, McCutchen was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis, playing in seventeen games. McCutchen caught a fire, batting .313, up from .258 in Altoona. In the Arizona Fall League, McCutchen helped his team win the championships, but his numbers again fluctuated. He finished the season batting .286, but hit .342 in the last 10 games of the season.
To say McCutchen is streaky, is an understatement.

Name: Jay Bruce
Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Position: Outfield
Born: 4/3/1987
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2005, 1st Round (12th Overall)

LOOKOUT! An expression that Ken Griffey, Jr will be hearing all season long if Jay Bruce doesn't break camp with the Reds in 2008. At the ripe old age of 20, Jay Bruce is slated to become Junior's replacement, its just a matter of "when".
Bruce was named Cincinnati's Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, hitting .319 with 46 doubles, 8 triples, and 26 home runs to go along with 89 RBI. Those numbers were combined stats resulting from time spent in Single, Double, and Triple-A ball. No matter where Bruce went, he hit.
Much of the same could be expected if Bruce heads north with the Reds this season. Scout Magazine describes Bruce as a five tool player without many flaws; "Add to that an impressive work ethic, and Bruce may have fans pushing to see the 20-year-old in Cincinnati by the end of the 2008 season."

Name: Manny Parra
Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
Position: Pitcher
Born: 10/30/1982
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2001, 26th Round



If we said "future of the Brewers organization" and you immediately thought of Prince Fielder, keep reading. If you thought Manny Parra, you're way ahead of everyone else.
Parra is a 6'3", left handed, fire-balling (95mph consistently), young gun who occasionally dabbles in the fine art of the knuckleball. Oh yeah, and he pitched a perfect game in Triple-A last June.
Parra throws an assortment of pitches; a four seam fastball, a cutter, a nasty curve, and he's working on developing a better changeup.
Parra has been plagued throughout his career with odd injuries; stress fracture from weightlifting, shoulder problems that led to surgery in the 2005 season, and a broken thumb right after he was called up by the Brewers.
Parra, when healthy, is exciting. His minor league numbers (34-16, 528/147 K/BB ratio) just give a glimpse into what looks to be a promising career.

Name: Evan Longoria
Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
Position: Third Base
Born: 10/7/1985
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (3rd Overall)

Longoria looks to be the last of the once plentiful Rays Minor League talent. With all their jewels and stars lining their opening day roster, (or the Twins' roster) the Rays have finally taken their youth movement to the Major League level.
The Rays like Longoria so much, that they've decided to move Akinori Iwamura, last year's starting third basemen, over to second base. Baring injury or a chance in front office policy, Longoria is slated to play third for the Rays this season.
Longoria projects as a low .300 hitter with some nice pop in his bat. Look for him to hit at least 20 HRs this season, while Scout Magazine suggests he could easily knock around 30.
If you're looking for a third basemen in your fantasy league, Longoria might be your answer. In an interview with RaysDigest.com, a veteran scout said of Longoria; "Evan is the est hitting prospect out there, in my eyes. Look for him to hit 20-plus home runs as a rookie, and then consistently for years to come."