Top Prospects, Bay Area Bandits

1. Dustin Chavez, SS-2B, age 21.

Dustin doesn't have speed, power, or a strong throwing arm, but the kid can play baseball. He has excellent strike zone judgement and hand-eye coordination, and should be a .300 hitter. In the field, his range is limited but he fields everything he gets to and doesn't make mistakes.

This year he hit .285 with 49 walks and only 37 strikeouts. He also hurt his team by attempting 50 steals, and was thrown out 38 times. This is because his manager, Chuckie Ford, believes in the running game so much that he kept sending him. In the big leagues he will not be stolen base threat.

2. Xavier Esquivel, LHP, age 21

He's a hard throwing lefthander with a wicked slider, and needs to develop an off speed pitch, plus improve his control. As a starter, if he develops he could be comparable to Rafael Garcia, and at worst he should be a lefty handed setup guy. Was 9-12 with a 4.42 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 159 innings

3. Ryan Hall, OF, age 19

Hall makes good contact and has a sweet swing. Hit .254 with only 2 homers, but he projects to add power as he matures. Speed is average and his arm is good enough for right field.

4. Jeremy Cartman, C, age 24

Cartman is fat, even for a catcher, and his defensive skills are weak. But you have to respect the authority with which he reaches first base. Hit .302 with a .443 on base percentage.

5. Tavaris Velasquez, SS, age 18

Didn't embarrass himself by hitting .240 against older pitching at age 18. His skills are raw, and he may never pan out, but makes the list for his potential. Speed is ordinary, hitting is very raw, his arm is good, and he could turn develop into a big time power hitter. Or an insurance salesman. He's a long way from the majors, and its anyone's guess if he sticks as a shortstop.