Based on long term projections, and not just the 2008 season.

1a Evan Longoria - 3BTB
He'll win the AL Rookie of the Year Award if he wins the 3B job out of Spring Training. Unlike many rookies, he'll hit for power AND a high average. He doesn't get fooled very often and will take a walk.
1b Clay Buchholz - P Bos
Already has a no-hitter under his belt. Proved he can pitch in a pennant race. He has a wicked curveball which makes his fastball more effective. A Cy Young could be in his future.
1c Geovany Soto - C ChC
He murdered MLB pitching while auditioning in September. He's got massive HR potential, and has little competition in Chicago. He could be their catcher for the next ten years.
2 Homer Bailey - P Cin
Don't be discouraged by his average numbers posted in 2007 with the Reds. He relied on his explosive fastball too much. He knows how to pitch and could be the next great pitcher in the NL.
3 Jay Bruce - OF Cin
He has all the tools to be a star in Cincy. He's a five tool player. He may not hit 40HR or steal 50 bases, but he may consistently come close, to go along with a .300 batting average.
4 Cameron Maybin - OF Fla
Came out smokin' at the end of 2007 with the Tigers. He showed everyone what he could do, and it's his time to blossom into a star with the Marlins. He's one of the most exciting young players to come along in a while.
5 Ian Kennedy - P NYY
Not as high on others lists, he's got great makeup and a damn good slider to go along with an above average curveball. He may or may not start the year in the Yankees rotation, but he'll probably be a part of it by season's end.
6 Max Scherzer - P Az
Probably the best pure pitcher other than Bailey. Signability issues slowed his progress. He'll hit 95 on the radar gun, but his command is exceptional. He'll have high strikeout, low walk totals.
7 Matt Wieters - C Bal
Baltimore did well with Wieters. He's an outstanding hitting catcher with power. He also calls a great game and has a rocket arm. He's confident in his ability, and that will show when he's a member of the Orioles. 25HR seasons could be the norm, though most of the power comes from the switch hitter's right-handed swing.
8a Joey Votto - 1B Cin
Another impressive Reds prospect. He'll hit for power, especially in the Reds small ballpark. He performed better than expected in September, and should be a 2008 rookie of the year candidate. And with his 30HR power comes a .300 bat.
8b Jacob Ellsbury - OF Bos
He's a sparkplug, but don't expect power numbers. He is where he is because of his speed, not his power, so don't expect many 15 HR seasons.
9 Adam Miller - P Cle
Hits 95-98 regularly on the gun, but injuries could be a problem. The Indians will be careful with him, so he could spend one more year at AAA. He'll be a dominant strikeout pitcher as long as he avoids the Kerry Wood Injury syndrome.
10 Reid Brignac - SS TB
A poor Fall League may have set back his progress. When he's on, he's a five tool player who may hit 20HR yearly. He's thinking too much right now and needs to get back to playing baseball without thinking too much. He should be the Rays SS for many years to come.
11 Ian Stewart - 3B Col
HR power seems to have waned a bit, but still has great pop in his bat. Playing in Colorado will help. The ball jumps off his bat, so he'll hit many doubles as well. He may move to 2B, and the hope is that his defensive liabilities won't derail his hitting. He should be good for 20HRs annually.
12 Rick Porcello - P Det
Power pitcher with all the tools necessary to be dominant. Throws 95mph effortlessly. Great raw stuff, but needs to add speed to his curveball. His control can be erratic, but will improve with time. He's two years away from being a 15+ game winner for Detroit.
13 Clayton Kershaw -P LAD
Still young but already a great strikeout pitcher. Has the stuff to be dominant for years. The Dodgers will move him up quickly, but it won't be until they're sure he'll win games for them. When his time comes...he will.
14 Carlos Gonzales - OF Oak
Somehow went undrafted, but has the tools to be a very good outfielder. He may not be an all-star year in and year out, but he'll have some all-star seasons. 25HR potential is there as he matures.
15 Nick Adenhart - P LAA
He was a 14th round pick who just kept getting better with each year, despite a serious injury. He has a feel for pitching despite not having killer stuff. He'll strike out hitters, but he won't reach double figures very often in the majors. He'll be a solid number three starter for the Angels.
16 Jeff Clement - C Sea
Simply put: He could be the next best hitting catcher since Mike Piazza. The problem is that there's no room for him in Seattle. He may need to switch positions. Clement can flat out hit.
17 Jordan Schafer - OF Atl
His minor league career has been less than stellar, but he's got the tools to be a great player. He has trouble hitting lefthanders, and he strikes out too often, but that should improve with age. He'll need another year, possibly two, in AAA, but he should be a major contributor for the Braves.
18 Kevin Mulvey - P Min
Mulvey can pitch. The Twins did better with this trade than people think. He has a major league slider which can fool hitters. His control is pretty good as well. He'll need little time in AAA. He should be ready soon, and can be a 15 game winner for the Twins if they're patient.
19 Jaba Chamberlain - P NYY
He's got a rocket for an arm, but you have to wonder what the Yankees know that we don't, that they keep him on such a tight leash. He could be an injury waiting to happen. He may also bounce around between the bullpen and the rotation, which may take away some of his value. All of the NY hype doesn't help a young pitcher succeed. He's still a strikeout machine with a nice makeup, but it may take another year for him to show consistency.
20 Matt Mangini - 3B LAA
Considered a pure hitter who has a great feel for the game. He's a big kid who should hit for power with maturity. A batting title and gold glove could be in his future. He's still a couple of years away from the majors.
21 Matt Harvey - P LAA
He has a high upside, but needs some fine tuning. He's still raw, and tends to tire as the game wears on. His mechanics will need minor adjustments, but he's still got a great arm and could be a future ace. He was drafted out of high school, so he's a few years away.
22 Jair Jurrjens - P Atl
He throws heat, often hitting 97 on the radar gun. He'll be a high strikeout pitcher. He may very well contribute to the Braves this season, and he should be good for 12 wins and decent stats. He's ready for the majors now.
23 Drew Stubbs - OF Cin
Pure hitter who's overlooked in a stocked Reds organization. He's a five tool player who can steal bases. He may just be as good as Jay Bruce, but will spend another season in the minors. He could see a September call up. He's a keeper.
24 David Price - P TB
Tampa Bay rarely produces a top notch pitcher, so that is a concern. He has solid stuff, but can be wild at times. He needs to be reminded to stick to his mechanics. He's a talented lefthander who can become a very good pitcher for a long time.
25 Colby Rasmus - OF STL
Five tool player, though his average may not exceed .260 early on in his MLB career. Nonetheless, he'll be a fixture in St Louis for some time.
26 Andrew McCutchen - OF Pit
Difficult to rate a Pittsburgh prospect so high, but he appears to have the tools necessary to succeed...and what do the Pirates have to lose playing him? He's still young, but he should be doing better in the minors. He may still be a year away.
27 Chris Marrero - OF Was
He can't run, but he can hit...and hit for a high average. He has a great approach at the plate. His time is near in Washington.
28 Chase Headley - 3B SD
Talented third baseman who may move to the OF. He can hit and has gap power. He may not hit more than 20HR very often, but he'll still be a major league hitter.
29 Will Inman - P SD
Strikeout machine who's still getting better. San Diego knows how to develop young pitchers, so Inman is a keeper who could be a number two starter right away.
30 Carlos Carrasco - P Phi
Still young, but damn near ready. He is able to work his way out of jams. He's got good control and a knack for pitching. He could be up in the bigs by September.
31 JR Towles - C Hou
His time is now in Houston. He's a great contact hitter who could hit for a .300 batting average. He may not break any HR records, but he's a nice option behind the plate. Could be a Jason Kendall type with a bit more power.
32 Joe Savery - P Phi
Decent lefthander. He's not a future strikeout king, but he bears down and gets the job done. He may need a few seasons before becoming a consistent winner at the MLB level. Pitching in that tiny ballpark won't help however, and pitchers out of Rice College are starting to worry me. Nonetheless, he has a great makeup, and should help the Phillies fairly soon.
33 Jeff Niemann - P TB
Somewhat disappointing that he's not up already. He's been good in the minors, and clearly has the ability to be a dominant strikeout pitcher. He needs to win a spot out of Spring Training, and the Rays need to find a place for him.
34 Daniel Moskos - P Pit
He may be the best closer prospect in baseball. He's got electric stuff and he should continue to get better...even if he is in Pittsburgh.
35 Gio Gonzales - P ChW
Been traded twice, and I can't figure out why. He's going to be a solid number two starter for the A's. The Sox may regret this deal over the years. Gonzales strikes out many and his control has improved each year. He's the real deal.
36 Troy Patton - P Bal
Houston rushed him to the majors, and he was over-matched. He needs refinement in the minors before pitching in Baltimore, or his confidence will be shot. He'll be good in 2009 if he remains in AAA this season.
37 Fernando Martinez - OF NYM
Okay, I have him lower than most others, but so far, the kid has struggled in the minors. He's still a few years away, and the Mets don't often give kids a chance to start. He needs to step it up, starting with this season.
38 Carlos Triunfel - SS Sea
Just 18 years old and has little to no power. He may be a Luis Castillo clone in the making. He has baseball smarts, which will help him. He needs to continue to be a good contact hitter to be considered in the next year or two.
39 Andy LaRoche - 3B LAD
He's ready now, but will he get a chance? He didn't exactly light em' up when he was called up. He may have been pressing. He should be a decent player for the Dodgers, and he should be able to contribute this year, though Nomar will be blocking his path.
40 Angel Villalona - SS SF
Considered a five tool player, though he's reluctant to steal bases. He's a big guy who should improve with age...he's just 18. He's a few years away, but should be a very good infielder.
41 Chin-Lung Hu - SS LAD
He can hit MLB pitching right now, but his path is blocked by Furcal. When he inherits the job, he should be an exciting player to watch. He has the skill, so it's just a matter of time.
42 Justin Masterson - P Bos
Highly sought after pitcher by other clubs. He could easily be higher on my list, if not for many great pitchers already in Boston. He knows how to pitch, and isn't far from being MLB ready. He'll be a good one.
43 Jose Tabata - OF NYY
Could be the Yankees next great position player, though his HR totals have been a bit of a disappointment in the minors. He's still young, so that should not be a concern. The homers will come.
44 Eric Hurley - P Tex
Texas needs a decent pitching prospect, and Hurley may be just that. Did well at AA last season, struggled somewhat in AAA. He's a good strikeout pitcher who shows poise and command. He should be up at some point this season for the Rangers.
45 Phil Humber - P Min
His stock has dropped due to surgery a few years ago...but it shouldn't. Don't overlook Humber. He knows how to pitch and should improve with time. He's near MLB ready. The Mets didn't give him a chance...the Twins will.
46 Josh Vitters - 3B ChC
Good hit, no glove prospect. He is almost MLB ready as a hitter despite his young age. He's a pure hitter who is capable of putting up monster numbers one day if his defense doesn't cause him to lose playing time.
47 Ricky Romero - P Tor
He has regressed a bit in the minors, but if he gets his act together, he's a solid strikeout pitcher with the tools necessary to succeed. This is a critical year for him to showcase his talented arm.
48 Adam Jones - OF Bal
Five tool player who has a rocket for an arm in CF. he'll get a chance to play in Baltimore, and he should more than justify the Bedard deal for the Orioles. He is that good!
49 Brandon Jones - OF Atl
He'll get a chance to win playing time for the Braves in 2008. He's a decent run producer who can play the outfield well. He may just hit 20 homers in his first full season.
50 Michael Burgess - OF Was
He's still a kid, and pretty raw, but in a few years, he could become a fixture in the Washington OF. Watch his progress closely.


Justice Danno has been playing fantasy baseball for more than fifteen years, and his greatest strength has been his ability to draft young players out of college/minor leagues. He is currently in one AL league and one NL league. His current team's rosters include Justin Verlander, Huston Street, Jered Weaver, Troy Tulowitzki, Homer Bailey, Dustin McGowen, Shaun Marcum, Rick Porcello, James Loney, Mike Pelfrey, and Carlos Marmol...all drafted during his minor league draft of past years.