Updated AZL Top 20

1. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP - AZL Brewers

Jeffress was the Brewers first pick in the 2006 draft, 16th overall. Jeffress is a big projectable righthander who throws from a low 3/4 arm angle. His fastball sits low-to-mid 90s and hits 97 with regularity late in games. His slider has the makings of a plus pitch, but his changup is a work in progress at this point. Jeffress struggled in his professional debut, but it is of no concern.

2. Hank Conger, C - AZL Angels

Conger was the Angels top pick in the draft. Conger has considerable power potential with solid contact skills for someone like him. His arm is good enough to catch in the majors but his footwork and receiving skills need work. He's similar to Daric Barton a few years back, though Conger has more power and less discipline. Conger was having a great start before getting hurt.

3. Cedric Hunter, OF - AZL Padres

Hunter was rumored to possibly be sneaking into the back end of the first round, but fell to the Padres in the third round. He's a guy with gap power and good present hitting ability. There is a question as to whether he'll have enough power for the corners, and there is a question if he's good enough defensively to play center. He torched the AZL to a tune of a .371/.467/.484.

4. Alex Liddi, 3B - AZL Mariners

Liddy could be the first big name prospect from Europe. Scouts absolutely love everything about this kid. He played most of the season as 17, showing an advanced feel for the game, which is unheard of from a 17 year old from Italy. The only hole in his bat was his contact, but it was not terrible. As he matures he should hit for solid power to go with solid batting average skills. He's a phenomenal athletic specimen and should develop into a gold glove talent at third base. He reminds a lot of scouts of a young Ryan Zimmerman, with good reason.

5. Sharloon Schoop, SS - AZL Giants

Schoop is a defensive SS, the only Giants orginazational guy better is Omar Vizquel. He was named the leagues #11 prospect last summer, saying he was a no bat great glove with crap discipline. He must have taken that to heart as he hit .310/.437/.405 with a 26:15 BB:K. His discipline shot up. He has a good chance to hit for gap power as he grows into his body, but he looks like a good one to me.

6. Jake Brigham, RHP - AZL Rangers

Brigham was taken in the sixth round of this years draft. His fastball runs in the low 90s touching 94 and a good hard biting slider. He has good command and an easy delivery. His two plus pitch potential gives him lofty upside, but he's a ways away like everyone else in the league. He pitched nicely in the league with a 3:1 K:BB and striking out a batter an inning.

7. Marcus Lemon, SS - AZL Rangers

Marcus Lemon is one of the leader type kids. He's a hard nosed player who plays his heart out every game. His potential isn't lofty but his baseball IQ and work ethic are off the charts. None of his tools are outstanding but he generates line drives well. His advanced bat tore through the AZL as he hit .310 walking 16 times in 100 plate appearances.

8. Jose Ceda, RHP - AZL Cubs

Ceda is a big dominican kid the Cubs acquired in the Todd Walker trade. He's got a great arm, touching 99 in the past. He sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has the makings of a solid breaking ball. His control is a work in progress and his ERA (3.60) wasn't spectacular but his league leading K rate of 13.4 K/9 and his hit rate of 6.7 show his dominance.

9. Brent Fisher, LHP - AZL Royals

Fisher was ranked the #18 prospect in this league last year, and flatout dominated this time striking out 98 batters in 68.1 innings walking just 19. Fisher's fringe-average stuff are an issue. His fastball runs 86-89 with great deception. His curveball and changeup are average to solid pitches. His repetoire gives him back of the bullpen potential, but his performance in the league keeps him high on the list. He's also projectable, increasing his velocity a bit this season. If he can get his fastball 89-91 he'd become a solid prospect.

10. Matt Sweeney, 3B - AZL Angels

Sweeney wasn't much of a draft prospect, but the Angels took him in the 8th round and he's been a helium prospect since. He hit .341 knocking 23 extra base hits in 170 ABs all while maintaining excellent plate discipline.

11. Carlos Peguero, IF - AZL Mariners

The third Mariner bat on the list. He's a 6'5" 19 year old with prodigous power potential. His long swing is a work in progress but his pure batspeed might have been the best in the AZL. The issue with him was contact as he struck out 49 times in 134 ABs, but knocked 7 longballs.

12. Gerardo Avila, 1B - AZL Mariners

Avila is a 20 year old who was a bit advanced for the league, but was among the league leaders in all major offensive categories. He hit .326/.369/.561 in 39 games before getting promoted to the Midwest League. His short compact swing hits for above average power. Scouts love his bat, but he's going to need some refinement.

13. Chris Huseby, RHP - AZL Cubs

The Cubs made quite a name for Huseby when they gave him a 7 figure bonus as a 11th rounder. Going into his junior season he was one of the top prospects in his age, but injured his elbow missing most of his senior season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Huseby is a big 6'4" righty whose fastball sits 90-94 with potential for more as he develops and recovers. He also has the makings of a plus hard curveball and a good feel for a straight change. Huseby didn't get much action in the AZL as the Cubs were catious with him, but he was inconsistent showing glimpes of what he could be. He finished the season with a solid 3 inning outing striking out 4 allowing one hit.

14. Rolando Pascual, RHP - AZL Brewers

Pascual was one of the premeir talents from Latin America last year. He signed with the Brewers for little over $700,000 and made his debut in the AZL. Pascual just turned 17 earlier this year and has a fastball that ran 87-93 that should gain velocity as he grows into his massive 6'6" frame. His offspeed pitch needs some work, but he's young with a big fastball. He really struggled his professional debut though.

15. Wily Peralta, RHP - AZL Brewers

While Pascual was the top international pitcher, Peralta was no slouch. Like Pascual he just turned 17 this year and has a fastball that has dialed up to 96. He isn't as projectable as Pascual and his offspeed pitches aren't as developed as Pascuals. He also struggled in his debut, but the talent's there.

16. Brent Brewer, SS - AZL Brewers

Brent Brewer is another tremendous athlete who was recruited by Florida State to play wide receiver before signing with the Brewers. He was taken 60th overall in last June's draft. He has above average power and tremendous 4.2 speed to first. He does have an issue with strikeouts that bit him in the ass in his professional debut as he had a 53:16 K:BB. His glove and arm may not let him stick at short, but he can just as easily play second or center.

17. Doug Salinas, RHP - AZL Mariners

Salinas' was a 17 year old Venezuelan who dominated the league. His fastball now has been clocked at 90, but with him it's all about projection. As he grows into his 6'4" frame he should get his fastball in the low to the mid 90s at the least. He's got clean mechanics and a bulldog agressive nature that both bode well. He also has a curve and change that are work in progresses. His dominance shows well in his line as he nearly struckout a batter an inning and held opponents to a .219 batting average.

18. Kyler Burke, OF - AZL Padres

Burke was the Padres' supplemental round pick. He's a raw toolsy outfielder with power potential. He's an incredible overall athlete so that bodes well for his future. However he struggled in his debut just hitting .209 with 56 strikeouts in 163 at bats.

19. Luis Durango, 2B - AZL Padres

The 20 year old second baseman continued his advanced approach from the 2005 VSL. He showed great discipline as he hit .378/.470.448. As you can see he has no power. He didnt homer last year or this year, but has blazing speed.

20. Henry Rodriguez, RHP - AZL Athletics

On the outside the 19 year olds stats look terrible, a 59:50 K:BB and an ERA over 7. However he had the best arm strength in the league topping out at 99 MPH and registering in the high 90s with regularity. His offspeed stuff need a lot of work. His command needs even more, but his arm strength is first class. Also, he's shown an ability to get the ball on the ground, which is quite impressive for a guy with his arm.

Honorable mention: Derrick Robinson, Rafael Dolis, Vladimir Veras, Jason Taylor, Nathan Adcock, Felix Corrasco.