Sickels: More Preseason Top 20s in Review

Giants. Middle 5 consist of one decent middle infield prospect (Marcus Sanders), one decent relief prospect (Billy Sadler), two so-so pitchers and a so-so outfielder. For an organization that has tried very hard to avoid first-round picks the last couple of years, the top of the organization isn’t too bad. Cain appears to be a stud, and the top players on the list are progressing nicely (although the Giants will have to find somewhere to hide Martinez-Esteve and Schierholtz defensively). If Sabean and Alou can be convinced to give some of these guys a shot, the Giants might not collapse too far in the post-Bonds era.

Rangers. Middle 5 includes Botts, who should contribute to someone eventually (maybe even the Rangers, if they move Blalock); Hudgins, whom I’m a little higher on than Sickels, although his ‘05 was a disappointment; and Arias, who I think will also fit into the middle infield eventually - a pretty good group. There are some real quality pitchers here - Diamond, Danks, Hurley, and Edison Volquez, who didn’t make the preseason top 20 - and it’s also a pretty deep organization as well. Young pitchers haven’t survived the Arlington summers very well in recent years, but Texas has put a lot of effort into trying to develop some arms, and I think they have a really good chance to succeed.