| Michael Lange |
SS |
5-11,175 |
Bishop Amat HS |
West Covina, CA |
| Lange has all the tools to be a high-level Division I or pro prospect. He was the best player in Fort Myers on this weekend. He is a smooth, fluid infielder with a strong arm. He has outstanding baseball instincts and uses them to there fullest potential. He is capable of making the toughest plays and is steady on the routine stuff. His bat has big time potential, he creates great bat speed and stays under control. He very well could end up hitting for some power. He was to Tropicana for PG's national showcase, but he was unable to attend. |
| 2. Philip Stringer (03) |
SS |
5-9,170 |
Klein Oak HS |
Spring, Texas |
| Stringer showed scouts outstanding infield actions. He possesses a strong arm, but uses it very efficiently. He has good instincts and makes the plays in the easiest possible way. He has very fast hands and good range. As a hitter he uses those fast hands and instincts to the fullest advantage. He has a sound approach and the ball jumps off his bat. He’s been taught well. All Stringer needs to do is improve his 60 time (6.9 seconds) a bit in order to be a high pick in 2003. |
| 3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (03) |
C |
6-4,190 |
Royal PB HS |
West Palm Beach, FL |
| Saltalamacchia caught only a few innings in Fort Myers, but it was enough to prove he is perhaps the top 2003 catcher in the country. He has a major league body and he’s already close to major league average in arm strength. Add that he has big time power potential from the left side and you have one of the nation's top rising juniors. He also showed very well at Tropicana Field the next weekend. |
| 4. Jason Short (02) |
RHP |
6-2, 165 |
Gulf Coast HS |
Naples, FL |
| Short was a pleasant surprise at Fort Myers. He flashed an 86-88 mph fastball and showed a good feel for the breaking ball. He is fairly thin and projects very well. His arm action is quick and fluid. Off his showing in Fort Myers, he was invited to Tropicana, where he once again showed well. He touched 89 at Tropicana. |
| 5. Joey Votto (02) |
3B |
6-2,195 |
Richview Collegiate HS |
Toronto, Ontario |
| Votto looks like a big leaguer with his outstanding body. He runs close to average, has a strong arm and fluid actions. Most impressive is his lefthanded swing. He generates extreme bat speed with little effort, and down the road he should hit with good power. The ball already jumps off his bat. |
| 6. Luis Mateo (02) |
RHP |
5-10, 160 |
Lourdes School |
Guaynabo, P.R. |
| Mateo is not the prototype tall righthander, but he has an exceptionally live arm. His 89 mph fastball explodes at the plate and his breaking ball is a borderline plus major league pitch right now. Mateo was invited to Tropicana and he also pitched well at the USA Baseball trials in Joplin. This kid is a DI gem; it would be a mistake to let his size fool anyone. |
| 7. Drew Fiorenza (02) |
OF-P |
6-2,185 |
Woodward HS |
Atlanta,GA |
| Fiorenza has a major league body and some very interesting tools. He has a strong arm and athletic actions. He should end up with a plus bat and average speed. He should come into his own over the next year. He’s already a solid DI prospect. |
| 8. Arric Mather (02) |
RHP |
6-5 165 |
Timberline HS |
Danville, N.H. |
| Mather is best described as extremely projectable. He is very thin and yet still flashed a high 80s fastball with a feel for the breaking ball. His arm works good and he’s only going to get much bigger, stronger and better. He also was invited to Tropicana. |
| 9. Omar Borges (02) |
OF |
6-1,195 |
Brito Private HS |
Miami, FL |
| Borges is raw, but he’s only been playing baseball a couple of years. The most intriguing part of Omar’s game can be measured in bat speed. He can really swing the lumber. He creates big league bat speed and should turn into a top hitting prospect. The rest of his game needs some developing, but he appears to be athletic, so the possibilities are there. |
| 10. Geoff Strickland (02) |
SS |
5-11,170 |
Lake Brantley HS |
Longwood, FL |
| Strickland does many things well. He has an outstanding arm and does everything effortlessly. Strickland is a definite DI prospect with a possible pro future. |
