Players by Position
Click on a Player to read their story. To find out how the rankings work, see the top of the story.
Pitchers (16)
2005 may be the Year of the Pitcher in the Sports Zodiac. The FAB50 checks the stars and says that 16 hurlers make the top 50 this year, with Tacoma Rainiers pitcher Felix Hernandez, making no. 1. All, from Felix to Boof, have the ability to excite and ignite.
Catchers (3)
While there are fewer catchers on this year's list, the choices are remarkable. Dioner Navarro has the rare pre-call-up blessing of Dodgers' Skipper Jim Tracy. Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Garko are both great bats, defensive catchers, and hurler handlers.
First Baseman (5)
Our first basemen are an elite class from the top 27 of the FAB50. Fielder is currently up in the majors, and may stay, but the crystal ball was just murky enough to leave him on the least. The rest have all moved or will move sometime during the remainder of the season.
Second Baseman (3)
This is an exciting crop of 2-baggers. Rickie Weeks continues to shine, moving up from No. 10 last year and moving into the Triple-A this season. Josh Barfield, a past MLN Player of the Year, has moved up to the Triple-A and appears readying for the jump to the big leagues as well.
Shortstops (9)
Tied with outfielders for the second largest number of entries behind pitchers, the shortstop crop features BJ Upton, our No. 1 last year, who should go up and stay up, one of these days. Ian Kinsler is one of the best hitters in the SS position that we've seen in a long time. The others all continue to move into ever-crowding positions in their organization that will have to be relieved by call-ups or trades. Some like J.J. Furmaniak, have been traded while we've been researching this article.
Third Basemen (2)
There are actually three third baseman on this year's list. Conor Jackson is a reconditioned first baseman. He played third through most of his college career. Edwin Encarnacion is our top twenty pick at third; Ian Stewart is a rising star whom we expect to see in our top rankings next season.
Outfielders (9)
Outfielders tie with the shortstops for the second largest group on our list. Our array of outfielders includes the well-covered and the lesser known. Delmon Young missed the mark for No. 1 overall by a farm-induced fraction. Todd Linden is the bat you should get to know better if your a 'Frisco fan. Lastings Milledge and Ted Williams have something in common, and of Asia's proud and few, we like rising star Shin-Soo Choo.
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