2006 New York Collegiate League Top 10 Prospects
| By John Manuel |
| August 28, 2006 |
1. Jonathan White, of, Glens Falls (Vanderbilt)
White's arm is his weakest tool, but he is an athletic, above-average runner (6.5 seconds over 60 yards) with offensive potential. His season ended prematurely with a broken hand.
2. Nick Stewart, of, Geneva (Francis Marion, S.C.)
A rising senior, Stewart has good size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and raw tools, leading the league in home runs (seven) while also being one of its best runners.
3. Austin Hyatt, rhp, Amsterdam (Alabama)
The Braves' 23rd-round pick out of a Georgia high school in 2004, Hyatt didn't sign and has pitched just three innings for the Crimson tide. His breaking ball remains inconsistent, but his average fastball and changeup helped him strike out 41 in 32 innings this summer.
4. David Flores, 3b, Little Falls (Sacramento State)
Flores has good defensive tools at third base and used an improved swing with wood to hit .331 with six homers this summer after hitting .331 with three homers during the spring.
5. Jordon Herr, of, Rochester (Delaware)
The son of ex-big leaguer Tommy Herr, Jordan Herr was one of the league's best athletes. He showed 6.8 speed in the 60 and average arm strength, if not a tick above. He also showed surprising power (five homers) in his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame.
6. Gerry Spessard, of/1b, Watertown (Maryland)
A lefthanded hitter with good size, Spessard has not fully tapped into his power. He's athletic and runs well for his size, giving him a chance to play the outfield as well as first base.
7. Ezequiel Ruvalcaba, rhp, Saratoga (Loyola Marymount)
The league's top closer relied on a low-90s fastball that touched 93 mph. His slider and split-finger fastball remain fringy, but he didn't give up an earned run in 17 innings in the NYCBL.
8. Brandon Malkowsi, rhp, Amsterdam (St. Rose, N.Y.)
Coming off nasal surgery in the spring that cost him 15 pounds of strength, Malkowski was in midseason form this summer, flashing some 90s on radar guns and giving scouts hope for projection in his lanky 6-foot-6, 185-pound frame.
9. Cody Eppley, rhp, Elmira (Virginia Commonwealth)
Also projectable at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Eppley registered 59 strikeouts in 51 innings thanks to his ability to throw three pitches for strikes. His best pitch is a high-80s sinker.
10. Chris Dove, of, Saratoga (Elon)
Dove impressed managers with his defensive ability in center field. His other tools are average or below.