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June 20, 2008

Future Shock

Top 100 Update, The First 50

by Kevin Goldstein

1. Jay Bruce, OF, Reds
Eligible Next Year? Barring a disaster, no.
Production: .364/.393/.630 at Triple-A (49 G); .325/.417/.530 at MLB (22 G)
Stock Report: It’s impossible to move him up, but if I could, I would. He’s been that good.

2. Clay Buchholz, RHP, Red Sox
Eligible Next Year? No
Production: 5.53 ERA at MLB (42.1-49-20-43); 2.45 ERA at Triple-A (22-20-12-22)
Stock Report: Only a slight adjustment downwards. No-hitter aside, he wasn’t ready for the big leagues--he needs to learn how to pitch more and throw less.

3. Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays
Eligible Next Year? No
Production: .200/.333/.200 at Triple-A (7 G); .249/.328/.479 at MLB (61 G)
Stock Report: Unchanged. He's showing incredible power for a rookie; the average will come around once he improves against lefties.

4. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Yankees
Eligible Next Year? No
Production: 2.36 ERA at MLB (42-32-23-49)
Stock Report: Unchanged. It's impossible for him to be as dominant in a starting role, but he’s still been awfully impressive.

5. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers
Eligible Next Year? Probably not
Production: 2.28 ERA at Double-A (43.1-32-15-47); 3.75 ERA at MLB (24-23-15-21)
Stock Report: Unchanged. He's currently getting by in the majors on pure stuff; his ceiling remains through the roof.