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Hawaii Winter Ball Top 15 Prospects: Guess who's #1

http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/articles/detail/117

Number five is pretty nice, too.

And since I have to use at least 300 characters:

1) Matt Wieters, Honolulu Sharks

Catcher, Baltimore Orioles

As a 6-5, switch-hitting catcher, Wieters is a wall behind the plate with a great arm who can hit to all fields with power. It's no wonder the Orioles invested $6 million in the backstop who made his professional debut in HWB. As a catcher and designated hitter with the Sharks, Wieters hit .283 with nine doubles, a home run and 17 RBIs in 106 at bats. Most impressive, however, was the Goose Creek, S.C. native's plate discipline. Wieters drew 12 walks and amassed a .364 on-base percentage--not an easy feat considering the rookie faced some of the best young prospects from both the U.S. and Japan. Many experts predict Wieters will make his way up to the big league club by 2009, but I see him getting called up late next season by a team desperate to win, and looking to advance a core group of youngsters through its system (see the 2007 Milwaukee Brewers club for a blueprint).

5) Brandon Snyder, Honolulu Sharks

Third Base, Baltimore Orioles

Snyder, a former catcher, spent the HWB campaign working on his skills at third base. The right hander put together a consistent season at the dish, and ended up leading the league with a .378 batting average. It will be interesting to see what Baltimore decides to do with Snyder, as the club has high hopes for top-rated prospect Bill Rowell at the hot corner. If that is indeed the case, look for Snyder to earn time at first base with the Orioles in early 2009 to compete with an aging Aubrey Huff. Snyder has suffered injuries to both shoulders, so a permanent move to first base could prolong his shelf life as an effective hitter.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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