6. Corey Lee, LHP Age: 24 B-T: B-L Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180 Drafted: North Carolina State, 1996 (Supplemental 1st round) Signed by: Mike Toomey Background: Lee had good stuff and excellent command in 1997, but his command suffered last year, even as stuff improved. Hits were hard to come by off Lee, who was chosen with the compensation pick for losing Kenny Rogers to free agency. Strengths: When Lee throws strikes, he has a complete four-pitch arsenal. His best pitch for both command and quality is a tight curveball. Lee's fastball is 91-93 mph with good life. His slider and changeup are both solid major league average pitches. Weaknesses: The Rangers say that Lee's command problems were caused by a mechanical problem that left his fastball up in the zone and his determination to throw his "mega-stuff" on each pitch. He has been counseled on paying less attention to radar gun readings, which mean less to hitters than scouts. The Future: The Rangers feel they corrected Lee's control problems in instructional league, where he walked just one hitter in 20 innings. He has the highest ceiling of any of the Rangers prospects and could come quickly if he gains consistency. 1998 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H BB SO Tulsa (AA) 10 9 4.51 26 25 1 0 144 105 102 132 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Shawn Gallagher, 1B Age: 22 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 187 Drafted: HS--Wilmington, N.C., 1995 (5th round) Signed by: Jim Fairey Background: Gallagher is one of the greatest high school hitters of all time, co-holding the national record for longest hitting streak at 51 games. In one of those games he tied another national record with five home runs. After struggling professionally for three years, Gallagher dominated the Florida State League in 1998 with an MVP season. Strengths: With a more relaxed approach at the plate in 1998, Gallagher showed he's still a pure hitter with good bat speed, plate coverage and power potential. He has a relentless work ethic. Weaknesses: Gallagher is just a fair defensive first baseman. The Rangers have tried him in the outfield and at third base with no success. His running speed is below average, though he is a good instinctive base runner. The Future: It's been a long time since anyone, let along a 21-year, put up such impressive numbers in the FSL. His biggest obstacle will be the organization's first base depth, with Palmeiro and his five-year contract ahead of him and fellow prospect Pena behind him. 1998 Club (Class) AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Charlotte (A) .308 520 111 160 37 4 26 121 66 116 18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Cesar King, C Age: 21 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 175 Signed: Dominican Republic, 1994 Signed by: Omar Minaya Background: The Rangers No. 2 prospect last year after reaching Double-A as a 19-year-old, King struggled offensively in 1998. His season ended prematurely because of a right thumb injury. Strengths: King has outstanding hands behind the plate, a release that is regularly in the 1.8-1.9 second range and exceptionally quick feet. The Rangers give him high praise for his maturity in handling a game, and they point to the improvements made by the Tulsa pitching staff as a product of his work. Weaknesses: King is a front-foot contact hitter who doesn't take advantage of his natural strength and hand quickness at the plate. The Rangers also are concerned with his weight, and they placed him on a supervised conditioning program this winter. The Future: In retrospect, too much may have been expected out of the young catcher in 1998 at Double-A. His offensive struggles last year may be a blessing though as it will give the Rangers more time to develop him as Rodriguez' eventual successor. 1998 Club (Class) AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Tulsa (AA) .222 316 40 70 16 2 3 39 30 68 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Mike Zywica, OF Age: 24 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 190 Drafted: Evansville, 1996 (24th round) Signed by: Mike Daughtry Background: Prior to last season, Zywica's main claim to fame might have been the fact that he was the last entry on the alphabetical list of professional players. He made a name for himself, though, by hitting .381 in the Florida State League and winning the Arizona Fall League batting title, at .330. Strengths: Zywica is not your prototypical high average hitter. He has long limbs and a unique "step, wait and swing" approach at the plate. The rest of Zywica's package is solid. He pitched in college and has above average arm strength, along with average speed and defensive ability. Weaknesses: After a promotion to Double-A, Zywica's average dropped considerably and his walk-to-strikeout ratio unraveled, so he is by no means a polished hitter yet. He will have to continue to show his unusual hitting approach is effective against better pitching. The Future: Zywica didn't do anything different last year to account for his huge surge as a hitter. He just got more repetitions at the plate and became more comfortable with his hitting style. He'll try to pass the Double-A test this season. 1998 Club (Class) AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Charlotte (A) .381 252 67 96 21 3 11 49 34 40 16 Tulsa (AA) .280 214 40 60 15 4 5 45 19 56 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Jeff Zimmerman, RHP Age: 26 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 200 Signed: NDFA, Northern League, 1998 Signed by: Reid Nichols Background: Zimmerman has an unlikely resume for a prospect. He is a Canadian who was undrafted out of Texas Christian. While coaching in British Columbia, he earned a master's degree in business administration. His only pro experience before last season was in the independent Northern League in 1997. Zimmerman's younger brother, Jordan, is a lefthander on the Mariners' 40-man roster. Strengths: Picture Kerry Ligtenberg, including the independent league background, and you have Zimmerman. He has a sinking 90-92 mph fastball and he can spot the corners. Zimmerman's out pitch is a tight, late breaking slider that is an above average major league pitch. His maturity level and composure on the mound are excellent. Weaknesses: Zimmerman is obviously old for a prospect, especially one with just 77 innings of minor league experience. His changeup has not been a factor working out of the bullpen. The Future: The Rangers think Zimmerman has a strong chance to make their major league team in 1999. Their bullpen is hardly a strength and Zimmerman's slider can get big league hitters out now. 1998 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H BB SO Charlotte (A) 2 1 1.26 10 0 0 0 14 10 1 14 Tulsa (AA) 3 1 1.29 41 0 0 9 63 38 20 67 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rest of the Best: 11. Joaquin Benoit, rhp 12. Derrick Cook, rhp 13. Brandon Knight, rhp 14. Dan Kolb, rhp 15. Michael Lamb, 3b 本文转载自www.baseballamerica.com --

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