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2004 Second Round Review, Part Three

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2004 Boston Red Sox second-round pick Dustin Pedroia.

62---Philadelphia Phillies: Jason Jaramillo, C, Oklahoma State University
Hitting .275/.364/.421 in 47 games for Lakewood in the South Atlantic League. His plate discipline has been adequate and he's shown some doubles power. His best skills are defensive, and he projects as a major league reserve unless he shows unusual offensive development at higher levels.

63---Kansas City Royals: Erik Cordier, RHP, Southern Door HS, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Extended spring training.

64---Houston Astros: Hunter Pence, OF, University of Texas-Arlington
Hitting .345/.421/.715 with 23 home runs already for Class A Lexington in the Sally League. 30 walks, 45 strikeouts in 235 at-bats is a decent BB/K/AB ratio. Obviously you have to respect his power, but we need to see what he can do at higher levels, as he is too good for the competition right now. The power should carry forward, but we'll have to see about the BA and OBP.

65---Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia, SS, Arizona State University
Hitting .323/.401/.489, 29 walks, 23 strikeouts in 235 at-bats for Double-A Portland. Hard to find fault with Pedroia: he seems to do everything well, and is already a better player than some scouts projected him becoming.

66---Chicago Cubs: Grant Johnson, RHP, Notre Dame
Now pitching for Class A Peoria after a bout in extended spring training, Johnson has allowed 9 hits and 4 runs in his first 10 innings of work. He had a first-round arm, but labrum trouble in college hurt his stock a bit. If healthy, he certainly has enough stuff to succeed, though of course we need to see how his command holds up.

67---Oakland Athletics: Kurt Suzuki, C, Cal State Fullerton
Hitting .280/.397/.444 at Stockton in the California League. Solid defensive catcher by reputation, although he has struggled at times this year. Shows outstanding plate discipline, but his power production at higher levels is uncertain. I like him a lot.

68---Florida Marlins: Jason Vargas, LHP, Long Beach State
Started the year at Class A Greensboro, went 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA in 5 starts. Promoted to Class A Jupiter, where he is 2-2, 2.86 in 8 starts. Has combined for an 89/20 K/BB ratio in 84 innings thus far. Basically pitching brilliantly, and ready for Double-A in my opinion.

69---Chicago White Sox: Ray Liotta, LHP, Gulf Coast Community College
4-3, 2.75 in 13 starts for Kannapolis in the Sally League, with a 68/19 K/BB in 79 innings. Fastball/curveball pitcher, solid stuff with good command, one of the better LHP prospects in the low minors.

70---San Francisco Giants: Eddy Martinez-Esteve, OF, Florida State University
Hitting .354/.468/.611 with 46 walks, 44 strikeouts, 26 doubles, 9 homers in 229 at-bats for the San Jose Giants in the California League. I have a lot of confidence in his bat. Main question is his defense, which is pretty awful. Confined to DH due to leftover shoulder troubles, but even when healthy he doesn't have much glove skill. But his bat should be/could be special.

71---Atlanta Braves: Eric Campbell, 3B, Gibson Southern HS, Owensville, Indiana
Extended spring training.