MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 1992 Pacific Coast League

Image credit: (Photo by Tom DiPace)

In a bygone era, the Pacific Coast League was considered the top minor league in the land. It still occupies a spot at Triple-A, the top of the minor league hierarchy. All-time greats including Alex Rodriguez (1995), Mark McGwire (1986) and Tony Gwynn (1982) passed through the PCL on their way to the majors, but the 1992 prospect class was the one we chose to highlight. 

Albuquerque teammates and future Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez (No. 3) and Mike Piazza (No. 5) headlined an unusually strong group that also included Tim Salmon (No. 1), the 1992 Minor League Player of the Year, and long-time big league middle infielders Bret Boone (No. 2), Damion Easley (No. 4) and Royce Clayton (No. 8). 

1992 Pacific Coast League Top 10 Prospects

No Player Pos Team Org PA/IP WAR
1 Tim Salmon OF Edmonton Angels 7,039 35.4
2 Bret Boone 2B Calgary Mariners 7,433 23
3 Pedro Martinez RHP Albuquerque Dodgers 2,827 90
4 Damion Easley SS Edmonton Angels 6,211 17.3
5 Mike Piazza C Albuquerque Dodgers 7,745 63.7
6 Andujar Cedeno SS Tucson Astros 2,238 -1.9
7 Pat Mahomes RHP Portland Twins 709 -0.8
8 Royce Clayton SS Phoenix Giants 8,164 18.2
9 John Patterson 2B Phoenix Giants 636 -0.4
10 Reggie Jefferson 1B Colorado Springs Indians 2,306 4

While Martinez would go on to become the best pitcher on the planet in the late ’90s, he faced questions as a prospect about his “poise” despite owning a “great fastball and circle-changeup.”

Piazza had the “tools to be a front-line big league catcher” after “improving his receiving skills.” Most notable was his power after he hit .341 with 16 homers in 94 games. Managers accurately noted that Piazza didn’t “pull the ball much . . . but he can reach the deepest fences in the yard.” 

Salmon was the “unanimous top choice” in a banner year for the PCL. He led the minors with 29 homers and a .672 slugging percentage, leading one manager who had seen him at Double-A to say that “he’s improved tremendously with his ability to put the bat on the ball.”

Managers singled out Boone for his power, speed, glove and that he “flat-out hustles.” Easley had converted from center field to second base and was lauded for his speed, range, arm and “first-step quickness.” Clayton built a 17-year big league career on the strength of his “outstanding” defensive ability at shortstop. 

 

 

Pacific Coast League All-Time BA No. 1 Prospects

Players listed with career major league plate appearances/innings and FanGraphs WAR. Stats for active players current through mid August.

Year Player Pos Team Org PA/IP WAR
1981 Candy Maldonado OF Albuquerque Dodgers 4,590 11.8
1982 Dave Anderson SS Albuquerque Dodgers 2,287 4.1
1983 Juan Samuel 2B Portland Phillies 6,664 15.1
1984 Darnell Coles 3B Salt Lake City Mariners 3,224 -0.6
1985 Jose Canseco OF Tacoma Athletics 8,129 42.1
1986 Glenn Braggs OF Vancouver Brewers 2,609 6.3
1987 Mike Campbell RHP Calgary Mariners 233 -1.5
1988 Sandy Alomar Jr. C Las Vegas Padres 4,865 13.2
1989 Matt Williams 3B Phoenix Giants 7,595 44.8
Year Player Pos Team Org PA/IP WAR
1990 Jose Offerman SS Albuquerque Dodgers 6,582 13.9
1991 Kenny Lofton OF Tucson Astros 9,235 62.4
1992 Tim Salmon OF Edmonton Angels 7,039 35.4
1993 Darrell Whitmore OF Edmonton Marlins 357 -1.3
1994 Brian L. Hunter OF Tucson Astros 3,659 5.2
1995 Alex Rodriguez SS Tacoma Mariners 12,207 113.7
1996 Todd Walker 3B Salt Lake Twins 5,055 9.5
1997 Paul Konerko 1B/3B Albuquerque Dodgers 9,505 24.0
1998 Troy Glaus 3B Vancouver Angels 6,355 34.3
1999 Rick Ankiel LHP Memphis Cardinals 242 4.3
Year Player Pos Team Org PA/IP WAR
2000 Ryan Anderson LHP Tacoma Mariners
2001 Sean Burroughs 3B Portland Padres 1,823 5.2
2002 Jesse Foppert RHP Fresno Giants 122 -0.1
2003 Rich Harden RHP Sacramento Athletics 928 19.0
2004 Casey Kotchman 1B Salt Lake Angels 3,412 1.9
2005 Felix Hernandez RHP Tacoma Mariners 2,730 56.9
2006 Stephen Drew SS Tucson D-backs 4,917 15.0
2007 Yovani Gallardo RHP Nashville Brewers 1,817 20.8
2008 Colby Rasmus OF Memphis Cardinals 4,119 18.4
2009 Buster Posey C Fresno Giants 5,153 52.7
Year Player Pos Team Org PA/IP WAR
2010 Buster Posey C/1B Fresno Giants 5,153 52.7
2011 Brett Lawrie 3B Las Vegas Blue Jays 2,417 9.7
2012 Wil Myers OF/3B Omaha Royals 3,241 10.4
2013 Oscar Taveras OF Memphis Cardinals 248 -0.9
2014 Kris Bryant 3B Iowa Cubs 3,175 27.9
2015 Corey Seager SS Oklahoma City Dodgers 2,156 19.0
2016 Alex Reyes RHP Memphis Cardinals 56 2.1
2017 Amed Rosario SS Las Vegas Mets 1,497 4.3
2018 Kyle Tucker OF Fresno Astros 241 0.1
2019 Yordan Alvarez OF Fresno Astros 378 3.9

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