MiLB Top 10 Prospects Flashback: 1990 Florida State League
As a 14-team league with favorable early-season weather and access to spring complexes, the high Class A Florida State League has seen its share of elite talent. The list includes Roger Clemens and Bret Saberhagen in 1983, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz in 1986, Frank Thomas in 1989, Derek Jeter in 1994, Scott Rolen in 1995, Roy Halladay in 1996, Adrian Beltre and David Ortiz in 1997, Miguel Cabrera in 2002 and Justin Verlander in 2005.
The Florida State League in 1990 boasted transcendent young catcher Ivan Rodriguez (No. 1) plus two late-round draft picks out of college who far exceeded expectations. That makes it our pick for signature FSL prospect class.
1990 Florida State League Top 10 Prospects
| No | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 1 | Ivan Rodriguez | C | Charlotte | Rangers | 10,270 | 69.2 |
| 2 | Jeff Juden | RHP | Osceola | Astros | 533 | 1.1 |
| 3 | Denis Boucher | LHP | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 146 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Nikco Riesgo | 1B | St. Lucie | Mets | 10 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Kenny Lofton | OF | Osceola | Astros | 9,235 | 62.4 |
| 6 | Jeff Kent | 2B | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 9,537 | 56 |
| 7 | Ivan Cruz | 1B | Lakeland | Tigers | 58 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Mike Timlin | RHP | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 1,204 | 18.1 |
| 9 | John Johnstone | RHP | St. Lucie | Mets | 278 | 1.5 |
| 10 | D.J. Dozier | OF | St. Lucie | Mets | 54 | -0.2 |
Rodriguez zoomed to the FSL at age 18 and drew immediate attention for his arm and rapid rate improvement. “He has really handled himself well behind the plate,” his manager said. “And I really think he is going to be a pretty decent hitter.”
Kenny Lofton (No. 5) finished second in the FSL batting race (.331) and also in stolen bases (62), which was remarkable given it was his first full pro season. He had completed his college basketball eligibility at Arizona in 1989 before focusing exclusively on baseball. The Astros wisely snagged Lofton as a 17th-round pick in 1988 after he played just five games for the Wildcats’ baseball team.
Jeff Kent (No. 6) slipped to the 20th round out of California in 1989 but made an immediate impression as a pro. Kent placed second in the FSL with both 16 homers and 32 doubles, showing big power for a middle infielder in a pitcher’s league.
Florida State 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 | Danny Tartabull | 2B/3B | Tampa | Reds | 5,842 | 22.6 |
| 1982 | Sid Fernandez | LHP | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 1,867 | 34.3 |
| 1983 | Jose Rijo | RHP | Fort Lauderdale | Yankees | 1,880 | 36.5 |
| 1984 | Mike Ramsey | OF | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 138 | -0.7 |
| 1985 | Greg Mayberry | RHP | Vero Beach | Dodgers | — | — |
| 1986 | Ron Jones | OF | Clearwater | Phillies | 264 | 1.5 |
| 1987 | Ramon Martinez | RHP | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 1,896 | 24.6 |
| 1988 | Chris Nichting | RHP | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 112 | -0.4 |
| 1989 | Chris Donnels | 3B | St. Lucie | Mets | 910 | 1.0 |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 1990 | Ivan Rodriguez | C | Charlotte | Rangers | 10,270 | 69.2 |
| 1991 | Phil Hiatt | 3B | Baseball City | Royals | 463 | -1.1 |
| 1992 | Carlos Delgado | C | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 8,657 | 44.1 |
| 1993 | Rod Henderson | RHP | West Palm Beach | Expos | 10 | -0.4 |
| 1994 | Derek Jeter | SS | Tampa | Yankees | 12,602 | 73.1 |
| 1995 | Scott Rolen | 3B | Clearwater | Phillies | 8,518 | 69.9 |
| 1996 | Kerry Wood | RHP | Daytona | Cubs | 1,380 | 26.3 |
| 1997 | Adrian Beltre | 3B | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 12,130 | 84.1 |
| 1998 | Ryan Bradley | RHP | Tampa | Yankees | 13 | -0.1 |
| 1999 | Vernon Wells | OF | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 7,212 | 25.1 |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 2000 | Kevin Mench | OF | Charlotte | Rangers | 2,597 | 8.7 |
| 2001 | Josh Beckett | RHP | Brevard County | Marlins | 2,051 | 37.2 |
| 2002 | Mark Teixeira | 3B | Charlotte | Rangers | 8,029 | 44.7 |
| 2003 | Joe Mauer | C | Fort Myers | Twins | 7,960 | 52.5 |
| 2004 | Joel Guzman | SS | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 62 | -0.2 |
| 2005 | Andy LaRoche | 3B | Vero Beach | Dodgers | 1,336 | -0.2 |
| 2006 | Homer Bailey | RHP | Sarasota | Reds | 1,399 | 10.2 |
| 2007 | Jay Bruce | OF | Sarasota | Reds | 6,555 | 20.5 |
| 2008 | Rick Porcello | RHP | Lakeland | Tigers | 2,062 | 23.5 |
| 2009 | Giancarlo Stanton | OF | Jupiter | Marlins | 4,951 | 39.7 |
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Org | PA/IP | WAR |
| 2010 | Matt Moore | LHP | Charlotte | Rays | 895 | 6.4 |
| 2011 | Shelby Miller | RHP | Palm Beach | Cardinals | 758 | 7.9 |
| 2012 | Jose Fernandez | RHP | Jupiter | Marlins | 471 | 13.6 |
| 2013 | Byron Buxton | OF | Fort Myers | Twins | 1,440 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | Tyler Glasnow | RHP | Bradenton | Pirates | 279 | 1.8 |
| 2015 | Alex Reyes | RHP | Palm Beach | Cardinals | 56 | 2.1 |
| 2016 | Amed Rosario | SS | St. Lucie | Mets | 1,497 | 4.3 |
| 2017 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Dunedin | Blue Jays | 611 | 0.2 |
| 2018 | Royce Lewis | SS | Fort Myers | Twins | — | — |
| 2019 | Wander Franco | SS | Charlotte | Rays | — | — |
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