The "Next 25": Abridged

Before starting the regular season writings, the "Next 25" which was never released in full form (due to complications at work and a crazy weekend in South Beach):

Top 10:
Andrew Miller, SP, Det -- still lacks command and is likely at least half of a season away
Homer Bailey, SP, Cin -- will need a month or two in Louisville to refine command of offspeed stuff
Philip Hughes, SP, NYY -- injuries may mean a call in May; Hughes is better off with a call in July
Tim Lincecum, SP, SF -- the Giants wanted a full season of Lincy as a starter; a thin bullpen and strong start may make him this years '06 Papelbon
Ryan Braun, 3B, Mil -- Brick hands have cost Braun a spot on the opening day roster, and the Brewers a 20 HR bat
Brandon Wood, 3B, LAA -- Back to AAA to learn 3b; next stop LAA in June/July
Evan Longoria, 3B/SS, TB -- September 1 = MLB debut; most polished hitter in minors
Hunter Pence, OF, Hou -- Another victim of Craig Biggio's pursuit of 3000; just give him CF and let Burke take over 2b for good; Pence will be a legit HR/BA threat for years to come
Adam Miller, SP, Cle -- the quicker he gets into the rotation, the quicker Cleveland can start preparing for the ALCS; expect a May call-up
Adam Lind, OF, Tor -- ready to hit right now; only a Frank Thomas injury away from doing it in Toronto

Next 10:
Yovani Gallardo, SP, Mil -- Great strikeout numbers; great breakout potential; see you in May
Billy Butler, OF/DH, KC -- ready to rake; keep him away from a glove; just a Sweeney injury away
Adam Jones, OF, Sea -- great tools; might not get the call until '08, but I think he sees Safeco sooner rather than later
Mike Pelfrey, SP, NYM -- Already in the rotation, we'll see how he fares
Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD -- Dodgers inexplicably continue to deny LaRoche a place on the big team; his numbers at AAA will force the issue before June
Joey Votto, 1B, Cin -- pure hitter, should be up by mid-season to stay
Josh Fields, 3B, CHW -- Solid tools all around; OF ability makes ML time more likely
James Loney, 1B, LAD -- Would like to see more power, but you can do worse than a Mark Grace clone
John Danks, SP, CHW -- Atleast a year away from being a solid contributor; '07 may be a struggle, but '08 will make the South Side exclaim "McCarthy who?!"
Jeff Neiman, SP, TB -- finally a young pitcher ready to contribute; look for an August call

Last 5:
Travis Buck, OF, Oak -- should hit if given the opportunity; look for a taste in '07 and a strong '08 campaign
Ryan Sweeney, OF, CHW -- some of the shine is off, but we'll have to wait and see what he can do with a full time job (it would help if he could earn one)
Daric Barton, 1B, Oak -- we'll see what the A's decide; should see 20-30 games at some point this year
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA -- ready to play, and a prime candidate for a trade by July; could see time in center if Matthews misses time
Kevin Slowey, SP, Min -- three words: Ponson, Ortiz, Silva; he'll be up with Garza by the end of May

Five More to Watch:
Glen Perkins, SP, Min -- see Slowey (no idea what the Twins are thinking)
Felix Pie, OF, CHC -- will be a tough '07, but Pie has the tools to be a star by '09; he should earn some time by the end of August
Micah Owings, SP, Ari -- '08 is the scheduled arrival, but Owings could force the issue as early as July
Humberto Sanchez, NYY -- if he can stay healthy, he could be a great arm out of the pen come August
Bryce Cox, RP, Bos -- less likely to make the jump now that Paps is back in the pen; still, Cox is only a JP injury away from an August call