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When watching minor league pitchers, [tag]strikeout to walk ratio[/tag] is a very good indicator to keep an eye on. A high K/BB ratio means the pitcher has good command and control and is usually over-powering hitters. Continually posting high K/BB ratios gets you promoted through the minors and ultimately to the major leagues.

Here are three minor league pitchers, without any major league experience, that could see the major league dreams come true in 2008.

• Alan Horne | Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees AA) - [tag]Alan Horne[/tag] was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year in 2007 after goig 12-4 with a 3.11 ERA and a 2.89 K/BB (165/57) ratio. Horne led the Yankees farm system in strikeouts and scouts believe he is ready to pitch in the major leagues. Let’s see if Brian Cashman can find a spot in the rotation for him.
• Eric Hurley | Oklahoma Redhawks (Texas Rangers AAA) - I joked during the season about Kevin Slowey and his last name not being a great pitchers name. Well [tag]Eric Hurley[/tag]’s last name rocks for a starting pitcher. This Texas Rangers top prospect enjoyed a 2.45 K/BB (135/55) ratio last season while making adjustments to his windup. His walks should drop a bit, making his K/BB ratio even better in ‘08, but he’ll need to increase his groundball rate (38%) to make any impact in the big leagues.
• Will Inman | San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres AA) - [tag]Will Inman[/tag] is probably the pitcher on this list furthest away from the big leagues, and when I say that I mean that he could show up by mid season. In 2007 he posted more strikeouts (180) than innings pitched (159.2) and had a 3.10 K/BB (180/58) ratio. Inman mixes three pitches (90 MPH fastball, 12 to 6 curveball and changeup) in his arsenal and hates walking hitters. Best thing yet about the Padres top prospect… He’s only 20.

At least 12 games have been played by each of the teams playing [tag]Hawaii Winter Baseball[/tag], here’s some of the early hitting stars.

• Mat Gamel | North Shore (MIL) - After a year in advanced A ball where Gamel hit .300/.378/.472 with 8 triples, 9 home runs and 14 stolen bases, he’s started strong in Hawaii with 3 doubles and 4 home runs in 44 at bats.
•  Jeramy Laster | North Shore (DET) - In single A, Laster hit 16 home runs and stole 16 bases. In hawaii, he’s hit 4 home runs in 40 at bats.
• Russell Mitchell | West Oahu (LAD) - Mitchell is leading Hawaii Winter Baseball in doubles with 6. Last season in advanced A ball he hit 32 doubles and 22 home runs.

The [tag]Arizona Fall League[/tag] has been running now for about a week and I wanted to look at a few of the hitting stars so far.

• John Mayberry Jr. | Surprise (TEX) - Mayberry has three home runs in 13 at bats and is showing the power that notched him 30 home runs between high A ball and AA last season. Home runs come naturally to this 2005 first round pick by the Texas Rangers, but he’ll need to work on plate discipline (126 strikeouts in 489 at bats with only 16 walks) before he’s handed an All-Star outfield spot for the Rangers.
• Evan Longoria | Scottsdale (TB) - Longoria also has 3 home runs in 18 at bats and Rays fans are frothing at the mouth awaiting his arrival at 3B next season. Longoria also has 8 strikouts so far, a number that’s going to have to slow down soon.
• Matt LaPorta  | Mesa (MIL) - LaPorta has a triple and 2 home runs in 17 at bats this fall. After belting 12 home runs in 30 games in Rookie ball and Single A, this first round draft pick (seventh overall) is still showing why Milwaukee fans should be excited about him.

In 2006, some pretty big named hitters were among the top 10 in their AA leagues in the home run category. Ryan Braun (MIL), Alex Gordon (KC) and Hunter Pence (HOU) are three of those names that just bounce off of the page. Let’s look at the [tag]AA home run leaders from 2007[/tag] and see what we can find.

1.  Colby Rasmus | Texas League Springfield (STL) | 29 Home Runs
2. Jeffrey Larish | Eastern League Erie (DET) | 28 Home Runs
3. Michael Costanzo | Eastern League Reading (PHI) | 27 Home Runs
4. Brenden Katin | Southern League Huntsville (MIL)| 24 Home Runs
5. Ray Sadler | Texas League Corpus Christi (HOU) | 24 Home Runs
6. David Smith | Eastern League New Hampshire (TOR) | 24 Home Runs
7. Brett Harper | Eastern League Binghamton (NYM)| 24 Home Runs
8. Charlton Jimerson | Southern League Tacoma (SEA) | 23 Home Runs
9. German Duran | Texas League Frisco (TEX) | 22 Home Runs
10. Luis Antonio Jimenez | Eastern League Bowie (BAL) | 22 Home Runs

In 2006, players like Ryan Ludwick (STL), Carlos Pena (TB) and Jack Cust (OAK) were among the home run leaders in AAA. They went on to have productive MLB seasons in 2007. Well, here’s a look at the [tag]2007 minor league home run leaders[/tag] at the AAA level.

1. Valentino Pascucci | Albuquerque PCL | 34 home runs
2. Craig Brazell | Omaha PCL | 32 home runs
3. Rick Ankiel | Memphis PCL | 32 home runs
4. Scott Seabol | Albuquerque PCL | 32 home runs
5. Scott McClain | Fresno PCL | 31 home runs
6. Mike Hessman | Toledo IL | 31 home runs
7. Pete Laforest | Portland PCL | 29 home runs
8. Cody Ransom | Round Rock PCL | 26 home runs
9. Nate Gold | Oklahoma PCL | 26 home runs
10. Geovany Soto | Iowa PCL | 26 home runs

I’ve got some original content and Crooked Pitch news coming at you soon. But, as I am celebrating the Sox sweep of the Angels and enjoying the Indians 2-0 lead against the Yankees, it’s not gonna happen tonight. But I will share some interesting posts about prospects so you can begin planning for next season.

• Everybody Loves Evan Longoria - Rays fans are anxiously awaiting the arrival of third basemen Evan Longoria
• A look at the Rays top prospects - Readers are voting on the top prospects in the Rays organization. This link is for prospect #11. Click here for #10, #9, #8, #7, I’ve already linked to #6 in an earlier blog post, #5, #4, #3, #2 and the Rays top prospect.
• Top 30 Prospects- #20-#11 - The Batter’s Box Interactive Magazine continues its countdown of The Jays top 30 prospects.
• Top 30 Prospects- #10-#1 - The top 10 Blue Jays prospects.

We got a little bit of regular season free baseball last night as the Colorado Rockies became the final team to clinch a post season spot in a one game playoff. Congrats also to the Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Yankees, Phillies, Cubs and Diamondbacks. Now that the post season has been determined, shouldn’t we look at prospects for next season. A few blogs have already begun.

• The Batter’s Box is counting down the top 30 Toronto Blue Jays prospects.
• DRay’s Bay has 6 of the best Tampa bay Devil rays prospects.