2004 SAL Top Prospects

I was rummaging through my desk yesterday and I came across the 2004 SAL Top Prospect card set.  I was interested, so I ripped a pack opened. 

Here were the top prospects in this league back in 2004.

Josh Anderson – Lexington Legends

Luis Apodaca – Savannah Sand Gnats

Ian Bladergroen – Capital City Bombers

Jake Blalock – Lakewood BlueClaws

Michael Bourn – Lakewood BlueClaws

Jose Diaz – Columbus Catfish

Matt Esquivel – Rome Braves

Clint Everts – Savannah Sand Gnats

Jarrett Gardner – Augusta Greenjackets

Thomas Gorzelanny – Hickory Crawdads

Derick Grigsby – Lexington Legends

James Houser – Charleston Riverdogs

Chuck James – Rome Braves

Andy LaRoche – Columbus Catfish

Adam Loewen – Delmarva Shorebirds

Shaun Marcum – Charleston Alley Cats

Nick Markakis – Delmarva Shorebirds

Aaron Marsden – Asheville Tourists

Brandon McCarthy – Kannapolis Intimidators

Lastings Milledge – Capital City Bombers

Adam Miller – Lake County Captains

Jai Miller – Greensboro Bats

Nyjer Morgan – Hickory Crawdads

Brandon Moss – Augusta Greenjackets

Ryan Roberts – Charleston Alley Cats

Nate Schierholtz – Hagerstown Suns

Cole Seifrig – Greensboro Bats

Juan Serrato – Hagerstown Suns

Brad Snyder – Lake County Captains

Ian Stewart – Asheville Tourists

Robert Valido – Kannapolis Intimidators

Delmon Young – Charleston Riverdogs

 

As you will notice, some of the names are recognizable but most are probably not five years after playing in the SAL.  Besides Nick Markakis, Delmon Young has probably made the biggest splash in the bigs.  He made his debut in Tampa in ’06 and is now in Minnesota.  Nyjer Morgan is another guy that has made a difference in the big leagues.  In 39 games, he is hitting .280 for Pittsburgh.  Lastings Milledge started the season in Washington but was sent down to Syracuse (AAA). 

Just goes to show how difficult it is to stick at the big league level. 

Until next time, Go Shorebirds!