Here is Boston's Top 20 Prospects according to OverTheMonster.com.
(NOTE: I decided to leave Jonathan Papelbon out of the prospects list because A) he will start the season in Boston and B) he may not be back in the minors this season. But, if you are curious, he'd be second on this list if I did include him.)
1. Andy Marte - 3B
May be the best prospect in baseball. Won't be held down long in AAA. Hits for power and has a great glove at third base.
2. Jon Lester - LHP
Future number one. Highly prized by the organization. Tall lefty that can pitch, not throw. Fantastic strikeout numbers.
3. Craig Hansen - RHP
Dominate pitcher that's major league ready. High-90's fastball, high-80's slider. Will be a lock-down closer.
4. Dustin Pedroia - 2B/SS
Hits for average and is an on-base machine. Fielding is excellent. Versatile; switched from SS to 2B without missing a step.
5. Manny Delcarmen - RHP
Steady relief pitcher that delivers a lot of heat. Hometown boy that just loves to play.
6. Jacoby Ellsbury - OF
Speed at its finest. Defense is excellent. Has hit for average wherever he's played. Great ability to get on base.
7. David Murphy - OF
Can hit for average, but has suffered injuries in the past. Hot start when drafted (2003), cooled off, but stock looks to be on the rise with strong 2005.
8. Kelly Shoppach - C
Power hitter that doesn't hit for average. Defense is excellent. Needs to prove himself against major league pitching.
9. Brandon Moss - OF
Exploded onto the scene in 04 with Augusta. Hits for average and power, though struggled in 05. Excellent defender with a plus arm. Will go all out to make the play.
10. David Pauley - RHP
Had great first season in BOS organization. A finesse pitcher with a low-90's fastball and great changeup. Great duo with Lester in Portand (05). Accurate.
11. Jed Lowrie - SS/2B
Standout middle infielder at Stanford. Plays great defense and has a strong arm. Consistently gets on base. Surprising power.
12. Clay Buchholz - RHP
Righty with a mid-90's fastball and a huge arsenal of pitching. Accurate; only walked 9 batters in 41.1 IP with Lowell in '05.
13. Edgar Martinez - RHP
Converted catcher. Reaches 97 on the gun in relief. Great strikeout numbers in his short time as a relief pitcher. Will close in Portland.
14. Abe Alvarez - LHP
Finesse pitcher. Doesn't throw a lot of heat, but has three very good pitches. Legally blind in his left eye. Debuted in Boston in 04. Pawtucket's best pitcher in 05.
15. Luis Soto - OF
Former shortstop that was converted to an outfielder before '05. Excellent speed and defense. Struggled in Greenville (A), was demoted, and hit well in the NYPL. Just 20 years old. Lot of time to develop.
16. Jermaine Van Buren - RHP
Acquired from CHC in the '05 offseason. A strikeout pitcher with five solid pitches. Low ERA each year in the CHC farm system. Struggled in MLB debut.
17. Jeff Corsaletti - OF
Dominated in Greenville after draft in 2005. Hit for a great average (.357) and got on base a lot. Very capable leadoff hitter with good speed and defense. Loves OverTheMonster.com.
18. Michael Bowden - RHP
Four great pitches in his arsenal. Young; drafted right out of high school in '05. Reports are he loves to play baseball. Tall and athletic.
19. Michael Rozier - LHP
Extremely athletic with great potential. Tall. Three plus pitches. Struggled with walks in '05.
20. Chris Durbin - OF
Tough, hard-nosed player in the outfield. Fits the typical "dirt dog" mold ala Trot Nixon. Excellent fielder that has average and power potential. All-Star in '05 with Portland (AA).
Close, but not close enough:
3B Andrew Pinckney
Showed great power in 2005 and hit for average. Best 3B prospect behind Marte.MIF Alejandro Machado
May never be a star, but does many things well. Great speed, hits for average with a decent glove. Could be a fan-favorite off the bench for Boston.RP Cla Meredith
His future may be ruined after way too-early callup in 2005. Needs to regain confidence in '06. Slingshot delivery but great control.