PERFECT GAME CROSSCHECKER'S DAILY TOP TEN LIST
WEEK 1: 2/05/2007 - 2/11/2007
 
Friday, February 9th, 2007
There are 284 Division I baseball programs that are eligible for post-season play in 2007, with a handful of others transitioning to Division I status. The official NCAA website, www.ncaa.org, lists all the schools in each sport by division and provides a nice sorting function so you can break the list down by state.

Below are the top 10 states in order of fielding Division I baseball programs. The number in parentheses is where that state ranks in terms of overall population.
 
Top 10 States Fielding Division 1 Baseball Teams
1. California (1) 22
2. New York (3) 21
3. Texas (2) 18
4. North Carolina (11) 17
5. Ohio (7) 13
  Louisiana (24) 13
7. Virginia (12) 12
8. Florida (4) 11
  Pennsylvania (6) 11
10. Tennessee (16) 10
  Illinois (5) 10
 
Louisiana is the most obvious state in terms of imbalance between number of D-I programs and state population, ranking 24th in population but tied for 5th in programs. The highest-ranked state in terms of population not represented is Michigan, 8th in population but only six D-I baseball programs.
 
COMING MONDAY: The 10 most significant Division I schools that don’t field baseball programs.
-- David Rawnsley
 
Thursday, February 8th, 2007
Not only is former North Carolina State basketball player Andrew Brackman the tallest player in this year’s college baseball draft class, but the 7-foot, 245-pound righthander is also one of the best. Of the 1,384 four-year college players listed on PG Crosschecker’s 2007 state-by-state follow list, here are the 10 tallest players (ties broken by a player’s weight). It’s interesting to note that all 10 are pitchers.
 
TOP 10 Tallest College Players
1. Andrew Brackman, rhp, North Carolina State (7-0, 245)
2. Kenn Kasparek, rhp, Texas (6-10, 235)
3. Rory James, rhp, Wisconsin-Stevens Point (6-10, 228)
4. David Duncan, lhp, Georgia Tech (6-9, 235)
5. Stephens Owens, rhp, Richmond (6-8, 250)
6. Tyson Bagley, rhp, Dallas Baptist (6-8, 250)
7. Brad Unger, rhp, Harvard (6-8, 245)
8. Jeff Loveys, rhp, Ball State (6-8, 230)
9. Chris Fetter, rhp, Michigan (6-8, 230)
10. Scott Green, rhp, Kentucky (6-8, 225)
 
-- Allan Simpson
 
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007
In many ways, it’s sad to see the present unsettled political situation in Venezuela. One of the many ramifications will be a decline in the number of teams that are scouting that country and, just as importantly, investing money in academies and coaches to work with young talent. The early- to mid-90s was a heyday for signing talent in this South American country and 72 Venezuelan-born players were on major league rosters in 2006. Here are the top current major league players from Venezuela, with current and original signing team (if different) noted:
 
Top 10 Venezuelans in Major Leagues
1. Johan Santana, lhp, Twins (Astros)
2. Miguel Cabrera, 3b, Marlins
3. Carlos Zambrano, rhp, Cubs
4. Bobby Abreu, of, Yankees (Astros)
5. Carlos Guillen, ss, Tigers (Astros)
6. Felix Hernandez, rhp, Mariners
7. Victor Martinez, c, Indians
8. Freddy Garcia, rhp, Phillies (Astros)
9. Magglio Ordonez, of, Tigers (White Sox)
10. Melvin Mora, 3b, Orioles (Astros)
 
-- David Rawnsley
 
Tuesday, February 6th, 2007
Sometimes the fastest players, as measured by their times in the 60 yard-dash or down-the-line time to first base, aren’t always the fastest in terms of “baseball speed”. First-step quickness, aggressiveness in using their speed and instincts come into play into creating a player with true “baseball speed”. Here are 10 players from the 2007 high school class who have that “baseball speed” and can use it effectively during games, ranked according to best 60 times, as clocked by Perfect Game:
 
Top 10 "Speed" Players in 2007 High School Class
1. Garrett Nash, ss-2b, Draper, Utah (6.37). If you gave these 10 runners to a track coach, Nash likely would end up the sprint champion. He has a power runner’s build and great acceleration, which is why many see him as a wide-ranging center fielder in the future.
2. Ben Revere, of, Lexington, Ky. (6.38). This Joe Morgan-clone ran a 6.38 hand-held on a slow track. Laser-timed on a fast track? Could be a 6.2. He has excellent instincts and first-step quickness.
3. Steven Brooks, of, Wyckoff, N.J. (6.41). Brooks might move to the top of the list if he put himself in position to use his speed more often.
4. Kentrail Davis, of, Theodore, Ala. (6.42). Those who saw Davis play early last summer didn’t see the player who lost about 15 pounds and transformed himself into a lightning-quick speed player. Even with a big swing, he was consistently 3.98-4.03 to first base late in the summer.
5. Rafael Thomas, of, Lufkin, Texas (6.47). Thomas runs the bases as if the sole purpose of the defense is to keep him from taking the next base and he doesn’t think they can. He runs the bases like Dante Hall of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs returned punts in his prime.
6. Christopher Berroa, of, Pennsauken, N.J. (6.54). Berroa is an arrogant baserunner who dares you to throw him out, especially at third base.
7. Johnny Dishon, of, Beaumont, Texas (6.56). Dishon, like Brooks, is still learning how to best use his speed on the field.
8. Justin Jackson, ss, Asheville, N.C. (6.57). Because of his long, lanky build, Jackson doesn’t look like he’s moving as quickly as you might think. But watch him range up the middle on a ground ball or easily steal a base and you’ll appreciate his easy speed.
9. Tyler Holt, of, Gainesville, Fla. (6.62). Like Drew Cumberland, Holt’s approach to the game is more important than his watch times. He’ll surely lead a league in doubles and/or triples at some point in his career and we wouldn’t want to be the catcher who tries to block the plate on him.
10. Drew Cumberland, 2b, Pace, Fla. (6.64). Cumberland may be the slowest 60 runner on the list, but his quick first step and all-out style of play make him a grade faster on the field.
 
-- David Rawnsley
 
Monday, February 5th, 2007
To coincide with the new look of the pgcrosschecker.com site, we’re unveiling our own, unique version of the Top 10—a daily, often light-hearted spin on odds and ends from all levels of the baseball world. Here’s our first take:
 
Top 10 Colleges Producing Most 2006 Major Leaguers
1. Southern California 17
2. Cal State Fullerton 13
  Long Beach State 13
  Louisiana State 13
5. Oklahoma 10
6. Stanford 9
7. UCLA 8
  Florida State 8
9. Arizona State 7
  Auburn 7
  Miami 7
  Nevada 7
  Oklahoma State 7
  Rice 7
  Texas 7
 
-- Allan Simpson