PERFECT GAME CROSSCHECKER'S TOP TEN LIST
7/30/07 - 8/5/07
 
Friday, August 3, 2007
TOP 10 HOME RUN LEADERS, SOPHOMORES
One of the strengths of next year’s draft is an exceptional crop of college first basemen. Scouts are predicting as many as five such players could be picked before the start of the second round, led by South Carolina switch-hitter Justin Smoak.

The strength of the first base crop is evident in the list of the top 10 Division I sophomore home run hitters from the 2007 season—half of whom are first basemen. In addition to Smoak, Yonder Alonso, Allan Dykstra and Brett Wallace are being targeted as early picks in 2008. California first baseman David Cooper, who hit 12 homers this season, is also projected to be an early-round selection. Texas outfielder Kyle Russell, the national leader with 28 homers, was a draft-eligible sophomore and was selected in the fourth round by the Cardinals, but he has yet to sign and will return as a junior if he is not signed by Aug. 15.

The top 10 college sophomore home run hitters in Division I this season:
 
  Player, Pos., School G HR
1. Kyle Russell, of, Texas 63 28
2. Justin Smoak, 1b, South Carolina 66 22
3. Scott Krieger, of, George Mason 54 20
4. James Darnell, 3b, South Carolina 64 19
5. Will Block, 3b, Florida Atlantic 57 18
  Yonder Alonso, 1b, Miami 61 18
  Allan Dykstra, 1b, Wake Forest 63 18
  Pedro Alvarez, 3b, Vanderbilt 66 18
9. Rawley Bishop, 1b, Middle Tennessee 58 17
10. Brett Wallace, 1b, Arizona State 63 16
--Allan Simpson
 
Monday July 30, 2007
TOP 10 HOME RUN LEADERS, CLASS OF ‘85
With Barry Bonds, the poster boy of the Draft Class of 1985 (arguably the strongest class ever), on the verge of breaking Hank Aaron’s career home run record of 755, we thought it would be interesting to identify the 10 leading home run hitters among players that were drafted in 1985. Bonds and the retired Rafael Palmeiro are both in the top 10 on the all-time list.

The ’85 class also is significant as it produced the all-time college and single-season home run leader in Pete Incaviglia, who hit 48 for Oklahoma State that season on his way to 100 in his three-year career. He hit 206 in his big league career.

It’s not like the 1985 draft was short on pitching, either, as Randy Johnson and John Smoltz (not to mention Bobby Thigpen, the all-time single season saves leader) were the keynote arms that year.

The top 10 home run leaders in the Draft Class of 1985:
 
  Player, Pos., Team (Round) HR's
1. *Barry Bonds, of, Pirates (1) 754
2. Rafael Palmeiro, of, Cubs (1) 569
3. #Greg Vaughn, of, Angels (3/sec) 355
4. #Tino Martinez, 1b, Red Sox (3) 339
5. David Justice, of, Braves (4) 305
6. Will Clark, 1b, Giants (1) 284
7. Brady Anderson, of, Red Sox (10) 210
8. Pete Incaviglia, of, Expos (1) 206
9. Barry Larkin, ss, Reds (1) 198
10. B.J. Surhoff, c, Brewers (1) 188
* Still active
# Did not sign
--ALLAN SIMPSON