Count down

As we near the stretch run, I thought I'd give you a few names to keep in the back of your mind for next year's draft. These guys probably are not quite sleepers, but almost pre-sleepers. They are guys who have somewhat surprised us this year and have provided a glimpse of what they could be in the next year or two. I'll run down the names position by position and give a quick word on each.

C - Dioner Navarro TBY - He came close to breaking out this year, but with Tampa's resurgence he's poised to be a top 10 catcher next year.

1b - Chris Davis TEX - Meet the next Adam Dunn. He'll strike out his share, but he has 30-35 HR and 125 RBI potential, especially protecting Josh Hamilton in Texas.

2b - Alexei Ramirez CHI - He should have OF and SS eligibility next year and should be CHI's starting SS. With power and speed, he's ready to break out.

3b - Ian Stewart COL - We all love young COL hitters and Ian fits the bill. He'll be their starting 3b for years to come.

SS - Mike Aviles KC - Not a highly touted prospect, but showed this year that he can hit. KC has the potential to be next year's Tampa Bay.

MI - Jed Lowrie BOS - Eligible at all the infield positions, he should be ready to move into your starting lineup.

CI - Billy Butler KC - Almost a post-hype sleeper, Butler finally displayed the keen batting eye that had him labeled as the next Mike Sweeney.

OF - Fred Lewis SF - One of the first Giant youngsters to get a job this year, he gave his owners great value for a waiver wire find. He should be a solid #3 OF with potential to go higher next year.

OF - Adam Lind TOR - A highly touted prospect who finally got a shot this year and has really delivered. He's ready to explode next year, ala Ryan Ludwick. I'll be targeting him, and the next guy, in next year's draft.

OF - Adam Jones BAL - The prize of the Bedard trade, he finally lived up to the hype he had received in the past. With a great average and a power/speed combo, he could be the next stud OF.

SP - Manny Parra MIL - After fighting for a job this spring, he showed how good he could be once Gallardo went down. I think he has a great shot at taking the next step next year.

SP - Jonathan Sanchez SF - I think Sanchez could be the next Cole Hamels if he can work on his control. He's got the stuff, 133 K's in 135 innings. Now he just has to show he knows how to pitch.

RP - Jonathan Broxton LAD - We've waited for Broxton for a while and he's finally getting his shot now. If he can deliver down the stretch for the Dodgers, I think the closer role is his for the next 5 years.

RP - Chris Perez STL - Last, but not least, Perez is another young flame thrower who is getting his shot in the midst of a pennant race. LaRussa has finally made up his mind on a closer (at least for this week) and Perez has come through.

There you go. These guys probably won't be kept on many teams, but they could turn into the McLouths, Hamiltons or Kinslers of next year.