Jan. 7 -- TOP 10 PROSPECTS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

For better or worse (usually better), Baseball America is widely considered the authority on the minor leagues. Each year, in fact, the publication ranks the top prospects for each team, and in this week's issue, they examine each NL East team, including the Phillies.

Their pick as the Phils' No. 1 prospect: Dominic Brown.

Brown, 20, is a left-handed-hitting outfielder who was drafted in the 20th round in 2006. He had committed to play wide receiver at the University of Miami, but the Phils were able to sign him for $200,000 because, at least in part, he didn't have the test scores to play at Miami. Brown has drawn comparisons to Darryl Strawberry, but in typical Phillies fashion, he has moved slowly through the farm system, reaching only low-A Lakewood last season. He got 444 at-bats for the BlueClaws, batting .291 with nine homers, 54 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, 64 walks (only 72 strikeouts), a .382 on-base percentage and a .417 slugging percentage. He's 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, and the Phillies believe (hope?) that he'll grow into a power threat.

Rounding out the top 10, plus a quote from Baseball America ...

2. Carlos Carrasco, RHP: "For all his stuff, Carrasco lacks the consistency and killer instinct. Opposing managers and scouts use words such as "fold up" or "soft" to describe him, and he's prone to the big inning."

3. Lou Marson, C: "Once he's ready in terms of game-calling and other nuances of catching, he'll become the regular in Philadelphia, perhaps as soon as the second half of 2009."

4. Jason Donald, INF: "He should be average at second base and has enough arm for third, though he needs more work there. ... He doesn't fit the classic third-base profile and may fit better as a super utility player."

5. Kyle Drabek, RHP: "Knocked for his immaturity prior to the 2006 draft, he's still no choirboy. One scout said he has baseball makeup with great competitiveness, but not 'take home your daughter' makeup."

6. Michael Taylor, OF: "He profiles as the kind of right-handed hitting corner outfielder the Phillies need and will be a step closer in 2009 at Double-A."

7. Travis D'Arnaud, C: "He's on the fast track already and could become trade fodder if he continues to develop offensively."

8. Zach Collier, OF: "He's similar to Dominic Brown with more polish and less athleticism and should move quickly."

9. J.A. Happ, LHP: "He lacks a standout pitch and doesn't figure to get all those strikeouts on fastballs as easily in the majors as he did in Triple-A."

10. Jason Knapp, RHP: "The Phillies will keep him in the rotation for now, most likely close to his home at Lakewood in 2009, but scouts already are talking about him as a future power bullpen arm, potentially as a closer."

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Also, tickets for Phillies' home spring-training games will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 a.m. The Phillies have 18 games at Bright House Field, including World Baseball Classic exhibitions against Canada (March 4) and the U.S. (March 5). Other opponents include the Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Twins, Nationals, Reds, Pirates, Braves and Tigers.

Tickets are available by calling 215-463-1000 or by going to the box offices at the first-base gate to Citizens Bank Park. For group tickets, call 727-467-4457.