Names to know

Thanks to a tip from The Kid, I've got this list from the USA Today website.

USA TODAY Sports Weekly's 100 Names You Need to Know

Funny. I don't see Caesar, Napoleon, Lincoln, Einstein, and....oh, baseball names to know. The headline wasn't clear.

Anyway, let's take a peek and see if anyone we know is on the list of BASEBALL names to know.

We know who these guys are even though they did not play in Appleton:

14. Mat Gamel, OF, Brewers: A little more time in Class AAA, perhaps only a couple of months, likely separates Gamel from the chance to earn a spot in the major leagues. Gamel, 23, put up big numbers last year despite being hampered by an elbow injury. The Brewers don't have a clear everyday player at third among Bill Hall, Mike Lamb and Craig Counsell.

15. Matt LaPorta, OF, Indians: CC Sabathia is long gone from Cleveland, but the Indians have LaPorta to show for him after trading their former ace to the Brewers last summer. LaPorta, 24, was the seventh overall pick in 2007 and had been performing as such until the trade to the Indians. He hit .233 at Class AA Akron (Ohio) before going to play in the Beijing Games and followed that with a .164 average in the Dominican winter league. Those problems are nothing he can't shake off in spring training, and although it appears he will open the season at Class AAA, LaPorta will likely get a chance with the Indians at the first sign of trouble in Cleveland's outfield.

The first Rattler Alumni is down here at #27:

27. Bryan LaHair, 1B, Mariners: At 6-5, 220 pounds, LaHair has the frame to hit the long ball, and the Mariners coaches worked on helping him become more productive toward the end of last season. LaHair has a history of getting on base and hitting a lot of doubles, but at 26, it might be unrealistic to expect him to become a home run threat, considering he hit more than 16 only once in the minors (22 at Class A in 2005). Still, the Mariners have an opening at first base, and LaHair will be in the mix to fill it.

I can't wait until the next guy is known more for his pitching than for the trade that brought him to his current organization:

47. Chris Tillman, RHP, Orioles: Tillman was acquired a year ago from the Mariners as a key part of the Erik Bedard trade. The right-hander has not disappointed, emerging as perhaps the Orioles' top pitching prospect. He averaged more than a strikeout an inning and less than a hit an inning last season. He has been durable since being drafted in the second round in 2006, making 28 starts each of the last two years. At age 20, Tillman is likely to open the year at Class AAA and should reach the majors during the season.

Another Brewer farmhand can be found down here:

58. Alcides Escobar, SS, Brewers: If not for J.J. Hardy, Escobar would enter spring training with a legitimate shot at the Brewers' shortstop job. Even though he didn't turn 22 until December, Escobar hit .328 at Class AA and was voted the best defensive shortstop in the league. But unless the Brewers trade Hardy or make a position change with either player, Escobar will open the season at Class AAA. If he keeps hitting there though, the Brewers might be forced to find a spot for him.

Back to the ex-Rattlers:

72. Phillippe Aumont, P, Mariners: After being drafted in the first round in 2007, Aumont, 20, signed late and didn't make his pro debut until last year, pitching 552/3 innings at Class A. But Aumont, who stands 6-7, has overwhelming tools, including a 95-mph fastball. The Mariners have been conservative with him, so Aumont will have to force his way to the majors if he is to reach Seattle this year.

74. Luis Valbuena, 2B, Indians: Acquired from the Mariners in the 12-player, three-team deal in December that sent J.J. Putz to the New York Mets, Valbuena probably has the best offensive tools of any second baseman the Indians will have in camp this spring. He provides a nice mix of speed and the ability to hit for average and get on base. He has made 33 errors in 336 career minor league games in the field. Last year, he hit above .300 and had on-base percentage above .380, both career firsts as a professional. Valbuena, 23, likely won't make the team out of spring training but has a chance to play himself into a reserve role at some point.

78. Rob Johnson, C, Mariners: With Kenji Johjima, Jeff Clement and Jamie Burke in the fold, Johnson, 25, likely will head back to Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.). He posted by far his finest offensive season there last year and already was accomplished defensively. But the status of Johjima and Clement will limit Johnson to a backup role at best.

And, #100 on the list, but #1 for The Kid!

100. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B, Mariners: Incumbent Adrian Beltre expects to be healthy for 2008 after having surgery on his shoulder and thumb. However, if the Mariners, in full rebuilding mode after a 101-loss season, struggle again and trade Beltre, the third-base job could default to Tuiasosopo.