Here at FantasyScope, I’ve developed a method for identifying possible breakout hitters based on their minor league performance and extra base hit percentage (XBH%) as a measure of Major League-readiness. Here are some position prospects who spent time in triple-A and could be ready to make an impact in 2008.

Andy LaRoche, 24yo 3B
2007 stats: .309/.399/.589* at AAA (45.1 XBH%); .226/.365/.312 in 93 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .294/.374/.524
The power numbers are probably a little exaggerated from playing in the PCL, but LaRoche is a future middle-of-the-order hitter. His 20 walks in his callup last year was impressive, and that patience could help him to be a top rookie. A valuable keeper to watch this year.

Delwyn Young, 26yo LF/RF
2007 stats: .337/.384/.571* at AAA (46.1 XBH%); .382/.417/.647 in 34 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .303/.359/.512
The other Young brother hit an incredible 54 doubles in just 490 AB last season. He’s gonna be a quality hitter, and his presence makes the impending trade of Matt Kemp easier to stomach.

Adam Jones, 22yo CF
2007 stats: .314/.382/.586* at AAA (43.9 XBH%); .246/.300/.400 in 65 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .291/.350/.476
PCL or not, for a 21-year old to play in triple-A as Jones did last year is darn impressive. He’s a pretty good fielder, too, so the M’s should give him a shot to win a starting job this year. They let Jose Guillen walk, so it looks like that’s the plan.

Geovany Soto, 25yo C
2007 stats: .353/.424/.652* at AAA (44.1 XBH%); .389/.433/.667 in 54 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .280/.358/.426
Soto had up and down years in the minor leagues, but he’s a catcher with good power and a decent ability to get on base. He should be a good one for the Cubs, provided they’re smart enough to give him playing time.

Jay Bruce, 21yo CF
2007 stats: .305/.358/.567 at AAA (43.9 XBH%)
Lifetime minors stats: .299/.362/.543
Bruce shot up through three levels of minor league ball in 2007, and raked at all of them. He’s still too young and too raw, but in the Cincinnati Reds organization, he’s too good to keep on the farm for very long, so keep your feelers out for a Bruce callup this season.

Nate Schierholtz, 24yo RF
2007 stats: .333/.365/.560* at AAA (39.4 XBH%); .304/.316/.402 in 112 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .306/.352/.505
There is some hope for the geriatric Giants. Schierholtz looks to be a good contact hitter with some gap power, and he does a good job in the field. He is probably still a year away, but could contribute in 2008.

Jason Botts, 27yo 1B/DH
2007 stats: .320/.436/.545* at AAA (44.9 XBH%); .240/.326/.335 in 167 ML AB
Lifetime minors stats: .293/.390/.484
If you ask me, they should have just skipped the whole Sammy Sosa experiment last year and just gone with Botts. A bit of a late bloomer, he may finally be ready for the big show.

* Played in a very hitter-friendly league (PCL)