Sports Weekly's 100 Names You Need to Know in '08

This is the 12th edition of this list, that according to USA Today lists,

next wave of players coming into the majors, who, in our view could make the biggest impact during the 2008 season. These aren't necessarily baseball's 100 best prospects. Many top prospects are too far down in the minor leagues to contribute in the majors this season. Others are stuck behind established major leaguers.

Not all of the players on our list have rookie status, but our criteria for inclusion is that players must have had more innings or at-bats in the minor leagues in 2007 than they have had during all of their major league time.

Five Yankees made the list:

2. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Yankees
Chamberlain, 22, burst onto the scene in mid-summer, soaring from Class A to the big leagues and creating a media storm with his dazzling performance. He dominated hitters with his 95-98 mph fastball and power slider. The Yankees kept him in the bullpen last year but plan to move him into the rotation, even if he starts the season as a reliever. He likely will be the fifth starter, enabling the Yankees to give him extra rest when needed to protect his valuable arm.

21. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Yankees
It's a testament to the depth of the Yankees' young pitching that Kennedy, 23, is regarded as only their third-best prospect behind Joba Chamberlain and Philip Hughes. Part of that stems from Kennedy lacking an overpowering fastball, but he makes up for that with superb command and mound savvy. Kennedy, a master at changing speeds and fooling hitters, had ERAs below 2.60 at all four levels he pitched in last year, including the majors.

25. Shelley Duncan, OF, Yankees
The son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan and older brother of outfielder Chris Duncan, Shelley Duncan broke in with the Yankees in 2007 after spending seven seasons in their farm system. Duncan, who can play first base and the outfield corners, had seven home runs and a .554 slugging percentage in just 74 at-bats. With Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi slated to spend time at DH next season, the latter may wind up platooning at first base with the right-handed-hitting Duncan, 28, unless the Yankees make a trade.

30. Edwar Ramirez, RHP, Yankees
Ramirez, 26, who spent 2005 and 2006 playing independent ball, is in the mix to make the roster this spring. He's got an above-average changeup, but his fastball is average at best and last season, he gave up six home runs in 21 innings.

87. Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP, Yankees
He followed up his stellar 2007 season with a 2-2 record, 2.42 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 26 innings in the Venezuelan winter league. The Yankees' middle-relief picture is far from settled, especially if they make Joba Chamberlain a starter, as expected. Albaladejo, 25, has a shot to become one of the Yankees' go-to relievers, even if it doesn't happen until sometime later in the season.

The entire list can be found here.

(Hat tip to WasWatching.com)