SAN JOSE (AP) - Looking around the league, there is a significant amount of young talent. There are also several craft old veterans who just keep playing despite being in their forties and on the brink of retirement. As the year drags on, contenders and rebuilders alike will be searching for key players to help their franchise. So, here is the first of a two part breakdown of the best young and best old players at position and how they might stack up on the field.

First, the young guys. These players are all 25 years old or younger. Over half are rookies. Only one is still harbored in the low minor leagues. Both the Godfathers and Capybaras have three players showcased in this compilation.

Center Fielder: Art Louden, Rio de Janerio Capybaras

Leading off and playing center field is this very fast second year player. He finished his first full season playing all 162 games while batting .252 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs. He also scoring 80 runs while swiping 50 bases. He has a solid glove and decent arm which does not hurt you in the outfield.

Left Fielder: Ray Linton, Moscow Red Army

Still playing for the Joliet Jackhammers, he may make his debut sometime this season if incumbent Ralph Mauro should be lost for a significant length of time. With better overall potential than Mauro, it would cost new owner Ben Royer nothing but experience if he were to let Ray play. Still, another year of seasoning could give this speedy defensive minded outfielder even more of a chance to capture the Rookie of the Year award next season.

First Baseman: Joe Vidal, Cozumel Mayans

Vidal hits third in this fictional lineup. A switch hitter with many gold gloves in his future at first base also boasts a great arm. A third baseman in college, Vidal has shown great contact, power, and speed for his position. In his rookie year he hit .321 with 82 runs scored, 35 home runs, 86 RBIs, 23 stolen bases without being caught, a .361 on base percentage and .549 slugging. Not bad for finishing second in Inferno League Rookie of the Year voting.

Catcher: Francis Balmaceda, Tokyo Tsunamis

Developed in the Moscow Cosmonauts minor league system, he was the key piece in the Ron Guidry trade last year. He has a tremendous arm to keep runners at bay, a great eye at the plate, and enough power to clear the 375 foot power alleys in both directions. He has good foot speed and a sense of timing pitchers that could lead to more than a handful of stolen bases. His defense is solid, not suspect, but could use some improvement behind the plate.

Right Fielder: John Adkinson, Sicily Godfathers

The first of three rookie starters for Sicily bats fifth in our youth lineup. His power is equal to his raw hitting talent. But that is nothing compared to the defensive ability and potential to throw out base runners looking to stretch a double or score from second. Though his wall leaping ability has amazed his Osaka Turbos teammates, it is the running diving catches that will be the most memorable.

Designated Hitter: Oscar Estrada, Edmonton Orcas

The Blizzard League Rookie of the Year earned the honor by hitting .261 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs for a very bad ball club. This left handed power batter has minimum ability to handle the first base chores daily. Still, his sophomore season appears to be more promising as his off season work in winter ball greatly improved his plate discipline. Also add to that a rigorous new workout program set up by his new personal trainer which improved his ability to drive the ball.

Second Baseman: Hoge Shupe, Sicily Godfathers

With great contact ability and decent speed, this young infielder could be a driving force for the newly revamped Godfathers. He has only average at turning the double play and fielding his position, and his arm strength could use some improvement. Still, with the lack of quality second basemen in Weaverball, his stock is clearly high.

Third Baseman: George Witt, Sicily Godfathers

The third in the Sicily Trio is, ironically, this left handed third baseman. Having moved from first out of college, his ability to guard the line makes up for playing a little deeper than most. A tremendous arm allows him the added time plant his feet for a good throw, especially while covering bunt attempts. Hitting the ball has never been a problem, but do not expect great power numbers from this corner spot. With decent speed though, many long singles will become doubles either with hustle or a steal.

Shortstop: John Halbriter, Bombay Elephants

The most veteran hitter of the bunch bats, but has only been around for two years. His average improved, going from .220 to .235, as did the home runs from 17 to 23 and slugging percentage from .347 to .391. He has shown great skill in the hot spot by only making 13 errors in two full 162 game seasons. With a better eye for the ball and understanding of pitch counts, his good power and speed will only help the trend of better overall numbers to continue.

Starting Pitcher: Sam Thorpe, Los Angeles Riots

The ace of the staff also has the most years under his belt. After quickly ascending through the minor leagues he became the third youngest pitcher to debut at 21 years and 22 days old. Using a slider and sinker as his main weapons, he posted a 3.88 ERA last season in 204 innings. He helped the Riots to 12 wins while walking only 40 batters and striking out 138. His best season was the year before where he won 24 wins and held a 2.75 ERA, as well as a 1.08 WHIP, for the entire year.

Starting Pitcher: Gary Winchester, Cairo Scorpions

The number five starter for the Scorpions is the number two pitcher here. His arm strength is unrivaled, which helps him consistently toss his fastball in the mid-nineties. Though he is change up is used infrequently, his solid curve ball makes a great out pitch and comes from the same throwing and arm angle as his fastball. This rookie could easily contend for the Blizzard League Rookie of the Year award and should develop into one of the game’s best starters.

Starting Pitcher: Mike Jones, Edmonton Orcas

Another lefty and also a good one. With three years in the big leagues, Jones has showcased an amazing arm and fastball, but has struggled with his other pitches. He throws a mean screwball taught by his father, Bonnie Jones, who was inducted into the American Softball Association (ASA) National Softball Hall of Fame in 1983. This past off season, pitching coach Dave Steib worked on improving his change up, which gives him three effective pitches. Last season he led the Orcas with 232 innings pitched. His 3.45 ERA, 10 wins on a last place club, 1.09 WHIP, and 3.56 BB/K ratio are signs of his continuing improvement.

Starting Pitcher: Bob Penske, Rio de Janerio Capybaras

In his second season, this control pitcher lasts a long time and all three of his pitches are good. Though his fastball, slider, and curveball are not thrown as hard some, his location is impeccable. A 4.22 ERA in his first year is not bad. 71 strikeouts in 111 innings is even better. He started only 12 games and gave up 121 hits. Expect an increase in starts and a dramatic drop in hits given up.

Staring Pitcher: Sludge Franklin, Moscow Red Army

Though pitching for the Joliet Jackhammers with Ray Linton, and we expect them to win it all this season, he sits as the fifth starter for the future. A good arm, change up, control, and endurance make his outlook the same. Though his childhood nickname stuck, do not expect his sinker or curve to be slow or easy to hit. He will also keep base runners on the bag as his pick off move is better than some left handed pitchers in Weaverball. With an injury in the rotation or continued poor performances from starters there, he could be donning the new Red Army jersey sooner than expected.

Reliever: Eddie Hogan, Honolulu Volcanos

A southpaw, he has the endurance to start, but not the command over his great sinker and good slider to merit such in this instance. However, the Volcanos have made him their fifth starter and time will tell if he has the tools necessary. The motion on the sinker ball is tremendous despite the lack of speed on the pitch. The slider, thrown slower, is deceptive as both pitches break late and often catch the back part of the plate.

Reliever: Howard Armstrong, Rio de Janerio Capybaras

The last of the Capybaras on the list is also the youngest here. Playing for the Caracas Crack Asses minor league affiliate, he is a straight up fastball-change kind of guy. He could start or work relief, depending on what is needed. Good arm strength and good endurance allow such flexibility. A great ground ball pitcher. With a bit more control, he could even be turned into a closer.

Reliever: Doc Hamann, Bora Bora Surfriders

This pitcher is still developing his stuff while pitching for the Nuku'alofa Unga'bungas. With already good control, his arm, endurance, and slider all could use developing. A solid fastball and change up make him an effective ground ball pitcher. Still, at age 23, he has plenty of time and potential to improve, and if not, he could always return to sports medicine, where he picked up his nickname.

Reliever: George Archer, Cozumel Mayans

The Cancun Guacamole Kings have this young righty and hope he can close games for them this season in the low minors. He displays a better than average arm, control, and change up. His bread and butter is the diving sinker that breaks inside to left handed hitters. He is still in need of some seasoning with runners stealing with an 82% efficiency rating off of him. Yet, at the age of 25, his movement into the big leagues should be rather soon.

Set Up Man: Bobby Edelen, Amity White Sharks

Setting up the closer is a difficult task, but this control pitcher has done well in the minor leagues thus far. He has a great fastball and both the sinker and slider have been coming along nicely. He relies mostly on hitting the corners and throwing the high strike, showing very good control. His pitches are not overpowering, but with surgeon like placement and mixing them well, he should be stepping into Amity bull pen quite soon.

Set Up Man: Cody Smith, Honolulu Volcanos

Here is another young two pitch pither who has the makings of a closer, but serves as setup for this imaginary team. He has been outstanding against right handed hitters for the Lahaina Vulcans. A simple solid fastball and knee buckling change up give a one-two knockout punch out and usually result in a looking called strike three. His control wavers at times, but he mostly keeps the ball down and in the infield. When runners are on, he has knuckled down and let few score, making him a potentially great closer of the future.

Closer: Clay Roe, Chernobyl Mutants

The number two starter for the Mutants is the closer here. His excellent fastball is complimented by a stunning sinker. Good endurance and control lend to working longer than just three outs if need be for those close extra inning games. Although his arm is not a cannon, his good placement and pitches more than make up for lower numbers on the radar gun. Good against both lefties and righties, runners in scoring position or not, and able to close out a game are all contributing factors to projecting great things. His only knock is a lack of ability to hold runners close to first, but if the next batters strike out, it does not matter if the runner is stranded on first or second.

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