So here’s another Top 100 list, but as opposed to the prospects lists that have been coming out this is a, well, “hot” list. Sports Weekly’s 100 Names You Need to Know going into 2008 — the idea being that most prospects won’t see the light of day this season. Call it projected impact.At No. 1?

1. Hiroki Kuroda, RHP, Dodgers Hiroki Kuroda chose to sign with the Dodgers partially because of the well-established Japanese community in Los Angeles. But what could make him most comfortable in his first season pitching in the USA is Dodger Stadium.  

Good stuff and nice to see someone predicting big things for Kuroda. By the way, why the Dodgers would even consider trading Andre Ethier or Andy LaRoche for Joe Blanton at this point is utterly beyond me. No. 2 on the list is Joba Chamberlain, followed by….

3. Kosuke Fukudome, OF, CubsFukudome, 30, hit .305 with a .397 on-base percentage in his nine-year career in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons, winning two Central League batting titles and four Gold Gloves. He also hit 192 homers during that period, playing excellent defense, and is a good baserunner. The team plans to bat the left-handed-hitting Fukudome fifth in the lineup, breaking up their right-handers.