Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

[Saber]

At this point in the season, you begin to realize the season is entirely too long (especially if you're team is 20 or so games out). With that in mind, I started to look over my favorite team's roster and minor league systems and started wondering. With all the trades the Rangers made, who are their top 10prospects now? This is my personal opinion for the Rangers top 10 prospects of '08. Feel free to post your teams!

1. RHP Eric Hurley
   -AAA
   -7 games/40 IP
   -3.60 ERA
   -7.88 K/9
   -2.70 BB/9
2. RHP Thomas Diamond
   -AA
   -27 games/129.1 IP
   -4.24 ERA
   -10.09 K/9
   -5.43 BB/9
3. SS Elvis Andrus
   -Bat Right
   -High A
   -.241 and 21 2Bs in 406 ABs
   -27 SB vs. 8 CS
   -45 BB vs. 96 K
4. LHP Matt Harrison
   -AA
   -20 games/116.2 IP
   -3.39 ERA
   -6.02 K/9
   -2.62 BB/9
5. SS/OF Joaquin Arias
   -Bats Right
   -.182 in 11 AB (injured)
6. OF/1B John Mayberry Jr.
   -Bats Right
   -AA
   -.253 with 15 2Bs and 16 HRs in 162 ABs
7. C Taylor Teagarden
   -Bats Right
   -High A
   -.315 with 25 2Bs and 20 HRs in 292 ABs
   -65 BBs vs 89 Ks
8. LHP Kasey Kiker
   -Low A
   -14 starts/ 66 IP
   -3.14 ERA
   -10.77 K/9
   -3.41 BB/9
9. 3B Johnny Whittleman
   -Bats Left
   -Low A
   -.271 with 25 2Bs and 14 HRs in 336 at bats
   -63 BB vs. 91 K
10. OF K.C. Herren
    -Bats Right
    -Low A
    -.283 with 23 2Bs and 11 3Bs in 361 at bats
    -11 SB vs. 3 CS
    -49 BB vs. 69 K

Others to keep an eye on:

OF Stephen Murphy
LHP Daniel Herrera
LHP Beau Jones
SS German Duran
RHP Omar Poveda
OF Engel Beltre
RHP Neftali Feliz
C Max Ramirez

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1. 3B Chase Headley (2008: AAA)

- 2nd Round Pick in the 2005 draft, Headley has steadily developed more power since his junior year in college. Has shown patience at the plate and knowledge of the strikezone. May begin next year in AAA Portland. It is still uncertain whether or not he'll be at third next year or make a move to the outfield.

2. 2B Matt Antonelli (2008: AAA/MLB)

- The Padres 1st Rounder in 2006, Matt Antonelli struggled in Eugene last year, showing little power but showing off his other abilities. He made the move to second this season and has shown improvement defensively. Offensively, he has shown more power than scouts ever credited him with pre-draft. He could be the Padres #1 prospect and be the one to take the vacant 2nd base position next year with his five-tool potential.

3. OF Cedric Hunter (2008: Adv-A)

- Hunter was the Padres #1 prospect this past season according to Baseball America, but with his recent struggles in Fort Wayne, coupled with the successes of Antonelli and Headley, Hunter needs to continue to prove that his pro-debut season was not a fluke. He has adequate speed and can get on base. Potential is very high for him, except for power.

4. SP Will Inman (2008: AAA)

- Recently acquired Will Inman has become the Padres best pitching prospect. Compares favorably to pre-injury Joel Piniero, but unfavorably to the likes of a Tim Redding.

5. SP Wade LeBlanc (2008: AAA)

- LeBlanc has slowly worked his way through the minors, posting solid seasons with spectacular numbers. He was promoted to AA along with fellow pitcher Manny Ayala this season after having a great first half with Lake Elsinore. Time will tell whether his sweeping curveball and keep hitters off-balance.

6. C Nick Hundley (2008: AAA)

- Padres top-catching prospect since the trade that sent Kottaras to Boston, Hundley had struggled to begin the season, not showing any power until recently.

7. SP Cesar Carrillo (2008: AAA)

- A starter on the fast track to the big leagues, Carrillo was the Padres #1 prospect before hitting the wall with injuries. He was expected to challenge for the #5 spot this year until he was shutdown in the middle of the 2006 season. He still possesses the stuff to make the big leagues.

8. 1B Kyle Blanks (I think I have him rated way too low, 2008: AA)

- At 6'6", 281 lbs, Blanks possesses probably the most power in the Padres farm system. Playing DH in Lake Elsinore, there has been a possilibity of holding on to him at 1B until he is ready to replace Adrian Gonzalez, or moving him to LF. Blanks has shown decent speed for a person his size.

9. OF Chad Huffman (2008: AAA)

- Decent OF prospect who has currently been called up to AA. Has shown great hitting ability.

10. 3B David Freese (2008: AA)

- Freese has shown great hitting ability. Is a little to old for his league, but is blocked in Lake Elsinore because of Chase Headley.

Others:
C Mitch Canham (2008: A)
C Colt Morton (His opportunity may have passed though, 2008: AAA)
OF Luis Durango (2008: A)
OF Yefri Carvajal (2008: A)
OF Will Venable (2008: AAA)
SP Cesar Ramos (2008: AAA)
SP Manny Ayala (2008: AAA)
SP Nick Schmidt (2008: A)
SP Matt Latos (2008: A)

[eXperiment63]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1) RHP Clay Buchholz
2) CF Jacoby Ellsbury
3) RHP Justin Masterson
4) RHP Michael Bowden
5) 1B Lars Anderson
6) RF/OF Brandon Moss
7) SS/2B Jed Lowrie
8) OF Ryan Kalish
9) OF Jason Place
10) LHP Nick Hagadone

Best thing about that.... 6 of the first 7 are within a year or two from the Majors... The RedSox minors are pretty stacked right now, especially at pitching.

[Tomahawk]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Ugh,hmm, ......nevermind they all got traded to Texas.

[skitch]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Ugh,hmm, ......nevermind they all got traded to Texas.

:y4:

So true.

[NYJets]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1. P Joba Chamberlain
2. OF Jose Tabata
3. P Ian Kennedy
4. P Alan Horne
5. OF Austin Jackson
6. P Dellin Betances
7. C Francisco Cervelli
8. OF Brett Gardner
9. P George Kontos
10. P Jeff Marquez

[Saber]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Where's the mod with the Office avatar? I know he's a Pirates fan. Was hoping to get an idea on where they're ranking guys like Brad Lincoln and Andrew McCutchen.

[oakfan162]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Ugh,hmm, ......nevermind they all got traded to Texas.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Lets see...for the O's:

1. C Matt Wieters (Projected 2008 level: High-A/AA)
2. 3B Bill Rowell (Projected 2008 level: High-A/AA)
3. SP Radhames Liz (Projected 2008 level: AAA/MLB)
4. OF Nolan Reimold (Projected 2008 level: AA/AAA)
5. SP Brandon Erbe (Projected 2008 level: High-A/AA)
6. C Brandon Snyder (Projected 2008 level: Low-A/High-A)
7. RP James Hoey (Projected 2008 level: MLB)
8. SP Pedro Beato (Projected 2008 level: short season A/Low-A)
9. OF Brandon Tripp (Projected 2008 level: Low-A/High-A)
10. SP Chorye Spoone (Projected 2008 level: High-A/AA)

I left off SP Garrett Olson because he's already been called up to Baltimore this year and has pitched a decent number of innings, and is also likely to be called up and placed in the rotation permanently in the next few weeks. Otherwise he'd probably be 3-4 on this list.

[sportsdude]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1. Jay Bruce (OF)
2. Joey Votto (1B)
3. Bobby Livingston (P)
4. Phil Dumatrait (P)
5. Pedro Lopez (SS)
6. Marcus McBeth (P)
7. Drew Stubbs (OF)
8. Johnny Cueto (P)
9. Aaron Herr (OF)
10. Chris Dickerson (OF)

edit: wait, did you mean prospect who will play at MLB level in 08 or just top 10 prospects? If you meant top 10 prospects, I've got to alter my list a bit.

[Saber]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1. Jay Bruce (OF)
2. Joey Votto (1B)
3. Bobby Livingston (P)
4. Phil Dumatrait (P)
5. Pedro Lopez (SS)
6. Marcus McBeth (P)
7. Drew Stubbs (OF)
8. Johnny Cueto (P)
9. Aaron Herr (OF)
10. Chris Dickerson (OF)

edit: wait, did you mean prospect who will play at MLB level in 08 or just top 10 prospects? If you meant top 10 prospects, I've got to alter my list a bit.

Top 10. Most of my Rangers prospects are still in low or high A. Some of which won't sniff the majors till '10

[55]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

<table class="storysm" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>1.</td><td>Adam Miller, rhp</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>2.</td><td>Chuck Lofgren, lhp</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>3.</td><td>Trevor Crowe, of</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>4.</td><td>Tony Sipp, lhp</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>5.</td><td>Brian Barton, of</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>6.</td><td>John Drennen, of</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>7.</td><td>Scott Lewis, lhp</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>8.</td><td>Brad Snyder, of</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>9.</td><td>Wes Hodges, 3b</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>10.</td><td>David Huff, lhp</td></tr></tbody></table>

[sportsdude]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Top 10. Most of my Rangers prospects are still in low or high A. Some of which won't sniff the majors till '10

right. here's my revised list:

1. Jay Bruce (OF)
2. Joey Votto (1B)
3. Drew Stubbs (OF)
4. Marcus McBeth (P)
5. Travis Woods (P)
6. Johnny Cueto (P)
7. Chris Dickerson (OF)
8. Miguel Perez (C)
9. Sean Watson (P)
10. Devan Mesoraco (C)

[mjb2124]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

Where's the mod with the Office avatar? I know he's a Pirates fan. Was hoping to get an idea on where they're ranking guys like Brad Lincoln and Andrew McCutchen.

That would probably be me.

I was going to list 1-10 and leave it blank for the Pirates as they have very few prospects, but I'll give it a go (these are my opinion based on what I've seen and what I've read):

1. Andrew McCutchen - CF
- Struggled a little this year in AA, but has come on lately. He should be a good MLB player, but might not reach the majors as fast as some had hoped.

2. Neil Walker - 3B
- He's been pretty good in AA this year. I haven't been a huge fan of his so he's doing better than I suspected. Moved from C to 3B this past year so his defense needs work.

3. Brad Lincoln - SP
- Out this season with Tommy John Surgery. This seems to happen with most high drafted Pirate pitching prospects.

4. Brian Bixler - SS
- Probably the future SS for the Pirates. Good glove, runs well and is a decent hitter.

5. Steve Pearce - 1B/RF
- He's rocketed through the minors this year showing power, patience and a good OBP. He started in A and is at AAA now. If he continues to play well, he'll be a September callup.

6. Todd Redmond - SP
- Young pitcher with decent stuff. I don't know much more about him.

7. Bryan Bullington - SP
- 2001 #1 overall draft pick. Has had some arm injuries and is AAA this year. This year is a rehab year and he's doing decent. I'd like to see a better K/IP ratio, but time will tell.

8. Brad Corley - OF
- Big guy with a big bat. Hasn't produced like many Pirate fans had hoped, but I don't want to give up on him yet.

9. Josh Sharpless - RP
- Spent some time at the MLB level last year. Low 90's fastball with a terrific slider. Consistency is his problem.

10. Daniel Moskos - RP
- He was the Pirates first round pick this year out of Clemson. He's projected to be a closer. I don't know much about him and is why I put him so low. The Pirates claim he's on a fast track to the majors, but I've heard that before from them.

[Dispatch]

Re: Your team's top 10 prospects for '08

1. Clay Buchholz SP
2. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
3. Justin Masterson SP
4. Michael Bowden SP
5. Craig Hansen RP
6. Lars Anderson 1B
7. Brandon Moss OF
8. Jed Lowrie SS/2B
9. Aaron Bates 1B
10. Nick Hagadone SP

Lots of pitching on the list. Buchholz is going to be a good one along with Ellsbury, they both have chances to get called up in September. Craig Hansen was up with the Red Sox for a litte while and didn't do so well. He started off this year slow in AAA but lately he has benn on fire with a 1.62 ERA/ 16.2 innings pitched/ 3 ER/ 21 K/ 5 BB.