Life On The Farm: San Diego Padres (# 29)

The future has to be brighter right?

Graduated To Majors: Will Venable (OF, # 7), Luis Durango (OF, UR), Drew Macias (OF, UR), Kyle Blanks (1B/OF, # 1), Mat Latos (SP, # 2), Josh Geer (SP, # 13), Cesar Carrillo (SP, # 20), Ernesto Frieri (RP, # 29), Wade Leblanc (SP, # 12), Mike Ekstrom (RP, UR), Wilton Lopez (RP, UR, now with Astros), Greg Burke (RP, UR), Cesar Ramos (SP/RP, UR), Joe Thatcher (RP, UR), Everth Cabrera (SS, # 24)

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

3 - Jaff Decker: RF
Lo A: .300-.438-.515, 357, 16-64, 82-91, 9-6
Quick Take: Overall, a pretty strong debut to full season ball. Showed a little of everything, especially plate discipline.

4 - Kellen Kulbacki: LF
AA: .201-.257-.254, 134, 0-11, 9-23, 2-1
Quick Take: Best summed up in one word: UGH. Season was ended due to needing shoulder surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and will be ready for spring training according to Grady Fuson. Lost season.

5 - Adys Portillo: SP
R: 13-12, 1-9, 5.13, 52.2-67-2-28-44
Quick Take: Just 17 (not 18 until December), this isn't anything too out of line with what would be expected. Would like to see more K's, but doesn't dim his star much, if at all.

6 - Cedric Hunter: CF
AA: .261-.294-.331, 541, 2-54, 25-43, 13-3
Quick Take: Yuck. For an athlete, he didn't steal much. And he didn't get on base. Rough season, but at least he put the ball in play... weakly.

8 - Allan Dykstra: 1B
Lo A: .226-.397-.375, 411, 11-60, 104-103, 1-2
Quick Take: Wow. Those bolded numbers are 104 walks and 103 strikeouts. Let that sink in for a second... Honestly, I don't think anyone knows what to make of what he did in Lo A.

9 - Matt Antonelli: 2B
AAA: .196-.300-.339, 189, 4-22, 26-30, 1-1
Quick Take: Remember when he was supposed to be the 2nd basemen of the future? He missed the first 6 weeks with a leg injury and this is apparently an injury that nagged him all year. Can he bounce back after 2 terrible seasons at AAA?

10 - James Darnell: 3B
Lo A: .329-.468-.518, 222, 7-38, 57-51, 5-5
Hi A: .294-.377-.553, 235, 13-43, 30-38, 3-1
Quick Take: Strong season. One that is strong enough that likely merits consideration to start 2010 in AA. Has a shot at a cup of coffee in September.

AAA: Portland Beavers (PCL)
Breakout Hitter: Kyle Blanks (# 1): .283-.393-.485, 233, 12-38, 39-63, 0-0
Disappointing Hitter: Matt Antonelli (# 9): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Mike Ekstrom (UR): 42-1, 4-2, 1.73, 62.1-44-2-16-43
Disappointing Pitcher: Will Inman (# 18): 12-12, 1-4, 6.71, 63-83-15-25-41
Quick Take: Blanks and Ekstrom worked their ways into promotions. Antonelli needs a bounce back season maybe more then anyone else in the minors. Inman was once a bright star in the Brewers organization, but has struggled to continue that momentum with the Padres.

AA: San Antonio Missions (TL)
Breakout Hitter: Luis Durango (UR): .281-.390-.309, 456, 0-25, 81-70, 44-17
Disappointing Hitter: Kellen Kulbacki (# 4): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Ernesto Frieri (# 29): 27-26, 10-9, 3.59, 140.1-125-13-62-118
Disappointing Pitcher: Chris Britton (UR): 10-0, 1-1, 10.80, 15-28-3-4-5
Quick Take: Durango and Frieri worked their ways into the bigs with breakout seasons out of pretty much nowhere. Kulbacki struggles are well documented above. Britton (formerly of the Orioles and Yankees) was thought to be a contender for the major league pen, instead he is now looking for a job after a brutal showing.

Hi A: Lake Elsinore Storm (CAL)
Breakout Hitter: Logan Forsythe (# 11): .322-.472-.504, 236, 8-30, 61-48, 6-2
Disappointing Hitter: Felix Carrasco (UL): .252-.344-.394, 416, 9-69, 54-132, 6-6
Breakout Pitcher: Wynn Pelzer (# 16): 27-27, 11-8, 3.94, 150.2-134-6-59-147
Disappointing Pitcher: Drew Miller (# 26): 27-26, 10-7, 6.10, 134.1-172-19-46-100
Quick Take: Forsythe earned a promotion to AA at midseason while Pelzer barely out pitched Jeremy Hefner (# 27) for the honor of breakout pitcher. Carrasco got a lot of AB's and didn't do much but strike out and draw walks. Miller is looking for a way out of that hitter's paradise.

Lo A: Fort Wayne TinCaps
Breakout Hitter: James Darnell (# 10): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Allan Dykstra (# 8): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Simon Castro (# 14): 28-27, 10-6, 3.33, 140.1-118-9-37-157
Disappointing Pitcher: Dexter Carter (# 23 for CHW): 6-6, 1-4, 12.86, 21-34-3-15-23
Quick Take: Darnell earned a promotoin to Hi A while Castro put up a true under the radar exceptional season with good strikeout numbers and a strong WHIP. Dykstra has one of the most bizarre lines I have ever seen, not a good thing from a former 1st round pick. Carter was abysmal for San Diego since being acquired, which has to cause a little bit of nervousness.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Donovan Tate: CF
He is the toolsy of all toolsy who has an upside similar to that of Carl Crawford (who also had a football scholarship available when drafted).
2) Jaff Decker: RF
Strong debut to full season ball, can he continue to build on it?
3) James Darnell: 3B
He had such a good season and looks like he could start next year in AA.
4) Simon Castro: RHP
Strong debut to full season ball and will look to continue to build on it.
5) Adys Portillo: RHP
Despite a rough season, his upside remains enormous.
6) Logan Forsythe: 3B
Kevin Kouzmanoff has 2 guys coming up who really want his job...
7) Nick Schmidt: LHP
Lefty dominated Lo A (4-0, 2.79 in 11 starts) and got shelled in Hi A (2-8, 7.88 in 13 starts).
8) Eric Sogard: 2B
.293-.370-.400 line with 58 walks against 47 strikeouts in AA may have him jump Antonelli.
9) Cedric Hunter: CF
Still toolsy, can he bounce back from an off season?
10) Allan Dykstra: 1B
Former 1st round pick, more by default then by performance.

Dropped From Top 10: Kulbacki (# 4), Antonelli (# 9)

Final Overview: After the Top 6, I had issues with guys to select. The Padres have a system most sabermetrics would love, with a ton of walks and a bunch of guys who may hit for power. The downside to this is they strike out. They strike out ALOT. Tate is a welcome addition in regards to athleticism. The Matt Bush # 1 overall selection still haunts this team and blowing a pick like that really does set a system back for awhile. I would say this is the 2nd worst farm system, but one with some upside if their hitters stop striking out and maintain their walk percentages.

Life On The Farm: Detroit Tigers (# 28)

3 Aces = Title? Hope so, b/c we sure don't have enough for Round 2.

Graduated To Majors: Wilkin Ramirez (OF, # 6), Clete Thomas (OF, # 21), Brent Dlugach (SS, UR), Jeff Larish (3B, # 5), Dusty Ryan (C, # 9), Alex Avila (C, # 20), Rick Porcello (SP, # 1), Ryan Perry (RP, # 2), Casey Fien (RP, # 11), Freddy Dolsi (RP, # 15), Alfredo Figaro (RP, # 16), Chris Lambert (SP, UR now member of Orioles), Eddie Bonine (SP, UR), Luke French (SP, UR now member of Mariners), Clay Rapada (RP, UR)

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

3 - Cale Iorg: SS
AA: .224-.275-.337, 492, 11-41, 32-149, 13-7
Quick Take: Hugely disappointing season, with huge strikeout totals and just an overall raw game that hasn't yet taken shape yet.

4 - Casey Crosby: SP
Lo A: 24-24, 10-4, 2.41, 104.2-70-3-48-117
Quick Take: The lefty took a big first step with a strong exposure to full season ball. Walk totals are a touch high, but strikeout and hit numbers offset them.

7 - Scott Sizemore: 2B
AA: .307-.402-.535, 228, 9-33, 35-45, 7-3
AAA: .308-.378-.473, 292, 8-33, 29-49, 14-1
Quick Take: Another Tiger who took a big step forward and should be major league ready at some point next season, maybe in April.

8 - Cody Satterwhite: RP
AA: 34-0, 4-6, 3.47, 49.1-46-5-27-52
Quick Take: Solid AA debut, looks to try and be ready for a midseason promotion next season to help the bullpen.

10 - Brett Jacobson: SP
Hi A: 42-0, 2-5, 4.13, 65.1-58-7-26-55
Quick Take: Dealt to the Orioles in the Aubrey Huff deal, the only player dealt from the Tigers looks to do better then his initial debut in their system (1-2, 6.30)

AAA: Toledo Mud Hens (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Don Kelly (UR): .331-.404-.465, 372, 6-40, 43-51, 27-4
Disappointing Hitter: Will Rhymes (# 30): .260-.324-.354, 404, 3-41, 36-58, 20-7
Breakout Pitcher: Luke French (UR): 13-13, 4-4, 2.98, 81.2-71-6-20-72
Disappointing Pitcher: Brooks Brown (# 28 for ARI): 20-18, 3-13, 4.71, 112.2-120-9-55-48
Quick Take: Kelly and French parlayed themselves into big league debuts. Rhymes didn't do anything to warrant inclusion in next year's Top 30. Brown fell flat on his face and lost all semblance of K numbers in AAA.

AA: Eric Seawolves (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Scott Sizemore (# 7): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Cale Iorg (# 3): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Zach Simons (# 28): 31-0, 1-2, 2.82, 51-39-1-21-50
Disappointing Pitcher: Jonah Nickerson (UR): 28-27, 8-12, 5.33, 165.1-217-23-44-75
Quick Take: Sizemore and Simons merited 2nd half promotions to AAA and Simons may already be more valuable then Jason Grilli. Iorg really struggled while Nickerson showed an ability to eat innings. Not well, but can eat them.

Hi A: Lakeland Flying Tigers (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Michael Bertram (UL): .281-.327-.469, 292, 10-47, 20-54, 3-0
Disappointing Hitter: Justin Henry (UR): .256-.330-.308, 425, 0-43, 45-40, 22-7
Breakout Pitcher: Robbie Weinhardt (# 22): 22-0, 1-1, 0.85, 31.2-24-2-10-40
Disappointing Pitcher: Matt Hoffman (UR): 16-10, 3-7, 6.79, 62.1-79-9-21-32
Quick Take: Bertram and Weinhardt earned 2nd half promotions to AA. Henry showed a slap hitting mentality, but little positive results. Hoffman really struggled to generate swings and misses.

Lo A: West Michigan Whitecaps (ML)
Breakout Hitter: Brandon Douglas (# 23): .322-.384-.374, 329, 0-35, 29-33, 9-1
Disappointing Hitter: Brent Wyatt (UR): .242-.360-.335, 475, 3-53, 67-71, 23-9
Breakout Pitcher: Casey Crosby (# 4): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Brandon Hamilton (# 26): 30-20, 5-5, 7.09, 99-112-11-61-71
Quick Take: Douglas may have surpassed both Danny Worth and Cale Iorg as the SS of the future while Crosby may be a Top 50 prospect period. Wyatt showed plate discipline, but not enough power to warrant pitchers to being scared of throwing him strikes. Hamilton struggled badly in his first exposure to full season ball.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Casey Crosby: LHP
Can he join Porcello in Detroit next season? Probably not, but he has the makings of a top of the rotation pitcher.
2) Jacob Turner: RHP
Top high school arm is said to be a small step down from Josh Beckett and Porcello.
3) Andrew Oliver: LHP
2nd round pick was the 21st best prospect according to BA and has a fastball at 92-94.
4) Scott Sizemore: 2B
Shows himself as a potential middle or top of the order bat at a middle position.
5) Casper Wells: CF
5 tool player is showing signs of putting it all together.
6) Cody Satterwhite: RHP
Strong relief prospect is nearly major league ready.
7) Ryan Strieby: 1B
Cabrera blocks him, but bat (.303-.427-.565, 19 HR's at AA) appears close to major league ready.
8) Zach Simons: RHP
Another relief prospect nearly ready.
9) Cale Iorg: SS
Tools still there, but production needs to take a big step up.
10) Brandon Douglas: SS
Like to see more power, but showing himself as a complete shortstop.

Dropped From Top 10: None

Final Overview: The Tigers are not a team in transition... yet. With most of their prospects in the upper levels, they may not be able to withstand another mass exodus to the majors. David Chadd's going over slot is noticeable both for its strong players they get early (Maybin, A. Miller, Porcello, Verlander) and the resulting lack of money to build system depth. Tigers tend to hit on their 1st round picks, will Turner continue that? Probably not the 2nd worst farm system, but not quite middle of the pack yet.

Brewers Extras

1) Tim Dillard: FB, SL, CU
7/31: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Dillard is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle to the lower body, but is an athletic, built frame. He came from a high 3/4 release with solid mechanics. He has a little cocking action with his plant leg as he drives down where he almost touches his heel of that leg to his other leg. His arm action also appears to be a little long as he appears to take the ball towards the second basemen as opposed to 2nd base, which can put extra pressure on his shoulder. His fastball has good run in on righties and good sink, but can be extremely inconsistent including flattening out into a straight fastball. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid average bite. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. I like his arm, but I would overhaul his repetoire. I would teach him a cutter, which has rescued many sinkerballers that lack a true out pitch. If I am an NL team with a good defense, I take a chance on him.

6th: FB (89-93), SL (84-87), CU (83-86)

2) David Riske: FB, Split, CB
4/9: 25 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Riske is a 6-2, 190 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle to his lower half, but not much. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch that was pretty clean. His curve is a 12-6 offering with average depth. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His split has solid dive. His reputation says he can still be a middle reliever. His stuff and injury history tells me that he is done.

7th: FB (86-89), Split (74-79), CB (69-73)

Chart Observations: 9/24 BOS @ KC

1) Anthony Lerew: 108 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball, Slider.

• Lerew is a 6-3, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release with a real quick wind-up that had no real red flags. Very fast worker that gets the ball and gets back on the rubber. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His change has good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and is his best off-speed offering. He will throw it in 2-0 counts. His slider is a 2-7 offering with a hint of bite. His curve is a 1-7 offering with below average depth. Has a shot at being a middle reliever with his sinker, but that is about it.

1st: FB (90-95), CU (83-84), SL (81)

2nd: FB (90-94), CU (81-84), SL (79-80)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (82-85), SL (79-81) - SL (Gonzalez), CU (Gonzalez)

4th: FB (89-94), CU (80-83), SL (76-79) - FB (Ortiz)

5th: FB (87-94), CU (79-84), SL (78), CB (73) - CU (Bay)

2) Clay Buchholz: 109 pitches. FB, CU, CB, SL. 12 strikes swinging. 7 Changeups, 3 Sliders, Fastball, Curveball.

• Buchholz came from an over the top release and showed a 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties and good sink, a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with okay bite that actually looked more like a cutter and a 12-6 curve with above average depth. Has he scrapped the slider in place of a cutter?

1st: FB (93-97), CU (81-83), CB (75-78), SL (87-88) - CU (Callaspo)

2nd: FB (94-98), CU (82-83), CB (78), SL (89-92) - FB (Olivo), 2 SL (Olivo, Gordon), 2 CU (Olivo, Gordon)

3rd: FB (95-97), CU (81-83), CB (78-80), SL (88-91) - SL (Maier), CB (Betancourt)

4th: FB (94-97), CU (82-84), SL (88-89) - 2 CU (Butler, Jacobs)

5th: FB (94-98), CU (80-81), CB (78-81), SL (88-89)

6th: FB (91-97), CU (83-84), CB (78-79), SL (88-90) - 2 CU (Jacobs - 2)

7th: FB (94-97), CU (82-83), CB (78-80), SL (88)

3) Yasuhiko Yabuta: 56 pitches. FB, CU, Split, SL. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Changeups.

• Yabuta came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with good dive, a straight change with a little fade from lefties that he will throw to righties and in 3-1 and 3-2 counts and a 2-7 slider with a hint of movement.

5th: FB (94), CU (84), Split (78-80) - CU (Reddick)

6th: FB (91-95), CU (81-87), Split (74-78), SL (86) - 2 CU (Ellsbury, Bay)

7th: FB (92-94), CU (83-87), Split (72-74), SL (85-86) - 2 CU (Kotchman - 2)

4) Kyle Farnsworth: 35 pitches. FB, Cut, SL, CU. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, Slider.

• Farnsworth came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink, a cutter with some cut and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (93-100), Cut (90), SL (85-87) - 4 FB (Bay - 2, Woodward, Kotchman), SL (Ortiz)

5) Ramon Ramirez: 20 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a hard change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (92-95)

8th: FB (94-95), SL (89-90), CU (89-91)

6) Takashi Saito: 28 pitches. FB, SL, CB, Split. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Saito came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth.

8th: FB (91-95), SL (82-85), CB (78)

9th: FB (88-94), SL (81-83) - 3 FB (Hernandez - 2, Anderson)

7) Jamey Wright: 30 pitches. FB, CB, Cut, CU. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (90-94), CB (80-81), Cut (86-90), Split (86) - Cut (Reddick)

Life On The Farm: Houston Astros (# 30)

The team with back-to-back # 30 ranks by BA, can't get any worse right?

Graduated To Majors: Edwin Maysonet (UTIL, Unranked or UR), Tommy Manzella (SS, # 11), Chris Johnson (3B, # 5), Bud Norris (SP, # 2), Felipe Paulino (SP, # 7), Drew Sutton (2B, # 8, traded to Reds to complete Jeff Keppinger trade), Sammy Gervacio (RHP, # 19)

The Rest of The Top 10 (with quick commentary):
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitcher: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

1 - Jason Castro: C
Hi A: .309-.399-.517, 207, 7-44, 30-41, 1-1
AA: .293-.362-.385, 239, 3-29, 25-35, 2-1
Quick Take: Did not disappoint and continues on a crash course for Houston around the All Star Break next season.

3 - Ross Seaton: SP
Lo A: 24-24, 8-10, 3.29, 136.2-136-11-39-88
Quick Take: Not a terrible debut, but for a guy regarded as the 3rd best prospect in the organization, he did not put up strong K numbers.

4 - Brian Bogusevic: CF
AAA: .271-.342-.365, 520, 6-53, 53-118, 22-3
Quick Take: 4th OF appears to be his best bet with his strikeout numbers, though his basestealing numbers say he may be able to carve a niche.

6 - Jordan Lyles: SP
Lo A: 26-26, 7-11, 3.17, 144.2-134-5-38-167
Quick Take: Huge step forward and he looks like he should be the # 1 or # 2 prospect with Castro next season. No real pock marks on his line from this season. And, oh yea, he doesn't turn 20 until October 19th.

9 - Collin DeLome: LF/RF
AA: .255-.323-.465, 467, 20-61, 37-141, 15-8
Quick Take: Intriguing power (18 doubles, 20 homers) and speed (10 triples, 15 stolen bases) with no idea how to use either (141 strikeouts, 8 caught stealings). This was his age 23 season.

10 - Jay Austin: CF
Lo A: .267-.320-.360, 397, 1-33, 31-78, 23-23
Quick Take: Disappointment in first full season, but just 20 in August, so he will likely be repeating. Intriguing speed.

AAA: Round Rock Express (PCL)
Breakout Hitter: Tommy Manzella (# 11): .289-.339-.417, 530, 9-56, 40-99, 12-3
Disappointing Hitter: Brian Bogusevic (# 4): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Bud Norris (# 2): 19-19, 4-9, 2.63, 120-104-6-53-112
Disappointing Pitcher: Jose Capellan (former Braves/Brewers): 30-14, 2-10, 7.07, 98-133-12-49-74
Quick Take: Manzella and Norris took necessary steps to warrant promotions to the bigs. Bogusevic put up subpar power numbers and looks like a 4th OF. Capellan was a worthwhile risk taht appears to have blown up in their face.

AA: Corpus Christi Hoooks (TEX)
Breakout Hitter: Drew Locke (Unlisted): .338-.389-.531, 503, 20-109, 46-84, 2-2
Disappointing Hitter: Josh Flores (# 16): .239-.307-.344, 163, 1-10, 14-34, 9-2
Breakout Pitcher: Polin Trinidad (# 24): 13-12, 7-5, 2.94, 82.2-87-7-10-53
Disappointing Pitcher: Brad James (# 15): 23-21, 2-10, 6.69, 107.2-127-10-62-55
Quick Take: Locke, a 25 year old 1B, put up huge numbers after coming over in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft from the Dodgers in his first taste of AA. Trinidad worked into a promotion to AAA for the 2nd half of the year. James had an all around miserable season and will likely be falling out of the Top 30.

Hi A: Lancaster JetHawks (CAL)
Breakout Hitter: Koby Clemens (UR): .345-.419-.636, 423, 22-121, 51-110, 4-1
Disappointing Hitter: Craig Corrado (UR): .247-.275-.326, 417, 2-36, 15-79, 14-10
Breakout Pitcher: Chia-Jen Lo (# 12): 12-0, 1-0, 1.78, 25.1-10-1-13-36
Disappointing Pitcher: Chris Hicks (# 18): 26-26, 9-11, 6.12, 129.1-180-22-39-103
Quick Take: Clemens had his year in a hitter's paradise. Corrado was the choice for disappointing hitter as he got a ton of at bats for the level, meaning the Astros think they have something there. Lo got out of dodge quickly while Hicks is the default choice just due to ERA, as pitchers should not be judged for how they throw here.

Lo A: Lexington Legends (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Brian Pellegrini (UR): .288-.394-.573, 351, 27-74, 58-102, 10-4
Disappointing Hitter: Federico Hernandez (# 20): .231-.268-.329, 347, 6-35, 17-65, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Jordan Lyles: Line above
Disappointing Pitcher: None
Quick Take: Pellegrini repeated, got promoted and slumped at Lancaster. Hernandez didn't show much with the bat in his 1st exposure to full season ball. Lyles was phenomenal.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Jordan Lyles: RHP
Has the making of an ace
2) Jason Castro: C
Has a shot to be an everyday catcher in the bigs, as soon as next year
3) Chia-Jen Lo: RHP
Another guy who could be making an appearance next year as a reliever
4) Jiovanni Mier: SS
Really impressed after being drafted in the 1st round this past year
5) Tanner Bushue: RHP
2nd round pick has a high upside.
6) Ross Seaton: RHP
Solid exposure to full season ball, can he build on it?
7) Polin Trinidad: LHP
Best lefty in a weak system should be ready in June
8) Jon Gaston: LF
Age 22 season, 31 doubles, 15 triples, 20 homers, 71 walks, 14 steals the good. Entire season at Lancaster, 164 strikeouts the bad.
9) Jay Austin: CF
Still extremely toolsy. Not much to choose from anymore.
10) Drew Locke: 1B
Huge season, can he continue to build towards something more or was this a fluke?

Dropped from Top 10 (not due to going to majors): Bogusevic (# 4), DeLome (#9)

Final Overview: Still a weak system. If Lyles, Seaton and company can survive Lancaster with their confidence still intact, the Astros may have something there. The system has quite a dearth of middle infielders and they are hoping Mier can reverse that. Their problem isn't the Top 5. It's the guys after that.

Life On The Farm - New Feature

This will be the beginning of a new feature that I hope to have for you daily.