GM 3: NYY (2) @ MIN (0)

1) Andy Pettite: FB, CB, Cut, CU. 81 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 7 Cutters, 4 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Pettite came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and good sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a

1st: FB (89-92), CB (77), Cut (86)

2nd: FB (90-91), Cut (85-86) - Cut (Kubel)

3rd: FB (90-91), CB (76-77), Cut (85-88) - 2 Cut (Morales, Harris), FB (Harris)

4th: FB (90), CB (75-78), Cut (83-87) - 2 Cut (Span, Mauer), FB (Cabrera)

5th: FB (90), CB (76-77), Cut (83-87) - CB (Cuddyer)

6th: FB (90-91), CB (76-77), Cut (85-87) - 2 FB (Cuddyer - 2)

7th: FB (89-90), Cut (84-86) - 2 Cut (Kubel - 2)

2) Carl Pavano: FB, SL, CU. 95 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 7 Changeups, 3 Fastballs, 3 Sliders.

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

1st: FB (90-92), SL (83-86), CU (82-85) - 2 CU (Damon - 2)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (83-85), CU (82-84) - 2 FB (Matsui - 2), SL (Rodriguez)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-85), CU (81-83) - FB (Swisher), SL (Cano), CU (Swisher)

4th: FB (89-93), SL (83-84), CU (81-84) - SL (Damon)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (80), CU (82)

6th: FB (89-92), SL (86), CU (80-85) - 2 CU (Swisher, Damon)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-86), CU (81-82) - 2 CU (Matsui - 2)

3) Joba Chamberlain: FB, SL, CU, CB. 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Chamberlain came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 1-7 curve with average depth that looks like a slower slider and a fastball with some run in on righties.

7th: FB (94-96), SL (87-90), CB (82) - FB (Morales), SL (Morales)

4) Matt Guerrier: FB, SL, CB, CU. 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (83-86), CB (79) - CB (Cabrera)

5) Phil Hughes: FB, SL, CB, CU. 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Hughes came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite

8th: FB (93-95), SL (88-89) - 2 FB (Punto, Cabrera)

6) Mariano Rivera: FB, Cut. 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter

• Rivera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut.

8th: Cut (89-91)

9th: Cut (90-93) - Cut (Young)

7) Ron Mahay: FB, CU, SL. 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Mahay came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with some fade from righties and some some sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (90-91), CU (83-84), SL (81) - FB (Damon)

8) Jon Rauch: FB, Cut, SL, CB, CU. 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rauch came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a cutter with some cut.

9th: FB (91-93), Cut (87), CB (73)

9) Jose Mijares: FB, SL, CU. 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Mijares came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (92), SL (78-80)

10) Joe Nathan: FB, SL, CB, CU. 14 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Fastball.

• Nathan came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and a power 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

9th: FB (93-95), SL (86-88), CB (80-82) - 2 SL (Posada, Cabrera), FB (Swisher)

Life On The Farm: New York Yankees (# 15)

The best farm system money can buy.... right?

Graduated To Majors: Brett Gardner (OF, # 13), Ramiro Pena (SS, UR), Juan Miranda (1B, # 20), Francisco Cervelli (C, # 21), Alfredo Aceves (Swing, # 7), Eric Hacker (RP, UR, now with Pirates), Mark Melancon (RP, # 9), David Robertson (RP, # 15), Anthony Claggett (RP, # 26, now with Pirates), Steven Jackson (RP, # 29, now with Pirates), Phil Coke (RP, # 8), Mike Dunn (RP, # 16)

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

1 - Austin Jackson: CF
AAA: .300-.354-.405, 504, 4-65, 40-123, 24-4
Quick Take: Solid season, but the high # of strikeouts vs. not much power isn't a good tradeoff.

2 - Jesus Montero: C
Hi A: .356-.406-.583, 180, 8-37, 14-26, 0-0
AA: .317-.370-.539, 167, 9-33, 14-21, 0-0
Quick Take: Only an injury could stop one of the best offensive prospects in the game.

3 - Andrew Brackman: RHP
Lo A: 29-19, 2-12, 5.91, 106.2-106-8-76-103
Quick Take: Rough debut, but the Yankees knew he would be a project.

4 - Austin Romine: C
Hi A: .276-.322-.441, 442, 13-72, 29-78, 11-5
Quick Take: Solid all-around season from the Yankees best catching prospect, as Montero will be a first basemen.

5 - Dellin Betances: RHP
Hi A: 11-11, 2-5, 5.48, 44.1-48-2-27-44
Quick Take: Raw arm needed innings to learn how to command his stuff, but went down due to Tommy John Surgery in August.

6 - Zach McAllister: RHP
AA: 22-22, 7-5, 2.33, 121-98-4-33-96
Quick Take: Strong, if under the radar, season and may be ready for the Bronx next year.

10 - Brad Suttle: 3B
Lo A: .271-.348-.456, 377, 11-44, 45-93, 2-1
Quick Take: Surprisingly began back at Low A and put up a decent, if unspectacular, season.

AAA: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Juan Miranda (# 20): .290-.369-.498, 438, 19-82, 55-101, 1-0
Disappointing Hitter: Eric Duncan (UL): .204-.242-.285, 323, 4-24, 16-69, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Zach Kroenke (UL): 36-2, 7-1, 1.99, 72.1-54-4-30-55
Disappointing Pitcher: J. Brent Cox (UR): 12-1, 0-1, 7.08, 20.1-29-2-9-11
Quick Take: Miranda had a strong all around season in getting a September call-up. Kroenke has put himself on the radar for a bi league call up, though the ERA does look a little fluky. Duncan, a former 1st round pick and touted prospect, has likely disappointed the Yankees for the last time. Cox really struggled at AAA and then didn't do much more at AA.

AA: Trenton Thunder (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Jesus Montero (# 2): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Justin Snyder (UR): .195-.279-.263, 262, 3-29, 29-49, 1-2
Breakout Pitcher: Josh Schmidt (UL): 46-5, 8-4, 1.61, 83.2-57-2-38-96
Disappointing Pitcher: Alan Horne (# 25): 5-4, 0-3, 11.15, 15.1-25-3-16-13
Quick Take: Montero accepted his place amongst the game's best prospects. Schmidt, a 26 year old righty, had his light apparently flicker on in a strong season that came out of nowhere. Snyder really struggled in his first attempt at AA. Horne really battled at 3 different levels this past season and enters a make or break season for his prospect status.

Hi A: Tampa Yankees (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Jesus Montero (# 2): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Seth Fortenberry (UR): .175-.265-.328, 189, 6-27, 20-58, 3-0
Breakout Pitcher: Lance Pendleton (UL): 20-18, 11-5, 2.58, 104.2-101-1-31-87
Disappointing Pitcher: Dellin Betances (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: Hate putting the same breakout hitter at 2 levels, but Montero deserved it. Pendleton's time under the radar has likely passed with a 2nd strong season. Fortenberry didn't hit at Hi A or AA (.160-.259-.256 in 125 at bats) in a setback season. Betances's season wasn't necessarily a disappointment, but the fact he is out for most if not of all next season is incredibly dissappointing.

Lo A: Charleston Riverdogs (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Dan Brewer (UR): .323-.429-.473, 201, 2-25, 33-49, 9-5
Disappointing Hitter: Carmen Angelini (# 28): .197-.255-.258, 132, 1-8, 8-32, 6-1
Breakout Pitcher: Manny Banuelos (# 14): 25-19, 9-5, 2.67, 108-88-4-28-104
Disappointing Pitcher: Andrew Brackman (# 3): Line above.
Quick Take: Brewer had a strong full season debut and even received a promotion to Hi A at midseason. Banuelos was strong all season in his full season debut and may get on the fast track. Angelini struggled at Low A, then struggled even more after a demotion to SS (.190-.253-.270 in 200 at bats). Brackman's season was a disappointment, but not a surprise in 1st season back after TJS.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Jesus Montero: 1B
Amongst the best in all of baseball.
2) Austin Jackson: CF
Needs to reduce his strikeouts.
3) Austin Romine: C
One of the better all around catching prospects in baseball.
4) Zach McAllister: RHP
Likely will debut at some point next season.
5) Andrew Brackman: RHP
2nd year back from TJS is when control returns, so next season will be the telling one for Brackman.
6) Manny Banuelos: LHP
Lefty may have jumped on fast track to possible 2011 debut.
7) Arodys Vizcaino: RHP
19 years young in November, will likely make his full season debut after strong season at SS (10-10, 2-4, 2.13, 42.1-34-2-15-52)
8) D.J. Mitchell: RHP
22 year old had strong season at both A levels (25-24, 12-7, 2.63, 140.1-124-2-44-125)
9) Slade Heathcott: CF
Toolsy high school OF was 29th overall pick this June.
10) Jeremy Bleich: LHP
Lefty got a midseason promotion to AA and got pounded after solid work at High A.

Dropped From Top 10: Betances (# 5), Suttle (# 10)

Final Overview: The money the Yankees have spent, more notably internationally then draft-wise, has begun to pay dividends. This system has more depth then it has seen since the Yankees golden era in the late 90's and early 2000's. Montero is the best of the bunch and is a Top 5 prospect as a 1st basemen. Loaded with pitching, some of these will inevitably fall off due to injury or losing the feel for a pitch, but they have many more big arms then most other organizations. A top 10 farm system in my eyes.

The Final Extras... (Ba Ba Bum)

1) Josh Towers: FB, SL, CU, CB
9/12: 31 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Towers is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that can still add quite a bit more muscle to it and has the build of a high school defensive back. He came from a high 3/4 release with clean mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a 11-5 with slightly below average depth. His change is a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. 4-A arm that just doesn't have the stuff to be a consistent big league pitcher.

8th: FB (83-87), SL (82), CU (78-79), CB (72)

9th: FB (85-88), SL (80-83), CB (75) - 2 FB (Aubrey, Markakis)

2) Vladimir Nunez: FB, SL, CU.

9/18: 30 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• Nunez is a 6-4, 240 pound righty. The 34 year old has a big frame that appears to be maxed out, but doesn't appear to be as big as his listed 240, more around 220. Lean frame, almost like he lost some weight. He came from a high 3/4 release with clean mechanics. His slider is a 2-7 offering with average depth. His fastball has a little late run in on righties. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. 4-A arm, again.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (79-82), CU (82-85) - FB (Bako), SL (Bako), CU (Stairs)

3) Ian Kennedy: FB, SL, CU.

9/23: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Fastball.

• Kennedy is a 6-0, 195 pound righty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle to about 205. He came from an over the top release with very clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is fairly straight. His cutter has good cut and some sink. His curve is a 12-6 offering with average depth. His change is a straight change that has a little fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw in 3-2 counts though he doesn't have good control of it. The cutter is a good pitch for him to have in place of his slider. In the NL, he would profile as a # 3 starter, but in the AL East, he is a # 5 at best. I doubt he can be successful pitching in the Yankees bandbox.

8th: FB (90-93), Cut (85-88), CB (78), CU (81) - 2 Cut (Aybar - 2), FB (Izturis)

4) Eric Hacker: FB, CB, SL.

9/29: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hacker is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to about 215 if he wants. Normal, athletic build with a solid lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release with pretty clean drop and drive mechanics. His curve is a 11-5 pitch with slightly above average depth. His fastball is a sinker with some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with above average bite and is his go-to offspeed pitch. He could turn into a groundball forcing middle reliever, but he needs to refine his fastball command.

9th: FB (88-90), CB (73-74), SL (83-84)

5) Henry Rodriguez: FB, SL, CU

9/30: 24 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

• Rodriguez is a 6-0, 210 pound righty. The 22 year old has a small frame that looks a little smaller then his listed 210 pounds and is likely closer to 200. He can add quite a bit more muscle to his lower half, as he has a more of a defensive back build. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with pretty clean mechanics, though he does have a fairly violent head jerk and a little whipping action after release. His fastball is a straight, explosive, very easy velocity generating 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with some bite. Has a tendency to leave the fastball up around the belt and can battle his command with the heater. Him and Bailey will form a very scary back end of the bullpen in a couple years after he tightens his slider and develops his fastball command a little more. Definitely a reliever long-term though.

7th: FB (98-100), SL (88) - 3 FB (Beltre - 2, Moore)

8th: FB (97-100), SL (86) - 2 FB (Wilson - 2)

NL West Extras

1) Brandon Webb: FB, CU, CB, Cut.
4/6: 77 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Webb is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. Strong build with a built lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release with a long arm action that almost wraps around his entire body. Lands hard on his front leg. His fastball is a sinker with above average run in on righties and above average sink. His change has good fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth. Still has top of the rotation stuff, but will he still after all his arm issues?

1st: FB (83-89), CU (77-78), CB (74-75) - FB (Helton)

2nd: FB (83-88), CU (78-79), CB (75) - FB (Hawpe)

3rd: FB (82-88), CU (76-78), CB (69-75) - CU (Atkins)

4th: FB (83-86), CB (70-71)

2) Doug Slaten: FB, SL, CU.

4/6: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Slaten is a 6-5, 215 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225 pounds. Can add a lot more muscle to his lower half, which is more of a WR build then a pitcher's build. He came from a high 3/4 release with some herky jerky in his delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some late run in on lefties and a little late sink. His slider is a sweeping 11-5 with slightly above average depth. Best case is LOOGY, but doesn't quite have the command yet. If it clicks, can be an average lefty.

5th: FB (89-92), SL (79-81)

3) Glendon Rusch: FB, SL, CB, CU.

4/6: 42 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs, Fastball.

• Rusch is a 6-1, 225 pound lefty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a strong athletic build. He came from an over the top release with clean mechanics. His slider is a 11-5 offering with average depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth. His change is straight with a little late fade from righties. Since released and looking for work, he may be done.

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (81-82), CB (72-74) - FB (Webb), CB (Webb)

4th: FB (88-91), SL (80), CB (74-75), CU (82)

5th: FB (88-90), CB (73-77) - CB (Byrnes)

4) Ryan Speier: FB, SL, CU.

4/6: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Fastball.

• Speier is a 6-7, 210 pound righty. The 30 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, as he has a long and lean frame. He came from a 3/4 release with solid mechanics, though his arm action puts some extra pressure on his elbow. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with slightly above average bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. Has the stuff to be a decent middle reliever, can he stay healthy?

5th: FB (89), SL (82-83), CU (83) - SL (Snyder)

6th: FB (88-89), SL (82-83), CU (81) - FB (Lopez), SL (Young)

5) Alex Hinshaw: FB, CB, SL

4/10: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hinshaw is a 6-4, 190 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his lower half. Athletic build. He came from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball had a little run in on lefties, but was pretty straight. His curve is a 11-5 with slightly above average depth that has nice movement to it. His slider is a sharp 11-5 with some bite. Has some potential, but needs to refine his slider and command to capitalize on it.

7th: FB (91-92), CB (71-72), SL (83)

6) Tom Gordon: FB, Cut, CB.

4/28: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Gordon is a 5-10, 200 pound righty. The 42 year old has a small frame that won't be changing anytime soon. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has some frun in on righties and some sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has some cut and a little sink that can just hang at times. Probably could have another year left if necessary.

9th: FB (91-92), CB (82-83), Cut (86-87)

7) Osiris Matos: FB, SL, CU.

4/28: 17 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup, Slider.

• Matos is a 6-1, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out with a strong lower half. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with clean mechanics. His fastball is a fairly straight 4-seam. His slider is almost cutter like, but is too slow to be a cutter. It's a 2-7 pitch with marginal depth. His change is straight with not much action. 4-A guy.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (77-82), CU (80-81) - FB (Furcal), CU (Furcal), SL (Billingsley)

8) Esmil Rogers: FB, CB, CU.

9/12: 80 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball.

• Rogers is a 6-1, 150 pound righty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add some more muscle and get up to about 165 at least. He came from an over the top release with a long arm action. If he played football, he would need to redshirt before he could get onto the field due to a lack of muscle everywhere. A lot of moving parts in his delivery and breaks his hands very high, adding stress to his shoulder. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with average depth. His change is straight with not much movement at all. He can battle his command, which isn't a surprise for a young pitcher. I think he ends up in the bullpen, where his plus fastball and power curve can be more of a weapon.

1st: FB (94-96), CB (79-83), CU (86-87)

2nd: FB (92-95), CB (79-80), CU (84-86)

3rd: FB (92-94), CB (78-79), CU (85) - CU (Gonzalez)

4th: FB (92-95), CB (76-81), CU (84) - FB (Venable), CU (Venable)

GM 2: BOS (0) @ LAA (1)

1) Jered Weaver: FB, SL, CB, CU. 111 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 4 Changeups, 3 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Curveballs.

• Weaver came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that can flash a little cut, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth that he will throw in 2-0 counts, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with slightly above average bite and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw in 3-2 counts and to righties.

1st: FB (90-94), CB (70-74)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (70-72), SL (79) - SL (Bay)

3rd: FB (89-93), CB (67), SL (77-79), CU (80)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (70-71), SL (77-80), CU (78-80) - FB (Ortiz), CB (Ortiz), CU (Ortiz)

5th: FB (88-92), CB (69-71), SL (77-79), CU (79-80) - 2 FB (Gonzalez - 2), CB (Drew), CU (Drew)

6th: FB (89-93), CB (69), SL (78-79), CU (80) - SL (Ellsbury), CU (Pedroia)

7th: FB (88-93), CB (71), SL (78-79), CU (78-81) - CU (Bay)

8th: FB (89-90), CB (68), CU (78)

2) Josh Beckett: FB, CB, CU, Cut. 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Curveballs, Changeup.

• Beckett came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw in 3-2 counts and to righties, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a power 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with some cut.

1st: FB (95-96), CU (89-90)

2nd: FB (95-96), CU (88-90), CB (77)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (87-88), CB (75-77), Cut (89) - 2 FB (Aybar, Napoli)

4th: FB (92-95), CB (76-78) - 2 CB (Rivera, Morales)

5th: FB (93-95), CU (88-89), CB (78) - CU (Aybar)

6th: FB (94-95), CU (89-90), CB (79)

7th: FB (92-94), CU (89-90), CB (75-79)

3) Billy Wagner: FB, SL, CU. 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wagner came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (95-97)

8th: FB (94-95)

4) Darren Oliver: FB, SL, CU. 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Oliver came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good cut and a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (78-80) - SL (Lowrie)

5) Kevin Jepsen: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jepsen came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (97-98), Cut (89-92)

9th: FB (97-98)

6) Jonathan Papelbon: FB, SL, Split. 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Papelbon came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties.

8th: FB (94-96)

7) Brian Fuentes: FB, SL, CU. 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Fuentes came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a straight change with a little late sink.

9th: FB (90-92), CU (74) - FB (Bay)

Life On The Farm: Chicago White Sox (# 16)

No pun intended.

Graduated To Majors: Gordan Beckham (SS, # 1), Brent Lillibridge (SS, # 8), Chris Getz (2B, # 9), Jayson Nix (2B, # 26), Brandon Allen (1B, # 6, now with Diamondbacks), Tyler Flowers (C, # 4), Jhonny Nunez (SP, # 16), Dan Hudson (SP, # 24), Lance Broadway (SP, # 28), Jack Egbert (SP, UR), Carlos Torres (RP, # 25), Adam Russell (RP, # 27, now with Padres), Aaron Poreda (SP, # 3), Clayton Richard (SP, # 5), Wes Whisler (SP, 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

2 - Dayan Viciedo: 3B
AA: .281-.318-.393, 499, 12-78, 23-87, 5-2
Quick Take: Solid season with such an aggressive assignment for the 20 year old Cuban defectee.

7 - Jordan Danks: CF
Hi A: .322-.409-.525, 118, 3-21, 18-32, 5-1
AA: .239-.333-.354, 280, 6-19, 36-73, 6-3
Quick Take: Danks is making everyone forget about his disappointing years at Texas.

10 - John Shelby: OF
AA: .243-.324-.403, 424, 10-49, 49-77, 30-8
Quick Take: Disappointing season as Shelby's struggles in plate discipline improved, but nothing else did.

AAA: Charlotte Knights (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Miguel Negron (UR): .279-.324-.365, 384, 4-38, 26-62, 14-13
Disappointing Hitter: Donny Lucy (UR): .216-.259-.307, 153, 2-10, 10-38, 2-2
Breakout Pitcher: Carlos Torres (# 26): 23-20, 10-4, 2.39, 128-96-4-56-130
Disappointing Pitcher: Jeff Marquez (# 20): 11-11, 2-8, 9.85, 45.2-72-12-22-27
Quick Take: Negron has at least put himself into a picture of being a 4th OF. Torres capitalized on his strong season by making his major league debut. Lucy was expected to be serviceable depth at C while Marquez was hyped quite a bit when acquired.

AA: Birmingham Barons (SL)
Breakout Hitter: Tyler Flowers (# 4): .309-.452-.560, 243, 13-43, 57-75, 3-0
Disappointing Hitter: John Shelby (# 10): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: John Ely (# 11): 27-27, 14-2, 2.82, 156.1-140-9-50-125
Disappointing Pitcher: None
Quick Take: Flowers surged into the major leagues. Shelby just battled all season long. Ely looks like he may be ready for action next season in the show, as no one really struggled at AA on the pitching side.

Hi A: Winston-Salem Dash (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Brent Morel (# 17): .281-.335-.453, 481, 16-79, 38-66, 25-9
Disappointing Hitter: Greg Paiml (UR): .238-.295-.323, 508, 4-46, 34-152, 10-9
Breakout Pitcher: Dexter Carter (# 23): 27-27, 11-7, 4.36, 154.2-149-21-43-119
Disappointing Pitcher: Levi Maxwell (UR): 27-16, 5-14, 4.54, 101-109-11-43-48
Quick Take: Morel continues to show an intriguing, if somewhat raw, package for a 3B. Carter takes his act to San Diego as part of the Peavy trade. Paiml battled all year despite getting 500 at bats. Maxwell showed little ability to generate swings and misses.

Lo A: Kannapolis Intimidators (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Justin Greene (UR): .303-.394-.444, 284, 7-24, 30-66, 16-7
Disappointing Hitter: Sergio Morales (UR): .237-.309-.360, 325, 6-38, 26-99, 18-2
Breakout Pitcher: Dan Remenowsky (UL): 54-0, 7-3, 1.99, 63.1-40-3-16-109
Disappointing Pitcher: Garrett Johnson (UR): 17-7, 4-4, 6.70, 47-63-5-12-42
Quick Take: Greene looks to jump into the Top 30 next year with a strong full season debut. Remenowsky had an eye popping season. Morales strugged while Johnson had a bad, if unlucky, season.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Dayan Viciedo: 3B
Cuban defectee looks to continue his quick rise to Chicago
2) Jordan Danks: CF
Toolsy OF will be at AA next season as he continue his quick rise.
3) Jared Mitchell: CF
Toolsy of all toolsy, 2009 1st round pick had solid debut at Kannapolis (.296-.417-.435)
4) John Ely: RHP
Starter may be ready to battle for a rotation spot in spring training.
5) Santos Rodriguez: LHP
Lefty will make full season debut next year after going 2-0, 1.33 in 27 innings at R (with 42 K's)
6) Brent Morel: 3B
Will be at AA next season to show just how far away he is from majors.
7) Jose Martinez: RF
21 year old had solid (.306-.359-.382 in 144 AB) full season debut at Low A.
8) C.J. Retherford: 3B
.297-.340-.473 line at AA means he may compete for a job in spring training.
9) Kyle Bellamy: RHP
5th round pick this year struck out 32 (against 2 walks) in 22 innings at R and Low A.
10) Clevelan Santeliz: RHP
The conversion to the pen appeared to take (56.1 IP, 35 BB, 52 K, 0.96 ERA)

Dropped From Top 10: Shelby (# 10)

Final Overview: System has gotten weaker, as most of it's impact talent has reached the majors. Talent is spread throughout the organization, but most appears to be at the AA and AAA levels for next season. Likely in the mid 20's.

Life On The Farm: New York Mets (# 17)

Lost season in the bigs, how about in the minors?

Graduated To Majors: Fernando Martinez (OF, # 1), Nick Evans (1B, # 9), Josh Thole (C, # 23), Tobi Stoner (SP, # 19), Bobby Parnell (Swing, # 5), Darren O'Day (RP, # 27, now with Rangers), Jon Niese (SP, # 3)

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

2 - Wilmer Flores: SS
Lo A: .264-.305-.332, 488, 3-36, 22-72, 3-3
Quick Take: Not bad when you consider his age (just 18 in August), but was it too aggressive?

4 - Brad Holt: RHP
Hi A: 9-9, 4-1, 3.12, 43.1-34-5-13-54
AA: 11-11, 3-6, 6.21, 58-58-9-23-45
Quick Take: Had a good half-season and hopefully learned from his 1st AA experience.

6 - Jefry Marte: 3B
Lo A: .233-.279-.338, 485, 6-41, 25-117, 5-5
Quick Take: Another 18 (this one in June) year old who may have been pushed too quickly.

7 - Jenrry Mejia: RHP
Hi A: 9-9, 4-1, 1.97, 50.1-41-0-16-44
AA: 10-10, 0-5, 4.47, 44.1-44-2-23-47
Quick Take: Maintained a strong K rate and pitched in AA and will be 20 in 3 days.

8 - Reese Havens: SS
Hi A: .247-.361-.422, 360, 14-52, 55-73, 3-2
Quick Take: Rough season for the former 1st round pick.

10 - Eddie Kunz: RHP
AAA: 40-0, 4-5, 5.02, 61-54-8-31-38
Quick Take: K-rate disappeared when he was expected to be a cog in that major league bullpen.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Fernando Martinez (# 1): .290-.337-.540, 176, 8-28, 11-33, 2-1
Disappointing Hitter: Jonathan Malo (UL): .186-.255-.225, 129, 0-3, 12-28, 2-0
Breakout Pitcher: Tobi Stoner (# 19): 16-16, 7-7, 3.96, 97.2-92-9-34-64
Disappointing Pitcher: Lance Broadway (UL): 16-14, 5-7, 6.27, 84.2-101-6-34-41
Quick Take: Martinez made his MLB debut and looked solid until going down with an injury, like every other Met. Stoner looked solid in his debut in the majors. Malo was the toast of spring training and then battled when the season began. Broadway disappointed since coming over from Chicago.

AA: Binghamton Mets (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Josh Thole (# 23): .328-.395-.422, 384, 1-46, 42-34, 8-4
Disappointing Hitter: Emmanuel Garcia (UR): .246-.305-.320, 491, 4-40, 39-113, 19-10
Breakout Pitcher: Tobi Stoner (# 19): 7-7, 2-2, 2.68, 47-28-5-13-28
Disappointing Pitcher: Mike Antonini (# 15): 25-20, 7-5, 5.32, 115-137-9-34-86
Quick Take: Thole accelerated up the organization depth chart and didn't look out of place in his debut. Stoner was about the only AA pitcher to exceed expectations. Garcia showed too raw of a game for a AA player. Antonini struggled in his first exposure to AA.

Hi A: St. Lucie Mets (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Ike Davis (# 11): .288-.376-.486, 222, 7-28, 31-52, 0-2
Disappointing Hitter: Francisco Pena (# 21): .226-.260-.332, 389, 8-44, 15-78, 0-1
Breakout Pitcher: Scott Shaw (# 18): 26-26, 8-8, 3.73, 149.2-140-13-57-118
Disappointing Pitcher: Manny Alvarez (UR): 35-0, 4-3, 5.09, 46-58-4-24-32
Quick Take: Davis, a much maligned 1st rounder, made up for a poor debut with a strong follow-up season. Shaw pitched solid as he prepares for AA. Pena has yet to translate his raw tools into production. Alvarez was the worst, but the St. Lucie Mets had a lot of solid, unspectacular seasons.

Lo A: Savannah Sand Gnats (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Jordany Valdespin (UL): .322-.366-.480, 152, 3-18, 11-32, 7-2
Disappointing Hitter: Jefry Marte (# 6): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Eric Beaulac (UL): 26-19, 7-7, 2.95, 116-110-6-41-133
Disappointing Pitcher: None
Quick Take: Valdespin came out of nowhere to produce a very strong batting line. Beaulac repeated and found a lot of success. Marte may have been pushed too quickly.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Jenrry Mejia: SP
The best of a really young group of prospects
2) Wilmer Flores: SS
Youngster looks to continue to learn how to play.
3) Ike Davis: 1B
1st rounder got back onto his development path.
4) Ruben Tejada: SS
20 year old SS (20 in September) hit .289-.351-.381 at AA.
5) Jefry Marte: 3B
Needs a definite refresher.
6) Cesar Puello: RF
Talented OF likely to make full season debut next year.
7) Zach Lutz: 3B
Returned from injury plagued year to earn a late season promotion to AA.
8) Brad Holt: RHP
Looks to beat AA the 2nd time around.
9) Lucas Duda: 1B
Solid (.281-.380-.428) year at AA, may make leap to AAA.
10) Steven Matz: LHP
Mets top pick (2nd round) set to make debut next season.

Dropped From Top 10: Havens (# 8), Kunz (# 10)

Final Overview: This system is so young and many of the players are pushed aggressively that it is hard to divulge the true talent level. Flores, Marte and Mejia are all advanced prospects that are finding it hard to get some success at different stages. This system is developing and likely has fallen back a little bit into the twenties, but they have some true impact talent coming up.

Life On The Farm: Pittsburgh Pirates (# 18)

Has a system added more prospects in-season in recent memory?

Graduated To Majors: Andrew McCutchen (OF, # 2), Neil Walker (3B, # 6), Luis Cruz (SS, UR), Brian Bixler (2B, # 27), Jason Jaramillo (C, # 28), Robinzon Diaz (C, UR), Daniel McCutchen (SP, # 9), Evan Meek (RP, # 22), Donald Veal (RP, # 26), Dave Davidson (RP, UR, now with Marlins).

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

1 - Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Hi A: .247-.342-.486, 243, 14-55, 37-70, 1-1
AA: .333-.419-.590, 222, 13-40, 34-59, 1-0
Quick Take: The rare prospect that actually played better at a higher level.

3 - Jose Tabata: OF
AA: .303-.370-.404, 228, 2-25, 20-25, 7-6
AAA: .276-.333-.410, 134, 3-10, 10-18, 4-2
Quick Take: He has continued on schedule to a possible major league cup of coffee next season.

4 - Brad Lincoln: RHP
AA: 13-13, 1-5, 2.28, 75-63-4-18-65
AAA: 12-12, 6-2, 4.70, 61.1-72-7-10-42
Quick Take: Solid full season as this former 1st round pick appears to be back at full strength.

5 - Bryan Morris: RHP
Hi A: 15-15, 4-9, 5.57, 72.2-86-2-34-32
Quick Take: Rough season and apparently had attitude problems to boot.

7 - Jeff Sues: RHP
AA: 40-0. 2-6, 4.46, 78.2-66-7-37-74
AAA: 8-0, 0-0, 6.00, 12-13-1-8-12
Quick Take: Power arm may be ready for the show next season.

8 - Shelby Ford: 2B
AA: .233-.325-.350, 103, 2-17, 12-18, 2-0
AAA: .188-.240-.279, 298, 4-27, 14-58, 8-1
Quick Take: Actually started year in AAA and finished in AA in lost season.

10 - Robbie Grossman: OF
Lo A: .264-.371-.353, 451, 5-40, 75-164, 35-12
Quick Take: A lot of tools and a lot of rawness on display.

AAA: Indianapolis Indians (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Garrett Jones (UL): .307-.348-.502, 277, 12-50, 18-47, 14-4
Disappointing Hitter: Shelby Ford (# 8): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Daniel McCutchen (# 9): 24-24, 13-6, 3.47, 142.2-145-10-29-110
Disappointing Pitcher: Jason Davis (UL): 35-7, 0-8, 6.06, 62.1-72-2-36-25
Quick Take: Jones took the Pirates by storm and contended for the ROY. McCutchen threw well enough in Pit to warrant a look, whether as a starter or reliever. Ford ended up back in AA while Davis appears that he will never regain the promise he showed when he was with the Indians.

AA: Altoona Curve (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Pedro Alvarez (# 1): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Jamie Romak (# 11): .175-.243-.303, 211, 5-24, 18-66, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Brad Lincoln (# 4): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Tim Alderson (# 4 in SF): 7-7, 3-1, 4.66, 38.2-39-4-13-18
Quick Take: Alvarez looks primed to be a half season away. Lincoln will battle for a rotation spot in spring training. Romak ended up back in Hi A where he still struggled. Alderson had higher expectation from me, but that K rate is scary.

Hi A: Lynchburg Hillcats (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Chase D'Arnaud (# 17): .295-.402-.481, 4-26, 30-41, 14-5
Disappointing Hitter: Eddie Prasch (UR): .179-.301-.272, 151, 0-19, 22-40, 1-2
Breakout Pitcher: Matt McSwain (UR): 28-25, 11-8, 3.43, 144.1-162-3-23-64
Disappointing Pitcher: Bryan Morris (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: D'Arnaud finished the season here after starting in Low A and showed an advanced offensive game for a SS. McSwain was the best of a subpar crop of pitchers. Prasch just hasn't hit since entering pro ball as a 3rd round pick. Morris had setbacks in every manner you could.

Lo A: West Virginia Power (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Tony Sanchez (UR): .338-.457-.506, 77, 2-20, 11-17, 0-0
Disappointing Hitter: Andrew Walker (UR): .211-.333-.325, 114, 1-13, 20-28, 0-1
Breakout Pitcher: Rudy Owens (UL): 19-19, 10-1, 1.70, 100.2-71-8-15-91
Disappointing Pitcher: Duke Welker (UR): 31-15, 0-11, 5.79, 101-96-7-67-69
Quick Take: Sanchez was a questioned 1st round pick who just hit. Owens came out of nowhere to jump up prospect boards as a lefty. Walker was a repeater who didn't hit and has now been passed on the organization depth chart. Welker is another repeater who actually regressed from last year.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects
1) Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Possibly the minors best hitter, likely to debut some point next season.
2) Jose Tabata: CF
4-tool player may join McCutchen in an extremely fast OF.
3) Rudy Owens: LHP
Time to prove it wasn't a fluke.
4) Brad Lincoln: RHP
Former 1st rounder, finally healthy, looks to make MLB debut next season.
5) Tony Sanchez: C
Much maligned 1st rounder looks like a future starting catcher.
6) Jarek Cunningham: 3B
Converted SS looks to debut in full season ball next season.
7) Starling Marte: OF
Dominican signee hit .312-.377-.439 in full-season debut at West Virginia.
8) Zach Von Rosenberg: RHP
6th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'5" 205) body.
9) Trent Stevenson: RHP
7th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'6", 175) body.
10) Robbie Grossman: CF
Talented CF looks to continue put the tools into production.

Dropped From Top 10: Morris (# 5), Sues (# 7), Ford (# 8)

Final Overview: A system that had been terrible looks to be on the right track. Choosing depth over quality, the Pirates have an enviable amount of projectability pitchers and toolsy OF's. As long as the coaching in the minor leagues improves the talent, they are in good shape to end that streak of losing seasons. A system on the upswing.

NLDS "B" GM 1: STL @ LAD

1) Chris Carpenter: FB, SL, CB, CU. 105 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Curveballs.

• Carpenter came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a cutter with above average cut and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink.

1st: FB (92-96), Cut (89-91), CB (74-76) - 2 CB (Belliard - 2)

2nd: FB (92-95), Cut (87-90), CB (76-77), CU (87) - CB (Kemp)

3rd: FB (93-96), Cut (87-90), CB (74-76) - CB (Belliard)

4th: FB (91-93), Cut (83-88), CB (74)

5th: FB (90-95), Cut (86-89), CB (74-77)

2) Randy Wolf: FB, CB, SL, CU. 82 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Wolf came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with a little late fade from righties that he will throw in 2-0 counts.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (68-70), SL (80-84), CU (79-81)

2nd: FB (88-91), CB (68-70), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (68-70), SL (81), CU (79) - CB (DeRosa)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (82) - FB (Holliday)

3) Jeff Weaver: FB, SL, CB, CU. 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

4th: SL (80-82)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-82) - 2 SL (Carpenter - 2)

4) Ronald Belisario: FB, SL, CU. 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Belisario came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

6th: FB (95-97) - FB (Pujols)

5) Dennys Reyes: FB, SL, CU. 3 pitches.

• Reyes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite and a drop down 11-5 slider with some bite that he likes to throw to lefties with 2 strikes.

6th: SL (80-84) - SL (Ethier)

6) Kyle McClellan: FB, CB, Cut, CU. 17 pitches.

• McClellan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with solid cut.

6th: FB (91-93), CB (76-77), Cut (88-89)

7) Trever Miller: FB, SL, CU. 6 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Miller came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (76-78) - FB (Thome), SL (Thome)

8) Hong-Chih Kuo: FB, SL, CU, CB. 25 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite and a sweeping 11-5 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (94-97), SL (87), CB (80) - 5 FB (Molina, DeRosa, Glaus - 3)

9) Blake Hawsworth: FB, CU, Cut, CB. 18 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball.

• Hawksworth came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and in 2-1 and 3-2 counts.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (83-85) - FB (Furcal), 2 CU (Kemp - 2)

10) George Sherrill: FB, SL, CU. 8 pitches.

• Sherrill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (75)

11) Mitch Boggs: FB, SL, CB, CU. 20 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Boggs came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (94-97), SL (84-86)

12) Jonathan Broxton: FB, SL, CU. 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a straight fastball with a little natural sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (97-99)

9th: FB (97-100), SL (91) - FB (Molina)

NLDS "A" GM 1: COL @ PHI

1) Cliff Lee: FB, Cut, CB, CU, SL. 113 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs, Cutter, Curveball.

• Lee came from an over the top release and showed a fastball that was a pretty straight 4-seam, a 11-5 curve with above average depth, a cutter with some cut and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and good sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw in 2-0 and 2-1 counts and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (91-93), Cut (87), CU (84-85), CB (76)

2nd: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CU (84), SL (78)

3rd: FB (91-94), Cut (86), CU (85) - 2 FB (Jimenez - 2)

4th: FB (90-94), Cut (86-88), CU (86)

5th: FB (90-93), Cut (87-88), CU (85), CB (76-78) - FB (Hawpe), CB (Hawpe)

6th: FB (91-93), Cut (85-87), CU (85), CB (75) - FB (Jimenez)

7th: FB (89-92), Cut (86-88), CU (86)

8th: FB (92-93), Cut (86-88), CU (85), CB (74), SL (78) - Cut (Hawpe)

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (88-90), CU (86), CB (78) - 2 FB (Atkins - 2)

2) Ubaldo Jimenez: FB, SL, CB, CU. 92 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Changeup, Curveball.

• Jimenez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a split change with good fade from lefties and good sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (98-101), CU (89)

2nd: FB (97-98), SL (87-88), CU (86-88), CB (80) - FB (Howard), SL (Ibanez)

3rd: FB (94-99), SL (87-88), CU (88-89), CB (81) - CU (Rollins), CB (Rollins)

4th: FB (99-100), CU (90), CB (79-81)

5th: FB (95-99), SL (85-89), CU (86-89), CB (78-80)

6th: FB (94-97), CU (86-88), CB (78) - FB (Werth)

3) Joe Beimel: FB, CB, CU. 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Beimel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties.

6th: FB (87)

4) Matt Daley: FB, CB, CU. 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Daley came from a sidearm release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink.

6th: FB (90-91), SL (75-80), CU (81-82)

7th: FB (90), CU (82)

5) Franklin Morales: FB, CB, CU. 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Morales came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

7th: FB (94-96), CB (73) - FB (Howard)

6) Jason Marquis: FB, SL, CU, Cut, CB. 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marquis came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good sink and good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite

8th: FB (90-92), SL (83-86)

Life On The Farm: Toronto Blue Jays (# 19)

Sorry for the delays, but we should be back to a daily (or close to it) schedule from here on out...

Graduated To Majors: Travis Snider (OF, # 1), Robert Ray (SP, # 15), Scott Richmond (SP, # 20), Dirk Hayhurst (RP, UR), Brett Cecil (SP, # 3), Brad Mills (SP, # 7), Ricky Romero (SP, # 8), Marc Rzepczynski (SP, # 9).

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

2 - J.P. Arencibia: C
AAA: .236-.284-.444, 466, 21-75, 26-114, 0-1
Quick Take: His lack of plate discipline finally caught up to him in AAA. Can he get better pitch recognition and maintain his power?

4 - Justin Jackson: SS
Hi A: .213-.321-.269, 249, 0-17, 39-87, 17-4
Quick Take: Toolsy SS needs to start showing signs of puttig it together, hitting .240 at Lo A last year and then still receiving a promotion to High A, with expected results.

5 - David Cooper: 1B
AA: .258-.340-.389, 473, 10-66, 59-92, 0-0
Quick Take: Thought to have been a reach as a 1st rounder, he dispelled those notions with a strong debut only to bring them up again.

6 - Kevin Ahrens: 3B
Hi A: .215-.282-.302, 377, 4-36, 37-76, 1-1
Quick Take: Another accelereated promotion guy, he atleast had a little more reason then Jackson to get promoted (.259 at Lo A), but the results were the same.

10 - Brad Emaus: 2B
AA: .253-.336-.376, 505, 10-67, 59-69, 10-3
Quick Take: Another bad season for a guy the team loved. Boy, this keeps looking worse...

AAA: Las Vegas 51's (PCL)
Breakout Hitter: Randy Ruiz (UL): .320-.392-.584, 462, 25-106, 47-99, 0-0
Disappointing Hitter: J.P. Arencibia (# 2): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Brad Mills (# 7): 14-14, 2-8, 4.06, 84.1-83-6-35-72
Disappointing Pitcher: David Purcey (UL): 24-24, 9-6, 4.46, 139.1-132-7-78-109
Quick Take: Ruiz catapulted himself into a possible favorite to start next year. Mills received his 1st big league promotion. Arencibia failed to seize a catching job that the Jays really wanted him to take. Purcey was supposed to be a rock in their rotation and instead was just average in AAA.

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Brian Dopirak (UL): .308-.374-.576, 328, 19-68, 35-75, 1-3
Disappointing Hitter: Brian Jeroloman (# 12): .217-.330-.316, 364, 6-32, 62-120, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Marc Rzepczynski (# 9): 14-14, 7-5, 2.93, 76.2-80-1-36-88
Disappointing Pitcher: Brandon Magee (UR): 12-10, 4-5, 5.16, 52.1-55-3-21-22
Quick Take: Dopirak had a huge season as he worked his way into a promotion to AAA. It wasn't enough that Arencibia struggled, but Jeroloman, their other top catcher, struggled to do much at AA. Rzepczynski took his sinker from the left side to Toronto while Magee really battled to do much of anything at New Hampshire.

Hi A: Dunedin Blue Jays (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Eric Thames (UR): .313-.386-.487, 195, 3-38, 21-40, 1-1
Disappointing Hitter: Justin Jackson (# 4): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Tim Collins (# 30): 40-0, 7-4, 2.37, 64.2-47-2-28-99
Disappointing Pitcher: Alan Farina (# 14): 27-2, 1-3, 6.51, 37.1-47-4-24-34
Quick Take: Thames showed well in trying to get back on the map after tearing his quad at Pepperdine and falling to the 7th round in 2008 and this was his pro (and full season) debut. Jackson really battled, just like every other touted prospect. Collins is making people look past his diminuitive size (5-7, 155) and to look at his numbers. Farina really battled.

Lo A: Lansing Lugnuts (ML)
Breakout Hitter: Johermyn Chavez (UR): .283-.346-.473, 509, 21-88, 40-137, 10-6
Disappointing Hitter: Kenny Wilson (# 21): .212-.306-.305, 321, 4-27, 35-99, 37-12
Breakout Pitcher: Frank Gailey (UL): 44-0, 3-2, 1.93, 65.1-48-2-23-60
Disappointing Pitcher: Chad Beck (UR): 20-20, 6-8, 5.94, 110.2-135-10-29-85
Quick Take: Chavez showed the most tools and some rawness of most hitters in the system. Gailey was a solid reliever this past season. Wilson struggled to put his tools into production. Beck really struggled in his first full-season.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Luis Perez: LHP
Lefty starter struck out 112 in 162.1 innings at AA at the age of 24 and he is the best available of their remaining prospects.
2) Chad Jenkins: RHP
Pitcher from Kennesaw is lone 2009 signee of their 4 Top 100 picks.
3) J.P Arencibia: C
Will try to prove '09 was a fluke.
4) Eric Thames: LF
True sleeper looks to continue his rapid ascent through the system.
5) Justin Jackson: SS
Will try to prove '09 was a fluke.
6) Scott Campbell: 2B
Bat control 2Bmen hit .269-.373-.374 with 28 walks and 26 strikeout in 182 at bats and got a promotion to AAA...
7) Kevin Ahrens: 3B
Will try to prove '09 was a fluke.
8) Tyler Pastornicky: SS
Had a solid '09 season at 2 levels (.267-.330-.340, 57 stolen bases) at Lo and Hi A.
9) David Cooper: 1B
Will try to prove '09 was a fluke.
10) Brian Jeroloman: C
Will try to prove '09 was a fluke.

Dropped From Top 10: Emaus (# 10)

Final Overview: This couldn't have been a worse season for Toronto. Incredible. Ricciardi probably went in to ownership's office and was asked if the system was ready to provide something soon. And he couldn't answer them. This is a tough job that is tougher due to the lack of talent in the system. A late 20's system.

Padres Extras

1) Walter Silva: FB, SL, CB, CU.
4/8: 95 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Silva is a 6-1, 190 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He has a thick lower half that is almost too thick. He came from an over the top release with clean, quiet mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with not much movement in either way, though it does look like a fastball out of his hand. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with average depth. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. 4-A pitcher at best.

1st: FB (89-91), SL (82-85), CU (81-83), CB (77-78)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (82-87), CU (81-82), CB (74-77) - FB (Billingsley), 2 SL (Kemp, Billingsley)

3rd: FB (88-91), SL (84), CU (80-81), CB (72-77) - SL (Martin), CU (Ramirez)

4th: FB (88-91), SL (82-86), CU (81), CB (73-76) - SL (Furcal)

5th: FB (88-89), SL (81-85), CU (79) - FB (Ramirez)

2) Eulogio De La Cruz: FB, SL, CU.
4/8: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Cruz is a 5-10, 215 pound righty. The 25 year old has a small frame that is maxed out with a thick, muscular lower half. He came from an over the top release in a max effort delivery that includes his shoulder flying open. His fastball is a straight 4-seamer. His change is a straight change with a little late fade from lefties and a little late sink that he will throw to righties and as his out pitch. Has a plus fastball, but it is so straight and he really needs to gain some command of it to have a chance to be a middle reliever.

9th: FB (92-96), CU (86) - CU (Martin)

3) Shawn Hill: FB, CU, SL, CB.
4/10: 69 pitches. FB (86-91), SL (75-77), CU (79-82), CB (74-79)

• Hill is a 6-2, 225 pound righty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He has a strong athletic build with a strongly built lower half. He came from a 3/4 release with a little cocking action in his arm. His motion is a little high effort, but shouldn't be too terrible. He breaks his hands a little high, adding some more stress to his shoulder. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a sweeping 2-7 offering with good bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand.

1st: FB (89-91), SL (78), CU (80-82) - FB (Renteria), CU (Lewis)

2nd: FB (86-90), SL (75-77), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (76), CU (80) - CU (Lewis)

4th: FB (88-89), SL (76-79), CU (79) - SL (Sandoval)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (74-77), CU (80) - FB (Schierholtz), CU (Schierholtz)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (75), CU (79-80)

4) Duaner Sanchez: FB, CU, SL, CB.
4/10: 15 pitches. 1 strikes swinging. Fastball.

• Sanchez is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 29 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release in a max effort delivery and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink. His change has good fade from lefties and some sink. His curve is a 12-6 with slightly above average depth. Seems like he still has the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

8th: FB (88-92), CU (78-81), CB (78) - FB (Sandoval)

5) Arturo Lopez: FB, SL, CU.
5/4: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Lopez is a 5-10, 165 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. Strongly built with a solid lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release in a max effort delivery with limbs flying everywhere. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His change has some fade from righties and a little sink. Has a chance to be a LOOGY, but needs to continue to develop his command.

9th: FB (90-91), CU (82)

DET @ MIN (Win To Get In)

What an incredible game. So topsy and turvy...


1) Scott Baker: FB, SL, CB, CU. 91 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Baker came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (84-86) - FB (Ordonez)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (84-85), CU (84)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (82-87), CB (80) - 2 FB (Guillen - 2), SL (Cabrera)

4th: FB (90-92), SL (84-86) - FB (Inge)

5th: FB (92-93), SL (82-86), CU (83-84), CB (80)

6th: FB (92), SL (85) - SL (Cabrera)

7th: FB (90-93), SL (86)

2) Rick Porcello: FB, SL, CU. 92 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 10 Fastballs, Changeup, Slider.

• Porcello came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sinker with good run in on righties and good sink, a straight 4-seam fastball with a little extra giddy-up at the end, a 2-7 slider with slightly above average bite and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

1st: FB (88-94), SL (80), CU (82)

2nd: FB (90-95), SL (80), CU (82) - 2 FB (Young, Morales), CU (Morales)

3rd: FB (88-95), SL (82), CU (81-83) - 2 FB (Punto, Kubel)

4th: FB (88-95), SL (85) - 5 FB (Cuddyer, Young, Morales - 3), SL (Cuddyer)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (79)

6th: FB (89-93), SL (85), CU (80) - FB (Mauer)

3) Zach Miner: FB, SL, CU, CB. 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Miner came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink.

6th: FB (92-93), SL (83), CU (80-81)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (83-85), CU (79-83) - 2 SL (Span - 2)

4) Jon Rauch: FB, CB, Cut, SL, CU. 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rauch came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink and a pretty straight 4-seam fastball that has a little run in on righties

7th: FB (90-91), Cut (85)

5) Jose Mijares: FB, SL, CU. 7 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Mijares came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sweeping, sharp 11-5 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (90-93), SL (81) - FB (Granderson)

6) Matt Guerrier: FB, SL, CB, CU. 22 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Guerrier came from an over the top release and showed a fastball wtih good run in on righties and good sink, a sharp 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (91-93)

8th: FB (90-92), SL (85-86), CB (80)

7) Fu Te Ni: FB, SL, CU. 4 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Ni came from a 3/4 release and showed a sweeping 11-5 slider with some bite and a fastball with good run in on lefties.

7th: FB (89), SL (75-76) - SL (Kubel)

8) Brandon Lyon: FB, Cut, CB, CU.

• Lyon came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth, a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a

7th: Cut (87), CB (76) - CB (Cuddyer)

8th: FB (91-94), Cut (89) - 2 Cut (Tolbert - 2)

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (88-89), CB (77) - Cut (Punto)

9) Joe Nathan: FB, SL, CB, CU. 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Nathan came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-fastball with a little cutting action, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite, a 2-seamer with good run in on righties and some sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (94-95), SL (87-89), CB (83) - FB (Laird)

9th: FB (92-95), SL (87) - 2 FB (Granderson, Polanco)

10) Fernando Rodney: FB, CU, SL. 40 pitches. 3 Changeups, Fastball.

• Rodney came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink.

9th: FB (94-95)

10th: FB (94-99), CU (84-85) - 2 CU (Tolbert, Harris)

11th: FB (94-96), CU (81-84)

12th: FB (94-95), CU (82-84) - FB (Gomez), CU (Cuddyer)

11) Jesse Crain: FB, SL, CB. 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Crain came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a straight 4-seam fastball

10th: FB (95-96), SL (87-91) - FB (Raburn), SL (Inge)

11th: FB (95), SL (90) - FB (Everett), SL (Everett)

12) Ron Mahay: FB, SL, CU. 4 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Mahay came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sharp 11-5 slider with some bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

11th: FB (91), SL (81-83)

13) Bob Keppel: FB, SL, CU, CB. 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Keppel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

11th: FB (94-95), SL (87-89) - SL (Polanco)

12th: FB (92-96), SL (87-88) - 2 FB (Cabrera, Laird)

NYY @ TB

1) Wade Davis: 98 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, Curveball, Changeup.

• Davis is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 24 year old righty has a big frame that can add a little more muscle to the lower body. He came from an over the top release with very clean and quiet mechanics. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His cutter has some cut and some sink. His 2-seam that he will mix in has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink that he can still fight the command of. He will throw it to righties. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth that can be a little slurvy. He will also mix in a big 12-6 breaker with above average depth as a get-me over pitch.

1st: FB (90-94), Cut (83-88), CB (79), CU (83)

2nd: FB (90-93), Cut (84), CB (73-78), CU (83-87) - CB (Molina)

3rd: FB (90-93), Cut (84), CB (74), CU (80) - 2 FB (Teixeira - 2)

4th: FB (88-93), CB (75-79), CU (81-85)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (77-79), CU (82-85) - 2 FB (Molina, Jeter), CU (Cabrera)

6th: FB (88-92), CB (77), CU (82) - FB (Teixeira)

2) A.J. Burnett: 84 pitches. FB, CB, CU.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a sharp, power 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (92-94), CB (80), CU (87)

2nd: FB (92-93), CB (81)

3rd: FB (92-95), CB (79-83) - CB (Zobrist)

4th: FB (91-94), CB (80-82), CU (86) - FB (Kapler), CB (Burrell)

5th: FB (92-95), CB (79-84) - CB (Aybar)

3) David Robertson: 14 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth.

6th: FB (91-93), CB (80)

4) Andy Sonnanstine: 27 pitches. Cut, FB, SL, CB, CU.

• Sonnanstine came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

6th: Cut (85-88), CB (74-76), CU (79)

5) Dale Thayer: 33 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Thayer came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite

7th: FB (91-93), SL (81-82) - 2 FB (Swisher, Cano)

8th: FB (90-93), SL (80-82)

6) Joba Chamberlain: 7 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU.

• Chamberlain came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (92-96), SL (88) - FB (Perez), SL (Perez)

7) Phil Coke: 9 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Coke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (79-80). FB (Riggans)

8) Phil Hughes: 7 pitches. FB, CB, Cut, CU.

• Hughes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (93), CB (76)

9) Jeff Bennett: 7 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bennett came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (86)

10) Mariano Rivera: 11 pitches. Cut, FB. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rivera came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a cutter with above average cut.

9th: Cut (90-91), Cut (88-90)

Chart Observations: 10/4 FLA @ PHI

1) J.A. Happ: 39 pitches. FB, Cut, CU, CB.

• Happ came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with some fade from righties and some sink that he will throw to lefties that he will throw in 2-0 counts, a cutter with some cut and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

1st: FB (88-92), Cut (83-85), CU (79-82) - 2 FB (Coghlan, Carroll), CU (Paulino)

2nd: FB (89-93), Cut (85), CU (77-84), CB (80) - FB (Coghlan)

2) Josh Johnson: 85 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to rigthties.

1st: FB (90-96), SL (88), CU (89)

2nd: FB (92-97), SL (86-90), CU (88-89) - 2 SL (Stairs, Tracy)

3rd: FB (94-97), SL (88-89), CU (89) - FB (Kendrick)

4th: FB (93-97), SL (83-88), CU (88-89) - FB (Stairs)

5th: FB (92-95), SL (85), CU (87-88)

3) Kyle Kendrick: 48 pitches. FB, CU, SL. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup, Cutter.

• Kendrick came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut and some sink, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties.

3rd: FB (90-92), CU (82-83), Cut (84-87) - FB (Maybin), CU (Maybin)

4th: FB (88-90), CU (84), Cut (84-85) - Cut (Uggla)

5th: FB (88-93), CU (82-86), Cut (83-87)

4) Clay Condrey: 7 pitches. FB, SL, Cut, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Condrey came from a high 3/4 release and showed a hard fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 1-7 slider with good bite and a cutter with some cut.

5th: FB (88-91), SL (83-85), Cut (86)

5) Tim Wood: 5 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

• Wood came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties.

5th: FB (95), CU (90) - 2 CU (Werth - 2)

6) Brett Myers: 11 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU, Split. 0 strikes swinging.

• Myers came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 12-6 curve with above average depth

6th: FB (89-91), CB (77-80)

7) Sergio Escalona: 25 pitches. FB, CB, CU, Cut. 2 strikes swinging.

• Escalona came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

6th: FB (90-93), CB (78-80)

7th: FB (89-91), CU (84)

8) Burke Badenhop: 29 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Badenhop came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a sweeping 2-7 slider with good bite.

6th: FB (90), SL (78-83), CU (81-84) - SL (Francisco)

7th: FB (89-90), SL (79-81), CU (81-83) - SL (Bruntlett)

9) Jack Taschner: 12 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Taschner came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (77-81), CU (82-83) - SL (Paulino)

10) Kiko Calero: 15 pitches. FB, SL, CU.

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

8th: FB (83-88), SL (79-81), CU (80) - FB (Werth)

11) Scott Eyre: 18 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Eyre came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink

9th: FB (88-91), SL (80-82), CU (79-82)

12) Renyel Pinto: 14 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Pinto came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a sweeping 11-5 slider and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (85), CU (84-85) - 2 FB (Tracy - 2), SL (Feliz)

13) Chad Durbin: 10 pitches. FB, Cut, CU, CB, SL. 0 strikes swinging.

• Durbin came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a changeup with good fade from lefties and some sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

10th: FB (90), Cut (86-88), CU (83), CB (76)

14) Dan Meyer: 20 pitches. FB, SL, CU, CB. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

• Meyer came from an over the top release and shwoed a straight 4-seam fastball and a cutter with good cut.

10th: FB (90-93), Cut (86-90) - FB (Dobbs), Cut (Hoover)

Life On The Farm: Colorado Rockies (# 20)

Surprise playoff team. Improved system?

Graduated To Majors: Seth Smith (OF, # 8), Dexter Fowler (OF, # 1), Eric Young Jr. (2B, # 18), Jhoulys Chacin (SP, # 2), Esmil Rogers (SP, # 7), Juan Morillo (RP, # 23, now with Twins), Steven Register (RP, UR, now with Phillies)

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 - Christian Friedrich: LHP
Lo A: 8-8, 3-3, 2.18, 45.1-35-2-15-66
Hi A: 14-14, 3-2, 2.54, 74.1-59-3-28-93
Quick Take: Why hasn't he gotten more hype? All he did was strike out 159 in 119.2 innings with just 43 walks. AND he's a lefty.

4 - Wilin Rosario: C
Hi A: .266-.297-.404, 203, 4-33, 10-55, 2-1
Quick Take: Disappointing season, but was an aggressive promotion, as this was his full-season debut, skipping over Low A.

5 - Hector Gomez: SS
Hi A: .266-.302-.411, 338, 7-46, 15-68, 9-4
Quick Take: Lost last season to injury, so good to see him back and returning to develop.

6 - Casey Weathers: RHP
DNP
Quick Take: Missed season due to injury rehabbing from ligament transplant surgery in arm.

9 - Michael McKenry: C
AA: .279-.376-.455, 358, 12-50, 54-69, 2-2
Quick Take: Showed pretty well in all phases of the game, especially in regards to the slash stats.

10 - Charlie Blackmon: CF
Hi A: .307-.370-.433, 550, 7-69, 39-83, 29-13
Quick Take: Another who made his full season debut at High A as opposed to Low A, he showed very well but also showed some rawness that needs to be developed.

AAA: Colorado Springs Sky Sox (PCL)
Breakout Hitter: Carlos Gonzalez (UL): .339-.418-.630, 10-59, 22-32, 6-3
Disappointing Hitter: Jonathan Herrera (# 27): .268-.353-.339, 381, 2-33, 49-51, 16-5
Breakout Pitcher: Brandon Hynick (# 22): 26-26, 10-9, 3.83, 155-153-17-48-92
Disappointing Pitcher: Greg Smith (UL): 7-7, 1-2, 7.28, 29.2-34-5-11-15
Quick Take: Gonzalez propelled himself into a key role with the Rockies in their playoff push. Hynick didn't get to the bigs yet, but has shown himself as a capable replacement if injuries happen next season. Herrera was the worst performer on the offensive side of the ball for the Sky Sox. Smith went from average major league starter with Oakland to bad starter in AAA.

AA: Tulsa Drillers (TL)
Breakout Hitter: Cole Garner (UR): .288-.342-.492, 396, 16-64, 23-78, 13-5
Disappointing Hitter: Anthony Jackson (UR): .220-.301-.294, 422, 4-34, 44-58, 27-5
Breakout Pitcher: Sam Deduno (UR): 24-24, 12-4, 2.57, 133-94-3-72-123
Disappointing Pitcher: Keith Weiser (UR): 27-27, 9-15, 5.23, 156.2-195-23-29-97
Quick Take: Garner showed a solid all around offensive season, though his plate discipline needs to improve. Deduno shows electric stuff and occasional command, but put up a very strong season. Jackson had an all around disappointing season at a position (CF) of strength in the organization. Weiser is a lefty who struggled to pitch around the swings and misses he couldn't generate.

Hi A: Modesto Nuts (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Charlie Blackmon (#10): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Brian Rike (UR): .196-.271-.361, 368, 11-59, 34-147, 4-3
Breakout Pitcher: Christian Friedrich (# 3): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Kenny Durst (UR): 28-28, 4-13, 5.25, 152.2-163-13-59-95
Quick Take: Blackmon and Friedrich were the Rockies 1st and 2nd round picks respectively in the 2008 draft and they have appeared to hit on both. Rike's season was a lost cause and he has a lot of improvements ot make. Durst is another lefty still trying to learn how to pitch to soft contact and not hard contact.

Lo A: Asheville Tourists (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Mike Zuanich (UL): .362-.450-.616, 138, 7-34, 20-36, 1-1
Disappointing Hitter: Carlos Martinez (# 30): .197-.253-.244, 295, 0-19, 14-92, 12-6
Breakout Pitcher: Juan Nicasio (UL): 18-18, 9-3, 2.73, 112-111-6-23-115
Disappointing Pitcher: Robinson Fabian (UL): 24-12, 3-6, 6.24, 83.2-105-6-21-54
Quick Take: Zuanich was a 28th round pick in 2008 who got a midseason promotion here from SS after posting a .340-.476-.809 line in 47 at bats. Nicasio was a free agent signee from the Dominican who made his first appearance in full season ball and shined. Martinez struggled in every facet of the game while Fabian struggled to do much of anything on the mound.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects
1) Tyler Matzek: LHP
Regarded as the top prep arm in the draft, the 11th overall pick will make his debut next season.
2) Christian Friedrich: LHP
Stud numbers and could be in Colorado for a cup of coffee next September.
3) Charlie Blackmon: CF
Toolsy OF will make the move to AA.
4) Michael McKenry: C
Talented catcher will make the move to AAA next season.
5) Rex Brothers: LHP
Supplement 1st rounder struck out 28 in 21 innings in pro debut split between SS and Low A.
6) Tim Wheeler: CF
Other first rounder struggled some in debut, but has the tools for future production.
7) Nolan Arenado: 3B
High Schooler 2nd round pick hit .300-.351-.404 at Rookie ball with 16 walks and 18 strikeouts in 203 at bats.
8) Wilin Rosario: C
Needs a little bit of a bounceback season and will likely repeat High A.
9) Darin Holcomb: 3B
Solid season (.271-.348-.411, 54 BB's vs. 50 K's) after being SAL MVP at Low A may repeat AA again after skipping High A.
10) Hector Gomez: SS
Year back from injury, will the true Gomez show himself?

Dropped From Top 10: Weathers (# 6)

Final Overview: This system is on the uptick and it is because of a renewed emphasis on the draft. The club spent big money to lure Matzek and then spent to land both Wheeler and Brothers, who were both projected to go higher then where they ended up. When supplemented with the breakout seasons of Friedrich and Blackmon, this system has some high impact talent moving through. While still lacking in depth, this system's strengths are in some of the toughest things to find, such as speedy CF's, left handed pitching and catching. I would say this is a slightly above average farm system overall, even with the defections and the loss of guys through trades to fortify the team for their current run.

SF @ SD

1) Cesar Ramos: FB, SL, CB, CU. 73 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Curveballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.

• Ramos came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a little sink, a 11-5 curve with average depth, a straight change with a little sink and a 11-5 slider with some bite.

1st: FB (88-93), SL (84-85), CB (73), CU (82) - FB (Sandoval), CB (Garko), SL (Garko)

2nd: FB (90-92), SL (82-84), CB (72-75), CU (79) - 2 CB (Rowand, Whiteside)

3rd: FB (90-92), SL (82-84), CB (74-75), CU (80-84) - SL (Velez)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (72-73), CU (80-84) - FB (Sanchez), CU (Rohlinger)

5th: FB (89-91), SL (81), CB (72), CU (82-83) - FB (Torres)

2) Jonathan Sanchez: FB, SL, CU. 90 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Changeups.

• Sanchez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties, a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (81-83), CU (84) - SL (Eckstein), CU (Gonzalez)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (76-84), CU (81-86) - 2 FB (Hundley - 2)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (81)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (83-84), CU (87) - CU (Gonzalez)

5th: FB (91-92), SL (79-83), CU (83-86) - FB (Durango), CU (Salazar), SL (Hundley)

6th: FB (90-92), SL (79-85), CU (83-85) - SL (Gonzalez)

3) Adam Russell: FB, SL, CB, CU. 23 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Curveballs, Fastball.

• Russell came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a straight change with a little fade from lefties and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a

5th: FB (93-96), CU (83)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (84), CB (81-85) - 4 CB (Ishikawa - 2, Rohlinger, Whiteside), FB (Rowand)

4) Brandon Medders: Cut, FB, CB, CU, SL. 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Medders came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 3-2, a fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with some cut and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

6th: FB (88-91), Cut (90-91), CB (69-70), SL (81-83) - SL (Kouzmanoff)

5) Luke Gregerson: FB, SL, CU. 20 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 7 Sliders, Fastball.

• Gregerson came from a 3/4 release and showed a change with some fade from lefties and some sink, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (90-91), SL (82-84), CU (77) - 7 SL (Uribe - 2, Torres - 2 , Velez, Winn - 2), FB (Uribe)

6) Randy Johnson: FB, SL, Split. 12 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders.

• Johnson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (87-88), SL (81-84) - 3 SL (Hundley - 2, Gonzalez)

7) Mike Adams: FB, CU, Cut, CB. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Cutter.

• Adams came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a cutter with good cut, a slurvy 1-7 curve with average depth and a change with good diving action.

8th: FB (94-96), Cut (89-90), CU (87), CB (80) - 2 FB (Ishikawa, Bowker), Cut (Rohlinger)

8) Jeremy Affeldt: FB, CB, CU. 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Affeldt came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a newly released cutter with some cut.

8th: FB (92-93), CB (78), Cut (86)

9th: FB (91-94), CB (79)

9) Heath Bell: FB, CB, CU. 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Bell came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a fastball with a little run in on righties

9th: FB (90-94), CB (78-81) - FB (Whiteside)

10) Ryan Webb: FB, SL, CU. 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Webb came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink and a hard 2-7 slider with good bite.

10th: FB (94), SL (86-88)

11) Joe Thatcher: FB, SL, CU. 9 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Fastball.

• Thatcher came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some cut and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

10th: FB (86-88), SL (75-76) - FB (Ishikawa), 2 SL (Ishikawa, Aurilia)

12) Brian Wilson: FB, Cut, SL, CU. 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

10th: FB (94-99), Cut (90-93) - FB (Headley)

• Luis Durango (for frame and other data, refer to 2009 Futures Game World Roster). Slightly above average arm that appears to be accurate.

CHW @ DET

If I could have picked 1 game to score today, this would have been it.

1) Justin Verlander: FB, CB, CU, SL. 120 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, Curveball, Changeup.

• Verlander came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a

1st: FB (93-96), CB (79)

2nd: FB (93-98), CB (77-80)

3rd: FB (94-97), CB (79-83)

4th: FB (95-98), CB (79-81), CU (86-87) - 2 FB (Beckham, Quentin)

5th: FB (95-98), CB (80-82), CU (85-86) - CU (Dye)

6th: FB (94-97), CB (78-81), CU (84) - FB (Castro)

7th: FB (94-97), CB (78-79) - CB (Nix)

8th: FB (94-98), CB (78-81), CU (83-84) - 2 FB (Ramirez, Castro)

2) John Danks: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 89 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Danks came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a cutter with some cut, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (84-88), CU (81-83) - FB (Ordonez)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (85-86), CU (81-83), CB (74-78) - FB (Ordonez)

3rd: FB (90), Cut (84), CU (81-82), CB (76)

4th: FB (87-91), Cut (85-86), CU (81)

5th: FB (89-90), Cut (83-86), CU (80-82), CB (76) - CU (Ordonez)

3) Dan Hudson: FB, SL, CU

• Hudson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 3-8 slider with okay bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw 3-2 and to righties.

6th: FB (92-94), SL (82-85) - 3 SL (Everett - 2, Raburn)

7th: FB (91-94), SL (85), CU (82-85)

4) Fernando Rodney: FB, CU, SL. 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rodney came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with above average fade from lefties and good sink.

8th: FB (94), CU (82)

9th: FB (93-96), CU (81-83)

5) Carlos Torres: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

• Torres came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little cut action, a cutter with above average cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

8th: FB (86-92), Cut (85-89), CB (81) - 2 Cut (Raburn - 2)

Life On The Farm: Washington Nationals (# 21)

Big league team being bad means the system can't be bad, right? RIGHT?

Graduated To Majors: Justin Maxwell (CF, # 11), Roger Bernadina (CF, # 18), Ian Desmond (SS, # 19), Alberto Gonzalez (SS, UR), Jordan Zimmerman (SP, # 1), Garrett Mock (SP, # 12), Shairon Martis (SP, # 13), Craig Stammen (SP, # 20), Marco Estrada (SP, # 21), Tyler Clippard (RP, UR), Ross Detwiler (SP, # 2), Mike Hinckley (RP, # 22)

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 - Chris Marrero: 1B
Hi A: .287-.360-.464, 414, 16-65, 42-97, 2-3
AA: .267-.345-.387, 75, 1-11, 8-18, 0-1
Quick Take: Worked his way to a promotion and showed he wasn't quite ready for AA for the end of this season.

4 - Michael Burgess: RF
Hi A: .235-.325-.410, 480, 19-71, 54-135, 12-8
Quick Take: The most disappointing season in their system. Likely a repeater of the level next season.

5 - Jack McGeary: LHP
SS: 13-13, 2-6, 4.24, 57.1-61-5-41-46
Lo A: 13-13, 0-6, 6.79, 55.2-58-4-45-44
Quick Take: Disaster, thy name is Jack McGeary's 2009 season.

6 - Derek Norris: C
Lo A: .286-.413-.513, 437, 23-84, 90-116, 6-3
Quick Take: The toast of the minors for awhile, can he still hit when every pitcher knows who he is?

7 - Destin Hood: LF
R: .330-.388-.614, 88, 3-24, 8-19, 3-0
SS: .246-.302-.333, 138, 2-24, 11-45, 2-1
Quick Take: Not a terrible season for a high school guy in his first full season. May start the year at Lo A next season.

8 - Adrian Nieto: C
R: .212-.327-.273, 132, 0-16, 20-30, 1-2
Quick Take: This, on the other hand, was a terrible season from a high school and will likely be back in either R or SS next season.

9 - J.P Ramirez: RF
SS: .264-.306-.407, 295, 4-39, 14-45, 6-9
Quick Take: Some struggles, but is another raw high schooler who at least got a lot of development at bats.

10 - Esmailyn Gonzalez (Now Carlos Alvarez): SS
R: .280-.423-.427, 232, 3-25, 49-30, 5-6
Quick Take: The center of an embarassing event that was one of many things that led to the removal of Jim Bowden, he actually put up solid numbers. Now, if only he was still 20 and not 23, there could have been something here...

AAA: Syracuse Chiefs (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Ian Desmond (# 19): .354-.428-.461, 178, 1-14, 20-32, 8-1
Disappointing Hitter: None (all these guys are AAA veterans, nothing unexpected)
Breakout Pitcher: J.D. Martin (UL): 16-15, 8-3, 2.66, 88-75-4-10-63
Disappointing Pitcher: Zechry Zinicola (UR): 26-0, 0-1, 7.56, 33.1-47-2-10-31
Quick Take: Desmond and Martin got their 1st looks of the bigs. The fact the Chiefs didn't have a disappointing hitter is a tough look at the organization, as that means no one of consequence was pretty much at AAA for a full season, meaning a dim future. Zinicola got a 2nd half promotion to AAA and fell on his face badly.

AA: Harrisburg Senators (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Ofilio Castro (UR): .296-.372-.395, 301, 4-36, 37-50, 0-4
Disappointing Hitter: Luke Montz (# 29): .182-.285-.323, 291, 9-35, 41-62
Breakout Pitcher: Drew Storen (UL): 10-0, 1-0, 0.00, 12.1-3-0-6-12
Disappointing Pitcher: Cory Van Allen (# 28): 31-16, 3-5, 5.07, 94-116, 13-31-69
Quick Take: Castro is a 26 year old 3B who finally had a solid season, so take that with a grain of salt. Storen, on the other hand, is a 2009 draftee who may do the impossible and beat Strasburg to Washington. Montz went from big league debut last season to struggling in AA while Van Allen battled balls hit hard in play all season.

Hi A: Potomac Nationals (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Chris Marrero (# 3): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Michael Burgess (# 4): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Brad Meyers (UR): 15-14, 6-2, 1.43, 88.1-71-1-21-65
Disappointing Pitcher: Colton Willems (# 26): 6-6, 1-4, 7.40, 20.2-27-3-7-12
Quick Take: Marrero propelled himself to AA, while Meyer's projectability finally came to fruition, as I saw him in Lo A last year and graded him as an organizational guy. Burgess struggled very, very badly while Willems has been a disappointment since entering pro ball as a 1st round pick.

Lo A: Hagerstown Suns (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Derek Norris (# 6): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Stephen Englund (UR): .109-.182-.139, 101, 0-5, 9-48, 1-1
Breakout Pitcher: Marcos Frias (UR): 25-23, 9-5, 2.91, 126.2-124-6-30-112
Disappointing Pitcher: Jack McGeary (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: Norris appears to be one of the better hitters in the minors while Frias took a big step forward and showed swing and miss stuff with good control. Englund's hitting earned him a chance at getting to pitch. McGeary is still young enough to reach his vast ceiling, but he needs to start showing some proof that he can do it.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects
1) Stephen Strasburg: RHP
Seriously, do I need to explain myself?
2) Derek Norris: C
The Matt Wieters for that other team in the D.C. area?
3) Drew Storen: RHP
Could see him in the bigs next June if they don't convert him to starting.
4) Brad Meyers: RHP
You know, Josh Johnson of the Marlins used to be an 88 mile per hour fastball, all projectability guy too...
5) Chris Marrero: 1B
Dropped more due to the breakout season and influx of talent then his season.
6) Marcos Frias: RHP
Breakout season, can he follow up with this same level of performance?
7) Danny Espinosa: SS
Futures Game alum looks to keep building and improving.
8) Tom Milone: LHP
22 year old lefty out of USC went 12-5, 2.91 in 27 appearances (25 starts) with 36 walks and 106 strikeouts in 151.1 innings.
9) Michael Burgess: RF
Bounceback season anyone?
10) Destin Hood: LF
High schooler looks to continue to build on his debut.

Dropped From Top 10: McGeary (# 5), Nieto (# 8), Ramirez (# 9), Gonzalez/Alvarez (# 10)

Final Overview: Don't look now, but this system has some impact talent, though not much depth. Strasburg is said to be the greatest prospect ever, but names like Ben McDonald and Todd Van Poppel come to mind in that same vein with the Alex Rodriguez and the Josh Beckett of the awesome prospect list. If guys like Burgess and some of their other guys had strong seasons, they would be in much better shape. The loss of # 1 prospect Jordan Zimmermann to TJS after showing great potential in his rookie season is also a huge blow. This is likely now a middle of the pack farm system. But remember this about the Nats, they are one of the ultimate tools organization and love projectability, so a lot of their guys are going to be more tools then production and will ultimately have more higher ranked busts then others.