Balls, Bulls, Bears!

This is refreshing. A prospect list that doesn’t look past 2010, instead choosing to focus on what the prospects will accomplish in 2010 and 2010 alone.

Jason Grey over at ESPN gives it a go, all the while trying to make it abundantly clear that this is a list for April to October, 2010.

1. , OF, Braves

My Take: Nothing new here. Heyward just keeps impressing and every day it looks more and more like he’ll start the season in the show.

2. , SP, Nationals

My Take: I think he should start in the high-minors — It just seems like the right move. Undoubtedly, the fans will be calling for him when the Nationals start the season 0-and-1.

3. , SS, Brewers

My Take: I’m not a huge Escobar fan, but he could be useful in fantasy. The stolen bases are there, and the kid can slap the ball enough to get on base, but so much of his value will be tied up in where he bats in the Brewers’ lineup.

4. Wade Davis, SP, Rays

My Take: Davis is seemingly a veteran. He’s definitely got the stuff and is worth a late round flier.

5. Brian Matusz, SP, Orioles

My Take: Love this kid, it’s just too bad that he doesn’t have any licensed cards on the market.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B, Tigers

7. , OF, Rays

My Take: Everything you look for in an outfield prospect. Hopefully he manages to grab a starting gig and hold it for the season, but there’s a tonne of competition in Tampa.

8. , SP, Rangers

My Take: Throws hard. Might be more useful as a reliever than a starter in the fantasy world, but the Rangers need to move him to a SP to get even the slightest return on investment.

9. , C, Indians

My Take: While Montero might be a better long-term prospect; it’s Santana’s year.

10. , OF, Tigers

My Take: From overvalued to undervalued, just like that. Because Yanks fans know his name, his cards are still selling for higher than they should be.

11. Brett Wallace, 3B/1B, Blue Jays

My Take: Wallace needs to find a spot to play. The Blue Jays are so awful this year, it really doesn’t make sense to rush any of their prospects. If he does mash in AAA, he’ll be joining last year’s #6 overall prospect, , for years to come.

12. , 1B, A’s

My Take: Carter can kill the ball, but he needs a smidgen more refining. I think he contributes this year.

13. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates

My Take: Never really liked him. I don’t follow him.

14. , 2B, Rockies

My Take: Young Jr. was last year’s AFL Cinderella story and absolutely everyone wanted him to break camp as a big-leaguer. He’s got the speed to make a difference and a good chunk of versatility.

15. , 1B, Marlins

16. Gaby Sanchez, 1B/3B, Marlins

17. Justin Smoak, 1B, Rangers

My Take: Smoak’s going to find a home in Texas, it’s just a matter of what month. ’ statistics are painful to look at, and while Texas can’t just give up on him, there’s no reason to let Smoak waste away.

18. , SP, Rays

19. Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles

20. Alex Avila, C, Tigers

21. Daniel Hudson, SP, White Sox

22. , OF, A’s

My Take: The Perfect Outfielder. Wallace for Taylor was a great swap on both parts and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Taylor up sooner rather than later.

23. , OF, Indians

24. , 3B, Cardinals

25. Chris Heisey, OF, Reds

26. Michael Saunders, OF, Mariners

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Kevin Goldstein takes a look at Pittsburgh’s Top-Prospect list. The Pirates have improved ten-fold since Huntington took office. Here’s Basbeall Prospectus’ look at the Pirates’ system:

Five-Star Prospects
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
2. , C
3. , OF
Three-Star Prospects
4. Starling Marte, OF
5. Chase D’Arnaud, SS
6. , RHP
7. , OF
8. Colton Cain, LHP
9. Rudy Owens, LHP
10. Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. , RHP

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John Sickels puts together his list of Top-20 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects over at minorleagueball.com

1) Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Grade A
2) , OF, Grade B
3) , C, Grade B
4) Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Grade B-
5) , RHP, Grade B-
6) , RHP, Grade C+
7) Chase D’arnaud, INF, Grade C+
8) Starling Marte, OF, Grade C+
9) Rudy Owens, LHP, Grade C+
10) Ronald Uviedo, RHP, Grade C+

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