1) Wieters
2) Matusz
3) Tillman
4) Reimold
5) Penn
6) Arrieta
7) Rowell
8) Snyder
9) Patton
10) Erbe
11) Hernandez
12) Bergesen
13) Montanez
14) Spoone
15) Britton
16) Berken
17) Avery
18) Hoes
19) Bundy
20) Butler
21) Adams
22) Mickolio
23) S Moore
24) Costanzo
25) Bascom
26) Angle
27) Noel
28) Beato
29) Henson
30) McCrory
Notes
1) I would list prospects by a combination of their overall ceiling, past results, and likely-hood of reaching the Majors…
2) I have Penn much higher then probably everyone else… just think if you are doing a prospect ranking, that the guy that is just turning 24, that has dominated previously in AA, and AAA… is basically as good a prospect as any in the system if you believe he is healthy. His start that was on MASN late last summer, confirmed that he had his velocity, and movement back… not a surprise that it took him awhile to find consistency in 2008 after missing the 2nd-half of 2006, and most of 2007.People will argue about me having Penn ahead of Arrieta… but Arrieta’s DOB is 3/6/86, and Penn’s is 10/13/84… so Penn is only a year and half older, and has already achieved at AA, and AAA and showed a return of his stuff…. I don’t think Arrieta dominating at Frederick, at 18 months younger is enough to rank him ahead of Penn.
3) S.Moore and Costanzo both had rough years at Norfolk… based on their ages, and what they have previously achieved, I believe they deserve a spot in the Top 30 prospects.
4) I would be tempted to totally remove Beato from the Top 30… but I am going to just say 2008 was a wash with his injuries… people raved about his arm previously… just worry about getting him healthy first, and then figure out what you have.
5) Erbe/Hernandez/Bergesen all have arguments for being ranked ahead of each other… I think you have to give Erbe the nod due to his age, but that Hernandez might have the better future…
6) Hoes seems more advanced then Avery in plate discipline… which basically limits any athletic/talent difference… I’ll still give the nod right now to Avery.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.