http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=betanc001chr

I understand that he is to be honored for his accomplishments in the Gulf Coast League.  

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090914&content_id=6962360&vkey=pr_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

However, how good of a player is he really?  Who are his MLB comps?  How good is his bat? Will he stay at C defensively?  Where do you believe he will rate in the top 100 next year?

Please rank the top shortstops by ceiling to floor.

At this point I believe Starlin Castro is the #1 SS in the MiLB.  I don't think that Mier or Green are too far behind.  I know Flores, Sano, and Salcedo are currently listed as SS's, but they'll probably end up at 1B, 3B or OF.  Espinosa is interesting as is Dee Gordon, but I don't think that they'll be anything more than solid regulars.  Tim Beckham doesn't seem to have the defensive wherewithal to stay at SS, but seems to have a mountain of talent inside of him.  Brignac looks like he'll man either 2b/SS/Utillity in the MLB.  Who else is there? I know I'm missing a bunch of players, but these are the guys that jump out at me off the top of my head.  Please don't include Escobar in the discussion as he is a surefire bet to start for the Brewers.  Please do include the Inglesias and Hechavaria as they project to be solid if not very good prospects.  Who else am I missing... Give your rankings of the guys above and the guys I have forgotten...

Cesar Carillo, RHP, University of Miami
     12-1 with 2.27 ERA, with a 106/17 K/BB ratio in 103 innings. K/BB is outstanding, high strikeout rate combined with very few walks. He doesn't have quite the physical ceiling of some of these other guys, but he is an extremely polished college pitcher who changes speeds well, throws strikes, and will move through the minor leagues very quickly. Although he's not a huge guy, he generates plus velocity with very fast arm action, combining that with superb location. Projection: mid first round. 6-3, 177 pounds. I like him a lot.

John liked him a lot at the time of his drafting.  I'd like to hear more about him, and what he is now as a pitcher.  I know he suffered an arm injury of some sort, but I know nothing more of him.

Can you please post a Crystal Ball for Justin Upton.  I know there has been a ton of write ups on him, and that you posted a "Not a Rookie" article on him, and there has been a community projection for 2007, but I would like your take on this super-prospect as to how Upton's career will lay out.  I think it would be fun and stir up a lot of conversation and debate...

Thanks, and keep up the good work...

I was wondering if John could do a Crystal Ball for Upton.  I know we've had one for Bruce, Gordon, etc, but I really would like to see John's predictions for Upton.

I know everyone thinks he's going to be great.  He's got all the tools in the world.  I also understand that he's already into his 2nd year in the majors.  Regardless I think that a Crystal Ball for Upton would be entertaining...  

I've been thinking about Nick Markakis' potential career of late.  I reflected upon John's Crystal Ball of Markakis, and I just wanted to get more opinions as to how he's developed.  I wanted to get other people's opinions and try to see where everyone else views him.  I think Markakis has the potential to be a good player and an All Star in some years, but I don't think he'll be a superstar.  With the state of the Orioles lineup and player development, aside from Adam Jones and with no one on the near horizon, I don't believe he's going to post huge numbers unless they get players in free agency.  I figure he'll be somewhere between a .285-.300+ hitter with anywhere between 20-28 homers and 90-100 RBI.  He reminds me of a Mike Greenwell (remember Greenwell was injury prone and should have been a better player) on the low side of the ceiling or possibly an Andre Dawson with half the speed and minus the 1987 season on the high side of the ceiling.  

What do you guys think?  

Who is the better prospect in terms of talent, development of skills, and in the long term scheme of things?  This started out as a fantasy question, but now has developed into a full debate between myself and friends.  I just wanted to get other people to weigh in on the discussion.  To me, they are similar players.  Currently they are both slumping, but I see them as potential .300+ hitters, 30 homer (40 homer for Upton), 100+ RBI, 100+ Runs, 20 SB types (10 for Upton).  Hopefully you guys can help discern the difference and help in this discussion...

He was an ex-teammate of mine and an old friend whom I've lost contact with.  I was wondering what he made of his career after blowing out his knee.  He was an incredible athlete and a very good guy.  A lot of us thought he'd be a star by now..

FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  FILLER  

Can anyone tell me what's going on with this guy of late?  He seems to have gotten lit up the last 4-6 starts.  His ERA has jumped from 2.94 to 3.22 as his WHIP and BABIP have increased incrementally as well.  Has the league finally figured this guy out or is this a case of "dead arm"?  Has he changed his pitching motion, has he been tipping his pitches, has his stuff been less crisp overall?  

A little insight to what has been going on with him would be great, thanks fellas...

Or do you guys think this is an abberation based upon the first 13 starts of this season.  I figured the bubble would eventually burst, but I didn't think that he'd get lit up like this.

Let me know your thoughts as to how you perceive his performance to be the rest of the season....

Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler

I just want to know what people's opinions are of Howell and his potential performance.  

I know he's a former 1st rounder from the Royals who was rushed, but he's appeared to rebound in the D-Rays minor league system.  In his first go in the Show, he was knocked around.  I want to know how people will think he will do this time around.  Also, let me know about his repetiore and stuff; is it good enough to get major league hitters out?

Thanks

Either Johan Santana or Arod

for

Barry Zito
Carlos Lee
Tim Lincecum

I'm currently in first and the guy is in last with no hopes in this keeper league.  Here is my Current Roster:

C-Martin, Russell, Salty
1B-Morneau, Garko
2B-Kendrick, Palanco
3B-Cabrera, M
SS- Young, Michael
OF- Markakis, Willits, Hamilton, Sheffield, Willingham, Cust, C. Gomez, C.Lee

SP-Haren,Rich Hill, Carmona, Shields, Wang, Clemens, Garza, Carpenter, Liriano, Zito, Lincecum
RP-Cordero, Weathers, Soria, Dotel, Guardado, Marmol

My weaknesses are in SB, SV, AVG.  I'm near the top three in all HR/RBI/Runs.  My pitching is solid, but it's not dominant anywhere.  

Give me your opinions.  Remember the guy who has proposed both trades has no hope whatsoever.  He possesses a bunch of mediocre players surrounding these two.

He looked solid going 7 innings against a decent Rockies' lineup.  Those were the numbers I thought he'd post in his first game, more or less... He had 6 k's to boot.  Not a bad second start in the unfriendly confines of Coor's field....

I think it's the beginning of a beautiful career...

FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER

I know he isn't much of a prospect due to his major league experience, but has anyone notice the games he's put together?  What are your opinions as to what he can do short term and eventually in the long term?  

Do you fellas think he'll stick in the Indians lineup or is his newfound control just a flash in the pan?