Lets get the hype train rolling on this guy. 19 years old and currently sporting a .333/.390/.538 as Machado's sidekick at Delmarva. Can play short, probably ticketed for 2B or 3B in the majors but SS isnt out of the equation if he ends up in another organization. Has good plate discipline and very strong contact ability. Likely to finish the year in Frederick. He was a very deep sleeper before this year(I picked him up late in a dynasty draft so I am gloating a little), but shouldnt more of us have seen this coming. BA had him ranked 10th in a very weak farm system so they werent exactly pushing him. I had him top 5. He looks like a top 100 guy next year easily. I like him more than a lot of the higher rated SS prospects provided he can stay there and play average defense.

There are skeptics out there who dont think Freeman will hit for a lot of power. I dont really understand it, I think they look at his 2009 numbers and have assumed as much. We didnt hear the same concerns in 2008 when he killed it in Rome, but despite his monster year this year people still see him as a 15-25 homer type. People cite his swing. Personally, I think he has a great swing. Short and compact, but he gets good loft. If you have seen him in batting practice, you can tell the raw power is incredible. I think his power potential is similar to Heyward's. He is still growing into his body and looks awkward at times, thats where I think the skepticism comes from.

Tonight his shot off Halladay was a BOMB. This is no Casey Kotchman swing. This is a man's swing. Thats a Joey Votto type bomb, whom I have compared him to in the past.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12303331&topic_id=8879214&c_id=atl

I didnt like the pick either, though most of it was influenced by the heavy criticism piled onto the Braves for taking him that high. But his strikeout rates are just silly, and certainly seem to indicate a higher upside than what people were saying he had. Seems like he had a bit more projection in him too. His velocity has kicked up a bit.

Today's start 8 ip 2 h 0 r 1 bb 11 k

On the season he has 65 K's in 43 Innings. His command hasnt been great but for a polished pitcher you expect him to cut down on the walks. What is the explanation for all the strikeouts? Is his changeup and curveball both plus pitches? He certainly is making the Braves look smart with what he has done so far.

Cut off age is 27 the full season. Only really thinking about about players in the majors or at least in strong contention to make the opening day roster. It seems the last couple of years the consensus was the Rays. Has that changed? I dont know but several teams are catching up.

Perhaps a top 10 list of cores on who you would take going forward? Off the top of my head I think I would rank as such:

1. Rays

2. Orioles

3. Dodgers

4. Braves

5. Marlins

6. Giants

7. Red Sox

8. Rangers

9. A's

10. Reds

21 year old OF in Rome hitting .360/.404/.634/.1.039 with 10 homers and 11 2B in 44 games. Even more impressive is that its his debut season and he missed an entire year due to injury. He was drafted by the Braves 3 different times, obviously they are very high on him. Comes out of a great Walters State CC program. I think this is a guy to watch next year where he might shoot up everyone's radar. He is flying below it being a 21 year old in low A ball who started the year out in Danville.

Who is the better prospect? Ignore how much Strasburg may sign for. These two players will likely battle it out for the #1 spot on most prospect lists assuming Strasburg signs. Heyward has been dominant in his young career and since his promotion to AA has even taken it up a notch. If Strasburg is the real deal and performs like a Lincecum then it is tough to take anyone over him but Heyward would be one of the guys who would be tempting.

What about Heyward vs Weiters? Weiters put up numbers unmatched by anyone but factor in what Heyward has done thus far and the ease he has transitioned to each level and he makes an interesting debate. Heyward matches great production with enormous upside. Heyward likely has a higher upside but Weiters has position scarcity in his favor. Heyward may not be in the category of Justin Upton as freakishly talented but I dont think he is far behind.

That is the word. Pretty aggressive promotions by the Braves with both guys being just 19 but the big club's production at 1B and the OF is pretty terrible so the sooner they can replace Kotchman and Franceour the better. I think both guys should hold their own since they control the strike zone so well for young hitters. Heyward has hit for more power this year and Freeman for less although has improved his walk rate a good bit. Cody Johnson not promoted as of yet. He is still striking out at a ridiculous pace. But I guess its encouraging that the power hasnt dropped off after moving up to a new level and he has struck out slightly less while walking more. He still is only 20.

Is this guy going to shoot up prospect radars? I have owned him in a deep keeper league for a couple years now and he has been getting better each year. Left handed, lots of groundballs, good K/9 and apparently improved velocity. I don't think he is too far off of the Big 3 in the Orioles system but I may be biased. But based on scouting reports and numbers there is a lot to like.

21 years old. 2.11 ERA 59 IP 45 H 53/30 K/BB 2.46 GO/FO

His command has taken a step back but I don't think its a major concern.

I thought he had a Mike Cameron ceiling, no shame in that. Yeah, its early but he obviously is a superstar in the making. Glad I acquired him in a keeper league for Elijah Dukes! lol.

Another opportunity to lol @ Bill Bavasi. Chris Tillman threw 6 shutout innings tonight striking out 10.

A Markakis/Jones/Reimold outfield has a chance to be the best OF in baseball even if Reimold is just average. And I think he is going to be good.

Will Jones surpass Sizemore as the best young CFer in baseball?

I never hear this guy talked about. He was a damn good relief prospect for the Braves and they moved him into the rotation and he really took to it well. Good stuff, strikes out a batter per inning, excellent control, had a strong AFL. He's diminutive in stature(5'10) so that might be the biggest reason he gets overlooked. I dont see why he isnt higher up on most lists. He seems like a safer bet than most guys to become a #3 or #4 starter.

Who has had the more impressive AFL? These two guys have been by far the best players there. Hanson's OPS is around is SLUGGING 1.000 because of his 12 homers to go with a batting average close to .400.

Hanson today went 5 IP 1 H 0 R 10 K

I would go Hanson because he a pitcher and I think its more difficult to dominate a very talented league after you have thrown 150 IP in a year but Flowers has been nothing short of remarkable.

8 2/3 IP 1 H  0 R 14 K's

Dude is pretty good. where does he rank among the top pitching prospects in the game? He gets overlooked quite a bit but has the stuff and performances that indicate he has front of the rotation potential. Fastball can get up there in the mid 90s. Plus curveball and solid changeup. Flyball rate is a little bit of a concern but something he should overcome. How does he compare with guys like Tillman, Holland, Davis, an the other 2nd tier of elite pitching prospects? Who does he remind you of currently pitching in the bigs?

22 year old catcher at Myrtle Beach. .295/.436/.500 an that doesnt even show the whole story because he got off to a real slow start. This kid wow'd everyone on the big club in spring training with his size and mammoth power an he has certainly had a breakout season. The walk rate is just ridiculous. As a catcher, his defensive skills are solid, and his bat would carry at 1B but his value would obviously take a hit.

Where does he rank with the current catching prospects in the minors excluding Wieters? I know some other guys might be a year younger or doing it at a higher level but I think this kid has the best stick of any catching prospect not named Wieters. Braves have had a great amount of success identifying catchers in recent years. Its unfortunate the braves wont be able to find a place for this kid's bat with McCann at C and Kotchman at 1B and Freeman coming up right behind him.

A lot of anticipation for this kid's start tonight, especially from Braves fans. Not much of a prospect before the year, he has dominated AAA. His stuff backs up his numbers with a plus fastball and plus curveball to go with a slider and changeup that show promise. His command is what really turned everything around for him. If he can be the pitcher the Braves have been saying he is, that would be a good addition to go with other young pitchers Jurrjens and Reyes who have pitched well.

When I saw him dominate Durham he reminded me of Wainwright quite a bit. 8 IP 1 H 13 k's against the best hitting AAA team.

1. David Price

2. Matt Wieters

3. Rick Porcello

4. Matt LaPorta

5. Jake McGee

6. Travis Snider

7. Jason Heyward

8. Mike Moustakas

9. Fernando Martinez

10. Andrew McCutcheon

Threw a list together just to generate discussion but wanna see who are your top 10 prospects at the conclusion of the season. I didnt include guys like Maybin, Rasmus because I think they will lose their rookie status this year. LaPorta might but he has nowhere to play.

Every year I draft this guy thinking this is the year he puts it together. And every year I drop him after a month. He has been very good this year, and should improve.

5-1 with a 3.48 ERA. He has tossed 7 straight quality starts, and isnt walking anybody these days. He walked zero batters against the Red Sox and Yankees in back to back starts, two of the most patient teams in baseball. 24 walks in 63 innings but over this stretch of games his walk rate is dropping each game. He has ditched the high 90s fastball and gone to a 2 seam fastball a la Wang and Carmona and has become a groundball pitcher which has dropped his strikeout rate but his whip dramatically as well.

Do you believe he will be a Wang or Carmona type? Or should the Orioles sell high?

Jake Arrietta is dominating in High A and should be promoted to AA with Matt Wieters. He looks like he has regained his stuff from 2 years ago. David Hernandez is a guy that should get a lot more recognition. Putting up very good numbers in AA and has the great stuff to go with the numbers. Spoone is hurt but was pitching well and I like him quite a bit. What do you think about these Orioles pitchers?

Brandon Hicks has been solid. Good power for a SS and walks quite a bit and can steal a few bases. Average not terrific but should improve but the power has been impressive. Is he turning into a top SS prospect?

Charlie Morton has dominated at AAA. He does not have the numbers in the past that impress you. But we hear rumblings he turned the corner and he looks legit. He is gonna be 25 soon, so its a Nick Blackburn type breakout year for him. He has always had excellent stuff and in his latest start allowed 14 groundouts to 1 flyout. What is his upside? has anyone seen him pitch before? He should be in Atlanta soon. We know the braves give effusive praise of all their prospects, but Morton looks like one who the scoutheads actually got right.

No sophomore slump. More people would notice him as a great young player on a national level if he wasn't an oriole. I think the sky is the limit with this kid.

.294/.357/.478 22 HR 43 2B 110 RBI 17 SB 60/110 BB/K

He strikes out a little more than I expected, but I expect that to really come down. He basically has 60/60/60 hitting chart, very impressive and should allow him to be a higher average hitter as his career goes on. He has 13 homers in the 2nd half of the season and shown power to all fields. He has a lot more power than most people would have thought. I can see him hitting 30-35 regularly in his prime. Toss in great defense, excellent baserunner, do we have ourselves a future all star?

Where is he on the list of top young OFs?

.310/.354/.465 with 13 homers, 31 doubles, and 75 rbi. Also 1st in OF assists. 5th among NL OFs in win shares. 30 walks at this point, compared to 36 i believe in his 1st 900+ ABs. Half of his hits are up the middle or to the opposite field, which is a huge change from the pull everything approach he had last year. With this new approach he will hit for a much higher average. He is seeing more pitchers per AB an chasing far less pitches. The improvement in one year just jumps out at you when you watch him at the plate.

Not bad, Jeff, you may have yourself a ecent career after all. I think everyone knew Jeff was going to get better, the question was, how long, and how much? He is doing this sooner than I thought. Its scary to think where he may be in a couple years. He reminds me a bit of Matt Holliday.

He has had top 5 stuff. Each year, his command has gone up to the point its over 4 to 1 k/bb. He is top 5 in BAA. And of course, he is running away in strikeouts.

At one point last year in June it all clicked for him and since then he has been the dominant Bedard. IMO the best curveball in the game right now. I asked myself if there was anybody I would rather have pitching for my team at this moment. Besides Johan, the answer is no. Where does Bedard rank amont the top pitchers?

He cant throw strikes, he gets rattled easily, his fastball is the straightest Ive ever seen, he cant throw a strike anywhere but down the middle, his offspeed stuff hangs, I think that is it for now.

He is only 23, but still a far cry from what he looked as a prospect. You cant lump him in with a McGowan, Baker, Guthrie, Gaudin etc as top prospects who struggled early on. Those guys had much better stuff. Davies stuff just looks terrible. You cant picture it in your head him eventually dominating ML pitching.

What went wrong? Was there anything in the past to suggest this? Did he lose some velocity?

He has had some injuries, but besides his 1st 4 starts where nobody seen him he has looked like the worst starting pitcher in the majors. ERA of 7 since then.

Reyes IMO may be the most underrated pitching prospect in baseball. Good K/9 rate, decent control, very good stuff while being left handed. Had 10 k's in 2 of his last 3 starts and just 1 ER in his last 2 starts, earning him a promotion to AAA.

With the braves struggles with the back end of the rotation, it looks like they are eager to get Reyes up. Im a little surprised he got promoted to AAA before Harrison since Harrison has been in AA longer with good results and by all accounts is more polished and ready for the big leagues.

Who is the better prospect? Both look like middle of the rotation starters, Reyes' stuff wise could possibly evolve into more. But Harrison has always gotten more pub and is rated higher on every prospect list. Im excited to see this guy, because Im hoping he could be the arm braves are known for developing. Chuck James is nice and Kyle Davies has been garbage, braves really need a young horse in the worst way.

This kid is something. He can really swing the bat, and you can see why a lot of people liked him. When he hit .264 at AA last year there were questions, but after the AFL and at AAA this year he silenced those concerns.

He plays with a real flair to the game. A ton of energy and is just one of those guys who brings more to the game than stats show. I love Edgar Renteria, but Escobar is young and shows a ton of promise. Andrus is still a long way away. Its unfortunate its pretty much a foregone conclusion Escobar does not have a future in ATL with the braves not moving a veteran leader like Renteria and KJ at 2B. It looks like they want to keep Salty, and with Escobar's value rising he could be their big trade chip at the deadline. I wish there was a way to keep him around. He is a heck of a player and going to be better than people thought. Edgar Renteria isnt a bad comp. good avg with 15 homer pop.

.303 avg with 7 homers in AA so far, OBP around .350 and slugging over .550 with 4 steals. k/bb ratio of 30/8 needs work. Has yet to have his breakthrough season, but it looks like this is his year, showing real good power so far.

I have a hard time getting a feel for what kind of player he might become, can anyone think of any valid comparisons in terms of hitting? Curtis Granderson? Jacque Jones?

If he keeps this up is he a top 50 prospect maybe? Braves have a spot open for him in LF.

Brayan Pena is going on the DL and with McCann banged up and out for a couple days, Salty gets the call.

If McCann was going on the DL, I could see this move. But I guess the braves want to give him a taste of the big leagues, and it cant hurt his trade value if he belts a couple homers while he is up.

Looks like Salty's debut will be on ESPN tonight.

Got off to a slow start, but his defense has been exceptional all year long. His bat has caught fire. Right now his numbers stand at .297/.423/.547 with 4 homers 11 rbis 2 steals and 1 error thus far.

He and the braves at one point, were still trying to find where he would fit in. I personally thought he would be traded and someone would get a solid OF. But his bat as a 2B has a chance to be outstanding. Great OBP, some speed and power, and so far 10 k's to 14 walks, a great ratio. Genius move by the braves to put him at 2b.

I dont think he can be Chase Utley, or maybe he can, but can he be the best thing after Utley at 2b? Its early but we all knew he could hit, and this is encouraging.

And these arent walks on pitchers who just arent close to the plate. he has really laid off the borderline stuff. Another thing is these walks are coming when runners are already on base, when you think Francoeur would be most aggressive and ready to hack.

Could it be some plate discipline?  Jeff blowin kisses to the haters on his way to an 80 walk season:)Seriously, he wont keep this rate up, but definite improvement. Small sample size, but its building off from the end of last season where he showed a little more patience.

Im nearing the end of my draft and all the obvious names at the lower levels including rookie ball are gone and even most of the sleeper types have been taken.

Preferrably a hitter, who are some of the guys i should look at? I have a few in mind but wonder if there are some better guys i have missed. Guys who have yet to land on prospect lists anywhere .

6-6 5.37 ERA 112.1 INN 111 H 62 BB 98 K

Last year was a really big year in Loewen's development. Some people wondered if he would ever put it together but he really impressed a lot of people when he got in the majors despite probably not being ready for it. He was sent down for a couple weeks and dominated down there and came back to pitch really well in August and September.

There is no questioning his stuff. A devastating curveball that should be a good strikeout pitch for him and a fastball that has a lot of cut action on it. He reminds me a lot of his fellow canadian teammate Erik Bedard. If you didnt know who was on the mound you wouldnt know the difference between them.

Adam though seems to matured quicker than Erik and i think really is going to be a frontline starter if he keeps his progression up. Leo Mazzone smoothened out his mechanics some and it decreased his walks and had him throwing harder later in the season and absolutely baffling the yankess it seemed like all 4 times he faced them.

What do you expect out of Loewen this year and down the line? Personally, he is one of my favorites and i think he eventually will be top notch but where do you all stand?

With upcoming minor league drafts in keeper leagues, who are some guys to take late and have a chance to develop into top prospects. Guys who are maybe the most likeliest. A lot of guys have the ability and tools but are unlikely to reach their potential.

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