As you may know if you frequent Minorleagueball.com, we're currently in the process of putting together the community top 100 prospects list.  I figure that, as a way to pass the time, we could try putting together a top 40 prospect list for TalkingChop folks who didnt submit prospect lists before because they didnt have time too or didnt know.  It works like this: I'll put 10 options in the poll, and you vote for one of them.  Once we've received enough votes or a clear winner emerges, I'll go to the next number.  Hopefully our knowledge about the farm system will be enriched in the process.

Also please offer suggestions for who should be in the next pole.  While I believe I am good with prospects, I am human and will miss one every now and then.

Here's the poll on #1.  If there isn't an interest in doing this, let me know and I can stop.

Schafer has serious potential.  I was just examining his stats and heres what ive found.  Yes he has struggled mightily against lefties which is to be expected.  He is crushing righties with an OPS of almost 1.000. 

All of this we already know.

Last year with Myrtle Beach when he supposedly was breaking out he had a 294 average with 9 homers a 477 slugging percentage, 354 OBP,  and a 831 OPS.  This year in less at-bats with Mississippi, he has a 269 average with 9 homers, a 469 slugging percentage, a 371 OBP, and a 840 OPS.  He also has 41 walks in 260 AB's this year as opposed to 40 walks in 436 AB's last year.  On top of all this, he is playing at Double AA which is a much harder level of competition.

Soooooo,

Is he really doing worse this year than last year?

Its more than likely that we will not know till the eleventh hour.  Until then, does anyone have any inside information or news regarding Michael Palazzone?  I know that the braves watched him over the summer to determine whether or not to sign him but I do not know what the verdict was.  Lets hope we can get this guy signed.

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Scout.com is reporting that Cole Rohrbough has been promoted to Myrtle Beach.  He has been dominant his last few times out and nearly threw a no-hitter his last time out despite having what he referred to as below average stuff.   He seems to have recovered from injuries which have scewed his numbers.  Baseball america seems to believe that he has turned a corner and should bolt through the minors.  His K:IP ratio is distgusting.

The once former top prospect and heir to the Atlanta Braves Thrid Base throne was all but dethroned in the past two years as a result of disipline issues and injuries.  Im not sure he even made the top 20 list this past offseason (btw feel free to correct me if I am wrong).  He began this year late after another barage of injuries.  For the first month of the season, he struggled mightly and was beginning to destroy the optomists trust funds.  All of a sudden, something must have clicked.  He has gotten better every month.  Now he is hitting .266 over 237 AB and has 15 homers with a .367 obp and an 869 ops.  He has a 34:36 BB/SO ratio.  Also he owns 53 RBI's in 62 games.  If u average his numbers out for 500 ab's, he should hit 30+ homers.  Now keep in mind that he has progressivly gotten better over the season.  If he keeps this up, he could end up with around a .300 average and 20+ homers in an injury shortened season.  I personally think that he should reconsidered as a top prospect after this resurgance.  What do you think guys and what grade do you think you would give him John?

Julio Teheran made hit first start in forever tonight going two perfect innings while striking out 3.  He was recovering from shoulder soreness up until recently and it looks like the braves are going to be extra cautious with him and limit his innings.  He was described by scouts as having one of the best arms hes ever seen.  He is a true gem prospect.  Hopefully he can avoid the injury bug down the road and realize his potential.

scout.com is reporting that the braves have signed another draft pick.  does anyone have any idea who it is? 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 filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler

Craig Kimbrel made his Rome debut today and was, let me say, untouchable.  He went 2.1 innings of hitless and walkless ball while striking out 5.  He is quickly turning into our best relief prospect.  He uses an upper 90's fastball from his 5'10 frame and a developing slider.  Obviously something is working because he has been nothing short of dominant.  If he keeps this up, we actually may see Kimbrel in the beach some time this year.  He is 20 years old.

This guy has been unbelievable.  For the first third of the year or so, he hit around 270 with few homers but lots of doubles so you know that the power was going to come.  However, the two month surge he is in the middle of right now is just ridiculous.  He is now batting .317 (and over .500 in the last two weeks) along with a huge power surge which has seen his home run total rise to 15.  He also has 28 doubles and 4 sbs.  He brings a solid SO/BB ratio of 52/32 along with him, and oh yeah i forgot, the kid is still freakin 18!!!!!!

Cole had a great debut on Monday night.  He went four innings in relief allowing three hits and striking out six while walking none.  He also had a 5:1 groundout to flyout ratio.  What is even more impressive is that of the last six batters he faced, he struck out five.  Of the three hits he gave up, one was a bunt hit and two were dribblers through the infield.  Anybody have an opinion on how good he can be?