Same disclaimer included in my pitcher performance rankings applies. These rankings do not correlate at all with the pitcher rankings, but do seem to correlate well between leagues. 100 at-bat minimum (with the exception of Trout and Harper). I am still tweaking the formula. Because we are dealing with stats, small sample size warning applies The more stats accumulated, the more accurate these rankings will be. Rankings based purely on performance for this season. There were no positional adjustments. Also, stolen bases were not taken into account. Let me know what you think! Thanks.

Note: These Rankings are for all pitchers in the minors who have thrown at least 25 innings this year. There is an age cutoff for each league (AAA=25,AA=24,A+=23,A=22). The rankings are based on this season's performance and age. These rankings do not take into scouting reports and are purely performance based. so they are obviously not a true ranking of prospects (Ex. I do not think that Jordan Lyles is a better prospect than Shelby Miller). That said, I think they give a pretty good measure of how a pitcher has performed this season. I think perhaps it is good for identifying pitchers that may be currently overlooked (Ex. Clayton Blackburn, one of John's sleepers!). I am still toggling with the formula, but I think it is decent enough right now to post. I do not think it is good for correlation among different levels, but it seems to be pretty decent for ranking players on the same level. Okay, have at it. Can't wait to hear your criticism! :)

AAA

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Obviously, it is early in the season, and thus small sample size applies. However, I was wondering what prospects you think have most dramatically improved their stock. List where you thought they previously ranked compared with how you think they rank now. Since I am sure most people don't update their prospect lists monthly, it will in most cases be a guess as to where you think the current prospect currently ranks, however I think that giving actually ranks will result in a better idea of how much you think a player's stock as improved compared to just saying "he's much better". Also of note. I think it makes more sense I'll start off. Prior to the season I had Jose Fernandez at 119, but now I think I'd probably put him around 60, with a shot at being 30 next season assuming he continues to perform as I expect. So, who else ya got?

Which one do you expect to have the greater career? I think this is an interesting comparison between two lefties who have shown a little more strikeout ability than it was thought they had when they were drafted. Pomeranz's best pitch is his curve while Minor has his change. Who do you think will have the better career? Do either have Ace upside or are both more #2 starters? I think this is a really tough call. Let me know what you think! Thanks!

who do you think are the top relievers in the minors? guys that could one day become closers (irregardless of their team's current mlb closer situation)

rex brothers is the first guy that comes to my mind. who are some others?

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NOTE: I WEIGH UPSIDE MUCH MORE HEAVILY THAN FLOOR. 

If you want, you can RANK below, vote on the poll, or do both. COMMENTS would be appreciated. Thanks!

rubby de la rosa

arodys vizcaino

matt harvey

trey mcnutt

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obviously, this is for my fantasy draft. thanks again.

Which of these players do you think has the best chance to break out this year and become an A- prospect? You can rank them in order of likelihood if you wish. Thanks.

Yorman Rodriguez

Edward Salcedo

Luis Heredia

Carlos Martinez (Matias)

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What are the best 7 top 100 lists out there? I like to form an aggregate ranking of the 7 best lists out there and was wondering who to include this year. Let's not use any of the lists that are posted in the fanposts so as not to make this ranking personal. I would make an exception for those lists that are from other sites but posted here (ie. bullpen banter).

Also, let's agree that john sickels is #1 on everybodys list.

Here's mine:

1) john sickels

2) baseball america

3) keith law - espn

4) kevin goldstein - baseball prospectus

5) project prospect

6) frank pilliere - fanhouse

7) diamond futures - I would like to hear some feedback about this choice

HM: bullpen banter, mlb.com list, hardball times list 

SO, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 7?

with aubrey huff now signed to a 2 year deal, how does this affect belt? what is his eta? will he get a full season at AAA?

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what players in the minor leagues are top 200 prospects and potential 40 steal guys at the mlb level? off the top of my head i would say dee gordon, mike trout, hak ju-lee, delino deshields jr (not signed yet), ben revere, jared mitchell. maybe donavan tate? anybody else? i know there are some other guys like luis durango or anthony gose, but i am not sure if they are considered top 200 prospects right now (although gose might be)

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obviously, alvarez is way ahead in terms of development, but flores is 4.5 years younger

both have defensive questions, with alvarez projected to be a below avg third baseman who will probably eventually move to first base. flores is projected as a third baseman who might have to move to a corner outfield position.

i've seen a miguel cabrera comp for both.

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Here is a question I saw on Baseball America with an answer from Jim Callis. What's your opinion?

Which pitchers do you consider to have true No. 1 starter potential?

I'm stingy when it comes to anointing prospects as potential No. 1 starters. I want to see one dynamic pitch, at least one plus pitch to go with plus command and plus makeup—and even then I err on the side of caution. That's why there are only six pitchers whom I would stamp as having legitimate No. 1 starter potential: Stephen Strasburg (No. 2), Brian Matusz (No. 5), Neftali Feliz (No. 9), Martin Perez (No. 17), Tyler Matzek (No. 23) and Jacob Turner (No. 26).

There are five pitchers who ranked in the Top 25 whom I can't quite see as No. 1 starters yet. Madison Bumgarner's  (No. 14) fastball continues to sit in the high 80s this spring, and that's a red flag. Jeremy Hellickson (No. 18) and Casey Kelly (No. 24) are very polished but don't have an overwhelming out pitch, while the reverse is true of Aroldis Chapman (No. 22). Kyle Drabek (No. 25) is close, but I'd like to see better fastball velocity and more command.

Behind those two groups are a half-dozen pitchers who could make the jump to No. 1 status. Jarrod Parker (No. 36) was there before injuring his elbow, and he'll miss all of 2010 following Tommy John surgery. Matt Moore (No. 35), Casey Crosby (No. 47), Chris Withrow (No. 48), Zack Wheeler (No. 49) and Shelby Miller (No. 50) need more consistency with their secondary pitches and improved command.

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I was wondering what players have the highest ceilings, semi-regardless of their low floors. LEAVE OUT ANY PROSPECTS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE TOP 50, since nobody wants a list filled with stantons and heywards. These would be players that are ranked below 50 that could easily become top 10 prospects. Off the top of my head, I am thinking of guys like Julio Teheran. I think that you should label the prospect by 25: 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, etc. depending on where you think that prospect probably is now, just to get an idea of how far away that player is from realizing their top 10 potential.

To limit the fighting over who qualifies as a top 50 prospect to begin with, let's just use this list: http://firstinning.com/?p=362


Reminder: these are not prospects who are ranked 60, who have a chance to become top 25, but rather, prospects with legitimate top 10 potential.

Anybody know of any top prospect relievers in the national league? guys that could become future closers or very good setup men (disregard the current closer situations in the mlb). So just because broxton closes for the dodgers doesn't necessarily mean that josh lindblom has closer potential. Other guys off the top of my head are daniel schlereth, jose ceda, leyson septimo, drew storen, craig kimbrell, casey weathers. Am I missing someone? Any other possibilities?