Hey Kevin, is there some reason that the italics delineating which of the "Top 10 talents under 25" were prospects and which were already in the majors haven't been used in this year's top 11 series? I always liked that as an easy way to see how much talent was on the way and how much was already there at a quick glance.

KG-

Just out of curiosity, where would Flowers fit in if the scouting reports said he was a good bet to stick behind the plate?

What ever happened to Eric Campbell? Seems like that guy made quite a few lists a few years ago.

Why is Freeman repeating High-A? Is that a typo for this year?

I don't think I've ever read about Ray Lankford being in desperate need of a platoon partner. A career .717 OPS vs. lefties isn't great but, given his defense and speed on the basepaths, he wasn't much of a drag on the offense.

mymrbig:
I went to high school with Campbell, and Goldstein is right on. Good talent, but with definite makeup issues.

Are people really still that positive on Francouer that he would rate ahead of the young pitchers or is that mostly TINSTAAPP rearing its head?

KG: Did Lillibridge play himself into career utilityman status this year, or should I still hold out some hope he could serviceably play everyday if Yunel gets traded? Also, thanks for the handy link to the BP Radio. I think a link to last year's lists would also be helpful on your top 11s. Thanks!

Being a Tigers fan it pains me to see Jair and Gorkys so highly regarded on this list (sorry, even though I've never met them I followed their minor league careers so closely that I feel comfortable enough to be on a 1st name basis.) The fun fact for Gorkys Hernandez blew my mind though and I was hoping you could elaborate. Are his parents big fans of Socialist realism? Does he have brothers named Sholokhovs or Deinekas? I really hope this guy makes it.

My gut sense is that you've overrated Gorkys Hernandez a bit here. I am having a tough time understanding how Hernandez (who posted a .221 EqA as a 21 yr old) could be ranked higher than Freddie Freeman (who posted a .261 EqA as a 19 yr old). Gregor Blanco played at Myrtle Beach at the same age as Hernandez and posted nearly identical numbers. To me, Hernandez seems destined to be a 4th outfielder while Freeman has got a real shot to be a future All Star.

Kevin, relative upsides aside, do you see Freeman taking significantly longer to get to Atlanta than Heyward? With an easier position to field, a bat that seems a touch more advanced than his teammate's, and a walk rate that's almost as good, it would seem a fair bet that Freddie moves up on a similar timetable (with an eye towards a cup of coffee by 2010). Yet you say he's a "long way" from being ready. What's the scoop? Is the bat that slow?