Good list, I'm surprised Truinfel's power concerns knocked him so far down the list. Does he just not get good lift/backspin when he hits the ball, or does he just not hit the ball as hard as you'd like for a guy to develop power?

How crazy is it that Felix Hernandez is younger than David Price?

Also, I think most Seattle fans who value defense don't mind Beltre's contract. He's an elite defender with an average bat for his position, which is worth a lot more than people give him credit for. In the grand scheme of Mariner contracts given out in the past few years, Beltre is much better than the likes of Silva, Washburn, Batista, Sexson, and Johjima.

Since I don't think he was signed in time for Top 100 consideration, would Fields have made the back end of the list if he'd been eligible?

I'm always struck by how international the Mariners' prospects seem. Without Fields and Rabun, ie one year ago, it seemed like there were zero U.S. players in the top 10 (may have been the BA list...) No larger point, just an observation.

Kevin, last year you noted a prospect in each system with a good chance of shooting up the ranks in 2008. Anything similar planned this year (or did the "sleeper" in each system replace that)? Thanks.

Yeah I'm not sure what's up with the Beltre jab either. He's the best defensive 3B in the game with a pretty solid bat.
And I don't understand how Triunfel isn't #1 if he really is 19 just today. He's got a lot of time for the power to develop and he's got all the tools to be above-average defensively at 3B or a corner OF spot if he has to.

Kevin, does DERA also adjust things up to the MLB level? Or is something off in the calculation possibly?

I'm looking at Aumont's numbers here and I just don't see how that could translate to a 6.47 DERA unless we're also taking A-ball stats and translating them to MLB level.

Thanks.

No to rub salt in anyone's wounds, but where would Chris Tillman rate in this system?

Is Halman really a 5 star prospect... or more of a 4 1/2?

truinfel... anyone else think this guy maybe older than listed? KLaw mentioned it in his rankings

Why is everyone always ragging on Beltre? This idea has been repeated so many ties that even people who should know better (BPro) think it. Since when has a +5.8 WARP guy not been worth $13M? His park adjusted slash line is .278/.342/.516. He's a defensive stud. People need to see through the noise and realize that Beltre has been a very good player and no one in Seattle should be happy to see him go.

Kevin--

I'm really interested in Cleto. Could you give me a sentence or two on him? What's the chance he's in next year's top 11?

So, Kevin, splain yourself. Why the Beltre dig? (just so you can understand why we all want to know, a huge frustration for Seattle fans who pay attention is the number of casual Seattle fans, writers, etc., that still talk about Beltre's contract like it was bad, while completely ignoring park effects and defense.)

It sounds like Triunfel might not have the power to move to 3B, but I've read other places about him moving the other direction from SS over to 2B. Power isn't as much of a concern there as it is at 3B. Is the move over to 2B still a possibility over 3b, or does the line "he'll likely lose the athleticism needed to play up the middle", definately exclude the move to 2B as well?

LOL....Halman a five star. And Fernando Martinez wasn't.

Not adding up.

Franklin Gutierrez misses the age cutoff by less than 6 weeks; where would he have fit on the combined list?

Adrian Beltre..I am pretty surprised he is getting so much love from M fans

13 mil/year gets you 25HR and .320 OBP and your justification is his defense?

I came in to complain that Rikkert Faneyte was born in the Netherlands and had a home run, but my crack research team has informed me that Faneyte had 132 homerless at-bats in the majors. Dang. Faneyte will always have the edge in triples, though. Take that, Eenhoorn!

Mike Carp: still no respect.

Do scouts really say "Hits for power when he gets his arms extended?" No MLB hitter has his arms extended at the point of contact. That is the definition of a long swing and bat drag.

I figured I'd mention it because I always saw Kevin post that blurb when talking about power numbers. It doesn't make sense.

Who knew M's fans were such a rowdy bunch :)?