The Great Karnack says.....PT 5 Matt Laporta goes down!

National League Central
1. St. Louis (100-62)
2. Milwaukee (91-71)
3. Pittsburgh (90-72)
4. Houston (81-81)
5. Cincinnati (79-83)
6. Chicago Cubs (70-92)

National League West
1. LA Dodgers (101-61)
2. Colorado (92-70)
3. Arizona (88-74)
4. San Fransisco (79-83)
5. San Diego (62-100)

That wraps it up on how I see the teams will fair this season. Hopefully there will be some surprises this year so who really knows how things will turn out. I do see some bright spots as I look for Pittsburgh and Arizona to make some serious improvements this year and could have the potential to make some noise. It's also possible that we could see Atlanta take back the NL East crown from Philadelphia. Will the Red Sox choke? Will Jeter and Rodriguez finally have their marriage? Will Clemens come clean this year like McGwire did? Will Pittsburgh break 3,500 in attendance for one game? Will the Mets blow another 13 game lead? Will Adam Lind continue his hot streak and game improvements? Let the 2010 season begin and we shall see!

On a side note:
I found it rather amusing that everyone thought Matt Laporta was GOD and there was a lot of those goobers on the message boards that swear he was the NEXT BIG THING! Well let me ask you guys, "how did that turn out"? However it looks like the crown has been passed to Jason Heyward who is supposed to be an "Outfield Albert Pujols". I guess only time will tell.

Arizona Fall League: One of Baseball's Best-Kept Secrets

Though it doesn't captivate the mainstream audience, it's tough for any fan who follows prospects to ignore the Arizona Fall League. It's an under-the-radar, easily accessible venue for prospects, and it's chock-full of the best in the minors each year. Baseball America's latest Scout's Diary puts it perfectly; I encourage you to read it. A quick summation: "Why do fans flock to spring training games, paying top dollar for tickets, hotel rooms and flights, when they can visit the same warm city and the same ballparks in the fall for much less money and hassle and see many of the same great, young players?" I wonder the same thing.

ESPN's Keith Law shares a similar sentiment: "You'll be one of maybe 100 fans at a day game, and maybe 300-400 at a typical night game. In any one game you'll see at least a half-dozen guys who project as above-average major leaguers or more. Getting around is easy. Unlike spring training you can duck out of an AFL stadium after BP, grab a bite to eat, and be back for first pitch".

I persuaded my sister to check out a game, what with me being 1,400 miles away from the action, and she did not disappoint. Here are dozens of great shots from the October 17th Peoria-Mesa matchup. Braves OF Jason Heyward and Marlins OF Mike Stanton were the top two attractions, but there were many other excellent prospects on the rosters. Unfortunately, Cubs SS Starlin Castro, Red Sox SS Jose Iglesias, Reds RHP Mike Leake, Braves LHP Mike Minor, and others did not appear in this game.

Mesa's home stadium is HoHoKam Park, the spring training site of the Cubs

Heyward is the top prospect in baseball for me

The 20-year-old is polishing his game in Arizona

He'll be in Atlanta next year

Heyward drew a walk and stole a base this game

I don't think it's possible to go overboard on pictures when a future superstar is inches away

Mike Stanton and his 80 raw power get loose on deck

Cubs 3B Josh Vitters and Twins OF Rene Tosoni are behind Stanton

A fearsome sight for minor league hurlers: Mike Stanton strolling to the plate

Stanton takes a vicious hack

Stanton launched a homer this game that left the entire stadium--reportedly over 430 feet

Boston's Casey Kelly, better known for his pitching exploits, is playing shortstop in the AFL

Kelly is a pretty good infield prospect, but he will realize his future is on the mound soon

Yonder Alonso, the #1 prospect for the Reds

Craig Kimbrel, an electric Braves righty who finished second in MiLB K/9 this season

Canadian slugger Nick Weglarz, of the Indians

Marlins OF Bryan Petersen (#2) is putting his name on the map in the AFL

Padres C Mitch Canham, the O-State Balla himself

The scouts' section

Only a smattering of fans are seeing tomorrow's stars

Blue Jays 1B David Cooper and Padres OF Cedric Hunter, both of whom saw their stock drop in 2009

Indians infielder Carlos Rivero

And lastly, it's a little off-topic, but it's never too early to start getting ready for the next college baseball season. BA's list of top recruiting classes was released a few days ago, with Florida, Stanford, and Arizona State grabbing the top three spots. Check out the full list here.

State of the System: Atlanta Braves

Quick Look

Atlanta's unprecedented run of consecutive division titles is squarely in the rear-view mirror, but the Braves are still showing that they know how to develop impact young talent. Brian McCann, Jair Jurrjens, and Tommy Hanson have reached the majors, while Jason Heyward and others are close behind. The Phillies seem to have firm control of the NL East, and the Braves will need homegrown talent to overtake them. While they aren't super-deep in the minors, any team would love to have players with ceilings like Heyward and Julio Teheran.

Top Prospects

Jason Heyward, of

Age: 20 Level: Triple-A-MLB

Heyward is the finest prospect in the game today. Despite just turning 20, the lefty tore up the minors en route to capturing the 2009 Baseball America Player of the Year award. Heyward has a polished, thunderous bat, good instincts and aptitude, athleticism, and a strong arm. He has a legitimate chance to be one of the game's next superstars.

Freddie Freeman, 1B

Age: 20 Level: Double-A-Triple-A

Freeman has paired with Heyward to form a fearsome middle-of-the-order duo the last two seasons. The former isn't nearly the caliber of prospect that the latter is, but the California native is talented in his own right. Freeman has a feel for hitting, power potential, and nimble actions at first base. He projects as more of a productive regular than a stud, and he'll return to Double-A in 2010.

Mike Minor, lhp

Age: 21 Level: Low A-Double-A

A personal favorite of mine, Minor went 7th overall in this year's draft after a standout career at Vanderbilt. He doesn't have knockout stuff, as his fastball comfortably resides in the high-80s and touches 92 mph. He balances that out with a plus changeup, solid slider, inchoate curveball, and a knack for pitching. Minor is a good bet to carve out a long career as a mid-rotation starter.

Julio Teheran, rhp

Age: 18 Level: Low A-High A

A gem from the 2007 international signing class, Teheran was hampered by injury problems last year. (Some wonder if they were a result of his unorthodox arm action.) Returning to full health this year, Teheran showed why he is considered a future rotation-topper. The 6-2, 150-pounder hits the mid-90s and displays an advanced swing-and-miss changeup. The Colombia native lacks is a consistent breaking ball, which should come with experience.

Craig Kimbrel, rhp

Age: 21 Level: Triple-A-MLB

Kimbrel was one of the most fascinating prospects to track in 2009. He bombed at High A Myrtle Beach to begin the season, regathered himself in Low A, then pitched so well that he finished the year in Triple-A. Kimbrel recorded mind-boggling statistics, too, with more than 15 strikeouts and 6 walks per 9 innings. The 5-11, 205-pounder will probably never have the control to close, but his high-octane arsenal (fastball that has reached 98 with life, and a vicious slider) makes him an intriguing future set-up man.

Zeke Spruill, rhp

Age: 20 Level: Low A-High A

Spruill flashed a very promising skill set in his first full professional season this year in Low A. The 2008 2nd-rounder handled batters with a low-90s sinker, while making strides with his other deliveries. The Georgia native, loose and projectable at 6-4, 184, put up a 3.25 ERA over 135 IP in 2009. Spruill throws strikes and maintains a healthy groundball-flyball ratio.

Randall Delgado, rhp

Age: 19 Level: Low A-High A

Delgado has an electric arm, but is still refining his craft. He went 5-10, 4.35, with 10.2 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 this year. The Panamanian throws a 92-94 mph fastball on a downward plane, and flashes a power breaking ball. He's a definite project, but Delgado offers excellent upside.

Brett Oberholtzer, lhp

Age: 20 Level: Rookie-High A

Oberholtzer has 3 pitches that grade out as serviceable or better, and he used them to plow through inferior Appy League competition this season (2.01 ERA, 56-6 K-BB ratio). He's ready to be pushed a little faster.

Brett DeVall, lhp

Age: 19 Level: Low A-High A

DeVall, a sandwich pick in last year's draft, was limited by injuries to 53 innings this season. He is still advanced for a high school pitcher, though, with 3 pitches (his changeup rates the highest) and a feel for pitching. DeVall has the frame to absorb a lot of quality innings, but unless he gains a few ticks on his heater or sharpens his hook, his ceiling won't be all that high.

Todd Redmond, rhp

Age: 24 Level: Triple-A-MLB

The Braves landed Redmond from the Pirates for Tyler Yates in 2008. He has ridden his command and pitchability to the cusp of the big leagues. Redmond posted a 4.41 ERA in Triple-A this year and was stellar for Team USA in the World Cup. He has been durable and dependable throughout his minor league career, but Redmond's lack of a dominant pitch will relegate him to a back-of-the-rotation or middle-relief role in the majors.

Others: RHPs Luis Valdez, J.J. Hoover, and David Hale; OFs Cody Johnson and Adam Milligan

Impact Talent: A

Farm System Depth: C-

2010 Breakout Prospect

Christian Bethancourt, c

Age: 18 Level: Rookie-Low A

Bethancourt played like a much older player this year. He showed all-around skills while hitting an aggregate .277/.342/.446. Bethancourt, who is 6-2, 175, is a long way from the majors, but he could become a household name if he continues to put up numbers in 2010.

A Few Updates

There are some noteworthy events going on in the world of baseball:

• The Triple-A championship game will pit Durham (83-61 and International League champs) against Memphis (77-67, Pacific Coast League champs). The best part of the matchup is Bulls ace Jeremy Hellickson. The 22-year-old righthander has been tremendous this year (2.45 ERA in 114 IP), especially in Triple-A (11.0 K/9 and .157 OBA). He'll be able to showcase his low-90s fastball, effective curveball and changeup, and control before a national audience--the game airs on ESPN2 at 7:00 ET.
• The Cardinals voided the contract of their big 2009 Latin American expenditure, Dominican OF Wagner Mateo, who received $3.1 million back in July. St. Louis cited "pre-existing injuries and physical defects".
• Giants prospect Angel Vilalona, 19, is suspected of murder in his native Dominican Republic, and appeared in court yesterday.
• On a lighter note, Baseball America recently gave Braves OF Jason Heyward the 2009 Minor League Player of the Year award.

Jeremy Hellickson

*Photo courtesy of www.milb.com

AFL Rosters Released

Rosters for the Arizona Fall League were released this week, and the 18th edition of the circuit, which starts on October 13, is shaping up to be as strong as usual. Here are some of the highlights for each team's roster.

Phoenix Desert Dogs

Top Prospect: RHP Stephen Strasburg (Nationals). Strasburg will be of the most well-known players in fall league history when he takes the hill for the 5-time defending AFL champs. This year's top pick is probably just looking to get acclimated to pro ball in preparation for a major league call-up next year.

Pitchers: 10th overall pick Drew Storen, also a Nationals righthander, will close for Phoenix. Orioles RHP Brandon Erbe will continue to try to harness his electric stuff in the rotation. RHPs Heath Rollins and Matt Gorgen are sleepers for the Rays.

Position Players: The Desert Dogs will be putting up a lot of crooked numbers. They have Derek Norris (Nationals) and J.P. Arencibia (Blue Jays) sharing catching duties; Jemile Weeks (A's), David Cooper (Blue Jays), Brandon Snyder (Orioles), Josh Bell (Orioles), and Chris Marrero (Nationals) in the infield; and Corey Brown (A's) and Grant Desme (A's) in the outfield.

Peoria Javelinas

Top Prospect: OF/1B Dustin Ackley (Mariners). The 2nd overall pick this year will start his pro career in Arizona. He has amazing contact hitting ability, and hopefully we'll get a chance to see him play some outfield.

Pitchers: The Javelinas have a decent collection of arms. Their best are Phillippe Aumont (Mariners), Cody Satterwhite (Tigers), Joshua Fields (Mariners), Travis Schlichting (Dodgers), Robbie Weinhardt (Tigers), and Zach Braddock (Brewers).

Position Players: The Javelinas' outfield is highlighted by Jordan Danks (White Sox), Andrew Lambo (Dodgers), and Lorenzo Cain (Brewers). Infielders Scott Sizemore (Tigers), Cale Iorg (Tigers), Dayan Viciedo (White Sox), and Taylor Green (Brewers) are all solid prospects, as is catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers). 1B/OF Ryan Strieby (Tigers) can mash. Mariners SS Carlos Triunfel will try to salvage his 2009 after a broken leg knocked him out of the regular season.

Surprise Rafters

Top Prospect: 1B Ike Davis (Mets). Davis, a 2008 1st-round pick from Arizona State, has assuaged concerns over his rough pro debut by putting together a nice 2009 campaign.

Pitchers: The Surprise rotation will consist of RHPs Ian Kennedy (Yankees), Lance Lynn (Cardinals), Danny Gutierrez (Royals), and some other lesser-known players. Lightning-armed righty Adam Reifer (Cardinals) is their most logical choice for closer.

Position Players: 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) is the biggest name, but he has been disappointing. SS Jeff Bianchi (Royals) and 2B Daniel Descalso (Cardinals) have both had excellent years, and they'll make a solid double-play combination. The Rafters' outfield is headlined by Daryl Jones (Cardinals) and David Lough (Royals). Austin Romine (Yankees) and Bryan Anderson (Cardinals) make for a good catching duo. 1B/OF Mitch Moreland can hit, too.

Peoria Saguaros

Top Prospect: OF Jason Heyward (Braves). The top hitting prospect in the game will take some more hacks in the AFL. Though he's only 20, he's auditioning for a 2010 call-up.

Pitchers: 2009 1st-rounder Mike Minor (Braves), a lefthander from Vanderbilt, will front the rotation. Craig Kimbrel (Braves), Connor Graham (Indians), Zach Putnam (Indians), Steve Garrison (Padres), Chia-Jen Lo (Astros), Evan Scribner (Padres) are also worth keeping an eye on.

Position Players: Peoria will be exciting to watch, as they'll feature an explosive offense. Flanking Heyward in the outfield will be Chris Heisey (Reds), Nick Weglarz (Indians), Cedric Hunter (Padres), and Jon Gaston (Astros). Hot-shots Yonder Alonso (Reds) and Freddie Freeman (Braves) will share first base; and Lance Zawadzki (Padres), Zack Cozart (Reds), Brandon Hicks (Braves), and Carlos Rivero (Indians) will also be in the infield. Even though Astros #1 prospect Jason Castro won't need much help behind the dish, Mitch Canham (Padres) and Matt McBride (Indians) will be quality backups.

Scottsdale Scorpions

Top Prospect: C Buster Posey (Giants). Posey's an athletic backstop and an elite hitter who's reached Triple-A one year out of college. He could be in the majors soon.

Pitchers: Nobody jumps out in the Scottsdale staff, but they should find a couple competent arms out a group that includes Joe Martinez (Giants), Bryan Augenstein (Diamondbacks), Mike Cisco (Phillies), Steve Edlefsen (Giants), Michael Schwimer (Phillies), and Cesar Valdez (Diamondbacks). The rest of the bunch--particularly Daniel Moskos, Donnie Veal, Tony Watson, and Scott Mathieson--is synonymous with unfulfilled expectations.

Position Players: The Scorpions are going to score runs in bunches. Domonic Brown (Phillies) is an elite prospect, Jose Tabata (Pirates) can rake if he's focused, Thomas Neal (Giants) has put up a .332/.422/.582 line this year, Brandon Allen (Diamondbacks) is a big bopper, Collin Cowgill (Diamondbacks) is similar to Cody Ross and hits more like his 5-9 frame suggests, Wilin Rosario (Rockies) has major upside, Darin Holcomb (Rockies) is a professional hitter, and Steve Susdorf (Phillies) is a sleeper.

Mesa Solar Sox

Top Prospect: OF Mike Stanton (Marlins). Stanton has unlimited raw power, as well as athleticism and aptitude. The AFL will be an outstanding barometer of his hit tool, as he'll be facing upper-level pitching every day. He'll be fun to watch regardless of how many whiffs he might rack up.

Pitchers: Pitching won't be Mesa's forte. The best of the lot after Cubs hurlers Andrew Cashner and Blake Parker is low-upside arms like Alex Burnett (Twins), Mike McCardell (Twins), John Gaub (Cubs), and Dustin Richardson (Red Sox).

Position Players: The Solar Sox will have a bevy of high-profile prospects dotting their lineup: Josh Vitters (Cubs), Matt Dominguez (Marlins), Ryan Kalish (Red Sox), Rene Tosoni (Twins), Peter Bourjos (Angels), Starlin Castro (Cubs), Hank Conger (Angels), Luis Exposito (Red Sox), and Chris Parmelee (Twins).

*Logos courtesy of www.milb.com

Heyward's Season Getting Beyond Belief

Jason Heyward is a beast. Even though the Braves outfield prospect won't turn 20 until this weekend, the 2007 1st-rounder is obliterating good minor league competition. After launching another homer tonight, he raised his line to .423/.508/.742 with 5 dingers over 29 Double-A games. That brings his season OPS to an unreal 1.013. Heyward hits for average, hits for power, has good plate discipline, is an above-average defender in right field, is athletic, has great makeup, and has the track record to back up the scouting reports. The 6-4, 220-pounder is quickly becoming the unanimous #1 prospect in all of baseball.

Jason Heyward

*Photo courtesy of www.milb.com

World Team Takes Futures Game, 7-5

Today was one of the best days of the year for any avid prospect-follower: it was the Futures Game! There was a 4+ hour rain delay in the middle of the first inning, which unfortunately cut the game down to 7 innings, but there was still some good action.

Chris Tillman, a righty on the cusp of the big leagues for the Orioles, got the start for the U.S. His command looked shaky, and he allowed a walk, 2 hits, and 2 runs. Chalk it up to nerves; it seems like every hurler that takes the mound in top of the first of the Futures Game is a bit off his game. To be fair, one of the hits was just a dribbler in front of the plate, and Tillman did flash a low-90s fastball and a 12-to-6 knee-buckler.

Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, on the other hand, looked to be in complete control in the bottom half. (Feliz wasn't slated to start, but the rain delay wiped out Red Sox RHP Junichi Tazawa's scheduled inning.) Working exclusively from the stretch as he prepares to join the Rangers' big league bullpen, Feliz gassed up Rockies 2B Eric Young, Jr., Rays OF Desmond Jennings, and A's 1B Chris Carter. His only blemish was a 10-pitch walk to Cardinals 3B Brett Wallace. Feliz took the prize for highest radar gun reading of the day, too, reportedly touching triple digits. He had his trademark smooth motion and lightning-quick arm, but I didn't see any secondary pitches of note. (He didn't need them today.)

Rockies RHP Jhoulys Chacin was the only other World pitcher who had a stellar outing. He walked one, but he also fanned 2 and breezed through a scoreless frame. Chacin caught several batters out in front on his changeup, a plus pitch for the 21-year-old.

On the U.S. side, several pitchers looked good, and none moreso than Phillies RHP Kyle Drabek. The 2006 1st-rounder and Tommy John alum whipped through a 10-pitch second inning. He touched 96 with his fastball, tossed at least one nasty curve, and showed substantially better command and maturity than I expected.

Mat Latos, in the midst of a breakout year for the Padres, also handled an inning of work with ease. It only took the 6-foot-6 righty 8 pitches (all sinking fastballs from 94-96 mph) to retire the World in order. I wasn't all that high on Latos coming into the year, but I can't argue with his Futures Game performance or his 8-1, 1.37 (and 6.1 K-BB ratio) performance in the minors this year.

Red Sox RHP Casey Kelly, who used just 9 pitches to work through a perfect 6th inning for the U.S. team, also came as advertised. Despite being just 19 years old and a part-time shortstop, he had an easy delivery, 92-93 mph fastball, good curveball, poise, and control. (He's shaping up to be one of the very best pitching prospects in the game with the year he's had.) Kelly induced a groundout and a pair of flyouts before leaving.

Mariners OF Tyson Gillies was one of the primary offensive stars for the World, as he electrified the game with his speed. He got to first in 3.4 seconds on a drag bunt, and he also swiped a couple of bases. Jennings actually one-upped Gillies, stealing 3 on the day.

Besides that, the biggest storyline of the game was shoddy defensive play. C Tyler Flowers (White Sox) and 2B Jemile Weeks (A's) both committed throwing errors for the U.S., as did 3B Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) for the World team. All of those errors came in crucial spots and led to runs. Weeks tried to come up with a spectacular play on a grounder up the middle, but tossed it past SS Danny Espinosa (Nationals). That helped the 4-run 7th-inning outburst that led the World to victory. Chris Carter also couldn't glove a ball down the line that inning, and it resulted in a go-ahead double. It was a tough play, but the defensively-challenged Carter would've done well to at least block it up and prevent a run. That ball was tagged by pinch-hitter Rene Tosoni, earning the Twins outfielder MVP honors for the game.

Before the World comeback, U.S. backstop Jason Castro was in line for the post-game hardware. In addition to throwing out Padres speed demon Luis Durango at 3rd base, Castro smacked a go-ahead 3-run homer in the 5th inning (one of two shots in the game, along with Young's 3rd-inning shot off Cardinals RHP Francisco Samuel). Castro, the 10th overall pick last year out of Stanford, is having a solid year overall, batting .304/.383/.478, albeit in hitter-friendly conditions.

A couple other players who I was impressed with were Cubs IF Starlin Castro, Braves OF Jason Heyward, and Brewers 2B Brett Lawrie. You can also check out the box score for all the details.

And before I wrap it up, I want to express a problem I have with the Futures Game format: Why are organizations limited to only 2 participants? And related to that, why does each organization and as many different countries as possible need to be represented? We got to witness today what mess it can cause. While prospects like Buster Posey, Tim Alderson, Wade Davis, and Michael Taylor sat at home and watched, players such as Chia-Jen Lo, K.D. Kang, and Luis Perez played poorly as their organization or country's lone rep. I think it'd be great to allow deep organizations to fill more than 2 roster slots. It would just illustrate how their system is thriving. Same with the countries. Instead of having a mediocre Korean representative, the Dominican Republic or Venezuela should take up another roster spot, assuming the top available talent is from there. If 2/3 of the roster was from the D.R., that just shows how much of a hotbed it is. And if a team or a country can't muster up a competent player, then just shut them out of the game to show its current quality. Seriously, who would rather have those players in the game than Buster Posey? For the sake of having the absolute cream of the crop and not just a certain number from each team, the cap should be lifted. Other than that, this year's Futures Game was amazing yet again.

Neftali Feliz

Casey Kelly

Jason Heyward

*Photos courtesy of www.yahoo.com and www.mlb.com