Down On The Farm: Profiling Baseball America's Mid-Season Top 25 Prospects

Here is part 2 of my look at Baseball America's Top 25 mid-season prospects. BA published their top 25 list on Friday.

11. Michael Pineda-SEA-Pineda will more than likely be called up to replace recently traded Cliff Lee, and for good reason. He has absolutely dominated two levels this season. In 17 starts this season, he is 10-1 with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.087 WHIP. He has struck out 106 and walked 28 in 99 IP. He should be picked up in AL-only leagues and in keeper leagues.

13. Eric Hosmer-KC-Hosmer was the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 draft, and appears to have a very bright future. In 315 at bats this year, Hosmer is absolutely raking to the tune of .349-.424-.540 with 7 HRs and 50 RBIs. Hosmer has even thrown in 11 SBs, so he has plenty of potential for fantasy owners in keeper leagues. Hosmer's home ballpark in High A Wilimington is a pitchers park, so once he is moved up to AA, he could duplicate what Mike Moustakas is doing in AA for the Royals.

15. Brett Lawrie-MILW-Lawrie was the 16th pick in the 2008 draft as a second baseman, but all indications are he will not stay at 2B, and could play right field for the Brewers, and that could be as soon as 2011 with the Brewers fielding offers for Corey Hart. Lawrie is hitting .295-.359-.473 with 6 HRs, 44 RBIs and 24 SBs, so he has plenty of value to fantasy owners, especually those in keeper leagues. Lawrie would have more value as a second baseman, but it appears the Brewers will keep Rickie Weeks for now. I could see Lawrie getting the call up in 2011 at some point.

17. Simon Castro-SD-Castro is San Diego's top pitching prospect after Mat Latos was called up last season. Castro hasn't received much press, except for those in the prospect community, but he has pitched very well for the last year and a half. This year, he is 5-2 in his 15 starts, with a 2.74 ERA and 1.078 WHIP. He has a 76-27 K/BB rate in 85.1 innings pitched. He could be in the SD rotation as soon as 2011, and should offer plenty of value to fantasy owners pitching in Petco Park. ESPN's Keith Law has compared him to Mat Latos in the past.

I will complete part 3 in the next day or two, with Brian offering his opinion on the rest of the Top 25 over the next few days.