Down On The Farm: Top Prospects By Position

A Fake Teams reader commented on Wednesday's Suggestion Thread asking for the best prospects by position, so here is my take:

C-Jesus Montero-one of the best hitters in all the minor leagues. He should get a September call up by the Yankees. He probably won't catch in the majors though, and he could be trade bait as GM Brian Cashman has already offered him twice in the past year. HM-Devin Mesoraco.

1B-Eric Hosmer-is hitting .310-.359-.632 in 155 at bats in AA with 11 HRs and 29 RBIs as a 20 year old. He is currently blocked by Billy Butler and Kila Ka'aihue with the Royals, but one could be dealt this offseason, and the other will DH. HM-Freddie Freeman.

2B-Brett Lawrie-he may not stay at 2B, but his bat is very good as evidenced by his 8-59-28-.288-.349-.461 line at AA Huntsville this season. HM-Dustin Ackley.

SS-Dee Gordon-Manny Machado was just drafted in 2010, and Gordon should be ready come 2012. Plus his SB potential should make him very valuable at a thin position. HM-Manny Machado. (Note-I own Gordon in the UBA keeper league).

3B-Mike Moustakas-the Royals will have a very good team in the next 2-3 years with Moustakas, Hosmer, catcher Wil Myers, and pitcher Mike Montgomery and John Lamb. Moustakas has had a breakout season in 2010 hitting .322-.372-.601 with 28 HRs and 99 RBIs between AA and AAA.HM-Lonnie Chisenhall.

OF-Domonic Brown/Desmond Jenning/Mike Trout-I included Brown here because I don't see him getting 150 at bats at the big league level this season. Brown and Jennings should be starters for the Phillies and Rays, respectively, in 2011 with Brown providing a power/speed combo, and Jennings providing solid BA and lots of SBs. Some think Trout could be ready in 2011, and Mike Scioscia apparently loves him, so you never know. HM-Jaff Decker, Jerry Sands, Bryce Harper.

SP-Julio Teheran/Jeremy Hellickson-Teheran has simply dominated at every level this season, moving from Low-A all the way to AA. His domination at AA is not as pronounced as it was in High-A and Low-A, but he is probably the best pitching prospect not named Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson has already proved he is ready to pitch, and dominate, at the major league level. HM-Aroldis Chapman, Michael Pineda, and Shelby Miller.