Down On The Farm: Midweek Prospect Chat With Baseball America's Jim Callis

Here are some excerpts from Wednesday's prospect chat over at Baseball America:

Kyle (Oxford): Do you see the recent exploits of Aroldis Chapman along with his improved control pushing him into your top ten prospects? I can't imagine another player having a bigger upside.

Jim Callis: I don't think he'll be in my Top 10. He has huge upside and can lay a claim to be the hardest-throwing lefthanded ever, but he lacks polish and I'm still not convinced he's going to wind up anywhere but in the bullpen.

It will be interesting how the Reds handle Chapman in 2011. It will not surprise me if they keep him in the bullpen.

Jim (Scranton, PA): Is Nick Franklin a top 100 prospect?

Jim Callis: Yes. He's been better offensively and defensively than expected, and that's saying a lot considering he was a first-round pick last year.

Franklin has showed some power this season, as he is hitting .286-,358-.494 with 22 HRs, 63 RBIs and 25 SBs.

Steve (NYC): Jim, thanks for the chat. Thoughts on Kyle Seager? I know he's playing in High Desert, but he's still having an impressive season, and his home/road splits are nearly identical - he's actually been slightly better on the road.

Jim Callis: Not a potential star, but he's one of the best second-base prospects in the minors.

Seager was the Mariners 3rd round pick in 2009, and is hitting .344-.419-.492 with 12 HRs, 66 RBIs and 13 SBs in High A.

Tony (Albuquerque): I'm in a keeper league and essentially i kept Teheran over Chapman. After last night and all the 105 mph hype I need some reassurance that i made the right choice. How do they compare to one another?

Jim Callis: I would have kept Teheran, too. Chapman obviously beat him to the big leagues, which was no surprise, but I like Teheran's future as a starter better.

I may have the 2nd or 3rd pick in the UBA NL-only keeper league minor league draft in 2011, and am seriously considering drafting Julio Teheran.