At Baseball America, Jim Callis of Wednesday 2PM ESPN Chat fame, does a column called "Ask BA". In it, he expands on questions he receives via the Wednesday chat or from those submitted directly to BA.
Last week, he was asked who was the best prospect duo. The questioner offered Kansas City's Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. Mr. Callis provided his Top 10 Prospect Duo list and has the Gordon/Butler combo ranked 4th.
| Rk | Batman | Robin | Bat Cave |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RHP Homer Bailey | OF Jay Bruce | (Reds) |
| 2 | OF Delmon Young | 3B Evan Longoria | (Devil Rays) |
| 3 | OF Cameron Maybin | LHP Andrew Miller | (Tigers) |
| 4 | 3B Alex Gordon | OF Billy Butler | (Royals) |
| 5 | OF Justin Upton | OF Chris Young | (Diamondbacks) |
| 6 | RHP Philip Hughes | OF Jose Tabata | (Yankees) |
| 7. | RHP Yovani Gallardo | 3B Ryan Braun | (Brewers) |
| 8 | SS Brandon Wood | RHP Nick Adenhart | (Angels) |
| 9 | RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka | OF Jacoby Ellsbury | (Red Sox) |
| 10 | SS Troy Tulowitzki | 3B Ian Stewart | (Rockies) |
I am surprised about the Tigers' duo given they have very little in ways of a proven professional track record. I'd tend towards the Kansas City duo for that reason - a more established track record at higher levels.
I am also surprised to see how highly Angels RHP Nick Adenhart is regarded. He has to be to get on this list. I'd have left the Red Sox duo off. I know Daisake is technically a rookie, but there is no prospect worth $100MM - agent fantasies aside. That disqualifies the Red Sox pair.
Mr. Callis also provided a Top Five Prospects Trio.
| Rk | Larry | Moe | Curly | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | OF Delmon Young | 3B Evan Longoria | SS Reid Brignac | (Devil Rays) | |
| 2. | OF Justin Upton | OF Chris Young | OF Carlos Gonzalez | (Diamondbacks) | |
| 3. | RHP Homer Bailey | OF Jay Bruce | 1B Joey Votto | (Reds) | |
| 4. | 3B Alex Gordon | OF Billy Butler | RHP Luke Hochevar | (Royals) | |
| 5. | 3B Andy LaRoche | LHP Clayton Kershaw | LHP Scott Elbert | (Dodgers) | |
From a fantasy perspective, I have no qualms with the choice to the DRays trio. After that, I'd take the Royals, Reds, Diamondbacks and Dodgers. Regardless of my fantasy-driven disagreements, both lists offer great information and opportunity for debate.
Who do you prefer?