Project Prospect's Early Look at Top 25 Low A Prospects

Adam Foster posted his Top 25 Low A Prospects last week and he notes the following regarding the list::

Methodology: Only players who were a deviation below level-average age were considered for the list above. The average Low-A age in 2011 was approximately 22, with a standard deviation of approximately 2. Players were ranked based simply on deviations from level-average age, strikeout percentage, walk percentage and isolated power. The position that the player primarily played for the final two months of the season was also factored into the rankings.

Here are his Top 5 Low A prospects:

1. Jurickson Profar, TEX

2. Bryce Harper, WAS

3. Xander Bogaerts, BOS

4, Ronald Torreyes, CIN

5. Cheslor Cuthbert, KC

Cuthbert hit .267-.345-.397 with 8 HRs, 51 RBI and a solid 65-36 K/BB rate as an 18 year old in Low A. If Moustakas doesn't pan out, or is traded, the Royals have Cuthbert who will be ready in 3-4 years. 

More from Project Prospect after the jump:

Adam also posted his Top 10 AA Position Prospects with a similar disclaimer as for the Top 25 Low A Prospects list. Here are his Top 5 AA position prospects:

1.  Mike Trout, LAA

2.  Derek Norris, WAS

3. Wil Myers, KC

4. Salvador Perez, KC

5. Tyler Pastornicky, ATL

What caught my attention with the AA list was that Adam ranked Norris ahead of Toronto catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud. Here is what he noted about Norris:

Power hitter will K & BB a lot; he's a good bet to stick at catcher

Norris hit just .210-.367-.446 with 20 HRs, 46 RBI, 17 doubles, 13 stolen bases in 14 attempts, and an excellent 117-77 K/BB rate in 334 at bats at AA Harrisburg in 2011. I imagine he will move up to AAA this season, and could serve as Wilson Ramos' backup in 2013.