World Series Edition: John Sickels Top 20 Cardinals and Rangers Prospects

Minor League Ball's John Sickels posted his Top 20 Prospects for the two World Series teams: Cardinals and Rangers recently, and here are the links:

St. Louis Cardinals Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball

Texas Rangers Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball

Here is what John had to say about the Cardinals third base prospect Zack Cox:

7) Zack Cox, 3B, Grade B: I've had some negative intuitive vibes about him, but he hit well enough in Double-A to ease some of those doubts. I still wonder about his home run power, which keeps him from a higher grade.

Cox hit .306-.363-.434 with 13 HRs, 27 doubles and 68 RBI in stints in High A and AA. His AA split was .293-.355-.432 with 10 HRs, 19 doubles and 48 RBI in 352 at bats.

More on John Sickels Top 20 Cardinals and Rangers, and Project Prospect's Top 10 High A and Low A hitting prospects after the jump:

John ranked 2011 draft pick Kolten Wong as his 4th ranked prospect in the Cardinals system, and here is what he wrote about him:

4) Kolten Wong, 2B, Grade B+. Pure hitter with few weaknesses and won't need long in the minors. Possible outcome: Todd Walker with a much better glove.

In 194 at bats in Low A this season, Wong hit .335-.401-.510 with 5 HRs, 15 doubles, 25 RBI and 9 stolen bases, and an excellent 24-21 K/BB rate. Wong is a name to remember on draft day for those in dynasty and keeper leagues.

John did not hesitate to hand out the A grade to Rangers shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar:

1) Jurickson Profar, SS, Grade A: He does everything except .300, and he might do that someday. His performance was all the more remarkable given how young he is. A truly elite talent.

Profar, as an 18 year old in Low A, hit .286-.390-.493 with 12 HRs, 37 doubles, 8 triples, 23 stolen bases and an excellent 63-65 K/BB rate in 430 at bats. He should be a Top 10 prospect in baseball in 2012.

Adam Foster from Project Prospect posted his Top 10 High A and Low A hitting prospects over the past few days, and here are a few excerpts:

High A

2

Tommy Joseph (eBay)

C

Had a monster 2nd half, especially power-wise; rarely walks

20.0

SF

4

Andrelton Simmons (eBay)

SS

Elite D, rarely Ks, limited power; plus arm could thrive on mound

21.8

ATL

Joseph followed up his 16 HR, 68 RBI 2010 performance in Low A with a .270-.317-.471 season with 22 HR, 33 doubles and 95 RBI in the hitter friendly Cal League. He needs to improve his 102-29 K/BB rate, but could push Giants catcher Buster Posey to first base in a few years if he can improve his plate discipline.

Low A

Rk		Player		Pos		Comments		Age		Org
1		Jurickson Profar (eBay)		SS		Up-the-middle defender who does just about everything well		18.4		TEX
2		Xander Bogaerts (eBay)		SS		Likely big leaguer but he may not have the speed for shortstop		18.7		BOS
3		Bryce Harper (eBay)		RF		Two more months in Low-A and he'd almost certainly be No. 1		18.7		WAS
4		Ronald Torreyes (eBay)		2B		Outstanding line-drive hitter but upside is limited; rarely Ks		18.8		CIN
5		Jonathan Schoop (eBay)		2B		Stayed afloat in A+ after being challenged with a June promo		19.7		BAL

Foster updated his Top 10 Low A rankings and I am surprised that he ranked Profar and Bogaerts ahead of Harper, but both are exceptions prospects, with Profar getting more love than Bogaerts from the experts, but that could change come 2012.