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As with most weeks, there is no shortage of prospect stories and writings across the Internet this week. Here's some of the best from the past week, including posts from myself and newly minted FT writer Craig Goldstein. In the upcoming weeks, John Sickels has also announced that he will be preparing his top 50 hitters and top 50 pitchers lists, as well as an integrated top 100 overall list.
Are you following us on Twitter? You can find me at @jasonsbaseball, Craig at @cdgoldstein, and Ray at @faketeams
Fake Teams
Minor League Prospects: Top 12 Hitters in '12 - FakeTeams
Craig Goldstein takes an in depth look at 12 hitting prospects who are poised to help your fantasy team in 2012.
Minor League Prospects: Top 12 Pitchers in'12 - FakeTeams
Craig Goldstein takes an in depth look at 12 pitching prospects who will help your fantasy team in 2012.
Minor League Keeper Thoughts: San Diego Padres - FakeTeams
I took a look at some of the top fantasy prospects from the San Diego Padres system, including Yonder Alonso and Robbie Erlin.
Minor League Ball
Oakland Athletics Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball
"3) A.J. Cole, RHP, Grade B+: Acquired from Nationals in Gio Gonzalez trade. I really believe in his upside. Needs to build stamina and refine his changeup, but if it comes together he could be a Top 20 pitching prospect next year, perhaps more."
Cincinnati Reds Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball
"2) Billy Hamilton, SS, Grade B+: Ridiculously fast and he uses that speed well. Lacks power and strikes out a lot, but I remain optimistic that his hitting skills will improve and thus the grade. Might end up at second base."
Chicago Cubs Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball
"2) Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Grade B+: Acquired today from Padres for Andrew Cashner. Nobody should panic about 128 at-bats. Although he's not going to hit .300 in the majors, Rizzo should provide plenty of power and walks and I think he'll make the needed adjustments. Maximum outcome: Ryan Howard. Worst-case: Chris Davis."
Fantasy Baseball 2012: Cheslor Cuthbert or Xander Bogaerts? - Minor League Ball
Ray Guilfoyle compares two promising prospects, Cheslor Cuthbert and Xander Bogaerts, asking who is the better long term prospect.
Baseball America
Baseball America Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Baltimore Orioles Top 10
Baseball America ranks the top prospects in Baltimore's system led by Dylan Bundy, Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop.
BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Chicago White Sox Top 10 Prospects
Chicago's top 10 prospects includes Addison Reed and Nestor Molina at the top of the list.
BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Cleveland Indians Top 10 Prospects
BA ranks Cleveland's top prospects, led by Francisco Lindor.
Baseball Instinct Top 360 Prospects: 120-81 | 80-41 | 40-1
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus | Future Shock: New York Mets Top 11 Prospects
Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus talks about his top 11 Mets prospects.
Bullpen Banter
Bullpen Banter | Milwaukee Brewers 2012 Top 15 Prospects
"The group of position players is an uninspiring one that mostly lacks upside. After a number of seasons filled with injuries and disappointment, Taylor Green re-established his prospect stock in the PCL last year. He makes contact and provides some power while playing adequate defense at third base. There is enough there to think he could end up becoming a solid regular – albeit one that you would continually look to upgrade from – but his hopes of doing that in Milwaukee will have to be put on hold with the signing of Aramis Ramirez."
Bullpen Banter: Seattle Mariners 2012 Top 15 Prospects
"The Mariners have a number of bat-first position prospects who hope to prove potent enough offensively to make up for their lack of defensive value. Guillermo Pimentel – an international free agent who ranked alongside Gary Sanchez and Miguel Sano – has huge raw power that makes him the most exciting of the bunch. His approach and hit tool need significant refinement in order for it to fully translate. Vinnie Catricala has played a number of positions poorly and should ultimately settle in at first base. He has a knack for making hard contact, but time will tell whether it’s enough to profile at that demanding of an offensive position."
Bullpen Banter - Washington Nationals 2012 Top 15 Prospects
"It’s almost a shame that the Nationals made the Gio Gonzalez deal as the farm system went from one of the best in baseball to merely good. I do not want to come across as not valuing major league talent – it often makes sense to cash in your prospect chips – but, putting aside my reservations about Gonzalez, it diminishes the zest with which I can endorse Washington’s system. Still, the top six includes some enviable names. Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon is the best 1-2 prospect tandem in the league; they are elite position players who should have little difficulty providing above average production on both sides of the field."
Fangraphs
Top 15 Prospects: New York Mets | FanGraphs Baseball
"Wheeler is ready for the challenge of double-A and he should spend the majority of the season at that level. The organization may be tempted to call on him if the starting rotation struggles but he could use another full season in the minors before facing big league hitters."
Seedlings to Stars
Top 100 Snubs List: AL East | AL West
S2S 2012 Team Prospect Lists: Arizona Diamondbacks - Seedlings to Stars
S2S 2012 Team Prospect Lists: Atlanta Braves - Seedlings to Stars
S2S 2012 Team Prospect Lists: Baltimore Orioles - Seedlings to Stars
S2S 2012 Team Prospect Lists: Boston Red Sox - Seedlings to Stars
Other Sites
Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog has a two part Q&A with Kevin Goldstein regarding the Mets' top 11. Part 1 | Part 2
JaysProspects.com – 140 characters with…. Baseball America’s Jim Callis
Doug Plourd of JaysProspects.com has a great Twitter interview with BA's Jim Callis.