It's not easy discussing the prospects--which likely contributes to the silence here. In general everyone's "Top 10" above doesn't slight anyone, but leaves out some names that could be among the cream at the end of the 2009 season. I will take a stab at categorizing our prospects noting a few who either can or need to step up to gain year-end top 15, prospect status.

The very young take several spots in the lists above and include a lot of middle infielders. Rhee (P), Castro, Lee, Lake and Logan (all SS with a couple likely to play elsewhere) inclue the heralded Rhee and Lee who have to come back from injuries and are expected to do so. They are all about 19 as is the heralded Vitters (3B) our top prospect. All of these prospects need at least a year and probably two to establish their competitive abilities.

The 21-24 age group are the most interesting from a near-term (2009--2110), 25 man roster perspective. Samardzija is there, and guys like Pie, Cashner, Flaherty, Wellington, Caridad, Colvin, Atkins, Ascaino and Thomas could make that group. I like Cashner, Flaherty and Wellington's chances. Colvin's surgery could reveal the "expected" Colvin in 2009. But he, Pie, Ascaino and Thomas have to "do it now" because they have not lived up to expectations. Atkins and Caridad "emerged" last year and need to keep improving. Just as Atkins was a sleeper, Darwin Barney is too. A possible Theriot clone, he gets little respect because he brings no power to his considerable BA and middle infielder skills. Some in this age group, may help by being included in trades.

The older group, 25 and up, may yield a couple of solid 25 man roster guys for someone. We are all pulling for Hoffpauir. Jake Fox is someone's 25 man roster bat and ought to get us a good prospect in an AL trade. Brad Snyder is off the radar but on the 40 man roster because he has all of the outfield tools. Other off-the-radar guys with AAAA and minor league all star creds include outfielders Kroeger and Deeds. Fox, Kroeger and Deeds likely need the playing time that a non-contender could offer.

Hope springs eternal for all of these guys--even though they collectively may rank outside a top 15 MLB farm system. My take is that a half dozen of the names in the very young and middle groups will do very well in 2009 and our farm rating will be top 15 by next season's end. If JH is able to do a couple tweaking deals this winter, I would like to see us end up with a couple High A (or higher) power bats.

JimK, I was reading some posts earlier and saw you were from Indiana (specifically the Indy area), I'm in Brownsburg, only about 10 minutes west of 465. We may have to grab a beer and talk Cubs sometime.

Lows....It's amazing how many of us have those salt-of-the-earth, informed Hoosier creds. (Like everyone else, we are occasionally wrong--but never in doubt.) I'm up for the pub gathering, and there's also been a couple of others who like the idea. Kneisley is in the Indy directory (Northside area) so give me a call--after 1--24. I would opt for a gathering the first part of March or after Spring Training.

I promised you all at the end of the season that I would put together a social calendar for CCO gatherings and I have failed to do that. I will create a spot in the Community Blog that will allow folks a place to discuss possible get-togethers. Neil and I will be in Mesa for the first four games, so if any of you are there at that time we would like to meet you. Check the Community Blog section later for my entry!

Six guys I wouldn't trade under any circumstances, even for Peavy...

Josh Vitters
Jeff Samardzija
Tyler Colvin
Micah Hoffpauir
Mitch Atkins
Jeff Stevens