More on Prospects

A quick analysis of the list shows the strengths of the system--outfield, middle relief, and back-end starting pitching.  It might be helpful to provide a breakdown (of the top 25) based on projected MLB arrival (assuming--absurdly--that they all will make it). By "arrival" I mean more than a few short stints and a September call-up.

2011:

1. Nishioka

2. Gibson

3. Gutierrez

4. Waldrop

5. Slama

2012:

1. Revere

2. Wimmers

3. Benson

4. Bromberg

5. Parmelee

6. Tosoni

7. Holbrooks

2013:

1. Hicks

2. Morales

3. Hendriks

4. Salcedo

5. Soliman

6. Hermsen

7. Rosario

8. Ortiz

9. Dean

2014:

1. Sano

2. Arcia

3. Kepler-Rozycki

4. Goodrum

As you can see, things at the MLB level might look entirely different starting next season.  The OF depth in the system could mean an OF of Revere-Span-Benson next year with Young at DH and Tosoni as the 4th OF (much more upside than Jason Repko).  I would expect one or two of those players to be traded, however (Revere and  Tosoni) first, so Michael Cuddyer might still be around next year.  2013 could potentially mean the arrival of Hicks and Morales, the two OF that I rank highest in the system. A Benson-Hicks-Morales OF is possible in 2013.

Gibson, Wimmers, and Hendriks all have 2-3 starter potential, and Bromberg might surprise as well.  Salcedo and Soliman could turn out to the be the cream of the crop (2011 is a big year for both of them). Like the OF, I expect the rotation to look very different by 2013 (hopefully with Liriano at the top).