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Jim Callis' Ask BA column on Friday took the following question first:

What do you think if the numbers that Marlins righthander Rick Vanden Hurk and Mariners catcher Jeff Clement are putting up out here in Hawaii Winter Baseball? Vanden Hurk's ERA is a little high (4.11), but he has 55 strikeouts in 35 innings. Clement isn't catching every day here, so maybe that has something to do with it, but his statistics are lousy: .174 average, one homer and 12 strikeouts in 46 at-bats.

SSgt Justin Rusnak

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

The answer regarding Clement (WI '05) from Callis follows:

Clement has had a strange year. Though the Mariners had Kenji Johjima in the big leagues, they jumped Clement to Double-A. He got off to a good start before he jammed his left knee into a wall while chasing a foul popup, requiring surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Clement also had bone chips removed from his left elbow and missed two months. When he came back, Seattle inexplicably promoted him to Triple-A, where he predictably struggled.

I'm giving Clement, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 draft, the benefit of the doubt. He has been hurt and he has been pushed, and I still believe in his bat. His main point of emphasis is supposed to be his defense, which may be taking away from his offense. With Johjima coming off a solid rookie season and signed for two more years, I could see the Mariners moving Clement to another position to turn his bat loose and get it in their major league lineup sooner.

There is a Hawaii Winter Baseball Top 15 prospect list for BA subscribers. Clement checks in at number 13.

Only three other Midwest Leaguers make the list and they all played this season. John Mayberry, Jr of Clinton is #2; Will Venable of Fort Wayne is #11; and John Whittleman of Clinton is #15.

Also for BA subscribers, there is a list of top 20 prospects in the just completed Arizona Fall League. No ex-Rattlers on that list. Only three players with Midwest League ties made that list. #10 Kevin Slowey who was with Beloit in 2005; #16 Mark Reynolds, s South Bend Silver Hawk in 2005; and #20 Eric Patterson who played for Peoria in '05.

Brewer fans take note. Ryan Braun was named the #2 prospect in the AFL this year.