Midwest League Top 20 Prospects

BA.com's Top 20 Midwest League Prospects. Here is the whole list. The Timber Rattler on the list will have his scouting report. Plus, at the end, I'll pull out a few quotes from the chat that Jim Callis had with readers at the time.

1. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
2. Travis Snider, of, Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays)
3. Brett Anderson, lhp, South Bend (Diamondbacks)
4. Gorkys Hernandez, of, West Michigan (Tigers)
5. Hank Conger, c, Cedar Rapids (Angels)
6. Carlos Triunfel, ss, Wisconsin (Mariners)

Triunfel arrived in Wisconsin with some fanfare after signing for $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic last summer, yet he still took the league by storm. At 17 the MWL's youngest player, he batted .308 and showed off a cannon arm until he fouled a pitch off his right thumb and broke it in late May. Once he healed, he moved up to high Class A and kept hitting.

Triunfel has considerable offensive promise but also several adjustments to make. He didn't show much power or patience in his pro debut. The pop should come in time, though he'll have to tone down his approach.

7. Jose Ceda, rhp, Peoria (Cubs)
8. Gerardo Parra, of, South Bend (Diamondbacks)
9. Josh Bell, 3b, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
10. Drew Stubbs, of, Dayton (Reds)
11. Tyler Herron, rhp, Quad Cities (Cardinals)
12. Omar Poveda, rhp, Clinton (Rangers)
13. Jeff Manship, rhp, Beloit (Twins)
14. John Whittleman, 3b, Clinton (Rangers)
15. Juan Francisco, 3b, Dayton (Reds)
16. Drew Miller, rhp, Fort Wayne (Padres)
17. Kasey Kiker, lhp, Clinton (Rangers)
18. Sean O'Sullivan, rhp, Cedar Rapids (Angels)
19. Trevor Cahill, rhp, Kane County (Athletics)
20. Tyler Robertson, lhp, Beloit (Twins)

Q:	Richard from Ft. Lauderdale asks: In regards to Alessandro Maestri and Alex Liddi, is there a chance that we could see Italians playing major league baseball?
A:	Jim Callis: There's a chance, but it's a ways off. Maestri is fringy and Liddi has some potential but a long way to develop physically and as a baseball player.

Q:	cjb from madison, wi asks: 5 years from now who is more dominate....clayton kershaw or felix hernandez?
A:	Jim Callis: I'll still take Felix.

Q:	Pedro Lopez from Boston asks: Does Carlos Triunfel has the the power to play 3B? of the two SS signed as international free agent in 06 that made there American debut this year, Oscar Tejeda and Carlos Triunfel, who has the better chance to stay at SS? and who has the better power potential and overall offensive Package?
A:	Jim Callis: Triunfel does project to hit enough to play third base, which is good news, because the scouts I talked to say he's destined to move there. He lacks the range, speed and athleticism for shortstop. Boston's Oscar Tejeda is a legit shortstop, but Triunfel has shown more with the bat to this point.

Q:	Bill Dictus from Madison, Wis. asks: Has Tony Butler's ultimate ceiling been affected by this season?
A:	Jim Callis: Not really. He got off to a bad start, got hurt, then finished strong. I did have a scout who said his arm action caused him to worry about his control and durability. But Butler is still a big lefty with quality stuff, so the ceiling is still high.