Rating shortstops

Jim at Bernie's Crew ranks his top 5 prospects in the Brewers organization.

1.) Alcides Escobar
2.) Josh Prince ('09)
3.) Brent Brewer
4.) Carlos Geroge
5.) Yohannis Perez

Jim notes that if Scooter Gennett sticks at short, he would be #2. I am guessing that moves everyone else down a slot. Michael Marseco ('09) gets honorable mention.

I'll just pull a quote out of the Prince and George reviews. Prince because he was with the team last season and George because he may be with the team at some point in the near future.

Prince:

Josh found the Midwest League much tougher with a .221 average, partially due to a .260 BABIP -- which is impressively low considering his speed. He maintained a plus approach at the plate, however. That is encouraging for a player in his first year in professional baseball. The Brewers also see him as a true shortstop. Many prospects are drafted as shortstops, but eventually have to move to either second or third due to defensive issues. Prince profiles as a shortstop throughout his professional career, due to his range and (according to his scouting report) his glove.

George:

His fielding at shortstop is well below-average, but his bat seems to have some potential. At only 20-years old, Carlos George hit .285 with 10 doubles and 3 triples in 45 games. That correlates to a .089 ISO, which is encouraging for a prep-shortstop in only his second professional season. The young man also swiped 20 bases in 26 attempts.

At the same time, a 4.5% walk rate and a 19.6% strikeout rate reflect a "hacktastic" approach.

"Hacktastic". Now there's a word!