We break down the top five prospects for each organization for 2010, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.
According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."
Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2010.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have significantly upgraded their farm system at the expense of two losing seasons in the major leagues. They now boast one of the best collection of prospects in baseball. It will be interesting to watch how the pieces fall together, especially with the regard to the better hitting talents in the high levels of the organization.
1. Carlos Santana, C, 23
If you weren't sure last season was for real with the key piece of the Casey Blake trade, this year should dispel any negative thoughts. Santana hit .290 with 23 homers, 97 RBI, 91 runs, a .413 on-base percentage and a .530 slugging percentage. That is serious offensive potential from behind the plate. No wonder the Indians were fine with dealing Victor Martinez to the Red Sox. Santana figures to open the season in Triple-A, but he could be an impact June 1 call-up, especially if the Indians get off to another bad start.
2. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, 21
Chisenhall had Fantasy prospect hounds buzzing in the first half of the season, when he went .276-18-79-59 (.346-.492) in high Class A. He found it much tougher in Double-A, though: .183-4-13-13 (.238-.387). He will return to Double-A to start the 2010 season, but it is pretty clear to us, he is the Indians' long-term solution at third base. He might even impact Fantasy leagues before the end of next season. Long term, he looks like a potential 30-100 corner man.
3. Hector Rondon, SP, 22
You could go many different ways with the Indians' top pitching prospect, but the one they thought about making a late-inning reliever is as good of a choice as any. After dominating Double-A with a 2.75 ERA and .227 batting-average against, Rondon was bit more modest in Triple-A: 4.00-.281. He will return there to open the 2010 season, but he could be a contributor in many Fantasy leagues next season.
4. Carlos Carrasco, SP, 23
He was once considered an elite pitching prospect, but he struggling in his first full Triple-A season and was dealt (in the Cliff Lee blockbuster) away from the Phillies. Carrasco also struggled mightily in his brief time in the September rotation in Cleveland. He still projects to be a solid middle of the rotation starter, which is needed everywhere, but he is no longer the potential front-line guy he was once projected to be.
5. Jason Knapp, SP, 19
You will find many that believe Knapp is the best piece of the Lee trade, but he still has a ways to go to be a potential contributor in Fantasy leagues. The fact his season ended with elbow surgery doesn't help either. He is expect to be ready for the start of the season, but he might head back to high Class A. He went a combined 2-7 with a 4.18 ERA, .212 BAA and 123 strikeouts in 97 innings. Consider stashing him if you want a potential high-ceiling guy and are willing to wait a few years. The rebuilding Indians have time.
Best of the rest: SP Alex White, 1B Beau Mills, OF Jordan Brown, SP Jeanmar Gomez, SP Charles Lofgren, OF Michael Brantley, SS Jason Donald, 1B Nicholas Weglarz, 3B Wes Hodges, C Lou Marson, C Wyatt Toregas, SP Kelvin De La Cruz, SP Scott Lewis, SP Josh Tomlin, OF Tim Fedroff, SP Scott Barnes, SP Bryce Stowell, SS Zack Cozart, RP Zach Putnam, SS Niuman Romero, SS Carlos Rivero, OF Jason Kipnis, SP Joe Gardner, RP Jess Todd, OF Abner Abreu, SP Connor Graham, SP T.J. House, SP Bryan Price, SP Trey Haley, 2B Cord Phelps, OF Delvi Cid, SS Jose Ozoria, RP Rich R. Rundles and SP Adam Miller.
2009 rookies to exhaust eligibility (expected): OF/1B Matt LaPorta, SP David Huff, 2B Luis Valbuena, OF Trevor Crowe, C Chris Gimenez and RP Tony Sipp.
Last year's top five here: LaPorta, Miller, Huff, Mills and Hodges.
You can e-mail Emack your Indians prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
