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.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are one of the toughest farm systems to rank every year -- this one as much as ever. We debated on ranking any of the first seven prospects below as their top one, which suggests they have a standout farm system ready to stock the major league contender for years. We wouldn't doubt you could flip these prospects in reverse order next October.
1. Christopher Withrow, SP, 21
The 2007 No. 1 pick asserted himself in his late-season call-up to Double-A, posting a (2-2)-3.95-.240-26-12 statline. It positions him to potentially help the Dodgers rotation sometime next season, which would make him a nice sleeper in any Fantasy league. He projects to be a John Maine-type starter in our eyes -- and that includes some annual injury question marks, according to Baseball America.
2. Andrew Lambo, OF, 21
Lambo had a disappointing 2009 season in Double-A, hitting just .256 with 11 homers, 61 RBI, 70 runs, four steals, .311 on-base percentage and a .407 slugging percentage. He likely has to head back to Double-A to start 2010, which makes him a long shot to help the loaded Dodgers outfield next season. Consider him a solid long-term keeper stashee still -- one that needs a rebound year to restore his one elite prospect status.
3. Aaron Miller, SP, 22
Miller was the Dodgers' first-round pick last June and didn't take long to stamp his name as a potential pro ace. The Baylor product dominated low Class A through 10 starts and could move very quickly to the majors -- perhaps even by the end of 2010. Consider him a must-have prospect flier in any long-term keeper league and a deep sleeper in NL-only formats if you can wait until a mid-to-late season call-up.
4. Dee Gordon, SS, 21
The son of former closer Tom Gordon enjoyed breakthrough season in 2009, going .301-3-35-96-73 (.362-.394) in 538 at-bats in low Class A. He is still a few years away, but the Dodgers might be inclined to move him up quickly, like an Elvis Andrus, because he has a slick glove and can slap his way to being a terror on the bases. At 5-feet-11 and just 150 pounds, he will never hit for power, but that steals potential will carry him well as a keeper prospect for Rotisserie leagues.
5. Kyle Russell, OF, 23
The Division I home run king is a free-swinger, striking out 180 times in first full season as a pro (in low Class A no less), but the Texas product has serious speed-and-power potential. He hit .272 due to the swings and misses, but he tallied 26 homers, 102 RBI, 90 runs, 20 steals, a .371 on-base percentage and a .545 slugging percentage. He has work to do, specifically making more consistent contact, but his Rotisserie-intriguing skills make him a stashee in keeper leagues.
Best of the rest: Joshua Lindblom, SP; Ethan Martin, SP; Ivan DeJesus, SS; Jon Michael Redding, SP; Tony Delmonico, C; Pedro Baez, 3B; Xavier Paul, OF; Lucas May, C; Trayvon Robinson, OF; Scott Elbert, RP; Brett Wallach, SP; Allen Webster, SP; Blake Smith, OF; Jonathan Garcia, OF; Austin Gallagher, 3B; Travis Schlichting, RP; Javier Guerra, RP; Nathan Eovaldi, SP; Josh Wall, SP; Daigoro Rondon, RP; James Adkins, SP; Jordan Pratt, SP; Angelo Songco, OF; Danny Danielson, SP; Brian Ruggiano, OF; Justin Miller, SP; Alfredo Silverio, OF; and A.J. Ellis, C.
2009 rookies to exhaust eligibility: James McDonald, RP; Ronald Belisario, RP; Brent Leach, RP; and Charlie Haeger, RP.
Last year's top five here: McDonald, RP; Lambo, OF; Elbert, RP; Withrow, SP; and DeJesus, SS.
You can e-mail Emack your 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.
