Bay Area Baseball

1. Dexter Fowler - OF - B+ - ETA 2009 - Comp - Matt Kemp
2. Jhoulys Chacin - RHP - A- - ETA 2010 - Comp Edinson Volquez
3. Christian Friedrich - LHP - B - ETA 2011 - Comp Mark Mulder
4. Hector Gomez - SS - B+ - ETA 2012 - Comp - Jerry Hairston Jr.
5. Casey Weathers - RHP - B+ - ETA 2010 - Comp - Justin Masterson

Colorado’s system took a big hit in 2009 with the Tommy John surgeries of Gomez and Weathers, two of the systems top prospects. Gomez is still young and has the tools to respond in 2009. Fowler took a big step forward and should fill in for departed outfielder Matt Holliday.

Chacin established himself as one of the minor’s best pitchers featuring a power fastball and an 18-3 record. He did throw 177 innings so Colorado should be cautious with him. He could see a late season call up. Friedrich struck out 65 in just 48 innings and is already one of Colorado’s finest pitching prospects. Weathers should miss 2009 but could still win a job with a return to health in 2010.

Maybin is a five tool athlete.

Original Picks
6 Ricky Romero Toronto Blue Jays
7 Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies
8 Wade Townsend Tampa Bay Devil Rays
9 Mike Pelfrey New York Mets
10 Cameron Maybin Detroit Tigers

New Picks
6 Toronto Blue Jays - Cameron Maybin, OF - Five tool star should be in the majors to stay in 2009. Toronto would be lucky to have him along side Vernon Wells and Alex Rios for years to come.
7 Colorado Rockies - Matt Gamel, 3B - A built in replacement at either corner for Garret Atkins or Todd Helton, Gamel is a power bat who could fill a role in the Colorado lineup.
8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Andrew McCutchen, OF - It might be overkill to have this athlete in the Rays system, but he would look great in the outfield with BJ Upton and Carl Crawford.
9 New York Mets - Mike Pelfrey, RHP - The Mets have to be pleased with the way that Pelfrey progressed in 2008. He looks like he will be able to support Johan Santana in the #2 spot in their rotation.
10 Detroit Tigers - Brian Matusz, LHP - He didn’t sign in 2005, but the 08 first rounder is the type of lefthander teams dream about with three pitches that rate at above-average.

You bet Joba Chamberlain goes in the top five this time around.

Original Order:
1 Luke Hochevar Kansas City Royals
2 Greg Reynolds Colorado Rockies
3 Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays
4 Brad Lincoln Pittsburgh Pirates
5 Brandon Morrow Seattle Mariners

New Picks

1 Kansas City Royals - Tim Lincecum, RHP - Should be no doubt about this choice, Lincecum won the National League Cy Young in 2008, while Hochevar went 6-13 with an earned run average north of 5.

2 Colorado Rockies - Evan Longoria, 3B - He went third in 06 and would move up if it happened again, Reynolds has been a disappointment while Longoria has all the makings of a perennial all star.
3 Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Joba Chamberlain, RHP - Righty flamethrower was drafted low because of injury concerns, he hasn’t done much to alleviate those by missing starts last season but his incredible repertoire would fit right in with the Rays’ pitching depth.
4 Pittsburgh Pirates – Matt Laporta, OF/1B – Sure Laporta didn’t sign with the Red Sox, who drafted him, but his premium bat would certainly be worth first round money in hindsight.
5 Seattle Mariners – Clayton Kershaw, LHP – The top high school lefty in the draft has experienced some major league success so far. His future looks bright and he should be in the Dodgers rotation this year. Seattle has to be happy with the selection of Morrow, but Kershaw’s upside as a lefthander surpasses that of the right-handed Morrow.