Top 10 prospects for 2010: Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles

Wow, that is an interesting take on the O’s top 10.  A few comments:
#2 Arrieta-Endurance?  I don’t think its endurance thats the problem, its that his slider and changeup are “hard” and folks at the higher levels are timing his stuff the second and third time through the order.  He is also in love with the strikeout which runs up his pitch count.  Honestly I think he ends up as a closer when it is all said and done.

#5- Britton you really have him behind Erbe and Hobgood?  What has Hobgood done except be drafted 1-5?  Have you looked at Britton’s K rate in the minors?  What basis do you have for expecting his ability to miss bats to drop sharply?

#7 and 8- Are you just raking these guys off of thier draft position?  They are both very raw and Givens might project better as a bullpen arm.

#9- Really #9 for Snyder?  With the notable exception of Norfolk, where Snyder admits he changed his approach at the plate, Snyder has been tearing up leagues for the past season.  He tore up winter ball, he tore up the eastern league and he is doing very well in the AFL as I type.  He does not have prototypical power at first base but he is a pure hitter.  Snyder will play in the big leagues which is something you can not say with any certaintly about Givens and Avery.

I think your rankings for the O’s are spot on. You consider upside more than production at the minor league level. Which is what I like to see in a prospect report. I especially like the Mychal Givens ranking. I feel a lot of O’s fans got to hung up on his bonus demands. This guy was projected as a high round pick after the 08 draft. He has more upside than most fans think.

O’s prospect rankings should go like this:

1 - Matusz - legit Ace potential
2 - Bell - you are greatly underrating his potential
3 - Arrieta - future closer or #2
4 - Britton - future innings eater
5 - Snyder - will not hit 30HR, but .300 with 20 will do at 1B.  Great RBI guy
6 - Erbe - great raw stuff
7 - Waring - did you see his breakout 2009?
8 - Steve Johnson - underrated prospect in the Sherrill deal with legit #3 SP upside
9 - Avery - great pure athlete
10 - Givens - has great upside at pitcher or SS

What about Chris Tillman?  Or is he not considered a prospect any more?

BK, having the autographs of half the team will not making them any better players, lol!! The O’s are good and powerful but the Ray’s aren’t any lower than them. Both the teams are equally strong and will surely have a tough battle once the game is set between them. I look forward for Matusz to lead the game this time. He surely is a trump card or lets triumph card! - Jordan