Top Prospects

This is a little old but I just came across it. BaseballAmerica.com does weekly Q & A with Jim Callis, and here is one from December 22. Beyond seeing how the draft works out (Nationals with 2 top 10 picks?) I was interested in the top 10 prospects in the AL:

1. David Price, lhp, Rays
What he showed us in the postseason was just the beginning.
2. Matt Wieters, c, Orioles
He could be Mark Teixeira—as a catcher.
3. Brett Anderson, lhp, Athletics
The best player Oakland got in the package for Dan Haren.
4. Trevor Cahill, rhp, Athletics
It will be fun to watch his friendly rivalry with Anderson.
5. Neftali Feliz, rhp, Rangers
Just one reason the Braves wish they could undo their Teixeira trade.
6. Tim Beckham, ss, Rays
Yet another multitalented star-in-the-making for Tampa Bay.
7. Eric Hosmer, 1b, Royals
He could be the best of all the special hitters K.C. has drafted recently.
8. Lars Anderson, 1b, Red Sox
Even if Boston signs Teixeira, it will find room for Anderson in 2010.
9. Travis Snider, of, Blue Jays
Of these 10 guys, he might make the biggest 2009 impact in the majors.
10. Mike Moustakas, 3b, Royals
In a few years, he and Hosmer could combine for 70 homers annually.

The Rays won the AL East last year and now they're adding the undoubtedly top prospect in the AL and have another top 10 coming. A lot of teams complain or wish that their team would rebuild, pointing to the Rays as examples, but it's not that easy. The Royals have still dazzled us with some questionable moves like Jose Guillen, and Farnsworth, but with 2 top 10 positional prospects the Royals have somewhat of a future. The Rangers only have one guy on this list, but most say they have the best farm system in baseball, especially according to this guy. The Red Sox commitment to the youth is evident with Pedroia and Youklis, Lars ain't too far behind either of them. Everything Billy Beane does seems to be for a reason, and rebuilding the last 2 years gained him a good amount of prospects, including Brett Anderson from the D-Backs. Lastly, the Orioles must be crying right now looking above at the top 3 teams in the major leagues, with the Blue Jays a more than capable team, but if Wieters really is Teixeira at catcher, then it shouldn't be long until the O's make some noise, albeit not much noise.