though I would put Alonso #5 of those listed.

The reason I have him ranked at #2 is because I think he is very comparable to Justin Smoak (who I ranked #1). Smoak gets the slight edge in power, and Alonso gets the slight edge in batting average. Both should be high OBP 1Bs and drive in a lot of runs in the middle of the order. Since Smoak plays above average defense, I felt he deserved #1 over Alonso.

I think people are sleeping on this kid and mostly because of his struggles last year during his debut has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. His performance this year in Hi A and AA has made me a big believer in him and feel he is one of the best 1B in the minors.

Ike Davis
High A: .288/.376/.486/.863
Double A: .306/.389/.536/.925

For comparison’s sake…

Logan Morrison
Double A: .289/.432/.469/.902

Freddie Freeman
High A: .302/.394/.447/.841
Double A: .260/.320/.366/.686

For those of you who think that Morrison or Freeman are Top 5 worthy, I don’t understand why you guys don’t consider Ike Davis to be the same. His numbers are similar, if not better. Also, he has the power that you want from the 1B position.

IMO, he does not get the attention that he deserves. He’s been raking all season long.

AA/AAA: .304/.375/.516/.891

What really impresses me is his ability to hit lefties: .322/.390/.512/.902

The White Sox are really gonna regret trading him for RP Tony Pena.

Smoak
Morrison
Alonso
Davis
Carter

insane

“Also, I have read reports stating that Carter was already really big for his position and was not that much of an athelete. Where did you read that he is much more athletic then Howard?”

“also, howard has pure 80 power, whereas carter, i think is more in the 65-70 range. carter also seems to be a little thicker and less athletic (whereas howard, right now, and back when he first came up (again, with the potbelly stage in the middle), is lithe, lean, and naturally more fluid).”

“and i’m also pretty sure chris carter isn’t 6’4”."

This is why internet “scouting” rocks. For those of us who HAVE seen Chris Carter in person (and yes I have, on many occasions), we would note that Carter is very athletic, has VERY good foot speed and is without a doubt 6’4" any maybe even a bit taller. I wouldn’t bet my salary on it, but Carter may very well be an inch TALLER than that. FREAKING A, people are saying the portly Howard is thinner than Carter and Carter isn’t 6’4"???? RYAN FREAKING HOWARD is more athletic than Chris Carter? That is absolutely ridiculous. It is obvious that you have never seen Chris Carter once.

Foot speed is not a problem with Chris Carter. He is actually quite above average in that category. Truth be told, it would be even faster if he were more NIMBLE on his feet. As far as width or waistline… Get out of here. Now. That is without a doubt one of the most uneducated things I have read.

The most accurate comp I’ve run across for Smoak is John Olerud. Agree? Disagree? Thoughts, recipes?

You can say whatever you want with this lazy, unimaginative comp but Mark Texeira in the worst 157 AB’s of his life wouldn’t hit .236 at AAA ball.

1 Logan Morrison – 22 in a few days- Has shown great pure hitting ability in the FSL and in the AFL, controls the strike zone and all he hasn’t done is hit for real good power yet. Well, even if he doesn’t I don’t see ANY 1B prospect who is a “can’t miss” complete major league 1B so I might take Morrison first if I could pick.

2 Yonder Alonso – 22 and 4 months – Yonder’s minor league stats were only superficially mediocre. He was leading the FSL in RBI’s before his callup and was hitting the ball hard in AA before his injury. The hamate injury isn’t one that is serious and I don’t need to wait and see what he does when he completely heals to know what he can do. very close between he and Morrison for #1 for me.

3 Justin Smaok – 22 and 8 months – It’s not that I don’t like Smoak it’s just that I’ve always felt that opinion on who is better between he and Alonso should logically be basically 50/50 and it has been like- all Smoak, all the time on this site. The reasons for that, to me are mostly imaginary-

- Smoak’s completely IMAGINARY and mythical power edge
- Smaok is taller and cooler looking
- Smaok’s name is cool (well, so is Yonder Alonso)
- Smaok’s completely imaginary BIG edge over Alonso in defense (It doesn’t exist folks- its a fabrication)

- and now, to make it more irksome Smaok had a superficailly better start this season a better league for hitting, in a better park, with much better weather for hitting.

I should go with my gut on this one, which tells me that Alonso’s the best combination of talent, smarts, and dedication among these guys and probably will become an All-Star performer.

btw, I’d put Freddy Freeman – 20 in one month- 4th and Chris Carter- same age as Smoak- 5th and that one is close as well.

By the way, Brett Wallace. I think that Brett Wallace is a classic case of a guy who is athletically struggling at a position that is too tough for him and WHEN he moves to 1B his bat will play better AND he’ll be strong defensively as well – he is okay at 3b but just isnt suitable for that position. I’d put him right in the mix with Chris Carter and I think he’s a surer bet to hit consistently myself.

      DaveH (Savannah GA): Has Logan Morrison surpassed Smoak as the top 1B prospect in the game? I realize Smoak is immensely talented, and he frequently gets rave reviews from scouts, but his [power] numbers have not been that impressive. {I do realize he was injured, but so was LoMo}.

J.J. Cooper: If you ask three different scouts about Morrison, Smoak and Freddie Freeman, you may get three different answers. The best answer I have is that all three are excellent prospects, and if healthy, Yonder Alonso isn’t far behind that group either.

Was promoted and makes his debut for the snakes tonight. SO excited!