It was too tough for me to choose the 'best' of this group. I'll have to think about it more.

So I tried a different strategy; I chose Gonzalez because I'm sure he's not the worst prospect and I feared he wouldn't get as many votes as some of the more recognizable names on the list. As it turns out, he's doing fine in the early goings...

bout any except Herrerra, and I'm pretty confident he isn't the best (or worst) of the bunch

Do you have perhaps some stats or descriptions of each?

for a couple of reasons.

1- at 6'4 220, he's built like a brickwall and being a former basketball player, very athletic for his size.

2- His power is legit. an ISOp of .211 in the SAL in 2004 and an ISOp of 263 in the FSL.

3- his speed SB ability is underrated. Stole 23 bases at a 70% rate. He is probably like a bobby abreu in that catagorey; not overall that fast, but has a knack for knowing how to steal.

4- he has cut his K rate over the last two years from  23.6% of his ABs in the SAL to 22% in the FSL.

5- he is still an increbily raw player. Meaning, this isnt as good as it gets for kemp. He has only played baseball fulltime for about 2-3 years. in HS he was a 2 sport player in baseball and basketball. His plate discipline is improving and with his great power, pitchers will try and pitch around him. Hes never going to have a 100+ ISOd, but i could see it settling into 50-70 annually.

I picked Adam Jones by a whisker over Matt Kemp.  Kemp had a better year in a more neutral league, but Jones more than held his own as a teenager in Double-A and his eye is coming around (I hope that doesn't disqualify him from this poll, heh).

Date of birth : 10/17/1985
RF, Low-A South Bend Silver Hawks
158-515, 18 HR, 6 3B, 28 2B, 92 RBI, 91 R, 86/48 K/BB, 7/3 SB/CS, .307/.371/.489, .860 OPS
Named Top Prospect of the Midwest League by the League's managers.

I like his ceiling the best of the lot. He could develop into a nice middle of the order bat with very good speed. Last year, he had a decent year, but I think he really breaks out this season and shoots up prospect lists.

Next, I would have taken Kemp. I am concerned about his plate discipline and to some extent the k's, but everything else looks good. He is extremely raw but he has all the tools. Next year is a big year for him in Double A and an impressive showing likely vaults him into elite prospect status.

kemp was 2o last season. turned 21 in september.

Being a Dodger fan, i want to pick Kemp.  He's actually played more RF than CF in his career.  Being a basketball player in HS, hed to improve his jumps and routes in the outfield.  He has solid speed, as his "technique" gets better, he might actually be able to handle CF in the majors, especially in the small Dodger Stadium outfield.

But I got to pick Carlos Gonzales.  He has a more complete skill set, in particular he controls the strikezone better than everyone else save for Pence and EME, who are both older than him.  Kemp's big edge is in power, but its not as dramatic as it seems because Vero Beach is a great homerun park.
When/if Carlos Gonzalez takes over Luis Gonzalez' spot in the Arizona outfield, does he also get his nickname?

Interesting question.  It is nice to see this type of 'prospect shootout' that isn't limited to elite prospects.  

First, the only way that Eddie Martinez-Esteve is anything other than a DH is if he plays 1B.  He needs to go to an AL team.  He doesn't like to play defense, and he sucks at it.  That limits his value.  I am sorta surpised to see him on this list, since he is so different than the other three players.  

Among the others, I think that Jones is the better player.  His stats are good, despite the fact that he spent the most time in AA.  He is also the youngest player on this list, and didn't turn 20 until the end of the season.  He made the transition from the CAL league to the Texas League without seeing his numbers decline.  At age 19.  That is impressive.  

The other thing that puts Jones ahead is his defensive value.  Of those guys, Jones is not only the only one that will likely stick in CF, but he projects to be a very good player there.  His arm is a weapon, and he has good speed.  His athleticism will also be a big help out there.  

Really, all of these guys are pretty even offensively (well, with the exception of EVE).  However, Jones will be putting up nice numbers while helping save runs with his glove and arm.  

And he just might end up having the best bat of the group as well.  

i really dont know why he is ont his list. this is suppose to be a "toolsy" outfielder's list. EME is anything but a toolsy outfielder. he is a college draftee, a polished bat and nothing else.

not knowing the other players as well as Jones, I obstained from voting.
...In Jerry's defense, he may have goofed on a couple stats, but I have read his posts elsewhere and he usually has good insight.

Perry quotes "observers" (scouts?) who state Pence has an "awkward" swing:
"84. Hunter Pence, OF, Astros, 22
Acquired: 2nd round, 2004, U. of Texas-Arlington
Here you have one of the niftiest under-the-radar position prospects around. Pence's tools don't wow scouts, but last season he utterly dismantled the Sally League (.338 AVG/.413 OBP/.652 SLG). Granted the Sally League is lowest of full-season circuits and shouldn't pose grave problems to a college-trained hitter drafted in the second round, but those numbers comfortably exceed even those standards. He hit 31 homers across two levels last season, but some observers think his perfectly awkward swing won't translate to the higher levels. That remains to be seen. Right now, however, Pence looks good going forward."

I picked Jones due to age and upside.