To be serious, Valdez has a better fastball than Lerew and I think a higher physical ceiling.

You have a better case about Orenduff, who could be overrated in the book. On the other hand, Orenduff has a substantially higher K/IP ratio even though he doesn't throw quite as hard as Lerew much of the time. I can see shuffling their grades.

The injury stuff is just unsubstantiated rumor as far as I know. The most recent thing I heard was that his agent had forcefully denied that there was any truth to the rumors at all.

I still like him and perhaps a straight Grade B would be better than B-.

Yes, he is an outstanding contact hitter.

Any young catcher is a candidate.

As for the cause, I think it is the general wear-and-tear of the position.

We have more data from Gonzales because he's played a full season, but I really like McCutchen as well. Making direct comparisons is difficult because of the different data samples, but I think Gonzales might have slightly more power potential.

Pelfrey probably has the best physical projection of the group, but also has the least objective data to go on. All three of them are elite prospects, no question. I rate Billingsley higher on my list because there is more data, but that could flip once Pelfrey pitches.

My guess however is that they do NOT trade Pelfrey.

He's not Mark Prior but he should be a good pitcher.

Gordon, Kendrick, Marte, Wood.

I expect all of them will be excellent players in the long run.

I doubt Pelfrey will be traded, especially if he gets off to a good start.

There has been talk of either 2B or OF in Nelson's future, but I don't think it has happened yet. No reason to rush the decision now. If he can stay at SS it enhances possible trade value.

I do know that I am still not convinced by the accuracy of MLE translations at the A-ball level or lower. . .I take them with many dashes of sodium cloride. Double-A and Triple-A translations I put much more stock in. But the leap between Class A and Double-A, let alone Class A and the majors, is so great that I have a lot of doubts about whether those translations are accurate or not.

In Wood's case, getting to see him in Double-A is one of my main goals for early in the coming season.

Whether things could have been different if he'd been given consistent playing time in Chicago, I don't know.

Lopez....Juan Uribe?

I think Blake DeWitt will take a major step forward this year.

I can see Anibal as a number 2 if everything breaks his way. I'm not a big Hanley fan and league-average SS seems possible.

The Feller book was, in the big picture, a negative experience for me. I think it's a good book, but no one bought the damn thing...the publisher didn't do enough advertising for one thing.

Will I do another book like it someday? Maybe. If I can find the right subject, with the right publisher.

Sandoval is harder to say since he is much lower on the farm ladder. I don't think he'll have as much power but he should do better in the BA and OBP departments.

Both should make the majors, but neither is a guaranteed regular just yet.

He could be like Eric Milton.

medium case: .280ish, 20-25 homers, mediocre OBP.

I think he can catch if they let him, but that would also increase the risk of injury and/or offensive stagnation. Otherwise he will probably end up at 1B if they worry about his glove and want to get his bat into the lineup asap.

I see Anderson as a .260-.280 hitter with OK power but not a spectacular guy.

Chris Shelton is a very, very good hitter. What he's done is repeatable. How long he lasts as a regular will depend on health and defense.

McCarthy is very good...project what he did last year out to a full season for '06 then gradual improvement in '07 and '08 is what I expect if he stays healthy.

Delmon Young
Alex Gordon
Stephen Drew
Justin Upton
Howie Kendrick

Seriously, in Zobrist's case it is becaause he has no Double-A experience despite his age. Buchholz can't stay healthy and his velocity was way down last summer.

I should probably have put McLemore in the book given his AA numbers although is he healthy?

Stubbs is VERY toolsy but also somewhat raw for a guy from the Texas program. I can see him as a star and I can see him as another Shea Morenz.

CAVEAT: Hughes has significant injury risk and is far from a sure thing. IF HEALTHY, should be ready by '08.

A wood-like breakthrough is POSSIBLE but I wouldnt' exactly bet on it. Slow improvement is more likely.

Bush...you leave him at SS for now. He still has a chance given his age. . .don't move him to the mound until you are certain he won't hit.