via www.nationalsportsbeat.com

This is a list I finalized back in December 1, 2009. Prospects were added to the system since then and they were added during the process, so there is really 27 players on this list. I wanted to finish this list before the two major publications (BP and BA) published their lists so it would not affect my opinion. I'm going to post small blurbs about the top 10 and if there is questions I'll take them for the rest of the list. Without further ado...

1. Mike Montgomery, LHP - Tall, athletic lefty with rare combo of size, stuff, and command from the left side. Will continue to improve with more experience. Projects for three above-average ML pitches and could be top of rotation starter at some point. Only 21 starts in A-ball, likely starts back in Wilmington (High A) but could move up before too long.

2. Aaron Crow, RHP - Advanced pitcher. Fastball is 90-95 with terrific arm side run and sink. Slider is wipe out pitch especially against RH batters. Changeup has improved since college and feels comfortable using it when needed. Will start in Northwest Arkansas (AA) but could reach Majors by end of season.

3. Wil Myers, C - Might be most complete player in Royals system since Carlos Beltran. Athletic with strong arm should handle catcher, thought he must improve his receiving skills. Likely would end up in right field if catcher doesn't work, similar to Jason Werth. Terrific bat speed through zone allows for power to all fields. Should split AB's between catcher and DH in Burlington (Low A) for 2010.

4. Mike Moustakas, 3B - Power is where a majority of the value lies. Can crush the ball with the best of them when he squares it up. Even a little more patience at the plate would pay large dividends for him. Improved at third base and flashed ability to stay there, though ultimate destination could be right field.

5. Tim Melville, RHP - Great fastball at present. Sits 92-93 and reaches 95 with good movement. Must improve location, can leave it up in the zone. Curve is true out pitch. Shows feel for changeup but it's behind his other pitches at this point. Command must improve. Strikeout total started to rise as season went along and dominated hitters at times. Should be in Wilmington next year with chance to become elite prospect in pitcher friendly environment.

6. Eric Hosmer, 1B - Disappointment in year one, no doubt. Controls the strike zone well. Shows a different swing in BP and the game, with well above average power on display before game starts. Can't hit for power in games when ground ball rate is above 60%. Handles glove well around bag. Outstanding arm wasted because he doesn't have foot speed for corner outfield spot. Likely in Wilmington for 2010, with progress based on the adjustments he makes at plate.

7. Danny Duffy, LHP - Strong track record. Among league leaders in ERA and strikeouts every year of pro ball. Fastball 88-93, sits at upper end in shorter stints. Improved command in the lower part of the zone in past year. Changeup is best offspeed pitch and it shows in strikeout totals vs RH batters. Big curve that needs more consistency. Projects as mid-rotation starter. Received ML Spring Training invite and figures to start in Northwest Arkansas.

8. John Lamb, LHP - Pitchability and poise beyond years but not without stuff. Too advanced for rookie ball. Fastball 89-92, willing to throw inside. Curve and change both flash above average ability.  Will continue to improve those pitches as he throws them more. Should be in Burlington at some point, may be held back to control innings total similar to Montgomery/Melville in '09 and Duffy in '08.

9a. Noel Arguelles, LHP - Cuban prospect with terrific athleticism. Performed well in international competition before defection in 2008. Fastball in low-90's at his best. Flashes above average curve and changeup. Showed a slider too but likely will be scraped until he commands pitches better. Plenty of upside but a large unknown at this point. Reports point to starting in Wilmington, with potential to move quickly with ML contract in hand.

9b. Chris Dwyer, LHP - Similar to Arguelles. Fastball in low-90's but needs to improve command of that pitch. Curveball already an above average pitch. Did not throw changeup in college but he has one and it could become average pitch in time. Similar mechanically to Jon Lester. Potential to move quickly. Another guy who should be starting in Wilmington.

10. David Lough, OF - Terrific athlete. Would like to see him get a chance in center field in 2010. Makes contact and hits for average. Respectable power, good for 10-15 HR's a year. Must improve patience at plate but has contact skills to make that happen if mind put toward it. View him as a less glamorous and watered down version of Carl Crawford.

11. Jordan Parraz, OF - Omaha Royals (AAA)
12. Jeff Bianchi, SS - Northwest Arkansas 
13. Johnny Giavotella, 2B - Northwest Arkansas
14. Blake Wood, RHP - Northwest Arkansas
15. Tim Smith, OF - Northwest Arkansas
16. Carlos Rosa, RHP - Kansas City 
17. Kila Ka'aihue, 1B - Omaha Royals/Kansas City
18. Louis Coleman, RHP - Northwest Arkansas
19a. Kelvin Herrera, RHP - Burlington Bees
19b. Edgar Osuna, LHP - Kansas City (Rule 5)
20. Tyler Sample, RHP - Burlington Bees
21. Crawford Simmons, LHP - Burlington Royals (R)
22. Yowill Espinal, SS - Burlington Bees
23. Carlos Fortuna, RHP - Burlington Bees
24. Keaton Hayenga, RHP - Burlington Bees
25. Hilton Richardson, CF - Burlington Bees