Which would be the 7th SS, if you assume (as I do) that Miguel Jean (Sano) and Wilmer Flores won’t stay at SS.

So for me, he’s behind Dee Gordon, Starlin Castro, Jurickson Profar, Grant Green, Alcides Escobar, Jose Iglesias and Hak-Ju Lee(though very close in rankings to Escobar, Iglesias and Lee).

I like Mier as a guy who can be above average both in the field and at the plate, but in some ways to me he’s the SS version of Jason Castro’s projection - not an impact player, just a solid regular.

I think Gordon, Castro and Profar all clearly project better and as potential impact guys (took me a while to come around on Castro, but Ive warmed up). Green is the same, but to a lesser extent. Escobar and Iglesias are both spectacular with the glove compared to Mier being above average. I think we can expect AVGs and power in the same neighborhood as Mier from those two, with Mier having the best approach of the three - and even then, Mier is a bit of a lunger at the plate, and that worries me about how he will handle advanced pitching and breaking stuff. Lee is very similar to Mier, but with slightly better tools across the board other than power and plus plus speed. I think Lee projects very similar to Mier.

I have Escobar, Iglesias, Lee and and Mier all very close (within 14 spots of each other - Escobar #90, Iglesias #99, Lee #101) and I consider them roughly similar as prospects, though obviously Escobar and Iglesias have very similar skill sets while Mier and Lee are slightly different and have lesser gloves (though still plus), better approaches and more well rounded games(though roughly the same power).

I would probably even have Tim Beckham ahead of him, though I think Beckham is most likely to move to 2B, I think he also has the better bat.

I also see guys like Tate, Trout, and Myers in the discussion just ahead of him, as all also have some premium defensive value, and I think a bit more offensive upside. Though the Appy League really is a bit better level of competition than the other rookie leagues, and thus Mier’s performance there is also arguably a bit more impressive than what Trout or Myers did this year. But I don’t want to put too much weight on numbers at that level.

Not sure where you’re getting this “best defensive catcher in the minors” thing from. He’s up there for me, but Im not sure he’s the best as much as (like most of his game) above average.

Castro is solid behind the plate in every regard. He has a solid-average arm and makes accurate throws, recording 2.0-second pop times thanks to his athleticism, quick release and footwork. He threw out 45 percent of basestealers last season. He has soft hands and receives the ball well.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269175.html

He’s a very good receiver with above-average arm strength

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10008

Plus, as you note, catcher defense - while valuable - isnt something we should put a lot of stock in. The difference between the best and worst doesnt account for a whole lot of value. Even then, Im far from sold Castro projects as a gold glove caliber guy. His throwing isnt all that great (seen it described multiple times as “mechanical”) and he still needs to polish some aspects of his receiving game.

I think most of his performance at Lancaster was a mirage. Lancaster is a joke. I see 10-15 HR power. .460 SLG is a crazy high projection IMO.

Here are more quotes from BA and BP:

When asked about Castro, one scout put it best by saying, “I have little bad to say, but nothing about him excited me, either.”

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10008

While Castro doesn’t have one overwhelming tool, he’s solid in nearly every phase of the game. He profiles as an average to a tick above-average starting catcher in the big leagues, along the lines of an A.J. Pierzynski, who is a similarly built, lefthanded hitting catcher.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269175.html

I see a guy who looks like maybe a .280/350/420 kind of guy with above average defense. I do like his swing and could maybe see some more power. BA says 10-15, too fwiw. Lets see him away from Lancaster and the Cal League first.

That’s not top 50 for me. #73 on my list. Very good prospect, but no real star/impact potential here.