I always enjoy looking back on those players who have recently lost their prospect eligibility but have been unable to establish themselves at the big league level. This year there seem to be several outfielders who fit this description- Matt LaPorta, Travis Snider*, Jordan Schafer*, Drew Stubbs*, Cameron Maybin, Gerardo Parra*, Carlos Gomez, Travis Buck*, Aaron Cunningham, Wil Venable*, Nate Schierholtz*, Matt Joyce*, and Wladimir Balentien. If these guys were still prospect eligible how would you grade them, and how would you rank them?

I would go:

1. Travis Snider*, 22.2, LF (TOR)- Got off to a slow start, then ripped up AAA upon demotion, and looked a lot better when he was recalled. He's a better athlete than he's given credit for, although he is an average at best defender in left. The strikeouts concern me, and he has struggled against lefties throughout his career. However, those blemishes are more than made up for by his patient approach and power potential. He's still 22, so there is plenty of room for improvement upon his 2009 numbers. I think he'll be a guy who makes a couple of all star teams, and has a solid career as a 6. Grade A-

2. Cameron Maybin, 23.0, CF (FLA)- Strikeouts continue to plague him at the major league level, but he really cut them down in AAA. The 5-tool potential is still there, and he is just 23. Both CHONE and Bill James project him for a .355 wOBA in 2009. I think that might be a bit high for 2010, but not too far off the mark. There is a higher bust potential here, than with Snider or LaPorta, but I think there is a good chance his is an above-average major league center fielder. Grade B+

3. Matt LaPorta, 25.3, LF/1B (CLE)- Position is still up in the air. Looks like a below average defensive left-fielder, but I like the bat. He looks like more of a 20-25 homerun hitter- rather than a true slugger- but he doesn't strikeout much, and he has the patient approach to put up solid OBP numbers. I don't think he is going to be the star that he looked like 2 years ago, but he should be a regular left-fielder for a long time. Grade B+

4. Jordan Schafer*, 23.7, CF (ATL)- The Braves thought he was big league ready, naming him their opening day center fielder, despite the fact he had not yet reached AA. However, he struggled mightily, striking out in almost 40 percent of his at-bats. In fairness, he was battling through a wrist injury that ultimately ended his season in June, but it's hard to find many positives in his debut. Billed as an impressive defender in center, Schafer put up a -8 UZR/150, granted in very small sample size. Though I think he still should be considered at least an average defender. With the moves the big club has made, it looks like they have the luxury of starting him in AAA. I still think he is a future regular, but the star potential seems to have diminished. Grade B

5. Drew Stubbs*, 25.6, CF (CIN)- Speed, patience, and the glove to win several gold glove awards. However, I am concerned about high strikeout totals and a lack of power throughout his minor league career (despite getting strong grades for his raw power). I think we can expect a .260/335/390 lines from Stubbs, with gold-glove caliber defense. That package adds up to a solid major league center fielder. Grade B

6. Carlos Gomez, 24.4, CF (MIL)- Regression with the bat in 2009 was fueled by a near 50 point dip in BABIP. That dip came with a 2 percent increase in line-drive rate, and served to mask improvements in plate-discipline and strikeout rate. I doubt he will ever eclipse the 15 homerun plateau, but I think 8-12 is realistic going forward. He is a plus defender in center, and a guy I think a lot of people have given up too early on. I think the Brewers will be pleasantly surprised by Gomez in 2010. Grade B

7. Matt Joyce*, 25.8, RF (TB)- I'm sure the Rays wish they had a do-over on the Jackson-for-Joyce swap of a year ago, but Joyce is a valuable piece. He has big-time power, and he is willing to walk. He struggles against lefties, and his swing can get long, so he profiles as a platoon player rather than a true regular. However, there is a lot of value in that. Grade B-

8. Gerardo Parra*, 22.11, CF (ARZ)- Held his own in close to 500 major league plate appearances, but I'm not a big fan going forward. He needs a right-handed caddy going forward, as his .220/.250/.220 triple slash line isn't going to get it done against lefties. Furthermore, he is a below-average defender in center, with an impatient approach and little power. He is obviously still young enough to improve, but he is always a second-division regular/platoon outfielder for me. Grade B-

9. Aaron Cunningham, 23.11, LF/RF (SD)- Never a big tools guy, Cunningham continues to produce. He put up an OPS's of 894 and 851 in the last two seasons, and there doesn't seem to be much left for him to prove in the minors. Acquired in the Kevin Kuzmanoff trade, Cunningham may make a nice platoon with Will Venable. There isn't much star potential, but Cunningham should become at least a solid 4th outfielder, with an outside chance that he becomes a regular. Grade B-

10. Nate Schierholtz*, 26.2, RF (SFG)- 2009 was the third year in which Schierholtz played in the majors, but it is still unclear as to what his ultimate role is. He put up back-to-back isolated powers of above .220 in AAA in 2007 and 2008, but he is yet to show that kind of power in the big leagues. While he doesn't strikeout much, he is an impatient hitter who rarely draws a walk, putting even more pressure on him to hit for power. Unlike Venable, Parra, and Joyce, Schierhotz has hung in well against left-handers over his big league career, so he doesn't profile as a utility player. UZR likes his defense in right, but we still have under 1,000 innings of pro data to go on. I think Schierholtz will hit for more power in 2010, but I never see him becoming a true regular. Grade B- 

11. Will Venable*, 27.5, RF (SD)- The oldest member of this list, Venable was an all-ivy selection in both basketball and baseball while at Princeton. He is a plus athlete, who can play all three outfield spots, although he is best suited in the corners, where he profiles as a plus defender. At the plate, he has the raw power to hit 20-25 homeruns a year. However, he struck out in over 30 percent of his plate appearances and never projects to hit for average. Like Joyce, he struggles against lefties and profiles as a solid platoon option. Grade B- 

12. Wladimir Balentien, 25.9, RF (CIN)- Acquired for Robert Manuel in July, Balentien improved upon his 2008 line, but still posted a below 700 OPS in 2009. Balentien's biggest problem has been his poor pitch recognition skills, although he did cut his strikeout rate by 6 percent in 2009. Once considered a top 100 prospect, Baletien still has the tools to become a major league regular, but the chances of that seem to be fading quickly. He is competing with Chris Dickerson, Johny Gomes, and Lance Nix for regular playing time in left field. Grade B-

13. Travis Buck*, 26.5, RF (OAK)- Looked like a potential all star after solid debut in 2007, but injuries and ineffectiveness have dogged him since. Looks like a reserve outfielder at this point. Grade C+