So I know it's hard to generalize what kind of players are good players in fantasy baseball due to the many different types of leagues with their own set of rules, categories, etc.  For the sake of just keeping things simple though, I'll just do it this way, even though its not quite how my own league runs.  Offensive Cats as BA, HR, RP, OPS, and SB  Pitching - Wins, ERA, WHIP, SV and K.  I will assume that players must get promoted from a fantasy team's minor league roster when reaching the majors (except for Sept. call-ups) so that their spot on the minor league roster gets filled at the next year's draft by another minor leaguer.  Also lets say there is a limit to the amount of years you can keep a particular player once they reach the majors (let's just say 5 years) Basically I'm doing this so that the emphasis changes from a standard prospect list in this way.

- Higher-level major league ready prospects are more valuable than long-term projects in the lower minors since the latter will clog up your minor league roster spots

- Early peaking prospects are more valuable than late bloomers.  Therefore older prospects may be more valuable than young players than haven't yet filled out or will take time to figure out things at the major league level.

- Hitting prospects are more valuable than pitching prospects.  In most leagues, a quality hitter is harder to come by off the waiver wire than a quality pitcher or at least a succesful fluke.  Hitters also tend to be more valuable early on.

- Defensive ability is not weighted.  The only way it comes into play is regarding current and future position eligibility.

So now, with that out of the way, here is my list.  I write something for the positives and negatives of every prospect regardless of how good they are, so don't get too hung up on it.  I hope you find it helpful somewhat or at least interesting.  Enjoy!

 

1.  Jesus Montero - Good - Massive power hitting ability, should hit for great average too.  May qualify at catcher initially due to minor league games played, giving him incredible immediate value.

Bad - If he doesn't qualify at catcher, will need to beast to maintain value at DH, though he still should.  Also, while the bat is ready, he may have to wait until 2011 before making his debut.  Of course N. Johnson may get injured...

 

2.  Carlos Santana - Good - Likely to stay at catcher, has great plate discipline with great power and overall hitting skills.  Has the door wide open for him to make his debut midseason, and should succeed early.

Bad - Not much to say except that Marson is still a solid catching prospect so he may not be a full backup, and gives the Indians a slightly shorter leash.  Some may worry that he won't get a full season in Triple-A, i think it's fine though.

 

3.  Desmond Jennings - Good - The steals potential alone will give him a high floor in terms of having immediate value, and can do much more.  Also has already played in Triple-A so a promotion should be coming soon.

Bad - Well-rounded so it's tough to say.  Will help in every category, but won't be a huge asset in power hitting.  Power may improve over time, but may take some time to put it all-together

 

4. Justin Smoak - Good - Has the tools to hit for average and power, will be in a great hitting environment, and should be major league ready very soon and should immediately produce.

Bad - Is an injury risk after his 2009 season, and also may get stuck in a logjam if Davis succeeds at 1B this year.

 

5.  Neftali Feliz - Good -  Has already shown he can dominate hitters on MLB level while pitching in relief in 2009, so there's no doubt his stuff is major league ready.  Can get wins on an offensive powerhouse and should have value early.

Bad - While his stuff may be ready, he has a lot of questions regarding his transition to a starter.  His dominance may come down some, and there's always the Joba risk in playing that game.  Pitch counts may limit win opps in 2010.

 

6.  Chris Carter - Good - Light-tower power, and has shown improvements in plate disciple every step of the way.  Could have a Chris Davis of '08-like breakthrough in 2010.  Should hit HR no matter what.  Very major-league ready.

Bad - Has a low floor, since he could experience similar struggles to Davis in 2009 if he continues to whiff on solid breaking balls.  May put up bad Batting average in first year or two, and walks don't count in fantasy.

 

7.  Dustin Ackley - Good - has pure hitting skills, which are the easiest to build off of for early power development etc.  Is very polished and could probably succeed even now.  2B eligibility would help a lot initially for value.

Bad - While he may rise quickly, the M's may decide to go slow and steady and he'll have to wait til 2011.  If he only qualifies at OF, the lack of immediate power  could hurt is value unless he builds it quickly.

 

8.  Brian Matusz - Good - I think he may not make the biggest impression in 2010, but from 2011 on should find his groove and be a confident and dominating pitcher.  Has some great outfield defense to help prevent HR (esp. Jones)

Bad - Wieters is still a rookie calling games at the major league level, and it may be a while before the Orioles are a contending team, making it hard for the O's to get him wins.

 

9.  Brett Wallace - Good - Has done nothing but hit for a good combination of average and power at every stop, including in the pitcher-friendly PCL league.  Is major league ready and has the opp to take over at 1B in 2010.

Bad - He still didn't perform up to some people's expectations in 2009.  Will have less position value at 1B instead of 3B, and will have more pressure to perform since his ceiling isn't great.  Some people don't like his lower half.

 

10.  Wade Davis - Good - Has already displayed that he can dominate in rotation at ML level, so will get an early shot in the rotation.  Should have immediate success in every category.  I see a high 3s ERA, many Ks and an early peak.

Bad - While his floor is considerably high, his ceiling is lower than most top pitching prospects.  Will likely have other prospects breathing down his neck if he struggles early, though I doubt it'll happen.

 

11.  Jeremy Hellickson - Good - has proved doubters wrong at every level and OWNED Triple-A, and his stuff has actually gotten significantly better.  Great ratios in Triple-A and control of quality pitches. Great polish, only 22.

Bad - Some still have doubts as to how his stuff will hold up to HRs at the major league level due to flyball tendencies.  He's ML ready, but the Rays rotation is stacked and his underdog status may work against him in getting a chance.

 

12.  Hank Conger - Good - Has shown he can bounce back from injury with great well-rounded production in 2009.  With another season removed from injury, could improve plenty more.  Decent chance of keeping C elig.

Bad - Injuries can always recur, and for a catcher its even more likely.  Will have to wait until 2011 to get his chance, so he needs to stay healthy that whole time.  Injuries are really the only doubt, he can be a real sleeper if healthy.

 

13.  Dan Hudson - Good - Starting the year in the major leagues, and has already had a taste test so he knows what to expect.  A polished pitcher with good stuff, can be a solid #2 in the majors and a good likelihood of at least #3.

Bad - Like Hellickson, he may have issues with the long-ball, especially in Citifield.  The team around him is rebuilding and currently a bit of a mess, so wins may be scarce.  Also, doesn't have the ace upside of other top starters.

 

14.  Michael Taylor - Good - Showing polish and a major-league ready bat, should hit for average and power with potential for even more, and has some speed too.  Could contribute in every category and should have a strong debut.

Bad - He's already 24, so he doesn't have a lot of time to make an impression.  Oakland's massive outfield logjam is not going to help him get opportunities to prove himself in 2010.  May not get many SBs in majors.

 

15. Kyle Drabek - Good - soild chance of being a solid #2 starter, is major league ready with excellent stuff that is all the way back after missing time due to surgery.  Great baseball bloodlines, and a good bet for early success.

Bad - Makeup issues can always come up, especially if he struggles early.  Could fall into the trap of being a 2-pitch pitcher.  Tends to get overrated, he isn't likely to become an ace.  Tor is also rebuilding, so lack of wins.

 

16.  Tyler Flowers - Good - Has shown at every stop that he can continue to hit for good power with a good walk rate, and average has been solid as well.  After Triple-A success, he's knocking on the door.  D much better, can stay at C.

Bad - Doesn't have the pure hitting skills of Conger, and may struggle some initially.  Could become a valuable catcher with power, but lacks the star potential of other catchers on this list.  Needs to keep showing improved D to stay there.

 

17.  Ryan Westmoreland - Good - Has shown that he can do it all, with speed being his main asset right now but has shown that he has all the tools needed to be a 5-cat producer.  On a team with great run-scoring opps.

Bad - He's rather far away (I think ETA 2012), though I see him making a bigger impact on reaching the majors than Hicks.  May not have fully developed power early on.  Will have to fight off other BOS OF prospects, but he's better.

 

18.  Martin Perez - Good - while he's totally an upside play, the potential for dominance is similar to Feliz and he has a great makeup.  Even without figuring everything out, he still should be able to dominate MLB hitters like very few can.

Bad - He's still extremely raw for such a highly regarded pitching prospect, and still has a lot of strides to make to become an ace.  He's rushed if he debuts in 2011.  I see him struggling initially, but once he gets broken in, watch out.

 

19.  Josh Bell - Good - Did great in a full-season in Double-A, and had great plate discipline to go with power.  With continued success, a starting 3B job should be his come opening day 2011.  Should immediately hit well.

Bad - He's a little old for a prospect in Double-A, and some people don't think his lower half is meant to stay at 3b.  May struggle to hit above .260 at major league level, though power should be good.

 

20.  Casey Kelly - Good - Broke through this year with great control of fastball and secondary pitches.  I see immediate success, stuff can improve since he's rather new to pitching. Will have great bullpen, offense and defense backing him.

Bad - Could make debut in 2011, but I see 2012 more likely with the BOS stacked rotation.  Kelly needs to continue to improve FB velocity some to get into ace territory.  Needs to succeed immediately or will get overtaken by other guys.

 

21.  Grant Green - Good - Has the defensive ability to stick at SS for sure, but the bat is also intriguing (star potential).  I see him as a fast riser who will succeed early and he may get a cup of coffee as soon as 2011.  The door's wide open

Bad - Still has to prove himself in the minor leagues.  I think he'll hit well but I still have some questions about his overall plate discipline. Doesn't have as much speed as many SS, but the bat should make up for it.

 

22.  Casey Crosby - Good - Came back from injury very well and showed his potential for dominance.  He has ace potential if he can refine his control and secondary stuff to go with his great FB.  The rotation will be waiting for him.

Bad - He may get rushed like other Tiger's prospects have, which could mess him up and increase injury risk.  While intriguing, he still has some control issues to work on, and I can see him struggling with it in his debut.

 

23.  Lonnie Chisenhall - Good - Younger and higher upside than Bell, Chisenhall is 21 and has already succeeded in high A and will be in Double-A.  Good defense and power tools and continues to improve.  3b job is his for the taking.

Bad - Likely to take more time to reach the majors and make an initial impact than Bell, even if better in the long haul.  Needs to work on plate discipline and keep hitting for solid average at higher levels, I think he may struggle.

 

24.  Aaron Hicks - Good - Has one of the best toolsets in terms of potential of any AL OF prospect, since he has significant power potential with his speed.  Great plate discipline.  Could be a star with continued improvement.

Bad - Is still quite far away as a 20-year old who was meh in A ball, and probably won't debut until 2012 at earliest, but I think 2013.  While the potential is there, he hasn't yet shown the power, and some question if it'll ever develop.

 

25.  Matt Moore - Good - Captain K/9 has the stuff and strikeout potential that makes people drool.  If he can continue to dominate at higher levels, could get 200+ Ks a year annually.  Great GB rate too will help him plenty.

Bad - Gaudy numbers were just A ball, ETA could be 2013 due to TB rotation. His K rate hides just how bad his walk rate was.  He'd be best off if he cuts out walks even if it means getting more GB instead of Ks.  Could struggle initially.

 

Just Missed:

Jacob Turner - I like him and think he won't struggle like Crosby initially, but will need time to physically develop and slowly rise the ranks despite polish.  I see his ETA as a year after Crosby's or less.

Michael Saunders - He's definitely close to majors, seems to have be as ready as he'll be, I just have never found him very intriguing as a prospect since he first came up.  May be solid overall but nothing special in any category.

WIlson Ramos - His AFL showing showed just how beastly he can be.  If he can keep working on defense, he may find a way yet to get to catcher despite Mauer.  He'll need to improve plate discipline to succeed at higher levels though.

 

 

That just took me a long time, I'm gonna go to sleep now.  Feel free to discuss the prospects that you felt were too high/too low should/shouldn't have been on the list, and what you think of the list overall.  I'm not going to edit this list, but I still appreciate the feedback and I may not totally follow this list in my own minor league draft.  Thanks!