It's an Insider story, so I can't post a link, but 3 Cardinal prospects make Keith Law's Mid-season Top 50:


3.  Shelby Miller  RHP  6-1 190  Analysis: He's the best right-handed pitching prospect in the minors with a plus fastball, above-average to plus curveball and much better changeup. Preseason Ranking: 9


4.  Carlos Martinez RHP  6-0 165  Analysis: Another easy velocity guy who'll touch 100 and has a plus breaking ball. A native of the Dominican Republic, he originally signed with Boston in 2009, but the deal was voided because of incomplete documentation. Just wait for the flurry of stories on how the Red Sox should still have Martinez's rights once he reaches the big leagues and turns into a star. Preseason Ranking: 52


47.  Tyrell Jenkins  RHP  6-4 180  Analysis: Jenkins is a tremendous athlete with a plus fastball, a plus curveball and feel for a changeup. Hitters do see the fastball well out of his hand, but he could be a top 25-30 starter in the majors if the command and control are there. Preseason Ranking: NR

"Keith Law's Mid-season Top 50:"

Does the story indicate how many of these guys he's seen in person?

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Keith Law's Mid-season Top 50:"

Does the story indicate how many of these guys he's seen in person?

No, but I would hope he's at least seen video on them rather than simply guessing.

Another note on Adams: Law says Adams is one of the Top 100 prospects. I don't think there's any chance he's a Cardinal after the deadline.

forsberg_us wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Keith Law's Mid-season Top 50:"

Does the story indicate how many of these guys he's seen in person?

No, but I would hope he's at least seen video on them rather than simply guessing.

I doubt Keith Law even watches baseball.  A box score can tell you enough.

"Violation of team policy" cuts a pretty wide swath there, Moz.

forsberg_us wrote:

Per Strauss' Twitter, "when you're 20 years old there are some things you cannot do. And certainly not multiple times."

Sounds like Shelby's been having a belt or two.

Or sleeping with Lohan.

artie_fufkin wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Per Strauss' Twitter, "when you're 20 years old there are some things you cannot do. And certainly not multiple times."

Sounds like Shelby's been having a belt or two.

Or sleeping with Lohan.

Rec

1. Shelby Miller, RHP (19th overall, 2009 draft) — The starter who finished his season in Class AA is one of the elite pitching prospects in baseball. He has a plus fastball that cooks in the mid-90s mph and solid mechanics. In the power-happy Texas League, Miller struck out 89 and allowed only two homers in 86 2/3 innings. He'll get a shot at opening 2012 in the Class AAA rotation.

2. Carlos Martinez, RHP (free agent, 2010) — In his first summer in the States, the lithe righty breezed through Low-A before his command faltered in Palm Beach. Martinez, who turned 20 this month, has an electric arm and arguably the zippiest fastball in the system (it can hit 100 mph). A return to High-A is likely for refinement of his delivery and use of his off-speed pitches.

3. Oscar Taveras, OF (free agent, 2008) — The teen sensation will clarify his status as a prospect with a turn in the Arizona Fall League against pitchers several levels above what he saw in High-A. A preternaturally gifted hitter, Taveras hit .386 with 40 extra-base hits at Low-A. He has played all three spots in the outfield, though he figures to be a corner outfielder as his feel for defense improves. How Taveras, 19, does in Arizona will help determine if he leapfrogs to Class AA next spring.

4. Kolten Wong, 2B (22nd overall, 2011) — The Cardinals' first-round pick in June had one of the best pro debuts of any player drafted, asserting himself with a .335 average, .401 on-base percentage and .510 slugging for the Midwest League champ Quad Cities club. Wong, a lefthanded hitter, has one of the better feels for the strike zone and a balanced swing that will translate to higher levels. He relied on athleticism at second, though scouts believe his glove is nimble enough to keep up with his bat. Wong could start next season in High-A poised for a quick promotion to Double-A Springfield.

5. Matt Adams, 1B (23rd round, 2009) — The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Adams bludgeoned the Texas League for a club-record 32 homers, 101 RBIs, a .566 slugging percentage and a .923 OPS. He has been described by opposing scouts as the best power prospect in the league and the best position prospect in the Cards' organization. He has a short, swift swing that works for distance and average (he hit .300). After hitting the Arizona Fall League next month, he's earmarked to be starting at Class AAA Memphis.

6. Zack Cox, 3B (25th overall, 2010) — The only member of this list who is on the 40-man roster, Cox will enter his second of three option years in 2012. Cox started slow in Class AA, but found his swing in the second half, hitting .335 with eight homers and an .888 OPS in 61 games. Cox's bat hints at average and gap power. He'll have to improve his fielding at third to adapt to the speed of the game at Class AAA. A return to Springfield is possible before the expected rise to Triple-A.

7. Jordan Swagerty, RHP (second round, 2010) — The former Arizona State closer sped through the system in his first full pro season, leaping from the Low-A rotation to the Class AA bullpen. He has a small frame and a complicated delivery, but it unspools to produce a plus fastball and a biting, swing-and-miss curve. Proximity to the majors puts him on this list, but his potential as a starter could increase his value even as it slows his ascent. He's being eyed for a spot in Springfield's rotation.


Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_7a24d366-d1e4-547b-9c5d-77a05d4b6351.html#ixzz1Z0K3m1bH