Part 1 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/08/21/bp.pecota50/index.html?eref=T1)

Part 2 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/08/22/bp.pecotatop25/index.html?eref=sircrc)

Interesting piece from Baseball Prospectus



50. Matt Kemp, LA Dodgers
49. John Lackey, LA Angels
48. Dan Uggla, Marlins
47. Geovany Soto, Chi Cubs
46. B.J. Upton, Rays
45. Carlos Beltran, NY Mets
44. Howie Kendrick, LA Angels
43. Carlos Zambrano, Chi Cubs
42. Edinson Volquez, Reds
41. Chad Billingsley, LA Dodgers
40. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
39. Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
38. Mark Teixeira, LA Angels
37. Rich Harden, Chi Cubs
36. Lance Berkman, Astros
35. Prince Fielder, Brewers
34. Nick Markakis, Orioles
33. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
32. Matt Wieters, Orioles (minor leaguer)
31. Dan Haren, D'Backs
30. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
29. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
28. Joba Chamberlain, NY Yankees
27. Matt Holliday, Rockies
26. Russ Martin, LA Dodgers
25. Justin Upton, D'Backs
24. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
23. Jay Bruce, Reds
22. Josh Beckett, Red Sox
21. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
20. Cole Hamels, Phillies
19. Scott Kazmir, Rays
18. Brandon Webb, D'Backs
17. Ryan Braun, Brewers

16. Curtis Granderson, Tigers- Somewhere around Webb or Braun, we really turned a corner into the next tier of talent. Granderson is just a superlative ballplayer, excelling in every phase of the game, and his work ethic is so strong that he could wind up getting even better.

15. Tim Lincecum, Giants

14. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers- The apparent decline in his offensive numbers isn't quite as significant as it might seem at first glance, as he was transitioning into the more difficult league and may have needed half the season to get fully acquainted with it. Still, his value eroded significantly once the Tigers recognized that he wasn't really going to be capable of playing a solid third base.

13. Chase Utley, Phillies
12. Jake Peavy, Padres
11. Brian McCann, Braves
10. Johan Santana, NY Mets
9. C.C. Sabathia, Brewers
8. Alex Rodriguez, NY Yankees
7. Joe Mauer, Twins
6. Jose Reyes, NY Mets
5. Grady Sizemore, Indians
4. Evan Longoria, Rays
3. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2. David Wright, Mets
1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins



My Thoughts

- Longoria is ranked WAYYYY to high. Don't get me wrong, he's going to be a fabulous player, but I don't think he'll ever put up numbers like say...A-Rod.

- Where the hell is Justin Morneau? I'd rather have him than Prince Fielder, that's for damn certain.

- Dan Uggla shouldn't be on this list.

- Interesting to see how highly regarded Granderson is, even though he's 27 and Braun is much younger.

- If this list was created in April, Verlander would've been on here.

- No Carlos Quentin?

#5 makes me puke. A-Rods a great player, but he's also 33 now. I'm not sure I'd build a team with him over everyone but 7 players.

Granderson's great defense at a key position helps him alot.

I see where you're coming from with Fielder but he hit 50 homers at 23. That doesn't happen. That's going to get him alot of credit.

Grady Sizemore might be the most overrated player in sports. He certainly is top 5.

Mets = 3 players in top 10.
Angels and Cubs = 0 players in top 35.

Mets = 13 games over .500
Angels and Cubs = 29.5 games over .500 (average)

The future, it seems, is not now.

Joe Mauer doesn't even have 10 home runs this year, and he's in the top 10?