and Dodgers have a huge drop to 21st.
1. Oakland Athletics
Last Year's Ranking: 2
Why They Might Be Better Than This: Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters.
Why They Might Be Worse: Ynoa has yet to pitch in a pro game; expected to be the fifth starter, lefty Gio Gonzalez might fit better in the bullpen; there is plenty of debate among scouts concerning the ceilings of hitters like Aaron Cunningham and Sean Doolittle.
Outlook For 2010: Could depend as much on how well the big-league team does during the first half of the season as anything else, as the second half is either spent gunning for a post-season spot or the beginning of a rebuilding mode, which could mean that a number of players will lose their prospect status going into 2010.
21. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Year's Ranking: 5
Why They Might Be Better Than This: Many saw Ethan Martin as the top high school pitcher in the draft, and his upside is considerable; if Andrew Lambo's late-season Double-A showing is real, he could be a monster; as always, they have a good number of young athletes with breakout potential, headed by shortstop Devaris Gordon.
Why They Might Be Worse: Second-ranked LA prospect Ivan De Jesus Jr. is done for the year after breaking his leg in a spring training game; there isn't a pitcher in the system with top-of-the-rotation potential; top power prospects like Pedro Baez and Kyle Russell don't have enough hitting skills to take advantage of them.
Outlook For 2010: With no first-round pick this June, the Dodgers are stuck with the hand they've been dealt, and the loss of DeJesus hurts; one of the biggest drops from last year's rankings, they're not really in a position to move back toward the top.
1. Oakland Athletics
Last Year's Ranking: 2
Why They Might Be Better Than This: Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters.
Why They Might Be Worse: Ynoa has yet to pitch in a pro game; expected to be the fifth starter, lefty Gio Gonzalez might fit better in the bullpen; there is plenty of debate among scouts concerning the ceilings of hitters like Aaron Cunningham and Sean Doolittle.
Outlook For 2010: Could depend as much on how well the big-league team does during the first half of the season as anything else, as the second half is either spent gunning for a post-season spot or the beginning of a rebuilding mode, which could mean that a number of players will lose their prospect status going into 2010.
21. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Year's Ranking: 5
Why They Might Be Better Than This: Many saw Ethan Martin as the top high school pitcher in the draft, and his upside is considerable; if Andrew Lambo's late-season Double-A showing is real, he could be a monster; as always, they have a good number of young athletes with breakout potential, headed by shortstop Devaris Gordon.
Why They Might Be Worse: Second-ranked LA prospect Ivan De Jesus Jr. is done for the year after breaking his leg in a spring training game; there isn't a pitcher in the system with top-of-the-rotation potential; top power prospects like Pedro Baez and Kyle Russell don't have enough hitting skills to take advantage of them.
Outlook For 2010: With no first-round pick this June, the Dodgers are stuck with the hand they've been dealt, and the loss of DeJesus hurts; one of the biggest drops from last year's rankings, they're not really in a position to move back toward the top.
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