Brendan98 wrote:

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I'd like to get some opinions on who might be considered the better prospects out of the following guys. My interest is more towards who do you think is more likely to have a solid major league career, than who has the most upside. Comparisons won't always be apples to apples, or shortstops to shortstops, but will have some similiarity.

Barnes vs Ranaudo  -I like Barnes, Ranaudo doesn't seem to come as advertised.

Swihart vs Cecchini   -Nothing against Swihart just very high on Cecchini

Lavarnway vs Middlebrooks   -Middlebrooks has some holes in approach

Jacobs vs Brentz    -close here, Jacobs a little younger has better chance of improving approach

Bradley Jr vs Lin   -both potentially elite fielders,  JBJ has better chance of hitting

Iglesias vs Vinicio   -another year like last year, and could flip flop

Wilson vs Workman   -toss up to me

Doubront vs Pimental   -going to give Pimental a pass on 2011 and call this a toss up

Cecchini vs Bogaerts   -again very high on Cecchini, love both these guys - toss up

I'm certainly no expert, especially compared to others on this board, but I'll play.

Barnes vs Ranaudo:  I'll take Ranaudo right now - the fact is that Barnes looks good because he hasn't played - or struggled yet the way Ranaudo has.  I honestly don't think either one will be clearly better than the other, but I could very well be wrong about that.

Swihart vs Cecchini:  I'll take Swihart despite thinking that Cecchini will be the best pure hitting prospect in the system.  If Swihart sticks as catcher, he'll be the all around more valuable player, assuming he hits as he's reputed to hit.

Lavarnway vs Middlebrooks:  I'll say Middlebrooks has the better career because of defensive value even though I like Lavarnway's approach at the plate better.  If Lavarnway could stick as a regular catcher, then I might change my answer, but the odds of that aren't as good as Middlebrooks turning into a solid everyday 3b.

Jacobs vs Brentz:  This is my toughest to figure.  Brentz has some serious power and a good arm, but can be error prone and doesn't walk a ton.  Jacobs has developing power, can steal a base, but doesn't have a sterling defensive reputation either.  Nor does he walk alot yet, although it seems he is still learning how to hit, so I guess Brentz is more of a sure thing while Jacobs has a higher ceiling.  I'll call this a tossup.

Bradley Jr. vs Lin: This is a no-brainer.  Lin might wind up a decent #4 OF, although he might not hit enough to stick.  Bradley projects as a regular CF with some power and some good D.

Iglesias vs Vinicio:  Right now that makes me thing of Rey Ordonez vs Tampa's version of Julio Lugo (not the Boston version).  I'll take Iglesias based on his defense and because I'm not ready to write him off yet as a complete zero offensively.

Wilson vs Workman:  I'll take Wilson who I think will be a very good middle reliever with the potential to close.  Workman seems to me to be a #4 starter type.  I hope I'm wrong about that.

Doubront vs Pimental:  I'll take Doubront just because he can stick in some team's bullpen as a lefty, and I don't see any major evidence that Pimental will be a major league pitcher.

Cecchini (again) vs Bogaerts:  I'll take Bogaerts just because when I think of him, I think of a young Hanley Ramirez without the attitude.  I think of Cecchini as somebody who if he stays healthy could be a heckuva hitter, too.  My hope is that Bogaerts sticks at SS or learns the OF with Cecchini sticking at 3b.  I'll love to have both in the lineup.