1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jhoulys Chacin, RHP
3. Michael McKenry, C
4. Christian Friedrich, LHP
5. Brandon Hynick, RHP
6. Matt Miller, OF
7. Charlie Blackmon, OF
8. Hector Gomez, INF
9. Keith Weiser, LHP
10. Connor Graham, RHP
11. Aneury Rodriguez, RHP
12. Casey Weathers, RHP
13. Jeff Kindel, 1B
14. Eric Young Jr, 2B/CF
15. Chris Nelson, INF
16. Christian Colonel, 1B/3B/OF
17. Shane Lindsay, RHP
18. Joe Koshansky, 1B
19. Craig Baker, RHP
20. Chaz Roe, RHP
21. Jonathan Herrera, INF
22. Darin Holcomb, 3B
23. Aaron Weatherford, RHP
24. Daniel Carte, OF
25. Andrew Johnston, RHP
26. Cory Riordan, RHP
27. Wilin Rosario, C
28. Christopher Frey, CF
29. Corey Wimberly, 2B/CF
30. Juan Morillo, RHP

1. Dexter Fowler
2. Jhoulys Chacin
3. Brandon Hynick
4. Tony Blanco.
5. Aneury Rodriguez
6. Charlie Blackmon
7. Keith Weiser
8. Casey Weathers
9. Darin Holcomb
10. Connor Graham
11. Michael McKenry
12. Jeff Kindel
13. Eric Young Jr,
14. Christian Friedrich
15. Chris Nelson
16. Wilin Rosario
17. Christian Colonel
18. Hector Gomez
19. Joe Koshansky
20. Chaz Roe
21. Jonathan Herrera
22. Evereth Cabrerra
23. Aaron Weatherford
24. Daniel Carte
25. Adam Jorgenson
26. Cory Riordan
27. Scott Robinson
28. Delta Cleary
29. Zack Murry
30. Kurt Yacko

1. Dexter Fowler
2. Jhoulys Chacin
3. Brandon Hynick
4. Aneury Rodriguez
5. Charlie Blackmon
6. Keith Weiser
7. Casey Weathers
8. Darin Holcomb
9. Connor Graham
10. Michael McKenry
11. Jeff Kindel
12. Eric Young Jr,
13. Christian Friedrich
14. Chris Nelson
15. Wilin Rosario
16. Christian Colonel
17. Hector Gomez
18. Joe Koshansky
19. Chaz Roe
20. Jonathan Herrera
21. Evereth Cabrerra
22. Aaron Weatherford
23. Daniel Carte
24. Adam Jorgenson
25. Cory Riordan
26. Scott Robinson
27. Delta Cleary
28. Zack Murry
29. Kurt Yacko
30. Jeff Cunningham

1. Dexter Fowler
2. Jhoulys Chacin
3. Christian Friedrich
4. Charlie Blackmon
5. Michael McKenry
6. Darin Holcomb
7. Brandon Hynick
8. Keith Weiser
9. Aneury Rodriguez
10. Hector Gomez
11. Eric Young Jr.
12. Chris Nelson
13. Wilin Rosario
14. Cory Riordan
15. Connor Graham
16. Casey Weathers
17. Matt Miller
18. Chaz Roe
19. Joe Koshansky
20. Everth Cabrera
21. Delta Cleary
22. Adam Jorgenson
23. Esmil Rogers
24. Juan Morillo
25. Zack Murry
26. Shane Lindsay
27. Mike Mitchell
28. Dan Houston
29. Brian Rike
30. Christian Colonel

1. Dexter Fowler
2. Casey Weathers
3. Brandon Hynick
4. Eric Young Jr.
5. Shane Lindsay
6. Christian Colonel
7. Corey Wimberly
8. Chris Nelson
9. Juan Morillo
10. Matt Miller
11. Christian Friedrich
12. Jhoulys Chacin
13. Ryan Mattheus
14. Keith Weiser
15. Joe Koshansky
16. Chaz Roe
17. Jonathan Herrera
18. Connor Graham
19. Mike McKenry
20. Mike Mitchell
21. Jeff Kindel
22. Andrew Johnston
23. Darin Holcomb
24. Will Harris
25. Chris Frey
26. Charlie Blackmon
27. Esmil Rogers
28. Mike Paulk
29. Wilin Rosario
30. Daniel Mayora

BTW, I totally agree with Roxhead’s approach to these rankings. It makes a ton of sense to me to favor the older guys who look like they might make it to Denver. I also look closely at first half/second half splits to see who is improving at their respective levels. This is a key indicator of projectability. Guys who fade at the end of a season usually do so for a reason. The reverse also tends to be true.
For some time now I’ve maintained that projecting the really young kids too high too soon on this list tends to detract from its credibility. Trying to conform it to what Baseball America ultimately thinks is silly. I realize there are legitimately different ways to analyze players, but to project a 19-year-old’s 60 day performance over that of a three or four year proven player strikes me as Alice-in-Wonderlandish. In that perverse world, NOT playing much or NOT playing well actually helps you in this poll because it means you have lots of upside!!
Another point I’d like to throw out there for consideration: perhaps it would be helpful in the future if those responding to this or similar posts were to note if they actually have seen any, most, or none of the individuals they’re ranking play in person, and, if so, how many times. Nothing like a little eyeball contact to calibrate whatever Jim Callis or Will Lingo think.

I was not advocating that anyone exclude the young guys. In fact, I have some on my list too. And you make a very sound point about focusing on too many older guys. Sometimes, projecting a .300 hitter from the Springs high onto this list seems like too safe a play and certainly not in keeping with the concept of a “prospect.” I get that.
However, all I’m saying is that the reverse is also true. To use your own analogy, it just seems that too many people take the top five guys in the batting order (or off the pitching roster) from Casper and automatically rank them high on their list each year.
Including a preponderance of younger, unproven guys simply because they’re primarily young and unproven and then telling people they can’t argue against these players because, well, they’re young and unproven (“…just starting to put together their tools…”)strikes me as a position that, at some point, makes the projection less meaningful. If their performance next season or thereafter proves me wrong, I’ll be happy to upgrade my list. In particular, I’m anxious to see how Rosario and Cleary develop next year. You see, I don’t hold actual results against a player. It’s only limited or lack of results that make me a bit cautious. For the record, I’ve never seen Rosario play. I did get to see McKenry play all of ‘07. He was the best catcher in the SAL, by far. While his O numbers this year at Modesto seem off, it looks like he had another great year defensively. So, Wilin has his work cut out for himself if he is to pass McKenry on my list. That said, let the better player prevail.
As you implied, I guess it comes down to your definition of prospect. Yours seems to be only a player who becomes an All-Star or impact player. All-Star I understand. Impact I’m not so sure about. Is Spilly an impact player? Is Hawpe? How about Barmes? In my book, all are, though they all have had some ups and downs. You see, if being a possible future All-Star was the criterion, this would be a very short list indeed. Maybe no more than 10-12 players, if that.
So, yes, I believe there are some players in Colorado Springs who deserve to be on this list because they have more of a proven record than some of the younger guys. Though I fully hope and expect some of the younger guys to eventually replace some or all of the older ones, I’ll reserve judgment until their performance indicates they shoud.
Again, all points you raised are worthy of debate. It’s fun thinking through this stuff. As to your last sentence, I sincerely hope you don’t believe that.

Tad off Subject but Christian Colonel is playing in Venezuela, and doing well. My question is what happens to players like Christian, drafted in 2003, never on 40 man and has played as high as AAA, is he a free agent, is he automaticaly invited to Rockies spring training, does he have the option of looking elsewhere, just what is a players status with this players history?

First my apologies to rox girl, Russ, malakian and others at the Row for my extended absence from the site, something I don’t consider appropriate as someone given certain privileges on the site.

Now, my list will side more with Franchise, as I believe a ceiling/ability blend is a better definition of a Top Prospect than one whose been afforded a longer tour of duty in the minors to establish a list of accomplishments. This time I will give quick reasoning behind each selection:

1) Dexter Fowler- Truly electric AA season with B.J. Upton type ability.
2) Jhoulys Chacin- Fast worker may reach Colorado soon, though upside could "only" be Carmona.
3) Christian Friedrich- Underrated power lefty could have Kazmir-Bedard "k" ceiling.
4) Wilin Rosario- Already system’s best power prospect, underaged at 19 in Casper.
5) Connor Graham- BP’s peak translations really like Graham, a power guy in any role.
6) Hector Gomez- Age gives him a mulligan, but now must show something beyond raw tools.
7) Aneury Rodriguez- Young workhorse may not be a top arm but will be a reliable pro.
8) Chris Nelson- Tools still were evident but not consistent in Tulsa, having nice fall.
9) Charlie Blackmon- We’d like to see a little more pop, but Blackmon hit from the word go.
10) Delta Cleary- Fowler 2? BA likes to buzz about him, noting his impressive fall.
11) Casey Weathers- Talent deserves top 5, but surgery now makes him a wildcard.
12) Eric Young Jr.- Better than expected year. Contact/speed seems real, but where does he play?
13) Brandon Hynick- Bounced back from rough start, still shows flashes of being Duchscherer lite.
14) Michael McKenry- Great fall, but needs to answer contact/AVG questions in big jump to AA.
15) Shane Lindsay- Talent and performance warrant higher place, but cannot stay healthy.
16) Chaz Roe- Must answer questions about missing velocity (86-88). Curve still great pitch.
17) Darin Holcomb- Talent is AVG driven and he’s not young. I need convincing in AA first.
18) Keith Weiser- Mixed four average pitches for moderate success in AA. Should be a pro.
19) Cory Riordan- Struggles of Hynick/hit rate do not bode well, but he has desired polish.
20) Ryan Mattheus- Power fastball (97) and curve mix could give him Witasik-like career.
21) Esmil Rogers- Live arm running out of time to make something of it. To the bullpen?
22) Parker Frazier- Could spend age 20 season in Low A. Still filling out and adding mph.
23) Kiel Roling- Was crushing in Casper before hitting shelf. Raw power but was flashing AVG too.
24) Joe Koshansky- Slow bat makes MLB regular status unlikely, but has good power.
25) Dan Houston- Was said to be late climber in North. Stuff worth watching and could have upside.
26) Everth Cabrera- Speed warrants intrigue, but faces big jumps for a player of his ilk.
27) Will Harris- Good sized reliever still very productive though fastball (91) not as big as believed.
28) Tyler Massey- Brings power/athleticism/potential to the system, but very raw.
29) Carlos Martinez- Started to flash potential that made him a large bonus Latin signee.
30) Aaron Weatherford- Darkhorse first rounder needs to answer injury concerns, could rise.

Overall, the system just isn’t as impressive as it was a year ago, and is still lacking in high ceiling talent. However, trades could drastically change this landscape in just two months from now.