One thing we’ve always wanted to do here at Bus Leagues is track the prospects who journey through the minors toward their ultimate goal: a spot on a MLB roster. The way we’ve chosen to do that is something I call The Zimmermeter. The title references the rocket-like rise of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who traveled from the University of Virginia to the Washington Nationals roster in mere months in 2005. We’ll keep track of their accumulated statistics and let you know when each prospect moves up a level on the meter, and we’ll mine the hometown newspapers for some local reaction.
Here are our top 25, including a couple of guys I added on a whim just because I’m curious how they’ll do.
1. Jay Bruce, CF (AAA) – Cincinnati
2. Evan Longoria, 3B (AAA) – Tampa
3. David Price, LHP (A) – Tampa
4. Colby Rasmus, CF (AA) – St. Louis
5. Clayton Kershaw, LHP (AA) – Dodgers
6. Cameron Maybin, CF (AAA) – Marlins
7. Homer Bailey, RHP (AAA) – Cincinnati
8. Rick Porcello, RHP (A) – Detroit
9. Travis Snyder, RF (A) – Toronto
10. Andrew McCutcheon, CF (AAA) – Pittsburgh
11. Mike Moustakas, 3B, (R) – KC
12. Josh Vitters, 3B (A) – Cubs
13. Carlos Gonzalez, RF (AAA) – Oakland
14. Fernando Martinez, CF (AA) – Mets
15. Jacob McGee, LHP (AA) – Tampa
16. Matt Wieters, C (A) – Baltimore
17. Lars Anderson, 1B (AA) – Boston
18. Wade Davis, RHP (AA) – Tampa
19. Elvis Andrus, SS (AA) – Rangers
20. Ian Stewart, 3B (AAA) – Rockies
21. Reid Brignac, SS (AAA) – Rays
22. Joey Votto, 3B (AAA) – Reds
23. Luke Hochevar, P (AAA) – Royals
24. Joe Koshansky, 1B (AAA) – Rockies
25. Jeff Samardzija, P (AA) – Cubs
Koshansky is there because he was an ace pitcher and hitter on the same UVA team with Zimmerman, and Samarjaisioafiwa is there because he was a WR with Notre Dame, and therefore is a semi-celebrity curiousity with a funny name. I’m sorry, that’s just how we roll.
We’ll get this feature rolling right next week, after a few stats begin to accumulate.
