Five Osprey on D-backs MLB.com List

When MLB.com released its Top 10 Prospect List for the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was no surprise that right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker was at the top of the list. However, it also wasn't a surprise that the list also included multiple members of the 2009 Osprey.

Of the five players who made the list, four of them played at least part of the season - and were involved in the post-season for Missoula, who advance to the Pioneer League Championship Series that season, taking eventual champion Orem to the limit.

Making the list, along with the top-rated 2007 Osprey alum, include infielders Bobby Borchering (No. 3) and Chris Owings (No. 4), right-handed pitcher Charles Brewer (No. 9) and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (No. 10).

Parker, of course, is coming off of Tommy John surgery, and made his Spring Training debut on Monday in a game against the Colorado Rockies. Parker allowed three walks, but managed to also get a strikeout and pitch out of trouble without allowing a run. Nearly every scout feels that Parker has top-of-the-rotation stuff, and could be in a D-backs' uniform sometime this season.

Borchering (.270 average, 15 home runs, 47 RBIs) and Owings (.298, 5, 28) will both start the season in Class A Advanced Visalia. Owings will get a chance to participate in his first Spring Training game this weekend, as he is recovering from a minor injury. Both Borchering and Owings impressed during their first full professional seasons at South Bend - Owings was a Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star before missing the second half with a foot injury.

Brewer led the D-backs organization in ERA (2.45) and strikeouts (153 in 150 2/3 innings pitched) during his first full season as a professional baseball player, and managing to do it at two different levels. The right-hander is expected to make the move to Double-A Mobile this season.

Then there's Goldschmidt, the 2010 California League MVP and Rookie of the Year, as well as MLB.com's Hitter of the Year for the D-backs. Goldschmidt, who hit .314 and drove in 108 runs at Visalia while leading all of Class A baseball with 35 home runs, has opened some eyes with his early performance in Spring Training games with the Major League club, leading the D-backs in total bases and RBIs through the first four spring games.

Also mentioned in the story - two more pitchers from the 2009 Osprey rotation, right-handed pitchers Chase Anderson (7-7, 3.32 ERA combined in '10) and Eric Smith (9-9, 4.06 ERA combined in '10), who were labeled as players who were rising fast but still considered "Under the Radar". Both started at Class A South Bend and both moved to Class A Advanced Visalia in May. They're also both expected to head to Double-A Mobile to at least start the 2011 season.