Rays Headline Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects

In their 2010 Prospect Handbook, Baseball America praised the Tampa Bay Rays for having the best minor league farm system. In the latest Top 100 Prospects list, the publication justified its ranking of the Rays' system: Tampa Bay has more players in the Top 100 list than any franchise in baseball.

A total of seven Rays prospects found their way into the rankings, two more than the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. Of the seven top-ranking Rays, two wore a Hot Rods uniform in 2009 while a third should dress for the Hot Rods in 2010.

The pair of former Hot Rods are pitcher Matt Moore and shortstop Tim Beckham, both recognized by several outlets as top-100-caliber prospects. Moore, after leading Minor League Baseball in strikeouts in '09, is ranked 35th by Baseball America. Beckham, who led the Hot Rods in most offensive categories, is ranked 67th.

One slot behind Beckham is right-handed pitcher Alex Colome. Pitching for Hudson Valley in 2009, the 21-year-old led the Rays' organization with a 1.66 ERA, the second lowest in the New York-Penn League. He finished with 94 strikeouts in just 76 innings, earning him Topps Player of the Year honors in the NYPL. He should be ready for Bowling Green in 2010.

Other Rays on the list include the No. 6 overall prospect, outfielder Desmond Jennings, who could make it to Tampa in 2010. Pitcher Wade Davis is ranked No. 35 and appears to have a stranglehold on the 5th slot in the Rays' rotation. Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (No. 18) and infielder Reid Brignac (No. 54) also appear on the list.

Atlanta OF prospect Jason Heyward, who is likely to start the season with the Braves, is the top-ranked prospect on the list. Pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the top pick by Washington in last year's draft, follows Heyward at No. 2. Reds pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman is ranked No. 22.