Moose is also going to play in the Pan-Am games for Team USA, something he can't do if he's on the 40-man roster of an MLB team.

Eh, it's not too absurd. If you bring Moose up, somebody has to sit. You would be stupid to bench Betemit. So it'd have to be Kila. And that's pointless too. Unless everyone's ready to throw Kila under the bus already.

They will do just that. What was surprising to me was that all of the prospect blogs were talking about how Moose was just a product of NW Arkansas' home field, but that was wrong and proof of how you just have to look at the deeper numbers to see what a prospect is doing. His numbers against right handed pitchers in AAA? .349/.363./.698. Against left handed pitchers? .203/.233/.319. Compare that to his AA numbers where he hit almost equal against left handers(.348/.417/.640), and you see why his numbers are slightly worse in AAA than AA. He hit lefties much better in AA but AAA lefties have figured him out for the most part. Hitting left handed pitchers is often the last stage of development for a left handed hitter and Moose obviously needs more time developing that stage. Keep him in AAA until we can get another year of service time.

Cool, I was not aware of that.

Here's the link. Moose is also going to play in the Dominican this winter.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/31...ong-teams.html

The Surprise Rafters are going to skull**** the Arizona Fall League.

I'm all for getting him experience, but I think it's wise to have people prove themselves a little more in Omaha than Moose has at this point. One month of success there is not quite enough (especially considering how much he struggled earlier).

I think it's good for him to experience winning and also have the Pan-Am games experience. He's a born leader by all accounts, so I think his acclimation to the clubhouse will be pretty easy.

And anyway, if you bring up Moose and play him, you're taking away the opportunities to see Kila improve(or fail) or to evaluate Betemit further.

I really think Betemit might be finally figuring things out. Don't forget this is a former top five prospect. Could get a Ryan Ludwick-like return out of him at this point (and he's athletic enough to play a corner outfield spot here and there). I like the idea of resigning Betemit to something reasonable (if he continues to hit) like a $12 million over 3 years. I don't think he's a .320 hitter, but I think he's capable of playing 120-130 games split between 3B, 1B, DH, RF and LF while hitting .280/20/80 with a .350 OBP. Really like his bat and versatility.

So take some time, continue to evaluate Betemit (I think he's a keeper) and Kila (I think the flaws many saw are there AND make him a AAAA player), save the service year, and bring Moose up after he proves himself a little more.

How long do the Cards have Colby Rasmus for?

I understand what you guys are saying, and you're probably right.

However.......what's best for MooseTacos, IMO, should definitely trump concerns about playing time for Kila or Betemit, and I'm hopeful about both of those players. Fact is, we need to do our level best to groom a young star.

If Moose ends up in KC around June of next year, maybe that will be the best thing...

Greg Schaum's current Top 40 Royals prospects:

http://royalsprospects.com/?p=3483

This is funny since most Royals fans seem to think Gordon's poor MLB performance all stems from being rushed to the majors. Now that Moose has had a few great months, fans are ready to see him in the majors NOW.

When you combine service time, the 40 man roster issue, lack of AAA experience, and young age, I think it's clear that Moose should stay in the minors the rest of this year, and ideally until around next June. It makes no sense at all to waste his service time right now, especially when you consider we're most likely only going to have him for 6 years since he's a Boras guy.

Man I can't believe how excited I am about our future. We've had such a weak farm system for so long that I don't even know how to handle this.

Not funny at all because I'm not one of those people. Advanced college bats should move through the system quickly, and Gordon's development was very similar to Braun's and Zimmerman's.

Gordon has been mediocre-average because that's the player he is or has been. It's not like the organization Mark Teahened him.

There's value in getting the kid's feet wet, and I could give two shits about service time. The fact that fans even discuss this point, which should be a concern only for a penny-pinching owner, is disconcerting.

agreed on all points

So where do you guys see our main prospects starting next fall?

Moose in Omaha...Hosmer too? Or does he start in AA? Myers in AA, Colon too? Or is there a chance Colon starts in AAA next year?

How about the pitchers?