[hiaspire]

It seems to me there is more reason for optimism on the field than there has been in a very long time here. Not talking about ownership or GMs or managers (where there never seems to be any positive - and justifiably so I would argue in most cases with all the losing), but what actually happens when the ball is put in play and athletes make plays. That other stuff doesn't matter as much on the field in those critical moments of actual baseball, nor in this thread as intended (though I doubt we can keep it out unfortunately but let's try).

I think the Rockies would be in the top handful of teams (if not the very top spot) in most categories for best up-and-coming young talent. Who will have the most impact rookies and young players who are still before their prime? What organizations have done the best job of developing critical pieces to their improvement puzzles and put themselves into the strongest positions down the line?

I'm not talking about the year 2020, but it doesn't have to all come together this season completely either. Who has the best young talent to make a huge difference starting this year and the next couple years beyond that as we look forward? More credit goes toward actual displays of that potential more so than just projectable promise that may or may not materialize, and I think the Rockies grade out well there by having given a lot of young players a chance to prove themselves already.

BEST YOUNG UP-AND-COMING LINEUP FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
High percentage of 20-something bats powering your lineup

BEST YOUNG 3/4/5 RUN-PRODUCING MEAT OF THE ORDER

BEST AT GETTING YOUNG RUNNERS ON BASE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

BEST YOUNG INFIELD OVERALL

BEST YOUNG OUTFIELD OVERALL

BEST YOUNG ROTATION DEPTH

BEST YOUNG TOP OF THE ROTATION

BEST YOUNG BULLPEN

BEST YOUNG FUNDAMENTALS

BEST YOUNG PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPETITIVE MAKEUP

I have some thoughts on that to expand upon below. Looking at some of the projected lineups for 2010 from BA there are certainly will be some good young teams out there, but the Rockies have a chance to be right there with the best of them on the field in many important categories that will decide wins and losses.

Keeping them together, of course, is where some negativity can creep in if we let it, but that's further down the road and another story for another day entirely.