No Kernels on BA's top prospect list

Interesting, but true.

Baseball America is in the process of releasing its top 20 prospects for each minor league. It recently named its top 20 guys in the Midwest League this past season, and there were zero Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The 2009 Kernels were not bereft with a ton of big-time talent. Second baseman Alexi Amarista was a postseason Midwest League all-star but is apparently too small for BA to be considered a top prospect. None of the starting pitchers for this year's Kernels (including guys like Tyler Chatwood, Will Smith or Ryan Chaffee, who the parent Angels have touted) are on the list, either.

Beloit outfielder Aaron Hicks, by the way, was Baseball America's top Midwest League prospect.

Here's the complete list:

1. Aaron Hicks, OF (Beloit/Twins)

2. Dee Gordon, SS (Great Lakes/Dodgers)

3. Josh Vitters, 3B (Peoria/Cubs)

4. Brett Lawrie, 2B (Wisconsin/Brewers)

5. Mike Montgomery, LHP (Burlington/Royals)

6. Casey Crosby, LHP (West Michigan/Tigers)

7. Simon Castro, RHP (Fort Wayne/Padres)

8. Jaff Decker, OF (Fort Wayne/Padres)

9. Cody Scarpetta, RHP (Wisconsin/Brewers)

10. Ethan Martin, RHP (Great Lakes/Dodgers)

11. Tim Melville, RHP (Burlington/Royals)

12. Eric Hosmer, 1B (Burlington/Royals)

13. A.J. Pollock, OF (South Bend/Diamondbacks)

14. Wily Peralta, RHP (Wisconsin/Brewers)

15. James Darnell, 3B (Fort Wayne/Padres)

16. Chris Archer, RHP (Peoria/Cubs)

17. Kyle Russell, OF (Great Lakes/Dodgers)

18. Grant Desme, OF (Kane County/Athletics)

19. Pedro Figueroa, LHP (Kane County/Athletics)

20. Chris Carpenter, RHP (Peoria/Cubs)