This one definitely ranks as one the meanest thus far alongside Kerwin Danley & The Thing, Dave Duncan and the Emperor from Star Wars, and Julian Taverez & Freddy Krueger.

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#36 Brett Jackson

Chicago Cubs

DOB: 8/2/1988

Previous Rank: 43

ETA: 2012

Jackson is hands-down the top player in the Cubs system, even after they drafted what some think was the highest upside bat in the 2011 draft in Javier Baez.  Jackson slashed .274/.379/.490 beginning the year in the Southern League and finishing up with a little over 200 plate appearances for Des Moines (Triple-A).

Jackson is a phenomenal athlete at 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds.  He posted a 20 home run/21 stolen base season in 2011 while walking 73 times in just over 500 plate appearances.  He strikes out too much, but the power numbers justify it to some extent.  As a 60-speed guy, Jackson has plenty to stay in center and challenge for 20 stolen bases in The Show.  With a 50 to 55 arm, he has a chance to be an above-average CF for years.

His speed plays well on the bases and should for at least a few years as he was successful in over 75% of his stolen base opportunities.  Jackson, despite having no obvious barrier in the way of playing time at the Big League level, still might end up starting 2012 in Triple-A.  The Cubs have once again managed to load up their outfield with overpaid trash in the form of Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd and, if they decide to give a guy like Tyler Colvin or one of these two old-timers a starting job, Jackson will return to Des Moines and destroy Minor League pitchers until Theo decides to get serious.  As it is, he has nothing left to prove in our eyes and is more than ready to take his talent to Wrigley.

#40 Hak-Ju Lee

Tampa Bay Rays

DOB: 11/4/1990

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2013

Lee was signed as an 18-year-old out of South Korea and was sent to Tampa from the Cubs in the Matt Garza deal.  He likely will prove to be the most valuable chip that was traded in that deal except for maybe Garza himself.  Lee is an exceptional fielder, arguably the best shortstop in the Minors today in terms of what he is capable of in the field.  He has phenomenal range and a plus arm with outstanding instincts and feel for the position.  His bat is behind and he will never provide the thump to be the consistent all-star that some other shortstop prospects likely will.

Lee is going to approach a .300 average in at least a season or two.  In 2011 across two stops including 100 at-bats in the Southern League with Montgomery, Lee posted a .292/.365/.416 slash line with 33 swipes and 37 XBH’s.  He will probably never approach a 20-bomb Major League season, but he runs well and can stretch for a handful of extra bags each year beyond a replacement level guy.

We expect Lee to begin 2012 as a 21-year-old shortstop in Double-A with a chance to reach the Show later in the season or open the 2013 season as the starter at Tropicana.  If we’ve learned anything, though, it’s that Tampa is more than willing to be aggressive with promotions especially in years in which they are in contention.  We expect Tampa to be very competitive in 2012 too.

Top 1: Starlin Castro struck out swinging against Brandon Beachy

Top 3: Castro grounded out to third against Beachy

Top 5: Castro struck out swinging against Beachy

Top 6: Castro struck out swinging against Arodys Vizcaino

Top 9: Castro struck out swinging against Craig Kimbrel

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: Out of all of the golden sombreros that we’ve highlighted this season, Castro’s surprised me the most.  Possessing a K% of 14.3 in 530 plate appearances, the shortstop has shown the ability to make consistent, hard contact since bursting on the scene last season.  But on Sunday, the Braves’ young, power arms were too much for him, as he notched a sombrero out of the leadoff spot.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 89

Top 2: Matt Downs struck out swinging against Matt Garza

Top 4: Downs struck out swinging against Garza

Top 6: Downs struck out swinging against Garza

Top 8: Downs struck out swinging against Jeff Samardzija

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Downs, who made the most of increased playing time in June, is now three for his last 25 and hitting .120 in July.  If his golden sombrero indicated one thing, it’s that Downs hasn’t quite figured out how to barrel-up a quality slider.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 74

• Mevs over at Diamond Hoggers offers a suggestion on how to spice up the All-Star Game and its other side-stage events: The Pitcher Home Run Derby.  So, who would win? I also applaud Mevs on the inclusion of Mike Hampton’s 1992 Bowman rookie card. That may be the most awkward card series of all time. See for yourself.

• One of my favorite baseball bloggers, The Flagrant Fan urges the Cardinals to trade Colby Rasmus, and believes that a change of scenery would do the 24-year-old some good.  Over at FanGraphs, though, Steve Slowinski explains why the Cardinals will not be able to trade him. It’s important to note that both articles were written before Colby’s dad burst back on the scene.

• Jim Thome is four home runs shy of becoming the eighth player in baseball history to reach the 600 home run milestone…and nobody seems to be talking about it.  Considering that Thome has NEVER been linked to any sort of PED use, and is perennially regarded as one of the best dudes in all of baseball, why aren’t people talking about this? Perhaps it’s because three of its current members were known steroid users (and flagrant liars). Babes Love Baseball is dead on when they argue that Thome’s 600^th longball is both imminent and a huge deal.

• With Adam Dunn as well as the majority of the White Sox offense still struggling mightily, Jim Margalus (my favorite White Sox blogger) of South Side Sox lays out several potential trades that Kenny Williams could swing as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.

• Speaking of the ever-frustrating Dunn, our friend MTD from Off-Base Percentage airs his frustrations over Ozzie Guillen’s reluctance to bench the big man.  Apparently Ozzie will only sit Dunn if he’s not helping the ball club, which seems pretty ridiculous if you ask me.  There’s no way he is helping the team by turning in an 0-for performance every night which includes at least two strikeouts and three or four runners left on base.

• One of the most frequently mentioned names in trade discussions has been Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who, in the face of a deal that would send him to the Angels, recently stated that he would veto any trade.  With 10-to-5 rights, Ramirez can only be traded if he gives it a thumbs up.  If he’s traded, his potential suitor will be forced to pick up his massive $16 million option for 2012, which seems like nothing given how much the Halos spent on Vernon Wells this offseason.  It comes down to this: Is Aramis Ramirez content with losing, or does he want to play for a contender? Foul Balls weighs in on the issue…

• MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Tigers designated third baseman/super utility man Brandon Inge for assignment on Wednesday after acquiring Wilson Betemit from the Royals.  Even though he was never a star player, I’ve always had a soft spot for Inge.  No, it’s definitely not because he loaded up with a bunch of lame tattoos over the last few seasons. Rather, it’s because he’s an absolutely freak across the athletic board.  At 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, here is a summary of Inge’s sheer athleticism: can drive a golf ball 400+ yards; can dunk a basketball; MLB All-Star (that’s the obvious one); and he can kick (at least) a 50-yard field goal. Don’t believe me? Here’s a link to Laura Downhour’s original article which highlights the team-less infielders abilities. Oh yeah, dude also told a terminally ill kid that he’d hit a home run for him in a game….and did.