With a quarter of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 29-25, which includes: Brett Lawrie, Martin Perez, Devin Mesoraco, Jason Kipnis and Zach Britton.

29. Brett Lawrie, 2B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Triple-A: .342/.401/.638, 16 2B, 3 3B, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 16 BB, 39 K, 10-for-11 SB

28. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas Rangers

Double-A: 1-0, CG, SHO, 2.31 ERA, 46.2 IP, 23 BB, 48 K, 1.286 WHIP, 0.2 HR/9

27. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: .288/.371/.473, 12 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 18 BB, 32 K

26. Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians

Triple-A: .292/.368/.497, 10 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 20 BB, 31 K, 8-for-8 SB

25. Zach Britton, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

MLB: 5-2, 2.35 ERA, 65 IP, 21 BB, 35 K, 1.123 WHIP

On Monday, all eyes were on Bryce Harper as he made his Spring Training debut off the bench for the Nationals.  The 18-year-old, who served as the team’s DH, received two at-bats, striking out in both of them.  I was just happy to see him get his hacks in, and could care less that he struck out twice.

Elsewhere, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both went yard in a 12-11 loss to the Rangers; a game that featured 25 hits, 12 of which went for extra-bases.  Danny Duffy managed to surrender a run without giving up a hit, and fellow left-hander Chris Dwyer was tagged with the loss after allowing a three-run seventh.

But at the end of the day it was Brandon Belt who turned in the day’s best performance, which included an RBI single in the second, and a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning that broke the game open.

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• This week Braves’ manager Fredi Gonzalez stated that youngsters Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel could split the closing duties in 2011, just as Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez did in 2009.  Last season, Kimbrel burst on the scene and to say the least, was absolutely filthy.  In just 20 2/3 innings, Kimbrel recorded 40 strikeouts, which for those of you keeping score at home is a ridiculous 17.4 K/9.  He also racked up four wins and a save along the way, and allowed just a single earned run.  If he can repeat his success, Kimbrel could very well become a household name in 2011.

• The Cleveland Indians cleared catcher Carlos Santana to resume all baseball activities, and he will be ready for the start of Spring Training next week.  In 2010, Santana’s eye-opening rookie campaign came to an abrupt halt after he suffered a hideous knee injury on August 2.  Considering that the switch-hitting catcher posted slashes of .260/.401/.467 last year in 192 plate appearances, the fact that he’s been cleared significantly increase his fantasy value.  I’m really excited to see what this guy can do over the course of a full, healthy season.

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#26 Jason Kipnis – Cleveland Indians

2B

DOB: 4-3-87

ETA:  2011

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As a senior on the Deerfield High School baseball team in 2004, I had the opportunity to watch Jason Kipnis first-hand as my shortstop counterpart for rival Glenbrook North High School in the northern suburbs of Chicago.  Amongst my teammates, he quickly earned the reputation as one of the most impressive hitters in the conference, and with good reason.  Kipnis ultimately garnered All-State honors – we were actually the two All-Conference shortstops in the Central Suburban North – and went on to have a tremendous high school career.

Although I graduated from high school a year before him, the strong impression that Kipnis left fueled my interest to track his career.  After all, it’s not everyday that a player who directly intertwined with your own career reaches the Major Leagues.

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