This year we’ll be releasing our top 25 list in conjunction with the people over at Bernie’s Crew, which means the list is going to posted somewhat out of order to match up with what Jim has for his Top 25. An up-to-date list of the Between the Green Pillars Top 25 can be found at the bottom of the page.

RJ Seidel / RHP / 6’5” 200 LBS / Born 9/3/87

A La Crosse-area native, RJ Seidel was plucked away from a commitment to the University of Arkansas to sign with the home-state team when the Brewers offered the 16^th rounder 3^rd round money to sign in 2006. After a promising rookie ball campaign in 2007, Seidel moved to Low A West Virginia in 2008. None of the numbers really jump off the page, in either a positive or negative way. 81 strikeouts in 121 1/3 innings is nothing special, neither is a 81:45 K:BB ratio. He does a good job keeping the ball down, which is reflected in a strong GB:FB ratio. It is also somewhat encouraging that he finished 2007 strong with 0.69 ERA over his last 5 starts, but he'll need to build on that for it to be meaningful.

The fact that he just turned 22 and is still a pretty lanky 6’5” leaves room to project that he’ll add some velocity to his high 80’s fastball and Baseball America has rated his changeup as the best in the Brewers system. If his velocity stays where it is, the long term outlook for him is probably a swing starter/long reliever. If, however, he does manage to add to his raw stuff, he could end up a mid rotation starter or possibly a late inning reliever. He’ll be moving to the pitcher haven that is the Florida State League, which is good because this coming season should go a long way towards determining just what sort of prospect Seidel is going to be.

Between the Green Pillars Top 25 Prospects:

# 25: Evan Frederickson

# 24: Cody Adam

#23: Alex Periard

#22: Brent Brewer

#21 Brad Nelson