Note: The top 12 fantasy prospects (players currently in the minor leagues) for 2012 are below. These rankings are a bit different from other prospect rankings; these are strictly for 2012 fantasy purposes. So not only do talent and recent performance play a role in the rankings, potential paths to the big leagues also factor in. All young players in the minors are eligible, including those in "prospect purgatory," those who have exceeded rookie status but are still young, and unproven commodities.
It was another fine week for the "Top 12 for '12." The Oakland Athletics finally decided that even with their pitching strength, minor league strikeout leader Dan Straily, the top-ranked prospect in last week's rankings, shouldn't be wasting away in the minors any longer. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros finally brought up Brett Wallace after gutting their roster at the trade deadline. Now that we are late in the season, and with so many prospects having already hit the big leagues, we are beginning to run thin on potential callups who can help you down the stretch. So there are plenty of changes to this week's list, including a few long shots.