I'm still getting over the crush at Dunkin Donuts on Thursday, with a throng cramming in to see Jacoby Ellsbury (see the Press Herald for a story on Ellsbury's visit).

I came home last night to a pleasant surprise - the Baseball America Prospect Handbook had arrived. Here is a list of BA's list of the Red Sox top 30 prospects.

1. Clay Buchholz, p
2. Jacoby Ellsbury, of
3. Lars Anderson, 1b
4. Justin Masterson, p
5. Jed Lowrie, ss
6. Ryan Kalish, of
7. Michael Bowden, p
8. Nick Hagadone, p
9. Oscar Tejeda, ss
10. Josh Reddick, of
11. Brandon Moss, of
12. Argenis Diaz, ss
13. Kris Johnson, p
14. Will Middlebrooks, ss
15. Ryan Dent, inf.
16. Micahel Almanzar, 3b
17. Anthony Rizzo, 1b
18. Craig Hansen, p
19. Daniel Bard, p
20. Mark Wagner, c
21. Aaron Bates, 1b
22. Dustin Richardson, p
23. Jason Place, of
24. Che-Hsuan Lin, of
25. Bubba Bell, of
26. Chris Carter, 1b/of
27. Hunter Jones, p
28. Reid Engel, of
29. Yamaico Navarro, inf
30. Bryce Cox, p

Compared to 2007, it is interesting to note the rise of some prospects (last year's list had Masterson 13th, Lowrie 16th and Kalish 17th.)

Other dropped out of the top 30, including catcher George Kottaras (12th last year), pitchers Devern Hansack (23rd) and Edgar Martinez (26th), and infielders Chad Spann (28th) and Jeff Natale (30th).

Others fell down a ways, including Hansen (9th) and Cox (8th) and Place (11th).

Since this list is brought to you by Baseball America, it is only fair that I plug the Prospect Handbook ($29.95) that usually can be found at bookstores. Or check out the website: www.baseballamerica.com

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