To finish out the Top 20 reviews, here is a look at my alternate universe Shadow Twins farm system and how the pre-season list has shaken out...

This list was originally published December 1st, 2008. This is a REVIEW of the PRE-SEASON list for 2009, not a revision of that list. This is a REVIEW of the old list. The grade listed is the OLD GRADE. With a few exceptions, I'm not doing new grades...

Dallas Braden was a 24th round pick by Oakland in 2004, out of Texas Tech University. He went 6-4, 4.56 with a 93/21 K/BB in 97 innings in college, with 109 hits allowed. . .that doesn't look too hot at first glance, but Texas Tech isn't an easy place...

James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky: Paxton has an unattractive 5.40 ERA, but this is around average for his context, and his other numbers are sharp: 97/17 K/BB in 65 innings, 68 hits allowed, giving...

Here is a Crystal Ball for Justin Upton. I had two particular comparable players in mind when coming up with this. See if you can figure out who they are...

More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP 3 months ago: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Trevor Bell throws against the Toronto Blue Jays...

More photos » by Jeff Chiu - AP 2 months ago: San Francisco Giants' Madison Bumgarner pitches against the San Diego Padres in the...

I'm several days behind schedule now. I had a bad reaction to some new blood pressure medicine and was unable to get anything done for several days...I was in a mental and physical fog for most of Friday and Saturday. I'm better today after stopping...

More photos » by Eric Risberg - AP In this Feb. 16, 2009 file photo, Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff, left, and general manager Billy Beane, center, talk...

I interviewed Oakland GM Billy Beane this morning and will have a transcript posted for you soon.