Melancon checked in at No. 9.
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What I want to know is how a guy who pitched great at three different levels last year and who appears to be the Yanks’ most ML-ready arm would only rank 9th on the team’s top-10 prospects list, according to Baseball America.

Fausto Carmona was all arms and elbows. Lester has a simple, clean, repeatable delivery. There is no reason why he should be presumed to inevitably break down next year.

Bill James doesn’t project injuries for massive innings increases. What did he project for Fausto Carmona, despite his own irresponsible innings jump? Oh, 219 innings. Woops!

Don’t be so certain. Bill James projects another 200 inning season for the big lefty.

Um, Lester is completely carrying that group, as well he should. The 24 year old had an excellent season.

However, we’ll see what Callis says when Lester struggles with his control in April and develops arm trouble in the middle of the year due to him going 60+ innings over his highest previous total.

He does have the 40 year old Clemens gut, what is up with that? And you missed the much more interesting question answered in that chat:

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Garrett (CT): Joba/Hughes/Kennedy or Lester/Buckholz/Bowden?

SportsNation Jim Callis: Lester/Buchholz/Bowden.
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He also ranked Lester ahead of Joba based on Joba’s lack of performance through a full season.

The leg kick and drive isn’t nearly as strong, and he doesn’t stay on his back leg as long.