Notable top prospects playing well

The top prospects of 2010 may be one of the best young groups of talent nearing the majors. Let's take a look at some of the more notable top prospects playing well early this season.

Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals: Strasburg has made two starts (one during a rain-shortened game) and owns a 1.23 ERA and 11 strike outs. The team would like to have him up by June, but may wait till closer to the All-Star Break. The Nationals are 6-6 so far this season, two games ahead of the Mets.

Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins: Stanton is off to a hot start in Double-A Jacksonville, posting a .324 average and 3 home runs in 10 games this season. He owns a .521 on-base percentage and has walked 13 times to just 11 strike outs. The 20-year old outfielder won't be rushed to the majors, sources say.  

Carlos Santana, C, Indians: The 24-year old is the top catching prospect in all of baseball right now, posting a .417 batting average with 4 home runs and a .500 on-base percentage. The Indians are in third place right now, and could be on the fast track to the majors if Lou Marson and Mike Redmond can't do a respectable job in the majors.

Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs: Castro quickly became the Cubs' top prospect after an impressive 2009 campaign. Castro owns a .357 batting average with a .378 on-base percentage and five extra-base hits. The power is not there, and it may never be too great, but if he can limit his strike outs and spread the ball around he will be an incredibly effective major leaguer. 

Aaron Crow, RHP, Royals: Crow, who opted not to sign in the 2008 draft, was taken by the Royals in this past draft and is off to a good start for the Royals in Double-A. He owns a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings of work, with seven strike outs and four walks. It can be said that the Royals rushed Luke Hochever to the majors, so we can expect to see Crow, 23, only moved if he overwhelms scouts and other team officials. 

Not playing so well...

Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants: Bumgarner was considered an option for the back of the Giants rotation before being option to Triple-A. One source believed that if Bumgarner pitched well in Triple-A, that he would be back with the team sooner than later. The Giants obviously believe that there pitching can carry the team into the postseason, but if Bumgarner struggles and Todd Wellemeyer can't turn around his bumpy start, they will have to rely on there hitting a little more than they probably would like.

In seven innings this season, Bumgarner has given up 11 earned runs and owns a 14.14 ERA.