All of which confirms your basic point: the Cardinals rookies were a valuable commodity in 2010, far beyond what one might infer from the dire predictions for their farm system at the beginning of the season. We can’t expect it to be as productive in 2011 simply because there are fewer holes to fill. (Knock on wood.)

to the original point, i think HPGF will always have negative connotations to the uninitiated, and that’s fine. from what i can tell, those who enjoy following the cards’ minor league system (myself included) have enough of a sense of humor about themselves to realize it’s more funny than actually demeaning, and re-appropriate it.

Also, you’re simplifying the “common argument” by generalizing. Most of the discussion about prospects here and at Scout.com is very grounded for the most part, talking about specific prospects at their current levels and discussing more their possible upside than anything else, and if you bothered to dig up those discussions, you’ll see that there’s a solid take on how weak the system was from most posters and bloggers. LaRussa and his coaching staff favor veterans over young players–just a statement of fact, not saying whether that’s right or wrong–and with the organization focused on winning rather development at the MLB level, it’s natural that (a) a long-running debate will be whether that is healthy or productive in the long-term for the organization and (b) some frustration will occur when a prospect apparently on the cusp doesn’t get a real opportunity. That’s understandable, and pointing figures saying that “there’s a huge contingent” is hyperventilating in itself.