TOWER GROVE — The No. 1 spot on any St. Louis Cardinals top prospect list was so obvious the past three seasons that no poll was necessary. We just skipped it. Installed Colby Rasmus at the top. And moved on with the poll. No need to state the obvious. Albert Pujols starts at first base, bats third. Rasmus was No. 1. Next question.

Halfway through this season this year’s Top Anything Prospect Poll figured to be the same.

Third baseman and 2008 first-round pick Brett Wallace was the heir apparent, the next torchbearer for the Cardinals’ system and the no-doubt No. 1 when it came to putting together the various Top 30 lists. And then Holliday happened. As mentioned many times, the trades the Cardinals made this season have radically altered their minor-league depth chart and thrown all these Top Prospect lists into disarray. In the look back at last year’s Community prospect rankings,  it was pointed out that I expect at least 15 new names will make their way onto the Baseball America Top 30 in next year’s Prospect Handbook.

It starts at the top. And that’s where we start today with this year’s Community Top 21 Prospect Poll.

Take the poll, or scroll below it for a little bit on each of the players involved. As always, please indicate who your other vote is for because it may help shape the polls to come. I have enlisted some help this season to makeup the polls because of all the new names that will be involved — and all of the similar players who could easily find a spot anywhere from Nos. 7 to, say, 37.

Here is the poll for No. 1:

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ALLEN CRAIG, LF: Simple, as one of the people helping craft the polls wrote, “results, results, results”. Side with results and Craig is the pick. Craig led the system in home runs and RBIs, and he had by far the best offensive season of any player in the Cardinals’ minor-leagues. His drawback, and everyone knows this by now, is he lacks a position. He’s moved from third base to first base and is now settled in the outfield. The Cardinals are encouraged by his play in the outfield, but whether that’s enough to get him a major-league crack next season is unsure. This much is clear: He’ll get a longer and more legitimate look than last spring, and last spring he was one of the Cardinals better hitters in Grapefruit League play. AGE: 25. STATS: .322 BA, .921 OPS, .547 SLG, 26 HR, 82 RBI.

DAVID FREESE, 3B: His proximity to the majors puts him in the mix, though some will balk at his age. Freese was hampered by a foot injury in his bid to be a big-leaguer during spring training. Still, he made the opening day roster before a swift return to Triple-A. Freese returned after surgery and was a key part of Memphis’ postseason run. Freese had a Craig-like season in 2008. His glove is ready for the position, even if the Cardinals aren’t sure his bat is set for an everyday job in the majors. On this list, he may be as close to a sure-thing, opening-day Cardinal as any of the others mentioned. Even the next guy. AGE: 26. STATS: .313 BA, .551 SLG, 64 games, 12 HR, 48 RBIs.

JAIME GARCIA, LHP: The best blend of proximity to the majors and potential available on the list — if that’s what you’re going for. Garcia had a good sip of coffee in 2008 before injury. He returned this season from Tommy John surgery and reasserted his place in the spectrum of Cardinals’ prospects. He quickly became the ace of the Class AAA staff and helped power the Redbirds to the PCL title. His manager said his playoff game against Albuquerque was the best he’d ever seen him pitch. Command. Velocity. Sharp curve. Garcia has a lot going for him and there are high expectations for him entering 2010. AGE: 23. STATS: 2.87 ERA, 41 Ks, 14 BB, 37 2/3 innings, .195 BA against.

DARYL JONES, OF: If you go with precedence than Jones deserves a look. He has remained a high-profile and highly regarded prospect since he was drafted a few rounds after Rasmus. He was No. 7 in your poll last season and he ranked No. 7 in the BA Top 30. The caveat: Health. Jones pushed himself back from injury to participate in this year’s Futures Game at Busch Stadium, and then he spent the rest of the season trying to recover from tendinitis and knee trouble that robbed him of a big part of his game — speed. Jones did not improve up his breakout 2008, and he positions himself for a defining 2010 that will include his first taste of Triple-A baseball. AGE: 22. STATS: .278 BA, .360 OBP, .378 SLG, 7 SB, 50 runs in 80 games.

LANCE LYNN, RHP: In many ways the Allen Craig of the pitching ranks. Results. Results. Results. Though Lynn has a clear position. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound righthander has the stamp of durability, and that, in some corners, is a tool unto itself. Lynn pitched at three levels this past season, cruising up to Class AA and staying there. He’s got a sinking fastball, which instantly earns him cred, but he also doesn’t miss start, has the poise that comes from being a college pitcher at a strong program (Mike Bianco’s Ole Miss). If steady production and a known quantity steers your vote, Lynn is your candidate. AGE: 22. STATS: 11-4, 2.85 ERA, 124 K, 57 BB, 148 2/3 innnings.

SHELBY MILLER, RHP: Or perhaps your a promise vote, a hope voter and sheer high-ceiling potential voter. Miller hasn’t thrown many pitches as a pro, and he’ll get his first extended exposure this coming season. Still, the first-round pick has the rep, the scouting reports and the bonus of an elite prospect. The Cardinals don’t have many of those, and that could push Miller immediately to the top of the list — where he’ll likely stay Rasmus-style for several years. He’s a power-armed, Texas prep righthander. You do the math. AGE: 19. STATS: 2 starts, 3.0 innings pitched. Not much to go on.

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ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE OPENS PLAY: Several Cardinals prospects, including Jones, are out in Arizona at the AFL. Jones is hitless in seven at-bats, but he has three runs scored for the Surprise Rafters. Other performances so far: C Bryan Anderson is 3-for-5 with an RBI and a walk. … OF Tyler Henley is 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. … RHP Mike Parisi, back from TJ surgery, pitched a scoreless inning. … RHP Gary Daley also pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.

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