Today's Fantasy Rx

I'm going to spend a few days looking at potential fantasy help currently residing in the upper levels of the minors, one hitter and one pitcher, so you can know who to monitor for potential FAABing. Since most teams will still promote talent from AAA if given the chance, I'll only select a AA prospect if a AAA club lacks any promotion-worthy candidates.

We'll begin today with American League batting prospects.

Note: For those of you unfamiliar with FAAB, each team normally has $100 to spend throughout the year on all free agent pickups. Most injury replacements or speculative picks go for a buck or two, hot starters go for $5-$10, top prospects go in the $10-$30 range, and we've seen $90+ bids on top players traded into the league, as well as selected call-ups.

Anaheim: Mike O'Keefe, 24, 1B/OF-L
.256/.367/.502 in 211 AB with 10 HR, 36 RBI, 36 R, 6/8 SB%, and 35:38 BB:K at AA Arkansas(TL).

Both Jeff DaVanon and Jeff Guiel continue to perform admirably at AAA, but although each deserves a call-up, O'Keefe is more of a traditional prospect. A .92 BB:K and .17 walk rate are both quite good, and his .82 contact rate is acceptable considering his solid OPS. O'Keefe could be an improvement over Brad Fullmer perhaps as soon as next year and would give the Angels a cheaper and likely comparable alternative to Scott Spiezio now. FAAB him for a buck or two if you can leave him in your minors to start next season.

Baltimore: Larry Bigbie, 24, OF-L
.361/.425/.500 in 166 AB with 2 HR, 19 RBI, 26 R, 4/5 SB%, and 18:35 BB:K at AAA Rochester(IL).

Following the promotion of Brian Roberts last month, Bigbie remains the only particularly promising Baltimore position player at AAA. He lost his rookie eligibility last year by all of one at-bat, but after rising from AA to the majors in 2001, he definitely needed to prove himself at AAA. While he's not displaying much longball power or anything beyond merely acceptable plate discipline, his scalding BA keeps both his OBP and SLG at impressive levels; his skills suggest he can't hold these levels. However, if he can maintain a .900+ OPS for another month, the Orioles must make room for Bigbie around the All-Star break, and you should strongly consider spending a few bucks of FAAB to see if he can continue to hit .300 in the majors.

Boston: Todd Betts, 28, 1B-L
.276/.386/.438 in 185 AB with 7 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 1/3 SB%, and 29:24 BB:K at AAA Pawtucket(IL)

When reviewing minor league free agents last December, I suggested you "bid a couple bucks if he breaks camp with a team, and if his new club has corner problems, even consider spending a low minor league pick to acquire him." His skills remind me of a AAA version of John Olerud, since he owns great plate discipline and generally a solid BA without much power. Betts gives Boston a potential interim replacement for Brian Daubach if they need to trade a 1B/DH for help elsewhere, so if the Red Sox ever add Betts to the roster, he certainly won't hurt you for a buck or two of FAAB.

Chicago White Sox: Willie Harris, 23, 2B/CF-L
.301/.355/.426 in 249 AB with 4 HR, 20 RBI, 35 R, 23/32 SB%, and 21:47 BB:K at AAA Charlotte(IL).

Despite worse plate discipline than Harris, Joe Borchard is the most impressive of Chicago's AAA offensive talent. However White Sox manager Jerry Manuel recently indicated that either Harris or Joe Crede is likely to join the team by next weekend, and while we suspect Crede is the likely addition, the Sox could use Harris' speed and versatility. Unfortunately his formerly decent plate discipline has deteriorated at AAA, and his SB% is barely acceptable. An 8% walk rate is also unacceptable from a potential leadoff hitter, so we advise you to exercise caution when considering Harris. However with the promotion of Roberts and tryout of Esteban German, the only other great SB threat besides Harris that could join the AL before the All-Star break is Tampa's Carl Crawford. If you need steals or are rebuilding, definitely spend several bucks of FAAB to grab Harris.

Cleveland: Ben Broussard, 25, 1B/OF-L
.273/.397/.531 in 194 AB with 11 HR, 30 RBI, 32 R, 4/5 SB%, and 33:50 BB:K between AAA Louisville(IL) and AAA Buffalo(IL).

Broussard joined Buffalo after the Indians acquired him for strikeout king Russ Branyan, and Broussard should provide a quality left-handed bat for the middle of their lineup no later than next spring. While his .66 BB:K isn't as good as his marks in previous years, a 17% walk rate and good power potentially make him very valuable. We'll be somewhat surprised if he isn't in the majors by the trade deadline, so if you need help in any offensive category save perhaps steals, definitely aim to spend the necessary FAAB to acquire one of the best pure hitters in the AL upper minors.

Detroit: Jorge Sequea, 21, 2B-S
.301/.382/.446 in 186 AB with 4 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 5/6 SB%, and 25:37 BB:K at AA Erie(EL).

The Tigers have shuffled prospects so quickly between AA, AAA, and Detroit that no one's really had enough time to perform at a high level in any significant number of at-bats. Eric Munson's BA has slid down to around .200, leaving a couple of Erie Sea Wolves as the most interesting potential FAAB targets. This is Sequea's second full year in the Tigers' system after moving straight from the Venezuelan Summer League to A+ Lakeland last year. Upon advancing to AA this year, he's increased all his averages while maintaining his plate discipline. He'll likely platoon as a utility player, but a switch-hitting second baseman that can make contact and take a walk could easily earn a starting job in some organizations. Consider a buck or two of FAAB if he's called up at some point.

Kansas City: Jed Hansen, 29, UT-R
.294/.434/.452 in 126 AB with 3 HR, 14 RBI, 28 R, 11/14 SB%, and 31:37 BB:K at AAA Omaha(PCL).

Aaron Guiel continues to rake with a .991 OPS, but Omaha's also fielding a team with a few other nice minor league free agent signings. Former big league utility infielder Hansen hasn't seen the show since 1999, but he's returned to help out the Royals' minor league affiliates in the last two years. Unfortunately Hansen's 10 errors, spread over time at every position except catcher, will likely keep him in the minors. However if Kansas City gives him another chance instead of some of the useless, overpaid retreads usually sitting in the dugout at Kaufmann Stadium, they might be pleasantly surprised. If you need a utility player with a little speed who shouldn't hurt you in BA, FAAB Hansen for a buck.

Minnesota: Mike Ryan, 24, OF-L
.286/.357/.622 in 217 AB with 18 HR, 55 RBI, 41 R, 2/5 SB%, and 24:47 BB:K at AAA Edmonton(PCL).

Minnesota has four AAA players with a dozen home runs each and two more that are only three dingers short. Ryan leads this pack with 18, although seemingly every Trapper starter should be in the majors within the next two years. He certainly possesses the pure power necessary to secure a big league job, since he's already equaled his career high, set only last season. His OBP isn't wonderful, as he's only holding a .11 walk rate and .51 BB:K, but those numbers are fine as long as he can maintain a .500+ SLG. Definitely look to pickup Ryan if he's called up, and you can probably FAAB him for only a few bucks since he's not yet nationally known like fellow Michaels Cuddyer and Restovich.

New York Yankees: Marcus Thames, 25, OF-R
.216/.310/.374 in 171 AB with 6 HR, 20 RBI, 26 R, 2/3 SB%, and 22:36 BB:K at AAA Columbus(IL).

For some truly unfathomable reason, probably because they didn't want to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees appear set to recall Thames instead of a far superior hitter in Billy McMillon. I like Thames' plate discipline more than fellow Clipper Juan Rivera, but he hasn't shown nearly as much power, making him a poor choice for promotion right now. Unless you're playing for next year and believe he'll earn a corner outfield job in Spring Training, ignore this pending call-up.

Oakland: Marshall McDougall, 23, 2B/SS-R
.322/.403/.518 in 199 AB with 7 HR, 35 RBI, 42 R, 6/10 SB%, and 28:42 BB:K at AA Midland(TL).

The A's appear quite determined to stunt the growth of every one of their upper-level prospects; German's punitive demotion after only a week in the majors is the latest example that all members of a formerly competent front office have either changed organizations or taken indefinite sabbaticals. Back in 1999, McDougall set a slew of NCAA records, including most home runs(6) and RBI(16) in a game for Florida State. Now he's one of the Oakland's most promising hitting prospects, and while Midland teammate Graham Koonce has great power, he's stuck at first while McDougall can play more difficult defensive positions. The future of second base in Oakland appears to be very uncertain as German, Mark Ellis, and McDougall all show offensive promise, so if the A's decide to give Marshall a chance this year, FAAB him for a couple bucks if you have room.

Seattle: Blake Barthol, 29, C-R
.274/.393/.495 in 95 AB with 3 HR, 11 RBI, 17 R, 0/2 SB%, and 19:18 BB:K at AAA Tacoma(PCL).

Seattle's upper minors don't look impressive on offense at all. A few minor league free agent 1B/DH-types lead the team in hitting, and aside from Jermaine Clark, profiled last month, who continues to excel, Barthol's about the only player hitting decently. He's never shown this level of plate discipline but has maintained a career .351 OBP throughout his minor league career. If either Wilson or Davis hit the DL and the Mariners call up Barthol instead of Borders, he's a decent FAAB candidate for a buck who's very unlikely to hurt your BA.

Tampa Bay: Carl Crawford, 20, OF-L
.336/.371/.544 in 217 AB with 6 HR, 35 RBI, 52 R, 17/23 SB%, and 12:40 BB:K AAA Durham(IL).

Crawford's ceiling may be as high as any offensive prospect in the game, but he needs a full year at AAA to work on his plate discipline. His OBP is merely decent due to his low .06 walk rate, and a .82 contact rate isn't really high enough to help him overcome a .30 BB:K. Although I know you'll be tempted to grab him for his speed and decent power potential, you probably should let someone else overbid for him if Tampa calls him up unless you need to rebuild. A FAAB bid in the mid-teens should be reasonable for competitive teams in traditional leagues.

Texas: Jeff Pickler, 26, 2B-L
.291/.381/.333 in 258 AB with 0 HR, 25 RBI, 37 R, 9/16 SB%, and 38:32 BB:K at AAA Oklahoma(PCL).

Aside from first base prospects Travis Hafner and Jason Hart, almost every other decent Red Hawk has seen time in Texas this year. I believe I've previously mentioned that we first noticed Pickler about a year ago when he was compiling some excellent skill ratios for AA Hunstville with Milwaukee. Now he's in AAA and continuing to post both an excellent 1.2 BB:K and .15 walk rate, along with a very respectable .88 contact rate. He'd be a valuable asset to many teams' benches even without developing any power, and if he can mature into a double-digit home run threat, he might even find a starting job at some point. In the Rangers' massive cycling of players, a potential FAAB of Pickler would remain perhaps the safest choice available if they give him a chance; he'll contribute a good BA and a few steals, numbers that a lot of teams could use at the usually weak MIF position.

Toronto: Josh Phelps, 24, C/1B/DH-R
.289/.373/.660 in 197 AB with 19 HR, 49 RBI, 39 R, 0/0 SB%, and 24:61 BB:K at AAA Syracuse(IL)

Phelps might possess the best pure power in AAA right now, a remarkable accomplishment from a prospect expected to spend at least part of his time behind the plate in the majors. However, a relatively weak .39 BB:K suggests he's likely to struggle with BA upon any promotion. I doubt Toronto will mind if he can hold a SLG over .500 in combination with a walk rate of 10% or better. If your league has strict position requirements, you might want to exercise caution when attempting to FAAB him, although you can probably consider him one of the top 5 AL roto catchers whenever he reaches the majors.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Don't bid excessive amounts of FAAB for any Yankees' prospect, as the organization remains willing to deal any new players for more established help in their quest to win every year. Both Rivera (now on the DL) and Thames appear poor plays for roto teams competitive in 2002, and you should remain wary when players like Drew Hensen, Brandon Claussen, and any other top young player reaches the Show.