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: Chone Figgins, 24, UT-S
.309/.365/.476 in 359 AB with 5 HR, 42 RBI, 66 R, 26/34 SB%, and 34:62 BB:K at AAA Salt Lake City(PCL).

Figgins is Anaheim's best choice if one of their infielders suffers an injury or they want a September call-up with great speed. Nineteen errors in 88 games in the field suggest he definitely suffers from some fielding problems, but I think he could be very effective in a limited role. If you need a few extra SB and have an opening at MIF or UT, look to FAAB Figgins upon his promotion.

Previous prospects: May: Jeff Guiel; June: Mike O'Keefe.

Baltimore: Howie Clark, 28, UT-L
.330/.387/.465 in 355 AB with 7 HR, 40 RBI, 51R, 3/7 SB%, and 33:22 BB:K at AAA Rochester(IL).

After nine years in the Orioles' system, followed by a 2001 divided between Yucatan of the Mexican League and Chico of the Western League, Baltimore finally promoted Howie Clark to the majors today to replace Ryan McGuire. He's obviously continuing to demonstrate excellent plate discipline and we should expect him to hold at least a .300 average in the majors. Unfortunately he's never reached more than a dozen home runs or steals in any season, so you could FAAB him if you need cheap roster filler for a week or two, but he won't help significantly in any category.

Previous prospects: May: Brian Roberts; June: Larry Bigbie.

Boston: Freddy Sanchez, 24, IF-R
.328/.403/.437 in 311 AB with 3 HR, 38 RBI, 60 R, 19/22 SB%, and 37:45 BB:K at AA Trenton(EL)

Angel Santos may have more immediate promise but Sanchez might at least see some time in September. He's perhaps the only offensive prospect in the upper levels of the Red Sox organization, and he could either start at SS in a year or two or develop into an excellent utilityman, perhaps even reaching the roto value of someone like Mark McLemore. While Sanchez's plate discipline continues to increase as he advances levels, leading to his current career-best OBP, his 86% stolen base rate is excellent, and I'm more impressed by the 19 steals, since he's never stolen more than 8 in a full year. Definitely look to FAAB him when he reaches the majors, and if Boston leaves him down this year since he's not on the 40-man roster, consider grabbing him in your 2003 minor league draft.

Previous prospects: May: Edgard Clemente; June: Todd Betts.

Chicago White Sox: Joe Borchard, 23, OF-S
.270/.340/.471 in 274 AB with 12 HR, 35 RBI, 39 R, 0/3 SB%, and 29:84 BB:K at AAA Charlotte(IL).

After observing him in the Futures Game, we're convinced that he'll rack up a significant number of home runs immediately upon debuting in the majors although he'll struggle to hit even .250. He has a very long swing that helps him both generate great power and great strikeouts, as evidenced by his woeful .69 contact rate. Make sure you can handle a low BA when drafting or acquiring him. We think he should spend the rest of 2002 in the minors to improve his plate discipline, but when promoted, spend some serious FAAB if you need either homers or the certain RBI contribution.

Previous prospects: May: Joe Crede; June: Willie Harris.

Cleveland: Jody Gerut, 24, OF-S
.290/.363/.434 in 327 AB with 9 HR, 48 RBI, 54 R, 17/28 SB%, and 36:38 BB:K between AAA Buffalo(IL) at AA Akron(EL).

Cleveland acquired him with Josh Bard last year from Colorado for Jacob Cruz, despite Gerut remaining inactive with a knee injury for all of 2001. Now that he's finally apparently healthy, he's displaying excellent offensive skills and recently earned a promotion to AAA. Rusty Greer is an excellent comparison for Gerut, as they both progressed in the minors with similar statistics at approximately the same rate, although Gerut's been eight months younger than Greer at the same levels. Unfortunately Gerut's already suffered from persistent injury problems, although he has $20+ upside if he remains healthy. He's a better prospect right now than either Milton Bradley or Alex Escobar and may emerge as the second best outfielder in the organization after Matt Lawton if Broussard moves to first base. Immediately FAAB Gerut upon his promotion and you might even wind up with a starting outfielder no later than next season.

Previous prospects: May: Greg LaRocca; June: Ben Broussard.

Detroit: Cody Ross, 21, OF-R
.289/.353/.540 in 298 AB with 16 HR, 58 RBI, 61R, 15/17 SB%, and 29:66 BB:K at AA Erie(EL).

Andres Torres offers only blazing speed offensively at AAA, while Ross possesses above average speed and the 4th highest SLG in his league. His numbers are still impressive after considering that Erie's ballpark provides significant help to right-handed hitters. Like many prospects developing under Dave Dombrowski-run systems, Ross strikes out too much due to weak plate discipline. However I expect him to continue maturing into an intriguing four-category player as he reaches the highest levels of the Tigers' system. He's easily the most balanced offensive prospect playing full-season ball for Detroit and will begin next year near or at the top of Tiger prospect lists. Ross needs a full year at AAA before securing right field in Comerica, so while remembering him for 2003 minor league drafts, ignore any 2002 promotion.

Previous prospects: May: Eric Munson; June: Jorge Sequea.

Kansas City: Alexis Gomez, 21, OF-L
.317/.365/.475 in 278 AB with 7 HR, 45 RBI, 37 R, 24/39 SB%, and 22:44 BB:K at AA Wichita(TL).

Aside from Jed Hansen, the remaining players at AAA Omaha will subtract more from your BA than they'll add on offense. Gomez is perhaps the only "prospect" in the upper levels of the Kansas City system that could help a roto team even in a limited role, however I agree with Jess' comments from July 4th that Gomez needs at least the rest of 2002 in AA before spending a year in AAA. He's more of a long-term project than someone capable of providing immediate help as he's demonstrating an unacceptable .50 BB:K and 62% SB% in his second straight year at AA. He may only plateau as a reserve outfielder, so given his current skill deficiencies, ignore him if he returns to the majors this year.

Also, I'm quite pleased that KC gave Aaron Guiel a chance; congratulations to those of you who remembered my May advice and FAABed him. Now I hope someone can liberate Jeff Guiel from the Angels' minors since he also deserves a long look this season.

Previous prospects: May: Aaron Guiel; June: Jed Hansen.

Minnesota: Michael Cuddyer, 23, OF/CR-R
.311/.372/.595 in 296 AB with 20 HR, 51 RBI, 60 R, 9/16 SB%, and 27:72 BB:K at AAA Edmonton(PCL).

On a team with five starters owning slugging percentages of .500 or better, a count that doesn't even include Matt LeCroy's .675 SLG in 117 AB, Cuddyer had the highest SLG remaining on the roster. Minnesota promoted him last Friday, so you still might have a chance to FAAB him in your league; he qualifies at 1B from last September and OF from this year in the minors. However I'm concerned about his plate discipline, so while you should try to grab him wherever you need power, he might hurt your BA. I expect he'll be a reasonable keeper up to $20 or so for 2003, and bid what you can afford if you need his help this year. Despite his severe competition at all potential positions of 1B, 3B, DH, and OF, he should play at least five games a week since Minnesota will not want their top power prospect riding the bench in the majors.

Previous prospects: May: Javier Valentin; June: Mike Ryan.

New York Yankees: Andy Phillips, 25, 2B-R
.299/.371/.594 in 308 AB with 21 HR, 66 RBI, 65 R, 4/8 SB%, and 35:66 BB:K between AA Norwich(EL) and AAA Columbus(IL).

Trading John-Ford Griffin in the Weaver deal reduces the number of interesting offensive prospects at the top levels of their system. Drew Henson certainly needs at least the rest of 2002 in the minors, and the struggles and recent demotion of Erick Almonte back to AA leave Phillips as the Yankee infield prospect most prepared for the majors. However since Phillips just reached AAA, he needs at least the rest of this season to establish both a decent walk rate and solid power before he'll be ready for the majors. Ignore Phillips if he's promoted this year.

Previous prospects: May: Billy McMillon; June: Marcus Thames.

Oakland: Larry Sutton, 32, 1B/OF-L
.305/.423/.498 in 259 AB with 6 HR, 56 RBI, 44 R, 1/1 SB%, and 55:66 BB:K at AAA Sacramento(PCL).

Sutton is the only player left at AAA who possesses both good power and a solid OBP supported by quality plate discipline. He would fill the exact same role in Oakland as John Mabry, and his presence at AAA is yet another reason why the A's should have taken even a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher in Rookie-ball rather than Mabry if they needed to dump Jeremy. Sutton will produce off the bench when given another chance, but ignore him unless he finds himself in a starting role this year or you're desperate for roster filler that shouldn't hurt your BA.

Previous prospects: May: Esteban German; June: Marshall McDougall.

Seattle: Jamal Strong, 23, OF-R
.271/.364/.305 in 321 AB with 0 HR, 19 RBI, 35 R, 28/39 SB%, and 40:49 BB:K at AA San Antonio(TL).

Even with Chris Snelling's season-ending knee injury, he should still return and establish himself in left field for Seattle before Strong reaches the majors. I don't expect Ichiro or Mike Cameron to leave the Mariners any time soon, and with Shin-Soo Choo a potential replacement for Cameron in a few years, Strong will only wind up as a fourth outfielder. Of course, I fully expect the Mariners to package him to one of the 20+ teams that needs a speedy leadoff guy, so beware any trade talks when considering Strong. Unless he develops some power soon, he may not even have the offensive ability necessary to secure a starting job. If recalled this season, he'll grab a few steals for a few bucks of FAAB, but don't expect help in any other category until at least 2004.

Previous prospects: May: Jermaine Clark; June: Blake Barthol.

Tampa Bay: Josh Pressley, 22, 1B-L
.319/.388/.419 in 298 AB with 4 HR, 43 RBI, 43 R, 5/10 SB%, and 34:40 BB:K at AA Orlando(SL).

The Devil Rays only true offensive prospect at the upper levels of the system is Carl Crawford, and despite Pressley's good plate discipline, his upside is probably a AAAA hitter. John Sickels says that Pressley is "Big and strong at 6-for-6, but swing doesn't loft the ball", which certainly explains his lack of power. I expect him to spend at least the next two seasons in the minors, and even if Pressley he finds a major league opportunity in the near future, you should likely ignore him.

Previous prospects: May: Ryan Freel; June: Carl Crawford.

Texas: Jason Hart, 24, 1B-R
.264/.351/.481 in 341 AB with 17 HR, 57 RBI, 47 R, 0/0 SB%, and 41:80 BB:K at AAA Oklahoma(PCL).

Travis Hafner definitely appears to be Rafael Palmeiro's heir as the Rangers' first baseman since he's posted numbers far superior to Hart's and is only three months older. If Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira both stay in the infield, either Teixeira or Hafner gets relegated to DH, leaving Hart with a platoon gig against lefties at best. Fortunately Hart owns some power and walks enough to maintain a respectable OBP, but I just don't see him as essential to the Texas offense. He's trade bait at this point, and with uncertain playing time even if he receives a September call-up, ignore him until he either shows noticeable improvement or changes organizations.

Previous prospects: May: Travis Hafner; June: Jeff Pickler.

Toronto: Jimmy Alvarez, 22, IF-S
.275/.379/.420 in 331 AB with 6 HR, 48 RBI, 58 R, 14/19 SB%, and 51:76 BB:K at AA Tennessee(SL).

While Toronto has several position prospects approaching the majors, Alvarez strikes me as one of the more interesting players since he can play 2B or SS, owns decent speed, and possesses very good plate discipline. However I'm not sure even J.P. Ricciardi knows how the Blue Jay infield will shake out over the next couple of years. The following players comprise only the short list of potential 2B/SS starters: Felipe Lopez, Chris Woodward, Joe Lawrence, Orlando Hudson, Alvarez, Jim Deschaine, Mike Rouse, Dominic Rich, Manuel Mayorson, and 2002 1st rd pick Russ Adams. Any of these players could depart for another organization at any time, so while Alvarez's skills offer definite promise for some team, ignore him if he earns a promotion in Toronto before 2004.

Previous prospects: May: Orlando Hudson; June: Josh Phelps.

Today's Fantasy Rx: While some of these prospects might offer a few bucks of value if they manage to reach the majors this season, remember that high-skills middle relievers can easily earn double-digit value even in 5x5 leagues. If you need ERA/WHIP help, concentrate your FAAB on the interesting relievers usually available in almost every league.