Today's Fantasy Rx

Today, we continue reviewing potential FAAB-worthy prospects with American League pitchers from the high minors.

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: Francisco Rodriguez, 20, RH Reliever
11 Saves on 70:20 K:BB in 61.1 IP over 35 G with 43 H, 3 HR, and a 1.76 ERA between AA Arkansas(TL) and AAA Salt Lake(PCL).

With Matt Wise on the express shuttle between Salt Lake and Anaheim's long relief role, we need to begin focusing on Percival's new heir. After a conversion from starter to reliever in last year's AFL to protect his arm following elbow and shoulder problems over the last few years, Rodriguez has emerged as perhaps the best relief prospect in the minors. I wouldn't be surprised if he debuts as the most effective middle reliever since Mariano Rivera; Rivera was four years older before experiencing this level of dominance, and he pitched in the most pitcher-friendly minor leagues. Anaheim must add him to the 40-man roster, but upon Rodriguez's promotion, FAAB him unless your pitching staff is full and you're first in both ERA and WHIP. He could still approach double-digit value if called up by the end of the month.

Previous prospects: May: Mickey Callaway; June: Scot Shields.

Baltimore: Mike Drumright, RH Swingman
5-3 on 66:26 K:BB in 91 IP over 14 GS(19G) with 92 H, 5 HR, and a 3.46 ERA between AAA Pawtucket(IL) and AAA Rochester(IL).

While John Stephens' ERA is up to 2.97, he's also 11-5 with a stunning 111:20 K:BB in 127.1 IP with only 111 hits and 10 homers allowed Is it too soon to start a Free John Stephens campaign? Not with Syd Thrift running this club, so Free John Stephens!

Baltimore does own a couple other decent pitchers at AAA. They picked up Mike Drumright in May from Boston for a PTBNL, and his year-long numbers don't show his effectiveness since joining the Red Wings: a 4-2 record on 46:18 K:BB in 65.2 IP over 11 GS(12G) with 57 H, 2 HR, and a 2.19 ERA. He's struggled with consistency in the past, so I'm worried he might revert to allowing too many hits again. Along with the overall instability on the Orioles' pitching staff, I see plenty of reasons to ignore Drumright when he's next promoted.

Previous prospects: May: John Stephens; June: Lesli Brea.

Boston: Casey Fossum, 24, LH Swingman
0-2 on 16:6 K:BB in 17 IP over 2 GS(4G) with 24 H, 1 HR, and a 4.76 ERA at AAA Pawtucket(IL).

We examine a Boston lefty for the third straight month although most of you are probably quite familiar with Fossum from his time in the Red Sox bullpen this year. He pitched effectively out of relief, but he dominated at AA Trenton last season when starting, posting a 130:28 K:BB in 117.2 IP over 20 GS with 102 H and 5 HR allowed. Boston wants a lefty in their rotation, possibly even for this year's playoff run, so he'll likely be recalled no later than September. His hit problems should disappear with more innings, and we're quite confident he'll emerge as a solid component of their long-term pitching plans. If he was dropped in your league, look to FAAB him in AL-only leagues and consider spot starting him depending on matchups in mixed leagues.

Previous prospects: May: Chris Haney; June: Tim Young.

Chicago White Sox: Jon Rauch, 23, RH Starter
4-5 on 60:25 K:BB in 69.1 IP over 12 GS with 66 H, 11 HR, and a 4.93 ERA at AAA Charlotte(IL).

The ignorant Chicago sportswriters and talk show hosts who expected he'd dominate in the majors this year obviously forgot he only pitched 28 innnings last season before surgery to repair a damaged rotator cuff and labrum, and that he's only started 14 games above A-ball. Reports from his surgery indicated that they cleaned up the problem very quickly, and he shouldn't have any arm problems in the foreseeable future. Rauch needs at least another two months of AAA time, but he should get a few starts in September before rejoining the rotation for good next year. If you either want to speculate on some high-risk wins or need to build for next year, look to FAAB Rauch when he returns sometime after the trade deadline.

Previous prospects: May: Corey Lee; June: Edwin Almonte.

Cleveland: Jason Beverlin, 28, RH Starter
9-8 on 104:37 K:BB in 109.2 IP over 19 GS(21G) with 101 H, 11 HR, and a 4.02 ERA at AAA Buffalo(IL).

Jaret Wright may never be ready for the majors again and Billy Traber needs more than a single start at AAA, leaving a choice between Roy Smith and Beverlin; while not on the 40-man, Beverlin's the most prepared starting pitching help after they trade impending free agent Chuck Finley. In his first extended exposure to AAA last year, after six seasons of spending most of the year at AA Norwich, he demonstrated excellent all-around stuff at the hitter's paradise of AAA Salt Lake. Now he's roughly dominating in an easier environment and certainly could contribute in the majors when another Cleveland rotation spot opens. He's somewhat risky given his limited AAA exposure of less than 200 IP but I also see little not to like. A couple bucks of FAAB could yield a few wins and an ERA/WHIP contribution that shouldn't hurt your team.

Previous prospects: May: Jason Phillips; June: Dave Maurer.

Detroit: Franklyn German, 22, RH Reliever
17 Saves on 65:29 K:BB in 44.2 IP over 40 G with 31 H, 0 HR, and a 3.43 ERA between AA Midland(TL) and AAA Toledo(IL).

The Tigers have cannibalized the upper levels of their farm system to restock an injury-depleted and mostly ineffective major league staff, so they don't even have a single healthy dominant homegrown pitcher left above A-ball. Fortunately they picked up German in the Weaver trade, and while he's in the bullpen for now after a couple of unsuccessful years starting, he should develop into either a closer or solid middle-of-the-rotation starter. A 1.33 WHIP at AA doesn't suggest he really deserved a promotion, but a 12.8 K/9 with no homer allowed casts a shadow that clouds the minds of player development directors. If the Tigers let him develop until September and then return him to AAA next year until he's dominating everyone, we'll make every effort to acquire him next year. For now, despite excellent stuff and long-term upside, contenders should likely ignore any call-up.

Previous prospects: May: Adam Bernero; June: Tim Kalita.

Kansas City: Kiko Calero, 23, RH Swingman
3-4 on 74:23 K:BB in 80.1 IP over 11 GS(16G) with 62 H, 6 HR, and a 2.58 ERA between AA Wichita(TL) and AAA Omaha(PCL).

I was hoping to review Ryan Bukvich or Runelvys Hernandez (of "Run Elvis, Run!" fame) but someone in the Royals' hierarchy somehow thinks Wichita is closer than Omaha to KC just because they're in the same state when Omaha's actually about a dozen miles closer. Maybe that realization would have let Hernandez stop in Omaha or help Bukvich pitch more than just 13.2 innings at AAA. Now Calero's one of the best pitchers left at AAA, and after KC kept him at Wichita for most of six years before this promotion, he should be quite pleased with the move north. He might have even deserved a promotion back in 1998 but certainly should have been in Omaha no later than mid-2000. As he approaches minor league free agency at the end of the year, the Royals should see if he deserves a spot on the 40-man roster this winter by promoting him to the majors for the next couple months. That move both would help save the young arms of Affeldt and Ascencio and could benefit your roto team, since he might be worth a buck of FAAB if you want a high-risk, medium-upside pitcher.

Previous prospects: May: Brett Laxton; June: Matt Skrmetta.

Minnesota: David Lee, 29, RH Reliever
5-1 on 51:22 K:BB in 46.1 IP over 37 G with 56 H, 3 HR, and a 4.27 ERA at AAA Edmonton(PCL).

Most of Minnesota's call-ups have pitched fairly well, so I'm not sure anyone else is likely to see the majors before September other than those currently in Minnesota or on the DL; fortunately that list numbers over fifteen quality pitchers, giving the Twins plenty of options and depth. Lee's likely the most accomplished remaining reliever, but in 103.1 major league innings, he's only compiled an 86:62 K:BB. His stats indicate a fairly standard AAAA right-handed reliever, and he's unlikely to even see much more time in the majors. Ignore him if the Twins need yet another injury replacement.

Previous prospects: May: Johan Santana; June: Grant Balfour.

New York Yankees: Julio DePaula, 22, RH Starter
8-6 on 97:36 K:BB in 112.2 IP over 17 GS(18G) with 97 H, 9 HR, and a 4.23 ERA at AA Norwich(EL).

Picked up from the Rockies last year for Craig Dingman, DePaula gave no indication of this pending breakout as he only managed a 77:53 K:BB in 83 IP in the Florida State League. New York challenged him with this promotion and he's certainly responded, developing into perhaps the top healthy right-handed prospect in the upper levels of the minors. I'm concerned about his drop in dominance, but the Yankees have enough depth to allow DePaula to slowly mature for another month or year until he's ready to command more in trade. If given a chance this year, ignore him since he needs another full year in the minors.

Previous prospects: May: Domingo Jean; June: Brian Rogers.

Oakland: Micah Bowie, 27, LH Reliever
2-2 on 58:24 K:BB in 51.1 IP over 42 G with 39 H, 2 HR, and a 3.51 ERA at AAA Sacramento(PCL).

After two years in the minors following the Cubs' valiant attempt to slag his arm at the end of the 1999 season left him with a 9.67 career ERA in 54 innings, Bowie's emerged in his second year at Sacramento as a left-handed reliever with significant potential. One of Oakland's major problems is the lack of effective left-handed relief. Bowie certainly can't be much worse than Mike Magnante, who stands out as one of Billy Beane's worst moves since he's pitched poorly and cost them the 2000 1st rd pick that the Angels used to select Chris Bootcheck. Most left-handed relievers are risky roto pickups, but the A's offer good opportunities for vultured wins and the right-handed corps helps erase some mistakes. Keep Bowie in mind if you need to FAAB some roster filler later in the year.

Previous prospects: May: Chad Harville; June: Matt J. Miller.

Seattle: Brian Sweeney, 28, RH Swingman
6-0 on 79:15 K:BB in 90.1 IP over 14 GS(21G) with 86 H, 8 HR, and a 2.79 ERA at AAA Tacoma(PCL).

He's pitched effectively for the last five years in the minors but hasn't managed less hits than innings at any level or year since A+ Lancaster in 1998. Now both his hits and homers allowed appear under control, and his great command helps him assemble some very impressive AAA stats. I'm not sure if the Mariners will need him, but I can't imagine him posting overly poor numbers if he reaches the majors. Both Safeco and the Mariners' solid defense will aid his qualitative numbers, leaving him a very low risk, low cost FAAB option if promoted.

Previous prospects: May: Ken Cloude; June: Aquilino Lopez.

Tampa Bay: Lance Carter, 27, RH Swingman
5-2 on 51:7 K:BB in 74.2 IP over 25 G(10GS) with 68 H, 9 H, and a 3.50 ERA at AAA Durham(IL).

Carter dominated in AA in 1999 but the Royals rushed him to the majors for a few unproductive innings, and then he appeared to regress in AAA in 2000. He didn't sign with any team last year but now he's finally demonstrating his solid skills in AAA. Unfortunately he's still not striking out enough batters, although we tend to favor anyone with a 7.3 K:BB in the upper levels of the minors. I'd like to see him kept exclusively to relief work to see if he can move past the AAAA swingman title to which he's currently headed. He also should probably stay in AAA until he's comfortable pitching only out of the pen, so ignore any 2002 promotion.

Previous prospects: May: Jason Jimenez; June: Travis Phelps.

Texas: Aaron Myette, 24, RH Starter
7-4 on 106:44 K:BB in 106 IP over 16 GS with 86 H, 5 HR, and a 3.14 ERA at AAA Oklahoma(PCL).

Texas has given him all of seven innings in the majors this season, but given his AAA performance has now improved for the third straight year, the Rangers should really just leave him in the rotation for the rest of the season. Both Myette and Rob Bell deserve full-time slots as soon as they can deal Burba or Valdes. While Myette's ratios aren't severely better than his 2001 marks, he won't benefit from more AAA time. When he starts finding regular playing time, consider risking a couple bucks of FAAB.

Previous prospects: May: Colby Lewis; June: Jeremi Gonzalez.

Toronto: Robbie Crabtree, 29, RH Reliever
3-6 on 39:20 K:BB in 51.2 IP over 36 G with 52 H, 4 HR, and a 6.79 ERA between AAA Fresno(PCL) and AAA Syracuse(IL).

He's probably been the best reliever in the minors for at least the last two years but he had to cut his strikeout rate to 6.0 from an 8.5 career AAA K/9 to force San Francisco to release him. Toronto immediately snatched him up, and he's responded with a 17:6 K:BB in 18.2 IP with 14 H and 1 HR allowed since joining the Sky Chiefs. I expect him to join the Blue Jays within the next few weeks and almost immediately give the American League its own Scott Sullivan. He's a little risky since almost all scouts hate him, but we'll look into spending a buck or two of FAAB where we need ERA help.

Previous prospects: May: Chad Ricketts; June: Mark Hendrickson.

Our July roto prospect series will conclude tomorrow with NL pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Hallmark's big ornament rollout was last Saturday. While we've made it on opening day the last couple years to insure we don't miss any ornaments we want, we weren't able to get there until today this year. Of course, half the series we normally buy won't be released until late fall, and we were even more disappointed to discover this year's two baseball player ornaments, of which the only acceptable choice is George Brett (although we'll have to tar his bat). Unfortunately, the indecipherable decision to sculpt the third-best shortstop in the game today forces us to consider forgetting these ornaments this year if the decision-makers in question can't bother to pick a deserving player. I don't recall Bonds or ARod ornaments, and certainly either of them, or elite pitcher like Clemens, Maddux, or Randy would be a dramatically better selection than Alfonso Soriano's double play partner. There's definitely no reason to rush back to Hallmark this year until the ornaments go on sale after Christmas.