Today's Fantasy Rx

You may have noticed a few of my recent articles running a bit short. Due to both the time involved in our preparations to host Thanksgiving tomorrow, and especially because of problems involved in accessing the required research, largely thanks to STATS no longer publishing the red and green books in early November, we will be unable to fix these problems until the weekend. However, we expect that all catcher and shortstop comments will be available no later than Monday. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Minor League Free Agents and AAA/AA Shortstops in the American League

Anaheim Angels
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Brian Specht, 21, B:S, T:R.
118/476 for .248/.321/.397 with 13 HR, 60 RBI, 64 R, 18/22 SB%,
and 49:129 BB:K at AA Arkansas(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2008.

Brandon Warriax, 23, B:R, T:R.
68/372 for .183/.252/.288 with 7 HR, 25 RBI, 36 R, 3/5 SB%,
and 35:110 BB:K between AA Tulsa(TL), AA Arkansas(TL),
and A+ Rancho Cucamonga(Cal).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2008.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Baltimore Orioles
Minor League Free Agents:
Mike Moriarty is listed with American League shortstops without double-digit PDV.

Maikall Diaz, 24, B:R, T:R.
25/153 for .163/.200/.222 with 0 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 2/3 SB%,
and 6:31 BB:K between AA Bowie(EL) and AAA Rochester(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Prospects:
Eddy Garabito, 23, B:S, T:R.
112/434 for .258/.300/.350 with 4 HR, 32 RBI, 52 R, 11/19 SB%,
and 24:48 BB:K at AAA Rochester(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2008.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2009.

Boston Red Sox
Minor League Free Agents:
Alex Ahumada, 23, B:R, T:R.
63/258 for .244/.322/.310 with 2 HR, 28 RBI, 42 R, 13/18 SB%,
and 25:60 BB:K between A+ Sarasota(FSL) and AA Trenton(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA starter by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2008.

James Lofton, 28, B:S, T:R.
105/426 for .246/.291/.319 with 4 HR, 38 RBI, 47 R, 10/15 SB%,
and 25:82 BB:K between AA Trenton(EL) and AAA Pawtucket(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA utilityman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA utilityman by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2005.

Prospects:
Raul Nieves, 23, B:S, T:R.
85/333 for .255/.310/.294 with 0 HR, 22 RBI, 38 R, 5/10 SB%,
and 27:42 BB:K between A+ Sarasota(FSL) and AA Trenton(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Chicago White Sox
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Jason Dellaero, 25, B:S, T:R.
58/264 for .220/.246/.379 with 9 HR, 30 RBI, 30 R, 6/10 SB%,
and 11:80 BB:K between AA Birmingham(SL) and AAA Charlotte(IL).
2-3 on 18:10 K:BB in 17 IP over 14 G with 23 H, 2 HR,
and an 8.47 ERA between AA Birmingham(SL) and AAA Charlotte(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2008.

Tim Hummel, 23, B:R, T:R.
136/523 for .260/.332/.346 with 4 HR, 41 RBI, 55 R, 5/11 SB%,
and 51:95 BB:K at AAA Charlotte(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: Low-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2007.

Guillermo Reyes, 20, B:S, T:R.
131/468 for .280/.324/.353 with 4 HR, 49 RBI, 52 R, 32/47 SB%,
35:72 BB:K between A+ Winston-Salem(Car) and AAA Charlotte(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA starter by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Danny Sandoval, 23, B:R, T:R.
133/504 for .264/.329/.361 with 5 HR, 45 RBI, 86 R, 39/63 SB%,
and 4:56 BB:K at AA Birmingham(SL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2008.

Cleveland Indians
Minor League Free Agents:
Tony Medrano, 27, B:R, T:R.
105/438 for .240/.311/.308 with 2 HR, 43 RBI, 48 R, 12/13 SB%
and 38:47 BB:K between AAA Buffalo(IL) and AAA Ottawa(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AAAA utilityman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League backup by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2006.

Prospects:
Jim Goelz, 26, B:R, T:R.
10/62 for .161/.209/.242 with 0 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 0/1 SB%
and 2:7 BB:K between AA Akron(EL) and AAA Buffalo(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball utilityman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA utilityman by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Johnny Peralta, 20, B:R, TR.
132/470 for .281/.343/.457 with 15 HR, 62 RBI, 62 R, 4/6 SB%,
and 45:97 BB:K at AA Akron(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: Low-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2007.

Detroit Tigers
Minor League Free Agents:
Rayner Bautista, 23, B:R, T:R.
89/341 for .261/.316/.375 with 4 HR, 35 RBI, 43 R, 6/8 SB%,
and 26:82 BB:K between A+ Lakeland(FSL) and AA Erie(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Prospects:
Carlos Castillo, 21, B:S, T:R.
33/152 for .217/.237/.309 with 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 1/4 SB%,
and 3:42 BB:K between R Tigers(GCL), A+ Lakeland(FSL),
and AA Erie(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: A+ backup by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Kansas City Royals
Minor League Free Agents:
Mike Caruso is listed with American League shortstops without double-digit PDV.

Felix Martinez, 28, B:S, T:R.
85/386 for .220/.289/.345 with 5 HR, 43 RBI, 57 R, 6/10 SB%,
and 30:70 BB:K between AAA Las Vegas(PCL) and AA Wichita(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2006.

Steve Medrano, 24, B:S, T:R.
No 2002 stats due to injury.
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Prospects:
Luis Cotto, 21, B:R, T:R.
9/56 for .161/.242/.161 with 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 0/0 SB%,
and 6:18 BB:K between R Royals(GCL), A+ Wilmington(Car),
and AA Wichita(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: Rookie-ball backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: A-ball backup by 2004.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

s Minnesota Twins
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Juan Lorenzo, 24, B:S, T:R.
58/215 for .270/.304/.335 with 2 HR, 19 RBI, 33 R, 1/3 SB%,
and 8:22 at AA New Britain(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Luis Rodriguez, 22, B:S, T:R.
117/455 for .257/.349/.358 with 8 HR, 40 RBI, 60 R, 3/5 SB%,
and 61:44 BB:K at AA New Britain(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: Mid-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2007.

New York Yankees
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Erick Almonte, 24, B:R, T:R.
97/408 for .238/.307/.409 with 17 HR, 61 RBI, 53 R, 12/15 SB%,
and 45:119 BB:K between AAA Columbus(IL) and AA Norwich(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2008.

Clay Hooper, 25, B:R, T:R.
70/290 for .241/.320/.300 with 2 HR, 16 RBI, 41 R, 0/9 SB%,
and 30:43 BB:K between A+ Tampa(FSL) and AA Norwich(EL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Jeff Nettles, 24, B:R, T:R.
44/168 for .262/.337/.387 with 3 HR, 22 RBI, 14 R, 1/3 SB%,
and 20:41 BB:K between AA Norwich(EL) and AAA Columbus(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2007.

Oakland Athletics
Minor League Free Agents:
Giomar Guevara, 29, B:S, T:R.
91/363 for .251/.332/.322 with 1 HR, 19 RBI, 49 R, 8/14 SB%,
and 37:89 BB:K at AA Midland(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2007.

Prospects:
Bobby Crosby, 22, B:R, T:R.
150/508 for .295/.365/.421 with 9 HR, 69 RBI, 78 R, 14/16 SB%,
and 53:86 BB:K between A+ Modesto(Cal) and AA Midland(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League starter by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: Mid-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 200.

Seattle Mariners
Minor League Free Agents:
Aaron Holbert, 29, B:R, T:R.
124/399 for .311/.358/.439 with 7 HR, 42 RBI, 62 R, 17/30 SB%,
and 19:50 BB:K at AAA Tacoma(PCL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League backup by 2004.
2003 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2004.

Prospects:
Ruben Castillo, 22, B:R, T:R.
86/394 for .218/.251/.292 with 3 HR, 36 RBI, 40 R, 10/17 SB%,
and 16:86 BB:K at AA San Antonio(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2009.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Eriberto Menchaca, 21, B:R, T:R.
64/298 for .215/.262/.245 with 0 HR, 35 RBI, 31 R, 4/6 SB%,
and 19:49 BB:K between A- Everett(NWL), A Wisconsin(Mid)
A+ San Bernardino(Cal), AA San Antonio(TL),
and AAA Tacoma(PCL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: Rookie-ball starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AA backup by 2008.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Minor League Free Agents:
None.
Prospects:
Jace Brewer, 23, B:R, T:R.
147/531 for .277/290/.365 with 7 HR, 60 RBI, 65 R, 10/12 SB%,
and 15:89 BB:K between A+ Bakersfield(Cal) and AA Orlando(SL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2007 .

Jorge Cantu, 20, B:R, T:R.
124/512 for .242/.278/.324 with 3 HR, 43 RBI, 50 R, 2/8 SB%,
and 23:74 BB:K at AA Orlando(SL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA starter by 2010.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2011.

Wilmy Caceres, 23, B:S, T:R.
90/347 for .259/.309/.311 with 0 HR, 20 RBI, 42 R, 16/24 SB%,
and 24:47 BB:K at AAA Durham(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2007.

Texas Rangers
Minor League Free Agents:
Kelly Dransfeldt, 27, B:R, T:R.
116/507 for .229/.293/.375 with 13 HR, 66 RBI, 60 R, 9/12 SB%,
and 44:133 BB:K at AAA Oklahoma(PCL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2005.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2005.

Prospects:
Drew Meyer, 21, B:L, T:R.
55/228 for .241/.262/.311 with 1 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 7/13 SB%,
and 11:58 BB:K between A Savannah(Sal) and AA Tulsa(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA starter by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2007.

Jason Moore, 24, B:R, T:R.
104/437 for .238/321/.399 with 13 HR 70 RBI, 56 R, 3/7 SB%,
and 49:96 BB:K between A+ Charlotte(FSL) and AA Tulsa(TL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2007.

Toronto Blue Jays
Minor League Free Agents:
Jersen Perez, 26, B:R, T:R.
53/231 for .229/.282/.320 with 4 HR, 15 RBI, 28 R, 3/6 SB%,
and 18:57 BB:K between A- Auburn(NYP) and AAA Syracuse(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2008.

Prospects:
Eddy de los Santos, 24, B:R, T:R.
14/71 for .197/.250/.211 with 0 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 1/2 SB%,
7:15 BB:K between A+ Dunedin(FSL) and AAA Syracuse(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A+ backup.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Brad Hassey, 22, B:R, T:R.
66/258 for .256/.318/.368 with 2 HR, 25 RBI, 41 R, 6/6 SB%,
and 21:41 BB:K between A- Auburn(NYP) and AAA Syracuse(IL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: A-ball starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA backup by 2007.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Mike Rouse, 22, B:L, T:R.
60/231 for .260/.342/.424 with 9 HR, 43 RBI, 35 R, 7/13 SB%,
and 29:47 BB:K at AA Tennessee(SL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League backup by 2006.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2007.

Danny Solano, 23, B:R, T:R.
59/249 for .237/.358/.353 with 4 HR, 37 RBI, 39 R, 7/10 SB%,
and 46:51 BB:K at AA Tennessee(SL).
Appropriate 2003 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major League backup by 2008.
2003 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2009.

Apparently every good upper level AL shortstop prospect spent some time in the majors as only Bobby Crosby, Luis Rodriguez, Johnny Peralta, and Tim Hummel strike me as even decent options in a minor league draft. Unfortunately all four are blocked by relatively established starters, and Hummel, who possesses the lowest ceiling of this group, probably has the best chance at starting by 2005. You'll likely see a better return by targeting players at other positions with both better skills and a clear path to the majors.

I'll continue tomorrow by discussing National League Shortstops with Positive Draft Value.

Today's Fantasy Rx: A year ago today I requested that our readers send my mom a quick e-mail for her birthday. Joann Polko first got me interested in baseball with little league and trading cards, so we were somewhat disappointed only one of readers e-mailed her in 2001. Since we'd like to show her that we've increased our readership over the past year, we won't even mind if you don't see this until after the holiday. Just please take a minute to drop her a quick "Happy Birthday" at p2@rotohelp.com when you do see this.