Today's Fantasy Rx

Like last year, as I already have covered practically every minor leaguer ready for the majors during our team prospect reviews, instead of providing in-depth commentary on each player today, I'll provide a brief synopsis of what I expect in 2004 from every player at the AA and AAA levels. I won't cover anyone here that spent any time in the majors this season, but I'll give you a quick look at anyone who played above A-ball, listed at the position where he appeared the most.

Minor League Free Agent and AAA/AA First Basemen in the National League

Arizona Diamondbacks
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Billy Martin, 27, B:R, T:R.
62/179 for .346/.408/.648 with 12 HR, 40 RBI, 32 R, 0/0 SB%,
and an 18:43 BB:K for AAA Tucson(PCL).
56/160 for .350/.441/.519 with 3 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R, 1/1 SB%,
and a 22:40 BB:K for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league starter by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: $5.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2007.

Steve Neal, 26, B:L, T:L.
70/285 for .246/.306/.393 with 7 HR, 37 RBI, 32 R, 0/1 SB%,
and a 23:78 BB:K for AAA Tucson(PCL).
12/40 for .300/.417/.400 with 0 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 0/0 SB%,
and an 8:11 BB:K for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league reserve by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Corey Myers, 23, B:R, T:R.
124/428 for .290/.354/.430 with 9 HR, 60 RBI, 63 R, 3/6 SB%,
and a 42:78 BB:K for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2011.

The Twelve Days of Outfielders begin tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Similar to the junior circuit, most of the top NL first base prospects, like Prince Fielder and James Loney, reside in the lower levels of the minors. Of course, a few upper-level prospects look ready to contribute. Atlanta's Adam LaRoche is the most likely NL first base prospect to help fantasy teams in 2004 as he appears likely to see the majority of time at first for the Braves. San Diego's Tagg Bozied might earn a bench role, and John Gall of the Cardinals deserves every opportunity to win a bench job, along with the chance to see some starting at-bats if St. Louis opts for a cheap platoon at whatever position Albert Pujols doesn't occupy.