Today's Fantasy Rx

Minor League Free Agents and AAA/AA Starting Pitchers in the NL East

All minor leaguers are listed with their last MLB organization of the 2003 season. Pitchers who started 50% or more of their games are listed under starters; all other pitchers are listed as relievers.

Atlanta Braves
Minor League Free Agents:
Chris Fussell, 27, P:R, B:R.
7-11 on a 130:74 K:BB in 152 IP over 26 GS(29G)
with 142 H, 12 HR, and a 4.03 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2010.

Chuck Smith, 33, P:R, B:R.
1-0 on a 13:9 K:BB in 18 IP over 3 GS
with 13 H, 1 HR, and a 2.00 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
1-2 on a 12:5 K:BB in 18.2 IP over 3 GS
with 14 H, 1 HR, and a 3.38 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2008.

Prospects:
Frank Castillo, 34, P:R, B:R.
0-1 on a 14:4 K:BB in 18 IP over 3 GS(4G)
with 23 H, 1 HR, and a 1.50 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
5-4 on a 59:34 K:BB in 96 IP over 16 GS(19G)
with 104 H, 12 HR, and a 4.13 ERA for AAA Sacramento(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2007.

Ryan Glynn, 29, P:R, B:R.
6-5 on a 75:31 K:BB in 92.2 IP over 16 GS
with 84 H, 4 HR, and a 2.91 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: .
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2008.

Bubba Nelson, 22, P:R, B:R.
0-1 on a 7:5 K:BB in 14.1 IP over 11 G
with 10 H, 1 HR, and a 1.88 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
8-10 on a 77:45 K:BB in 119 IP over 20 GS(23G)
with 106 H, 7 HR, and a 3.18 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #3 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2010.

Andy Pratt, 24, P:L, B:L.
7-10 on a 161:77 K:BB in 156 IP over 27 GS(28G)
with 146 H, 10 HR, and a 3.40 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #3 starter by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2010.

Paul Byrd, 32, P:R, B:R.
0-0 on a 3:1 K:BB in 4.1 IP over 1 GS
with 8 H, 1 HR, and an 8.31 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: #4 starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #2 starter by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: $5.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2008.

Matt Blank, 27, P:L, B:L.
2-3 on a 52:21 K:BB in 68.1 IP over 13 GS
with 78 H, 5 HR, and a 4.21 ERA between AAA Edmonton(PCL) and AAA Fresno(PCL).
0-0 on a 0:0 K:BB in 2 IP over 2 G
with 0 H, 0 HR, and a 0.00 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2008.

Daniel Curtis, 23, P:R, B:R.
6-4 on a 47:15 K:BB in 78.1 IP over 12 GS(17G)
with 72 H, 4 HR, and a 2.87 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
3-4 on a 55:23 K:BB in 64.2 IP over 11 GS(12G)
with 77 H, 5 HR, and a 4.04 ERA for A+ Myrtle Beach(Car).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2009.

Adam Wainwright, 22, P:R, B:R.
10-8 on a 128:37 K:BB in 149.2 IP over 27 GS
with 133 H, 9 HR, and a 3.37 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #1 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: High-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $30 by 2010.

Chris Waters, 23, P:L, B:L.
3-8 on a 54:26 K:BB in 85.2 IP over 17 GS
with 104 H, 11 HR, and a 4.41 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
1-1 on a 6:6 K:BB in 9.1 IP over 2 GS
with 7 H, 0 HR, and a 2.89 ERA for A+ Myrtle Beach(Car).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2009.

I'll continue tomorrow by discussing NL Central minor league starting pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: With most of the best pitching prospects in the division either already in the majors at least two years away from seeing regular playing time, only Atlanta's Adam Wainwright ranks as an elite young starter nearly ready to contribute. Montreal's Seung Song and New York's Matt Peterson also could reach the majors this year, however the strength of the division rests with the lower-level pitching prospects. New York's Scott Kazmir, Philadelphia's Gavin Floyd and Cole Hamels, and Atlanta's Macay McBride all should enjoy impressive future, but the big league depth on their respective teams should give each youngster another couple years of development time.