Today's Fantasy Rx

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

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.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Scott Barber, 24, P:R, B:R.
1-0 on a 4:5 K:BB in 22 IP over 2 GS(5G)
with 19 H, 1 HR, and a 2.05 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
10-7 on an 89:39 K:BB in 23 GS
with 134 H, 19 HR, and a 5.31 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A+/AA swingman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2009.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2010.

Chris Cervantes, 24, P:L, B:L.
3-4 on a 27:24 K:BB in 42.1 IP over 7 GS(11G)
with 41 H, 3 HR, and a 4.04 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A+/AA/AAA swingman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Lance Cormier, 23, P:R, B:R.
1-1 on an 11:5 K:BB in 27.2 IP over 4 GS(5G)
with 26 H, 1 HR, and a 2.60 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
2-3 on a 26:22 K:BB in 41.1 IP over 8 GS(9G)
with 59 H, 3 HR, and a 6.10 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
6-5 on a 59:16 K:BB in 94.1 IP over 15 GS
with 102 H, 6 HR, and a 3.82 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2010.

Mike Gosling, 23, P:L, B:L.
9-12 on an 89:56 K:BB in 136.1 IP over 26 GS
with 190 H, 13 HR, and a 5.61 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #3 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2011.

Matt Henrie, 23, P:R, B:L.
0-0 on a 1:2 K:BB in 6 IP over 1 GS
with 8 H, 0 HR, and a 3.00 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
5-7 on a 44:17 K:BB in 89.1 IP over 14 GS
with 112 H, 3 HR, and a 4.13 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
5-7 on a 60:16 K:BB in 90 IP over 14 GS
with 92 H, 5 HR, and a 3.30 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #3 starter by 2009.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2010.

Chad Scarbery, 23, P:R, B:R.
0-0 on a 7:2 K:BB in 5.1 IP over 2 G
with 7 H, 1 HR, and a 6.75 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
7-6 on a 59:33 K:BB in 82.1 IP over 15 GS
with 86 H, 5 HR, and a 4.04 ERA for A- Yakima(NWL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A/A+ swingman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2009.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Phil Stockman, 23, P:R, B:R.
1-1 on a 5:4 K:BB in 9 IP over 1 GS(2G)
with 8 H, 0 HR, and a 1.00 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
11-7 on a 146:64 K:BB in 147.2 IP over 26 GS
with 137 H, 9 HR, and a 3.96 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #3 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2010.

Greg Aquino, 25, P:R, B:R.
7-3 on a 91:38 K:BB in 106.2 IP over 20 GS
with 115 H, 5 HR, and a 3.46 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2009.

Casey Daigle, 22, P:R, B:R.
11-11 on a 115:51 K:BB in 176.1 IP over 27 GS(29G)
with 219 H, 9 HR, and a 4.59 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2010.

Beltran Perez, 21, P:R, B:R.
2-11 on an 88:54 K:BB in 147.2 IP over 20 GS(29G)
with 180 H, 13 HR, and a 5.30 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2011.

I'll continue tomorrow by discussing AL East minor league relief pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: With most upper-level pitching prospects on Arizona, Colorado, San Diego, and San Francisco already in the majors, Los Angeles easily looks like the best bets for minor league fantasy picks this springs. Even though Edwin Jackson debuted last year, Greg Miller and Joel Hanrahan should open the year at AAA Las Vegas, and both youngsters should push for rotation spots by the end of the season. Jackson, Miller, and Hanrahan comprise the best trio of upper-level starting pitchers in any system and merit fantasy consideration in any league.

The Giants' Merkin Valdez probably needs at least another year of seasoning, but San Francisco lacks great rotation depth in the majors and could push Valdez very quickly, making him a good pick in most leagues. If Arizona's Edgar Gonzalez opens the year in the minors, he also merits a high pick since his combination of age and overall effectiveness ranks him among the top few long-term starting prospects in the league.