Today's Fantasy Rx

Minor League Free Agents and AAA/AA Relief 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:
Eddie Oropesa is listed with National League relievers with Draft Value of $-4.

Brady Raggio is listed with National League relievers with Draft Value of $-3.

Jake Krawczyk, 28, P:R, B:R.
1-3 on a 27:11 K:BB in 41 IP over 21 G
with 56 H, 3 HR, and a 6.80 ERA between AA Midland(TL) and AA El Paso(TL).
0-0 on a 6:0 K:BB in 4.1 IP over 3 G
with 7 H, 0 HR, and a 2.08 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
3-1 on a 40:6 K:BB in 28.1 IP over 16 G
with 23 H, 1 HR, and a 1.59 ERA for A South Bend(Mid).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Lee Marshall, 27, P:R, B:R.
4-6 and 1 Save on a 43:23 K:BB in 66.2 IP over 3 GS(50G)
with 97 H, 5 HR, and a 6.21 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
1-0 on a 6:2 K:BB in 4.1 IP over 5 G
with 7 H, 0 HR, and a 4.15 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Jake Meyer, 28, P:R, B:R.
1-2 on a 15:10 K:BB in 26.1 IP over 20 G
with 26 H, 26 HR, and a 3.42 ERA for AAA Charlotte(IL).
1-1 and 1 Save on a 20:10 K:BB in 25.1 IP over 17 G
with 22 H, 0 HR, and a 3.20 ERA for AA Birmingham(SL).
0-1 on a 2:1 K:BB in 2.2 IP over 3 G
with 3 H, 0 HR, and a 6.75 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2008.

Erik Sabel, 28, P:R, B:R.
2-3 on a 34:18 K:BB in 62 IP over 2 GS(42G)
with 79 H, 6 HR, and a 4.94 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2007.

Prospects:
Brian Bruney, 21, P:R, B:R.
3-1 and 12 Saves on a 32:18 K:BB in 32 IP over 32 G
with 24 H, 0 HR, and a 2.81 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
0-2 on a 28:13 K:BB in 31.1 IP over 28 G
with 29 H, 1 HR, and a 2.59 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Closer by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: $5.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2009s.

Robert Ferns, 22, P:R, B:R.
0-0 on a 1:1 K:BB in 1.2 IP over 1 G
with 2 H, 1 HR, and a 5.40 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
1-1 on a 2:2 K:BB in 2.1 IP over 3 G
with 10 H, 0 HR, and a 27.00 ERA for A- Yakima(NWL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A/A+ reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAA reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Jerry Spradlin, 36, P:R, B:S.
0-1 on a 3:1 K:BB in 5 IP over 6 G
with 13 H, 0 HR, and a 19.80 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Greg Swindell, 38, P:L, B:L.
0-1 on an 8:5 K:BB in 20.2 IP over 3 GS(8G)
with 32 H, 1 HR, and a 6.53 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2005.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler in 2004.

Jeremy Ward, 25, P:R, B:R.
1-1 and 5 Saves on a 13:11 K:BB in 27.2 IP over 25 G
with 37 H, 1 HR, and a 6.51 ERA for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2006.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2008.

Jay Belflower, 23, P:R, B:R.
4-2 on a 35:24 K:BB in 70 IP over 53 G
with 105 H, 6 HR, and a 5.14 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2009.

Joey Cramblitt, 25, P:R, B:R.
1-0 on a 0:0 K:BB in 2 IP over 1 G
with 2 H, 0 HR, and a 0.00 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
0-1 on an 8:5 K:BB in 13.2 IP over 14 G
with 2 HR, and a 1.98 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2010.

Mark Freed, 25, P:L, B:L.
4-3 on a 43:37 K:BB in 63.2 IP over 67 G
with 75 H, 4 HR, and a 4.81 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA/AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league middle reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2009.

Ryan Holsten, 24, P:R, B:R.
2-8 on a 41:54 K:BB in 101.1 IP over 12 GS(38G)
with 139 H, 9 HR, and a 6.93 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
1-0 on a 3:3 K:BB in 9.2 IP over 1 GS(2G)
with 10 H, 1 HR, and a 4.66 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A+/AA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filler by 2008.

Aric Leclair, 25, P:L, B:L.
1-0 on a 10:6 K:BB in 12.1 IP over 11 G
with 9 H, 0 HR, and a 0.00 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
1-2 and 5 Saves on a 53:30 K:BB in 38.2 IP over 32 G
with 32 H, 1 HR, and a 3.03 ERA for A+ Wilmington(Car).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $5 by 2009.

Brandon Medders, 23, P:R, B:R.
5-3 and 7 Saves on a 72:26 K:BB in 69.1 IP over 56 G
with 65 H, 3 HR, and a 4.41 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league short reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2009.

Jesus Silva, 20, P:R, B:R.
5-4 and 3 Saves on a 56:20 K:BB in 66.1 IP over 55 G
with 84 H, 7 HR, and a 5.02 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Closer by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2010.

Carlton Wells, 23, P:L, B:L.
2-2 on a 4:5 K:BB in 7 IP over 10 G
with 13 H, 1 HR, and a 10.29 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
4-3 on a 41:27 K:BB in 73.1 IP over 46 G
with 80 H, 1 HR, and a 2.95 ERA for A+ Lancaster(Cal).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2008.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: Roster filer by 2009.

Bill White, 24, P:L, B:L.
1-3 on a 25:22 K:BB in 39 IP over 6 GS(15G)
with 42 H, 4 HR, and a 6.23 ERA for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: A+/AA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: AAAA reliever by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: None.

Today's Fantasy Rx: The most likely NL West minor league relievers to emerge as future closers are Arizona's Brian Bruney and Matt Montgomery. Colorado's Justin Huisman appears promising, but as long as the Rockies believe that a good closer is more valuable than an All-Star starter, Shawn Chacon will hold the job in Denver. Speculation regarding the long-term options for Los Angeles and San Diego is rather pointless unless Eric Gagne's rising salary results in him leaving Los Angeles or Trevor Hoffman's health issues force him to retire before exceeding Lee Smith's career saves record. Both pitchers easily could remain in their current roles for the next few years.