Today's Fantasy Rx

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

Atlanta Braves
Minor League Free Agents:
Brian Moehler, 32, T:R, B:R.
3-9 on a 57:27 K:BB in 109 IP over 20 GS
with 113 H, 8 HR, and a 4.17 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2005 Role: .
Long-term Upside & ETA: .
2005 Fantasy Potential: .
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: .

Prospects:
Ray Aguilar, 24, T:L, B:S.
2-4 on a 31:17 K:BB in 42 IP over 9 GS
with 59 H, 4 HR, and a 6.21 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
2-3 on a 32:8 K:BB in 51 IP over 7 GS(8G)
with 35 H, 7 HR, and a 2.29 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
2-0 on a 12:1 K:BB in 20 IP over 4 GS
with 15 H, 0 HR, and a 2.25 ERA for A+ Myrtle Beach(Car).
0-1 on a 4:0 K:BB in 5.2 IP over 2 GS
with 11 H, 4 HR, and a 12.71 ERA for R Braves(GCL).
Appropriate 2005 Role: AA/AAA swingman.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league closer by 2008.
2005 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $20 by 2009.

Kyle Davies, 21, T:R, B:R.
0-1 on a 5:3 K:BB in 5 IP over 1 GS
with 5 H, 0 HR, and a 9.00 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
4-0 on a 73:22 K:BB in 62 IP over 10 GS(11G)
with 40 H, 9 HR, and a 2.32 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
9-2 on a 95:32 K:BB in 75.1 IP over 14 GS
with 55 H, 3 HR, and a 2.63 ERA for A+ Myrtle Beach(Car).
Appropriate 2005 Role: AAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #2 starter by 2009.
2005 Fantasy Potential: Low-round draft pick.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $25 by 2010.

Trey Hodges, 26, T:R, B:R.
5-2 on a 41:18 K:BB in 52.1 IP over 10 GS
with 51 H, 9 HR, and a 4.82 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
Appropriate 2005 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league reliever by 2006.
2005 Fantasy Potential: Roster filler.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2007.

Chuck Smith, 34, T:R, B:R.
9-4 on a 129:47 K:BB in 142.2 IP over 24 GS(29G)
with 125 H, 8 HR, and a 3.72 ERA for AAA Richmond(IL).
Appropriate 2005 Role: AAAA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: #4 starter by 2006.
2005 Fantasy Potential: $5.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2006.

Zach Miner, 22, T:R, B:R.
6-10 on an 111:55 K:BB in 129.1 IP over 22 GS(27G)
with 132 H, 14 HR, and a 5.22 ERA for AA Greenville(SL).
Appropriate 2005 Role: AA/AAA reliever.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league reliever by 2008.
2005 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $10 by 2010.

'05 AA/AAA Starting Pitcher Week continues tomorrow, featuring Minor League Free Agent and AAA/AA Starters in the National League Central.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Based on each player's keeper potential heading into his sophomore season in the majors, select rookie starters in the following order in minor league drafts; I've included the preferred round price for Ultra leagues: Yusmeiro Petit($10), Mike Hinckley($10), Seung Song($2), and Kyle Davies($2). While I consider Petit perhaps the best NL pitching prospect, wait until at least the second round to grab him due to prevailing concerns about his dominant upon reaching the majors. Hinckley soon will join the Nats' rotation as a potential ace, and then Song and Davies rank as late-round sleepers respectively for the Jays and Braves. Both might spend all season in the minors yet each also could emerge during the summer as useful starters if given the opportunity. Control problems also might force Davies to the bullpen, discounting his value compared to similar prospects.