Today's Fantasy Rx

Minnesota: Nick Blackburn, 25, RH Starter
5-1 on a 28:5 K:BB in 57.1 IP over 8 GS
with 48 H, 2 HR, a 1.74 G-F, and a 1.57 ERA for AAA Rochester(IL).
3-1 on an 18:7 K:BB in 38 IP over 7 GS(8G)
with 36 H, 1 HR, a 1.59 G-F, and a 3.08 ERA for AA New Britain(EL).

Pitching adequately as first a swingman and then a starter for New Britain eventually led to Blackburn's promotion to Rochester this spring. He took full advantage of that opportunity, providing the Red Wings with an adequate replacement for Kevin Slowey, albeit without the same level of dominance. Minnesota prospects with his skill set invariably find themselves in the majors at some point, though since his skills simply don't portend significant success at a higher level, wait until he finds his niche in the Twins' bullpen before considering him anywhere.

New York Yankees: Edwar Ramirez, 26, RH Reliever
0-0 and 4 Saves on a 47:9 K:BB in 26.2 IP over 15 G
with 13 H, 0 HR, a 1.21 G-F, and a 0.68 ERA for AAA Scranton/Wilke-Barre(IL).
3-0 and 1 Save on a 33:8 K:BB in 16.2 IP over 9 G
with 6 H, 1 HR, a 1.13 G-F, and a 0.54 ERA for AA Trenton(EL).

Out of baseball only a year ago, Ramirez learned a killer changeup in 2006 and simply soared through the Yankees' system, beginning by posting a 1.17 ERA on a 47:6 K:BB in 30.2 IP with 14 H and 0 HR in 19 appearances for A+ Tampa last summer. His continued dominance this season led to his promotion to New York on Sunday, and if Ramirez can gain Joe Torre's confidence, his upside rivals that of any current Yankees' reliever other than Mariano Rivera. Rebuilding teams and anyone looking to grab a potential future relief ace should seek to acquire Ramirez immediately.

Oakland: Shane Komine, 26, RH Starter
3-9 on a 69:31 K:BB in 92 IP over 16 GS
with 110 H, 17 HR, a 1.53 G-F, and a 5.38 ERA for AAA Sacramento(PCL).

Though Komine didn't see action during his three days in Oakland last month and hasn't impressed on the River Cats this spring, he replaced Ron Flores in the majors today, apparently set to serve as the A's long reliever. The Hawaiian Punch-Out certainly possesses the skill set to take advantage of this opportunity, but given the struggles encountered by so many Athletics' players this year, exercise caution when considering Komine. Only teams fully committed to rebuilding should target him at this time.

Seattle: Jorge Campillo, 28, RH Starter
6-5 on a 68:28 K:BB in 108.2 IP over 16 GS(17G)
with 116 H, 10 HR, a .94 G-F, and a 3.48 ERA for AAA Tacoma(PCL).

Clearly fully recovered from 2005 Tommy John surgery, Campillo once again merits a shot in some capacity in Seattle. Though he isn't dominating, he remains more effective than almost all his Rainiers' teammates and certainly appears more prepared for the majors than 21-year-old Ryan Feierabend. Campillo can't match Feierabend's long-term upside, but with the Mariners unexpectedly contending now, he deserves the opportunity to contribute to a potential playoff run, which would make him a decent target for gambling owners seeking additional pitching.

Tampa Bay: Jon Switzer, LH Reliever
0-0 on a 16:5 K:BB in 22 IP over 17 G
with 18 H, 0 HR, a 1.12 G-F, and a 0.41 ERA for AAA Durham(IL).

Shoulder tendonitis cost the Rays' best southpaw reliever from 2006 the first two months of the 2007 season. However, his success since returning to the Bulls makes him the likely candidate to return to Tampa tomorrow if Al Reyes hits the DL as expected. While you can ignore Switzer since the lefty specialist offers little to most fantasy teams, he could regain his old role very quickly, potentially making him suitable roster filler as soon as August.

Texas: Eric Hurley, 21, RH Starter
1-1 on a 13:3 K:BB in 11 IP over 2 GS
with 9 H, 0 HR, a .83 G-F, and a 3.27 ERA for AAA Oklahoma(PCL).
7-2 on a 76:27 K:BB in 88.2 IP over 14 GS(15G)
with 71 H, 13 HR, a .74 G-F, and a 3.25 ERA for AA Frisco(TL).

The Rangers' top remaining rookie continues to ascend the club's minor league ladder with ease, last week reaching both Triple-A and the short list of Texas starters prepared to pitch in the majors. While I realize the Rangers want to protect Hurley as much as possible, his continued success will demand a look in Arlington no later than September. Unfortunately, I suspect the combination of his sporadic control issues and poor ground-fly rate will create problems for him against big league hitting. Unless you enjoy prospecting for young pitching to the extent of risking plentiful qualitative disasters, ignore Hurley until he proves he can withstand the Texas heat.

Toronto: Justin James, 25, RH Reliever
2-2 and 1 Save on a 20:6 K:BB in 29 IP over 1 GS(19G)
with 23 H, 2 HR, a 1.50 G-F, and a 3.10 ERA for AAA Syracuse(IL).
0-2 on a 15:6 K:BB in 17 IP over 1 GS(7G)
with 20 H, 0 HR, a 1.77 G-F, and a 4.76 ERA for AA New Hampshire(EL).

With the Blue Jays apparently cycling through every competent pitcher in the upper levels of their minor league system, James' appearance in Toronto later this year seems certain given his solid work this summer. The 2003 fifth round pick looks unlikely to develop into more than a competent middle reliever, but given the inconsistent work offered by most of the Jays' relievers, even a reliable middle reliever would provide a needed salve. However, since even that role offers precious little fantasy upside, ignore James barring a shocking emergence as a late-inning option.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League pitching prospects.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Campillo, Komine, and even Hurley intrigue me to some extent, but the utter dominance displayer by Ramirez through the first three months of this season merits the most attention here. I see little reason he can't replicate Mariano Rivera's quick development a dozen years ago into first a top set-up man and then a Hall of Fame closer. Try to grab Ramirez in any league where you see him available and need pitching help, particularly in any keeper formats since he could shoot to double-digit value by 2008 with any luck.