Today's Fantasy Rx

Prospects with Double-Digit Upside

Yhency Brazoban, 24, RH Reliever
6-2 on a 27:15 K:BB in 32.2 IP over 31 G
with 25 H, 2 HR, a .69 G-F, and a 2.48 ERA for Los Angeles.
2-0 and 1 Save on a 17:1 K:BB in 12.1 IP over 10 G
with 14 H, 1 HR, and a 2.19 ERA for AAA Las Vegas(PCL).
4-4 and 13 Saves on a 61:22 K:BB in 51 IP over 37 G
with 38 H, 4 HR, and a 2.65 ERA for AA Jacksonville(SL).

The young flamethrower emerged as an extremely capable replacement for another converted position player, Guillermo Mota, following the veteran's trade to Florida in July. Brazoban dominated in over half his outings, only occasionally struggled, and appears likely to remain a very useful set-up man for Eric Gagne despite flyball and control problems. He clearly needs to prove nothing in the minors, so expect Brazoban to spend all of 2005 at the end of the Dodgers' bullpen, making him a superb choice for owners who target safe middle relievers with significant short and long-term upside.

Edwin Jackson, 21, RH Starter
2-1 on a 16:11 K:BB in 24.2 IP over 5 GS(8G)
with 31 H, 7 HR, a 1.16 G-F, and a 7.30 ERA for Los Angeles.
6-4 on a 70:55 K:BB in 90.2 IP over 19 GS
with 90 H, 4 HR, and a 5.86 ERA for AAA Las Vegas(PCL).

40400 Jackson qualifies as a likely Rookie of the Year contender in the spring, however massive command difficulties and health problems led to his worst year as a professional. Fortunately, he only turned 21 in September and suffered primarily from a lack of consistency. If Jackson appears healthy and registers respectable strikeout and walk rates in the spring, he should break camp in the Dodgers' rotation and stand a good chance to register double-digit value despite his difficulties this summer.

Cody Ross, 23, OF-R
65/238 for .273/.328/.538 with 14 HR, 49 RBI, 44 R, 2/2 SB%,
and an 18:43 BB:K for AAA Las Vegas(PCL).

Acquired at the end of spring training for Steve Colyer and cash, Ross demonstrated good power but lost much of the season to extended DL trips to a broken left hand in May and broken right wrist in August. Given his questionable plate discipline, Ross no longer appears the favorite to win a bench job in the spring thanks to the improved organizational depth of the Dodgers. Now, a great spring could result in Ross pushing Jayson Werth for playing time, and Ross also possesses the offensive skill set necessary to produce respectable numbers given regular at-bats. However, unless you see him demolishing pitches during camp, don't consider Ross for more than a late-round pick.

Likely 2005 September Call-ups

Russell Martin, 21, C-R
104/416 for .250/.366/.421 with 15 HR, 64 RBI, 74 R, 9/14 SB%,
and a 71:54 BB:K for A+ Vero Beach(FSL).

Although you should only consider Martin in very deep leagues, his success since converting to catcher two years ago ranks him as the most promising young catcher in the system following the trade of Koyie Hill. Martin only managed a .250 BA, but his .17 walk rate and .87 contact rate rank as excellent marks for a young batter regardless of position. I hesitate to recommend him outright since he should spend at least two more years in the minors, but if you want to draft a young catcher with upside, Martin interests me more than almost any other backstop below AA.

Greg Miller, 20, LH Starter
No 2004 stats.

Miller missed the season despite only requiring arthroscopic shoulder surgery in March to remove a bursa sac. All recent reports indicate that Miller appears fully healthy, although the Dodgers will not rush him next year given his tremendous ceiling. The 2002 1st round pick compiled a 151:48 K:BB in 143 IP between A+ Vero Beach(FSL) and AA Jacksonville(SL) last year, which ranks him with any left-handed prospect in the game despite his injury. I see no reason not to rank Miller very high on your minor league draft list since he still possesses significant upside and could reach Los Angeles by mid-season.

Today's Fantasy Rx: With no position player on the 2004 Los Angeles roster particularly likely to remain with the team for the rest of the decade save Cesar Izturis and perhaps Adrian Beltre, Aybar, Guzman, Loney, and Martin all should emerge as solid performers in the majors with the next couple of years. Young pitchers like Edwin Jackson, Chad Billingsley, and Greg Miller also own the skills necessary to develop into rotation assets, given the Dodgers a solid and balanced group of prospects. Other than normal concerns regarding potential trades, I see no reason not to invest in a couple of the players discussed above.