Colby Rasmus

The thought was the Cardinals moved Jim Edmonds to San Diego to give the starting job to Rasmus, but with their glut of outfield talent, they were able to send him back to Memphis for some more seasoning. He is certainly still in the future at Busch, and has the potential to be 30/30 someday. When he comes to St. Louis, grab him up.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
93	19	12	3	10	2	.204	.323	.622

Jay Bruce

I’m not introducing you to anyone new here, if you don’t know Bruce, you need to pay more attention. The top hitting prospect coming into 2008, it was somewhat surprising that Bruce didn’t start the year with the big club, but make no mistake about it he will be back soon and he will hit. It is possible that he will arrive soon with the change at GM with the Reds and the fact that no one that has been playing centerfield is doing anything great for Cincy.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
85	28	14	4	14	6	.329	.533	.912

Cameron Maybin

The gem of the Willis/Cabrera trade to Florida, Maybin has a WORLD of potential. I have seen some projections as high as 40/40 when he fully matures. Maybin is a dynamic talent that should fill up the boxscore when he arrives in South Beach, but he might be a year away from starting to realize that immense talent. Keeper leagues, however, need to get Maybin ASAP.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
75	18	12	3	7	4	.240	.413	.780

Carlos Gonzalez

Gonzalez was an integral part of the Dan Haren trade, and will most likely be roaming the outfield in Oakland before the end of the year. Gonzalez had a few really good season in the minors, he hits for a good average, steals a few bases and has 30 HR potential.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
69	24	11	3	9	0	.348	.522	.930

Ian Stewart

Stewart is the best hitting prospect in the Rockies’ system, and he is showing why this year at AAA Colorado Springs. The problem is that he is blocked by Garrett Atkins at third base, and even if they wanted to move Atkins to first, Todd Helton is still there. Stewart was involved in a Spring Training battle for the starting second base job, but his lack of defense cost him that. Barring injury, Stewart could still be at AAA for a while.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
76	22	20	6	21	2	.289	.618	1.000

Steve Pearce

Pearce had a great Spring, and it looked like he would be joining the team in Pittsburgh when camp broke, but the jobs went to Jason Bay, Nate McLouth, and Xavier Nady (looking like the right call). Pearce will be in Pittsburgh at some point this year and has some good pop in his bat, and could make a fantasy impact upon his arrival.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
88	22	6	2	14	1	.250	.409	.722

Brandon Wood

The human strikeout machine has been promoted back to the majors today. Everyone is still holding on to 2005 when Wood hit 43 HRs and drove in 115. But two things to remember about that. One, it was three years ago now, and two, it was Single A ball. Wood has been dubbed a huge power prospect ever since, and he is having his best season since in 2008. We will see if it translates to major league success.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
84	22	18	8	17	0	.274	.631	.961

Jeff Clement

After the M’s signed current catcher Kenji Johjima to a contract extension, it became obvious that Clement’s future is either not in Seattle, or not behind the plate. Clement has a load of power potential wherever he ends up playing, and the extension to Johjima most likely will get Clement to Seattle faster either at first or at DH. And speak of the devil, within hours of this post, Clement has been called to the majors where he will most likely serve at DH the most, but probably catch some when Johjima needs a day off.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
71	27	19	5	19	0	.380	.690	1.207

Josh Fields

If Brandon Wood is the strikeout king, Fields is the Prince. Fields was quite successful in 2007 while filling in for the injured Joe Crede, but was sent back to the minors after a subpar Spring. Fields will be back to Chicago whenever Crede is finally traded, or when his back finally gives out.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
76	21	14	3	12	3	.276	.434	.779

Wladimir Balentien

Balentin has some great pop in his bat, and could be manning right field in Seattle sometime in 2008. He hit at least 20 homers in each of his last three years in the minors and has stolen in double digit bases as well. He is off to a slow start at AAA this year, but could be a viable fantasy player in all formats when he arrives.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
53	13	8	3	15	1	.245	.509	.843

Matt LaPorta

LaPorta was originally a first baseman, but considering I think Prince Fielder might be there for a while, LaPorta will be stuck behind him for a long time. The Brewers are trying to have him make the transition to the outfield to try to get his bat into the lineup as soon as possible. He might not arrive in Milwaukee this year, but keep your ears to the gound on LaPorta.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
80	23	16	6	22	0	.288	.600	.985

Chase Headley

Headley has some good power potential, but as a third baseman, he is blocked by Kevin Kouzmanoff. Headley was sent to triple A to work on his defense, as he will be trying to make the team as a starter in left field. He will most likely hit about .275-.290 when he arrives at the majors, but he does strikeout a lot. Be patient when waiting for him to arrive.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
76	17	9	1	8	0	.224	.329	.635

Matt Antonelli

Antonelli has been rated the best second base prospect, and although that isn’t saying much given the 2B prospects right now, that fact alone makes him intriguing. Antonelli has 20/30 potential when he arrives, even though he is blocked by Tad Iguchi at the moment.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
70	15	14	2	6	2	.214	.429	.774

Reid Brignac

Brignac may be the best SS prospect in baseball, and should arrive in Tampa Bay at some point in 2008. Reid has 20/20 potential and will hit around .300. The Rays traded for Jason Bartlett to help hold the position warm for him, but is doing a terrible job. Expect him to be in Tampa possibly by the All-Star Break.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
74	18	12	2	8	1	.243	.419	.724

Andrew McCutcheon

Another highly touted outfield prospect for the Pirates, McCutcheon is blocked by a developing outfield in the majors. There will need to be an injury or two for Andrew to get himself a legitimate shot at being an effective fantasy pleyer.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
88	25	17	5	14	4	.284	.557	.939

Fernando Martinez

The guy the Mets refused to trade in the Johan Santana negotiations, Martinez is struggling in 2008. Martinez has given the Mets an outfielder who can steal 40+bases and hi 10-15 HRs, although he doesn’t have a clear path to the major leagues.

AB	H	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	SLG	OPS
101	26	14	1	7	3	.257	.366	.660

As always, your questions about your team (adds, drops, trades, etc) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee an answer within 18 hours.

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