2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Advice & Analysis
 The Big Bats of Pedroia & Utley returned Tuesday The second base position just got a whole lot beefier, as today three of the positions top guns have been activated from the disabled list. Proud owners of Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley and Martin Prado have been forced to plug holes with stragglers like Adam Kennedy and Blake DeWitt. Now is your time to rejoice. Dustin Pedroia returns to the Red Sox after breaking his left foot nearly two months ago on June 26th. In his stead, Bill Hall received the majority of starts at 2B, with Eric Patterson and Jed Lowrie also seeing action. Hall hit 12 homers after Pedroia went down, providing a decent clutch for fantasy owners. Hall will likely get significant starts in CF with Jacoby Ellsbury heading back to the DL after more pain in his slow healing fractured ribs. While Pedroia might not be 100% game ready, he is still a must start in all leagues. But be wary, he does tend to run in red-hot and ice-cold streaks. A slow start is a realistic expectation while he shakes off the rust. He was hitting .292 with 12 HR and 41 RBI prior to the injury, and had raised his average .38 points in June (from .254). Right thumb surgery has sidelined Chase Utley since June 29th. It had long been speculated that Utley was struggling with the thumb, forcing him to make adjustments to his swing. That could very well be the reason for his average production in the season's first three months. His .277, 11 HR, 37 RBI stat line looks solid for most second baseman, but for Utley those figures are a disappointment. If Utley is pain free, expect a big final push from him once he settles in. His stroke is the epitome of 'simple' and it shouldn't take him long to rediscover it. Placido Polanco will now shift back to third base full time, and Wilson Valdez will hit the bench. The 32-year-old Valdez did a more than admirable job being thrust into regular action, but was never a fantasy option. A career utility man, Martin Prado's fractured finger might have come at an ideal time (well, no injury is ideal). His batting average had plummeted .22 points from .337 to .315 in the month of July suggesting he needed a breather. Maybe sitting on the sidelines for a short while and re-energizing his body will be a positive in the long run. Unlike his 2B compatriots, he's only been out since July 31st and could find his groove in a flash. All-star selection Omar Infante continued to rake in his absence putting up seven multi-hit games thus far in August. Infante possesses position eligibility all over the diamond, and should continue to see regular AB's at third base with Chipper Jones on the shelf for the year. Once again, Troy Glaus could be the big loser. In other injury news, Charlie Manuel characterized first baseman Ryan Howard's chances of returning to the lineup before Friday as "slim". Howard has been out since August 2nd with sprained ligaments in his ankle. He's eligible to come off the DL today, but that's obviously not happening. How exactly the Phillies plan to handle his rehabilitation remains unclear. Patience is the key my fantasy brethren, patience. Meanwhile, Mike Sweeney will continue to get the bulk of starts at 1B and is a realistic option in NL-only leagues until big #6 returns. Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Look for Adam's weekly insight into Major & Minor League Ball. Who do you think will have the strongest return, Pedroia, Utley or Prado? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Return from Injury, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, Martin Prado, Jacoby Ellsbury, Bill Hall, Eric Patterson, Jed Lowrie, Adam Kennedy, Blake DeWitt, Placido Polanco, Wilson Valdez, Omar Infante, Chipper Jones, Troy Glaus, Ryan Howard, Jerry Manuel, Mike Sweeney, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves Add Comment  Slugger supreme Chris Carter is expected to join the Athletics in Seattle for their upcoming road trip. The 6'5", 230-pound Carter is the top position prospect in the A's system and one of most fearsome power sticks in the minor leagues. Carter has connected on 119 long balls since 2007, including 27 in 2010. A first baseman by trade, he's been camped out in left field for the Sacramento River Cats since July 28 in what is likely a portent of what's to come. Carter, 23, is tearing the cover off the ball right now, making this a most ideal time for his promotion. He finished July batting .318 with nine HR and 22 RBI. Perhaps of greater importance, he had 20 walks, his highest total for any month this season. Though he had 26 whiffs in 28 games, this is acceptable with his level of production. Through eight games in August he's hitting .333 with three HR and 13 RBI, improving his walk-to-strikeout ratio to 6:6. The switch seems to have clicked for Carter. His power and patience are clearly evident and his ticket to the show. Carter is more than a HR basher, he's a run producer, as evidenced by his .308 mark with runners in scoring position. Where does Carter fit into the A's puzzle? Current first baseman Daric Barton left Sunday's game with shoulder spasms and is listed as day to day. Carter appears to be the only adequate fill-in while Barton recovers. Once he does, Carter will be given his opportunity for everyday at-bats in left field, with an occasional breather at DH. Despite his deficient power, the A's love Barton's Moneyball approach and ability to work the pitcher. They believe he's their first baseman of the future (for now). As long as that's the case, Carter's future is in left field. It's hard to figure why the Athletics were so apprehensive with Carter. Two career minor leaguers, 29-year-old OF Matt Carson and 31-year-old OF Matt Watson, have essentially inhabited his roster spot. Both are hitting near the Mendoza Line and are unlikely to make any current or future impact. Even bringing back Jack Cust, who was demoted prior to Opening Day, seemed like a bizarre move with a spring chicken like Carter waiting in the wings. The A's were never a contender and knew full well what they had in Cust; a slow bat and K machine. This is Carter's sixth season in minor league ball, but his first full season in AAA. Carter's bat finally said "enough is enough," and his play on the diamond demanded a call to the big leagues. In keeper leagues with no minor league spots, now is the time to act. He's worth a flier in re-draft leagues as well, based on his power potential alone. His batting average might not be delightful initially and his strikeout rate may be escalated, but he should produce nonetheless. Granted, Oakland Coliseum is not exactly a hitter's paradise. But Carter is a big man; when he hits one on the sweet spot and gets it elevated, no park will contain him. How big league pitchers attack him, and his subsequent adjustments, should be interesting to observe over the season's final two months. Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Look for Adam's weekly insight into A, AA, & AAA ball. How good do you think Carter will be? Will he be as good or better than Jason Heyward? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Chris Carter, Oakland Athletics, Call-up, Jack Cust, Matt Watson, Matt Carson, Daric Barton, Jason Heyward The Fantasy Fix's AAA Farm Report 08/08/2010
 Juan Francisco, 3B Cincinnati AAA Line - .283, 15 HR, 45 RBI Francisco missed 31 games between May-June due to an emergency appendectomy. Since his return he's hit .298 with 22 runs, 11 doubles, 11 HR and 26 RBI. In ten games since the ASB he's batting .317 with seven HR and 15 RBI. He's up there to swing the bat, not draw walks (12 BB, .322 OBP). But his .566 SLG% is outstanding. Francisco has been in the Reds system since 2006, and has crushed the ball at every level. He was also named Dominican League MVP this winter, leading the league in HR (11) and RBI (42). Defense at third is not his strength, but it suits his lack of mobility. He will likely move to first base in another organization. Freddie Freeman, 1B Atlanta AAA Line - .295, 14 HR, 63 RBI After a slow start to his inaugural AAA campaign, Freeman is rapidly picking up the pace. He hit .333 in July with six HR and 22 RBI. His strikeout totals are a bit bloated with 39 in his last 51 games, but not a major concern. He's already well surpassed his power totals from AA in 2009 (eight & 58). He's a double machine with 33, 27 and 24 the last three seasons respectively. With Jason Heyward in the bigs, Freeman is the prized offensive jewel of the Braves system. Troy Glaus' is already hitting the pine, so it will be Freeman’s job to lose in 2011. He hit .333 in spring training with seven RBI. Ivan DeJesus, 2B LA Dodgers AAA Line - .297, 5 HR, 43 RBI DeJesus missed nearly the entire 2009 season with a broken leg. It was an extremely unfortunate injury coming off the heels of a terrific 2008 season in AA where he hit .324 with seven HR, 58 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .419 OBP. He's slowly worked his way back into game shape batting .333 since June 1st. But the speed element has all but disappeared, attempting only five SB and swiping four. He's done exceptional work with RISP, hitting .375 and knocking in 37 of his 43 runs. DeJesus is not blessed with potent home run pop, but he's been a consistent doubles man. With five full minor league seasons under his belt, DeJesus deserves to showcase his talents. Newly acquired Ryan Theriot is arbitration eligible through 2012. Craig Kimbrel, RH RP Atlanta AAA Line - 2-1, 13 SV, 57 K The power-armed reliever left a strong impression during his eight game stint with the big club. He struck out 15 batters in 8 1/3 innings, allowing only four hits and one run. The problem was he also walked ten batters, unable to command any offerings consistently. He's picked up right where he left off in the International League. In 13 July innings, he's K'd 17 and issued 15 BB. Of his nine hits allowed, two have been long balls (first HR's allowed all season). All of his splits are scary good, including a 1.71 GO/AO ratio and .158 BAA. There's little doubt that Kimbrel has the stuff to assume the Braves closer sooner rather than later. However, his BB totals are unacceptable for a late inning reliever. Until he shows the ability to throw strikes, he'll either be in AAA or middle relief. Michael Bowden, RH SP Boston AAA Line - 6-3, 3.67 ERA, 67 K Bowden's statistics tell two very different stories. First the good: in 95 2/3 innings of work he's allowed just 74 hits (.216 BAA) and walks about three batters per nine. The ugly: His GO/AO ratio is 0.34 and he doesn't miss bats, striking out 67, or one every 1.4 innings. Usually it would be safe to say there's a fair bit of luck on his side, but his minor league numbers have been consistent over the years. Poor GO/AO and low BAA. He hasn't finished with a ground ball rate over 1.00 since 2006. It's hard to figure how, but he's making it work. The deception in his pitching motion must play a role. He hides the ball well and has a funky delivery, perhaps giving him the margin for error he needs to succeed. Bowden's minor league success has yet to carry over to the major league level, in 16 innings in '09, he pitched to a 9.56 ERA and .333 BAA. Jeanmar Gomez, RH SP Cleveland AAA Line - 8-8, 5.20 ERA, 78 K The 22-year old Gomez pitched 7 innings of zero earned run ball in his ML debut on July 18th, but it was a spot start only. He's been sharp as a tack in two AAA starts since, appearing to have turned the metaphorical corner. He's pitched a combined 15 innings of 13 hit, three ER ball. In addition, he's struck out 11 and walked just one. Coming from a guy who has allowed 129 hits in 116 innings and on the year, that’s quite a change of fortune. Confidence can take you a long way, and his victory over the Tigers has immediately boosted his mound efficiency and productivity. With Jake Westbrook just dealt and the Indians in youth mode, Gomez will be given a second go around (5 IP 2 ER on 8/11). *stats as of 8/2/10 Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Look for Adam's weekly insight into A, AA, & AAA ball. Excited for any of these guys to get the callup? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Juan Francisco, Freddie Freeman, Ivan DeJesus, Craig Kimbrel, Michael Bowden, Jeanmar Gomez, Jason Heyward, Troy Glaus, Ryan Theriot, Jake Westbrook, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds  With catcher John Buck on the 15-day DL, it was the perfect opportunity for the Blue Jays to call up their stud in waiting, J.P. Arencibia. Let's take a quick look at why Blue Jays fans and fantasy owners are getting excited... AAA Line - .306, 30 HR, 77 RBI The former Tennessee Vol was the Blue Jays first round selection in 2007. Arencibia was leading the Pacific Coast League in homers and ranks third in runs driven in at the time of the call-up. He hit .400 in June with 10 home runs and 23 RBI, and followed it up with a .301, 12 HR, 28 RBI July. Oddly enough, 28 of his 30 home runs have come against right-handed pitching. He's batting only .226 in 84 AB against left-handed pitching. Arencibia raised his batting average .70 points from 2009 on the same level of competition. The Jays possess two other top catching prospects in Travis d'Arnaud (21) and Carlos Perez (19), but both are still in A-ball. Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Look for Adam's weekly insight into A, AA, & AAA ball. Is J.P. Arencibia capable of being the next Posey or Santana? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, J.P. Arencibia, John Buck, Travis d'Arnaud, Carlos Perez, Toronto Blue Jays  Domonic Brown The time has come again as yet another phenom is set to introduce himself to the baseball world. Outfield super-prospect Domonic Brown will finally get his long awaited opportunity to shine in the City of Brotherly Love. His promotion to the big club does not yet signal a changing of the guard, but rather a move necessitated by injury. Starting center fielder Shane Victorino landed on the 15-day DL earlier today with an abdominal strain. Despite getting the call, the injury to Victorino could easily be viewed as detrimental for Brown. The trading of outfielder Jayson Werth is now a near impossibility, which in turn means Brown's major league stint is likely to be short-lived. When Victorino returns, the same trio of experienced outfielders will be blocking his path to regular at bats. Raul Ibanez has picked up the slack in July hitting .325 with 12 RBI, and despite hitting only .241 since June 1st, Shane Victorino and bench will never be synonymous. But let's not overlook one all-important possibility: Domonic Brown blowing away the Phillies brass with his exceptional talent and dynamic play on the field. If he hits .400 with a couple of bombs, steals some bags and re-energizes the club, sending him back to Lehigh Valley sure won't be easy. GM Ruben Amaro would be put in an unenviable spot with that decision on his hands, and it’s not implausible to think he’ll have to face that decision head on. Brown, the number one rated prospect according to Baseball America, was originally the 607th selection in the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft. The Phillies took a flyer on Brown's raw potential, and are about to be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams back in '06. You reap what you sow, and the Phils earned it with great scouting work. The definition of a tools player, Brown can impact the game and fantasy lineups, in a multitude of ways. He can hit for average, batting at least .291 in his last four minor league seasons. He's taken it up a notch in AAA, batting .346 in 28 games. He gets on base, having drawing 37 BB in 2010 for a .391 OBP. He can run, stealing 22 bases in '08, 23 in '09 and 17 thus far in '10. At 6'5, he continues to grow into his frame and develop his power stroke. Prior to this year his previous season high for HR was 14. Through 93 games in '10, he's hit 20. His previous season high for RBI was 64. He’s already knocked in 68 runs in ‘10. Dynasty league owners know that the “Total Package” has long since been stashed away. But Brown is still available in a decent number of straight keeper leagues, and owned in less than 50% of re-draft leagues. While his major league timetable in 2010 is a relative unknown, the risk is certainly worth the reward. Worst case scenario: two weeks of an ultra-talented player in a loaded lineup. Best case scenario: he tears the cover off the ball and forces the Phillies hand. While the latter is an unlikely outcome, when talking about a skilled athlete like Brown, nothing is out of the question. Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Adam writes like most people breathe... effortlessly. The Fantasy Fix salutes him! Think Domonic Brown will force the Phils hand? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Injury, Domonic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Ruben Amaro, Baseball America, 15-day DL  Logan Morrison Just when you thought you've seen it all. BAM! The latest injury: a torn meniscus during the now common celebratory pie to the face. That is the unfortunate fate suffered by the pie giver, Marlins OF Chris Coghlan. There is no question this ranks amongst the most bizarre/embarrassing injuries of all time, but how does it impact fantasy circles? After a red hot .377 and 30 R June, Coghlan reverted back to his April form in July hitting .209 with one RBI. He'll miss six to eight weeks, but regardless, his deficient production and wild inconsistency made him a nearly unreliable fantasy option in thinner leagues. The Marlins have promoted sterling prospect Logan Morrison to the big club to replace Coghlan on the active roster. A 1st baseman by trade, Morrison's 2010 call up had been thwarted to this point by the excellent play of Gaby Sanchez. At one time trading Sanchez to clear the path for Morrison seemed like a viable option for the Marlins, but that seems farfetched now with his .301, 11 HR, 45 RBI stat line. Sanchez played some third base in the minors, and a return to the hot corner could be entertained — but not mid-season. Morrison is expected to split time in left field with Emilio Bonifacio in the immediate future. If Jorge Cantu is dealt prior to the 31st deadline, Bonifiacio could be moved to 3B and open regular playing time in the outfield. Morrison played 7 games in the OF for AAA New Orleans prior to Coghlan's injury, so expect the Marlins to be wheelers and dealers this week. Morrison is an excellent athlete for his size (6'3, 235), but it's unclear whether he can hold his own defensively in the OF. One thing that is abundantly clear is his mastery in the batter's box. Morrison was hitting .307 with six HR and 45 RBI in the PCL prior to getting the call. He injured his shoulder (collision) in May and has played in just 68 games. He's incredibly seasoned for a 22-year old, drawing 48 walks against only 35 strikeouts. A left-handed stick, he hit .314 in 70 AB against left-handed pitching. If the numbers are any indication, Morrison should make a swift adjustment to big league pitching. Bottom Line: 1. Coghlan is not in danger of losing a starting job when healthy. Despite his on/off play in '10, he possesses excellent bat control and provides versatility defensively. He can see time at 2B/3B and LF. However, none of these qualities help the fantasy owner. 2. If Morrison hits, he's going to play. Bonifacio was wallowing in the minors for good reason. He provides a speed element, but his plate discipline, or lack thereof, will be exposed over the course of regular AB's. He has yet to draw a BB in '10. The Fish didn't call up Morrison to sit and disrupt his maturation. 3. Who bats leadoff when Bonifacio sits? Does Hanley occupy that spot? If so, this injury could have a confounding effect on his fantasy value and run production. 4. Roster assembly issues likely won't come into play until 2011. The aftermath of the trade deadline could change matters, but it's a good bet Sanchez will be taking grounders at third base come spring training. Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Adam is the epitome of awesome and anyone who doubts it can take it up with him personally on any street corner at any time. Think Logan Morrison can make it in the BIGS? Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Injury, Pie to the Face, Chris Coghlan, Logan Morrison, Jorge Cantu, Gaby Sanchez, Emilio Bonifacio, Florida Marlins  Marc Krauss Player notes from Advanced Class A & A Ball - From the seasoned arm of Randall Delgado to the slumping bat of Derek Norris. POSITION PLAYERS: Marc Krauss, OF Arizona Advanced A Line -- .326, 17 HR, 66 RBI The former Ohio University standout has been on an offensive tear. In 24 games since the minor league ASB he's batting .423 (44 for 104) with 20 runs, ten HR and 28 RBI. He's raised his BA 39 points in that stretch. However, as his BA continues to rise, his walks are on a steep decline. Since June 1st, his BB:K ratio is an ugly 11:42. Krauss is hitting .330 with RISP and .339 in 121 AB against LHP. Rated amongst the top prospects in the Diamondbacks organization, his bat is not far off. Lack of agility in the OF could hold him back. Francisco Peguero, OF San Francisco Advanced A Line -- .300, 4 HR, 46 RBI The 22-year old Peguero was selected to play in the Futures Game during All Star Weekend (1-2). He's followed up a strong 2009 campaign (.353 between NOR & SAL) with an impressive 2010 in the CAL. In his 5th minor league season, he's already matched his high water mark for RBI in a season with 46, and shattered his previous highs in triples (11) and stolen bases (33). Peguero is not exactly a picture of patience at the plate, drawing just eight BB in '09 and 12 in 77 games in '10. He's batting .359 in 92 AB since the break with 15 RBI. He can rake and he can run, but can he get on base enough to be a top of the order fixture. Derek Norris, C Washington Advanced A Line -- .230, 5 HR, 26 RBI After a .317 May, Norris' average has taken a monumental nosedive. He hit .220 in June, and through 14 July games is hitting a putrid .175. Worse yet, the power he displayed in 2009 in the SAL with 23 HR and 30 doubles has disappeared. He's slugging .370 with five HR and eight doubles in 2010. However, as disconcerting as those figures may be, he's maintained his tremendous batting eye and plate discipline. Norris has drawn 47 BB against 46 K, and amazingly is sporting a .407 OBP. With his refined approach, it's hard to imagine that this is more than a blip on the radar — but his fast track progress will be halted some. Nick Franklin, SS Seattle A Ball Line -- .289, 17 HR, 43 RBI In his first full season of pro ball, Franklin is showing the full repertoire. Not projected as a power stick, the switch-hitting shortstop is slugging .528 with 36 XBH. He's also flashing speed his six triples and 18 stolen bases. Not too shabby for a player scouts describe as "lacking tools". He accepted just two free passes in 63 AB between the Rookie League and NOR in '09, but his OBP is on the improve. He's already drawn eight walks in 13 July games, matching his high for any month. The Mariners have two other top prospects at SS (Gabriel Noriega and Carlos Triunfel), which means a move to 2B could be in the cards. Henry Rodriguez, 2B Cincinnati A Ball Line — .288, 9 HR, 55 RBI Weighing in at 160 pounds, Rodriguez had compiled five HR and 69 RBI in three prior minor league seasons. Through 86 games in 2010, he's already jacked nine bombs and driven in 55 runs. He's also ripped 28 doubles, obliterating his previous career high of 14. This upgrade in pop has really come from out of nowhere. The switch- hitting Rodriguez is definitely more comfortable from the left side, hitting .305 with seven HR, 23 doubles and 42 RBI. He's batting .233 from the right side, but has struck out only five times in 86 AB. Rodriguez has swiped 17 bags in 23 attempts. Only 20 years of age, he could make for a very interesting fantasy package as he continues to develop. PITCHERS: Randall Delgado, RH SP Atlanta Advanced A Line -- 4-6, 2.85 ERA, 111 K What do you know? Another young arm in the lower ranks of the Braves system. In his fourth minor league season, Delgado is a polished 20. He's surrendered 85 knocks in 110 1/3 innings, with opposing batters hitting a meager .213 against him. Right-handed hitters are below the Mendoza line at .198. His command has been sharp, issuing only 31 BB. Even in the face of massive strikeout numbers (2nd in the CAL), he continues to throw ground balls at a proficient rate with a 1.41 GO/AO. Delgado features a sinking fastball in the low 90's, a "now you see it, now you don't" change-up and 12-6 curveball. Somewhat limited ceiling, but on the fast track. Brad Hand, LH SP Florida Advanced A Line -- 5-5, 3.19 ERA, 97 K Hand has gone through phases of absolute domination this season. He's thrown two complete game shutouts, and posted a 1.14 ERA in five June starts. But in his other 11 GS, he's been touched up a bit. He's allowed 101 hits in 98 2/3 innings, with lefties hitting a too comfortable .258 against him. Command has been a bugaboo at lower levels, and that continues to be the case in the FSL where he's walked 34 batters. His fastball is not overpowering (sits at 93) but he has a live arm action and sneaky gas up in the zone. Hand's secondary offerings need work. Nick Barnese, RH SP Tampa Bay Advanced A Line -- 7-4, 2.83 ERA, 87 K Barnese has been one tough cookie to square up. In 74 2/3 innings in the SAL last season he allowed just 56 hits, and in 98 2/3 innings this season he's allowed 91 base knocks. LHH are hitting .206 against him. He's been nearly impossible to take out of the park, yielding a ludicrous seven HR in 275 2/3 minor league innings. His GO/AO ratios have been stellar (2.09, 1.32, 1.44, 1.27) but he's still giving up his fair share of fly outs—just not with authority. His control has been excellent, issuing 20 walks (under two per nine innings). His out pitch is a slurve with good late break. From all accounts, Barnese is a bulldog on the mound. Jarred Cosart, RH SP Philadelphia A Ball Line -- 7-3, 3.79 ERA, 77 K A 38th round pick in the 2008 amateur draft out of HS as a two-way player. Cosart has been downright filthy on the mound. In 71 1/3 innings he's allowed only 60 hits and struck out 77. He's holding opposing hitters to a .224 BA. He's been a ground ball machine with a 1.93 GO/AO ratio and a staggering 6.25 ratio against LHH. He's exhibited terrific command of the strike zone, walking just 16. As you can see, it's difficult to find a weakness in the stats... so how is his ERA 3.79? Quite simply, he hasn't learned how to work his way out of trouble. The opposition is hitting .314 against him with RISP. His curveball and change-up are well-seasoned offerings to go along with a low 90's heater. Cosart is currently on the DL with an elbow strain. Matt Hobgood, RH SP Baltimore A Ball Line -- 3-7, 4.68 ERA, 48 K The number five overall selection in the 2009 draft, Hobgood is an absolute ox at 6'4 245. He throws a four-seam fastball that boars in on RHH and a two-seamer that runs away from LHH. His 2.00 GO/AO ratio is very encouraging. He's given up 72 hits in 75 innings and only five long balls. With that said, his control has been shaky with 34 walks, and he doesn't miss bats (48 K). His curveball is touted as a devastating breaker, but hasn't acted as one, yet. Before O's fans hit the panic switch, he won't turn 20 until August. Notable Promotions to AA: Eric Hosmer 1B-KC, Drew Cumberland SS-SD, Alexi Amarista 2B-LAA, J.D. Martinez OF-HOU, Michael Main SP-SF, Chris Dwyer SP-KC, Chris Archer SP-CHC. ... And the Whiff: Everett Williams (SD) and Max Stassi (OAK) are on earth shattering strikeout paces in the Midwest League. Williams has K'd 94 times in 65 games (253 AB) and Stassi 98 times in 73 games (282 AB). Article by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's excellent fantasy insight and analysis. We'd love to hear your thoughts on A and Advanced A Ball. We'd love to hear your thoughts on A and Advanced A ball. Hit us up on Twitter. Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: MiLB, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Featured Blog, Minor League Baseball, A, AA, AAA, The Farm Report MLB, NL, AL, Marc Krauss, Arizona Diamondbacks, Francisco Peguero, San Francisco Giants, Derek Norris, Washington Nationals, Nick Franklin, Seattle Mariners, Henry Rodriguez, Cincinnati Reds, Randall Delgado, Atlanta Braves, Brad Hand, Florida Marlins, Nick Barnese, Tampa Bay Rays, Jarred Cosart, Philadelphia Phillies, Matt Hobgood, Baltimore Orioles, Eric Hosmer, Drew Cumberland, Alexi Amarista, J.D. Martinez, Michael Main, Chris Dwyer, Chris Archer, Everett Williams, Max Stassi  Chris Marrero Let The Fantasy Fix take you on a trip through AA's Eastern, Southern and Texas Leagues... including the no-hit arm of Kyle Drabek and the toiling of $ grabber Aaron Crow. Also a look at Chris Marrero... Adam Dunn's possible replacement if he gets traded. BATTERS Chris Marrero, 1B Washington Nationals AA Line – .289, 11 HR, 43 RBI The Nationals 2006 first round pick is slowly working his way through the system, playing in 356 games at the AA level over parts of 4 seasons. While Marrero is lauded for his incredible power, he hit .359 in June with 27 singles, ten doubles and three HR. His recognition of the strike zone is still a work in progress (25:65 BB to K), but he should fall well short of his 115 K in '09. Marrero was shifted from the OF to 1B as a result of well below average foot speed (despite a strong arm). If the Nats have plans to move Dunn at the deadline, the 22 year old could be next in line. Matt Dominguez, 3B Florida Marlins AA Line – .239, 9 HR, 41 RBI The 20 year-old Dominguez is still adjusting to Southern League ball. He hit .186 in 31 games at the end of '09, and is stuck at .239 this season. He shows a willingness to work counts and draw walks, but it's not helping his BA. He finished June at .262, his strongest month, but drew a season low (for a month) six base on balls. He drew 13 BB in 20 April games, but hit just .239. Go figure... Dominguez should grow into a doubles machine, compiling 32 in '09 and 20 thus far in '10. A right hander hitter, his .211 BA against LHP is puzzling. Carlos Triunfel, SS Seattle Mariners AA Line – .280, 5 HR, 30 RBI Triunfel broke his leg last April, forcing him to miss almost the entire 2009 campaign. Following the injury, his speed and/or willingness to run has vanished. He stole 30 bags in A ball in '08, and has attempted only eight SB in '10, being caught in six of them. Triunfel is a free swinger, walking 11 times (hasn't drawn a BB in his last ten games) and K'ing only 36. He's crushed LHP to the tune of .320 in 103 AB. He’s displayed some decent pop for a shortstop, slugging.406 with 20 2B and eight HR in 2008, and has five bombs so far this year. The Mariners have a black hole at SS on the major league level, but Triunfel is only 20 and still working his way back from a serious injury. Austin Romine, C New York Yankees AA Line – .285, 6 HR, 44 RBI The other Yankees catcher, Romine took the Eastern League by storm, batting .354 in April and .305 in May. June was a reality check, as he hit just .227 for the month. Nevertheless, despite his struggles with the stick, he still drew 16 BB, scored 15 runs and knocked in 12. He's already drawn more walks in 2010 than he did in any of his first three minor league stops. Romine is another strong gap hitter, with 24 doubles in '09, 28 in '09 and 21 thus far in 2010. He flashed some speed in '09 with 11 SB in 16 attempts, but has stolen just one base in one attempt this season. The Yankees love his glove behind the plate, so he should be on the fast track. Posada is a free agent in 2012, and at 38 should be subjected to DH duties in the near future. James Darnell, 3B San Diego Padres AA Line – .226, 4 HR, 13 RBI Darnell started 2010 in the Midwest League (A) where he hit .360 with a HR and eight RBI in seven games. Coming off the heels of a .311 20 HR 81 RBI season in '09, he was quickly promoted to AA. The Texas League has not been as kind to the former SC Gamecock. Darnell is hitting .226 overall, .211 against RHP and .222 with RISP. He also missed significant time with a finger injury. He's struck out 31 times in 43 games, but his plate discipline is improving. In 12 June games, he drew seven BB against six K. The line drive hitter has crushed the ball at every level, there's no reason to think he won't make the necessary adjustments here. But at 23, the clock is ticking. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF New York Mets AA Line – .286, 12 HR, 44 RBI When Nieuwenhuis puts bat on ball, good things usually happen. He has 22 doubles, 12 homers and a .505 SLG%. In 72 at bats with RISP he's batting .333 with 36 of his 46 RBI. A left handed hitter, he's hitting .303 in 66 AB against LHP. Unfortunately, contact is not made enough. He has 70 K in 68 games this season, and had a 6:31 BB to K ratio in the month of May. Nieuwenhuis stole 17 bases in '09 and has 12 in 2010. He missed the second half of June with a strained shoulder. PITCHERS Kyle Drabek, RH SP Toronto Blue Jays AA Line – 8-8, 3.20 ERA, 80 K The second marquee prospect in the Roy Halladay deal, Drabek threw a no-hitter on July 4th, recording 13 outs via ground ball and walking only two. He's been tough to square up all season. He's allowed 86 hits in 107 innings of work, and opposing batters are hitting .219 against him. His GO/AO ratio is 1.53, and 2.36 against LHH. However, the base on ball has cost him. He's walked 45, many of which have crossed the plate. Despite a BAA of .223 in June, he went winless in 5 starts, in large part the result of his 16 BB in 30 1/3. The Blue Jays have a strong stable of young arms, but he's not far off from harnessing his stuff. Casey Kelly, RH SP Boston Red Sox AA Line – 1-3, 5.05 ERA, 55 K Drafted out of high school as a SS, Kelly is now an esteemed pitching prospect. In his first minor league season on the hill in '09, accumulating 17 starts between A & AA, he pitched to a 2.08 ERA, yielding only 65 hits in 95 innings. Just as impressive, he issued only 16 BB. He's already walked 25 in 2010 in 62 1/3 innings, and he's getting hit hard. Kelly's allowed 78 hits in 62 1/3, and opposing hitters are roughing him up the tune of a .307 BAA. On a positive note, he's still inducing ground balls at a significant rate (1.33). His stuff is not overpowering, but at 20 years of age he's extremely polished on the mound. Jordan Lyles, RH SP Houston Astros AA Line – 6-5, 2.60 ERA, 85 K Lyles' strikeouts are down from A ball (167 in 144 2/3) as expected, but his K:BB ratio of 85 to 22 is excellent. He uses his two-seam fastball adroitly against LHH, holding them to a .227 BA. Despite his low ground ball rate and a tendency to pitch up in the zone, he's allowed only seven HR (one every 13 innings). As Lyles continues to move up the ranks, he will need to be more proficient with his location and keep balls out of the air. He's a quick riser, but needs seasoning on his secondary offerings. Aaron Crow, RH SP Kansas City Royals AA Line – 5-6, 6.11 ERA, 63 K Crow was originally drafted by the Nationals at #9 overall in '08, but did not sign. He throws hard sinking fastballs in the low to mid 90's. He's been a ground ball machine in his first season of pro ball, with a 3.08 GO/AO ratio. On the opposite end of the spectrum, he's walked 44 in 91 1/3 innings and struck out just 63. All batters are hitting .292 against him, and left handed batters are hitting .335. He finished June with an 8.72 ERA in 5 starts. Crow played independent ball in '09, but has clearly fallen behind the curve. Christian Friedrich, LH SP Colorado Rockies AA Line – 1-5, 5.34 ERA, 57 K The Rockies first round pick in 2008, Friedrich is having no fun in the Texas League. He's allowed 72 hits in 64 innings, working to a 0.88 GO/AO ratio and LHH are hitting .342 against him. This after mowing through A ball in '09 with a 2.41 ERA and 159 K in 119 2/3 innings. Friedrich possesses a low 90's fastball, 12-6 curve and hard, cutter-like slider. The changeup is a new offering for him. NOTES Michael Pineda, SP Seattle Mariners – Pineda was promoted to AAA after an 8-1 mark and 2.22 ERA in the Southern League. In three starts since his promotion, he's 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA, struck out 26 in 19 innings, and his BAA is .164. He's flown under the radar big time. Mike Montgomery, SP Kansas City Royals – Montgomery has been shut down since June 15th with elbow soreness. Apparently it's just a precautionary measure and he should be fine. He's 5-1 with a 2.01 ERA between two AA stops in 2010, and is a high ceiling left-handed arm. We'd love to hear your thoughts on AA Ball. Leave a comment at the top or reply to us on twitter! Article by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's excellent fantasy insight and analysis. Tags: MiLB, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Featured Blog, Minor League Baseball, A, AA, AAA, The Farm Report MLB, NL, AL, Chris Marrero, Washington Nationals, Matt Dominguez, Florida Marlins, Carlos Triunfel, Seattle Mariners, Austin Romine, New York Yankees, James Darnell, San Diego Padres, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, New York Mets, Kyle Drabek, Toronto Blue Jays, Casey Kelly, Boston Red Sox, Jordan Lyles, Houston Astros, Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals, Christian Friedrich, Colorado Rockies  Chris Carter Surveying the AAA ranks in the International and Pacific Coast Leagues – from the power bat of Chris Carter to the newly minted relief arm of Aroldis Champman. Plus the New York Yankees phenom, Jesus Montero, is starting to heating up! POSITION PLAYERS Chris Carter, 1B Oakland AAA Line – .237, 15 HR, 54 RBI There is no questioning the pop in his bat. Carter hit 39 HR in A ball in '08 and hit 28 HR between AA and AAA last season. He's displayed good patience at the plate, drawing 42 walks (85 in '09). The strikeouts, albeit, are alarming. He K'd 133 times last season, and has already whiffed 91 times in 76 games this year. When behind in the count he's hitting .151 with 40 K's, which means he's quite pitchable. I for one have had enough of Jack Cust, and would love to see Carter get a shot with the big club. Yonder Alonso, 1B Cincinnati AAA Line – .230, 3 HR, 21 RBI The 2008 #7 overall selection has struggled with his promotion to the International League. After posting a 19:16 BB to K ratio in 31 AA games, his current 10:33 ratio is a complete reversal. A LHH, he's struck out 26 times against RHP, and only seven times in 55 AB against LHP. He's sporting a .272 OBP in 45 games. Alonso is not flashing power either, with six combined HR's between the two levels (76 games). He's slugging .328 in AAA. Unless he's a trade piece, it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel with Votto in his path. Jesus Montero, C NY Yankees AAA Line – .251, 6 HR, 31 RBI It took a while, but Montero is starting to mash. To put things in perspective: he had three homers and 21 RBI in the season's first two months -- he has three HR and 8 RBI in his last nie games. Eight of his 17 doubles have come in the month of June. Standing at 6'4, and with stalwart defender Austin Romine also in the system, Montero seems destined for a position change. Josh Bell, 3B Baltimore AAA Line – .260, 8 HR 38 RBI Another power bat with too many K's in it. The switch hitting Bell averages a strikeout per game on the season, and has K'd 14 times in his last 10. This is not startling news, as he struck out 98 times in two AA stops last season. However, the precipitous drop in walks is worrisome. He's drawn only 18 BB in 72 games, as opposed to 61 BB in '09. On a positive note, Bell has shown enhanced focus in RISP situations, hit .304 and driving in 30 of his 38 runs. The O's certainly have no use for Tejada, maybe he'll find his opportunity by default. Allen Craig, OF St. Louis AAA Line – .306, 9 HR, 55 RBI After a strong showing in spring training, the 25 year old Craig broke camp with the big club. Unfortunately, his stay was short lived as he collected just one base hit in 18 AB. He's been tearing up the PCL since. In 27 June games, he's batting .336 with 11 doubles, seven HR and an eye popping 35 RBI. His June OPS is 1.044, and he has 14 RBI in his last ten games. Craig is hitting .366 in 71 AB with RISP. He can flat out rake, but there's simply no room for him in a stacked Cardinal OF. Michael Taylor, OF Oakland AAA Line – .249, 3 HR, 38 RBI Taylor was the centerpiece of the Roy Halladay deal for Toronto, and then sent to Oakland for Brett Wallace. At 6'6 260, he's an absolute mammoth of a man, but possesses incredible athletic gifts. Not many people his size can run and play the outfield. He stole 15 bases in '08, 21 in '09 and eight thus far in 2010. He's a real threat to leg out a triple as well. The A's are still waiting on his power at the AAA level (.378 SLG %). Taylor is hitting .343 with RISP. At 24, he's still raw with a definite learning curve – but the skills are there. Brandon Allen, 1B Arizona AAA Line – .259, 8 HR, 33 RBI Allen is showing great plate discipline, drawing nearly as many walks (41) as he has hits (43). Despite his average, his OBP is .411. His previous high for BB in a minor league season is 60 in AA '08. In his 100 AB stint with the Diamondbacks last September, Allen hit .202 with four HR, and 12:40 BB to K ratio. He has a long swing and not a particularly swift bat. He will likely always struggle to make contact at the higher level. But when he does connect, it can go a long way. If the D'backs deal LaRoche, he'll play 1B. PITCHERS Aroldis Chapman, SP/RP Cincinnati AAA Line – 5-5, 4.06 ERA, 81 K The Reds have made the decision to use Chapman out of the bullpen for the remainder of 2010. However, the plan is still to groom him as a starter in the future. On the season Chapman has 81 K's in 68 2/3 innings, but with those strikeouts also come 41 BB. LHH are hitting .241 against him. After producing a 1.29 ERA in four April starts, he pitched to a 5.47 ERA in May and 5.09 thus far in June. Daniel Hudson, SP Chicago White Sox AAA Line – 10-3, 3.83 ERA, 97 K Hudson has put up stunning K:BB ratios at every minor league stop. 90:22 in Rookie ball, 166:34 between A, AA and AAA in '09, and 97 to 27 this season. Hudson's fastball is in the low-mid 90's with good location and his trademark pitch is his changeup. Hudson made two big league starts last season, compiling 11 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 8 K's and an ugly nine walks. With the resurgence of Freddy Garcia (sort of), I suppose he'll have to wait for his time. Tanner Scheppers, RP/SP Texas AAA Line – 1-0, 2.86 ERA, 39 K After 11 innings of 3 hit 1 run ball as a reliever in AA (.079 BAA), the Rangers are now trying to stretch Scheppers out in AAA. He's yet to throw more than four innings in any of his four starts. In 15 2/3 IP he's allowed 14 hits, 7 ER, K'd 12 and walked four. Scheppers is a power pitcher with a mid 90's fastball and a hard breaking curve, but lacks a 3rd pitch. He's suffered with shoulder problems in the past. Josh Lindblom, SP LA Dodgers AAA Line – 2-1, 6.25 ERA, 49 K Lindblom made a powerful impression during spring training, but his first half of 2010 has been rocky to say the least. In 10 games as a starter, opposing batters are hitting .349. He's given up an unfathomable 80 hits in 51 innings. His GO/AO ratio is 0.84. His last 6 appearances have come in relief, where he's been far more effective. He's allowed six hits and one run in eight relief innings. The Dodgers view him as a starter, but priority numero uno is getting him straightened out. Brandon Erbe, SP Baltimore AAA Line – 0-10, 5.73 ERA, 50 K Consistency has been a problem for Erbe in his young career, but he's been consistently awful in 2010. For a pitcher with his 'stuff' to go 0-10 is hard to believe, but the numbers don't lie. He's given up 86 hits in 70 2/3 innings and his BAA is .294. He's had difficulty getting the ball down in the zone, and thus has given up 11 HR and his GO/AO ratio is 0.75. Now for some good news, he's only allowed three ER in his last ten innings of work... I'll go out on a limb and say he gets a W before the All-Star break. Anthony Slama, RP Minnesota AAA Line – 14 Saves, 1.42 ERA, 49 K The 26 year old Slama is a proven closer at the minor league level. He finished with 14 saves in '07, 25 in '08 and 29 in '09. His strikeout figures have been off the charts, K'ing 110 in 71 innings in '08 and 112 in 81 innings in '09. However, command has been problematic. He walked 40 in '09 and 21 in 44 1/3 innings to this point in 2010. Opposing batters are hitting a rather ludicrous .122 off him this year. If he can harness his control, he'll be in the show-- but likely in middle relief. NOTES Alex Presley, OF Pittsburgh – The diminutive Presley hit .350 in the Eastern League before his call up to AAA. In just his third game with Indianapolis, he hit for the cycle, going five for six with a HR. An eighth round pick in 2006, Presley has never been classified as a major prospect (likely because of his size), but he's making serious waves now. Aaron Poreda, SP San Diego – The 6'6 lefty reliever was promoted to AAA after posting a 2.52 ERA and 1.50 GO/AO ratio in AA. It should be noted that despite those impressive numbers, he did walk 26 batters in 25 innings. In 11 1/3 innings in the PCL he's given up three hits and yet to allow a run. But once again, the seven walks are holding him back. Written by Adam Ganeles for The Fantasy Fix. Check back weekly for Adam's awesome insight on MLB and MiLB Fantasy Baseball! We'd love to hear your thoughts on AAA ball. Hit us up on Twitter. Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: MiLB, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Featured Blog, Minor League Baseball, A, AA, AAA, The Farm Report MLB, NL, AL, Yonder Alonso, Chris Carter, Jesus Montero, Josh Bell, Allen Craig, Michael Taylor, Brandon Allen, Daniel Hudson, Tanner Scheppers, Josh Lindblom, Brandon Erbe, Aroldis Chapman, Anthony Slama, Alex Presley, Aaron Poreda, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees  Grant Green Player reports from Advanced A & A ball. Deep keeper and dynasty owners circle these names. POSITION PLAYERS Grant Green, SS Oakland Advanced A Line – .320, 5 HR, 30 RBI The A's 2009 first round pick has not disappointed in his first full season of pro ball. A .359 career hitter at USC, his quick adjustments at the plate have been impressive. Lefties are not getting him out, collecting 33 knocks in 76 AB (.434). He's slugging .466 with 18 doubles and three triples. He is red hot in June hitting .381 with three HR and 11 RBI. Grant will turn 23 in September, but his ceiling is still quite high. A quick advance through the ranks seems likely. Engel Beltre, CF Texas Advanced A Line – .326, 5 HR, 32 RBI After hitting .227 in the California League in '09, Beltre has restructured his approach this season. He's raised his BA nearly 100 points and his K rate is way down. He's struck out 29 times in 233 AB (1 per 8 AB). Last year he went down on strikes every 4.6 AB. After hitting .233 in April, he's responded with a .347 May and .436 June. His SB total is down, with 7 swipes in 13 attempts. Perhaps it's finally starting to click for the talented outfielder. Anthony Gose, OF Philadelphia Advanced A Line – .268, 2 HR, 13 RBI Gose has the potential to absolutely wreck a game with his speed. He stole 76 bags in '09 and has 24 this year. His caught stealing totals are alarming, however, being thrown out 19 times in '10. He also has 10 triples. His 72 strikeouts in 272 AB need to be cut down. Gose is still very raw at the plate, but he's shown a willingness to work counts and a take a free pass (23). With his incredible athletic gifts, it's difficult to put a ceiling on this 19 year old. Eric Hosmer, 1B Kansas City Advanced A Line – .356, 3 HR, 42 RBI Hosmer underwent LASIK surgery in the off-season and the 2008 #3 pick has come back a new hitter in '10. He's raised his BA 115 points from the .241 he posted last year. His BB:K ratio is an outstanding 33 to 27. Last season that ratio was 53 to 90, at the exact same level. While he's only connected on 3 dingers, he's still slugging .529, with 24 doubles and 6 triples. The LHH Hosmer is hitting .376 in 93 AB versus LHP, including an 11:10 BB to K ratio. Unlike last season, he's seeing the ball scary well. He's too classy to remain at this level. Brett Jackson, CF Chicago Cubs Advanced A Line – .298, 4 HR, 33 RBI Jackson has begun to light it up. He's batting .333 in June with 2 HR and 17 RBI, and over his last ten he's at .400 with 2 HR and 14 RBI. On the season he's sporting a .471 SLG% with 16 doubles and 7 triples. After drawing 31 BB in '09, he's already up to 42 in '10. His OBP is a robust .408. Jackson has good wheels as well, swiping 12 in 18 tries. Mike Trout, CF LA Angels Class A Line – .370, 6 HR, 35 RBI Trout is putting up video game type numbers. He's slugging .553 with 15 doubles and 7 triples. His OBP is .449 with a 33:39 BB to K ratio. He's hit at least .355 in every month. This after hitting .352 between Rookie ball and A ball last season. He's on absolute tear. And his prowess doesn't end with the bat, he's stolen 34 bases (6 CS) in 66 games. Trout has 21 hits in 50 AB (.420) with RISP. What else does he have to prove in the Midwest League? Aaron Hicks, CF Minnesota Class A Line – .256, 5 HR, 22 RBI The unanimous top prospect in A ball. Hicks possesses all the tools scouts drool over, including a 93-95 MPH fastball, but he chose the route of the position player. The switch hitter is blessed with excellent patience and a feel for the strike zone. He drew 41 BB in 251 AB in '09 and 48 in 238 AB thus far in '10. So despite his pedestrian average, his OBP is .378. He's still a work in progress with the stick, thus his relatively low production numbers. Hicks is unpolished on the base paths as well, being CS 8 times against 6 SB. Patience is a virtue.. Wilmer Flores, SS New York Mets Class A Line – .278, 7 HR, 44 RBI At only 19 years of age, Flores is in his third season in the Mets system. His plate discipline is much improved. After recording a 22:72 BB to K ratio in 2009, he's already drawn 23 walks in 2010. He's flashing more power as he continues to grow into his 6'3 frame. He's driven in 44 runs in 66 games, compared to 36 in 125 games last season. William Myers, C Kansas City Class A Line – .287, 10 HR, 43 RBI Myers is slugging .502 (16 doubles) and has drawn 45 walks for a .408 OBP. Seven of his ten HR have come with runners on base, and he's batting .361 with RISP. His OPS is 1.083 in June and 1.118 over his last ten games. Myers provides speed at the catcher position with 9 thefts. PITCHERS Aaron Miller, SP LA Dodgers Advanced A Line – 2-4, 2.77 ERA, 75 K On the same minor league club with arms Ethan Martin and Nathan Eovaldi, Miller is taking center stage. In 74 2/3 innings he's allowed merely 53 hits and opponents are hitting .201 against him. A left handed pitcher, he's held RHH hitters to a .190 mark. Command a bit shaky, issuing 35 free passes. Walked six in five innings on June 9th. He features a fastball that cuts in on right handers and a sharp slider. Terrific athlete, was projected as an OF out of High School. Julio Teheran, SP Atlanta Advanced A Line – 3-1, 1.38 ERA, 49 K The 19-year old Teheran has absolutely blown away the SAL and Carolina Leagues. In 78 1/3 combined innings he's allowed just 11 ER. In 39 innings in '10, he's given up 31 hits, walked seven and struck out 49. He's pitching to a 1.38 ERA, and has surrendered one run or less in four of six GS. In his last start, on June 16th, he went seven innings allowing two hits, two BB and striking out 12. Fragility and stamina have been concerns with his 150 pound frame. The ball explodes out of his hand, topping out at 98 MPH. Matt Moore, SP Tampa Bay Advanced A Line – 3-7, 5.13 ERA, 98 K Moore is having an interesting 2010 campaign. He's given up 69 hits in 73 2/3 innings, and struck out a staggering 98 batters. The problem is he's lost seven games and his ERA is over five. Why? Look no further then the base on ball. Moore has walked 40 batters, or one batter every 1.8 innings. Success is difficult to come by when you're constantly in the stretch. Moore walked 70 in 123 innings in '09, so this is not foreign territory. If he wants to move up the chain, he needs to start throwing strikes. Shelby Miller, SP St. Louis Class A Line – 1-3, 4.79 ERA, 56 K The Cards 2009 first round selection has four potentially plus pitches, but he needs refinement. When Miller makes mistakes they're getting hit (44 hits in 41 1/3), but when he makes his pitches A ball hitters won't get a sniff (56 K). His 1.37 GO/AO ratio and two HR allowed are encouraging. His 15 BB (one every 2.7 innings) is not. Right handed batters are hitting Miller at a .290 clip. Tyler Matzek, SP Colorado Class A Line – 0-0, 2.28 ERA, 27 K The Rockies 11th overall pick in 2009 has made a powerful impression in his first five professional starts. In 23 2/3 innings, the left hander has given up 17 hits and opposing batters are hitting .207 against him (LHH .150). His fastball sits in the mid 90's. He's been touted for his pitching intelligence at a young age and should be a quick riser. Matzek's command has been shaky early on (16 BB). Kyle Heckathorn, SP Milwaukee Class A Line – 5-4, 2.34 ERA, 55 K After a rough 6.04 ERA in six Pioneer League starts in '09, Heckathorn has been dazzling this season. In nine GS, he's worked to a 2.19 ERA in 53 1/3 innings, allowing 44 hits and walking just 11. The 6'6 right hander is holding lefties to a .188 average, and all batters to a .216 mark. His GO/AO ratio is a spectacular 2.59 as a starter thanks to a good sinking fastball. NOTES Jason Kipnis, 2B Cleveland – Kipnis was promoted to AA after posting a .300, 6 HR, 31 RBI line at the Advanced A Carolina League. He’s hitting .355 with a 1.090 OPS in eight games. Tyler Chatwood, SP LA Angels – Chatwood recorded an 8-3 mark with a 1.77 ERA in 13 California League starts. His GO/AO ratio was 2.93. In his first AA start he was bombed for eight hits and six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Arodys Vizcaino, SP Atlanta – The 19 year old from the Dominican Republic was promoted from the SAL, where he went 9-3 with a 2.34 ERA, to Advanced A ball. In two starts since the step up in competition, he’s lasted 8 2/3 combined innings, allowing 13 hits, six ER, striking out seven and walking three. Written by Adam Ganeles for The Fantasy Fix. Check back weekly for Adam's awesome insight on MLB and MiLB Fantasy Baseball! We'd love to hear your thoughts on A ball. Hit us up on Twitter. Twitter.com/thefantasyfix Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Sports Blog, The Fantasy Fix, A Ball, Minor Leagues, The Farm Report, Grant Green, Engel Beltre, Anthony Gose, Eric Hosmer, Brett Jackson, Mike Trout, Aaron Hicks, Wilmer Flores, William Myers, Aaron Miller, Julio Teheran, Matt Moore, Shelby Miller, Tyler Matzek, Kyle Heckathorn, Jason Kipnis, Tyler Chatwood, Arodys Vizcaino, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics |
