Prospect Alert
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Smoldering Stars

Welcome to “Prospect Alert,” the informative new column with information regarding all aspects of the minor leagues. Throughout the course of this season, we will focus on minor leagues with the goal of informing fantasy players about the minor leagues. From player scouting to specific player breakdowns, this is the place to visit for top-notch minor league information.

This week, we will focus on the well-known players that are currently on hot streaks. Listed will be the player’s name and statistics for this season. Some of the overall stat lines will look a little weak, but all of these guys have been impressive in the past week or two.

Here are this week’s streaky prospects, along with their season totals:

C Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

AB: 216
OPS: .820
AVG: .338
K/BB: 24/24
HR: 1
SB: 3

The concern earlier in the season was the lack of power displayed by Mauer. That is still a concern, but he is showing solid gap power and has eased those concerns by producing in nearly every other way possible. Don’t worry about the lack of power, as that is sure to come with time.

3B/OF Andy Marte, Atlanta Braves

AB: 214
OPS: .853
AVG: .294
K/BB: 53/27
HR: 6
SB: 3

Marte was one of the most underachieving prospects earlier in the year, but has truly made an excellent recovery. His overall statistics show no sign of his early-season struggles, and he has regained his place as a solid prospect. A move to the outfield appears to have helped him a great deal.

2B Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

AB: 206
OPS: .889
AVG: .330
K/BB: 39/17
HR: 7
SB: 4

Utley is one of the more polished prospects in the minors, yet lacks the upside that many of the others possess. He could step right in and help the Phillies at the major-league level, and he likely would continue to sustain a solid level of production. He is not a great long-term prospect, but could be a decent role player/fringe-starter in the future.

3B Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins

AB: 233
OPS: 1.044
AVG: .369
K/BB: 41/25
HR: 9
SB: 9

Cabrera has been producing for the entire season, and that is clearly evident with one glance at his overall statistics. Everything is highly encouraging, and he appears to be giving the Marlins the go-ahead in a possible Mike Lowell trade. He could use some extra time in the minors, but would be able to adequately fill in at the majors while he continues to develop.

C Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

AB: 204
OPS: .784
AVG: .289
K/BB: 27/24
HR: 4
SB: 2

Martinez was widely noted for his poor start, yet has been on fire as of late. He has been a hit machine as of late, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Watch out, as the majors might not be much further away.

SP Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals

IP: 69
K/IP: 63/69
K/BB: 63/10
WHIP: 0.84
ERA: 1.17

Greinke has helped his stock more than any other prospect in the minors over the course of this season. He has been absolutely dominant, and has yet to experience a major breakdown. Hopefully, the Royals will proceed with caution here, as it would be a shame for them to waste such a talented young pitcher.

SP Brandon Claussen, New York Yankees

IP: 18
K/IP: 12/18
K/BB: 12/4
WHIP: 0.72
ERA: 0.50

Claussen appears to be doing well in his return from injury, or at least the stats appear to be leaning towards that conclusion. Everything here looks encouraging, and he could be used as trade bait later in the year. Of course, the Yankees could use another arm for the long-term future, but they don’t have much else left in their farm system. Claussen is becoming more valued in the eyes of other organizations with every start.

SP Mike Jones, Milwaukee Brewers

IP: 71
K/IP: 54/71
K/BB: 54/32
WHIP: 1.33
ERA: 2.39

Jones is one of the better prospects in the Brewers’ organization, but needs to get his location problems under control. He is walking way too many batters, and his ERA will surely rise if that trend continues. Watch the walk totals carefully, as that will be a good indicator of future success for Jones.

In the next issue, I will be publishing an issue related solely to the MLB Draft, as the draft is instrumental in providing the minors with a new collection of talent. Be sure to check back for the latest in draft coverage. Which teams had solid drafts and which didn’t? Which players were steals in the first round, and which have a high probability of becoming busts? Did your team make good use of their first round pick, or did they use it to select a player with limited potential? These answers and more in the Draft Review edition of “Prospect Alert.”

Please leave any comments/suggestions/questions using the “comment” feature at the bottom of this page, or feel free to leave a message on the Fantasy Info Central message board. The more feedback provided, the better this column can be devised. In the coming weeks, look for an in-depth look at the league’s top prospects.

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