In this game of prospect hunting, anticipation is key. Not having it is costly. A Max Scherzer claim is a $0 FAAB bid Monday morning and something over $20 Thursday morning.
Talk about markup, mathematics can't even give us a percentage for that.
Last week in this space, we rumbled further on about Homer Bailey and Jay Bruce with the Reds and then we left you with the notion a month is a enough of an evaluation period. Well, apparently teams think so.
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Wladimir Balentien has been given the right field job in Seattle for the foreseeable future.
(AP)
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In the follow days,
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Scherzer and
Brandon Wood get the call. Then, this week brings the likes of
Jeff Clement,
Wladimir Balentien,
Brandon Moss,
Brent Lillibridge,
Garrett Olson and
Chris Shelton.
Jo-Jo Reyes,
Darrell Rasner and
Nick Adenhart are on their way, too. The most significant names here are Scherzer, Adenhart, Salty, Balentien, Clement and Wood. They were among the most-owned minor leaguers in our
Prospect Report last week.
Sure, a month is enough to know what you have in the bigs isn't working and what you have in Triple-A is ready to get the job done. The question is how long will they stay and how big of an impact can they make?
Scherzer, clearly, should be owned in all Fantasy leagues right now, especially since he will be a two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 6 (May 5-11). He faced 13 batters in his relief debut, struck out seven and hit 98 mph on the gun. Oh, he also happens to be a starting pitcher for the best team in baseball.
Scherzer, like Adenhart, is talented enough to remain in a contender's rotation as long as he pitches well. Doug Davis (thyroid cancer surgery) was hoping to return in mid-May, while Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Randy Johnson and slugger Micah Owings are safe in the D-Backs rotation. Talent finds a way.
Adenhart, 21, found a way to make his major league debut Thursday night despite being on only three day's rest. That may help explain his ineffectiveness in his major league debut. He threw eight innings and 98 pitches Sunday, but the Angels still pegged him to replace reliever Dustin Moseley in the Angels' rotation before John Lackey (triceps, out until at least mid-May) can return. Heck, Adenhart should have been pegged in the rotation out of spring training over Moseley.
Like Scherzer, Adenhart joins a top contender's rotation that really won't have a spot for him once Lackey is ready. Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana have been outstanding; Jered Weaver is the ace and veteran Jon Garland is, well, he is the lone veteran right now.
Adenhart is slated to make at least three starts until Lackey returns, but he is a talent that will stay as long as he proves worthy.
Talent finds a way. Take the flier in any league right now, especially if you missed out on Scherzer.
Adenhart, who is a Tommy John elbow surgery survivor from when he was a high school senior in 1994, is 4-0 with an 0.87 earned-run average in five Triple-A starts. One less impressive stat is his near 1-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (19-15), but as a 21-year-old with a knee-buckling curve, a mid-90s fastball and a reportedly pull-string changeup, some struggles with command should be expected. Three above-average pitches is a lot to master.
But talent finds a way, especially if you can boast a .170 batting-average against and no homers allowed.
We like Scherzer, who we chronicled earlier this month in this space, a little better. But Adenhart is a nice consolation prize if you missed out.
And if you missed out on the other prospects in the May wave, tune in this month before the June rush comes. That tends to be an even busier one.
Prospect watch
Every Thursday, we break down all the minor leaguers who are owned in at least 1 percent of our Fantasy leagues. This will be your essential guide to unearthing the elite prospects before they hit the big time.
| CBSSports.com's most-owned minor leaguers |
| Player | TM | POS | Own% | Level | Take note |
Francisco Liriano  | MIN | SP | 68 | Triple-A | Command is a mess; bad in Triple-A, too |
Homer Bailey  | CIN | SP | 30 | Triple-A | 10 Ks last time out; K-to-BB much improved |
| Jay Bruce | CIN | OF | 27 | Triple-A | He is a package deal once Bailey gets called |
| Clayton Kershaw | LA | SP | 26 | Double-A | Watch Esteban Loaiza very, very closely |
| Cameron Maybin | FLA | OF | 25 | Double-A | Really struggling right now, so not close |
| Josh Fields | CHW | 3B | 24 | Triple-A | Three homers in past six games |
| Bartolo Colon | BOS | SP | 19 | Triple-A | Coming off minors DL, but still needs a month |
| Franklin Morales | COL | SP | 19 | Triple-A | It shouldn't take long for him to find it in minors |
| Colby Rasmus | STL | OF | 12 | Triple-A | Low average, but have to like his K-to-BB ratio |
| Chase Headley | SD | 3B | 11 | Triple-A | Padres really need his bat, but had a bad April |
| Nick Adenhart | ANA | SP | 9 | Majors | John Lackey's return means a short stay? |
| Chuck James | ATL | SP | 9 | Triple-A | May 10 return? Mike Hampton is still not right |
| Dave Bush | MIL | SP | 9 | Triple-A | Great Triple-A start, can push Manny Parra soon |
| Jerry Owens | CHW | OF | 8 | Triple-A | Could take Alexei Ramirez's roster spot soon |
| Ian Stewart | COL | 3B | 7 | Triple-A | Atkins played game at second, if only ... |
| David Price | TB | SP | 7 | High A | Due to make official pro debut in May |
| Jo-Jo Reyes | ATL | SP | 6 | Majors | Getting called for Saturday start as No. 4 SP |
| Adam Miller | CLE | SP | 5 | Triple-A | Two very good outings off DL, but still needs time |
| Carlos Gonzalez | OAK | OF | 5 | Triple-A | Contending A's?! They could use his punch |
| Gio Gonzalez | OAK | SP | 4 | Triple-A | A's rotation is surprisingly too crowded right now |
| Steve Pearce | PIT | OF | 4 | Triple-A | Still in a deep funk after 2007 breakthrough |
| Reggie Willits | ANA | OF | 3 | Triple-A | Angels OF crowded; they need pop, not speed |
| Matt Wieters | BAL | C | 3 | High A | Would have '08 faith if he got longer spring look |
| Rick Porcello | DET | SP | 3 | High A | Would doubt we see hot 19-year-old this year |
| Andrew McCutchen | PIT | OF | 3 | Triple-A | Scorching hot with 1-1 K-to-BB ratio now |
| Matt Antonelli | SD | 2B | 3 | Triple-A | Like Headley, just can't get out of his own way |
| Jeff Niemann | TB | SP | 3 | Triple-A | Rays rotation too crowded; did we just say that? |
| Jason Bergmann | WAS | SP | 3 | Triple-A | Hey now, eight shutout innings last start |
| Justin Masterson | BOS | SP | 2 | Double-A | Went back down and surprisingly got beat up |
| Josh Barfield | CLE | 2B | 2 | Triple-A | Streaky hitter just can't seem to find it |
| Dallas McPherson | FLA | 3B | 2 | Triple-A | Minor league HR leader with 10; belongs in majors |
| Chris Volstad | FLA | SP | 2 | Double-A | One more bad Burke Badenhop start gets him a call? |
| Matt LaPorta | MIL | OF | 2 | Double-A | Monster! Hitting .359-6-17-12 in past 10 ... look out! |
| Fernando Martinez | NYM | OF | 2 | Double-A | At least he is not hurt, we suppose |
| Darrell Rasner | NYY | SP | 2 | Majors | 4-0, 0.87 and joining Yankees' rotation Sunday |
| Carlos Carrasco | PHI | SP | 2 | Double-A | Comes off bad start with quality-start victory |
| Jake McGee | TB | SP | 2 | Double-A | Solid numbers but was abused in Wednesday's start |
| Wade Davis | TB | SP | 2 | Double-A | Solid numbers ... man the Rays are loaded with talent |
| Reid Brignac | TB | SS | 2 | Triple-A | Solid past 10 but still not ready to push Jason Bartlett |
| John Patterson | TEX | SP | 2 | TBD | Still has yet to pitch in comeback attempt |
| Travis Snider | TOR | OF | 2 | Double-A | Struggling to handle promotion from high Class A |
| Kendry Morales | ANA | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | Just doesn't hit enough for his position |
| Jarrod Parker | ARI | P | 1 | Low A | It's just not fair the D-Backs have another elite talent |
| Josh Anderson | ATL | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Merely consequential because of his nine steals |
| Brandon Jones | ATL | OF | 1 | Triple-A | His SLUG (.341) is lower than his OBP (.353), yuck! |
| Jordan Schafer | ATL | OF | 1 | Suspended | 50-game suspension means September at best |
| Scott Moore | BAL | 3B | 1 | Triple-A | 24-year-old has awful look of a career minor leaguer |
| Radhames Liz | BAL | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Passed over for Garrett Olson, but red hot right now |
| Lars Anderson | BOS | 1B | 1 | High A | 20-year-old future slugger had two-homer game |
| Josh Vitters | CHC | 3B | 1 | Low A | Bad start and banged up right now |
| Eric Patterson | CHC | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Landed on Triple-A DL recently |
| Ben Francisco | CLE | OF | 1 | Triple-A | They kept him and let Brian Barton go? Bad move |
| Jeremy Sowers | CLE | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Got a bum deal on one-and-done start vs. Yankees |
| Joe Koshansky | COL | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | Ryan Zimmerman's college teammate can mash, too |
| Marcus Giles | FA | 2B | 1 | Free Agent | Cut him please. He is terrible and without a job |
| Rick VandenHurk | FLA | SP | 1 | Double-A | On Double-A DL and not worth owning in any format |
| Ryan Shealy | KC | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | Four homers in five games and now eight for year |
| Michael Moustakas | KC | 3B | 1 | Low A | Like Vitters, very unimpressive with wood bats so far |
| Kyle Davies | KC | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Too good for Triple-A and working on Brett Tomko's day |
| Jon Meloan | LA | RP | 1 | Triple-A | Giving up baserunners in past two; behind Kershaw now |
| Claudio Vargas | NYM | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Solid first start and is now Mets' De facto No. 6 starter |
| Alexi Casilla | MIN | 2B | 1 | Triple-A | Steals are nice, if you can get on base. He can't |
| Philip Humber | MIN | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Moved to the Triple-A bullpen with Liriano's demotion |
| Austin Jackson | NYY | OF | 1 | Double-A | Gets on base and steals, but not doing much else |
| Jose Tabata | NYY | OF | 1 | Double-A | Pitiful. Even more overhyped than Mets' F-Mart |
| Kei Igawa | NYY | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Passed up for Rasner, but still option for Ian Kennedy |
| Neil Walker | PIT | 3B | 1 | Triple-A | Jose Bautista is struggling, but Walker is even worse |
| Carlos Triunfel | SEA | SS | 1 | High A | 18-year-old better of late but still years away |
| Nate Schierholtz | SF | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Will finish as starter for Giants, but nothing special |
| Chris Perez | STL | RP | 1 | Triple-A | Triple-A closer merely rookie middle reliever in '08 |
| Chris Davis | TEX | 3B | 1 | Double-A | June 1. Chris Shelton gets month then thumper arrives |
| Taylor Teagarden | TEX | C | 1 | Triple-A | Max Ramirez is better, forced Teagarden to Triple-A |
| Kevin Mench | TEX | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Better of late, but still not worth owning right now |
| Kazuo Fukumori | TEX | RP | 1 | Triple-A | Belongs in Triple-A and not on any Fantasy rosters |
| Eric Hurley | TEX | SP | 1 | Triple-A | 113 pitches last time out, but has .311 BAA |
| Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | 1 | Double-A | Little to be excited about at this point |
| Jesus Flores | WAS | C | 1 | Triple-A | In deep slump, Rule-5 pick needs full year in Triple-A |
| Christopher Marrero | WAS | OF | 1 | High A | Hitting just .152 in past 10 and .200 average for season |
| Ross Detwiler | WAS | SP | 1 | High A | Hasn't pitched past five innings yet and just not close |
Rookie watch
Top AL rookies to date
- OF Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS -- Sore groin has slowed him down, but only temporarily.
- 3B Evan Longoria, TB -- Hasn't gotten hot yet, but steady is as important as anything.
- SP Greg Smith, OAK -- No way they can send him down once (if) Rich Harden returns.
- SP Clay Buchholz, BOS -- Has been much better after his mediocre start.
- OF David Murphy, TEX -- Won't be on this list much, but he's helping AL-only owners.
Top NL rookies to date
- C Geovany Soto, CHC -- OK, so his breakthrough '07 was no fluke, a Fantasy superstar.
- OF Kosuke Fukudome, CHC -- Power is in question, but he clearly gets on base and scores runs.
- SP Jair Jurrjens, ATL -- Say hello to the Braves new ace. He could win 15 games.
- SP Johnny Cueto, CIN -- In a slump, but you had to expect that. He will be fine.
- 1B Joey Votto, CIN -- Looks full-go now and is a nice sleeper in any league.
Newbie needs
Nick: Here's the million dollar question: Which rookie pitcher do you think has more upside: Max Scherzer or Johnny Cueto? I know it is too early to tell, yet, but what are your thoughts based upon what you have seen and heard?
Emack: Scherzer has a better team, but a less certain rotation spot at this point. Cueto has hit the skids a little of late. You still should own Cueto over Scherzer right now, but try to stash both at this point. If Scherzer proves as dominant as he looked in his initial relief appearance, he will stick around in the D-Backs rotation and be a dominant starter on the best team in baseball. We like Scherzer's potential to outproduce Cueto this year in that case. Long term, it is a coin flip, depending on what type of pitcher you prefer -- a Carlos Zambrano or Justin Verlander.
Alex, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Would you rather have Jarrod Saltalamaccia or Jeff Clement?
Emack: It is actually very close with those DH/C/1B call-ups this week. Salty is more proven and more valuable Fantasy-wise right now, but I think Clement is going to be an even better hitter. He once set the record for career high school homers with 73, according to CBSSports.com's Scott Miller. Micah Owings finished with 69 in that same year. Interestingly, a catcher and a pitcher are so high on the list.
You can e-mail us your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
