Today's Fantasy Rx

Note: The beginning of most stat lines includes the following data: H/AB for BA/OBP/SLG.

Anaheim: Gary Glover, RH Reliever
2-0 on a 32:18 K:BB in 52 IP over 36 G
with 62 H, 4 HR, a 1.03 G-F, and a 3.81 ERA.

Glover's mediocre overall numbers camouflage a 2.20 ERA on a 9:4 K:BB in 16.1 IP over 12 games since joining the Angels in the Scott Schoeneweis trade. While he obviously isn't a dominant reliever, Glover's 2.2 BB/9 gives the Angels another middle reliever with relatively similar skills to Ben Weber. The Anaheim bullpen, currently comprising Glover, Weber, Percival, Donnelly, KRod, and Greg Jones, currently looks as talented as any group of relievers in the AL, and even though Glover isn't providing much quantitative help, he'll continue contributing qualitatively due to both his decent skills and the support from his teammates. Opponents continue to hit over .300 against him and he struggles against most lefties, but as I don't see any other overt problem in his stats and he holds right-handers to a .611 OPS, feel free to acquire him if you're looking to add a low-risk pitcher to replace someone with a bad ERA or WHIP.

July Overachiever: Ben Weber, RH Reliever
Old stats: 3-1 on a 40:16 K:BB in 65.2 IP over 50 G
with 64 H, 7 HR, and a 2.38 G-F; 2.88 ERA.
Recommendation: acquire.
Stats since recommendation: 1-0 on a 3:4 K:BB in 7.1 IP over 7 G
with 11 H, 0 HR, and a 2.45 ERA.

Previous Overachievers: April: Brendan Donnelly; May: Scot Shields; June: Ramon Ortiz.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League overachieving pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Due to September expansion, several prospects reached the majors yesterday who all possess significant future upside. I expect Hee Seop Choi, Mike Restovich, Victor Martinez, Garrett Atkins, and Gerald Larid already are owned in most leagues thanks to their stints in the majors earlier this season, however San Diego's Khalil Greene, Kansas City's David DeJesus, Seattle's Jamal Strong, and Tampa Bay's Pete LaForest all should emerge as important fantasy contributors next season.

Greene failed to impress in any aspect of his game aside from posting a solid average and a decently low error total, yet he's performed adequately in the upper minors and will receive an opportunity to win the Padres' shortstop job from Ramon Vazquez next spring. While he almost certainly needs more seasons, any rebuilding owner should target him.

Fortunately, the other three prospects, DeJesus, Strong, and LaForest, all look prepared to succeed in the majors. DeJesus doesn't impressive scouts but owns great plate discipline, good speed and power, and the defensive skills to play anywhere in the outfield. The likely departures of Carlos Beltran and Michael Tucker from the Royals should allow him to compete for a starting job in camp.

Jamal Strong missed half the season with an injury before returning to post a .390 OBP in 56 games for AAA Tacoma. He owns tremendous raw speed and enough plate discipline to immediately secure a starting job in Seattle's outfield. The Mariners possess the upper-level talent necessary to let both Mike Cameron and Randy Winn depart, respectively replacing them with Strong and Chris Snelling. In the short-term, Strong could repeat Esix Snead's performance of a year ago by stealing a few bases without making any other immediate contribution. Of course, Strong's upside dramatically exceeds that of Snead thanks to Strong's hitting ability even if he won't help many 2003 contenders.

Although the Canadian LaForest missed the first couple months of the season due to visa problems, he returned to display both power and plate discipline in three weeks at AA Orlando before posting a .269/.382/.567 line in 201 AAA at-bats. The problem for LaForest in his skills are very similar to those of Toby Hall, and only his left-handedness might allow him to steal significant at-bats from Hall. One solution might involve letting them share DH and catcher next year, but if the Rays are confident that LaForest is a long-term solution, they probably should deal Hall for immediate help and add a non-tendered power bat to provide middle-of-the-order power next season. A young catcher with Hall's skills should net at least a power-hitting prospect and a AAAA starter, and I can think of a dozen teams that should attempt to grab him this winter. Even if LaForest shouldn't see too much playing time this month, anyone in keeper leagues should target him as a potential double-digit value at catcher in 2004.