Today's Fantasy Rx

Like last year, as I already have covered practically every minor leaguer ready for the majors during our team prospect reviews, instead of providing in-depth commentary on each player today, I'll provide a brief synopsis of what I expect in 2004 from every player at the AA and AAA levels. I won't cover anyone here that spent any time in the majors this season, but I'll give you a quick look at anyone who played above A-ball, listed at the position where he appeared the most.

Minor League Free Agent and AAA/AA Third Basemen in the National League

Arizona Diamondbacks
Minor League Free Agents:
None.

Prospects:
Chad Tracy, 23, B:L, T:R.
169/522 for .324/.372/.456 with 10 HR, 80 RBI, 91 R, 0/2 SB%,
and a 41:52 BB:K for AAA Tucson(PCL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: Major league starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league starter in 2004.
2004 Fantasy Potential: $5.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $30 by 2009.

Brian Barden, 22, B:R, T:R.
110/383 for .287/.348/.399 with 3 HR, 57 RBI, 50 R, 10/14 SB%,
and a 29:78 BB:K for AA El Paso(TL).
Appropriate 2004 Role: AA starter.
Long-term Upside & ETA: Major league starter by 2007.
2004 Fantasy Potential: None.
Long-term Fantasy Upside & ETA: $15 by 2011.

First Basemen Week begins tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Miguel Cabrera's fantastic debut leaves Chad Tracy and Garrett Atkins as the top upper-level NL third base prospects, however Shea Hillenbrand and Vinny Castilla respectively insure that neither rookie will spend much time at third in 2004 for their current teams. Corey Hart and Scott Hodges could see time in the majors in 2004, but I don't expect either prospect to make an impact next year. While the Braves' Andy Marte and the Mets' David Wright are the two studs likely to own third base on their respective teams indefinitely, neither player should see more than a September cup-of-coffee before 2005.