Today's Fantasy Rx

Anaheim: Adam Riggs, 31, 1B/OF-R
2/15 for .133/.188/.200 with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 1:6 BB:K.
118/377 for .313/.355/.568 with 17 HR, 63 RBI, 80 R, 8/11 SB%,
and a 23:68 BB:K for AAA Salt Lake(PCL).

Although Andres Galarraga appears the only Stinger virtually guaranteed a September call-up, expect to see Riggs back in the majors after compiling another nice AAA season. Unfortunately, only another rash of injuries should provide Riggs with more than spot defensive duty. The strong performance of Robb Quinlan over the last month, coupled with likely promotions for Galarraga and Casey Kotchman, leaves Riggs without an obvious role. Definitely ignore the journeyman even if you see him available since he offers negligible upside to fantasy teams.

Baltimore: Geronimo Gil, 29, C-R
91/336 for .271/.340/.390 with 6 HR, 32 RBI, 52 R, 2/3 SB%,
and a 30:59 BB:K for AAA Ottawa(IL).

The former Orioles' starter still could contribute this season given the woeful performance of Javy Lopez's backups. Gil still owns marginal power and on-base skills, making him a better alternative than the succession of minor league veterans employed thus far in Baltimore. If you can afford a minor BA drain to add a second catcher with respectable power potential, look to acquire Gil once Baltimore promotes him.

Boston: Earl Snyder, 28, 3B/1B-R
129/469 for .275/.328/.561 with 32 HR, 89 RBI, 73 R, 1/2 SB%,
and a 33:116 BB:K for AAA Pawtucket(IL).

Despite questionable plate discipline, Snyder's significant power potential warrants a long look in the majors. While he struggled terribly with Cleveland two years ago and failed impress at Pawtucket last season, his performance this year should force him to Boston in September. Of course, you still should ignore Snyder until he demonstrates some ability to hold a passable average in the majors, but I expect him to emerge as an intriguing COR or UT player for fantasy teams within the next couple years.

Chicago White Sox: Bobby Smith, 30, SS/2B/3B/1B-R
116/434 for .267/.323/.514 with 24 HR, 77 RBI, 73 R, 11/13 SB%,
and a 29:98 BB:K for AAA Charlotte(IL).

After suffering through a terrible 2002 season, Smith rebounded to post a .282/.341/.434 for AAA Columbus last year and now appears completely ready to return to the majors. His power potential and position flexibility should intrigue any team, and adding him to Chicago's infield rotation makes a lot of sense for the Sox. Smith even could push the increasingly unimpressive Joe Crede at third base, so he looks like a good target for anyone looking for power sleepers.

Cleveland: Chris Clapinski, 32, OF/IF-S
110/348 for .316/.398/.491 with 10 HR, 60 RBI, 63 R, 18/23 SB%,
and a 46:57 BB:K for AAA Buffalo(IL).

Although Cleveland's offense remains among baseball's best, adding a switch-hitting utilityman with good speed, power, and on-base skills makes significant sense given the struggles of nominal starters Jody Gerut and Grady Sizemore. He at least belongs in the majors by September since I don't see an obvious roster spot for Clapinski now with the Indians apparently requiring a 12-man pitching staff. While you probably should wait to see if Eric Wedge deploys Clapinski on a regular basis, he offers intriguing upside to anyone who can add him to a deep reserve roster.

Detroit: Joe Vitiello, 34, 1B-R
106/323 for .328/.386/.536 with 16 HR, 70 RBI, 52 R, 2/4 SB%,
and a 27:61 BB:K for AAA Toledo(IL).

Vitiello's second .325+ BA in the last three seasons should convince Detroit he offers sufficient upside to merit the opportunity to contribute to the slumping Tigers' offense. While Vitiello never should see regular work in the majors, his respectable average and plate patience makes him useful in the right situation. Of course, I don't envision him helping fantasy teams, so you should ignore even in the deepest leagues.

Kansas City: Paul Phillips, 27, C-R
77/245 for .314/.364/.437 with 5 HR, 29 RBI, 35 R, 3/6 SB%,
and a 17:27 BB:K for AAA Omaha(PCL).

Any delay in Benito Santiago's comeback should allow Phillips to join the Royals in September as Kansas City's third catcher. Missing all of 2001 and 2002 obviously retarded his progress following a couple respectable AA seasons, however now Phillips appears fully prepared to contribute in the majors. Look to acquire him anywhere you need to improve your second catcher's BA since Phillips owns the plate discipline necessary to hold an above-average BA even in limited big league playing time.

Minnesota: Terry Tiffee, 25, 3B-S
74/254 for .291/.348/.504 with 10 HR, 49 RBI, 33 R, 0/0 SB%,
and an 18:20 BB:K for AAA Rochester(IL).

Expect to see the Twins give Tiffee a cup-of-coffee next month prior to installing him as Corey Koskie's replacement next year. He owns respectable on-base skills and impressive power potential, so only defensive inconsistency will keep him from securing the long-term starting job over Mike Cuddyer. Definitely target Tiffee in every AL league since he could contribute decent stats during several September at-bats before producing double-digit value in 2005.

New York Yankees: John Rodriguez, 26, OF-L
92/314 for .293/.383/.570 with 16 HR, 59 RBI, 67 R, 8/10 SB%,
and a 41:72 BB:K for AAA Columbus(IL).

Rodriguez owns a better statistical history and overall skill set than New York fan favorite Bubba Crosby, so hopefully the Yankees will give him a look in the majors later this year. While he shouldn't remind anyone of Shane Spencer or Kevin Maas, Rodriguez's combination of power potential and plate discipline at least should force him into a big league backup role within the next few years. Target Rodriguez upon his promotion if you need a fifth outfielder with decent quantitative upside and a respectable batting average.

Oakland: Mike Rose, 28, C-S
90/303 for .297/.427/.422 with 6 HR, 46 RBI, 49 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 71:69 BB:K for AAA Sacramento(PCL).

Hopefully the Athletics will take advantage of the catching difficulties on a couple contenders to deal Adam Melhuse and install the extremely similar Rose as Damian Miller's caddy. Rose possesses excellent plate discipline and enough power potential to intrigue fantasy owners in any standard league. He definitely looks like someone to acquire once he secures a big league backup job.

Seattle: Mickey Lopez, 30, 2B-S
89/314 for .283/.368/.446 with 9 HR, 33 RBI, 55 R, 11/20 SB%,
and a 37:43 BB:K for AAA Tacoma(PCL).

The journeyman infielder deserves at least a September cup-of-coffee after posting solid stats for Tacoma over the last two seasons. Although Lopez should plateau as a reserve, he offers respectable quantitative upside and enough plate discipline to hold a solid BA. Of course, the rebuilding Mariners likely won't give him significant playing time, so while Lopez won't hurt you if needed as roster filler, you generally should ignore him.

Tampa Bay: Matt Diaz, 26, OF-R
148/448 for .330/.374/.578 with 21 HR, 85 RBI, 73 R, 14/18 SB%,
and a 22:86 BB:K for AAA Durham(IL).

Hopefully the Rays soon will move Jose Cruz and/or Tino Martinez to create regular at-bats for Joey Gathright, Jonny Gomes, and Diaz, who owns an increasingly lengthy history of solid production in the upper minors. While he lacks great plate discipline, consistently strong averages and promising speed give him intriguing offensive potential. Despite the intense competition for playing time in Tampa's outfield, target Diaz if he joins the Rays since he certainly possesses double-digit upside in the right situation.

Texas: Jason Botts, 24, 1B-S
121/413 for .293/.398/.506 with 21 HR, 76 RBI, 75 R, 7/10 SB%,
and a 64:105 BB:K for AA Frisco(TL).

Returning to first base after multiple outfield auditions increases the likelihood that Botts will reach the majors with an organization that can't deploy Mark Teixeira and Adrian Gonzalez at first and DH. Of course the rarity of switch-hitters with good plate discipline and significant power potential also could force out of the organization, making Botts a fantastic target in the middle of a loaded Texas lineup. His power surge this season should rate him among the most intriguing hitting prospects in the game by the end of the season, particularly considering he only registered a total of 22 homers over the past two years. Definitely monitor his progress over the remainder of 2004 with the goal of snagging this sleeper next spring.

Toronto: Russ Adams, 23, SS-L
110/404 for .272/.344/.384 with 2 HR, 43 RBI, 46 R, 6/8 SB%,
and a 42:49 BB:K for AAA Syracuse(IL).

Expect Adams to receive a significant September audition despite his lack of obvious power and his 32 errors in 104 games at shortstop. The Jays' 2002 first round pick remains the logical successor to Chris Woodward since Adams at least possesses good plate discipline and respectable doubles' power. Of course, a .728 OPS isn't an acceptable mark in the upper minors, forget about Toronto, so I also could see the Jays leaving him in the minors through the middle of next year. Consider bidding a few bucks if he receives a late-season promotion, but most teams should wait as Adams appears unlikely to secure a starting job heading into spring training.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League hitting prospects.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Don't expect changing from Carlos Tosca to first base coach John Gibbons in Toronto will affect the Jays' offensive strategies in any significant way. GM J.P. Ricciardi likely wanted someone willing to fulfill management's instructions more carefully while hopefully also inspiring the downtrodden roster. Gibbons could provide a short-term lift, but I don't see this switch affecting anyone other than the normal youth movement expected by any interim manager. Kevin Cash, Orlando Hudson, Chris Woodward, and Gabe Gross now should see more at-bats than likely departing veterans Chris Gomez, Dave Berg, Frank Menechino, and Gregg Zaun. Even Frank Catalanotto likely will lose playing time to Gross as Armando Rios and Reed Johnson should play nearly every day.