Today's Fantasy Rx

Anaheim: Andres Galarraga, 43, 1B-R
31/102 for .304/.342/.451 with 0 HR, 4 RBI, 19 R, 10 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 6:24 BB:K for AAA Salt Lake(PCL).

While Galarraga looks less like a prospect than anyone who finished last month in the affiliated minors, his appearance on free agent lists might entice owners given his success at Salt Lake and respectable .301/.352/.489 with San Francisco last season. Unfortunately, Anaheim simply doesn't have any at-bats for him even with Tim Salmon out for the year. Troy Glaus' return, combined with the promotions of top prospects Casey Kotchman and Dallas McPherson, will keep Galarraga benched for all save perhaps a dozen plate appearances. Ignore the veteran first baseman since he just won't contribute despite still owning mildly intriguing skills.

Baltimore: Darnell McDonald, 25, OF-R
5/26 for .192/.250/.231 with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 1/1 SB%,
and a 2:4 BB:K.
96/410 for .234/.294/.368 with 7 HR, 44 RBI, 44 R, 12/18 SB%,
and a 34:100 BB:K for AAA Ottawa(IL).

Following his three previous stints with Baltimore this year, McDonald should return to the majors soon for one more look. Of course, his poor season probably finishes his prospect status, and I see little in these stats to suggest he even belongs at AAA next year. Ignore McDonald until he manages to combine his tool with consistently solid AAA batting performances.

Boston: Sandy Martinez, 33, C-L
0/2 for .000/.000/.000 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 0:1 BB:K for Cleveland.
54/197 for .274/.316/.584 with 17 HR, 47 RBI, 29 R, 2/2 SB%,
and a 12:44 BB:K for AAA Buffalo(IL).

The Red Sox purchased Martinez's contract from the Indians a week ago to add a little bench depth for the stretch run. While he demonstrated extremely unexpected power potential this year, his weak plate discipline and unimpressive hitting history make him a poor gamble even if he appeared likely to see more than an at-bat a week. Since he might not even play that much with Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli in front of him, ignore Martinez in every league.

Chicago White Sox: Reggie Taylor, 27, OF-L
110/401 for .274/.333/.486 with 20 HR, 54 RBI, 62 R, 21/28 SB%,
and a 34:91 BB:K between AAA Louisville(IL) and AAA Charlotte(IL).

Taylor signed with Chicago two months ago after Cincinnati cut him from Louisville, and his .290/.357/.514 over 210 at-bats in Charlotte's outfield provided a needed boost to an organization depleted of outfield depth due to injury trade. Unfortunately, Taylor's historically terrible plate discipline suggests the strong likelihood of continued BA troubles in the majors. Even if the Sox give him a shot within the next week, only teams desperate for steals should target Taylor.

Cleveland: Josh Bard, 26, C-S
41/156 for .263/.310/.404 with 4 HR, 18 RBI, 25 R, 0/0 SB%,
and an 11:23 BB:K for AAA Buffalo(IL).
5/30 for .167/.324/.200 with 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 7:5 BB:K for AA Akron(EL).

An abdominal injury cost Bard the majority of the season, and Victor Martinez's emergence this year will keep Bard in a backup role as long as he remains with the Indians. Bard possesses enough patience and overall batting skills to contribute in a limited role, however I don't expect him to merit much fantasy consideration until he receives a fresh start with a new organization. Ignore Bard now unless rebuilding and sufficiently desperate for catching that you don't mind watching the transaction wire all winter while hoping for a trade into a better situation.

Detroit: Curtis Granderson, 23, OF-L
140/462 for .303/.407/.515 with 21 HR, 93 RBI, 89 R, 14/22 SB%,
and an 80:95 BB:K for AA Erie(EL).

With AAA Toledo filled mostly with aging minor league journeyman, Granderson should lead a contingent of a couple Sea Wolves' position players to Detroit once the Eastern League playoffs conclude. He probably ranks as the Tigers' best position prospect given his power potential, respectable speed skills, and very impressive plate patience. While he likely needs a year at Toledo to consolidate his development, Granderson almost certainly will secure a starting outfield job in Detroit by next September, making him a solid target in almost any league.

Kansas City: Darren Fenster, 25, 2B/3B-R
34/111 for .306/.389/.360 with 1 HR, 11 RBI, 14 R, 0/1 SB%,
and a 14:14 BB:K for AA Wichita(TL).
92/303 for .304/.411/.376 with 0 HR, 37 RBI, 55 R, 2/3 SB%,
and a 51:46 BB:K for A+ Wilmington(Car).

The Royals' need for infield help could lead to the promotion of a lower-level prospect like Fenster this month as a reserve. As Kansas City appears to prefer rushing decent defensive options over adding a more logical option like AAA Omaha's Jed Hansen, Fenster owns an appealing combination of plate discipline and defensive flexibility. Of course, his complete lack of power potential and speed skills make Fenster no more than a potential BA asset, and his limited success above A-ball instead indicates all fantasy owners should ignore Fenster for now.

Minnesota: Jason Bartlett, 24, SS-R
0/5 for .000/.000/.000 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 0:1 BB:K.
89/269 for .331/.415/.472 with 3 HR, 29 RBI, 54 R, 7/10 SB%,
and a 33:37 BB:K for AAA Rochester(IL).
5/14 for .357/.400/.429 with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0/0 SB%,
and a 0:3 BB:K for R Twins(GCL).

A broken wrist cost Bartlett the last two months of spring, and then he barely played when promoted for a week a little over a month ago. While he hasn't posted the steal totals I expected, his overall play still seems rather remarkable, and his promising plate discipline suggests he can hold a high average in the majors. Bartlett even could emerge as the second base starter this month with Luis Rivas injured, making him an excellent target in any league, especially on rebuilding teams.

New York Yankees: Dioner Navarro, 20, C-S
34/136 for .250/.316/.360 with 1 HR, 16 RBI, 18 R, 1/1 SB%,
and a 14:17 BB:K for AAA Columbus(IL).
69/255 for .271/.354/.369 with 3 HR, 29 RBI, 32 R, 1/1 SB%,
and a 33:44 BB:K for AA Trenton(EL).

While Navarro still needs to develop more power, he joins the Yankees this month as their third string catcher. Of course, he won't play regularly barring injury and need at least one more season at Columbus, so I see little upside to rostering him now. Wait until you see New York give him a significant opportunity to see regular at-bats before adding Navarro to your roster.

Oakland: Matt Watson, 26, OF-L
145/476 for .305/.377/.515 with 19 HR, 96 RBI, 79 R, 3/7 SB%,
and a 54:75 BB:K for AAA Sacramento(PCL).

With Nick Swisher already promoted, Watson appears next in line among Rivercats' outfielders to join the Athletics once the Pacific Coast League playoffs conclude. His very impressive overall offensive profile should warrant consideration for a bench job next spring in Oakland. Unfortunately, he won't see sufficient playing time this month to merit much consideration even if the Athletics promote him. Ignore Watson unless he starts surprisingly strong.

Seattle: Greg Dobbs, 26, 3B-L
69/255 for .271/.286/.416 with 8 HR, 31 RBI, 28 R, 4/7 SB%,
and a 5:36 BB:K for AAA Tacoma(PCL).
66/203 for .325/.373/.507 with 5 HR, 34 RBI, 25 R, 5/9 SB%,
and an 11:23 BB:K for AA San Antonio(TL).

Promoted to the majors today to provide infield depth, Dobbs unfortunately appears completely unprepared for the majors. He owns negligible plate discipline, unimpressive power skills, and looks like no more than a reserve even on this youthful Mariners' squad. While Dobbs owns enough quantitative upside for rebuilding teams in deep leagues to target him as a possible third base starter in 2005, I don't expect him to contribute to fantasy teams in the near future.

Tampa Bay: Brooks Badeaux, 27, 2B/UT-S
63/193 for .326/.377/.404 with 1 HR, 18 RBI, 26 R, 1/3 SB%,
and a 16:23 BB:K for AAA Durham(IL).

Despite spending the season on the end of the Bulls' roster, Badeaux registered his best overall numbers in years while playing nearly every position save catcher. Badeaux owns the plate discipline and position flexibility necessary to contribute as a big league reserve, however his extremely limited upside means you should ignore him even Tampa unexpectedly promotes him later this month.

Texas: Jeff Pickler, 28, 2B-L
110/354 for .311/.369/.410 with 1 HR, 51 RBI, 64 R, 15/18 SB%,
and a 34:49 BB:K for AAA Oklahoma(PCL).

Pickler seemingly can't catch management's attention even after the Rangers grabbed him three years ago in the minor league Rule 5 draft. He owns excellent plate discipline, decent doubles' power, and I mildly intriguing speed, so I see no reason why he doesn't see some time in the majors. As Pickler will not hurt you if needed as roster filler, feel free to target him once finally promoted.

Toronto: Anton French, 29, OF-L
77/259 for .297/.359/.494 with 11 HR, 35 RBI, 56 R, 28/35 SB%,
and a 26:60 BB:K between AAA Durham(IL) and AAA Syracuse(IL).
35/124 for .282/.362/.476 with 3 HR, 19 RBI, 29 R, 16/17 SB%,
and a 16:23 BB:K for AA New Hampshire(EL).

With good patience and very impressive speed skills, French looks like a very useful fifth outfielder for the Jays, especially given his strong performance since Tampa dumped him late this spring. He not only merits a big league bench job now, fantasy owners should monitor his progress due to his potential for double-digit steals even in a limited role. Attempt to acquire French if Toronto promotes him and you need steals.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League hitting prospects.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Another wave of prospects soon should reach the majors following the end of the minor leagues' regular seasons this weekend, followed by a third grouping once the upper-level playoffs conclude. Of the AL position players already recalled, the best long-term options include Anaheim's Casey Kotchman and Dallas McPherson, Seattle's Jeremy Reed, and Oakland's Nick Swisher. Rebuilding teams in keeper leagues should prioritize this quartet if you see any of them available.