Today's Fantasy Rx

Minnesota: Kevin Slowey, 22, RH Starter
4-2 on a 44:3 K:BB in 49.1 IP over 7 GS
with 31 H, 2 HR, a .90 G-F, and a 1.46 ERA for AAA Rochester(IL).

Though Scott Baker received the first shot at replacing Sidney Ponson, both Matt Garza and Slowey soon should reach the majors in some capacity, most likely as starters despite the effective work of the Twins' other four starters to date. Slowey owns control to rival that of any A-ball starter with single-digit walks from the past decade, however he also possesses the stuff necessary to maintain his effectiveness at the highest levels of professional baseball. Giving Slowey to Twins' Pitching Coach Rick Anderson should create a WHIP monster, so if you see any chance to grab this guy, acquire him now before his price heads skyward.

New York Yankees: Tyler Clippard, 21, RH Starter
1-0 on a 6:3 K:BB in 6 IP over 1 GS
with 3 H, 1 HR, a 7-6 G-F, and a 1.50 ERA.
3-2 on a 41:17 K:BB in 39.2 IP over 8 GS
with 40 H, 2 HR, a 1.34 G-F, and a 2.72 ERA for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre(IL).

Thrown into the fire against the Mets in Shea Stadium on Sunday night in front of a nationwide audience on ESPN, the club's eleventh different starter of the year surpassed all expectations, even adding a double to his impressive pitching line. His excellent work at AA Trenton last summer certainly suggested immediate potential for success in the majors, with Darrell Rasner now sidelined indefinitely, even the pending arrival of Roger Clemens next week merely will leave Clippard in competition with Matt DeSalvo for the last rotation spot. I fully expect Clippard to continue outpitching DeSalvo, and unless Phil Hughes dominates during his rehab starts next month, Clippard just might remain in the rotation until the Yankees acquire the inevitable veteran starter at the trade deadline, making him a great player to acquire in all AL leagues.

Oakland: Colby Lewis, 27, RH Starter
5-1 on a 47:14 K:BB in 50.2 IP over 8 GS
with 38 H, 5 HR, a 1.50 G-F, and a 2.31 ERA for AAA Sacramento(PCL).

Though Chad Gaudin and Joe Kennedy have solidified two rotation slots, Dallas Braden's ineffectiveness opened an opportunity for Lewis to start tonight against Chicago. Foolishly released by the Nationals in March, the journeyman right-hander appears surprisingly prepared to succeed if given an opportunity in Oakland. However, given his past problems with even managing decent command in the majors, wait until Lewis begins succeeding for the Athletics before rostering him anywhere.

Seattle: Justin Lehr, 29, RH Starter
4-0 on a 27:14 K:BB in 48.1 IP over 8 GS(9G)
with 42 H, 3 HR, a 1.35 G-F, and a 2.42 ERA for AAA Tacoma(PCL).

The former top relief prospect landed with the Mariners this winter after a couple of mostly unimpressive years with Milwaukee. While Lehr failed to break camp with Seattle, his continued success in AAA rotations intrigues me. The problem he faces is that his command always seemingly deteriorates when he reaches the majors, and since his strikeout rate appears even lower than usual right now, I see little margin for error here. Definitely at least wait to see if he'll receive a look in the Mariners' rotation before considering Lehr for any fantasy team.

Tampa Bay: Andy Sonnanstine, 23, RH Starter
5-2 on a 57:9 K:BB in 52.2 IP over 8 GS
with 35 H, 5 HR, a 1.00 G-F, and a 2.05 ERA for AAA Durham(IL).

Despite opening this season in a loaded AAA rotation alongside Jason Hammell, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann, and Mitch Talbot, Sonnanstine outpitched all his fellow prospects and almost certainly will receive the first promotion once the Rays tire of seeing three of their starters owning ERAs above 7.75. Possessing excellent control makes Sonnanstine a likely WHIP asset even before we consider that he continue to cut his hit rate as he ascends the minor league ladder. Only his mediocre groundball rate concerns me at all as I view Sonnanstine as perhaps the best sleeper starting prospect in the league, as well as someone to target anywhere you need to improve your rotation.

Texas: Ezequiel Astacio, 27, RH Reliever
1-2 and 1 Save on a 28:5 K:BB in 24.1 IP over 2 GS(11G)
with 17 H, 1 HR, a 1.18 G-F, and a 2.59 ERA for AAA Oklahoma(PCL).

Quickly moved to the bullpen following two poor starts, the former Astros' prospect hasn't allowed a run in nine appearances while posting a 23:2 K:BB in 17.2 innings. The Rangers' inevitable summer bullpen maneuvering soon should push Astacio into the major, but I unfortunately don't expect him to accumulate much fantasy value. Even with Eric Gagne sidelined, Akinori Otsuka, Frank Francisco, and Joaquin Benoit all appear between Astacio and any save opportunities. Since you similarly shouldn't risk rostering any Texas reliever not in line for saves, ignore Astacio in all leagues for the indefinite future.

Toronto: Josh Banks, 24, RH Starter
4-1 on a 29:6 K:BB in 53.1 IP over 8 GS
with 50 H, 7 HR, a 1.05 G-F, and a 3.88 ERA for AAA Syracuse(IL).

The Jays' decision to promote Jesse Litsch from Double-A last week indicates their real opinion of Banks, who continues to languish in the upper minors while many of his teammates receive shots in Toronto. Always intriguing due to his superb control, the right-hander simply isn't going to receive a serious look in the Rogers Centre any time soon. Since his lack of dominance similarly makes him a serious qualitative risk, I doubt I'll recommend Banks under any circumstances until he secures a change of scenery to a more forgiving pitching environment. Unless you already find yourself rebuilding and willing to take a chance in a $1 starter in the hope of landing an unexpectedly decent keeper, ignore Banks in all leagues.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League pitching prospects.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Hopefully Hank Blalock will net a nice new wife from the rib doctors removed yesterday since his loss, for no less than the next two months, creates major problems both for the Rangers and fantasy teams. The demotion of Travis Metcalf leaves Matt Kata and Ramon Vasquez as the default third base platoon for Texas, and with Desi Relaford qualifying as the club's best minor league option, this position suddenly looks like a wasteland for the Rangers. They really need to liberate someone like Wilson Betemit, Kory Casto, or Jeff Baker, but if Jon Daniels doesn't pull the trigger on a deal, I see no reason for you to see your fortunes sink with those of Texas. Kata offers no more than minimal upside, and despite a hot start, Vazquez similarly looks like a $5 player at best. Your best alternatives for finding a decent replacement third baseman involve either swinging a trade or exploring likely waiver bait like Pablo Ozuna, Alex Cora, Marco Scutaro, and Robb Quinlan.