Baseball America named Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy the top three prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system in 2005. Each is a certified fantasy stud just two seasons later. Baseball America also rated the team's minor league system as the third-best that year, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels.
We know how it turned out for Milwaukee: From top-rated farm system in 2004 to best record in the National League today. The Brewers are atop the NL Central and boast one of the most dynamic lineups in baseball.
Who is next? Again, we'll turn to the experts at Baseball America for a little help. Given the fact it takes two or three years for a farm system to bear fruit, we'll use 2006 rankings to shed light on the contenders of 2008. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Angels and Brewers cracked the top five of Baseball America's farm system rankings in 2006.
Many of those prospects will get a chance to play later this summer. UPDATE! takes a look at the most promising Triple-A players in each organization to find the next breakout fantasy stud:
Prospects: RP Jailen Peguero (3-2, 1.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 41 SO, 33 IP), a product of the Dominican Republic origionally signed by Houston, has been a lights out reliever here and a Double A All-Star last season. OF Alex Romero (.327 AVG, 2 HR, 42 RBI, 10 SB, 3067 AB) is a left-handed hitter from Venezuela who was a Double-A All-Star in 2005. OF Jeff Salazar (.308 AVG, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 11 SB, 289 AB) is a left-handed power hitter out of Oklahoma State, drafted in eight eighth round by Colorado in 2002.
Prospects: OF Matt Kemp (.329 AVG, 4 HR, 32 R, 9 SB, 161 AB), a righty named to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect team in 2005 and a 2003 sixth-round pick, opened the season with the Dodgers and was recalled to L.A. again in early June. He's hitting well, so pick him up in keeper leagues. 1B John Lindsey (.352 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 54 AB) got the call after a torrid start to the season at Double-A. He's not a highly-touted prospect, but if he keeps playing this way, Lindsey will be tough to ignore. Move over Nomar. OF Delwyn Young (.326 AVG, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 4 SB, 288 AB), a fourth-round pick in 2002 out of Santa Barbera (Calif.) CC, got a September call-up a year ago. He's a solid prospect.
Prospects: SS Robert Andino (.289 AVG, 4 HR, 47 R, 13 SB, 342 AB) earned call-ups the previous two seasons, but Hanley Ramierez stands in the way of a job. Andino is a Major League quality player and could get an opportunity to shine elsewhere. 3B Scott Seabol (.294 AVG, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 5 SB, 293 AB), playing in his 12th pro season, got 105 AB with St. Louis in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the Marlins. With concern about Miguel Cabrera's weight, maybe Seabol gets a shot if Cabrera moves to the outfield. RP Mauro Zarate (1-0, 0.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10 SO, 10 IP), a hard-throwing righthander, could find himself in South Florida by season's end. Is he closer material? Only time will tell.
Prospects: RP Jason Bulger (3-1, 4.55 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 48 SO, 29.6 IP), a 2001 first-round pick by Arizona out of Valdosta State, he's a fire-baller with nice size and questionable command. OF Terry Evans (.331 AVG, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 13 SB, 260 AB) homered in his second big-league AB on June 20 and then got sent down again. It's crowded in that outfield. OF Nathan Haynes (.386 AVG, 4 HR, 33 R, 14 SB, 171 AB), a fleet-footed lefty and 1997 first-round pick by Oakland, has been on the Angels bench since the end of May. Unless someone gets hurt, he will see limited action. But if he does get an opportunity, pick him up for his steal potential.
Prospects: 2B Callix Crabbe (.300 AVG, 4 HR, 40 R, 11 SB, 223 AB), a switch hitter, was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of Manatee (Fla.) JC. He was a Class A All-Star in 2004. 3B Joe Dillon (.290 AVG, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 4 SB, 221 AB) turns 32 in August and has had all of 36 big league at-bats in an 11-year pro career, but who knows? SP Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 110 SO, 77.6 IP), a hard-throwing righthander from Mexico and second-round pick in 2004 has been a Class-A and Double-A All-Star and seems destined to become fantasy regular sooner than later. He's already in Milwaukee. After two impressive big-league starts in June, Gallardo will pitch out of the pen until a rotation spot opens up.
We know how it turned out for Milwaukee: From top-rated farm system in 2004 to best record in the National League today. The Brewers are atop the NL Central and boast one of the most dynamic lineups in baseball.
Who is next? Again, we'll turn to the experts at Baseball America for a little help. Given the fact it takes two or three years for a farm system to bear fruit, we'll use 2006 rankings to shed light on the contenders of 2008. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Angels and Brewers cracked the top five of Baseball America's farm system rankings in 2006.
Many of those prospects will get a chance to play later this summer. UPDATE! takes a look at the most promising Triple-A players in each organization to find the next breakout fantasy stud:
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
AAA: The Tucson Sidewinders won the Pacific Coast League in 2006 and are in the playoff hunt again this summer. They've got some interesting talent to consider. Prospects: RP Jailen Peguero (3-2, 1.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 41 SO, 33 IP), a product of the Dominican Republic origionally signed by Houston, has been a lights out reliever here and a Double A All-Star last season. OF Alex Romero (.327 AVG, 2 HR, 42 RBI, 10 SB, 3067 AB) is a left-handed hitter from Venezuela who was a Double-A All-Star in 2005. OF Jeff Salazar (.308 AVG, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 11 SB, 289 AB) is a left-handed power hitter out of Oklahoma State, drafted in eight eighth round by Colorado in 2002.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
AAA: The Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League are just a four-hour drive away from Dodger Stadium. That must seem tantillizingly close for a hot prospect such as Delwyn Lindsey.Prospects: OF Matt Kemp (.329 AVG, 4 HR, 32 R, 9 SB, 161 AB), a righty named to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect team in 2005 and a 2003 sixth-round pick, opened the season with the Dodgers and was recalled to L.A. again in early June. He's hitting well, so pick him up in keeper leagues. 1B John Lindsey (.352 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 54 AB) got the call after a torrid start to the season at Double-A. He's not a highly-touted prospect, but if he keeps playing this way, Lindsey will be tough to ignore. Move over Nomar. OF Delwyn Young (.326 AVG, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 4 SB, 288 AB), a fourth-round pick in 2002 out of Santa Barbera (Calif.) CC, got a September call-up a year ago. He's a solid prospect.
FLORIDA MARLINS
AAA: So many Major League ready prospects sit at Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League that their most direct path to the bigs might be via trade. After all, the Marlins are already stocked with young talent.Prospects: SS Robert Andino (.289 AVG, 4 HR, 47 R, 13 SB, 342 AB) earned call-ups the previous two seasons, but Hanley Ramierez stands in the way of a job. Andino is a Major League quality player and could get an opportunity to shine elsewhere. 3B Scott Seabol (.294 AVG, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 5 SB, 293 AB), playing in his 12th pro season, got 105 AB with St. Louis in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the Marlins. With concern about Miguel Cabrera's weight, maybe Seabol gets a shot if Cabrera moves to the outfield. RP Mauro Zarate (1-0, 0.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10 SO, 10 IP), a hard-throwing righthander, could find himself in South Florida by season's end. Is he closer material? Only time will tell.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
AAA: The top guns for the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League have already been tapped for Mahor League duty this season. But real playing time? An injury will have to clear the way for one of these guys to get a shot. Prospects: RP Jason Bulger (3-1, 4.55 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 48 SO, 29.6 IP), a 2001 first-round pick by Arizona out of Valdosta State, he's a fire-baller with nice size and questionable command. OF Terry Evans (.331 AVG, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 13 SB, 260 AB) homered in his second big-league AB on June 20 and then got sent down again. It's crowded in that outfield. OF Nathan Haynes (.386 AVG, 4 HR, 33 R, 14 SB, 171 AB), a fleet-footed lefty and 1997 first-round pick by Oakland, has been on the Angels bench since the end of May. Unless someone gets hurt, he will see limited action. But if he does get an opportunity, pick him up for his steal potential.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
AAA: Even with the defections of top-shelf talent, including the latest prodigy in third baseman Ryan Braun, Nashville Sounds currently sit atop of Pacific Coast League's American North Division.Prospects: 2B Callix Crabbe (.300 AVG, 4 HR, 40 R, 11 SB, 223 AB), a switch hitter, was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of Manatee (Fla.) JC. He was a Class A All-Star in 2004. 3B Joe Dillon (.290 AVG, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 4 SB, 221 AB) turns 32 in August and has had all of 36 big league at-bats in an 11-year pro career, but who knows? SP Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 110 SO, 77.6 IP), a hard-throwing righthander from Mexico and second-round pick in 2004 has been a Class-A and Double-A All-Star and seems destined to become fantasy regular sooner than later. He's already in Milwaukee. After two impressive big-league starts in June, Gallardo will pitch out of the pen until a rotation spot opens up.
