Top Minor League Prospects

Meet the United States high school career home run record holder. Not a bad credential to have on your baseball resume. The trick, of course, is to translate it to the pro game. Clement probably won't set any major league round-tripper records, but he does have legitimate big league pop. Last year at Triple-A Tacoma he banged out twenty homers and hit .275 in 455 at bats. His defensive and game-calling skills are still a work in progress, but with a bat he's deadly. His cup of coffee with the Mariners in September offered just a glimpse of what he is capable of at the plate. He's not likely to displace Kenji Johjima in the near future, but in the AL there's plenty of work for a power bat at designated hitter. At present, the M's have Jose Vidro slotted for the two-hole in their batting order as the DH. Writer Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times quotes Mariners manager John McClaren as saying (regarding Clement), "I don't see a regular spot right now. Not that there can't be one. I think at some point he's going to be a force." Okay, if you say so. Then expect Clement to start the season at Tacoma. But don't look for him to be there long. Nothing against Vidro, but six home runs and fifty-six RBI as a DH does not inspire me. When the young catcher starts the season tearing up Triple-A pitching, they'll find a spot for him in the Seattle line-up. When he gets his fantasy catcher eligibility you need to find a spot for him in yours.
ETA: June, at least.

There was consideration of dropping Headley from this list as he has become the frontrunner for the left field job at Petco Field, but he's not a household fantasy name and needs some visibility. He had the second best OBP in all of minor league baseball in 2007 with .437. Just for good measure, he was also Texas League Player of the Year at Double-A San Antonio where he hit .330 with 20 home runs. Headley is a switch-hitter with a smooth stroke and power from both sides. He has shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate as needed. The problem in San Diego is that his natural position, third base, is already manned by a potential star in Kevin Kouzmanoff. So this spring, Headley has begun the transition to left field where he must unseat the incumbent Scott Hairston to earn an opening day roster spot. He is apparently adapting well to the outfield and came out of the Cactus League gate with a smoking bat. He may force the Padres to keep him with the big club. But conventional wisdom would say he needs at least some seasoning in Triple-A to take the rough edges off his defensive game. Monitor what the San Diego brain trust plans to do with Headley and act accordingly. He will be worth a bench spot in most formats when he arrives and is a no-brainer for dynasty leagues.
ETA: As soon as the Padres get tired of Hairston's whiff rate, which shouldn't be long.

The Devil Rays are loaded with young and talented arms in their minor league system and Price is the best of the group. He was drafted first overall in the 2007 baseball draft after garnering College Player of the Year honors at Vanderbilt -- where he posted a 2.33 ERA and an incredible 13.1 K/9 rate in 133 innings. He comes at hitters with a mid-90's fastball with late life, a hard biting high-80's slider, and solid change. Price was ranked by Baseball America as the 2007 prospect closest to the majors. So when will he bring his dominating skills to the big leagues? On February 19, an article on the Devil Rays' website reported that manager Joe Maddon indicated it could be sometime this year. Asked if it was a stretch to think that Price might make his major league debut in 2008 Maddon replied, "No, it's not a stretch. At some point this year, that is not a stretch." Just to underscore the potential, after hitting the first batter he faced in his spring training debut on March 8, Price struck out the side. There's no question this Price is right. If he starts well in his minor league assignment, Rays management won't be able to resist issuing the call for him to "come on down" to Tropicana Field.
ETA: Before the All-Star break.

The 2005-2006 Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year and the seventh overall pick in the 2006 amateur baseball draft is opening eyes in training camp and making a case to take the mound at Dodger Stadium sometime in 2008. Last year at stops in both Single-A and Double-A, Kershaw struck out 163 batters in 122 innings and allowed hitters a meager .201 average. The left-hander sports good mechanics and has a big frame suggesting durability. His heavy fastball comes in consistently at 97 mph. Ken Gumick with MLB.com quoted this ringing endorsement from Dodger catcher Russell Martin who said of Kershaw's breaking pitch, "I think it's the best curveball I've ever caught." Not bad. He's still very young, so expect the Dodgers to give him some innings at Triple-A. Don't miss the opportunity to get him on your fantasy roster when he hits the majors. This kid has "ace" written all over him.
ETA: As soon as Schmidt hits the DL or Loiaza tanks.

Gonzalez stands only 5'11" and weighs in at around 185 lbs. It's the kind of size that raises red flags for pitchers on their way to the majors, but no matter. He has pitched at least 150 innings in his last two minor league seasons with, what has been described as, an effortless delivery. Gonzalez led the minors in strikeouts in 2007 at Double-A Birmingham with 185 in 150 innings. He features a sinking fastball that induces a nice ratio of ground balls and a nasty curve that serves as his "out" pitch. Throw in a decent change and the skill to throw all three pitches for strikes and you've got a lefthander nearly ready to emerge at the major league level. In all likelihood, the Athletics will start him at Triple-A, but don't expect him to stay there all season. The A's are a team in rebuild mode and Gonzalez is an integral part of the pitching foundation.
ETA: Mid-season.