Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, May 13, 2002 by Mark Bonavita

Mark Prior has amazing stuff: a mid-90s fastball and baffling off-speed arsenal. It won't be long before his performances force the Cubs to give him a chance in the majors. In his first five starts at Class AA this year--his first experience as a pro--Prior, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA. In 28 1/3 innings, he gave up 19 hits and eight walks and struck out 48. And he's hardly the only player who might have a big impact if he were called up.

Ryan Bukvich, RP, Royals: If Roberto Hernandez (elbow) can't stay healthy, Kansas City desperately will need a closer. In his first 15 innings at Class AA, Bukvich allowed one unearned run, four hits and four walks. Bukvich, who turns 24 Monday, throws in the mid-90s and had six saves and 23 strikeouts.

Carl Crawford, CF, Devil Rays: Crawford, 20, has been terrorizing Class AAA pitching, hitting .333 with 20 runs, 14 RBIs, a .636 slugging percentage and six steals in his first 26 games. His plate discipline needs work but should improve with experience. It might not be long before Crawford is producing a .300 average, 15 to 20 homers and 40 steals in the majors.

Jack Cust, OF, Rockies: The team's outfield is filled now, but he could be a monster if he gets a chance to play full-time. Cust, 23, had 16 extra-base hits (nine homers) and 19 RBIs in his first 83 at-bats at Class AAA this year. Though he piles up the strikeouts, he walks a ton and has a nice on-base average.

Bobby Hill, 2B, Cubs: Hill, 24, has the skills to be an excellent leadoff hitter--and a huge improvement over Delino DeShields. Hill was slowed by a virus early this season and hit .197 in his first 21 games at Class AAA. Still, he had a nice walk rate and was perfect in six steal attempts.

Josh Phelps, C, Blue Jays: His walk rate is way down, but Phelps, who turns 24 on Sunday, has the power and defense to take over in Toronto by June. Darrin Fletcher is the team's starter but probably not for long. Toronto is in a rebuilding mode and must be itching to see what Phelps can do on the big club.

Brandon Phillips, SS, Expos: He almost was unstoppable at Class AA in April, hitting .386 with six homers and 17 RBIs. With 10 walks in his first 21 games, he has improved his plate discipline dramatically. He had just 12 walks in 67 games last year. Phillips, 20, could play third, though the team might be shopping current shortstop Orlando Cabrera or second baseman Jose Vidro.

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After disappointing 2001 seasons, these players have revived their prospect status: Choo Freeman, OF, Rockies (Class AA Carolina). Many gave up on Freeman, 22, after back-to-back disappointing seasons at Class A in 2000 and 2001. He wasn't drawing walks; he struck out too often. At Class AA, however, he was hitting .392 with 16 walks through 23 games.

Jason Stokes, 1B, Marlins (Class A Kane County). Stokes has drawn comparisons to Mark McGwire, and not just because back problems limited him to 35 games last year. The 6-4, 225-pound slugger is just 20 and was hitting .348 with five homers and 15 RBIs through 21 games.

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies (Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre). Utley struggled at Class A last year at age 22--generally not a good sign. The Phillies challenged him with a promotion to Class AAA, and he responded with a .307 average, four homers and 16 RBIs through 25 games.

TOP FIVE

Softball players impersonating major leaguers:

1 Matt Stairs, OF, Brewers. Goatee, sunglasses, gut--it all adds up to slow-pitch. Stairs had 38 home runs with Oakland in 1999. Just imagine what he'd do with a softball.

2 David Wells, LHP, Yankees. Wells hit the weight room in the offseason but still fits the mold. He has been known to enjoy a cold, frosty one now and again. And then, of course, there am all those tattoos.

3 Ron Coomer, 1B, Yankees. Wasn't this guy at the park last season playing for St. Mary's? He was the one with the tight coaches shorts on--a super-size Coke in one bond, 8 towel in the other, his glove on the ground.

4 Rich Garces, RHP, Red Sox. Garces looks more adept at pitching on an arc than on a line. The Red Sox media guide has him listed at 6-0, 255. Next time they should weigh him with both feet on the scale.

5 Randy Johnson, LHP, Diamondbacks. There aren't many 6-11 softball players out there, bat the mullet haircut lands him on the list. Let's see him fan 19 underhanded.--Jeff Paur

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