N.L. East

Sporting News, The, July 15, 2005

ATLANTA BRAVES

The team's postseason hopes should get a boost after the All-Star break when RHP Tim Hudson (oblique) and LHP Mike Hampton (forearm) return. There is some concern, however, that Hampton's arm won't be strong enough to make it through the rest of the season.... RHP John Smoltz is impressed with backup C Brian McCann's defense, particularly the way he sets up behind the plate. McCann has been as good as advertised at the plate.... 1B Julio Franco struggled in May and indicated he might retire. But he rebounded with a strong June, showing why he has said he believes he can play until he's 50. HOT PROSPECT: Alter dipping heavily into their minor league system, the Braves' best remaining talent is in their middle levels. With glaring needs in their bullpen, the next significant call-up could be RHP Joey Devine, who was their first selection in this year's draft. The team thinks his 95-mph fastball could allow him to make a fast rise to the big leagues.--Mark Bowman

FLORIDA MARLINS

Adding utilityman Josh Willingham from Class AAA provides more depth at catcher. Backup Matt Treanor is more of a defensive specialist, but Willingham is a better hitter. Willingham still is adjusting to playing behind the plate alter converting to the position in 2002.... RHP A.J. Burnett is adding more changeups to complement a fastball that sometimes reaches 100 mph. Showing the changeup more on fastball counts has induced more soft contact from hitters, kept his pitch counts down and enabled him to go deeper into games. Burnett says his arm isn't as sore the next day.... Observers of 3B Mike Lowell's prolonged hitting slump say his bat speed has declined. HOT PROSPECT: LHP Jason Vargas is rising rapidly through the system. Groomed as a starter, Vargas' ticket to the big leagues could be as a reliever in a September (or earlier) call-up. He has struck out 96 batters in 96 innings this season in Classes A and AA.--Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK METS

With 28 Miguel Cairo back from the D.L., and with 1B Brian Daubach capably filling in as a part-time replacement for injured Doug Mientkiewicz. IFs Chris Woodward and Marlon Anderson can return to their roles as pinch hitters who also can give a starter a break without the team losing much production.... Backup C Ramon Castro has played well when given a chance, which has allowed the team to rest C Mike Piazza more. That, in turn, has provided a boost to Piazza, 36. He has looked stronger recently, especially late in games after having a day off. HOT PROSPECT: OF Lastings Milledge, the club's top draft pick in 2003, has a chance to be an elite player. He is playing center field at Class A St. Lucie, has stolen 17 bases and is hitting for average. Milledge hasn't shown great power this year, but he has that potential. At 20, he still needs seasoning, but it wouldn't be stunning if he reached the majors by 2007.--Many Noble

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

38 David Bell is hitting under .200 against righthanders this season, an odd development for a hitter who has hit equally well against lefties and righties for his career. Bell has no explanation for the dramatic split ...The Phillies are running out of patience with RHP Vicente Padilla and may remove him from the rotation if he continues to pitch poody. If Padilla is demoted to the bullpen, RHP Ryan Madson could get the opportunity.... Manager Charlie Manuel is growing increasingly frustrated by his hitters' tendency to swing at bad pitches when ahead in the count He preaches getting a good ball to hit and feels he has to remind players to lay off curves and changeups when things appear in their favor. HOT PROSPECT: LHP Cole Hamels' outstanding changeup could gain him a promotion to Class AA, a place he would have started the season if he hadn't suffered a broken finger in January. If he continues to pitch well, he could arrive in the majors this season.--Ken Mandel

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Hitting coach Tom McCraw will have the starters take batting practice in the indoor cage at least three times a week during the peak of summer. McCraw doesn't want the players to get tired working out in the afternoon heat. McCraw did the same thing when he was the Mets' hitting coach in the 1990s.... Veteran RHP Hector Carrasco has become a valuable setup reliever and is regularly working in tough situations. Carrasco, who had a 1.84 ERA in June, worked with a personal trainer during the offseason and lost more than 20 pounds. He says he's in the best shape of his life. HOT PROSPECT: RHP Travis Hughes excelled as a closer at Class AAA New Orleans after being claimed off waivers from the Rangers in April. That work earned Hughes, 27, a promotion to the majors. He went back to New Orleans after allowing no runs and only two baserunners in 4 1/3 innings because the club needed another hitter. Look for Hughes to get another shot in the majors this season:--Bill Ladson