Beating the bushes for players

If you find yourself perusing minor-league box scores online at 7 a.m. every day, there are only a few possibilities.

Perhaps you play for a minor-league team, or a close relative does. Maybe you’re a professional scout, or aspire to be one.

More likely, you’re a fantasy baseball addict and need to get a life.

There are benefits if you’re watching the minors closely. You may have gotten a jump start on Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, or Lastings Milledge of the Mets.

Unfortunately, you probably also got jump starts on a bunch of guys including the Angels’ Howie Kendrick or Justin Huber of the Royals, neither of whom had an impact before being sent back to the minors.

And that’s the problem with getting excited by the gaudy numbers a young, talented player might put up in the minors. Sometimes they translate into immediate major-league success, but usually it takes a while. Occasionally, the numbers never translate.

So what do you do? If you avoid prospects called up midseason altogether, you spare yourself the pain of all the failure. But you also miss the fun of finding that diamond in the rough.

As we approach the midpoint of the 2006 season, here are a few players bubbling under in the minors right now, and some thoughts about whether they’ll be ready to help your team soon.

The kids are all right

Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks

The younger brother of J.D. has it all: Talent to dwarf that of his brother, some say, and an organization committed to seeing him in the majors soon. In his way is veteran Craig Counsell, but a trade or injury could open the door at any time. Drew’s average is hovering around .300 at Triple-A Tucson, and he’s showing some power (nine homers in half a season). It’s only a matter of time before Drew has the starting job in Arizona, and it should be the start of a long and successful career.

Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels

Kendrick certainly didn’t seem ready back in May, when the Angels called him up, but he remains one of baseball’s best prospects, hitting .395 with eight home runs at Triple-A Salt Lake City. But most importantly, he’s on the Angels, who don’t hit. So what harm could it do to give a talented kid like Kendrick more than the 26 at-bats he got before they sent him back down? Some may balk at the .115 he hit in those at-bats, but I’d stash him away on the bench. He has more upside than Dallas McPherson or Kendry Morales.

Not ready for prime time

Kaz Matsui, 2B, Rockies

You probably haven’t slept in weeks. Who can sleep, with the Kaz Matsui era approaching in Denver? Early reports out of Triple-A Colorado Springs are very promising on Matsui, and the Rockies aren’t going to pass on a good player if that’s what Matsui turns out to be. However, he’s currently third on the second base depth chart behind Jamey Carroll, who has been outstanding, and former starter Luis Gonzalez, who is also in the minors trying to regain his stroke. Matsui would have to do a lot to supplant both, and why should he blossom now? He’s probably not worth a fantasy flyer until he shows exactly what he can do outside the Big Apple for at least a few weeks in Denver.

B.J. Upton, SS/Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays

So much offensive talent, but the problems are just as huge. First Young was suspended 50 games for throwing a bat at an umpire. Now, Upton gets arrested for driving under the influence. Is life so difficult for guys in the Devil Rays organization? Apparently it is. OF Elijah Dukes, another top prospect, was just suspended indefinitely for reasons unspecified. All of these guys have major potential, but their troubles will delay things. Also, Upton has followed up his 53-error season with 22 errors so far this year. As good as both are, there are plenty of reasons to hold off on Upton and Young. Dukes, too.

Andy Marte, 3B, Indians

Things are looking up for Marte, one of baseball’s top slugging prospects. After starting out slowly at Triple-A Buffalo, he’s been on a tear of late, hitting .346-5-12 to win International League Player of the Week honors for the week ending June 18th. So why is he on this list? Because Indians manager Eric Wedge said he’s not planning on calling Marte up to replace veteran Aaron Boone any time soon. So unless you’re in a keeper league, Marte is not likely to be a big help this season.

Quick hits

Orioles lefty Erik Bedard has added a third pitch – a changeup – to his repertoire, and opponents are not so thrilled. He’s 2-1 with 27 strikeouts in 19 innings in his last three starts. If he’s available, pick him up. If you’re looking for batting average help, look to the Pirates. They have a few sleepers who are piling up hits, including 2B Jose Castillo and IF Freddy Sanchez, who is quietly hitting .355 this year. Sanchez’s average against lefties? .509, best in baseball. Look for Tigers pitcher Zach Miner to stay hot against the Astros and Pirates next week.