You knew Matt Wieters and David Price were hotshot prospects last season but where were you when Chris Coghlan and Andrew Bailey snagged Rookie of the Year honors? Your league was buzzing about Jason Heyward and Stephen Strasburg on draft day this year but what other phenoms were banished to the waiver wire? Monitoring the minors is essential to success in deep fantasy leagues. Don’t get beat to the punch when the next wave of studs get called up to the Show. Farm Fresh is your weekly look at the minor league prospects your league-mates don’t know about.
On The Hill: Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Triple-A Durham Bulls (Rays)
Jeremy Hellickson needs no introduction. He is the latest edition in Tampa Bay’s impressive showcase of devastating young pitching talent. The former 4th-round pick has been destroying the International League with reckless abandon: 10-2, 2.19 ERA, 97 strikeouts in 94.2 innings. Fewer walks (22) than years of life (23)! Baseball America tabbed him as the best pitching prospect in the system and a top-20 talent overall. John Sickels describes him as a “potential Roy Oswalt.” Wade Davis has scuffled recently at the back of the Rays’ rotation. Hellickson’s call-up is coming soon – be first in line when he hits the waiver wire.
In The Box: Wilin Rosario, C, Double-A Tulsa Drillers (Rockies)
Rosario leads Texas League catchers in batting average (.283) and home runs (10). The 21-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has moved through the Rockies’ system methodically, no doubt the by-product of his age as opposed to his ability. Baseball America declared him Colorado’s 3rd best prospect and predicted he would compete for the big-league job as early as next season. A pit stop in Triple-A this season would be a great indicator of Rosario’s readiness.
Anthony Federico covers all levels of the game for Baseball Digest and Gotham Baseball. He is the author of “Must Be Nice” – a novel about the glory of beer-league softball. Check out www.mustbenicebook.com for more info or follow him on Twitter @AntFeds