We spent this space last week preaching patience in early April with the elite prospects in the minors. Then the two most-owned minor leaguers on CBSSports.com arrive days later, Francisco Liriano and Evan Longoria -- the latter to outstanding results.
Even the A's Greg Smith and the Giants' John Bowker look like instant hits.
Then, a look at the remaining 88 most-owned minor league prospects leads to even more Fantasy Baseball anxiousness. There are some really smoking guns in Triple-A.
There are too many to name in a concise paragraph, but Max Scherzer and Brandon Wood are two good ones to focus in on.
Mad Max
Scherzer is flying way too low on the Fantasy radar right now, being owned in just 3 percent of our leagues at the time of this writing. It is hard to imagine an elite mid-90s throwing prospect on arguably the best team in baseball (Arizona) is going relatively unnoticed.
Until now.
Scherzer fanned 11 batters in seven innings last time out and now has a 0.00 ERA through 12 innings (two starts). He has struck out 18, walked just two and allowed opposing batters to hit just .122.
Fastball, slider, changeup -- he isn't just getting it done with mid-90s heat now either. The D-Backs sent him down before the season to work on his secondary pitches and the early results are eye-popping.
"He's been very dominant with multiple pitches," farm director A.J. Hinch told MLB.com. "He's done everything we asked him to do when we sent him down.
"I think that's the separating factor, how the secondary pitches come along. When he gets all three of his pitches going you see the results he can get."
Scherzer, the 11th overall pick in 2006, signed just before the deadline and wound up dominating immediately and proving worthy of a look in Double-A last year. His mid-90s stuff reportedly slowed after his promotion and his numbers stopped looking absurd. They were still very intriguing, though, with less than a hit per inning and more than a strikeout per. He was a combined 6-4 with a 3.28 ERA and .210 batting-average against last season.
"He'll have some adversity at some point, some things that won't go his way and how he's able to bounce back from that will be important," Hinch told the D-Back's official website.
The first-place D-Backs are off to an equally smoking start and could be an outstanding source of pitching sleepers this season. Behind aces Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and recently returned Randy Johnson, the D-Backs are slotting emerging Micah Owings and Edgar G. Gonzalez. Doug Davis (thyroid cancer surgery is out until at least June).
If Gonzalez falters for too long -- he lasted just three innings in his last start -- Scherzer could be on the move up. With his talent and outstanding supporting cast, he would be a guy to have in any Fantasy league.
Stash him immediately in all deeper NL-only and long-term keeper formats.
Laying the Wood
Wood's power potential at the shortstop position has made him a favorite in this space for a number of years, but suspect defense, a potential switch to third and a bad strikeout rate have held him back.
Despite those warts, it is hard to ignore the fact Wood is the minor league's homer leader with six through 12 games. Only the Rays' Carlos Pena has as many homers in pro baseball.
Whether it is third or shortstop, Wood's power potential will play in Fantasy sooner or later. The Angels hope sooner, despite the fact he was just 5-for-33 in the big leagues last year.
"Once you get a little bit of a taste, you want more," Wood told the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Angels dealt Orlando Cabrera this winter with the idea slap hitters Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar could hold down the shortstop position until Wood was ready. After Wood had a disappointing winter in Mexico, he packed on 15-to-20 pounds of muscle -- mostly in his upper body -- according to the paper.
"I felt like I could hit with the weight what it was before," he told the Tribune. "I feel good."
Wood is hitting just .255 with a ghastly 20 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, but you cannot ignore the fact he can launch homers from the shortstop position for a contending team that could use some pop in Anaheim.
Wood will be a streaky big leaguer initially, sure, but his 30-to-40 homer power potential at his position makes him a potential Fantasy superstar. Stash him in all AL-only and long-term keeper formats where you can afford to wait on a potential impact talent.
Prospect watch
In what we hope will be a weekly portion of our Prospects Report, we break down all the minor leaguers who are owned in at least 1 percent of our Fantasy leagues. This will be your essential every week guide to unearthing prospects before they hit the big time.
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| Farmhand | TM | POS | Own% | Level | Recent stats note |
Jarrod Saltalamacchia 
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TEX | C | 36 | Triple-A | Hitting .324 with two homers and nine RBI |
| Josh Fields | CHW | 3B | 32 | Triple-A | Hitting .324 in past 10 games with 10 RBI |
| Cameron Maybin | FLA | OF | 30 | Double-A | Hitting .297 with two homers and three SB |
| Jay Bruce | CIN | CF | 28 | Triple-A | Hitting .341 in past 10 with seven RBI |
Bartolo Colon 
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BOS | SP | 26 | Triple-A | Still on Triple-A DL (shoulder) |
| Clayton Kershaw | LA | SP | 26 | Double-A | 0-3 but has 2.57 ERA and .245 BAA |
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Homer Bailey
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CIN | SP | 24 | Triple-A | Scorching at 2-1, 1.42 and .209 BAA |
| Chase Headley | SD | 3B | 16 | Triple-A | Playing LF every day but off to .244 start |
| Colby Rasmus | STL | OF | 14 | Triple-A | Drawing walks, but struggling at .192 |
| Chuck James | ATL | SP | 11 | Triple-A | Might return if Tom Glavine goes on DL? |
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Brandon Wood
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ANA | 3B | 8 | Triple-A | Minor league HR leader (6) ... as a SS! |
| David Price | TB | SP | 8 | TBD | Still yet to pitch officially as a pro |
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Jason Bergmann
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WAS | SP | 7 | Triple-A | He bombed; cut him in all leagues now |
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Ian Stewart
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COL | 3B | 6 | Triple-A | Next Chase Utley off to .313-.404-.604 start! |
| Shelley Duncan | NYY | DH | 6 | Triple-A | Way too good for Triple-A: .393-.500-.893 |
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Nick Adenhart
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ANA | SP | 5 | Triple-A | 2-0, 1.59 but just 1-1 in K-to-BB ratio (9-9) |
| Adam Miller | CLE | SP | 5 | Triple-A | Oft-injured elite arm might come off DL soon |
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Gio Gonzalez
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OAK | SP | 5 | Triple-A | Not going deep into games, but stretching out |
| Steve Pearce | PIT | RF | 5 | Triple-A | Homerless but has seven RBI in past 10 |
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Carlos Gonzalez
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OAK | OF | 4 | Triple-A | .289 with two HR in past 10; could arrive soon |
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Jeff Clement
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SEA | C | 4 | Triple-A | Blocked, but scorching: .524-3-8 in past six |
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Wladimir Balentien
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SEA | OF | 4 | Triple-A | Red hot; won't take long: .314-3-13-8 in past 10 |
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Brandon Morrow
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SEA | RP | 4 | Double-A | 0.00 ERA and ready for back-to-back days |
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Max Scherzer
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ARI | SP | 3 | Triple-A | Arguably the hottest start of all; 11 Ks last start |
| Matt Wieters | BAL | C | 3 | High A | Next Jason Varitek starts .500-3-8-8-1 |
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Josh Barfield
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CLE | 2B | 3 | Triple-A | Just as underwhelming in minors |
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Armando Galarraga
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DET | SP | 3 | Triple-A | Called up; any Tigers SP is worth a look this year |
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Luke Hochevar
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KC | SP | 3 | Triple-A | 5-to-1 GO/AO and could replace John Bale soon |
| Andrew McCutchen | PIT | OF | 3 | Triple-A | Just .244 but has a .370 OBP thanks to walks |
| Matt Antonelli | SD | 2B | 3 | Triple-A | Slow start but homered in back-to-back games |
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John Patterson
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TEX | SP | 3 | Triple-A | Won't be ready for Rangers until at least June |
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Adam Lind
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TOR | LF | 3 | Triple-A | On monster roll and should be in Toronto already |
| Josh Anderson | ATL | OF | 2 | Triple-A | .341-1-5-5-3 in past 10 but just two walks |
| Brandon Jones | ATL | OF | 2 | Triple-A | Just a .250 start but scored 10 runs in 13 games |
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Matt Murton
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CHC | LF | 2 | Triple-A | Skipped Alfonso Soriano replacement has 0 RBI |
| Aaron Laffey | CLE | SP | 2 | Triple-A | Two great starts, one bad one; Cliff Lee is hot |
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Rick Porcello
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DET | SP | 2 | High A | Elite talent for top contender hot, watch closely |
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Rick VandenHurk
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FLA | SP | 2 | Double-A | Already had his shot, but he can master minors |
| Chris Volstad | FLA | SP | 2 | Double-A | 2-0, 2.65 but just 1-1 in K-to-BB ration (6-6) |
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Matt LaPorta
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MIL | OF | 2 | Double-A | Hitting .214 and that corner OF is tough to crack |
| Claudio Vargas | NYM | SP | 2 | TBD | Recent Mets signee could be candidate in May |
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Philip Humber
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MIN | SP | 2 | Triple-A | Unimpressive in Triple-A so far: 0-2, 4.97 |
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Fernando Martinez
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NYM | OF | 2 | Double-A | First teenager on this list; hitting just .214 |
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Carlos Carrasco
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PHI | SP | 2 | Double-A | 1-0, 2.45 and could be a big-time call-up in June |
| Jake McGee | TB | SP | 2 | Double-A | Wild (seven BB in 13 innings) but has .156 BAA |
| Wade Davis | TB | SP | 2 | Double-A | Strong in past two starts; could be next Rays SP |
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Reid Brignac
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TB | SS | 2 | Triple-A | Just .205 right now but has two HR in past 10 |
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Kazuo Fukumori
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TEX | RP | 2 | Triple-A | Sent down and can be cut in all leagues now |
| Travis Snider | TOR | OF | 2 | High A | .310-3-5-11 in past 10 but struck out 17 times |
| Kendry Morales | ANA | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | Low OPS (.617) but .313-1-10-5 in past 10 |
| Jarrod Parker | ARI | SP | 1 | Low A | Teenager great talent but won't arrive this year |
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Jordan Schafer
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ATL | OF | 1 | Double-A | 50-game suspension ruins his '08 Fantasy hopes |
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Jo-Jo Reyes
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ATL | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Fanned eight in four innings but behind James? |
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Brent Lillibridge
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ATL | SS | 1 | Triple-A | Off to .100-1-8-8-4; everything solid except AVG |
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Scott Moore
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BAL | 3B | 1 | Triple-A | .182 since demotion; cut him in all leagues |
| Hayden Penn | BAL | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Slow start but was awesome last time out |
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Garrett Olson
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BAL | SP | 1 | Triple-A | 1-0, 1.76 with 17 Ks in three starts |
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Radhames Liz
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BAL | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Great talent but results aren't there right now |
| Lars Anderson | BOS | 1B | 1 | High A | Three homers in past seven games |
| Brandon Moss | BOS | OF | 1 | Triple-A | 16 Ks in 44 at-bats is an alarming total |
| Justin Masterson | BOS | SP | 1 | Double-A | Smoking with 1.29 ERA and 13 Ks in 14 innings |
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Josh Vitters
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CHC | 3B | 1 | Low A | Like Price above, his season has yet to start |
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Eric Patterson
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CHC | OF | 1 | Triple-A | 12 Ks in 36 at-bats shows he belongs in Triple-A |
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Ben Francisco
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CLE | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Would be nothing more than reserve if called up |
| Jeremy Sowers | CLE | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Might be behind Lee, Laffey and perhaps Miller |
| Joe Koshansky | COL | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | .289-.439-.644 but still no place to play in Colorado |
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Dallas McPherson
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FLA | 3B | 1 | Triple-A | Five HRs in first 10 games; we haven't given up |
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Ryan Shealy
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KC | 1B | 1 | Triple-A | Four HRs, but just .174 ... on Chris Shelton path |
| Michael Moustakas | KC | 3B | 1 | Low A | Hitting .194 and has no chance of helping in '08 |
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Kyle Davies
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KC | SP | 1 | Triple-A | 1-0, 2.25 and should take long to arrive |
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Jon Meloan
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LA | RP | 1 | Triple-A | Move to starting is going very well: 1-0, 2.70 |
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Alexi Casilla
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MIN | 2B | 1 | Triple-A | .162-.333-.189; we are ready to give up on him |
| Austin Jackson | NYY | OF | 1 | Double-A | .308 with four SB but still too raw right now |
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Jose Tabata
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NYY | OF | 1 | Double-A | Speaking of raw; Jackson may have passed him |
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Kei Igawa
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NYY | SP | 1 | Triple-A | 1.72 ERA, 17 Ks in three starts ... just four BB |
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Joe Savery
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PHI | SP | 1 | High A | Will be interesting if he beats Porcello to majors |
| Neil Walker | PIT | 3B | 1 | Triple-A | Looks like he needs a full season in Triple-A |
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Carlos Triunfel
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SEA | SS | 1 | High A | .091 start for 18-year-old in Class A |
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Nate Schierholtz
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SF | OF | 1 | Triple-A | Suprising Bowker beats him to a call-up |
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Chris Perez
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STL | RP | 1 | Triple-A | Hefty relief prospect has already been beaten |
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Chris Davis
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TEX | 3B | 1 | Double-A | .333-.400-.611; should finish year as Texas' 1B |
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Taylor Teagarden
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TEX | C | 1 | Double-A | Just .200 start and behind Salty and Gerald Laird |
| Kevin Mench | TEX | RF | 1 | Triple-A | .179 ... has-been should be cut in all leagues |
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Eric Hurley
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TEX | SP | 1 | Triple-A | Off to terrible start with 7.07 ERA, .364 BAA |
| Elvis Andrus | TEX | SS | 1 | Double-A | 19-year-old shortstop hitting .308 in Double-A |
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Jesus Flores
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WAS | C | 1 | Triple-A | '07 Rule-5 pick could use full year in high minors |
| Christopher Marrero | WAS | OF | 1 | High A | Future Fantasy star will get plenty of time |
| Ross Detwiler | WAS | SP | 1 | High A | Nats really need SPs, but Detwiler needs time |
Rookie watch
Top AL rookies to date
- 3B Evan Longoria, TB -- Our preseason No. 1 lasted just two weeks in the minors.
- SP Greg Smith, OAK -- Piece in Dan Haren trade is providing early dividends.
- OF Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS -- Won't truly take off until he stops sharing at-bats.
- SP Clay Buchholz, BOS -- Had poor spring but he has been better of late.
- RP Joba Chamberlain, NYY -- Off to dominant start, but he's still merely a setup man.
- Honorable mentions: SP Jeff Niemann, TB; OF David Murphy, OAK; SP Nick Blackburn, MIN
Top NL rookies to date
- SP Johnny Cueto, CIN -- Proved human Sunday, but you have to expect some struggles.
- OF Kosuke Fukudome, CHC -- OBP machine will have to pick up for Alfonso Soriano.
- C Geovany Soto, CHC -- Leads all rookies in total bases and RBI ... as a catcher!
- SP Hiroki Kuroda, LAD -- He has been a little bit better than advertised so far.
- SP Jair Jurrjens, ATL -- Braves' injury-hit rotation needs him to step forward right now.
- Honorable mentions: OF John Bowker, SF; C J.R. Towles, HOU; RP Merkin Valdez, SF.
Newbie needs
Nick N.: Should I pick up Mark Reynolds or Evan Longoria?
Emack: Well, if Reynolds hasn't done enough to get picked up already, odds are he would be more readily available on your waiver wire than Longoria will be in a few days. Reynolds is going to cool off at some point and get dropped in many leagues. Longoria is the flavor of the week and the one we would advise taking the chance on right now. Over the long haul, you will be happy with either one, although Reynolds has a better supporting cast.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
