Here's the second of two columns looking at the prospects of the Arizona Fall League.

All ages as of Opening Day 2007.

Mesa Solar Sox

Michel Abreu - 1B Mets - Age 28
.333/.333/.444, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 9 AB for Single-A St. Lucie
.332/.404/.530, 17 HR, 70 RBI, 87/45 K/BB, 0 SB in 398 AB for Double-A Binghamton
.280/.362/.548, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 11/12 K/BB, 1 SB in 93 AB (AFL)

Mets GM Omar Minaya has said Abreu is in his plans for 2007, but it's hard to see how. A Cuban defector originally signed by the Red Sox and then let go because the team believed he was lying about his age, Abreu was able to put up impressive numbers at Double-A, though he did so as either a 27- or a 31-year-old. Also, he's not an option anywhere other than first base. If he gets off to a good start in Triple-A next year, maybe another team will trade for him and give him a shot. It's unlikely that he'd prove to be a solid regular, but he could bat .260-.270 and hit 15 homers if he gets enough plate appearances. There's little chance of him still being in the organization by the time Carlos Delgado's contract expires.

Matt Albers - RHP Astros - Age 24
10-2, 2.17 ERA, 96 H, 95/47 K/BB in 116 IP for Double-A Corpus Christi
2-1, 3.96 ERA, 24 H, 26/10 K/BB in 25 IP for Triple-A Round Rock
0-2, 6.00 ERA, 17 H, 11/7 K/BB in 15 IP for Houston
0-1, 3.94 ERA, 14 H, 9/6 K/BB in 16 IP (AFL)

Even before he stumbled his way to a 4.66 ERA in the Carolina League in 2005, Albers faced questions about his commitment and maturity. Last year's breakthrough answered many of them. With a fastball that reaches 94 mph, a quality curveball and an average slider, Albers has the stuff to be a starting pitcher in the majors. However, he's going to require an improved changeup to handle left-handers sufficiently. It's likely that he'd be better off as a reliever if the Astros want to carry him at the beginning of next year. They'll probably send him back to Triple-A for a little while and continue to groom him as a starter.

Jake Fox - C Cubs - Age 24
.313/.383/.574, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 49/27 K/BB, 4 SB in 249 AB for Single-A Daytona
.269/.304/.435, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 44/9 K/BB, 0 SB in 193 AB for Double-A West Tenn
.250/.294/.375, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 11/3 K/BB, 1 SB in 64 AB (AFL)

Fox is the best catching prospect the Cubs have had in a while, but that's not saying much at all. His rough defense is likely to be a real problem going forward, and he was less than stellar offensively following his promotion to Double-A West Tenn last season. Because he does have 20-homer power and the ability to hit for average, his name is worth knowing. However, he'd have to show substantial improvement defensively next year in order to become a candidate to replace Michael Barrett in 2008. Most likely, he'll fall short of being a regular.

Fernando Martinez - OF Mets - Age 18
.250/.250/.250, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 4 AB for Rookie GCL Mets
.333/.389/.505, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 36/15 K/BB, 7 SB in 192 AB for low Single-A Hagerstown
.193/.254/.387, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 24/6 K/BB, 1 SB in 119 AB for Single-A St. Lucie
.253/.305/.379, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 17/5 K/BB, 1 SB in 87 AB (AFL)

When Martinez was signed out of the Dominican Republic in July 2005, the word was that he wouldn't be allowed to play in the minors in 2006. Well, play he did, and he's already established himself as one of the game's best outfield prospects. A left-handed hitter capable of handling center field, Martinez is a premier talent on his way to showing 30-homer power. He didn't walk much as a 17-year-old, but he's less prone to low-and-away breaking balls than most hitters his age. It's likely that he'll end up as a right fielder, but he should be a very good one. He could be ready for the majors as soon as the second half of 2008 or 2009.

Jonathan Meloan - RHP Dodgers - Age 22
1-1, 1 Sv, 1.54 ERA, 9 H, 41/7 K/BB in 23 1/3 IP for low Single-A Columbus
1-0, 0 Sv, 2.50 ERA, 15 H, 27/4 K/BB in 18 IP for Single-A Vero Beach
1-0, 0 Sv, 1.69 ERA, 3 H, 23/5 K/BB in 10 2/3 IP for Double-A Jacksonville
2-0, 1 Sv, 1.96 ERA, 12 H, 21/8 K/BB in 18 1/3 IP (AFL)

The Dodgers seem to come up with a new big-time relief prospect every year and Meloan made the jump last season. The 2005 fifth-round pick out of Arizona throws in the low-90s with movement. His slider is his out pitch, but he also has a curveball that helped him record more than three strikeouts for every hit he allowed in the minors last season. Less overpowering than Jonathan Broxton, he's more likely to be a long-term setup man than a closer. However, he's not far away from helping the Dodgers. He could arrive before midseason and make the same kind of impact that Broxton did last year.

Scott Moore - 3B Cubs - Age 23
.276/.360/.479, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 126/55 K/BB, 12 SB in 463 AB for Double-A West Tenn
.250/.250/.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 4 AB for Triple-A Iowa
.263/.317/.474, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 10/2 K/BB, 4 SB in 104 AB (AFL)

Moore no longer has much idea what his future holds after the Cubs gave Aramis Ramirez a five-year, $75 million contract to remain their third baseman. There was little chance Moore would have opened next season in the majors even if Ramirez had left, but the Cubs probably would have settled for a stopgap. With first base also spoken for, Moore might be tried in left field. However, his best hope of becoming a major league regular is to stay at third. The former first-round pick of the Tigers displayed 25-homer ability last season, but he strikes out a lot and isn't likely to be a big on-base guy. Also, he'll probably need to be platooned with a right-handed bat. The Cubs figure to make him available in trade talks, and if he's dealt, he could be a regular for another team in the second half.

Matt Moses - 3B Twins - Age 22
.249/.303/.386, 15 HR, 72 RBI, 113/35 K/BB, 2 SB in 474 AB for Double-A New Britain
.297/.346/.392, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 13/6 K/BB, 1 SB in 74 AB (AFL)

Moses was able to play in just 48 games during his first year and a half in the minors after being drafted 21st overall in 2003, but he's bounced back with two healthy seasons and he managed to hold his own as a 21-year-old in Double-A last season. The best strategy for the Twins would be to send him back there in 2007, and he'd be a legitimate breakthrough candidate if that happens. However, just how good of a prospect Moses is depends on whether he can stay at third base. He has the offensive potential to be a star there, but probably not anywhere else.

Kevin Mulvey - RHP Mets - Age 21
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 1/0 K/BB in 2 IP for Rookie GCL Mets
0-1, 1.35 ERA, 10 H, 10/5 K/BB in 13 1/3 IP for Double-A Binghamton
0-2, 6.00 ERA, 17 H, 7/8 K/BB in 15 IP (AFL)

Mulvey, a Villanova product, was the Mets' first pick in the 2006 draft, going 62nd overall. A polished right-hander, Mulvey works at 91-93 mph and uses a plus slider. His changeup is a solid third pitch, and he fools around with a curve that's still a long way from being major league caliber. He unleashed fewer sliders and concentrated on throwing inside fastballs while struggling to a 6.00 ERA in the AFL. Mulvey will enter 2007 clearly behind Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber in line for an opportunity, but it'd still be no surprise to see him make his Mets debut before the end of the summer. He projects as a third or fourth starter.

Eric Patterson - 2B Cubs - Age 24
.263/.330/.408, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 89/46 K/BB, 38 SB in 441 AB for Double-A West Tenn
.358/.395/.493, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 9/6 K/BB, 8 SB in 67 AB for Triple-A Iowa
.345/.408/.460, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 16/12 K/BB, 15 SB in 113 AB (AFL)

Like big brother Corey, Patterson is a left-handed hitter with outstanding speed. The on-field similarities seem to stop there. Eric Patterson is open to talking a walk and might get on base often enough to bat first or second in a major league lineup. However, as just an average second baseman, he trails Corey in defensive value. He also doesn't have more than 10- or 12-homer power. While the Cubs gave Mark DeRosa a three-year deal, Patterson should be the team's best choice at second base by 2008. A platoon of Patterson and DeRosa could turn out to be very productive.

Troy Patton - LHP Astros - Age 21
7-7, 2.93 ERA, 92 H, 102/37 K/BB in 101 1/3 IP for Single-A Carolina
2-5, 4.37 ERA, 48 H, 37/13 K/BB in 45 1/3 IP for Double-A Corpus Christi
2-0, 4.80 ERA, 12 H, 17/8 K/BB in 15 IP (AFL)

Patton was replaced as the Astros' best pitching prospect by Jason Hirsh last season, but he still might have the greater upside of the two if he can make enough progress with his changeup. The 2004 ninth-round pick gets ahead of hitters with a low-90s fastball and puts them away with an excellent curveball. He does need a better changeup to give him one more weapon against right-handers, and it's something he tried to work on in the AFL. If he can stay healthy, he could develop into a No. 2 starter behind Roy Oswalt. The Astros may have need of him next season if neither Fernando Nieve nor Taylor Buchholz steps up.

Hunter Pence - OF Astros - Age 23
.283/.357/.533, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 109/60 K/BB, 17 SB in 523 AB for Double-A Corpus Christi
.339/.379/.565, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 15/4 K/BB, 6 SB in 62 AB (AFL)

Pence couldn't have helped his stock within the Astros organization when he was sent home from the AFL following a DUI arrest. However, he remains the best offensive prospect developed by the club in years. The 2004 second-round pick showed legitimate 30-homer power in his Double-A debut, and he's working to answer doubts about his athleticism. Not only has Pence become a basestealer, but he's also proving his worth as a center fielder. Ideally, he'd be a left fielder in the majors. However, with Carlos Lee now entrenched there for six years, Pence might get a look in center initially. He's probably a better offensive player than Willy Taveras right now, and the difference could be great enough to get the Astros to make a switch by midseason. He'll almost certainly open the year in Triple-A.

Kevin Slowey - RHP Twins - Age 22
4-2, 1.01 ERA, 52 H, 99/9 K/BB in 89 1/3 IP for Single-A Fort Myers
4-3, 3.19 ERA, 50 H, 52/13 K/BB in 59 1/3 IP for Double-A New Britain
0-1, 2.37 ERA, 19 H, 12/2 K/BB in 19 IP (AFL)

Slowey isn't a scout's dream with his relatively straight 90-mph fastball. Also, neither his slider nor his changeup is especially devastating. However, command and deception have made him one of the best pitchers in the minors since he was drafted in the second round out of Winthrop in 2005. He probably has enough on his pitches to make it as a major league starter, though it's still too soon to say whether he's a future No. 3 or more of a bottom-of-the-rotation guy. It might come down to whether his sinker turns into a viable pitch. As is, he's a flyball pitcher likely to give up a lot of home runs in the majors. The Twins are more likely to have need of Slowey next year after losing Francisco Liriano to elbow surgery. Expect to see him by June or July, and don't be surprised if he has a lot of success his first time around the league.


Phoenix Desert Dogs

Chip Cannon - 1B Blue Jays - Age 25
.248/.335/.476, 27 HR, 69 RBI, 158/51 K/BB, 0 SB in 475 AB for Double-A New Hampshire
.352/.474/.714, 11 HR, 29 RBI, 33/21 K/BB, 2 SB in 105 AB (AFL)

Cannon's 11 homers led the Arizona Fall League by five and he also finished first in RBI and fourth in average. The knock on The Citadel product going in was his inability to hit for average. He's hit 69 homers in 1,135 at-bats as a minor leaguer, but he's batted .248 in nearly a year and a half in Double-A. Also, his defense at first base is below average and he's not capable of playing anywhere else. If he shows the AFL campaign was no fluke by batting .280-.300 in Triple-A next year, then he might have some chance of making it as a designated hitter against right-handers. It's too bad for him that Frank Thomas is set to own that spot in Toronto for at least the next two years.

Brent Clevlen - OF Tigers - Age 23
.230/.313/.357, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 138/47 K/BB, 6 SB in 395 AB for Double-A Erie
.282/.317/.641, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 15/2 K/BB, 0 SB in 39 AB (AFL)

The Tigers had several guys playing well at Triple-A Toledo, but when they decided they needed an outfielder at the end of July, Clevlen was brought up from Double-A Erie to make his major league debut, even though he was hitting just .224/.307/.350 in 366 at-bats. Of course, it ended up working out brilliantly, just like everything else the Tigers did last season. Clevlen reached base three times in his first game and then homered twice in his second start. He was batting .379/.419/.862 in 29 at-bats when he was sent down on Aug. 25. Back in September, he went 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts, as the league seemed to quickly catch on to his tendency to look ugly on breaking balls. Clevlen hit .302/.387/.484 in the Florida State League in 2005 and is a quality prospect despite his struggles in Double-A. However, he does need to so something about his tendency to chase bad pitches. A full year in Triple-A will help. He's a potential 25-homer guy and an above average defender in right field.

Phil Dumatrait - LHP Reds - Age 25
3-4, 3.62 ERA, 39 H, 45/22 K/BB in 49 2/3 IP for Double-A Chattanooga
5-7, 4.72 ERA, 104 H, 58/36 K/BB in 87 2/3 IP for Triple-A Louisville
2-0, 5.59 ERA, 27 H, 12/13 K/BB in 19 1/3 IP (AFL)

The Reds are still hoping to get something from one of the two left-handers they picked up from the Red Sox for Scott Williamson in 2003. Tyler Pelland, the player to be named later in that deal, was also assigned to the AFL and had a 4.95 ERA in 20 innings. He's the better long-term bet of the two, but Dumatrait is the one more likely to see some major league action next season, particularly if he's turned into a reliever. Dumatrait has a quality curve and an average change to go along with a high-80s fastball. If he gets over the control issues that have been especially prevalent since his return from Tommy John surgery, he should surface early on. Other than Homer Bailey, there aren't necessarily any youngsters ahead of him.

Marcus McBeth - RHP Athletics - Age 26
0-0, 7 Sv, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 14/2 K/BB in 8 IP for Single-A Stockton
3-2, 25 Sv, 2.48 ERA, 43 H, 65/20 K/BB in 54 1/3 IP for Double-A Midland
0-1, 0 Sv, 11.05 ERA, 7 H, 7/6 K/BB in 7 1/3 IP for Triple-A Sacramento
1-0, 2 Sv, 4.50 ERA, 7 H, 11/3 K/BB in 10 IP (AFL)

McBeth's tools failed to translate into performance as an outfielder, so he was put on the mound prior to the 2005 season and quickly proved that he had some real potential as a reliever. McBeth throws in the mid-90s and has a slider that makes him tough on right-handers. Lefties will prove to be a problem. Either he'll have to sacrifice some velocity to add movement to his fastball or he's going to need a third pitch to keep left-handed hitters off balance. Though McBeth is 26, there's still plenty of time left for him to improve. The A's should have better options to turn to if they need to reach down for relief help next season.

Dustin McGowan - RHP Blue Jays - Age 25
4-5, 4.39 ERA, 77 H, 86/39 K/BB in 84 IP for Triple-A Syracuse
1-2, 7.24 ERA, 35 H, 22/25 K/BB in 27 1/3 IP for Toronto
1-3, 5.59 ERA, 18 H, 18/9 K/BB in 19 1/3 IP (AFL)

It'd be hard to blame the Jays for giving up on McGowan. The 2000 supplemental first-round pick looked like one of the best pitching prospects in baseball in early 2004, but he needed Tommy John surgery that May and he's been terribly inconsistent since returning. At the beginning of 2006, he was put in the bullpen, in part because that was what he wanted. However, he failed miserably as a reliever after being called up a month into the season, and he was returned to the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse. McGowan has plenty of stuff if only he'd throw strikes consistently. His fastball ranges from 91-94 mph as a starter and he can hit 97 mph out of the pen. He'd likely be just fine taking something off his heater if it resulted in better command. When he can put the fastball where he wants to, both his slider and his changeup become much more dangerous pitches. The upside makes him worth watching closely, but right now, he has so far to go that he doesn't qualify as much of a sleeper for next year.

Kevin Melillo - 2B Athletics - Age 24
.280/.367/.426, 12 HR, 73 RBI, 98/68 K/BB, 14 SB in 500 AB for Double-A Midland
.245/.297/.351, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 17/7 K/BB, 2 SB in 94 AB (AFL)

Melillo hit .305/.399/.535 at three levels to emerge as one of Oakland's top prospects in 2005, but a seesaw season in 2006 has dropped his stock. He followed up a bad first half for Double-A Midland by batting .288/.386/.476 in 250 at-bats after the break, only to stumble to a .245/.297/.351 line in the AFL. Not blessed with an abundance of tools, Melillo is barely an average defender at second base. He'll likely have to prove he can be a 20-homer guy in order to start in the majors, and the A's still might prefer 2005 first-round pick Cliff Pennington as the eventual replacement for Mark Ellis.

Fernando Perez - OF Devil Rays - Age 23
.307/.398/.397, 4 HR, 56 RBI, 134/78 K/BB, 33 SB in 547 AB for Single-A Visalia
.241/.371/.259, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 28/21 K/BB, 12 SB in 108 AB (AFL)

Sort of a new Joey Gathright. Perez's biggest assets are his speed and his ability to play center field. He hasn't turned into a great basestealer yet, but the Rays can work with him on that. Despite 134 strikeouts, Perez reached base 40 percent of the time in the California League. It's not something he's going to be able to do as he climbs the ladder unless he does a better job of making contact. He has very little power, so all of those swings and misses are inexcusable. It seems unlikely that there will ever be a place in the Tampa Bay outfield for Perez. He's someone who could be thrown into a trade for more pitching help.

Jordan Tata - RHP Tigers - Age 25
10-6, 3.84 ERA, 117 H, 86/49 K/BB in 133 IP for Triple-A Toledo
0-0, 6.14 ERA, 14 H, 6/7 K/BB in 14 2/3 IP for Detroit
1-2, 2.63 ERA, 24 H, 12/7 K/BB in 24 IP (AFL)

Tata, Detroit's minor league pitcher in 2005 for going 13-2 with a 2.79 ERA at Single-A Lakeland, got to begin last season in the majors because of Todd Jones' injury. He lasted five weeks before the Tigers realized they had little need for a second long reliever. He wasn't called on again until September, and because he had thrown just 137 innings on the year, he was sent to the AFL, where he had a 2.63 ERA in six starts. Tata relies a great deal on his moving low-90s fastball, which he can cut or sink. Because he doesn't have a quality offspeed pitch to keep hitters off balance and he's a flyball pitcher, he lacks upside. Still, he could survive as a fourth or fifth starter. The Tigers have such a strong rotation that Tata is one of the arms they could offer up should a need arise.

Curtis Thigpen - C Blue Jays - Age 23
.259/.370/.421, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 61/52 K/BB, 5 SB in 309 AB for Double-A New Hampshire
.264/.304/.377, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9/2 K/BB, 0 SB in 53 AB for Triple-A Syracuse
.307/.392/.500, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 14/12 K/BB, 1 SB in 88 AB (AFL)

While Rod Barajas is getting a two-year deal to take over as Toronto's primary catcher, Thigpen could claim the job to begin 2008. He might also be a better choice than Jason Phillips to play regularly if Barajas were to get hurt next season. A 2004 second-round pick out of the University of Texas, Thigpen is a line-drive hitter with pretty good on-base skills. He's not going to be much more than an average defender, but he does have enough of an arm to remain behind the plate. Since he doesn't possess much more than 10-homer power, he's not all that much of a fantasy prospect.

Tracy Thorpe - RHP Blue Jays - Age 26
3-1, 18 Sv, 2.91 ERA, 33 H, 62/29 K/BB in 55 2/3 IP for Double-A New Hampshire
0-0, 2 Sv, 4.38 ERA, 10 H, 18/5 K/BB in 12 1/3 IP (AFL)

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Thorpe is on the verge of the majors four years after surgery to repair a torn labrum. Thanks to his mid-90s fastball, Thorpe limited hitters to a .169 average in Double-A last season and then struck out 18 in 12 1/3 innings in the AFL. Still, he's not a top relief prospect because of his lack of a second dominant pitch and his extreme flyball tendencies. At least he's in the right organization, as the Jays are short on relief depth and long on outfielders with excellent range. He might prove to be a decent middle reliever for a few years.

Virgil Vasquez - RHP Tigers - Age 24
7-12, 3.73 ERA, 174 H, 129/50 K/BB in 173 2/3 IP for Double-A Erie
2-1, 2.81 ERA, 17 H, 19/5 K/BB in 25 2/3 IP (AFL)

Vasquez doesn't have the arm of some of the Tigers' other pitching prospects, but the 2003 seventh-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara had a fair amount of success in second try at Double-A and then starred in the AFL, finishing third in ERA and picking up the win in the league's championship game after throwing five strong innings. Vasquez works at 90 mph and has a pretty good curveball. He'll be too hittable to excel in the majors, but his command could make him a useful fifth starter. With little need right now for one of those, the Tigers could make him available in trade.

Kyle Yates - RHP Blue Jays - Age 24
2-0, 0.64 ERA, 8 H, 13/0 K/BB in 14 IP for Single-A Dunedin
6-9, 3.75 ERA, 118 H, 102/38 K/BB in 127 1/3 IP for Double-A New Hampshire
2-0, 1.13 ERA, 19 H, 25/6 K/BB in 24 IP (AFL)

Yates was a teammate of Thigpen's at Texas and was picked 11 rounds later in the 2004 draft. A college reliever, Yates has primarily been a starter since becoming a pro, though he did make 10 relief appearances in Double-A last season. Four of his six appearances in the AFL were starts, and he ended up leading the league with a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings. Since Yates relies a great deal on one breaking pitch -- a top-notch curve -- and, at 5-foot-11, doesn't have the prototypical starter's build, there's a good chance he'll be a reliever in the majors. He has the potential to become a quality setup man in front of B.J. Ryan. The Jays will probably give him a look at some point during the first half.

Ben Zobrist - SS Devil Rays - Age 25
.327/.434/.473, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 46/55 K/BB, 9 SB in 315 AB for Double-A Corpus Christi
.304/.400/.377, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 9/10 K/BB, 4 SB in 69 AB for Triple-A Durham
.224/.260/.311, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 26/10 K/BB, 2 SB in 183 AB for Tampa Bay
.366/.469/.515, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 15/23 K/BB, 3 SB in 101 AB (AFL)

The Rays got Zobrist and right-hander Mitch Talbot from the Astros for Aubrey Huff in mid-July and then called up the 2004 sixth-round pick to play shortstop when they traded Julio Lugo less than three weeks later. An on-base machine in the minors, Zobrist has been viewed with skepticism by many because of his age and lack of power. Another problem is that he doesn't quite have the range most like from their shortstops. Zobrist should be able to hit in the majors, but he figures to end up as either a regular second baseman or a utilityman. The Rays apparently will ask him to hold down the fort at shortstop until Reid Brignac is ready, probably in 2008. Even if he gets 500 at-bats, Zobrist doesn't have the potential to go much higher than six homers and 10 steals. He'll hit for a better average, but he won't be much of a fantasy infielder.


Scottsdale Scorpions

Ryan Braun - 3B Brewers - Age 23
.274/.346/.438, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 54/23 K/BB, 14 SB in 226 AB for Single-A Brevard County
.303/.367/.589, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 46/21 K/BB, 12 SB in 231 AB for Double-A Huntsville
.326/.396/.641, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 23/11 K/BB, 4 SB in 92 AB (AFL)

Braun's performance hardly demanded a promotion when he was moved up to Double-A in late June, but the fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft turned out to be one of the Southern League's best players in the second half. He later finished tied for second in the AFL in homers and third with a 1038 OPS. So, Braun is quickly proving he can hit. Still to be determined is whether he'll stick at third base or requite a move to the outfield. Braun is athletic enough to handle the position, and added experience might make him acceptable at the position. The Brewers are certainly hoping so, as they'd love to have him ready to replace Corey Koskie in 2008. With Bill Hall set to shift to the outfield, Braun could even be an option next year if Koskie gets hurt again.

Kevin Frandsen - 2B Giants - Age 24
.429/.556/.429, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 7 AB for Single-A San Jose
.304/.358/.440, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 30/12 K/BB, 7 SB in 293 AB for Triple-A Fresno
.215/.284/.323, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 14/3 K/BB, 0 SB in 93 AB for San Francisco
.388/.480/.588, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 4/12 K/BB, 8 SB in 85 AB (AFL)

Frandsen did everything he could to prove he was ready to take over at second base for the Giants by hitting .388/.480/.588 in the AFL. Now it's just up to GM Brian Sabean to resist that ever-present temptation to go with a proven veteran instead. In this case, it wouldn't be a grievous crime. Frandsen isn't likely to be more than average regular in 2007 and he probably doesn't have a lot of room to grow. If he's put into a utility role initially, he'd likely get at least 300 at-bats anyway, maybe considerably more. If, on the other hand, Frandsen is the starter, Sabean might not bring in more than the 2007 version of Jose Vizcaino to serve as a backup, something that could come back to haunt the team later on.

Travis Ishikawa - 1B Giants - Age 23
.232/.316/.403, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 88/35 K/BB, 0 SB in 298 AB for Double-A Connecticut
.292/.320/.500, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 6/1 K/BB, 0 SB in 24 AB for San Francisco
.186/.234/.271, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 17/4 K/BB, 1 SB in 59 AB (AFL)

Viewed as one of the Giants' top prospects after hitting .282/.387/.532 with 22 homers in the California League in 2005, Ishikawa was thought of highly enough that he got to serve three brief stints in the majors in the first half of last season. However, his struggles in Double-A and in the AFL have dropped his stock to the point at which it doesn't look like he'll have a future as a regular. Ishikawa does have an excellent glove working in his favor. However, his lack of 25-homer power is a problem, especially since he doesn't project to hit for a particularly high average. The Giants are going to need to do better than a lesser version of J.T. Snow when they pick their next long-term first baseman.

Fred Lewis - OF Giants - Age 26
.276/.375/.453, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 105/68 K/BB, 18 SB in 439 AB for Triple-A Fresno
.455/.455/.545, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3/0 K/BB, 0 SB in 11 AB for San Francisco
.273/.369/.527, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 10/7 K/BB, 2 SB in 55 AB (AFL)

Because he focused more on football than baseball at Southern University, Lewis has been viewed as someone who could keep improving through his mid-20s. However, he's been unable to match the numbers he posted at Single-A San Jose in 2004. He did show enough at Fresno last season to suggest he could be a contributor, but since the Giants don't view him as a legitimate center field option, he's probably going to settle in as a reserve. A left-handed hitter with a fair amount of power and speed, he would seem to be an ideal fourth outfielder if only he could do a little better job of making contact. The Giants won't have a lot of outfield depth ahead of him, so he'll qualify as a sleeper in NL-only leagues, even if he's sent back to Fresno initially.

Jerry Owens - OF White Sox - Age 26
.262/.330/.346, 4 HR, 48 RBI, 61/45 K/BB, 40 SB in 439 AB for Triple-A Charlotte
.333/.333/.444, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2/0 K/BB, 1 SB in 0 AB for Chicago (AL)
.310/.355/.345, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 9/4 K/BB, 10 SB in 58 AB (AFL)

Owens, acquired from the Nationals for Alex Escobar prior to 2005, hit .331/.393/.406 at Double-A Birmingham in his first season with the White Sox, making him one of the team's top prospects. Last season didn't go as well. After failing to get much of a chance to beat out Brian Anderson for the starting job in center field, he struggled to get on base for Charlotte and was especially awful against left-handers, batting .195 in 128 at-bats. Despite his speed, Owens isn't a very good center fielder, something that's sure to hold him back. He's not going to have the bat to make it in left field, so he might be a long-term reserve, albeit one who could steal 20 bases per year. Since Scott Podsednik is a similar player, Owens' only chance of winning a job out of spring training would be a trade involving the veteran. He'd probably benefit from additional Triple-A time anyway.

Mark Reynolds - INF/OF Diamondbacks - Age 23
.337/.422/.670, 23 HR, 77 RBI, 72/41 K/BB, 1 SB in 273 AB for Single-A Lancaster
.272/.346/.544, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 37/11 K/BB, 0 SB in 114 AB for Double-A Tennessee
.327/.389/.564, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 26/9 K/BB, 1 SB in 101 AB (AFL)

Reynolds didn't look like much of a prospect after hitting .253/.319/.454 in the Midwest League in 2005, but he exploded for Single-A Lancaster last season and held on to most of those gains after giving Double-A and the AFL a try. Formerly a shortstop, Reynolds played second, third and left field after moving up. The Diamondbacks may want to try him full time at one of the infield positions next year to see if he can become a regular. He's probably not going to be a major league left fielder, but if he can handle second and third adequately, he could be of a lot of help as a bench player. He figures to split time between Double- and Triple-A next year and then compete for a job in the majors in 2008.

Vinny Rottino - C/INF Brewers - Age 26
.314/.379/.440, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 74/40 K/BB, 12 SB in 398 AB for Triple-A Nashville
.214/.267/.286, 0 HR, 1 BI, 2/1 K/BB, 1 SB in 14 AB for Milwaukee
.213/.308/.350, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 16/8 K/BB, 5 SB in 80 AB (AFL)

Rottino's ability to catch is a major selling point as he attempts to establish himself as a bench player, but with the Brewers shoring up their catching situation by adding Johnny Estrada, having a third catcher around doesn't figure to be much of a priority when it's time to finalize those last couple of roster spots. Rottino isn't much of an option at second base or shortstop, so he will have to hit in order to be an asset. A career .306 batter in the minors, he's capable of providing a decent average, but he doesn't have the power one wants from a corner infielder/outfielder. He'll be fortunate just to establish himself as a 25th man.

Billy Sadler - RHP Giants - Age 25
4-3, 20 Sv, 2.56 ERA, 23 H, 67/29 K/BB in 45 2/3 IP for Double-A Connecticut
2-0, 1 Sv, 1.80 ERA, 5 H, 12/2 K/BB in 10 IP for Triple-A Fresno
0-0, 0 Sv, 6.75 ERA, 5 H, 6/2 K/BB in 4 IP for San Francisco
2-0, 3 Sv, 1.29 ERA, 9 H, 22/4 K/BB in 14 IP (AFL)

Sadler looked like a candidate to go in the Dec. 2005 Rule 5 draft after striking out 81 in 84 1/3 innings in Double-A, but no one wanted him then, and the Giants decided he wasn't even worthy of a promotion to Triple-A until 2006 was almost over. That he got called up to the majors on Sept. 14 seemed to be more a result of the team's injuries than any particular appreciation of his ability. Still, Sadler kept plugging along, and after five appearances in Giants blowouts, he went to the AFL and struck out 22 in 14 innings. Sadler throws 93 mph and has a quality slider, so it's not a lack of stuff holding him back. He should be very much in the bullpen picture entering 2007, and he might even emerge as a sleeper candidate for saves. Realistically, he's probably more of a seventh-inning guy.

Dennis Sarfate - RHP Brewers - Age 25
10-7, 0 Sv, 3.67 ERA, 125 H, 117/78 K/BB in 125 IP for Triple-A Nashville
0-0, 0 Sv, 4.32 ERA, 9 H, 11/4 K/BB in 8 1/3 IP for Milwaukee
1-0, 3 Sv, 4.20 ERA, 15 H, 23/8 K/BB in 15 IP (AFL)

Never able to sufficiently harness his control to the point at which he could be taken seriously as a starter, Sarfate was finally shifted to the pen in Triple-A during the second half of last year and got to make his major league debut in September. Sarfate can work in the mid-90s while going all out in relief, and his curveball is a strikeout pitch. If he can just make enough progress with his command so that he walks about four batters per nine innings, he should be a fine middle reliever or maybe a setup man. He probably won't ever be consistent enough to close. He'll likely be a long shot to make the Brewers out of spring training, but he'll have plenty of chances to establish himself.

Bobby Wilson - C Angels - Age 23
.286/.350/.428, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 47/33 K/BB, 1 SB in 374 AB for Double-A Arkansas
.286/.369/.482, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9/7 K/BB, 0 SB in 56 AB (AFL)

In that he's got an intriguing bat and some defensive issues, Wilson shares some traits with Mike Napoli, who surprisingly overtook Jeff Mathis to become the Angels' primary catcher last season. Wilson, though, would have to leapfrog three catchers in order to receive his chance, and his glove isn't likely to let him do that right away. A decent hitter for average with 15-homer potential, Wilson projects best as a backup. He's improved enough defensively to make a position switch unlikely, but he ranks behind Jose Molina, Mathis and Napoli in that area. He'll need some luck in order to be much of a factor in 2007.