Hosmer Mania. That’s what struck the fantasy baseball world last week when the Royals promoted elite prospect Eric Hosmer to the bigs. Why the mania? Because he could be special.
Prospects like Hosmer are far from a sure thing, but we know that the veterans on your waiver wire won’t be special. Guys like Miguel Tejada, James Loney and J.A. Happ have no upside.
The best farmhands in baseball certainly do. Here are three players currently in the minors to monitor:
Brown to gold
The stars are starting to align for top Phillies prospect Domonic Brown. Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez are struggling while Brown is healthy and raking at Triple-A. The Phils
entered Tuesday a mere 14th in the league in runs scored, highlighting the need for Brown.
Jennings’ wheels
Sam Fuld is a nice story and all, but Desmond Jennings is the future for the Rays. The 24-year-old is in his sixth season as a minor leaguer, giving him more than enough seasoning. Jennings has swiped 45 bags in his last 141 games.
Packing the Ack
The second-base spot is brutally thin this season. Enter Dustin Ackley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft. The Mariners are a respectable 16-20 right now, but by midseason they’ll be way out of the race. Ackley should get the call.
Top MLB pickups
Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies
Getting power from the catcher position is so difficult. Iannetta, boosted by Coors Field, has hit 54 homers in his 373 career MLB games.
Bud Norris, SP,?Astros
Norris has always been a strikeout machine, but he’s finally showing some control. It’s a lethal combination that makes Norris a high-upside option.
Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers
The ex-Mets prospect isn’t playing every single day, but he’s hitting with some pop. If he can sustain his .660 OPS, the speedster will play more than enough.
