Minor League Monitor - Southern League: Paul Goldschmidt's Bat Is Golden. I Schmidt You Not

Matthew Moore - Rays  SP  DOB: 06/18/89

Moore is proving he can strike out obscene amounts of batters at the higher levels of the minors. In his first go around at AA he is fanning 12.2 per 9 innings while walking just 2.5 and allowing 7.1 hits. The 22 year old is the top pitching prospect in the Southern League but may have to wait before getting a shot at the majors. Alex Cobb and Alex Torres block his path to Tampa. One thing is for sure, the Rays won't have to worry about finding arms for their rotation for some time.

Paul Clemens- Braves  SP  DOB: 02/14/88

Clemens is surely climbing the prospect charts by leading the Southern League in ERA. His 1.90 ERA is thanks mostly to his career low 6.3 H/9, nearly 3 H lower than his career average. Our old friend BABIP has been to work and it is best to expect an increase in both H/9 and ERA. People around Clemens say he is a different pitcher this year. Clemens may very well be a new pitcher this season but other stats such as BB/9 and K/9 are right in line with career norms. I find it hard to believe Clemens all of a sudden became 30% harder to hit over the off-season and would suggest trying to sell high on him. You may be able to get an under-performing prospect such as Jarrod Parker who is struggling with command in his first year back from TJS and has an ERA of 6.11 as a result. Parker has the higher ceiling of the two and his stock may be at its lowest right now.

Brett Jackson - Cubs  CF  DOB: 08/02/88

Jackson has not hit for average recently but that hasn't slowed him in the other areas of the game. Over his past 10 games he has hit .233 with 4 of 7 hits going for extra bases. He has also been perfect in 5 stolen base attempts while walking and striking out 9 times apiece. A strained ligament in his hand has him out a week. We will have to wait and see how this affects his bat when he returns.

More Southern League Prospect Updates after the jump...

Paul Goldschmidt - Diamondbacks  1B  DOB: 09/10/87

It's surprising how many doubter there remains for a guy who through more than 1000 plate appearances in the minors has hit .324 with 67 HR, 75 2B and a .309 ISO with more walks than strikeouts. Goldschmidt could see time in Arizona this season and should reach AAA at the very least. The Diamondbacks play in a hitter's park and Goldschmidt could provide power at some point this year. Goldschmidt is nearing "must-own" territory in keeper leagues so you may want to make a trade proposal for him as his price could rise in a hurry.

Randall Delgado - Braves  SP  DOB: 02/09/90

One of the Southern League's youngest pitchers, Delgado is standing out as one of the better pitchers in the league. After 8 starts he has a 2.38 ERA with 45 Ks in 45.1 innings. Julio Teheran and Mike Minor are knocking on the door to the majors and Delgado is on pace to join those two in the rotation a few years from now.

Rubby De La Rosa - Dodgers  SP  DOB: 03/04/89

The fireballer is sending a lot of hitters back to the dugout in fits. He is striking out 11.5 per 9, with the opposition managing just 6.8 hits per 9. Questions remain whether he will end up in the bullpen or not but for now he is a talented arm in a starting role. Even if RDLR ends up in the bullpen there is a good chance he could work his way into a closer's role. Either way, Rubby is player to own in keeper leagues.

Cody Puckett - Reds  2B  DOB: 04/03/87

The Reds second base prospect is increasing his fantasy stock with some solid offensive output. In 36 games this season the 24 year old is hitting .303 with 12 doubles, 6 home runs, 8 stolen bases and 16/24 BB/K. Puckett still has to hop over Brandon Phillips and Chris Valaika for playing time in Cincinatti. The Reds will likely pick up the 2012 option on Phillips's contract and may even extend him.

Ryan Flaherty - Cubs  2B/LF/SS  DOB: 07/27/86

The Cubs super-utility-in-the-making could have enough bat to hold down a starting role on a major league staff. In 4 minor league seasons, Flaherty has a .814 OPS and has that number up to .924 in 2011. He is a worthy pick-up in deeper dynasty leagues since he may have an above average bat at a weak position or hold multi-position eligibility.

Scott Van Slyke - Dodgers  1B  DOB: 07/24/86

With James Loney's time as a Dodger possibly winding down as the end of his contract nears, there may be an opening for Scott Van Slyke. The 24 year old is hitting .374/.456/.643 in his second go around AA. If the Dodgers decide they won't be bringing Loney back next year they may decide to see what Van Slyke can do this September. He figures to be an upgrade over Loney with the bat. He is not worth picking up right now but it's worth monitoring how much of these improvements he can maintain.