Minor League Monitor - Eastern League

Eric Surkamp - Giants  P  DOB: 07/16/87

Surkamp spent some time on the DL with knee tendinitis but hasn't missed a beat since returning. In 2 starts he has gone 12 innings and has allowed 9 hits, 2 walks, 1 earned run and struck out 11. Surkamp is a must own in any keeper league and he could be contributing to the Giants rotation in a year or two. He is among the minor league's elite.

Moises Sierra - Blue Jays  RF  DOB: 09/24/88

Sierra is hitting for power for the first time in his pro career as he already has a career high 12 home runs this year. Sierra has always been a promising prospect but his ceiling in the fantasy world is that of a spare piece. He doesn't have a stand-out tool that will help fantasy owners once he reaches the majors. He could become a 20 HR threat but lacks the AVG potential and speed to stand out.

Shairon Martis – Nationals  SP  DOB: 03/30/87

Martis has a 2.95 ERA with 61 Ks in 61 innings and only 18 walks and may be due for a promotion. He already has experience in the majors having debuted there in 2008 after being selected to the Futures Game that year. Martis is likely going to end up at the back end of a major league rotation but is worth following in deep and NL-only leagues.

Michael McDade – Blue Jays  1B  DOB: 05/08/89

McDade led the FSL with 21 home runs last season and is continuing to hit for power in 2011. He leads the Eastern league with 26 doubles and 38 extra base hits. McDade will need to hit for power if he is going to be fantasy relevant at first base. He projects to have average power at the position and will need to improve his 19/66 BB/K ratio. He is hitting .303 but will likely be a .260-.270 hitter in the bigs.

Chih-Hsien Chiang  - Red Sox  OF  DOB: 02/21/88

Chiang has caught fire at the plate after a slow April. He is hitting .299/.357/.606 for the season. The power has come out of nowhere after posting SLG%s of .420, .415, .459, .392 and .437. July will be a telling month. If he can hit another 6 or 7 home runs like he has the each of the past 2 months we will need to start taking him serious. Wait and see.

Alex Hassan - Red Sox  LF  DOB: 04/01/88

Hassan is the Eastern League's breakout of the year so far. He has a .327 AVG and a fantastic .453 OBP thanks to 53 walks in 73 games. He also has 20 doubles and 8 home runs. He doesn't project to be a star but he can hit .300 in the majors and may hit 15 home runs.

Matt Harvey - Mets  SP  DOB: 03/27/89

Harvey has now reached AA in his first pro season. In his first Eastern League start he gave up 9 hits, 4 earned runs and 2 walks in 4.2 innings. Harvey should continue to move briskly through the Mets system and I expect him to see time in the majors by the end of next season.