Minor League Monitor - NL West

San Diego Padres

Cory Spangenberg - A / 2B / 03-16-91

The Padres first round pick this year had a scorching debut in the Northwest League. In 25 games he hit 33-86 for a .384 AVG with 10 2B and an incredible 31/15 BB/K. He even stole 10 bases but was caught 4 times. His stellar play earned him a promotion to the Midwest League but that's where the hitting stopped. In 22 games he has gone 15-85 .176, 1 2B, 5/17 BB/K and 4/3 SB/CS. His combined triple slash at both levels is .281/.413/.363. He has back to back multi-hit games so he could be turning things around in A-ball. If he can re-gain some of that gaudy BB/K that he had in the NWL he will move high in my books among fantasy prospects. He has plus speed that could make for some nice SB numbers.

Everth Cabrera - AAA / SS / 11-17-86

Cabrera fits right into the term "post-hype sleeper". Injuries limited him last season after a fine rookie season. The Padres brought Jason Bartlett to town and he has blocked Cabrera's path back to the majors. With Bartlett's performance being a tad underwhelming we could see Cabrera given another shot at taking hold of the starter's role. In 278 plate appearances at AAA he is hitting .297/.367/.402 with 29 stolen bases. Cabrera stole 74 bases in A-ball and if he can keep some that .367 OBP he could steal 40 bases in the majors.

Colorado Rockies

Tim Wheeler - AA / CF / 01-21-88

Wheeler has been in a bit of a power slump without an extra base hit in 11 games. The drought puts the brakes on what has been an outstanding season with the bat. In 511 trips to the plate he has hit .294 with 23 2B, 6 3B, 29 HR and 17 SB. He struggles with strikeouts a touch but he also has a good walk rate so he shouldn't be exposed too much against higher level pitching. He should struggle to hit for a high AVG but could make up for some of his hits lost to missed contact by using his wheels to leg out base hits. His power/speed combination is obviously valuable in fantasy and his 25/25 potential makes him one of the better offensive prospects around.

San Francisco Giants

Ehire Adrianza - A+ / SS / 08-21-89

Adrianza is known more for his glove than his bat so he isn't ideal for fantasy. However, in really deep keeper leagues he could have some value in that there is a decent chance he makes it to the majors due to his fielding abilities. In Low-A he hit .231 over 38 games but that number has leapt to .272 after being promoted to High-A thanks to a .362 BABIP. He has above average walk and line drive rates so if he can keep it up there is a chance he can be an average offensive threat despite a lack of any pop or stolen bases but in all likeliness he will be below average with the lumber.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Garrett Gould - A / SP / 07-19-91

Gould is pitching very well in his first year in full season ball. In 107.2 IP he has a 2.51 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He isn't overpowering but has a solid 3 pitch mix highlighted by a good curveball. While he won't be a strikeout an inning pitcher in the majors he could develop into a 7 K/9 type who limits damage through control and weak contact. Since he isn't overpowering he could have trouble against advanced hitters.

Scott Van Slyke - AA / LF / 07-24-86

The Dodgers have moved Van Slyke along at a snail's pace even when he has shown signs of promise. After spending nearly half a season in High-A as a 22 year old in 2008 he was sent back in 2009 and hit 23 HR and 100 RBI. The Dodgers didn't opt to try him at AA and instead sent him back to High-A again the next season. He finally managed to break into AA last year and even spent some time in AAA. This year it was back down to AA for Van Slyke and he has hit .322 with 35 2B and 13 HR. He now has 668 plate appearances at AA and has hit .290 with 42 2B, 17 HR, 99 RBI, and 75/123 BB/K. He has been playing left field as well as first base this year and could be in line for a call-up should the Dodgers need outfield help. He would be best suited for NL-only leagues but may be worth a look in deeper mixed leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Trevor Bauer - A+ / SP / 01-17-91

Bauer could move quickly towards the big leagues. In his first 2 pro appearances he has a 3.60 ERA and has struck out 9 in 5 innings. There were some who thought Bauer was the best arm in this year's draft. IF they are right the Diamondbacks could have a formidable rotation in a couple of years. As well as the success they are seeing from Dan Hudson and Ian Kennedy there is also hope in Jarrod Parker, Tyler Skaggs, David Holmberg and Bauer.