Who I'm Watching
Written by Jeremy Kempter
June 15, 2006

Sunday’s Major League debut of Chicago Cubs’ Carlos Marmol, a 23-year-old right-hander who was called up when the damaged-goods righty Kerry Wood went on the DL, caught the attention of many fantasy baseball observers. Marmol, a converted catcher called up from Double-A, was very impressive, going six innings, allowing three walks, two hits and one run while striking out seven. The Dominican Republic-native was 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA down at West Tennessee, holding hitters to a .207 average. His emergence begs the intriguing question: With rookie Sean Marshall having success for the loveable losers this year, can Marmol be next? Another news item came across the wire during the last week that didn’t quite get as much attention as Marmol’s debut but should have: Angel Guzman, a hard-throwing righty, was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Guzman struggled when he was up with the big club earlier this season, going 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA -- but he did strike out 20 in 18 innings. More importantly, Guzman has more upside than any of the Cubs’ young arms, including 6-5 lefty Rich Hill, who has dominated the minors but was woeful during his extended look in Chicago. Both are worth a reserve spot when they get another chance to start. Marmol gets the ball again Saturday at Wrigley Field against Detroit and phenom Justin Verlander, and ace Mark Prior could make his season debut Sunday. What happens after that depends on how well Marmol can repeat his performance. And, of course, what injuries befall the Cubs’ veteran pitchers. Considering the South Siders’ recent history of health, keeping close tabs on Chicago’s young arms is advisable. Here are 20 other relatively options I’m mulling (with strong keeper consideration balanced with viable help for this year), be they crafty vets, green rookies, youngsters ready to break out or prospects about to come up. BATS: 1. Jason Kubel, OF, Twins – This 24-year-old prospect flashed an intriguing combination of power and speed in the minors before an ACL injury sidelined him last season. He appears completely healed now, and recently he’s been displaying that potential again, hitting homers in back-to-back games, including a game-winning, 12th-inning grand slam Tuesday. Keeper leaguers especially should add this guy and watch as he gets stronger and continues to improve. 2. Russell Martin, C, Dodgers – I failed to mention this outstanding backstop last week in my rundown of the young talent in Dodger blue, but he’s worth talking about in all leagues. The rookie Martin isn’t necessarily spectacular, but he has all the tools necessary to be an All-Star someday, including power and plate discipline that belies his age. I think he and the Angels’ Mike Napoli – not early season darlings Kenji Johjima or Josh Willingham, who simply has eligibility – are the best first-year catchers in baseball. 3. Mike Jacobs, 1B, Marlins – Similar to Dan Johnson, Jacobs was targeted by many as a breakout candidate at first base, and both are just now coming around after a dreadful start. Jacobs may have more power than the A’s first sacker, having walloped 11 jacks last year in 100 at-bats. Three of his nine homers this year have come in June. 4. David DeJesus, OF, Royals – This toolsy centerfielder and leadoff hitter will never be Carlos Beltran, whom Kansas City asked DeJesus to replace. Mark Kotsay may be a more apt comparison, but I think that is a starting point. He has a good approach, and the power and speed will continue to grow. 5. Jason Bartlett, SS, Twins – It’s overdue, but Minnesota is finally entrusting Bartlett with the shortstop position, and the 26-year-old responded with a 2-for-4 effort in his first start Wednesday. You could do worse in a search for upside. 6. Jerry Hairston Jr., OF, Rangers – Texas is going to use this perennial fantasy tease, so you might be able to. He won’t hit for power, unlike his brother Scott Hairston, but he’ll steal some bases while not hurting you with his average or strikeouts. 7. Corey Hart, OF, Brewers – Brady Clark is banged up, and while Gabe Gross will get a look, the 6-foot-6 Hart has more potential than either of them. He’s worth a flyer in deep keeper or NL-only leagues. 8. Jay Payton, OF, A’s – He can be quite productive during sporadic stretches, and now is one of those times. He’ll hit on the south side of 20 HRs, but a decent average with an occasional steal is to be expected. 9. Endy Chavez, OF, Mets – With Cliff Floyd making his annual visit to the DL, Chavez is the best bargain for steals right now. He’ll score some runs playing in the loaded New York lineup. 10. Mark DeRosa, OF, Rangers – His solid play is the reason Jason Botts hasn’t received nearly the amount of playing time most envisioned when Phil Nevin was traded. He admits to patterning his game after Michael Young, and there are worse role models to have than the reigning AL batting champ. ARMS 1. Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers – His first start was Thursday and regardless of how he did in his debut, this power right-hander is worth a waiver claim in all but the shallowest of mixed leagues. The 21-year-old already has a wide array of pitches and will be pitching in one of the best pitching ballparks in baseball. If he can avoid bouts of wildness, he could enjoy a rookie season on par with Verlander. 2. Elizardo Ramirez, SP, Reds – This lefty actually struggled to strike anyone out before Wednesday’s 10-K outing. He keeps the ball down and should be full of confidence after his breakout turn. 3. Carlos Villanueva, SP, Brewers – This big righty was Ramirez’s counterpart in the unlikely pitching duel Wednesday. Villanueva went six shutout innings, giving up just four hits and two walks, fanning four. Those results are sure to warrant another start in the Milwaukee rotation. 4. Brandon Claussen, SP, Reds – This former Yankees farm hand may one day live up to the hype, and there are signs it could happen this year. Despite poor numbers overall, he’s been effective in all but three of his outings this season. 5. Ramon Ortiz, SP, Nationals – He’s just a journeyman, but Ortiz has put together a nice string of six straight quality starts, going 5-1 along the way. 6. Fernando Nieve, SP, Astros -- It looks as though this rookie will stay in the rotation when Roger Clemens joins the big club, which is a good thing considering Nieve has shown some good strikeout potential with nine K's against just one walk in 7.1 innings in his last start. He, not Taylor Buchholz or Wandy Rodriguez, is the young Houston hurler to own. 7. Sean Hill, SP, Nationals – This Canadian was outstanding in outdueling Cole Hamels his last time out, tossing seven shutout innings of two-hit ball. He gets a good test with the Yankees on Friday. 8. Taylor Tankersley, RP, Marlins – Florida’s possible closer of the future has been overpowering since being called up this month. He got the win Wednesday and earned his first save three days earlier. He could pass the ancient Joe Borowski fairly soon. 9. Ricky Nolasco, SP, Marlins – He’s been very nice in his last two turns, surrendering just three runs while fanning 13 in 14 innings. He is worth a look in NL-only leagues. 10. Ramon Ramirez, RP, Rockies – If he gets a chance to close, look out. Ramirez has gorgeous numbers and incumbent Brian Fuentes has allowed a run in three of his last four appearances. He might be a good stash if you’re in dire need of saves.