It’s time to check in on three more prospects from around the minor leagues. Are any of them primed to make an impact in the not too distant future? Let’s take a look:

Desmond Jennings – Tampa Bay Rays – Outfielder
Triple-A: .301 (59-196), 1 HR, 21 RBI, 43 R, 19 SB


When we last checked in on Jennings he had not yet gotten going, hitting .236 over his first 110 AB (though, he had been missed time in late April with a shoulder issue). Clearly, he’s turned things around in a big way and the injury is no longer an issue.  Since our last report he’s hit .384 with 1 HR, 15 RBI, 23 R, and 7 SB. It’s like night and day, but the numbers now are more indicative of what everyone expected. Thought to be the long-term replacement for Carl Crawford, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him get a chance at some point in 2010. Matt Joyce has been seeing time in right field, but could you imagine the havoc Jennings and Crawford could wreak as a one-two punch at the top of the Rays’ lineup? If you are in any type of keeper league and he’s available off the waiver wire, I’d certainly stash him if you have the chance.

Dee Gordon – Los Angeles Dodgers – Shortstop
Double-A: .284 (87-306), 2 HR, 24 RBI, 49 R, 30 SB


The speedster is the Dodgers shortstop of the future, though the future likely won’t be until 2011 at the earliest. The 22-year old has to wait until Rafael Furcal vacates shortstop (he’s signed through 2011 with a 2012 option), potentially move to second base, or be used as trade bait. While when he gets his opportunity is questionable, his ability is not. After stealing 73 bases in 2009, he all ready has 30 this season (and that’s with only four in his last 10 games). He does need to improve his hitting against lefties (.198 over 91 AB), could stand to walk more often (5.6 percent walk rate), and has not yet developed much power (only 17 extra base hits). Those three things will hopefully come with experience. The fact is, he can hit for average (his average comes from a realistic .323 BABIP) and steals a ton of bases. That’s going to give him value in all fantasy formats. Unfortunately, barring an injury, the only time he’s likely to see this season is as a pinch runner in September.

Alex Liddi – Seattle Mariners – Third Baseman
Double-A: .280 (80-286), 6 HR, 52 RBI, 42 R, 3 SB


We checked in on him a month ago, and at that time I said that it looked like he needed more time to adjust to the upper levels of the minor leagues. While he hasn’t fully gotten there, he’s certainly shown signs, with 24 RBI since. The thing is, the hot streak didn’t last, as he’s hit .211 with 1 RBI and 12 K over his last 10 games. The strikeouts have actually been a problem all year long, with 75 Ks (26.2 percent strikeout rate).  Considering that he doesn’t hit for much power, that makes it tough to imagine tremendous success. As it is, his .280 average is buoyed by a .361 BABIP. While he may have long-term potential, it’s not there yet. So even if he gets a look in 2010 he’s not likely to hold value.

What are your thoughts on these three? Who is going to make an impact in 2010? Who has the best long-term potential?

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