Dear RotoRob,
‘
I’m looking for your top three NL prospects who you think’will start off in the minors and be called up this year.
‘
Thanks.

Larry (a loyal reader)

Hi Larry,

Here are three NL prospects that I really long long-term who I feel have a very good chance of helping this year:

• Andy LaRoche, 3B, LAD: will be healthy and ready for ST, but will likely start the season in minors because of surgery.
• Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN: Definitely will get a look, if he doesn’t win a job out of spring training.
• Felix Pie, OF, CHI: May have to start out in minors if club doesn’t deal Jacque Jones, but is real close.

Flyer pick:

• Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT: Will start at Double-A, but could move fast.

Thanks and keep up the loyal reading, Larry!

---

Dear RotoRob,

The search for the next Ichiro is done. We just have to wait until 2009-10 for Norichika Aoki’s numbers to count. This guy is playing the game real smart and if he keeps it up I see the odds of him being posted as highly probable several years down the road. With the current posting process, those players that can rally the support of their teams will get a lot further than those trying to butt heads and deal in a confrontational manner. That just won’t wash in the NPB hierarchy, unless Scott Boras and the courts get involved.

More on Aoki.

Tim

Thanks, Tim.

[Editorial note: Tim is an expert on the Japanese professional leagues, so if he recommends a player, you'd be wise to check him out.]

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