Pitchman's NL - Soon to be called up

1. Clayton Kershaw, SP (LAD) – Dodgers’ 1^st pick in ’06 (7^th overall) tearing up the Southern League (31.2 IP, 19 H, 39 K, 1.13 ERA). Prolonged struggles by Hiroki Kurodo and Hong-Chih Kuo could pave the way for Kershaw’s debut.

2. Jay Bruce, OF (CIN) – Baseball America’s ’07 Minor Leaguer of the Year picking up where he left off in Triple-A (20 G, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 6 SB, .928 OPS), but still strikes out too much (2.8 K/BB). When Dusty Baker realizes a Patterson/Freel/Hopper platoon won’t cut it in center, Bruce could get a shot.

3. Max Scherzer, SP (ARI) – Nobody can touch Arizona’s ’06 first rounder (14.9 K/9 is best in the minors). His 1.17 ERA in 23 IP will quickly put to rest those durability concerns. Could be the first call-up if Edgar Gonzalez struggles.

4. Homer Bailey, SP (CIN) – Once thought to be the best pitching prospect in baseball – now overshadowed by Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. Even after Bailey’s first flawed start of the year (4 ER in 6 IP on Fri.), he still sports a miniscule 1.95 ERA. Still only 21 years old he could steal a rotation spot from either Josh Fogg or Matt Belisle.

5. Colby Rasmus, OF (STL) – Highly-rated prospect not forcing GM John Mozeliak’s hand (.213 avg, 1.3 K/BB after hitting .275 last year). Still only 21 years old, will be a 20/20 player when he arrives in the bigs. When he straightens himself out, the Cards could use his bat.

Contributed by Pitchman