Heavily hyped pitching prospect David Price makes his starting debut in the majors later this week.

Mixed League Options

Justin Upton, OF, ARI- The toolsy golden boy, who was the talk of the town after his hot April lost much of the season to injuries, but since his return has been every bit as hot. Over the last 6 games, Upton is 10 for 25, with 3 HRs and 6 RBIs. With just over a week remaining in the season, Upton looks like a great candidate to finish strong, especially with a series coming up in Coors and the D-backs still fighting for a playoff spot. This kid, just turned 21, has been compared to some of baseball greats, including Ken Griffey Jr., and could make a huge splash next season. A great keeper prospect, Upton should be active in every league based on his talent and his recent hot streak.

David Price, SP, TB- Another #1 overall pick, Price has been hyped up like crazy this season, and took much longer to arrive than everybody thought. Now that he is in the majors, he has been just as electric as he was in the minors, but unfortunately hasn’t been starting for the Rays. Luckily for owners, it appears Price will get a spot start in the next few days, a chance for him to show everybody what he’s really capable of. As far as starters that are widely available go, Price is easily the most talented. That .67 WHIP is just dominant, albeit in a small sample size. Get him active for his start, and even his relief appearances can help you.

Carlos Gomez, OF, MIN- The centerpiece of the Johan Santana deal, Gomez was another guy who was widely owned early in the season, but has seen his stock fall quite a bit since. He has unbelievable speed and currently owns 31 stolen bases, but the other aspects of his game are not quite as advanced. He does have quite a bit of power potential in the future, and at just 22 he will grow into it. He is a nice keeper prospect for that reason, but can also help out during the homestretch of this season with his speed on the basepaths to try to pick up some points in the standings.

AL Only Options

Freddy Garcia, SP, DET- Here’s a blast from the past. The former Mariner and White Sox ace has found some new life at 33 after working his way back to the bigs through the Detroit minors. He has had a host of injury problems and has taken quite a while to recover from them, having just pitched his first major league game since June of 2007. In that game, he looked very sharp and did not allow a run in 5 innings of work. He is a proven professional who knows how to pitch, and now that he is healthy is worth owning in AL leagues, especially considering he lines up for two more starts, including one against KC.

Travis Snider, OF, TOR- This is one of the best pure hitters in baseball, and a magnificent prospect. If you are in a keeper league, Snider is a must have in any format. However, even redraft leagues will find him useful for the remainder of the 2008 season. The 20-year old first round pick has shot through the minors, with success at almost every level. He has great hitting ability and top of the line makeup, and seems destined to be a star in the league. He is off to a great start, and in his September call up he has already knocked in 11 runs in just 50 ABs. He will contribute in average, and in both power categories, and is an excellent all around hitter who should be relevant in all leagues by this time next season.

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX- There is a stable of catchers in Arlington trying to lock down the spot for next season, Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez, Gerald Laird, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Teagarden has definitely been the most impressive of late, smacking the ball around with authority since his callup. The 24-year old is a wizard behind the plate, and as long as he homers like he has been (6 in 37 ABs) he will find work. If he continues to hit, he may end up as the regular Rangers catcher next season. At a position where help is hard to find, Teagarden can step in and produce as well as almost anyone in a friendly park with a great lineup around him.

NL Only Options

Eugenio Velez, 2B, SFG- Velez is a 26 year-old who has been a utility player all year in San Fran. He now has an everyday job, and while he hasn’t looked like a great ballplayer, has certainly shown his use to fantasy owners with 14 steals in just 242 at bats. That projects out to 30 steals over a season, quite a good number for a middle infielder. He is definitely worth owning and starting for NL only teams that need steals over the final two weeks of the season, as he is going to get consistent at bats and probably a green light when he gets on base for a poor Giants team. His inadequacy in almost every category will prevent him from being a factor in mixed leagues though.

Nyjer Morgan, OF, PIT- The slap hitting outfielder brings a lot of speed to the table, which is good, because he doesn’t bring much else. The 28 year old is basically a 4^th outfielder after losing the centerfield job to Nate McLouth at the beginning of the year. His average should be pretty decent, and his stolen bases will be too, but his power is woeful, as he has just 5 RBIs and no home runs in 142 at bats this season. This is a Dave Roberts type, the guy who you own only for his steals and is only valuable when he is playing everyday. Luckily, Morgan has been doing just that for the Pirates, who’s outfield is depleted after the trades of Jason Bay and Xavier Nady at the deadline. Get him in your active lineup for a few steals before the end of the year.

Ramon Ramirez, SP, CIN- Ramirez has done some very good work for the Reds since he has arrived on the big league scene. He is a 26-year old semi-prospect who has slowly worked to the big leagues with good K-BB ratios and mediocre ratios. You probably haven’t heard of him, but he has quietly made three very good starts for the Reds, and has a 2.45 ERA with a WHIP under 1. At this time of the year, a pitcher with a chance to win a game or two down the stretch is worth owning, especially in deep leagues, and Ramirez is a very under the radar guy who has been pitching as well as anyone. He may even get some strikeouts, if you need a few of those to make up some ground.