Prospects: 3 Up, 3 Down

--- 3 Up ---
1. Daryl Thompson, SP (AA-Reds) - 2-1, 0.72 ERA, 42 K, 5 BB - In an already loaded Cincinnati farm system, Chattanooga Lookouts starting pitcher Daryl Thompson has been perhaps the best pitching in the minors so far this year. His stock is shooting through the roof. Through 6 starts this year, Thompson has never allowed more than 1 ER per start. Way, way, way too good for Double-A

2. Clayton Kershaw, SP (AA-Dodgers) - 0-3, 1.11 ERA, 36 K, 11 BB - Through 6 starts this year, the Dodgers' top prospect has quietly done everything the scouts expected. He's allowed more than 1 ER in a game only once this year (he allowed 2 runs in that start). The 6'3'', 220 lb, 20-year old could be the next big thing to hit the pro circuit. Save your waiver priority for this one.

3. Matt LaPorta, OF (AA-Brewers) - .333 avg, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 1.147 OPS - Kershaw probably gives every Southern League hitter nightmares - that is every Southern League hitter except for Matt LaPorta. Currently a Hunstville Star, LaPorta could see a promotion very soon. He's put together 5 multi-hit games in his last 10 - just tearing the cover off the ball.

--- 3 Down ---
1. Colby Rasmus, OF (AAA-Cardinals) - .217 avg, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 4 SB - The Cardinals gave their '05 1st-rounder every opportunity to win a roster spot during spring training, but Rasmus dropped the ball. He's still projected to be a 20/20 player, but now that might come later rather than sooner. At Triple-A Memphis this year, the 21-year-old Rasmus is batting a paltry .188 against righties with more strikeouts than walks. Thats just not gonna cut it.

2. Fernando Martinez, OF (AA-Mets) - .262 avg, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB - He's only 19 years old, so its hard to fault him too much. Martinez might have been a victim of overly-lofty expectations - however his numbers still aren't good. He's batting .333 so far in May after a lackluster April (.254 avg, 32 Ks). Still needs to learn how to hit lefties (.174 avg)

3. Jose Tabata, OF (AA-Yankees) - .210 avg, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 4 SB - Maybe the New York City hype-machine got the best of both Martinez and Tabata, but the latter is another underachieving 19-year-old prospect. The Yankees are aging not-so-gracefully, so there's no doubt they'd like to see Tabata progress a little quicker. He's seen his average plummet to near the Mendoza line after reaching base via the hit only 6 times in his last 10 games.