Second-half reinforcements

Looking for an arm or two to bolster your pitching staff for the second half? Here are a few friendly suggestions:

Brett Anderson has been phenomenal this year - whenever he's available to pitch, that is. The Oakland ace has compiled just 30.2 innings this year because of lingering elbow tendinitis, but oh, what a memorable 30.2 innings they were (22 strikeouts, 4 walks). Anderson's currently on a rehab assignment, and while he's still rounding back into form (4 innings, 7 hits in a Rookie League start Thursday), you may be able to scoop him up off waivers if he's been forgotten in your league. Lots of upside here if that elbow's healed.

Edinson Volquez is another overlooked, injured hurler who demands your attention. The former Tommy John patient hasn't pitched in the majors for a year and a half, but his minor-league rehab has gone well this year (4-0, 1.45 ERA in six starts), and he's due to make his return Saturday vs. Colorado. Be prepared for some bumps - witness Francisco Liriano's rocky 2009 comeback from Tommy John surgery, among other horror stories - but Volquez's strikeout and win potential with the Reds can't be overlooked.

Perhaps you're looking for a breakout rookie pitcher? Try San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner, a 2007 first-rounder and owner of a career 34-6 record, 2.00 ERA and 4.09 K/BB ratio in his minor league career. Since his call-up at the end of June, the lefty is sporting a 2.57 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against five walks. Still plenty of room on the bandwagon.

If relievers are more your speed, why not take a shot at Boston setup man Daniel Bard? The flamethrower has been one of the league's top setup men (1.90 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, league-leading 19 holds), which along with his strikeouts (45) make him valuable enough as it is. Add in the fact that he's the Red Sox closer of the future and has already vultured a few saves off the volatile Jonathan Papelbon and Bard gets even more intriguing.


Photo by The Associated Press

Josh Hamilton and other pleasant surprises

CWhat's the secret to fantasy success? It's not drafting the big-name, big-money superstars. Anybody with half a brain and a cable modem can do that. It's collecting those unknown and unwanted diamonds in the rough, giving them a chance and watching them evolve into All-Stars. Mix in enough of them along with all the familiar names, toss in a little luck, and you've got yourself a championship.

Here area few of the pleasant surprises we've enjoyed so far this season:

Josh Hamilton's the feel-good story of the year, in fantasy and real life. He was on his way to a good year last year as a rookie with the Reds before injuries wiped him out after 90 games. He's on his way to Triple Crown contention (.312/19/80) this year with the Rangers.

Edinson Volquez, swapped from Texas to Cincinnati for Hamilton, has worked out just as well and might win the pitching version of the Triple Crown (10 wins, 2.08 ERA, 100 strikeouts). Wouldn't that be something?

Mike Mussina was supposed to ride off into the sunset, or maybe to the bullpen, for the Yankees this year. Instead, the 39-year-old with the 5.15 ERA last year is 10-6 with a 3.87 ERA, plus 58 strikeouts to just 15 walks.

Jason Giambi was supposed to be another Yankee playing out his monster contract. Maybe it's the magical mustache, but his 17 homers, third-best in the AL, say he's got some life left in his bat.

You may have gambled on George Sherrill for some saves. Hey, the O's closer's gig was his to lose, right? You probably weren't expecting 26 saves, second-most in MLB.

You draft Chipper Jones, you expect a high average. But .394? I think not. It won't last - he's got a .404 batting average on balls in play, which is ridiculously lucky - but it's been a big help for his owners so far.

Cliff Lee (11-1, 2.34, 90 Ks) is having the Cy Young-caliber year CC Sabathia was supposed to. And nobody drafted him. I'm still waiting for him to come down to Earth ...

Carlos Quentin hit five home runs in 81 games last year. He's got 19 this year through 79 games.

Justin Duchscherer leads the majors with a 1.91 ERA. Wasn't this dude a middle reliever? Yes, but the wise Billy Beane thought otherwise.

Milton Bradley is on pace for a career year - three more homers and 18 RBIs, he'll top his single-season highs from 2004. Perhaps he's finally found a home ... seven franchises later. I'm not betting on it though.

Reds loaded with fantasy prospects

SARASOTA - Fantasy players on the prowl for young talent might want to drop by Ed Smith Stadium some time in the next month or so.

There's a whole host of prospects on display at the Cincinnati Reds' spring training complex, and you'd be wise to familiarize yourself with the names of some players who could make a big fantasy impact this year.

Start with outfielder Jay Bruce (above), Baseball America's 2007 Minor League Player of the Year. Bruce's skills at the plate have been favorably compared to Larry Walker, and he's a strong candidate to win the Reds' starting CF job at just 20 years of age.

New Reds manager Dusty Baker got his first live glimpse of Bruce's swing Wednesday during the team's first full-squad workout and came away impressed.

"He has a very good stroke," Baker told the Reds' team Web site. "He comes through the zone with good balance, keeps his head still and down. Talking to him, he's very confident he can hit without being arrogant. That's the first thing you like to see in a young hitter."

Bruce doesn't have the speed of a prototypical leadoff hitter, which is a slot the team is looking to fill at the same time as its open CF spot. Kenny Lofton's name has popped up as a possible acquisition, which would probably keep Bruce in Triple-A to start the year. Still, you'll want to keep track of how he progresses this spring and if he can win over Baker and Reds management. It won't be long before Bruce breaks through at the big-league level, so I advise you to get in on the ground floor.

Another young infielder to keep tabs on is Joey Votto, who appears to be in line to take over the majority of playing time at 1B from Scott Hatteberg this season. Votto flashed his skills in a brief big-league stint last year - .321, four HRs, 17 RBIs in 84 at-bats - and could be an overlooked source of power in deep leagues in 2008.

The Reds aren't without pitching prospects, either. You've probably heard the name Homer Bailey, a much-heralded, 21-year-old righty who made his debut last season. Things didn't go quite as expected in Bailey's rookie year (4-2, 5.76 ERA, 1.57 WHIP in 45.1 innings), but that's no reason to give up on the kid so soon. Bailey is a lock for the Reds' starting rotation, probably as the No. 3, and will be given every opportunity to show off the repertoire that led some scouts to place him on par with the Yankees' Phil Hughes.

Two other young pitchers to watch: 24-year-old Edinson Volquez, acquired in the Josh Hamilton deal and once the Texas Rangers' top minor league pitcher, and Johnny Cueto, a 22-year-old rookie with an outside shot at making the big-league roster out of spring training.