Plenty of teams with dreams of reaching the playoffs are already in need of a boost.  Good thing help is literally only a phone call away.  There are plenty of top prospects thriving down on the farm that could change the fortunes of both their major league and your fantasy teams. 

Max Scherzer, P, ARI:  Groomed previously as a reliever, Scherzer has been spectacular as a starter this season.  The PCL is known so much as a hitter’s league that the Dodgers tend to avoid placingtheir top pitchers there as they are currently doing with Clayton Kershaw.  Scherzer has obliterated the league through his four starts with 38 strikeouts and just 3 walks in 23 innings.  Batters are hitting just .146 off him.  Brandon Lyon does not inspire confidence as the closer, and set-up man Tony Pena has not been so far in the pen.  Scherzer would obviously have significant value as a starter for the D-Backs, but he could be absolutely deadly as a closer in the mold of Jonathan Papelbon (how intimidating-and creepy-are his multi-colored eyes? ).  He would still have significant value as a high-leverage middle man similar to Joba Chamberlain.  Either way, he is a must add in every format if he reaches Arizona soon. 

Homer Bailey, SP, CIN:  He was last year’s hot pick-up and failed miserably.  Now Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez are getting all the ink as young pitchers thriving for the Reds but don’t forget about this guy.  Bailey’s biggest problem in 2007 was his control, but this year he is thriving with a 4/1 K:BB ratio so far in four minor league starts.  He’s posted a 1.03 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 26.1 innings so far.  Bronson Arroyo isn’t getting the job done, and the fifth starting spot is a mess for the Reds.  Bailey could definitely help solidify that rotation as well as those of fantasy owners in all leagues.  I didn’t buy into his hype last season, but are more inclined to think he will succeed the second time around.  He won’t even turn 22 for another week.  The extra year of development should have benefitted him greatly.

Jay Bruce, OF, CIN:  Norris Hopper has hit the DL, and Ryan Freel inevitably will sometime this season.  Ken Griffey has stayed upright so far, but his health is always of concern.  All Bruce, the 2007 Minor League Player of the Year, needs is an opportunity.  He’s hitting .338 with four homers at Louisville (AAA).  Once he comes up to the majors, it will be for good.  He’s got more potential than current Reds rookie Joey Votto.  Bruce may be more suited to a corner outfield spot, but his offense would more than make up for the difference defensively between him and career .298 OBP Corey Patterson. 

Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD:  The jewel of the Dodgers’ farm system, Kershaw is the best lefty prospect in all of baseball.  The problem is he’s just 20 years old and the organization does not want to rush him, but he just might be too good to keep away from the majors.  The rotation isn’t getting it done, and Jason Schmidt remains injured.  Kershaw meanwhile has 23 strikotus in 19.2 innings with a 1.83 ERA.  Surprisingly he is 0-3 so far at Jacksonville (AA) but the stuff and command is all there.  The Dodgers are hoping to limit his innings and call him up sometime in late June or July, but he may force his way up sooner than that.  Whenever he gets the call, he is definitely worth a number one waiver priority. 

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, TEX:  Back-up catcher Adam Melhuse bruised his hand Thursday night which promped general manager Jon Daniels to say a call-up for Salty would be a “distinct possibility.”  In fact, it could happen at any time now.  He was the prize prospect in the Mark Teixeira deal, and the Rangers could definitely use his bat.  Saltalamacchia is hitting .291/.391/.491 in Triple-A while Ben Broussard is eating at-bats at first hitting .161/.246/.306 in the majors.  And at 7-16 and 7 games back of the Angels already, Texas clearly has nothing to lose (except a sinkhole at first).  Saltalamacchia might receive erratic playing time when he’s eventually called up, but he is a definite add in AL-only leagues and two-catcher leagues immediately.

Justin Masterson, SP, BOS:  This big righty (6’6’’, 250) was called up to take the spot of an ill Daisuke Matsusaka.  He threw six innings against the Angels striking out four while allowing just two hits and one run walking four.  He was promptly sent down for his troubles, but he is definitely a player to watch.  He’s started four games at Portland (AA) going 19 innings with a 0.95 ERA and 23 strikeouts (against just 5 walks). 

Adam Lind, OF, TOR:  Frank Thomas is gone and now in Oakland.  I’ve mentioned Lind before, but he still has yet to make it to Toronto.  It remains to be seen how long the Blue Jays can pretend to contend with the combo of Matt Stairs/Rod Barajas/Robinzon Diaz at DH and Shannon Stewart in LF.  Lind can flat-out hit (.365, 16 RBI in 16 games at AAA-Syracuse).

Jeff Clement, C, SEA:  The Mariners offense has been thoroughly average this season, and catcher Kenji Johjima has yet to get going (.200/.268/.246).  Everybody seems to think Jose Vidro can’t hit a lick except for Seattle as well.  So tell me again why Jeff Clement can’t catch once or twice a week and DH the rest of the time?  The former number one pick is bating .375/.500/.688 in the PCL which is admittedly a hitter’s league.  But he’s still a significant upgrade over Vidro, and could certainly help Seattle right now.  He’s not as good as his current minor league numbers of course, but over the course of a full season I think he could hit .270 with good power (20+ home runs).  That is very useful at a shallow catcher position.