Kids Are All Right: Roll Call Edition

As we've now witnessed a touch over a month of minor league baseball, it's worth it in many fantasy leagues to look ahead at who may be making a visit to the majors sometime this season. Remember, Ryan Braun, for example, wasn't yet in the major leagues at this point in his rookie season. This isn't to say that all of these guys -- or any -- will have that sort of an impact in the majors this year.

We're just giving a quick, non-comprehensive list of players who are playing relatively well in the minors this year and/or who have a chance to make a fantasy impact at some point. We'll start with the big names, but it won't be limited to just them. Dynasty league players should be paying the most attention.

[player, position, major league affiliate -- please note all stats are through Tuesday's action]

Matt Wieters, C, Orioles -- You know who he is, and he's not living up to his major league hype in the minors. He's hitting .275 with only 1 home run and 12 RBI in 26 games. He's better than this, but he won't get the call until he shows it.

Clay Buchholz, SP, Red Sox -- He's buried behind Brad Penny, John Smoltz and Tim Wakefield, which is a shame. The 24-year-old is dealing (2-0, 1.03 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 35 innings).

David Price, SP, Rays -- He's struggling with both control (16 walks in 29 1/3 innings) and getting hit (28 hits, 5 home runs allowed). He also hasn't gone more than 5 innings in a single outing.

Tommy Hanson, SP, Braves -- Another disastrous outing for Jo-Jo Reyes, and Hanson is still dominating triple-A (1.99 ERA, 57 K in 40 2/3 innings, .186 allowed batting average). Seriously, enough is enough.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, A's -- He's going along alright (3.27 ERA in 5 starts and 22 innings), but you'd like to see the control (15 walks) get better. He'll likely need an injury before Justin Duchscherer comes back to get a call, and even then he's not overly enticing this season.

Homer Bailey, SP, Reds -- For now, the Reds don't need him. Barring injury or a trade, he's stuck. It's not necessarily a bad thing, either, because Homer is having some issues (.4.59 ERA, 7 home runs allowed in 33 1/3 innings, 1.47 WHIP).

Jake Fox, Excessive Masher, Cubs -- Fox doesn't really have a position. He was drafted as a catcher and has been tried in every corner position on the field. No matter what the Cubs seem to do with him, his defense turns up sub-par. Still, how long can you keep his bat in the minors? His numbers are simply stupid right now (.402 average, 14 homers, 39 RBI, 29 runs, 1.425 OPS in 28 games). If he does get the call, make sure to see if you can use him at catcher in your league.

Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles -- If not for Fox, Reimold would be the best hitter in the minors thus far in 2009. He's hitting .396 with 9 home runs and 27 RBI in 30 games. He's also managed 5 steals. Once the Orioles realize Felix Pie sucks and Lou Montanez isn't going to help them, hopefully Reimold gets a chance. The 25-year-old could help form a sick hitting outfield with Nick Markakis and Adam Jones.

Gaby Sanchez, 1B, Marlins -- He'll need Jorge Cantu to either fall injured or move across the diamond to third -- which would supplant Week 1 sweetheart Emilio Bonafacio -- in order to get his shot. Still, Sanchez's talent is real and he's hitting well (.345, 4 home runs, 16 RBI with a .414 on-base percentage).

Wes Whisler, SP, White Sox -- With Gavin Floyd really struggling, Jose Contreras already sent down and Bartolo Colon taking up (a lot of) space in the rotation, it would seem to be a matter of time until the 26-year-old left-hander gets a shot in the rotation. Unfortunately, he may need Clayton Richard to fail instead. Whisler's currently sporting a 1.76 ERA in 7 triple-A starts.

Kris Medlen, SP, Braves -- Well, obviously he's not going anywhere until the Braves finally let Hanson have a shot, but this kid is dealing as well. In 7 appearances (6 starts), Medlen has compiled a 5-0 record with a 0.96 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. You know what, though? Jo-Jo Reyes is working out just fine ...

Mat Gamel, 3B, Brewers -- This 23-year-old poses an interesting situation for the Brewers. Bill Hall is their everyday third baseman, but he's also very versatile. If the Brewers suffer an injury in the outfield, at second base, shortstop, or even to Hall, there might be room for Gamel's emergence at third. He's hitting .336 with 8 home runs and 31 RBI. His OPS is a robust 1.075.

Kevin Mulvey, SP, Twins -- Only one member of the Twins' current rotation has an ERA under 4.00 (Glen Perkins with a 3.73 mostly due to a hot start). Mulvey, who turns 24 in a few weeks, is looking good enough to fill a spot later this season (currently has a 2.67 ERA and 26 K in 30 1/3 innings).

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates -- Once the Pirates are officially out of the race, they'll probably look to playing youth instead of the Eric Hinske-types. Still, McCutchen figures to be stuck behind Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Brandon Moss barring a trade. The 23-year-old has 7 steals to go with his .276 average in triple-A.

Kyle Blanks, 1B, Padres -- He's not playing unless the Padres trade him or Adrian Gonzalez (or Gonzalez gets seriously injured). Just remember the name of this gargantuan (6-foot-6, 270-pound) power hitting prospect. He's got 8 bombs and 23 RBI right now -- and he's only 22.

Luke Hughes, 3B, Twins -- If the Twins decide they've had enough of Joe Crede at third, Hughes may have a shot. The 24-year-old is hitting .273 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI in 29 games.

Neftali Feliz, SP, Rangers -- As recently noted by Jon Heyman at SI.com, this kid has the best upside of the four players the Rangers got for Mark Teixeira. He lights up the radar gun to the tune of triple digits.

Brett Wallace, 3B, Cardinals -- For now, the Cardinals seem content to use Brian Barden and Joe Thurston at third base until (if?) Troy Glaus comes back. The future at the hot corner in St. Louis, however, is this kid. Last year's first round pick out of Arizona State is having a solid season in double-A (.283, 5 homers, 16 RBI, .844 OPS).

Tim Alderson / Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants -- They aren't ready yet. Just remember their names. If the Giants hold onto everyone, we may be seeing the most scary-good rotation of all-time with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and these two. Both are currently in double-A (Bumgarner, for his part, though, has looked overly impressive with a 4-1 record and 1.48 ERA thus far -- not to mention his 25 K to only 4 BB).