Prospects Report: Lock up this high five right now

Last week we chronicled some hot Double-A bats that -- save for the wistful hopes of Matt LaPorta arriving in Milwaukee on a bolt of lightning -- won't be candidates to help your Fantasy team this season. We know what you were saying: "We can read the stat sheet. Tell us something we don't already know."

So, here goes with some bold predictions.

The following five minor leaguers will be called up before June 1, if not sooner. Write it down:

1. OF Jay Bruce, Reds

Another Reds rookie Joey Votto is mashing at near a .900 OPS and has seen his Fantasy ownership on CBSSports.com rise to over 80 percent -- what are the other 20 percent waiting for? But Bruce's recent data in Triple-A blows away anything Votto can do.

Bruce has gotten Lance Berkman-biblical of late, hitting .611 (22-for-36) with three homers, 12 RBI and 11 runs in his past 10 games. For the season, his average is up to .366, and that comes with the heavy amount of extra-base hits (eight homers, five triples and nine doubles). It adds up to a .398 OBP and a .662 SLUG.

Get out of the way Corey Patterson and Ryan Freel -- or Ken Griffey, Jr., pack your bags for Seattle. There's company comin'. We have already said how much of a shakeup GM Walt Jocketty could have in store.

Bruce is simply irresistible right now for the Reds and Fantasy owners. His ownership has hiked five ticks to 37 percent in recent days amid this stretch, so kudos to Fantasy owners paying close attention and buying early.

2. SPs Bartolo Colon or Justin Masterson, Red Sox

Justin Masterson was impressive in his one big league start. (US Presswire)

OK, this is a cop-out. We really aren't sure which Thursday minor league starter will get the call Tuesday for the Red Sox. We are certain either one can be an impact pitcher for Fantasy leagues right away.

Colon threw six innings of one-hit, shutout ball Thursday in Triple-A in his second start after coming off the DL. He struck out four, all of them looking, did not walk a batter and needed only 64 pitches to get through six innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader, which was only slated to go seven. Masterson got his audition Thursday night back in Double-A, but he allowed seven runs and suffered the loss.

We like Masterson's potential better. He was throwing frisbee sliders in his outstanding one-start look in Boston last month, but Colon can be a safer option in smaller Fantasy leagues. Masterson is owned in just 4 percent of our leagues right now, so he is more readily available as a flier in deeper leagues than Colon (22 percent owned).

Whomever gets the No. 5 nod next Tuesday will be a two-start pitching sleeper for all deeper leagues in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). Take the flier on Colon immediately and keep Masterson on your radar just in case the Red Sox think Colon needs to build up his arm strength with higher pitch counts before he gets the call.

3. SP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

We have beat this name to death, but we assure you the 20-year-old is worth the hype. It sure didn't look like it Monday night, which was supposed to be an audition for the Dodgers' No. 5 starter's spot Saturday. Kershaw finally looked human, allowing five hits and five earned runs in just over three innings.

The bad outing led the Dodgers to naming Chan Ho Park their starter for Saturday's opening, so Kershaw won't arrive this week or next. We know Park is nothing more than a stopgap, right? Surely, you don't trust him.

The Dodgers can skip the No. 5 spot after Saturday and the next time that turn comes up is May 27. Kershaw can start in Double-A on May 17 and May 22 before getting the nod for a two-start week in Fantasy Week 9 (May 26-June 1).

Already owned in 39 percent of leagues, a six percent increase this week amid the Saturday speculation, Kershaw's start Saturday has to be monitored very closely in all leagues. We have already chronicled his talent in an earlier Prospects Report , our first of the season in fact.

4. SP Homer Bailey, Reds

Bronson Arroyo was getting bombed and there were thoughts he might be hurt. Wait, is this Bailey's chance? Nope. Arroyo is locked in after two outstanding starts back-to-back, the most recent one on three-day's rest.

Then, Matt Belisle was rumored to be on the chopping block. He was slated to start Thursday and could have been a candidate to pitch himself to the bullpen or back to Triple-A. Nope. That Marlins-Reds game was rained out. Belisle's spot can be skipped a turn if the Reds so choose and then give him another look Tuesday, May 20 at the start of a two-start week.

Mother Nature grants Belisle a reprieve, but Bailey didn't help his case either in his last start -- much like Kershaw. Bailey allowed a season-high 11 hits, six earned runs and struck out a season-low one batter in 4 1/3 innings Sunday.

Also, like Kershaw, he is conveniently working on the same schedule as Belisle. It is not a coincidence. If Bailey proves effective then Thursday, May 20 is an option. If not, we say everything will line up for Bailey arriving May 25.

5. OF Carlos Gonzalez, Athletics

He might be in a funk right now -- .171 (6-for-35) in his past 10 games -- but Gonzalez is the kind of bat the surprising A's won't be able to keep down once he gets hot again. This current cold streak comes after he returned from a brief injury, a sprained ankle.

You will want to take that flier in deeper AL-only leagues on Gonzalez before he proves healthy and productive in Triple-A, because once he does, the A's will give him a shot. Heck, they weren't convinced he didn't deserve to be the everyday center fielder out of spring training -- and if not for a hamstring problem he probably would have been.

Owned in just 5 percent of our leagues right now, buy now on Gonzalez if you are thirsty for a outfield call-up and can't get your hands on Bruce.

Prospect watch

Every Thursday, we break down all the minor leaguers who are owned in at least 1 percent of our Fantasy leagues, both hitters and pitchers. This will be your essential guide to unearthing the elite prospects before they hit the big time.

We now have minor league stats updated daily on our player profiles. The stats listed here are those with the players' current level and are through games of Wednesday, May 14.