Movin' on Up focuses on rookies, recent call-ups and top prospects. Every Monday, we provide you with the latest advice and info to help you unearth first-year gems or "keeper" players.

Pitching has always been the name of the game in the National League East. Six of the past 13 Cy Young awards have gone to the Atlanta Braves, which has helped the team to 12 of the past 13 division championships. Three of the game's best pitchers' parks -- Pro Player Stadium, Shea Stadium and Turner Field -- are home to NL East teams.

It should come as no surprise, then, that three of the five NL East teams' top prospects are pitchers. Experts say pitching is what wins ballgames, and some of this division's best teams in the past 20 years have been carried by their pitching: the 1986 Mets, 1995 Braves and 2003 Marlins.

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies might be in the best shape in the NL East during the next decade. With top young arms like Scott Kazmir, Bob Keppel and Matt Peterson, the Mets should soon find that building from within is more profitable than spending on the free-agent market. And in Philadelphia, successful young arms like Brett Myers and Randy Wolf should soon be joined by prospects with even more upside, a group that includes Gavin Floyd and Cole Hamels.

This week, Part 4 of a six-part series highlights the top prospects of the National League East. Each team's top five prospects are profiled with a projected permanent big-league arrival time (ETA); three additional kids to watch are also listed. Among the factors taken into account are expected major-league potential and opportunity.

(Prospect rankings will appear as follows: AL East, Feb. 9; AL Central, Feb. 16; AL West, Feb. 23; NL Central, March 8; NL West, March 15.)

ATLANTA BRAVES
1. ANDY MARTE, 3B
Age: 20, Bats: R, Ht: 6-1, Wt: 185, Acquired: Undrafted F.A., 2000.
He improved his offensive approach by leaps and bounds in 2003, overcoming a rough start and placement in a pitchers' league and park to pace the Carolina League in extra-base hits (52) and finish second in slugging percentage (.469). Marte made noticeable improvements in his plate discipline, and as he fills out, his power is sure to rise. He has All-Star potential. ETA: September 2004.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Myrtle Beach .285 130 463 69 132 35 1 16 63 5 67 109 .469 .372
2. JEFF FRANCOEUR, OF
Age: 20, Bats: R, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 200, Acquired: ATL first round, 2002.
One of the best athletes in the minors, Francoeur could eventually develop into an elite five-tool player in the majors. His plate discipline needs work and he could use more experience and time to develop power, but he could someday be a 30/30 man annually. ETA: Late 2006.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Rome .281 134 524 78 147 26 9 14 68 14 30 68 .445 .325
3. MACAY McBRIDE, SP
Age: 21, Throws: L, Ht: 5-11, Wt: 210, Acquired: ATL first round, 2001.
He led the Class A Carolina League in strikeouts last season, and uses a good mix of low-90s heat, a curveball and changeup. McBride is a fierce competitor who should someday be a decent middle-of-the-rotation type for the Braves. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Myrtle Beach 9 8 2.95 27 27 1 0 164.2 164 54 5 49 139 1.294
4. ADAM LaROCHE, 1B
Age: 24, Bats: L, Ht: 6-3, Wt: 180, Acquired: ATL 29th round, 2000.
The son of former All-Star reliever Dave LaRoche, Adam is a gap-hitting, line-drive specialist who displayed impressive power in the Puerto Rican League during the winter. LaRoche might struggle to develop into a top run producer initially in pitcher-friendly Turner Field, but he has the all-around skills to be a solid Fantasy first baseman in his rookie season. ETA: opening day 2004.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Double-A Greenville .283 61 219 42 62 12 1 12 37 1 34 53 .511 .381
Triple-A Richmond .295 72 264 33 78 21 0 8 35 1 27 58 .466 .360
5. BUBBA NELSON, SP
Age: 22, Throws: R, Ht: 6-2, Wt: 200, Acquired: ATL second round, 2000.
The minor-league leader in ERA in 2002 (1.66), Nelson could contend for the Braves' fifth starter job during spring training. He gets great movement on his low-90s fastball and slider and merely needs to refine his changeup and improve his command to be ready for big-league stardom. Nelson might begin his big-league career adjusting in the bullpen, but it won't be long before he's a mainstay in the Atlanta rotation ETA: All-Star break 2004.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Double-A Greenville 8 10 3.18 23 20 0 0 119 106 42 7 45 77 1.269
Triple-A Richmond 0 1 1.88 11 0 0 0 14.1 10 3 1 5 7 1.047
Others to watch: SP Anthony Lerew posted a 2.38 ERA and .215 opposing batting average with Class A Rome last season, the first number leading the Atlanta minor-league system. He's a few years away but should be a solid back-of-the-rotation type in the majors. ... C Brian McCann could be the Braves' future behind the plate; he has plenty of raw power and is fairly solid defensively. Monitor his performance as he hits the Double- and Triple-A levels before investing much in him, but he could be a top Fantasy pick if he stays at catcher. ... SP Dan Meyer has phenomenal control and the focus needed to be a solid big-league starter in the near future. Unless he struggles at the higher minor-league levels, he could be ready to make a Fantasy impact by the middle of next season.
FLORIDA MARLINS
1. JEREMY HERMIDA, OF
Age: 20, Bats: L, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 200, Acquired: FLA first round, 2002.
He has a smooth stroke that produces line drives to all fields and merely needs to build upper body strength to gain the durability and power to succeed in the upper levels. Hermida's intelligence as a baserunner helps him register high stolen base totals, and he might someday be a five-category Fantasy stud. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Greensboro .284 133 468 73 133 23 5 6 49 28 80 100 .393 .387
2. JASON STOKES, 1B
Age: 22, Bats: R, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 225, Acquired: FLA second round, 2000.
An undeniable power source, Stokes showed some holes in his swing last year because of ongoing recovery from offseason wrist surgery and the pitching-friendly environments in the Florida State League. He should get back on track this year and could eventually contend for a home-run crown down the road. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Jupiter .258 121 462 67 119 31 3 17 89 6 36 135 .448 .312
3. JEFF ALLISON, SP
Age: 19, Throws: R, Ht: 6-2, Wt: 195, Acquired: FLA first round, 2003.
He dominated high school ball, allowing just one unearned run and 13 hits while striking out 142 batters in 64 innings in 2003. Allison is as advanced as a high-school product comes and is likely to advance as quickly as future rotation mate Josh Beckett. Allison's confidence is a plus, but he needs to erase injury concerns after shoulder tendinitis ended his first professional season early. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Rookie GCL Marlins 0 2 1.00 3 3 0 0 9 7 1 0 4 11 1.222
4. JOSH WILLINGHAM, C/1B
Age: 25, Bats: R, Ht: 6-1, Wt: 200, Acquired: FLA 17th round, 2000.
He has made a remarkable adjustment to catching, having shifted there in the instructional league following the 2002 season. Willingham's ability to hit for power and wait for his pitch makes him an ideal keeper-league prospect as a backstop, and the Marlins might be more willing to advance him up the ladder quickly following the offseason loss of Ivan Rodriguez. Willingham probably needs one more year behind the plate in Double- and Triple-A before being ready for the majors. ETA: opening day 2005.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Jupiter .264 59 193 46 51 17 1 12 34 9 46 42 .549 .422
Double-A Carolina .299 22 67 15 20 2 1 5 14 0 13 20 .582 .434
Rookie GCL Marlins .429 2 7 3 3 1 0 1 3 0 1 2 1.000 .500
5. SCOTT OLSEN, SP
Age: 20, Throws: L, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 170, Acquired: FLA sixth round, 2002.
Although most teams seemingly didn't want him coming out of high school, Olsen made some key adjustments in rookie ball in 2002 and is now considered a blue-chip prospect. He's a quick learner whose velocity continues to increase. At this rate, Olsen could conceivably join the Marlins rotation by the end of next season. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Greensboro 7 9 2.81 25 24 0 0 128.1 101 40 4 59 129 1.247
Others to watch: SP Yorman Bazardo has lightning-like stuff but needs some polish in the upper minor-league levels. It's unclear whether his future is as a top-of-the-rotation type or as an elite closer, but he does have a fair amount of upside. ... SP Trevor Hutchinson, the younger brother of former Cardinals farmhand and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Chad, falls into the sleeper prospect category. He has great control and keeps the ball down, so while he doesn't have overpowering stuff, he might be able to finesse his way to a decent big-league career. ... OF Eric Reed is a fitness fanatic with phenomenal speed, having swiped 53 bases at Class A Jupiter last season. These types of prospects often don't make it as everyday major-leaguers, but if he can simply adjust quickly to better pitching, Reed could be an annual competitor for the stolen base crown.
MONTREAL EXPOS
1. CLINT EVERTS, SP
Age: 19, Throws: R, Ht: 6-2, Wt: 170, Acquired: MON first round, 2002.
His fastball should gain velocity as he adds muscle, but Everts' curveball was considered the best of his draft class, and his changeup isn't far off. The Expos limited his workload in his first year as a pro and didn't give him much run support in the low minors, but he was much better than his numbers. Everts should be an elite strikeout artist in his prime. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Vermont 2 4 4.17 10 10 0 0 54 49 25 4 35 50 1.556
Class A Savannah 0 3 3.46 5 5 0 0 26 23 10 1 10 21 1.269
2. MIKE HINCKLEY, SP
Age: 21, Throws: L, Ht: 6-3, Wt: 170, Acquired: MON third round, 2001.
He struggled early last season but managed a 9-2 record and 1.37 ERA in his final 15 starts. Hinckley's curve is his best pitch, and he continues to improve his command of the fastball and changeup. He might soon be a solid middle-of-the-rotation type. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Savannah 9 5 3.64 23 23 2 0 121 124 49 4 41 111 1.364
Class A Brevard County 4 0 0.72 4 4 1 0 25 14 2 1 1 23 0.600
3. LARRY BROADWAY, 1B
Age: 23, Bats: L, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 230, Acquired: MON third round, 2002.
The winner of the home-run derby at the Class A South Atlantic League All-Star Game, Broadway is a polished hitter with plenty of upside in the power department. His 35 doubles and 20 homers between three levels in 2003 are promising signs. Expect the Expos to be patient with him now that they have Nick Johnson. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Savannah .307 83 290 56 89 25 4 14 51 3 44 70 .566 .400
Class A Brevard County .224 25 76 8 17 7 1 1 7 0 18 20 .382 .367
Double-A Harrisburg .321 21 78 13 25 3 0 5 18 0 7 15 .551 .371
4. CHAD CORDERO, RP
Age: 22, Throws: R, Ht: 6-0, Wt: 190, Acquired: MON first round, 2003.
The second member of the 2003 draft class to reach the majors, Cordero has an outside chance to steal the closer's job from Rocky Biddle at some point this year. Cordero combines a low-90s fastball and slider, and his aggressiveness makes him a strong candidate to be an elite closer in the near future. ETA: Arrived.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Brevard County 1 1 2.05 19 0 0 6 26.1 17 6 1 10 17 1.025
EXPOS 1 0 1.64 12 0 0 1 11 4 2 1 3 12 0.636
5. TERRMEL SLEDGE, OF
Age: 27, Bats: L, Ht: 6-0, Wt: 180, Acquired: Trade from SEA, September 2000.
He would have made his major-league debut last September had MLB allowed the Expos to expand their roster. Sledge doesn't have great upside and is old for a prospect, but he's an accomplished enough hitter to be a decent big-league regular. He'll be in contention for a corner outfield spot this spring. ETA: opening day 2004.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Triple-A Edmonton .324 131 497 95 161 26 9 22 92 13 61 93 .545 .397
Others to watch: SP Josh Karp, the Expos' No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, struggled with consistency and posted a disappointing 4-10 record and 4.99 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Harrisburg in 2003. He still has great upside but needs to straighten himself out in Triple-A this year. ... SP Darrell Rasner gets plenty of sinking action on his pitches, a trait that should help minimize mistakes as he moves up the ladder. He's still getting a feel for his pitches, however, but he could be ready to join the Expos' rotation late next year. ... SP Seung Song hasn't been nearly as dominant in the Expos' system as he was with the Red Sox, but he did toss a no-hitter last April 28. He could still be a decent back-of-a-rotation type, and might even be a Fantasy factor at some point this year.
NEW YORK METS
1. SCOTT KAZMIR, SP
Age: 20, Throws: L, Ht: 6-0, Wt: 170, Acquired: NYM first round, 2002.
His fastball is among the best in the minors, likening him to a starting version of Billy Wagner. The Mets have yet to stretch Kazmir's young arm out; his small frame makes durability a long-term concern. If he fills out in the next few years, his stuff will become downright nasty. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Capital City 4 4 2.36 18 18 0 0 76.1 50 20 6 28 105 1.022
Class A St. Lucie 1 2 3.27 7 7 0 0 33 29 12 0 16 40 1.364
2. KAZUO MATSUI, SS
Age: 28, Bats: S, Ht: 5-9, Wt: 180, Acquired: Signed from Japan, Dec. 2003.
Although some say he's not a rookie by traditional standards, Matsui still qualifies for rookie of the year honors as this year's top Japanese import. Scouts once said that Matsui had Ichiro Suzuki's speed but better power, but "Little Matsui's" decrease in steals and increase in strikeouts the past few years have dropped that projection considerably. He certainly has the talent to post a 20/20 rookie campaign, but don't expect an Ichiro-like impact. ETA: opening day 2004.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Seibu (Japan) .305 140 655 104 179 36 4 33 84 13 55 124 .549 .365
3. DAVID WRIGHT, 3B
Age: 21, Bats: R, Ht: 6-0, Wt: 200, Acquired: NYM first round supplemental, 2001.
He doesn't excel in any one area but is strong enough overall to possibly be a five-category Fantasy star once he reaches the majors. Wright has great plate discipline and decent power potential, having led the Florida State League in extra-base hits (56) in 2003. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A St. Lucie .270 133 466 69 126 39 2 15 75 19 72 98 .459 .369
4. JUSTIN HUBER, C
Age: 21, Bats: R, Ht: 6-5, Wt: 190, Acquired: Undrafted F.A., 2000.
He has great offensive potential but needs to work on his defense if he wants to become the eventual successor to Mike Piazza behind the plate. Huber projects as a .280-.290 hitter with 20 to 25 homers in his prime, numbers that would rank him near the top at his position in Fantasy leagues. He needs a year or two more of seasoning. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A St. Lucie .284 50 183 26 52 15 0 9 36 1 17 30 .514 .370
Double-A Binghamton .264 55 193 16 51 13 0 6 36 0 19 54 .425 .350
5. MATT PETERSON, SP
Age:22, Throws: R, Ht: 6-5, Wt: 205, Acquired: NYM second round, 2000.
He has a devastating curveball and continues to improve his changeup, two pitches that could make him a top-of-the-rotation type in the majors. Peterson merely needs to develop consistency with his pitch selection, and that's something he'll work on in the upper minor-league levels. This will be a crucial year toward determining his upside. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A St. Lucie 9 2 1.71 15 15 1 0 84 65 16 2 24 73 1.060
Double-A Binghamton 1 2 3.45 6 6 0 0 31.1 29 12 2 20 23 1.564
Others to watch: 2B Victor Diaz, who came over in the Jeromy Burnitz trade, is a two-time minor-league batting champion with great offensive upside. He could push for the second base job at some point this year, although his weight and defense are serious questions. ... SP Bob Keppel threw a no-hitter for Double-A Birmingham last year but battled nagging injury troubles for most of the season. He has solid command and shouldn't have much trouble adjusting to the majors later this year if he proves his health in Triple-A early in 2004. ... OF Lastings Milledge, the Mets' first-round pick last summer, has massive five-tool potential but is surrounded by questions on and off the diamond. He'll work on adjusting to wood bats in low Class A ball this year but could eventually be a five-category Fantasy stud if he can stay focused.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
1. COLE HAMELS, SP
Age: 20, Throws: L, Ht: 6-2, Wt: 185, Acquired: PHI first round, 2002.
Injuries put Hamels in the question-mark category at the time he was drafted out of high school, but he has since quelled those concerns by dominating the lower minor-league levels. He has exceptional command and consistency and is particularly adept at changing speeds and keeping hitters off-balance. Hamels projects as a staff ace who shouldn't have much trouble quickly adjusting to the majors. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Lakewood 6 1 0.84 13 13 1 0 74.2 32 7 0 25 115 0.763
Class A Clearwater 0 2 2.73 5 5 0 0 26.1 29 8 0 14 32 1.633
2. GAVIN FLOYD, SP
Age: 21, Throws: R, Ht: 6-5, Wt: 210, Acquired: PHI first round, 2001.
He needs some polish with his command and needs to refine his changeup in order to succeed at the higher levels of competition. But Floyd's raw stuff, particularly his curveball, can be downright unhittable when he's on. If he can make the necessary adjustments as he advances, he'll be a top-of-the-rotation type in the majors. ETA: Late 2005.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Clearwater 7 8 3.00 24 20 1 0 138 128 46 9 45 115 1.254
3. RYAN MADSON, SP
Age: 23, Throws: R, Ht: 6-6, Wt: 180, Acquired: PHI ninth round, 1998.
He's an underrated prospect who might have challenged for the No. 5 starter job this spring had Eric Milton not been acquired during the winter. Madson's command numbers suggest he could handle a big-league rotation spot at some point in 2004. He's a useful pitcher to stash away in NL-only leagues. ETA: All-Star break 2004.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Clearwater 0 0 5.63 2 2 0 0 8 11 5 0 2 9 1.625
Triple-A Scranton/W.-B. 12 8 3.50 26 26 0 0 157 157 61 9 42 138 1.268
PHILLIES 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.000
4. RYAN HOWARD, 1B
Age: 24, Bats: L, Ht: 6-4, Wt: 230, Acquired: PHI fifth round, 2001.
He narrowly missed out on the Florida State League triple crown in 2003, falling seven RBI short. Howard has immense power to all fields, but his tendency to swing and miss often might make him more of a risk in the batting average category than he has seemed as a professional. He's also stuck behind Jim Thome, meaning a trade might be necessary for him to reach the majors. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB K SLG OBP
Class A Clearwater .304 130 490 67 149 32 1 23 82 0 50 151 .514 .374
5. ELIZARDO RAMIREZ, SP
Age: 21, Throws: R, Ht: 6-0, Wt: 180, Acquired: Undrafted F.A., 1999.
As one of the youngest pitchers in the Florida State League, Ramirez continued to display excellent composure and command. He once posted a 73-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in low Class A ball. Ramirez is still a few years away, but as long as he maintains this level of progress, he should be a solid middle-of-the-rotation type. ETA: 2006.
2003 STATS W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H ER HR BB K WHIP
Class A Clearwater 13 9 3.78 27 25 1 0 157.1 181 66 4 33 101 1.360
Others to watch: OF Michael Bourn is a speedster with excellent on-base skills, having posted a .404 on-base percentage and 23 steals in 35 games at short-season Batavia in 2003. Scouts suggest his upside could rival that of Kenny Lofton in his prime, but he's a few years away. ... SP Keith Bucktrot finally seemed to improve his command last year, performing well in a late-season stint at Double-A Reading. He's still working to convert his curveball into a slider, but his progress is a promising sign for the future. ... SP/RP Alfredo Simon, formerly known as Carlos Cabrera, was unavailable to pitch until June due to visa problems surrounding his real name and age. Once activated, he pitched well for Class A Lakewood, displaying a mid-to-high-90s fastball. He needs to work on secondary pitches but could eventually be a solid big-league starter.

Fantasy Fungo

Al Clapsaddle, Bronx, N.Y.: There has been a lot of speculation regarding Rafael Soriano's potential with the Mariners this season. Do you expect him to find a position in the rotation or to continue from the bullpen?

T.C.: Soriano's injury, which will cost him much of the spring, will virtually assure he begins the year in the Seattle bullpen. The team had plans for him as a primary setup man to Eddie Guardado, and as things stand Soriano's makeup suggest he'd be better off as a future closer. He's not great at changing speeds, so he'd probably be better off going right at hitters in a shorter role at the back end of the bullpen.

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