Carlos Pena has belted five homers in his past four games. Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

By Mike Bornhorst, Special to SI.com

With one week left before the September call-ups, there's still time to pick up future $40 players at bargain-basement prices. So order now. Operators are standing by.

Heading Up

Carlos Pena (First Base, Detroit Tigers): Bravo, Carlos Pena. There aren't many players who manage to muck-up fantasy teams coming and going. Anyone who drafted Pena at the beginning of the year has already cursed Carlos' name. Now Chris Shelton owners get to round out that chorus. The Tigers claim that Shelton has job security, but what complicates this situation is that Pena has too much talent to ignore. That Pena responded so well to his demotion (.311 AVG/.424 OBP/.525 SLG in Class AAA) may indicate an emotional maturity that will finally allow him to deliver on his talent. Worth a pick-up in any AL-only league.

Prince Fielder (First Base, Milwaukee Brewers): Unlike the Pena/Shelton situation, the future should be much clearer for Fielder. His 2005 production is dependant on playing time and his personal learning curve -- in short, his immediate future is too uncertain to help fantasy squads playing for this year. However, if you're in a keeper league and have the current Brewers' first baseman signed at a reasonable salary, now would be a good time to move him -- the Lyle Overbay bubble is ready to burst. Fielder hit .290 AVG/.387 OBP/.567 SLG in Class AAA with 28 HR. He clearly has nothing left to prove in the minors. Keeper leaguers should grab him now if he's not already taken.

Mike Jacobs (Catcher/First Base, New York Mets): We know this much: Mike Piazza isn't going to be catching for the Mets forever. However, who will replace Tommy Lasorda's last gift to baseball has yet to be determined. Which brings us to Mike Jacobs. The Mets' Minor League Player of the Year in 2003 lost most of his developmental inertia to a season-ending injury in 2004. Eager to prove 2003 wasn't a flue, Jacobs returned admirably in 2005, posting .323 AVG/.378 OBP/.590 SLG in Class AA, earning him a promotion during Piazza's temporary trip to the DL. Ramon Castro is likely the better short-term play, but a $1 flyer on Jacobs in an NL-only wouldn't be a bad idea. You can always throw him back if he doesn't inherit the starting job next spring.

Joey Devine (Relief Pitcher, Atlanta Braves):  Don't be fooled by his first MLB outing -- he mowed down the Padres in his first inning before tiring in his second inning of work. And don't expect Bobby Cox to hand ninth-inning duties over to this rookie reliever. But Devine's got the stuff -- and the organizational support -- to win the closers job in 2006. He's one to watch in NL-only keeper leagues.

Chris Ray (Relief Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles): He recorded eighteen saves and a 0.96 ERA in Class AA Bowie. This kid can throw. And while Baltimore will enjoy his solid effort in middle relief, it's unlikely that your fantasy team would benefit much from his acquisition.

John Halama (Pitcher, Washington Nationals): Um, didn't they used to have Tomo Ohka? It was fun while it lasted, wasn't it Washington? No one can take your May away from you.

Choo Freeman (Outfielder, Colorado Rockies): Is it just me or has Freeman been a prospect forever? While you must love his name, and his home park, you have to wonder what fantasy impact his callup will have. Colorado has a crowded outfield, and while Choo's got a ton of "tools" that doesn't mean a whole lot. I have plenty of tools and need help hanging a picture. Tools don't mean much if you don't know how to use them. Scouts may drool over what Freeman brings, but I'm not so sure. His minor league track record is more bad than good, and with eight seasons in the minors, that's a large enough sample size for me. This week, bid an extra dollar on Devine instead.

Justin Thompson (Relief Pitcher, Texas Rangers): Welcome to the show, Justin Thompson. You're 32 and pitching middle relief for the Rangers. Seems to me I've seen this before, only it was Dennis Quaid and a full orchestra played whenever he took to the mound ... oh, wait, that was a Disney movie. So Thompson's in double-trouble, his little fantasy value is very little and his movie rights are worth even less.

Heating Up

Dan Ortmeier (Outfield, San Francisco Giants, Class AA): A switch-hitting outfielder drafted out of UT-Arlington, Ortmeier has made himself very comfortable at Class AA. So far, he's tooling around Class AA with a .276 AVG/.365 OBP/.481 SLG, which by themselves aren't exactly impressive numbers. It's speed that makes Ortmeier an attractive prospect -- 33 SB (though he has been caught 11 times). I didn't say he was a blue-chipper, but considering the revolving door they've installed in the outfield at SBC Park, don't be surprised to see Ortmeier get his shot at sticking with the Big League club in 2006.

Jose Bautista (Third Base, Class AA, Pittsburgh Pirates): Apparently the Pirates can develop more than just pitchers. Bautista's strong, can draw a walk, and plays a position where the Pirates just happen to have a Mack-HOLE-wiak. OK, maybe saying Bautista "plays" third base is a bit generous -- his 25 errors could stand in the way of future promotions. Still, .283 AVG/.364 OBP/.503 SLG with 23 HR are awfully good numbers when the player manning the organization's hot corner in the majors is struggling to crack 10 HR.

Robert Valido (Shortstop, Class A, Chicago White Sox): With the White Sox seemingly set up the middle, the organization has time to let the speedy Valido develop into a Big League caliber shortstop. Valido runs and runs and runs (42 SB against five caught stealings), and while his slugging percentage leaves much to be desired (.395), with six homers he brings some strength to go with that speed. What this young middle infielder needs is time to develop a better command of the strike zone -- his current .315 OBP makes envisioning him as a leadoff hitter difficult. Should his walk rate improve, look for Valido to shoot through the system.

Brandon Wood (Shortstop, Class A, Los Angeles Angels): Don't let his ominous slugging percentage (.666 SLG) fool you; Wood is really a force of good. His 109 RBI lead the minors, and his 39 HR are as, if not more, impressive. So, the kid's committed 19 errors. He doesn't have to be a shortstop. Trust that the Angels will find a way to get a major league bat into Wood's hands eventually, and that "eventually" could be as soon as a year from now, though 2007 is more likely. If you can hold players for several years in your AL-only keeper league, he's one to grab.

Brad McCann (First Base, Class A, Florida Marlins): Brother of Atlanta's Brian McCann, Brad seems to be having no troubles at all figuring out Class A pitchers in the Sally League -- .295 AVG/.352 OBP/.558 SLG with 26 HR and solid K/BB rate. His are the numbers you want to see from a Class A prospect. Right now McCann's biggest problem is the organization's depth at his position. There's this Delgado guy and the word on the street is that he's pretty good.

Healing Up

Trot Nixon is on a rehab assignment in Pawtucket. Never underestimate Boston's ability to find AB for its players.

Not to be outdone by the folks in Beantown, the Yankees have sent Ruben Sierra to Class AAA for a rehab assignment. Never underestimate the aging Yankees' need for depth.

Adam Eaton is toeing the rubber in Class AAA. All accounts say he's feeling fine and could be up in the majors by Friday. Eaton's arm could really help fantasy teams that need a pitcher down the stretch.

Oliver Perez gave up two runs in four innings while striking out three in his Class AAA rehab outing while. At this stage of their 2005 seasons, Perez is a riskier pick-up than Eaton, but with his upside he's worth a flyer in NL-only leagues.

Last year's feel-good story in Seattle is working his way back to the Big Leagues. Bucky Jacobson is on a rehab assignment at Class AAA Tacoma. As soon as his knee's ready for regular playing time he'll be back with the Mariners.

Mike Bornhorst is a minor league talent columnist for TalentedMrRoto.com, a fantasy sports site specializing in analysis, stats and advice. Include name and location when sending e-mails to Mike@TalentedMrRoto.com.