We are just a couple weeks away from spring training and it’s never too early to start preparing for your upcoming fantasy baseball season. In this week’s edition of Minor League Spotlight, we’ll breakdown a dozen of the best prospects in the game worthy of drafting in your fantasy leagues. Teams that were aware last year of the jaw-dropping potential of Ryan Howard, Rickie Weeks and Jeff Francoeur in the batter’s box, were awarded with incredible production offensively, while hurlers such as Zach Duke and Felix Hernandez paid massive dividends on the pitcher’s mound.

Keep the following 12 players in mind on your Draft Day, especially in keeper leagues. These guys are the future of the game and are prepped to make an impact in Rotisserie leagues right away.

1. Delmon Young, TB OF – The top pick in the 2003 draft is one of the game’s future superstars. He’s got rare five-tool ability with the uncanny ability to hit for average as well. The past two seasons in the minors, he’s averaged 25 home runs, 26 stolen bases, 107 RBI, 93 runs with a .317 batting average. Now the D-Rays are under new management, expect to see Dmitri’s younger brother reach the bigs by mid-season. Within keeper leagues, he’s the top prospect in the game with his all-around Rotisserie abilities.

2. Prince Fielder, MIL 1B – Milwaukee traded away Lyle Overbay this offseason to make room for their prized prospect. The Prince of Pop looked like he belonged last season when the Brew Crew called him up for good in mid-August. Cecil Fielder’s son smacked 78 long balls with 276 RBI the past three seasons in the junior ranks, and some experts believe he has 40-home run potential. Like most prototypical power hitters, he’s got a high strikeout ratio and you can expect a lot of swings and misses during his first full year. He’ll have his ups and downs but within holdover leagues, he’s definitely somebody worth drafting in the mid- to late rounds. Realistic goals for the 21-year-old are 20 home runs, 80 RBI and a .260 average in 2006.

3. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS 3B – The Nationals third baseman was on the fast track to the bigs after a successful career at University of Virginia. As a September call-up, the No. 4 selection of the 2005 draft proved he belongs at the highest level. He responded by flirting with .400 and is the favorite to man the hot corner in our nation’s capital this season. His strengths on the diamond are his smooth glove, his ability to hit for average and ability to drive the ball in the gaps. During three seasons in college, he smacked only seven home runs in 174 career games, so don’t expect a lot of long balls.

4. Francisco Liriano, MIN SP – As if the Twins need any more pitching, they start the season with one of the best prospects in the rotation. 22-year-old southpaw Francisco Liriano might have been the most impressive hurler in the minor leagues during the 2005 season. In 31 starts at three levels, he finished with 237 strikeouts in 31 starts and only 57 bases on balls issued. The presence of left-handed ace Johan Santana will ease Liriano’s transition to the big leagues. This guy is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate and should be considered the top pitching prospect in your fantasy draft this upcoming Draft Day.

5. Matt Cain, SF SP – In 26 starts at Triple-A Fresno last season, Matt Cain was simply overpowering. At 6’3”, 230 pounds, he’s got an overpowering fastball clocked in the mid-90’s. The strikeout artist did not slow down when he arrived in the Show, compiling a 2-1 record in seven starts with a 2.33 ERA and a 30-19 strikeout-walk ratio. He’s earned a spot in the Giants rotation to start the 2006 campaign and is definitely worth a late-round flyer. Expect him to struggle at times, but a 12-12 season with 180 strikeouts is well within the rookie’s reach.

6. Jeremy Hermida, FLA OF – The 11th pick of the 2002 draft will be one of several prospects that will benefit from the Marlins offseason fire sale. He’ll assume the starting right fielder’s job in an all-rookie outfield and is a strong option for NL Rookie of the Year. In his first at-bat in the major leagues, the 6’4” five-tool player smacked a grand slam and then went on to finish his month in strong fashion, batting .293 with four home runs in just 41 at-bats. With an everyday locked up, look to draft the rookie in the middle rounds in mixed leagues.

7. Connor Jackson, ARI OF/1B – Jackson shot through the D-Backs minor league system in three seasons and is expected to compete for an everyday first base job in spring training next month. He’s a pure hitter to say the least. His .354 career average in the junior ranks proves he’s got the talent to compete for a batting title down the road. Mostly a gap hitter, Jackson doesn’t have a lot of power or speed, but he’ll be a finalist for the Rookie of the Year honors. Take him in the later rounds as a decent 1B or corner infielder option.

8. Jeff Mathis, ANA C – After a sub par 2004 season, Mathis rebounded strongly last year, smacking 21 home runs and driving in 73 runs. Anaheim let starter Bengie Molina leave via free agency because of the presence of Mathis. He’ll get the brunt of playing time at catcher and should be considered a strong sleeper candidate in all leagues at the thin position. High-end goals for Mathis are .270 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI.

9. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS RP – Utilized as a lights-out closer throughout his dominating college career, the Red Sox have been making their prized hurler into an overpowering starter. However, last season Boston took advantage of the kid’s maturity and plugged him into an important setup role, and he flourished in that position. With Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, David Wells, Tim Wakefield and Bronson Arroyo on the roster, Papelbon will likely re-assume work out of the bullpen again. However, don’t be surprised if he’s asked to join the rotation sometime during the season.

10. B.J. Upton TB SS – At the plate, there’s no questioning the potential of Tampa’s shortstop of the future. However, in the field is a completely different story. He committed 53 errors during last season’s campaign at Triple-A Durham, while smacking 18 long balls and stealing 44 bases. That has pretty much been his story since he was drafted the No. 2 overall selection of the 2002 draft. Julio Lugo signed a one-year deal this offseason, so he’s the likely player to command the shortstop position when the season kicks off. Armed with the rare combination of speed and power, Upton will likely get the call by mid-season and should be thought of as a great keeper in the fantasy world because of his tremendous upside in the batter’s box.

11. Anthony Reyes, STL SP – At the Double-A and Triple-A levels the past couple seasons, Reyes earned the reputation as one of the best starting pitchers in the junior ranks. He struck out an impressive 238 hitters in just 203 inning (10.6 per nine innings) while walking only 47. He arrived with the Cardinals in September last year and has a legitimate chance to crack St. Louis’ starting rotation this year. The Cards signed Sidney Ponson to compete for the fifth starter’s job, but Reyes is expected to give the erratic veteran a run for his money. Worst case scenario, Reyes will be used in middle relief and spot start duties. He’s a viable mid- to late round draft pick in NL-only leagues and with the St. Louis’ potent lineup backing him, he could plausibly win 12-15 games if he lands the starting duties.

12. Lastings Milledge, NYM OF – Milledge was voted the Mets top prospect for the 2006 season by Baseball America because of his blazing speed and ability to hit for a high average. He’s swiped 55 stolen bases the past two seasons in the minor leagues to go along with a .316 average (242-for-767). With Carlos Beltran entrenched as the team’s everyday center fielder, Milledge will likely start at Triple-A, but expect him to get a chance by mid-season. He could very well take the right fielder job from Xavier Nady at some point in 2006.