In this week’s edition of Minor League Spotlight, we’ll give our picks for the Rookie of the Year in each league, as well as look into a few minor league prospects shining so far this spring. With two weeks remaining until the season kicks off, some of these guys have a legitimate chance of earning a role with a big league club, while others are destined to begin the regular season in the minor leagues. Over the next two weeks until the season starts, we’ll break down each of these prospects.

NL Rookie of the Year favorite
Jeremy Hermida, RF Fla    

With the Marlins committed to a rebuilding phase, Hermida will command the right fielder’s job for the young Fish this season. After breaking onto the major league scene in historic fashion with a grand slam in his first at-bat, the 22-year-old has a nice mix of power, speed and the ability to hit for average. Over the past three seasons, he’s 61-for-69 stealing bases (88%). At Double-A Carolina last season, he racked up 18 home runs and 23 stolen bases and is expected to make a push for the 20/20 club right away. With the lack of proven veterans and reliable alternatives, Hermida is assured to get a ton of playing time with Florida and is one of the few rookies that should already be on your cheat sheet heading into the draft.

AL Rookie of the Year favorite
Francisco Liriano, SP Min

At age 22, Liriano is an overpowering southpaw who has the potential to be one of the most dominant hurlers in the game down the road. As a left-hander with a high 90’s fastball and an above average slider, he’s devastating on left-handed hitters. A shoulder injury sidelined him for most of the 2003 season, so Minnesota will definitely be cautious with his innings this year. During spring training, he’s competing for the fifth starter’s job but could actually start the season in the minor leagues. Manager Ron Gardenhire seemed against starting the rookie in the bullpen if he doesn’t land a job in the rotation right away, so a stint in Triple-A is a possibility. He led all pitchers with 204 strikeouts during 2005 so from a fantasy perspective, he’s going to be something special. Target Liriano in the mid-to-late rounds on draft day, even if he doesn’t land the starter’s job initially.

1. Ian Stewart, 3B Col
.424 (11-for-26), 5 HR, 13 RBI, 11 R, 1.000 SLG

Garrett Atkins will start the season as the Rockies everyday third baseman, but Stewart should get the call to the bigs sometime in 2006. He’s smashed 57 home runs in the minor leagues the past three seasons and could have value playing in the friendly confines of Coors Field.

2. Curtis Granderson, OF Det
.371 (13-for-35), 4 HR, 5 SB, 11 R, .522 OBP

Granderson has rare five-tool ability and is expected to start the season as the Tigers primary center fielder. Speedy Nook Logan will also contend for playing time at the position. Granderson has totaled 36 home runs and 36 stolen bases the past two seasons in the minor leagues, and is a strong late-round flyer.

3. Mitch Jones, OF NYY
.311 (14-for-45), 4 HR, 5 2B, .689 SLG

Jones has decent power but strikes out way too much.. He’s struck out 468 times the past three seasons but has also connected for 89 home runs in that span. He’s competing with Kevin Thompson for a backup outfielder role with the Yankees. He’s got good power but is still not a lock to make the club.

4. Cody Ross, OF LAD
.364 (8-for-22), 4 HR, 1.000 SLG

Ross is out of options with the Dodgers and is in a dogfight to land a backup-outfielder role this spring training. He’s played well smashing four long balls this March. If he doesn’t make L.A.’s team, it's likely he'll get a chance to play with another big league squad.

5. Chris Duncan, OF StL
.321 (17-for-53), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 4 2B

The son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is doing his best to make the team as Albert Pujols’ backup at first base. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter smacked a dinger off southpaw Randy Johnson. Duncan will probably be a mid-season call-up.

6. Delmon Young, OF TB
.250 (7-for-28), HR, 5 SB

Young will start the season at Triple-A Durham this season. He finished 2005 at that level and has still yet to get his first cup of coffee in the bigs. The DRays assigned Young and B.J. Upton to the minors on 3/16, but Dmitri’s younger brother should definitely get the call sometime in 2006. He’s registered 51 HR and 53 SB in his two minor league seasons.

7. Eric Reed, OF Fla
.324 (11-for-34), 4 SB

Reed was expected to land the everyday starting center field job this spring, but got off to a slow start. He’s picked up his game recently and could still hold off Reggie Abercrombie, who is hitting .421 (16-for-38). He’s worth taking in the late rounds because of his impressive speed – he stole 117 stolen bases the past three seasons.

8. Steve Watkins, RP Was
1-1, 1.38 ERA, 16 K, 13 IP

Watkins is competing to land a relievers job in Washington this spring. He’s looked sharp, and could even be in line to land a spot-starter job if he keeps up the fine work. He went 9-2 at Triple-A Buffalo last season and is definitely one of the most ready hurlers in the Nationals farm system.

9. Scott Baker, SP Min
1-0, 2.84 ERA, 7-2 K-BB ratio

Baker is a long shot to land a job with the Twins this spring, but is definitely on the team’s plans this season. Liriano, who led the minors in strikeouts last season, is the favorite to land the job, so Baker might not get a chance until later in the season. His 107-26 K-BB ratio last season at Triple-A Rochester proves the kid has exceptional control, which seems to be a requirement in their rotation – Brad Radke, Johan Santana and Carlos Silva rank among the highest in the league in lowest walks totals.

10. Chris Bootcheck, SP/RP LAA
3-0, 1.00 ERA, 6-0 K-BB ratio

Used solely as a starter throughout his five seasons in the minors, Bootcheck is expected to land a job in the Angels bullpen in 2006. He’s got talent but, at age 27, is still a project.