By Zach Chalifour
May 28, 2003 9:23pm CDT

Alfredo Amezaga, SS, Anaheim Angels
Amezaga is on a tear (.352 BA, 24 RBI in 176 at-bats) at Triple-A Salt Lake this season and is assured a promotion to the majors if Adam Kennedy or David Eckstein are injured. In addition to his huge offensive start, Amezaga has maintained his excellent stolen base ability (10 steals) while showing a much-improved ability to get on base (.406 OBP). With a .278 career BA, it's unlikely Amezaga can maintain a .350 average, but a finish around the .290-.300 range would draw a huge vote of confidence from the front office.

Tike Redman, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Redman didn't inspire much interest from the Pirates office during the first six years of his career, but is certainly turning a lot of heads this season. The outfielder has stolen an insane 23 bases in 46 games with Triple-A Nashville and is sporting a .386 OBP, currently 61 points higher than his career .325 OBP. With Kenny Lofton riding a 26-game hitting streak, however, Redman is unlikely to get much of an opportunity right now unless the veteran center fielder is injured. Still, the Pirates will likely go for a youth movement after another season of failure in 2003, and that could spell a starting major league job for Redman in 2004.

Rene Reyes, OF, Colorado Rockies
A former catcher and first baseman, Reyes has adapted to his role in the outfield and is showing an immediate adaptation to Triple-A pitching as well. Reyes has lit up opposing pitchers this season with a .351 batting average and is on track for a career-high of RBI with 25 at this point. Like most young hitters, however, Reyes still struggles to draw walks (9 BB in 191 at-bats). He stole 53 bases in 2001, but just 10 last year. He's rebounded somewhat, taking seven so far this season. With a crowded Rockies outfield, Reyes isn't likely to get much opportunity in the majors this season. Yet at 23 years-old, Reyes has at least another year or two for development and should move in when 36 year-old Larry Walker starts to go down hill.

Greg Vaughn, OF, Colorado Rockies
With interleague play soon approaching, Colorado intends to call-up Vaughn from Triple-A Colorado Springs so he can perform what he does best: be a designated hitter who serves no purpose on defense. Of course, another reason behind Vaughn's upcoming promotion is a contract that allows him to shop around for another team if he hasn't seen time in the majors by June 15. The 38 year-old Vaughn has "flourished" against Triple-A pitching this season, posting a .310 BA (.701 SLG) with nine home runs and 28 RBI in 87 at-bats. Now is the time to place your bets that Vaughn's strikeout total will double his hit total.

Laynce Nix, OF, Texas Rangers
After a very impressive output with Single-A Charlotte (.285/21/110) last season, Nix continues to post excellent numbers at Double-A Frisco. The 22 year-old Nix appears to have developed a better hitter's mentality with his .325 batting average and .376 OBP. Unfortunately for opposing pitchers, he has gained this mentality without losing any of his power or run producing ability (nine home runs, 38 RBI in 197 at-bats). If Nix can maintain these numbers, he could follow in the footsteps of former Ranger prospects Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira by being handed a ticket to the big leagues after only one season at Double-A.

Ryan Vogelsong, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Vogelsong was considered to be a top pitching prospect and a leading candidate for the Pittsburgh starting rotation when the Pirates acquired him a trade from San Francisco in July 2001. But, tragedy struck when Vogelsong blew out his elbow in just his second start for Pittsburgh and required Tommy John surgery. Vogelsong endured a long, arduous road to recovery last season (8.04 ERA at Single-A Lynchburg, 5.56 at Double-A Altoona), but appears to have finally returned to form at Triple-A Nashville. Despite an unimpressive 4.75 ERA, Vogelsong has struck out 64 batters in 60.2 IP and has allowed only 55 hits. With the Pirates rotation always in need of a good arm, Vogelsong should see a spot in the rotation sometime this season if he can maintain his current numbers.