With Hughes up...

[pokerplaya]

Who is the next "Must have" prospect?

What would be his ETA?

[High Heater]

i'd say Butler should be soon too

[Galt]

Nobody comes close to Butler on the offensive side.

After Hughes, it's Lincecum/Gallardo. I think Bailey and Garza a) won't be up for a bit and b) will struggle with control when they do.

[raiders_umpire]

Who is the next "Must have" prospect?

What would be his ETA?

No question it is Billy Butler. I think we will see him in mid summer, but he could be held off until September mainly due to his age.

[pokerplaya]

Nobody comes close to Butler on the offensive side.

After Hughes, it's Lincecum/Gallardo. I think Bailey and Garza a) won't be up for a bit and b) will struggle with control when they do.

I should have specified...not in the Yahoo system...Lincecum, Bailey and Garza are already in...

[Yoda]

Butler for me as well. No questions about his offense but I haven't heard a lot about his progress with the mitt. Anyone have an update?

[raiders_umpire]

Butler for me as well. No questions about his offense but I haven't heard a lot about his progress with the mitt. Anyone have an update?

Still below average. His arm is not bad, so he could end up in LF in the bigs as long as the CF had great range, but I would bet on full time DH.

[WTP]

I recently wrote a short article concerning this exact question.

I think Gallardo is clearly the frontrunner. We have seen in the last year or two what top pitching prospects can do coming out of the minors, while the hitters have been experiencing a more significant adjustment period. I've always believed that a pitcher has a bigger advantage than a hitter when the league is "unfamiliar" with them.

I don't see why Gallardo can't come in and put up an '06 Cole Hamels year right away. He's every bit the pitcher that Hughes is, though Hughes is in a better fantasy situation in terms of offensive help and the need for him in the rotation. That said, Gallardo woud be in a weaker league, a weaker division, and would have a good young offense behind him. I can easily see him being the best pitcher called up this year.